Moving To Europe
The total force of Brexit was experienced in 2021 and called on moving’s golden age moving to European Union (EU) countries from the UK. The days of being able to live and work throughout the European continent without a visa or care in the world are long gone.
However, your dream of owning a new European home is still certainly alive. You will simply need to work a bit harder to turn your dreams into reality, and that is something we can assist you with. Ark Relocation offers weekly services to all European countries from the UK.
If you are planning to move outside of Europe, then you will need to check the regulations of your chosen country to see if they have changed in the last few months. There are still many countries outside of the European Union that Brits will have an easy time moving to.
Fortunately. countries like Brazil and Canada do not seem to have imposed stricter rules. When we talked to the Foreign Office of the UK, they did not highlight any changes for UK nationals who are moving to non-European Union countries.
The UK does have special status with other countries in Europe any longer. It is now considered to be a “third country” – or a nation outside of the European Union.
It is still possible to stay in one or multiple European Union member states for as long as 90 days within an 18-day time frame without too many difficulties. However, you are required to have a visa if you would like to move to Europe.
To obtain a visa, you will need to comply with the country’s specific requirements where you are moving to. Unfortunately, it is complex.
It is worthwhile to note that the continent does not automatically recognise your professional qualifications any longer. If you are a vet, pharmacist, nurse, engineer, doctor, dentist, or architect, you will need to have each country you are practicing in recognise your qualifications.
So before moving, check with the UK embassy of the country you are planning to move to make sure that once you arrive you will be allowed to do your work.
When you are travelling, also check to make sure your passport is not expiring for at least six months, since this is required by most European countries. Otherwise, when you reach the border you could be turned away.
– Moving to Spain
If you are planning on moving to Spain, the first thing you will need to obtain is a Tarjeta de Residentia (temporary residence visa) so you will be able to stay for more than 90 days in the country.
Get an appointment set up with the Spanish Consulate located in London. You can do this by emailing your details to cog.londres.residencia@maec.es. Include the following:
- Name
- Nationality
- Telephone number
- Passport number
- Preferred appointment date, available on Tuesdays and Thursdays only.
You can also apply for a temporary visa in Spain. However, you will need to do this at an Oficina de extranjeros (immigration office) within 30 days of arriving in Spain. We do not recommend this option since it tends to be more stressful compared to applying within the UK.
Depending on your specific circumstances, a temporary visa allows you to remain in Spain from three months up to five years.
A permanent residence visa can be applied for after legally living in Spain for five years.
Get A Free Moving Quote for Removals to Spain.
– Moving to France
If you would like to move to France for more than 90 days you will need to apply for a long-stay visa.
If your application is successful, you will have one year after you have arrived in France to apply and secure a residence permit. This can be done at your local prefecture.
Apply online before the June 30th EU-wide deadline, if you are over 18 years old and a UK national who was a legal resident in France prior to January 1st, 2021.
Legal residents who are younger than 18 years old are exempt from the requirement.
When you apply, you will need to submit a scan or photo of your passport, along with one or more other documents detailed in the helpful flowcharts issued by the French government.
It is not necessary for you to reapply if you applied to obtain a Brexit residence permit any time from October 9, 2019, through January 31, 2020.
The local prefecture will process your application – although we do recommend that you contact the local authorities to ensure they have received it.
Get A Free Moving Quote for Removals to France
– Moving to Germany
A helpful tool has been created by the German government to check to see whether it is likely that you will be allowed to move and work in Germany. You should definitely use this tool.
If you are moving because of work. you will need to have a binding job offer along with either a university degree or a vocational qualification.
You will not be allowed to start to work until after you have applied for a residence permit. You must complete this within 90 days of your arrival in Germany.
If your vocational or academic qualification is from a non-German institution (for example, the UK), you might also need to prove that the qualification you have is equivalent to the German one.
This German government page can be checked to see whether or not your new position requires you to obtain “official recognition” that the qualification you hold has a similar quality to the German one. If you belong to a regulated profession, such as doctors and lawyers, you will need to obtain this.
If official recognition is not needed, you might still need to obtain a Statement of Comparability, depending on what your residency status is and the place where you reside.
That will also help you to explain your qualifications quickly, especially if you are moving jobs.
Get A Free Moving Quote for Removals to Germany.
– Moving to Italy
Living in Italy is still possible. However, for your move to become permanent it involves a two-stage process.
A Long Stay visa needs to be applied for first. Fill the form in that the Italian government has created to find out whether or not you can apply. If you decide to move forward with your application, you will need to pay €116 (£102).
The Long Stay visa is available to all individuals who are moving for education, work, adoption, family reunification, religious, or retirement purposes. However, these are not permanent visas.
You will be allowed to remain in Italy for a certain period of time, depending on which reason from the above applies to your situation. Visas vary in length from three months up to two years.
If you would like to remain in Italy for a longer period of time, you will need to apply for a residence permit at an “immigration one-stop-shop” and then a police station – within eight working days of your arrival in Italy.
It should also be possible for you to book your appointment online at a one-stop shop, depending on where the local one is located.
If you are moving because of work, you will need to obtain a work permit from an Italian employer. You will then be able to apply for your work visa, assuming that the Italian government is allowing foreign workers to enter, and the national quota has not been filled.
Before you apply, ask the local Italian Embassy what the quota’s current state is.
Get A Free Moving Quote for Removals to Italy
– Moving to Portugal
Like with other European countries, UK nationals can remain in Portugal for a period of three months.
To make the move permanent, the first step you will need to take is to obtain a visto para obtenção de autorização de residência or “visa to obtain a residence permit.”
This visa can be requested for many different reasons, including studying, self-employment, teaching, scientific research, or work. It allows you to remain in Portugal for four months and then move into the next step.
During that time period, follow the directions on the visa and get an autorização de residência (residence permit).
When you apply, you will need to prove that you have a place to live and enough money to survive, in addition to any other specific requirements for the reason you are applying.
Visit the Portugues Immigration website to find out what you can expect when you apply.
If your application is successful, you will have the right to live in Portugal for one year. It can be renewed for up to a maximum of five years. You can then apply to obtain a permanent residence visa at that point.
Get A Free Moving quote for Removals to Portugal
Ark Relocation has many years of experience in moving individuals and families safely throughout Europe, including Portugal, Italy, and France. Our in-depth knowledge and extensive experience with the removal market in Europe will ensure that your relocation is seamless. Fill out our Online Quotation form or call us today on 01908 311 001 to talk to one of the European specialists on our team.
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My Story: Gabby Gomes of Ark Relocation
I’m Gabby Gomes, the heart and soul behind Ark Relocation in Milton Keynes. With over three decades in the moving industry, I’ve steered Ark Relocation to be a trusted name, offering everything from house removals to commercial relocations. We’ve also ventured into European and International removals, ensuring seamless transitions for our clients, whether near or far.
