Ready to move to Europe but not sure you have saved enough money? Here are some Europe moving expenses you might encounter and how to tackle them.

Transporting costs

The biggest expense you will probably encounter is hiring an international moving company. Your Europe moving expenses will be affected by many factors:

• Size of the move – obviously, moves larger in weight and volume will be more expensive than the smaller ones.
• Distance and route – the further the company has to transport your things the more expensive it will be. Also, moving to destinations in Europe which are not common will result in additional fees. If your possessions need to switch transport this may result in additional Europe moving expenses.
• Method of transport – if you send your things to your new home by sea it might prove much cheaper than by air.

You might want to directly hire a freight shipping company in order to avoid additional costs, however, these are not as suited for home moves as much as for moving goods.

The actual cost is hard to predict on account of the many variables included, but it can range from $1000 to $10,000.

Packing costs

While this may not prove as an extra expense, some companies will insist on packing your things in order to guarantee their safety during transport and to ensure that there will be no nasty surprises at the customs check. In these cases you will have to pay them. In some cases, you can pack yourself as long as you leave the boxes open for the movers to inspect. And you can further cut your Europe moving expenses if you choose to unpack yourself when you reach your destination. All of this can be agreed upon with your moving company in a timely manner. And, with a little bit of planning and preparation, packing won’t be a hassle.

Make sure you don’t bring any illegal materials and include bubble wrap, tape and boxes in your Europe moving expenses.

Packing costs can range from $50 (for the DIY option) all the way to several hundred dollars (if the movers do it for you).

Storage costs

Coordinating your moving date with the shipping date for your things may be difficult. So, you might find yourself in a situation where your things have arrived well before you. For these situations you might consider getting a storage for your things, which will increase your Europe moving expenses. Also, if you find your new accommodation lacking you can always use the storage to keep your things safe and out of the rain, while you are looking for a new place.

Storage costs may vary according to the country you are moving to, but in Europe they range from $70/month in the Eastern part of the continent to well above $200/month in some of the richer countries like Germany or Britain. Most of these storages offer promotional prices for the first month, so if you don’t plan on using it for longer, you can cut your Europe moving expenses.

Insurance costs

For some international moving companies insurance is included in the asking price, but not for all. You will want to make sure by talking to your movers. Make sure you insure your things when moving long distances and especially when moving by sea.

These costs will depend on the appraised value of your possessions, but will definitely be cheaper than getting completely new things.

Customs costs

These depend on the country you are moving to. The best way to go about it is to check that specific country’s customs policies. Some may depend on where you are moving from, while some may tax the route and means of transport your possessions took.

The price may range from virtually nothing to exorbitant fees depending on what you are transporting and where to. Most custom prices depend on the value of the goods you are transporting.

Accommodation costs

These will be among the highest of your Europe moving expenses. Apart from the expenses regarding your new home, you might have to spend the night in a hotel while you wait for your flight. Or you may arrive with some time to spare and decide to go on a tour of the country you moved to. Furthermore, make sure you understand the taxing and the laws of the country you
want to move to. Some European countries may tax you higher if you are not from the European Union. Others may require a credit check and extensive paperwork from the coutry you moved from. If you are renting, make sure you are familiar with the rent laws of the particular country you are moving to. Acquiring a lawyer or necessary documentation might prove as additional Europe moving expenses.

The projected cost of housing is very hard to determine and is different for each case. Regarding the housing costs, if you are able, bring 30% more money than you think you’ll need, cause it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Miscellaneous

These include all other costs you may encounter. Remember that an international move if a fickle thing, especially if it’s overseas. You will need to account for numerous small and large expenses and fees.

If you are moving from the US, you will need to get socket adapters for most of your appliances or buy some new ones to replace the ones that can’t be adapted (such as a laundry machine or a cooker). You might need to buy a new set of clothes if you are moving to a European country with a climate different from the country you came from.

Additional fees may have to be paid for moving with pets – registering them, or giving them all the shots required by the EU.

Europe moving expenses can be unpredictable and tricky, so, to help you as much as we can, you can use a moving cost calculator. Or, if push comes to shove, and everything takes a turn for the worst, here are some survival tips if the Europe moving expenses prove too vast.