Home or Video Survey
Use the survey to help estimate the packed volume, review access and identify goods needing specialist preparation.
UK to Austria International Removals
Moving to Austria from the UK
A new home in Austria brings plenty to organise. Your belongings need a practical route from the UK front door to the rooms where you will use them. Move Home Easy plans removals to Austria around your inventory, property access and preferred dates, bringing collection, packing, transport and delivery into one coordinated service.
An urban apartment and an Alpine property present different access questions. Share lift measurements, seasonal access concerns and any restrictions on large vehicles before the final route is agreed. We can discuss moves involving Vienna, Graz, Salzburg and destinations across Austria, with the exact coverage and handling arrangements confirmed for your address.
For UK-to-Austria removals, the main choice is often between sharing a road service and reserving a dedicated vehicle. We assess the packed volume and your timing before recommending an option. A few boxes, selected furniture and a full household each need a different balance of space, cost and flexibility.
Build your quote around the complete journey: preparation, UK collection, export arrangements, international transport and delivery at destination. Customs requirements and any available relief depend on the goods and your circumstances. Use the route guidance below to prepare the paperwork, and confirm storage or specialist handling before the booking is finalised.
Request a free UK-to-Austria moving quote
- Professional export packing
- UK collection
- Shared and dedicated road transport
- Sea and air-freight options
- Austrian customs support
- Storage
- Door-to-door delivery
A Moving Company for Relocation to Austria
Austria is a landlocked central European destination, so most household moves from the UK travel by road after crossing the Channel. The route can pass through France, Germany, the Netherlands or another suitable European corridor before customs clearance and final delivery.
Move Home Easy brings together those stages as one organised service. We start by assessing what you are moving and the amount of packed space it is likely to occupy. We can then compare shared road freight, a dedicated removals vehicle, sea freight and air freight.
A shared or groupage service is commonly used for boxes, selected furniture and smaller household moves. A dedicated vehicle may be more suitable for a full household or a move with fixed collection and delivery requirements.
The destination address matters as well. A Vienna apartment may require parking and lift bookings, while Alpine destinations can involve steep roads, winter conditions, restricted access or smaller delivery vehicles.
Who is this service suitable for?
- UK residents transferring their normal residence to Austria
- Families moving to Vienna, Salzburg, Graz or another Austrian city
- Austrian residents returning after living in the UK
- Couples moving the contents of a flat or small home
- Students shipping boxes or essential personal belongings
- Companies and employers arranging staff relocations
- Customers sending selected furniture rather than a full household
- People requiring storage before export or after customs clearance
On This Page
- UK-to-Austria relocation services
- The international moving process
- Groupage, dedicated vehicles and air freight
- Professional export packing
- Austrian customs clearance
- Documents commonly required
- Restricted and prohibited goods
- Cost of moving from the UK to Austria
- Transport and delivery times
- Austria delivery areas
- Storage during an Austria relocation
- Cars, pets and corporate moves
- Moving checklist
- Frequently asked questions
UK-to-Austria Relocation Services
The exact scope will be confirmed in your written quotation.
Professional Export Packing
Professional packing can include suitable cartons, furniture wrapping, protection for artwork and reinforced preparation for fragile items.
UK Collection
Arrangements for collection can be made from a house, apartment, storage unit or business premises. Parking, stairs, lifts and loading access should be reviewed.
Road Freight to Austria
Road freight is the principal transport option for many UK-to-Austria household moves. Goods can travel through the Channel Tunnel or a ferry route and continue through continental Europe.
Shared and Dedicated Vehicles
Shared road freight can suit smaller flexible moves. A dedicated vehicle may suit larger households or moves with fixed dates.
Sea and Air Freight
It may be possible to use sea freight as part of some larger or stored moves, while air freight can be used for small urgent consignments.
Customs Documentation Support
Move Home Easy and the customs representative can explain the documents normally required for Austrian transfer-of-residence relief, including the ZBefr forms.
Destination Delivery
After customs release, the destination team arranges transport to the stated Austrian address. Alpine and restricted-access destinations may need additional planning.
Storage
Arrangements for storage can be made before export or after customs clearance when property or travel dates do not align.
Business and Employee Relocation
Our team at Move Home Easy can help you coordinate household-goods moves for employers and staff relocating to Austria.
How Moving from the UK to Austria Works
Most UK-to-Austria household moves follow the same main stages.
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Initial Move Assessment
Help us assess the move by providing the UK collection postcode, Austrian destination, approximate shipment size and preferred moving period.
