Moving to Mallorca is exciting. Moving your stuff to Mallorca is considerably less exciting - but it does not have to be a nightmare. The island is well connected by ferry to mainland Spain, and from there by road to the rest of Europe. With the right removal company and a bit of paperwork, your boxes, furniture, and even your car can follow you across.
This guide covers the decision of what to bring at all, the main removal routes depending on where you are coming from, how the ferry leg works, what customs relief is available, and the honest truth about car imports.
Bring Everything or Sell and Rebuy?
This is the first question worth sitting with before you start booking removal companies. Shipping belongings internationally is not cheap, and Mallorca has a functional second-hand market and the full range of IKEA, El Corte Ingles, and online retailers.
When It Makes Sense to Bring Things
- Items with high sentimental value that cannot be replaced
- Quality furniture that would cost significantly more to rebuy
- Specialist or hobby equipment (workshop tools, music equipment, bikes, sailing gear)
- A car that qualifies for transfer-of-residence relief (see below)
- Books, art, and personal collections
- Children's familiar belongings, especially for younger kids
When Selling and Rebuying Makes More Sense
- Flat-pack furniture that is cheap to replace (IKEA is in Palma, as is Leroy Merlin)
- Appliances: Spanish power is 220V/50Hz like the rest of continental Europe, so UK appliances work fine electrically, but if they are near the end of their life, replacing them avoids the hassle
- White goods (washing machines, fridges) - often included in furnished rentals anyway
- Bulky items with low value-to-volume ratios (old sofas, mattresses)
- A right-hand drive car if you are coming from the UK (more on this below)
A useful mental exercise: for each large item, compare the shipping cost per cubic metre against what a similar item sells for second-hand in Mallorca. For a sofa, shipping often costs more than a replacement. For a handmade dining table, bringing it may be the only sensible option.
Tip: Sell before you move, buy when you are settled
Many expats find that selling most of their furniture before leaving and buying slowly in Mallorca works better than expected. You have the chance to choose things that suit the Mallorcan climate (lighter fabrics, less heavy curtains) and the typical property style. Furnished short-term rentals while you find your long-term home mean you often do not need a full house of furniture immediately.
Removal Options and What They Cost
Once you have decided what to bring, you choose your shipping method. The right one depends on volume, budget, timeline, and where you are moving from.
Full Container Load (FCL)
A full container (typically 20 ft or 40 ft) is just for you. The movers pack your goods into the container at your home, seal it, and ship it to Palma. On arrival, it clears customs (if applicable) and is delivered to your door.
Best for: A full house of furniture from Europe or the UK. A 20-ft container holds roughly 28 to 32 cubic metres - enough for a 2 to 3 bedroom house.
Cost: From the UK, expect 3,000 to 6,000 EUR for a 20-ft container door to door. From northern Europe, slightly less. These are rough figures - get at least three quotes.
Timeline: 2 to 5 weeks from the UK or northern Europe to Mallorca. Includes collection, consolidation, sea freight, ferry, customs clearance, and delivery.
Groupage / Shared Container
Your belongings share a container with other people's shipments. The container is consolidated at the removal company's warehouse, and you pay for your share of the space.
Best for: Partial house moves, people bringing 5 to 15 cubic metres of goods. Also a good option for people who have already bought some things locally and only need to bring specific items.
Cost: 800 to 2,500 EUR from the UK for a partial load. The wide range reflects volume - a few boxes is 800 EUR, a bedroom's worth of furniture is 2,000 to 2,500 EUR.
Timeline: Slightly longer than FCL because the consolidation point depends on other customers' schedules. Add 1 to 2 weeks to FCL timelines.
Palletised Freight
For medium volumes (2 to 10 pallets) that do not fill a container, palletised freight on a truck can be efficient from mainland Europe. Your goods are wrapped and strapped to pallets and travel with other freight. The truck takes the ferry to Palma.
