Moving Companies for Mallorca: Costs, Options and Tips
Sandor Farkas
Founder and editor of Mallorca Plus
Helps expats and residents navigate authorities, housing and everyday life on Mallorca.
Hiring a moving company for Mallorca is the most comfortable option and also the most expensive one. The range of prices is enormous: between a small part load for a few hundred euros and a full-service move with furniture assembly there can easily be several thousand euros. This post covers what a move to Mallorca realistically costs in 2026, which transport routes exist, and how to tell a solid removal firm from a bad one. The figures come from the experience of people who have already made the move.
At a glance
A part load to Mallorca starts at around 800 EUR, while a complete three-bedroom household usually lands between 4.000 and 7.500 EUR in 2026. Moves from within the EU need no customs paperwork; moves from the UK, Switzerland or overseas do, and firms quote that clearance separately. The most important decision is choosing a company that gives you a written fixed price after a proper survey.
What a move to Mallorca costs in 2026
Cost depends mainly on volume, your starting point and the level of service. A complete three-bedroom household moved from central Europe to Mallorca typically comes in between 4.000 and 7.500 EUR in 2026, depending on cubic metres and service level. If you only bring a few pieces of furniture and boxes, a part load is considerably cheaper.
| Posten | Kosten | Dauer |
|---|---|---|
| Part load (5-10 m3, no assembly) | 800-1.800 EUR | 2-4 weeks lead time |
| Partial move (1-2 rooms, approx. 15 m3) | 2.000-3.500 EUR | approx. 1 week in transit |
| Full move (three-bedroom home, 25-35 m3) | 4.000-7.500 EUR | 3-7 days in transit |
| Full service with packing, unpacking and assembly | 6.000-10.000 EUR | by arrangement |
| Surcharge for finca access or upper floor without a lift | 200-600 EUR | one-off |
With a reputable firm the ferry passage for the truck, fuel and insurance for your goods are already included in these prices. Ask explicitly anyway, because some companies list the ferry crossing from Barcelona or Valencia to Palma as a separate line. For an overview of every way to get your things to the island, see our guide to shipping your belongings to Mallorca.
Coming from the UK, expect the numbers to sit higher. A small part load of around 5 m3 tends to start near 650 to 1.250 GBP, and a full three-bedroom household from the UK to the Balearics regularly passes 6.000 GBP once the longer route, the Channel crossing, the Mallorca ferry and customs clearance are all in the price. From North America or Australia sea freight in a shared or dedicated container is the normal route, and you are looking at a different order of magnitude and a transit time measured in weeks, not days.
Part load, dedicated truck or container: the transport routes
A part load means your goods travel together with other customers' consignments in a shared truck. The company bundles several smaller moves on the same route to Mallorca, which brings the transport cost down for everyone involved.
The drawback of a part load is that you are tied to the company's collection dates and sometimes wait two to four weeks for your furniture. With a dedicated move the truck drives for you alone, usually crossing on the ferry from Barcelona, Valencia or Denia. Sea freight containers rarely pay off from mainland Europe because the ferry route is faster and, over those distances, usually cheaper. From outside Europe the calculation flips and a container is standard.
Tip: be ruthless before you pack
Every cubic metre costs money. Many people who have made the move report that shipping old furniture barely pays off, because IKEA and a lively second-hand market both exist on Mallorca. Anything you have not used in the past year is better sold or given away before the move.
How to spot a reliable moving company
International moves attract a few bad actors who quote a low headline price and add charges later. Look for these points:
- A survey before the quote: serious firms estimate the volume on site or by video call and then give you a written fixed price
- A transparent scope of work: ferry, insurance, parking permit, floors and assembly each itemised in the quote
- Experience with Spain: the company runs the route regularly and knows the ferry connections and the access rules in Palma
- Transport insurance: statutory basic liability is low, so cover at the replacement value of your goods is worth having
- No large payment up front: a deposit of 10 to 30 percent is normal, never the full amount before transport
Careful with fixed prices quoted over the phone
A fixed price given on the phone without any survey is a warning sign. The common pattern: on moving day the crew claims the volume is larger than discussed and the price jumps by 50 percent or more. Always insist on a written quote following a survey.
Get at least three quotes and compare more than the bottom line: check the scope of work and the insured sums too. For the timing of the whole move, our first 30 days checklist sets out the sequence.
Customs and paperwork: what actually applies
If you are moving from another EU country, this part is easy. Free movement of goods applies, so your household effects need no customs declaration and attract no import duties. The rules for changing your residence within the EU are explained on the official EU portal Your Europe.
Moving from outside the EU is different. Since Brexit every shipment from the UK crosses a customs border, and the same applies to Switzerland, the US, Canada and Australia. You claim relief from duty and VAT on used household goods as a transfer of residence, which in practice means:
- A detailed packing inventory with values, usually in Spanish
- Proof that you are taking up residence in Spain, such as your residencia or empadronamiento certificate
- Evidence that the goods were owned and used by you before the move
- Customs clearance handled by your removal firm or an agent, quoted as a separate item
One more special case is your car. If you bring a vehicle with foreign plates permanently, you have to re-register it in Spain and, depending on the vehicle, deal with the registration tax at the Spanish tax office, the Agencia Tributaria. For moving day itself it also helps to have an inventory of your goods for the insurance, your passport or national ID, and your NIE number if you already have one, for dealing with Spanish companies.
What comes after arrival in terms of paperwork is summarised in our topic guide on moving and logistics.
Frequently asked questions about moving to Mallorca
How long does a move to Mallorca take?
A dedicated full move from mainland Europe usually takes 3 to 7 days from collection, including the ferry crossing. With a part load, allow 2 to 4 weeks depending on the collection schedule before your furniture arrives on the island. Sea freight from outside Europe takes several weeks.
Do I need customs paperwork to move to Mallorca?
Not if you are moving from another EU country: free movement of goods applies and your household effects are neither declared nor cleared. Moving from the UK, Switzerland or any non-EU country, you do need a customs declaration and a transfer-of-residence relief claim for your used household goods.
Conclusion
A moving company for a Mallorca move costs somewhere between 800 EUR for a small part load and around 7.500 EUR for a full household with service in 2026, with UK and overseas routes sitting higher. Your biggest lever is volume: being ruthless about what you actually want to keep usually saves more than switching to the cheapest quote. Pick a firm that surveys, quotes a fixed price and can show experience with Spain, and the transport becomes the least complicated part of the whole relocation. For the full timeline from giving notice on your old home to your first week on the island, see our moving to Mallorca checklist.