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Home or Video Survey
The survey establishes the expected packed volume and identifies access, fragile goods and specialist items.
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Customs Eligibility Review
Confirm how long your normal residence has been outside the EU, how long the goods have been used and when you are establishing residence in Austria.
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Written Quotation
The quotation explains the transport method, packing, collection, customs support, delivery and exclusions.
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Service Selection
Choose shared road freight, a dedicated vehicle, air freight or a combination of methods.
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Document Preparation
Prepare the inventory, identity, residence and ownership evidence and complete form ZBefr 2E or the procedure advised by Customs.
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Packing and Collection
The moving crew prepares and numbers the agreed packages. Passports, medication and valuables should stay with you.
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UK Export and International Transport
The goods complete the UK export process and travel through the selected European route.
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Austrian Customs Clearance
The declaration and supporting evidence are presented to Austrian Customs. Customs may request further documents or examine the goods.
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Delivery to Your Austrian Address
After release, the destination team transports the shipment to the stated address.
Transporting Household Goods to Austria
Shared road freight, dedicated vehicles and air freight each suit a different type of move.
Shared Road Freight or Groupage
A groupage service brings together separately packed shipments travelling on compatible UK-to-Austria routes. Customers pay for the space used and accept a broader schedule.
Dedicated Removals Vehicle
A dedicated vehicle is allocated to one customer's move and can provide greater control over loading, routing and delivery.
Sea Freight or Container Transport
Sea or container transport may form part of some larger or stored moves, followed by inland road delivery to Austria.
Air Freight to Austria
Air freight is the fastest option for appropriate low-volume consignments but is normally more expensive for bulky goods.
Transport Option Comparison
| Transport service | Usually suitable for | Main benefit | Main consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared road freight | Boxes, small flats and partial moves | Pay for the space used | Broader collection and delivery window |
| Dedicated removals vehicle | Full households and time-sensitive moves | Sole use and scheduling control | Higher cost when the vehicle is not fully used |
| Sea or container transport | Large, stored or specialist shipments | High capacity | Additional terminal and inland handling |
| Air freight | Urgent and low-volume consignments | Fastest transport | Higher cost for bulky goods |
Professional Packing for a Move to Austria
Professional export packing helps protect belongings during repeated handling, customs procedures and cross-border transport.
Choose packaging to suit each item: wrap the furniture, use appropriate cartons and add protection for fragile contents. Artwork, antiques, mirrors, glass, stone and awkwardly shaped pieces may benefit from individually made cases.
Items that may need additional preparation
- Pictures, mirrors and framed artwork
- Glass tables and cabinets
- Antiques and sculptures
- Televisions and audio equipment
- Musical instruments
- Stone and unusually heavy furniture
- Large appliances
- Bicycles and sports equipment
- Skiing and outdoor equipment
- Goods requiring custom cases
Owner-packed cartons may be possible, but insurance terms can differ.
Austrian Customs Clearance for Household Goods
Great Britain is treated as a country outside the European Union for customs purposes. It may be possible to import qualifying used personal property into Austria free from customs duty and import VAT when the transfer-of-residence conditions are met.
Main conditions for relief
- The person's normal residence has been outside the EU customs territory for at least 12 continuous months.
- The personal property belongs to the person transferring residence.
- The goods have been used at the former normal residence for at least six months.
- The goods will continue to be used for the same purpose in Austria.
- The goods are entered for free circulation within 12 months of establishing normal residence in the EU.
Goods covered by the relief
- Household effects and personal belongings
- Bicycles, motorcycles and qualifying private vehicles
- Camping caravans, pleasure craft and private aircraft
- Normal household supplies
- Household pets and saddle animals
- Portable instruments used in applied or liberal arts
Goods excluded from the relief
- Alcoholic products
- Tobacco and tobacco products
- Commercial means of transport
- Professional equipment other than qualifying portable instruments
- New goods
ZBefr customs forms
Form ZBefr 2E is used for the standard declaration regarding customs exemption for relocation goods. An application using ZBefr 2aE and a formal customs decision may need to be arranged where that form does not apply.
Goods imported before establishing residence
Relief may be available before the customer establishes normal residence in Austria, but the person must generally establish normal residence in the EU within six months and a guarantee may need to be arranged.
Restriction on transferring relieved goods
Until 12 months have elapsed from customs acceptance, relieved goods may not be lent, pledged, hired or transferred without prior notification to the competent customs office.