Best for: Moving from Germany, France, the Netherlands, or other mainland EU countries within driving distance of the Barcelona or Valencia ferry port.
Cost: 500 to 1,500 EUR from northern Europe to Mallorca for a partial pallet load.
Timeline: 1 to 2 weeks including the ferry leg.
Courier Parcel Services for Small Shipments
If you are moving books, smaller items, or important personal effects ahead of or after the main removal, international courier services (DHL, UPS, FedEx) can handle it. This works for 1 to 10 boxes. For anything larger, a full removal service is more economical per cubic metre.
See the companion guide on international shipping from Mallorca for sending parcels and letters.
Moving from the UK
Moving from the UK to Mallorca now involves crossing a non-EU border, which adds customs complexity that did not exist before 2021. Most good removal companies handle this routinely, but you need to understand what is happening.
Route: Portsmouth or Plymouth to Bilbao / Santander, then Overland
Brittany Ferries runs a regular service from Portsmouth and Plymouth to Bilbao and Santander in northern Spain. Your removal truck (or personal vehicle) drives onto the ferry, crosses overnight (24 to 35 hours depending on the route), drives down through Spain to Barcelona or Valencia, and takes the island ferry to Palma.
This is the most common door-to-door route for UK-based removal companies. The trucks carry your goods as a sealed load, and the customs paperwork is handled at the Spanish entry point.
UK Removal Companies with Spain Routes
Several UK removal companies specialise in the Spain and Mallorca route:
Pickfords is one of the UK's largest removal companies and handles international moves including Spain regularly. They have experience with the post-Brexit documentation requirements.
Britannia Movers International is a UK network with member companies experienced in Spanish removals. Worth getting a quote from your local Britannia member.
Anglo Pacific International has specific experience with Balearic removals and is familiar with the customs process for UK to Spain shipments.
Crown Relocations and Santa Fe Relocation operate at the corporate relocation end of the market. More expensive, but useful if your employer is funding the move and you need a managed service.
For any UK company, ask specifically:
- Do you handle post-Brexit export documentation?
- Who is responsible for the customs inventory (it must be in Spanish)?
- Do you have a partner agent on the ground in Palma or Mallorca?
Direct UK to Palma by Sea
For vehicles or containers, some specialist shippers offer a more direct route. RoRo (Roll-on Roll-off) vehicle shipping from UK ports to Valencia or Barcelona, then the car or truck takes the ferry to Palma. This is common for car shipping and is also used for container freight where overland routing is less practical.
Moving from the US and Canada
Shipping from North America to Mallorca is a longer haul and involves ocean freight. The process is:
- Goods are collected or brought to a port or warehouse (typically New York, Baltimore, Houston, Miami, Los Angeles for the US; Montreal or Vancouver for Canada)
- Container is loaded onto a container ship
- Ship travels to a major European port - most commonly Algeciras, Valencia, or Barcelona
- Goods clear Spanish customs
- Palletised or consolidated freight takes the ferry to Palma
- Final delivery to your door
International Forwarders for Trans-Atlantic Moves
You need a specialist international freight forwarder for a North America to Spain move. Some names with US-Spain experience:
- Seven Seas Worldwide - affordable shared container and "movecube" options for partial moves
- Allied Van Lines International - full-service moves with customs handling
- Mayflower Transit (US only) - long-established international mover
- Local moving companies in your US or Canadian city will often partner with an agent in Spain
Timeline: Ocean freight from the US East Coast to Spain takes around 2 to 3 weeks sailing time. With packing, customs clearance, and final delivery, allow 6 to 10 weeks door to door. West Coast adds another week or so.
Cost: Very dependent on volume. A shared container (20 to 30 cubic metres) from the US to Spain typically costs 3,000 to 7,000 EUR all in. A full 20-ft container, 5,000 to 10,000 EUR.
Customs Note for North American Movers
Transfer-of-residence customs relief (see below) is available for US and Canadian citizens moving their household goods to Spain. The key conditions are the same: you must have lived outside the EU for at least 12 months, and the goods must be for your personal use. Work with a Gestoria in Mallorca to ensure your Spanish-side paperwork is correct.
