Documents You’ll Need to Move to Portugal
You will need several documents to be eligible for removal to Portugal from the UK. Due to Brexit, all domestic relocations to the European Union must happen under a Transfer of Residence procedure. Whether or not a specific residential move qualifies for this Transfer of Residence status is entirely up to the customs authority, and the paperwork is based mainly on the requirements of each country’s customs authorities.
In Portugal, those requirements are particularly strict, and failing to achieve the Transfer of Residence status will mean that the removal is treated as a regular import which can be charged with import VAT (at the rate of 23% of the items’ total value). Therefore, we require our customers to ensure that all the listed paperwork is diligently completed long before the collection day.
We will Only Pick Up Your Goods if We Receive the Following Documents Before the Removal:
A valid Copy of identity card or Passport
An ‘Atestado de Residência‘ (proof of address) – it’s an official document issued by the local Portuguese Junta de Freguesia (a kind of parish council) confirming that you will establish residence at a given address. Alternatively, if the EU customs agent agrees, it might be enough for you to provide a document confirming that you are an EU resident or intend to become one, for example:
- If you reside with your family in the EU, please ask them to complete and sign this template and provide a copy of their ID and a utility bill with the address.
- If you are employed in the EU, please provide your EU employment contract.
- If you have living arrangements in the EU, please provide a utility bill with your name and address, your tenancy agreement, or the property ownership deed.
A self-certificate (using this template) to inform the customs authorities that you’ve used the household objects at your usual residence in the UK for more than six months and that you won’t sell, rent or pledge them after receiving them in your new place and that you aim to remain an EU resident for at least one year.
A UK certificate of residence or other evidence you’ve lived in the UK for at least the last 12 months (e.g. 12 months of council tax bill or bank statements showing address).
A detailed, signed packing list with each item’s value, size and weight. Please fill in all fields provided in MuveOne Insurance Form.
A Certificate of Baggage issued by the Portuguese Consulate in the UK.
A signed authorisation for the customs clearance agent to be your direct representative.
You will receive a blank form from MuveOne after you confirm your booking.
You need to print and sign all the documents and have them ready for the driver in a big envelope. Please also supply completed documents electronically via the customer portal for verification.
The above documents are needed before picking up your belongings. On the day of your move, we will give you a CMR form (cargo movement) to fill out.
If you want to quicken the process or find out more, contact your local customs office in Portugal.
For additional information regarding bringing personal effects to Portugal, we recommend visiting this government resource. If you prefer information in English, you can visit the Dutch Government website, which provides comprehensive details on the subject.