Basic assessment notice
A basic assessment notice may need to be arranged before import when the property includes a vehicle or another means of transport, when residence circumstances are more complex, or when the goods arrive before normal residence is established.
Customs inspection
Austrian Customs can review the declaration, documents, values and descriptions and can select the vehicle or shipment for examination.
The information in this section is general guidance instead of legal or customs advice. Austrian Customs and other authorities make all final decisions.
Documents Commonly Needed When Moving to Austria
Your checklist will be determined by the customer's status, goods and customs procedure.
- Passport or national identity document
- Detailed inventory showing quantities and realistic current values
- Form ZBefr 2E or ZBefr 2aE where applicable
- Evidence of at least 12 months' normal residence outside the EU
- Evidence that the goods were used for at least six months
- Proof of normal residence or intended residence in Austria
- Foreign deregistration or departure confirmation
- Austrian registration confirmation where available
- Employment, tenancy or property documents
- CMR consignment note, bill of lading or air waybill
- Authorisation for the customs representative
- Invoices or ownership evidence for newer or high-value goods
- Vehicle purchase, registration and insurance documents where applicable
Keep electronic copies available while the shipment is in transit.
Restricted and Prohibited Goods in Austria
A household move is not exempt from Austrian and EU controls on regulated products.
Goods requiring particular attention
- Alcohol, tobacco and other excise goods
- Medicines and controlled pharmaceutical products
- Food, meat, milk and products of animal origin
- Plants, seeds, soil and plant products
- Live animals and animal products
- Firearms, ammunition and weapon-related goods
- Protected wildlife and CITES-controlled products
- Chemicals, flammable liquids, gases and hazardous materials
- Professional equipment and commercial stock
- New goods or goods in commercial quantities
Items to keep with you
- Passports and original residence documents
- Prescription medication
- Cash, jewellery and valuables
- Keys and important property documents
- Phones, laptops and chargers
- Immediate-use clothing and toiletries
- Children's essential items
- Important school and veterinary records
How Much Does It Cost to Move from the UK to Austria?
There is no single price for a UK-to-Austria move. When assessing the total, take shipment volume, transport method, packing, collection access, destination delivery, customs work, storage and specialist requirements into account.
Shipment Volume
Volume is one of the largest pricing factors and is measured after allowing for packing.
Transport Method
Groupage spreads vehicle space between customers, while a dedicated vehicle provides greater scheduling control.
UK Collection Access
Labour and vehicle costs can be affected by parking restrictions, stairs and long carries.
Austrian Delivery Access
The destination plan can be affected by apartment buildings, historic centres, Alpine roads, snow and restricted access.
European Road Costs
Channel crossings, tolls, fuel, driver time, motorway charges and route distance affect the transport cost.
Packing and Specialist Handling
Artwork, antiques, pianos, safes and unusually shaped goods may require specialist preparation.
Customs, VAT and Inspection Charges
Qualifying used property may receive relief. Ineligible, new or restricted goods can create additional charges.
Storage
Storage costs can include intake, recurring storage, release and redelivery.
Insurance or Shipment Protection
Before confirming the service, establish what protection is included and how high-value and owner-packed goods must be declared.
Questions to ask when comparing quotations
- Is the quotation door to door?
- Does it include professional packing?
- Is the service shared or dedicated?
- Are Channel, toll and road charges included?
- Does it include Austrian customs handling?
- Does it include delivery to the exact Austrian postcode?
- Are unpacking and furniture reassembly included?
- Could Alpine access or shuttle charges apply?
- What storage costs could be added?
- Which duty, VAT or inspection charges are excluded?
How Long Does Moving from the UK to Austria Take?
Depending on the UK origin, Austrian destination, customs readiness and route, a dedicated road service can sometimes complete collection and delivery within approximately one to two weeks.
Shared or groupage services normally have a broader timeframe because the vehicle follows a route containing several compatible collections and deliveries. A planning range of approximately two to five weeks may be used for many shared moves.
These ranges are planning guides rather than guaranteed dates.
Factors that can affect the schedule
- Groupage route planning
- Vehicle and crew availability
- UK collection arrangements
- Channel crossings
- European road and winter conditions
- UK export documents
- Austrian customs review
- Physical inspection
- Duty or VAT assessment
- Restricted-item permits
- Storage instructions
- Alpine and restricted-access delivery
Relocation Services Across Austria
Moving to Vienna
Vienna moves can involve apartment buildings, parking restrictions, loading zones, lift bookings and city-centre access requirements.
