Northamptonshire → Spain
One decision shapes a Spanish move more than any other, and it is not the distance. It is whether you are going to the coast or inland — because the two arrive very differently.
Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol, Valencia, the Costa Azahar
Apartments and villas, mostly part-furnished, so the loads are smaller. Underground car parks with height barriers mean shuttling is routine, and many communities restrict moving hours — which we establish with the administrator rather than discover at the ramp.
Andalucían pueblos, Murcia province, inland Valencia, Madrid
Cheaper property, bigger houses and harder access. Steep, narrow, sometimes stepped streets, planned as a small-van shuttle from the outset. Madrid itself is a city delivery with a booked window.
Down the M1 to the M25, round to the M20 and across the Channel. Then the long French leg — the A26 and A6 south, or the Atlantic side on the A10 for the western border. Vehicles cross at Irun for Madrid and the west, or at Le Perthus for Catalonia and the eastern coastline. After that it is the AP-7 down the Mediterranean or the A-1 and A-4 inland.
Long days, driver rest respected, and an overnight planned in rather than hoped around.
Paperwork
We prepare and lodge the declaration. You supply the personal documents — start with the first and the rest follows easily.
By road. We load at your county address, run down to the Channel, drive through France, and cross at Irun in the west or Le Perthus in the east depending on your destination. Delivery is into the property with furniture positioned.
In practice yes — the customs entry is filed against it. It is not a difficult application but it takes time, and we have seen more Spanish loads wait on an NIE than on anything else.
Because Spanish customs expect specifics and a vague list invites questions. An inventory that describes contents rather than containers is the difference between a load that moves through and one that sits.
Not directly, usually — the height barrier stops a large vehicle at the ramp. We park legally as close as we can, shuttle in and use the building lift. That is in the quote rather than discovered on the day.
Frequently not. Spanish kitchens are fitted differently and a well-used machine often costs more to carry than to replace. We give a straight view at survey rather than quietly billing you for the space.
Yes. Spanish conveyancing runs to its own timetable and the UK end is frequently ready first. Containerised storage bridges it and the load goes out when the notary date is confirmed.
Send the Northamptonshire address, the Spanish one, photographs of the delivery entrance, and whether you have your NIE yet.