Removals UK to Austria

Austria consistently ranks among the most liveable countries in the world. Vienna has topped the Economist Intelligence Unit's Global Liveability Index for multiple consecutive years, a fact that drives a steady and growing stream of British professionals, academics, musicians and lifestyle movers to the Austrian capital each year.

Beyond Vienna, the appeal of Austria extends across its federal states: Salzburg for music, culture and Alpine proximity; Graz for its university population and lower cost of living relative to Vienna; Innsbruck for the Alpine sports community and its compact, walkable city centre.

For British retirees, the combination of Austria's healthcare system, low crime rate and outstanding natural environment makes it a compelling alternative to the more established expat destinations of France and Spain.

Since 1 January 2021, however, Austria is an EU member state and the UK is a third country. Every household goods removal from the UK to Austria now requires a formal customs clearance process, and qualifying for Transfer of Residence relief which allows your belongings to be imported without paying Austrian import VAT at 20% requires specific documentation that must be prepared correctly before the vehicle crosses the border.

RMV manages the full Austrian customs process on your behalf, including the ZBefr Form 2/2a (Austria's specific Transfer of Residence declaration), the itemised and valued inventory, and the customs agent authorisation. Full company details and AIM accreditation are on our About Us page.

Post-Brexit Customs Clearance for Removals to Austria: What You Need to Know

Since Brexit, all removals from the UK to Austria require customs clearance. To import household goods duty-free, you must qualify for Austrian Transfer of Residence relief under the ZBefr Form 2/2a procedure.

Austria's customs authority (the Zollamt) requires formal declaration of all household goods entering the country from outside the EU. For British nationals relocating their primary residence to Austria, the Transfer of Residence scheme provides exemption from Austrian import VAT (20% of the declared value of goods), but only where all eligibility conditions are met and all required documents are supplied correctly before the shipment arrives at the Austrian border.

The eligibility conditions for Austrian Transfer of Residence relief are: the importer must have been resident outside the EU for at least 12 months prior to the move date; all goods must have been owned and used by the importer at their UK residence for at least six months; the goods must be imported within 12 months of the date the importer establishes Austrian residence; and the importer must not sell, pledge or otherwise transfer the imported goods for at least 12 months after import.

These conditions are the same across EU member states, but the specific forms differ: Austria uses the ZBefr Form 2/2a rather than the French Déclaration de Déménagement or the UK TOR1 form. RMV provides blank copies, completion guidance and pre-departure document review as standard.

British nationals moving to Austria also require a residence permit for stays exceeding 90 days in any 180-day period.

While RMV does not arrange visas or residence permits, our move managers coordinate your shipment timeline around your confirmed Austrian residency documentation, because Austrian customs will require proof of Austrian residence as part of the ZBefr Form 2/2a process.

Documents Required for Removals to Austria from the UK

The following documents are required for Austrian Transfer of Residence customs clearance. RMV provides all blank forms and pre-departure document review as standard.

• Passport copy, identity and nationality confirmation for Austrian customs (Zollamt)
• Austrian proof of residence, rental contract, property deed or registration confirmation from the Meldezettel (Austrian registration form)
• Itemised and valued inventory of all goods being moved, signed and dated, with second-hand estimated values for each item category
• Completed ZBefr Form 2/2a, Austria's specific Transfer of Residence declaration for import duty and VAT exemption
• Self-certificate confirming goods have been owned and used at UK residence for more than six months and will not be sold or transferred within 12 months of import
• Signed customs agent authorisation form, permitting RMV to act as your direct representative with Austrian customs
• Proof of 12 months' UK residence prior to the move date council tax bills, bank statements or a UK Certificate of Residence
• CMR cargo movement form, completed on the day of collection by the driver

Incorrectly completed ZBefr Form 2/2a documents are the most consistent cause of delays at the Austrian border. RMV reviews every document package before the vehicle departs the UK. All packing materials for an Austria move are available through our Packing Shop.

Who We Move to Austria

Professionals and Academics Relocating to Vienna

Vienna is Austria's dominant destination for British professionals, driven by the city's concentration of international organisations (the UN Vienna headquarters, OPEC, the IAEA and the OSCE are all based in Vienna), its pharmaceutical and life sciences sector, and its growing technology and startup ecosystem.

Professional relocations to Vienna are typically one to three-bedroom flat contents on a confirmed employer start date. Our man and van service handles smaller professional moves where a full removal vehicle is not required, and our removals service manages full household relocations with customs coordination as a single booking.

Musicians, Artists and Cultural Professionals Moving to Salzburg and Vienna

Austria's cultural infrastructure the Vienna Philharmonic, the Mozarteum in Salzburg, the Vienna State Opera, the Bregenz Festival and dozens of regional conservatoires and arts institutions makes it a consistent destination for British musicians, conductors, composers and performing arts professionals at all career stages.

Moves in this category frequently involve specialist items: musical instruments (pianos, orchestral instruments, electronic studio equipment), large-format art or archival collections, and bespoke furniture or studio equipment.

RMV's specialist packing covers these items with appropriate materials and handling protocols. Our handyman service is available for furniture assembly and studio setup at the Austrian destination.