Moving from Northern Europe
This is the simplest route logistically. If you are moving from Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, or Switzerland, your goods travel by truck through France and down through Spain to the ferry port.
Within the EU, no customs declarations are needed for household goods. The truck simply drives. From Barcelona or Valencia it takes the ferry to Palma.
Timeline: 1 to 2 weeks door to door from northern Europe.
Cost: 600 to 2,500 EUR depending on volume.
Removal companies: Most large European removal networks (AGS Movers, Gosselin Moving, Crown Relocations) handle this route. There are also smaller Spanish-run companies with truck routes between Germany and Palma that are worth getting quotes from.
Tip: Get at least three quotes
Removal prices vary significantly - sometimes by a factor of two for the same service. Use a comparison site (Moving Waldo, Movinga) or contact three to five companies directly. Make sure each quote covers the same scope: packing, insurance, customs handling (if needed), ferry, and final delivery. A cheap quote that excludes the ferry or does not include customs clearance is not actually cheaper.
The Ferry Leg to Palma
Every physical shipment to Mallorca ends with a ferry crossing from mainland Spain to Palma. This is the chokepoint in the logistics chain, and it is worth understanding how it works.
Ferry Operators
Balearia and Trasmediterranea (now part of the Naviera Armas group) are the two main operators running regular scheduled crossings. GNV (Grandi Navi Veloci) also runs some routes, particularly from Barcelona and sometimes from Genoa in Italy.
All three carry:
- Private passenger cars
- Motorcycles and bicycles
- Campervans and caravans
- Commercial vans and trucks
- Full removal trucks (as freight bookings)
Passenger Vehicle on the Ferry
If you are driving your own car to Mallorca (with or without a trailer), you book as a passenger vehicle. The main routes:
Barcelona to Palma: Fast ferry around 4 hours (daytime), standard overnight crossing 7 to 8 hours. Multiple departures per day in summer, fewer in winter.
Valencia to Palma: Around 7 to 8 hours. Fewer daily departures than Barcelona.
Book your vehicle crossing at balearia.com or navieraarmas.com. In peak summer (July and August), book as far ahead as possible - vehicle spaces fill up weeks in advance.
Cost for a car plus driver: 80 to 250 EUR one way, depending on the season, the boat, and whether you book a cabin or a seat.
Removal Trucks and Containers
Removal trucks travel as freight on specific sailings. Your removal company coordinates this as part of their service. You do not need to worry about the ferry booking yourself - it is included in the removal quote.
For container shipments from outside Spain, the container usually arrives at Valencia or Barcelona by sea freight and is then stuffed onto a local truck for the ferry crossing to Palma. Some forwarders use a second sea leg (Algeciras or Barcelona to Palma by ship).
EU Transfer-of-Residence Customs Relief
This is the most important piece of paperwork for anyone moving from outside the EU (UK, US, Canada, Australia). It allows you to import your personal household goods duty-free when you become an EU resident.
The official Spanish term is franquicia por traslado de residencia (transfer-of-residence exemption). It is governed by EU Regulation 1186/2009 and applied by the Spanish customs authority (AEAT - Agencia Estatal de Administracion Tributaria).
Who Qualifies
To claim the exemption:
- You must have been living outside the EU for at least 12 consecutive months before your move
- The goods must be your personal household goods - not commercial stock, not items bought recently for resale
- The goods must have been in your possession and use for at least 6 months before the move (for most items - new purchases just before moving are not covered)
- You must import the goods within 12 months of establishing residency in Spain
- You must not sell, lend, or transfer the goods within 12 months of importation
For UK citizens moving post-Brexit, you now fall into the "third country national" category, which means you can claim this relief - previously as EU citizens you did not need it because there was no customs barrier.