Moving to Salzburg
Delivery can be affected by salzburg contains historic streets, apartments and surrounding Alpine destinations where vehicle size and access.
Moving to Graz or Styria
Graz and the wider Styria region include city, suburban and rural properties with different access requirements.
Moving to Linz or Upper Austria
Linz and Upper Austria are important family, industrial and professional relocation destinations.
Moving to Innsbruck or Tyrol
Tyrol deliveries can involve steep roads, tunnels, winter conditions and mountain properties unsuitable for large vehicles.
Moving to Klagenfurt or Carinthia
Carinthia contains city, lakeside, rural and Alpine properties requiring route-specific delivery planning.
Moving to Lower Austria
Arrangements for deliveries can be made to towns, villages and rural properties surrounding Vienna and across Lower Austria.
Moving to Vorarlberg
Vorarlberg is Austria's westernmost region and can involve longer road distances and Alpine access.
Moving to Burgenland
Burgenland deliveries can include smaller towns, rural properties and cross-border business locations.
Cars, Pets and Employee Relocation to Austria
Taking a Vehicle from the UK to Austria
A qualifying used private vehicle can form part of personal property for customs relief, but Austrian registration and tax requirements remain separate.
The vehicle must be entered in Austria's approval database before registration. Vehicles without EU type approval may require individual approval or an exemption.
Standardised consumption tax, known as NoVA, must be calculated and paid before registration. Austrian liability insurance is also required.
People with their main residence in Austria can normally use a foreign-registered vehicle for only one month after import. A further month may be possible where convincing reasons are accepted.
Moving Pets to Austria
Dogs, cats and ferrets travelling from Great Britain normally require a microchip, valid rabies vaccination and an EU animal health certificate issued no more than ten days before entry.
The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination used for travel. A first rabies vaccination requires a waiting period of at least 21 days.
Austria does not allow entry of young dogs, cats or ferrets that are not fully protected by a valid rabies vaccination. Pets must enter through an approved travellers' point of entry.
Corporate and Employee Moves
Employers may need a defined shipment allowance, approval procedure and reporting structure. Our team at Move Home Easy can help you bring together the physical move with the employee and employer.
Small Moves and Boxes
Customers do not need to fill a removals vehicle. Boxes, clothing and selected furniture can often travel through shared road or air services.
UK-to-Austria Relocation Checklist
Eight to Twelve Weeks Before Collection
- Request detailed international-removal quotations.
- Arrange a home or video survey.
- Decide what will be moved, sold, donated or stored.
- Confirm whether Austria will become your normal residence.
- Identify vehicles, professional equipment and controlled goods.
- Check Austrian immigration and local-registration requirements separately.
- Review access at the Austrian property.
Four to Eight Weeks Before Collection
- Choose the transport service and review the written quote.
- Prepare the valued inventory.
- Gather proof of residence outside the EU and intended residence in Austria.
- Complete ZBefr 2E or the customs procedure advised for your situation.
- Gather ownership and use evidence for valuable goods and vehicles.
- Arrange storage where required.
- Begin the separate process for pets or vehicles.
One to Four Weeks Before Collection
- Confirm parking and access at the UK property.
- Separate passports, medication, valuables and immediate essentials.
- Back up computers and important files.
- Photograph high-value items.
- Provide updated Austrian contact information.
- Check names across identity and customs documents.
Before Delivery in Austria
- Confirm customs release.
- Confirm the complete address and postcode.
- Check building, parking and lift rules.
- Check Alpine road, snow and vehicle-access conditions.
- Ensure an authorised adult can receive the shipment.
- Inspect goods as they are delivered.
Why Use Move Home Easy for a Relocation to Austria?
An international move should be planned as a complete service instead of a series of unrelated bookings. The survey, packing, transport method, customs documents and final delivery all need to match.
Move Home Easy brings together these stages from the UK. We assess the consignment, explain the differences between groupage, dedicated vehicles and air freight, and work with the customs and destination teams through clearance and delivery.
We also encourage customers to compare like-for-like quotations. A low transport price may exclude packing by a professional crew, customs handling, tolls, storage, destination access work and delivery to the final address.
Every quotation is prepared around the actual shipment, collection access and final delivery address, with the planned packing, transport, customs support, storage and destination services clearly set out before the move is booked.
Moving in the other direction?
Moving to the UK from Austria?
You can also book the reverse route. Packing, international transport, customs assistance and delivery within the UK can be brought together in a door-to-door moving plan.
