Moving to Europe After Brexit — What You Need to Know About Shipping Your Car
Europe has always had a magnetic pull for UK residents. The food, the culture, the climate, the pace of life — whether it’s the rolling countryside of Provence, the golden coastline of the Algarve, the buzzing streets of Berlin, or the sun-soaked hills of Tuscany, millions of British people have built — and continue to build — their lives across the Channel.
But since Brexit, the rules of the road have changed. And one of the most practical questions that comes up for anyone planning a European move is this: what happens to my car?
The straightforward answer is that you can absolutely ship your car to Europe — but the process now involves customs declarations, potential import taxes, and re-registration requirements that simply didn’t exist before January 2021. The good news? None of it is insurmountable. It just takes proper planning and a shipping partner who genuinely understands the post-Brexit landscape.
At Ship Cars Ltd, we’ve been helping UK customers navigate this new reality since day one. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know before your vehicle leaves British shores.
The Biggest Change: Your Car Is Now Crossing an International Customs Border
Before Brexit, moving a car from the UK to France, Spain, Germany, or any other EU member state was, from a customs perspective, seamless. There were no declarations, no duties, no border formalities — the single market made it all invisible.
That’s no longer the case.
The UK is now a third country in the eyes of the European Union. That means your vehicle — regardless of where it was built or how long you’ve owned it — is subject to the same customs processes as any other import from outside the EU.
In practical terms, this means:
- A customs export declaration must be filed when your vehicle leaves the UK
- A customs import declaration must be filed when your vehicle enters the EU member state
- Import duty and local VAT may be applicable depending on the destination country and your personal circumstances
- Your vehicle will need to be re-registered in your new country of residence if you are moving permanently
Understanding these requirements upfront — rather than discovering them at the border — is what separates a smooth move from a deeply stressful one.
Can You Get Relief From Import Duty?
Here’s where there is genuinely good news — particularly for people who are relocating permanently to Europe rather than simply exporting a vehicle for other reasons.
Most EU countries offer a Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief for people moving their personal effects — including their vehicle — from a non-EU country to an EU member state. If you qualify, this can allow you to import your car free of customs duty and VAT, which represents a very significant saving.
To typically qualify for Transfer of Residence relief, you will usually need to demonstrate:
- You have been resident outside the EU (i.e., in the UK) for a continuous period of at least 12 months
- The vehicle has been registered in your name and used by you for at least 6 months prior to the move
- You are genuinely relocating your primary residence to the destination EU country — not simply moving the car while remaining UK-based
- The vehicle is not sold or transferred to another person for a minimum period after importation (typically 12 months)
The exact requirements, deadlines, and documentation vary from country to country. France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, and Italy all handle Transfer of Residence applications differently — and the window within which you must apply is strict. Miss the deadline, and the relief may not apply.
This is one of the most important reasons to begin your planning early and to work with a team that understands the specifics of your destination country’s process.
Re-Registering Your UK Car in Europe
Even with duty relief in place, your journey doesn’t end at the border. Once your car arrives in your new EU country and customs formalities are completed, you will need to re-register the vehicle under local plates — and this is where each country has its own rules.
There are no unified EU-wide standards for vehicle registration taxes or timelines. What applies in Spain is different from what applies in France, which is different again from the Netherlands or Italy.
Generally speaking, the process involves:
- Submitting your UK V5C as proof of ownership and vehicle details
- Passing a local roadworthiness inspection — in some countries this is the equivalent of an MOT; in others it is a more comprehensive technical check
- Paying any applicable local registration tax — these vary significantly by country and vehicle type
- Applying for local number plates once registration is approved
Some countries — particularly France and Portugal — have well-established pathways for UK vehicle imports and are familiar with handling right-hand drive UK cars. Others may be less experienced with the process and require more patience and documentation.
One important practical point: right-hand drive vehicles are legal throughout the EU, but some countries may apply additional scrutiny or require specific equipment checks. It is not a barrier to relocation, but it is a detail to be aware of.
The Paperwork You’ll Need
Getting your documentation right is essential. Incomplete or incorrect paperwork is the single most common cause of delays at European customs, and the consequences — storage fees, missing ferry slots, clearance backlogs — can be costly.
Here is what you will typically need to prepare:
- Original V5C (Logbook) — The original document, not a photocopy. This is your vehicle’s title and will be required both for UK export and EU import
- Valid Passport — Photo page copy for the vehicle owner / consignee
- Proof of Address in the UK — Supporting your Transfer of Residence claim, such as utility bills or bank statements
- Purchase Invoice or Proof of Ownership — Confirming when and how the vehicle was acquired
- UK Export Customs Declaration — Filed on your behalf by your shipping agent prior to departure
- EU Import Customs Declaration — Filed by a customs agent in the destination country on arrival
- Transfer of Residence Application — Where applicable, submitted to the customs authority of the destination EU member state
- Insurance Documentation — Temporary cover for driving from the destination port to your new address
At Ship Cars Ltd, we provide clear, step-by-step guidance on documentation requirements specific to your destination country — so nothing is missed and your vehicle moves through customs without unnecessary hold-ups.
How Your Car Will Be Shipped to Europe
Shipping a car to Europe from the UK is generally a far shorter journey than routes to Australia, Canada, or the USA — and that’s reflected in the transit times and costs. There are two primary methods available.
RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) Ferry Shipping
For most European destinations, RoRo is the natural choice. Your vehicle is driven onto a specialist RoRo vessel at a UK departure port, transported across to the European destination port, and driven off on arrival.
RoRo works well for:
- Standard cars, SUVs, and vans in full working order
- Customers looking for the most cost-effective option
- Short to medium-range European routes
UK departure ports for European routes include Southampton, Portsmouth, Dover, and Grimsby, with arrival ports across France, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, and beyond.
Container Shipping
For high-value, classic, or non-running vehicles, container shipping offers a greater level of protection and security during the crossing. Your vehicle is loaded into a sealed steel container — either dedicated or shared — and transported with significantly more shelter from the elements.
Container shipping suits:
- Classic or prestige vehicles requiring maximum protection
- Non-runners or electric vehicles that cannot be driven on/off a vessel
- Customers who want an elevated level of security regardless of route length
Don’t Forget Transit Insurance
The Channel may be short, but the risks of transit — however small — are real. Standard shipping costs do not automatically include comprehensive vehicle cover, and your existing UK car insurance will not protect your vehicle during sea freight.
At Ship Cars Ltd, we offer tailored transit insurance for every European shipment:
- Total Loss Cover — For catastrophic damage or loss during transit
- Comprehensive Damage Cover — Broader protection covering structural and cosmetic damage during loading, shipping, and unloading
Photograph your vehicle thoroughly before handover and document any pre-existing marks in writing. It takes ten minutes and could save you a significant headache later.
Start Your European Move the Right Way
Brexit changed the rules — but it didn’t close the door. Thousands of UK residents continue to successfully relocate to Europe with their vehicles every year, and with the right preparation, the process is genuinely manageable.
The key is starting early, understanding the customs requirements for your specific destination country, and working with a shipping partner who knows this landscape inside out.
At Ship Cars Ltd, European car shipping is something our team handles every single week. From your first quote to the moment your car is registered and on the road in your new home country, we’re with you every step of the way.
Contact us today to get all the details about shipping requirements or check our sailing schedule for upcoming shipping dates.