Moving your personal effects within Europe: the professionals at your service

Relocating to a new street, another neighbourhood, or moving from one town or region to another... It’s quite common, and some people manage it simply with a bit of help from friends or family. But when your destination is another European country, things tend to be a bit more complicated. And while the creation of the European Union has simplified travel, transporting all your worldly goods long distances is a serious business.

Add to that the fact that several countries may be physically part of the European continent but are not actually EU Member States. Take Norway, for example, or Switzerland, although the latter is a signatory to the Schengen Agreement. As with any international destination, there are customs formalities to be completed in these countries.

Arranging a move in good time

When moving to another country, everything comes down to the transport. The time factor takes on another dimension, as apart from the numerous kilometres, European directives come into play. In some countries, for instance, HGVs are not permitted to use the motorways at weekends, or to use the roads at all on Saturdays. Driving times, meanwhile, are strictly limited to nine hours per day, break times included. And in summer, when traffic is heavy, it’s necessary to allow for 10 to 15% additional time on the road. Finally, the process is further complicated by various circulation charges, eco-taxes and tolls.

In other respects, however, the process is much the same as for a domestic removals job: careful packaging in specially provided boxes, cleaning and other connected services, full installation on arrival if you opt for an all-inclusive move, etc. Everything will also be loaded and unloaded in one fell swoop. Moreover, the Genné removals team genuinely monitors your possessions, as the team leader and the packer also make the trip, so it’s the same people who manage the loading and unloading of your things.

Lorry or vans?

In order to avoid unpleasant surprises and consequent delays, it’s important to be precise about the accessibility of the destination address. Perhaps your new home is hard for large vehicles to access? Or do you have to take narrow mountain roads to get there? If so, vans will be used rather than lorries.

Lastly, if you’ve got a few boxes of non-essential items to transport, consider the shared transport solution, as this will save you some money. A furniture storage service may also come in handy.

For any questions you might have about a European move, don’t hesitate to contact the Maison Genné team. We will be delighted to assist you.