What the Relief Covers
Personal household furniture, clothes, books, personal effects, bicycles, non-commercial vehicles (including one car), and similar everyday items. It does not cover:
- Alcohol and tobacco (above small personal-use quantities)
- Commercial vehicles or tools used for a business that will continue operating
- Items you clearly bought to sell (new in box, multiples of the same item)
For EU Citizens Moving from Another EU Country
No customs process is needed. Goods move freely within the EU. Your removal truck arrives in Palma and delivers straight to your door. You still complete a Spanish customs notification in some cases, but there is no duty, no inspection, and no exemption to claim.
Required Documents for Customs Clearance
For non-EU origin moves, gather these documents before your shipment leaves:
1. Detailed inventory (inventario detallado) A complete list of everything you are shipping, ideally in Spanish. Room by room, item by item, with approximate values. Your removal company may prepare this - check whether it is included in their service or an extra. A Gestoria can also prepare or verify it.
2. Proof of residency abroad for 12 months Foreign utility bills, bank statements, tax records, or rental contracts showing your address outside the EU for the past year. A collection of statements across the year works well.
3. Proof of ownership for 6 months or more Receipts, bank statements showing purchases, or simply dated photos are helpful for high-value items.
4. NIE (Numero de Identidad de Extranjero) Your Spanish foreigner identification number. You need this before your goods arrive. Apply for your NIE as early as possible in the process - do not leave it until after you have moved. See the guide to getting your NIE.
5. Empadronamiento Your municipal registration certificate (padrón) from the Ayuntamiento (town hall) in Mallorca. This proves you are a resident at a Spanish address.
6. Residencia or TIE Your EU residence card (TIE - Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) or proof of application. Not always required, but customs may ask for it.
Important: Start the NIE process early
Without a NIE, you cannot claim transfer-of-residence relief at Spanish customs. If your goods arrive before your NIE is issued, they may be held in a bonded warehouse (deposito aduanero) while you wait. This costs money. Apply for your NIE before or immediately upon arrival in Spain - ideally months before your shipment leaves.
The Gestoria: Your Best Friend in This Process
A Gestoria is a Spanish administrative agency that specialises in paperwork on your behalf. For customs clearance, a good Gestoria will:
- Check your documents are complete and correctly formatted
- Liaise with Spanish customs (AEAT) during the clearance process
- Handle any queries or additional document requests
- Arrange for the release of goods from any bonded storage
Your removal company may have a Gestoria partner in Palma. If not, ask in expat forums for recommendations. The cost is typically 200 to 500 EUR for handling a removal customs case.
Importing or Buying a Car
The car question is one of the most common ones among expats moving to Mallorca. Here is an honest assessment.
The Case for Importing Your Car
- Transfer-of-residence relief exempts your car from Impuesto de Matriculacion (registration tax), which can be 5 to 15% of the car's value depending on its CO2 emissions rating
- Your existing car is known to you - its history, condition, service record
- Specialist or niche vehicles (classic cars, specific 4x4s, camper vans) may not have a good Spanish equivalent at a similar price
The Case for Buying in Spain
- A left-hand drive Spanish-registered car is immediately usable, insurable, and resalable in Spain
- No import paperwork, no ITV (Spanish roadworthiness test) complications with a foreign car
- Spanish second-hand market is well-stocked - see used car platforms like coches.net and milanuncios.com
- For UK buyers: right-hand drive cars are a genuine inconvenience on Spanish roads (motorway toll booths, drive-through windows, parking tickets). Many UK expats switch to left-hand drive quickly.
The Import Process If You Bring Your Car
Step 1: Enter Spain with your foreign car. You can drive it on your foreign plates for up to 6 months (or longer if you are not yet a Spanish resident). See the separate guide on driving with a foreign-registered car for the interim rules.
Step 2: Once you establish Spanish residency, you have a window to apply for transfer-of-residence relief (if applicable) and register the car in Spain.