Can your team handle moves from Austria to the UK?
Our return-route guide explains the journey in the opposite direction, including shipping choices, UK customs procedures and the practical steps to take before collection.
Moving to Austria from the UK: Frequently Asked Questions
At what stage should I book a move to Austria?
Allow more time for a survey, customs documents and route planning by starting around eight to twelve weeks before collection.
How can I keep costs down when I move belongings to Austria?
Shared road freight or groupage is often economical because the customer pays for the space used for a smaller flexible shipment.
What should I budget to move from the UK to Austria?
Your quotation is worked out from shipment volume, shared or dedicated transport, packing, access, customs work, storage and specialist items.
Is there a requirement for my belongings to have been used for six months?
Yes. Qualifying personal property should have been used at the former normal residence for at least six months.
What time limit applies if I need to import my belongings?
Normally, qualifying property should be entered for free circulation within 12 months of establishing normal residence in the EU.
Is it possible to sell or lend imported belongings?
Relieved goods cannot normally be lent, pledged, hired or transferred without prior notification for 12 months after customs acceptance.
Is it possible for my belongings to be stored during the move?
Depending on availability, you may be able to store the goods before export or after customs clearance.
What time limit applies to using foreign plates after relocation?
A person with main residence in Austria can normally use a foreign-registered vehicle for one month after import. A further month may be possible in accepted cases.
What timing should I allow for a move from the UK to Austria?
A dedicated road move may take approximately one to two weeks. Shared-load services commonly use a broader planning window of approximately two to five weeks.
Is it possible to ship only boxes to Austria?
Yes. Boxes and smaller consignments can often travel through shared road or air services.
When would I need a dedicated removals vehicle?
It depends on the shipment. A dedicated vehicle is normally recommended when volume, route or timing requirements justify sole use.
Is it possible to ship new furniture or appliances?
New goods are not included in the ordinary relocation-goods relief and can be subject to duty and VAT.
Under what conditions are used household goods duty free when moving to Austria?
Where you transfer normal residence from outside the EU and meet the applicable conditions, they may qualify for exemption from import duty and VAT.
Which paperwork should I prepare for Austrian customs clearance?
For the paperwork file, you will commonly need identity evidence, the ZBefr form, an inventory, proof of 12 months' residence abroad, proof of six months' use and proof of residence in Austria.
Could my shipment be inspected by Austrian Customs?
Austrian Customs can review the declaration and select the vehicle or shipment for examination.
Is delivery anywhere in Austria available?
Discuss the available delivery arrangements for Vienna, Salzburg, Graz, Linz, Innsbruck, Klagenfurt and other destinations, including Alpine areas before booking.
Is it possible to ship alcohol or tobacco?
The ordinary transfer-of-residence relief does not cover alcohol and tobacco.
Is help available to move pets to Austria?
For dogs, cats and ferrets, the usual requirements include a microchip, valid rabies vaccination and an EU animal health certificate.
Is it possible for a young unvaccinated pet to enter Austria?
No. Austria does not accept young dogs, cats or ferrets that are not fully protected by a valid rabies vaccination.
What period of residence outside the EU is required?
The standard condition is at least 12 continuous months outside the EU customs territory.
Is it possible for my to goods arrive before I move?
Relief may be available before residence is established, but the person must generally establish residence within six months and a guarantee may be required.
What should I know about form ZBefr 2E?
ZBefr 2E is Austria's standard declaration regarding customs exemption for relocation goods.
In which circumstances is form ZBefr 2aE needed?
ZBefr 2aE is used when the standard ZBefr 2E declaration does not apply and a formal customs decision is required.
Is it possible to take my UK car to Austria?
Yes, subject to customs relief, approval-database, NoVA, insurance and Austrian registration requirements.
What should I know about NoVA?
NoVA is Austria's standardised consumption tax, normally payable before an imported vehicle is registered.
By when does the animal health certificate need to be issued?
The usual requirement is for it to be issued no more than ten days before the pet enters the EU.
Start Planning Your Move to Austria
Give Move Home Easy an inventory, the collection location and your destination in Austria. We can then compare transport options and assess the consignment before preparing a quote for your relocation from the UK to Austria.
A note from Move Home Easy
A little preparation makes moving easier
Create a moving folder before your survey: include a room-by-room list, access photos and your preferred dates. Then compare written quotes line by line, checking the allowances for packing, transport, storage and delivery. This makes gaps in the service easier to spot before you book.