Step 3: ITV test (Inspeccion Tecnica de Vehiculos - Spain's equivalent of an MOT or vehicle inspection). All imported cars must pass an ITV before they can be registered. Cost: 30 to 60 EUR. ITV stations are located in Palma and Inca.
Step 4: Homologacion (type approval). For most modern cars from Europe or the US, this is relatively straightforward. For older cars or cars from unusual markets, technical homologation to EU standards can be required, which adds cost and complexity.
Step 5: Matriculacion - official Spanish registration and new number plates. Cost is the DGT (Directorate General of Traffic) registration fee plus any applicable Impuesto de Matriculacion.
Step 6: Spanish car insurance. You cannot use your foreign insurance once the car is registered in Spain.
A Gestoria or specialist car import company in Mallorca can manage steps 3 to 6 for you. Budget 300 to 800 EUR for their fees on top of the taxes themselves.
Cost Comparison: Import vs. Buy
Run this calculation for your specific car:
| Import Your Car | Buy in Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Selling your current car | - (you keep it) | Revenue from sale |
| Shipping cost | 600 to 1,200 EUR (UK by RoRo) | None |
| ITV + homologacion | 50 to 200 EUR | None (included in car price) |
| Matriculacion + taxes | 300 to 800 EUR + registration tax | None (included in car price) |
| Spanish car purchase | None | Market price for equivalent car |
For a car worth 10,000 to 15,000 EUR, the all-in import cost (if transfer-of-residence exempts you from registration tax) is roughly 1,000 to 2,000 EUR. If you have to pay registration tax on top (because you do not qualify for relief or imported the car separately), add 5 to 15% of the car's current market value in Spain.
Pets, Plants, and Prohibited Items
A few brief notes on items that need special handling.
Pets
Dogs, cats, and ferrets require an EU pet passport (or, for pets coming from the UK since Brexit, an official health certificate from a government-authorised vet). Pets must be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies. The rules for entry from third countries (UK, US, Canada, Australia) are strict - check the current requirements at the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture website (mapa.gob.es) well in advance. Non-compliance can result in your pet being held in quarantine or refused entry.
Plants
Bringing live plants from outside the EU is heavily restricted by phytosanitary rules. Most plants require a phytosanitary certificate from your country's plant health authority and may still be rejected at the EU border. Even within the EU, some species are restricted. If plants are important to you, research their specific status before the move.
Prohibited Items
Standard international shipping restrictions apply and are enforced:
- Firearms and ammunition (require specific import licences)
- Drugs and narcotics
- Counterfeit goods
- Endangered species or products (CITES-listed items)
- Perishable food (especially meat and dairy from non-EU countries - UK included since Brexit)
Your removal company will flag obvious issues, but you are responsible for the contents of your boxes.
Practical Checklist Before Your Shipment Leaves
- Apply for your NIE before the shipment arrives
- Register on the padron at your Mallorca address as soon as possible
- Prepare a detailed inventory in Spanish (room by room, item by item, approximate values)
- Gather 12 months of proof of foreign residency (utility bills, bank statements)
- Confirm proof of ownership for high-value items bought more than 6 months ago
- Get at least three removal quotes, comparing like for like
- Ask each company who handles the customs paperwork and whether a Gestoria is included
- Book ferry space well in advance for summer moves
- Arrange Spanish car insurance before you re-register your car
- Keep copies of all documents in both physical and digital form
- Contact a Gestoria in Palma for the customs clearance on non-EU origin moves
At a glance
Shipping belongings to Mallorca from Europe is straightforward - no customs, just a truck and a ferry. From the UK, US, or Canada, you need transfer-of-residence customs relief documentation and a Gestoria to navigate Spanish customs. Get your NIE before your goods arrive. For furniture and everyday items, compare the shipping cost against local replacement - it is often cheaper to sell and rebuy. For cars, left-hand drive Spanish-registered vehicles are more practical for daily life in Mallorca than bringing a UK right-hand drive car, unless you qualify for the full customs exemption and the car is worth keeping.