Families and Retirees Making a Permanent Move to Austria

British families and retirees relocating permanently to Austria typically to the Salzkammergut lake region, the Styrian countryside around Graz, or the Tyrolean Alps around Innsbruck generally require full-load removals: the complete contents of a three to five-bedroom property including furniture, white goods and personal effects. Pre-departure storage through our storage service bridges the gap where the UK property is vacated before the Austrian property is ready for occupation.

Students and Young Movers, Part Load Removals to Austria

A growing number of UK graduates and postgraduate students are relocating to Austrian universities the University of Vienna, the Technische Universität Wien, the University of Graz and the University of Innsbruck all have significant international student populations.

These moves are small in volume and cost-sensitive and are best served by a part load or groupage service: shared-load transport charged by cubic metre, where you pay only for the space your belongings actually occupy. Part load removals to Austria start from a few cubic metres, suitable for a studio or single room.

Businesses Setting Up Austrian Operations

Commercial relocations from UK offices to Austrian premises, including Vienna's extensive international business district, require EORI-registered customs handling, commercial invoice documentation and ATA carnet coverage for temporary imports where applicable. Our removals service covers commercial relocations to Austria for businesses of all sizes.

Service Options: Full Load, Part Load and Groupage Removals to Austria

RMV offers three transport formats for UK-to-Austria removals. The right choice depends on volume, budget and how quickly you need your belongings to arrive.

Full Load (Exclusive Vehicle)

Your belongings occupy the entire vehicle from UK collection to Austrian delivery. The vehicle loads at your address and travels directly to your Austrian destination, with customs clearance en route.

Full load to Vienna typically takes 3–5 days door to door; to Salzburg and Innsbruck 3–5 days; to Graz 4–6 days. Full load is standard for three-bedroom or larger household moves and for any move where schedule certainty is critical.

Part Load and Groupage (Shared Vehicle)

Your belongings are consolidated with those of other customers moving to Austria or the Central European region. You pay only for the cubic metreage your goods occupy.

Part load delivery to Austria typically takes 5–10 days door to door for Vienna and Salzburg, and 6–12 days for southern and western Austria. Part load is the standard choice for studios, one-bedroom flats, student moves and any move where cost is the primary consideration.

Pre-Departure Storage

Where the UK departure date and Austrian arrival date do not align, our storage service holds packed contents in secure UK storage until the Austrian property is confirmed and ready, avoiding the need to keep packed boxes at a vacated UK address.

Removals to Key Austrian Cities and Regions

RMV delivers to all Austrian federal states and cities. Estimated door-to-door transit times from London are provided below.

• Vienna (Wien), Austria's capital and the primary destination for British professionals and international organisations. Full load 3–5 days; part load 5–10 days.
• Salzburg, the Mozart city and Alpine cultural hub, popular with musicians, arts professionals and families. Full load 3–5 days; part load 5–10 days.
• Graz (Styria), Austria's second-largest city and a major university town with a lower cost of living than Vienna. Full load 4–6 days; part load 6–12 days.
• Innsbruck (Tyrol), the Alpine sports and university city, popular with outdoor enthusiasts and academics. Full load 3–5 days; part load 5–10 days.
• Linz (Upper Austria), Austria's technology and industrial hub on the Danube. Full load 3–5 days; part load 5–10 days.
• Klagenfurt (Carinthia), southern Austria's lake district capital, popular with retirees. Full load 4–6 days; part load 6–12 days.
• Bregenz (Vorarlberg), Austria's westernmost city, bordering Switzerland and Germany, hosting the famous Bregenz Festival. Full load 3–5 days; part load 5–10 days.

All times include customs clearance. Border delays are almost exclusively caused by incomplete documentation. For Austria-specific moving guides and relocation advice, visit our blog.

Frequently Asked Questions, Removals to Austria from the UK

Do I need customs clearance for removals to Austria since Brexit?

Yes. Since 1 January 2021, all removals from the UK to Austria require formal customs clearance with the Austrian Zollamt. There are no exemptions based on volume or value. RMV manages the complete customs documentation process on your behalf as standard on every UK-to-Austria booking.

What is the ZBefr Form 2/2a and do I need it?

The ZBefr Form 2/2a is Austria's specific Transfer of Residence declaration, the document submitted to Austrian customs to qualify your household goods for import without paying Austrian import VAT (20% of declared value).

It is required for all primary residence relocations from outside the EU to Austria. RMV provides the blank form, completion guidance and pre-departure review as standard. It is different from the French Déclaration de Déménagement and the UK TOR1 form Austria's specific version must be used for Austrian border clearance.

Can I move to Austria without paying 20% import VAT on my belongings?

Yes, if you qualify for Transfer of Residence relief. You must be relocating your primary residence to Austria, have been resident outside the EU for at least 12 months, and have owned all goods for at least six months.

All items must be imported within 12 months of establishing Austrian residence and must not be sold or transferred for at least 12 months after import. RMV prepares and reviews all required documents.

What is part load removals to Austria and is it suitable for a small move?

Part load (also called groupage) means your belongings share vehicle space with other customers' goods moving to Austria or Central Europe.

You pay only for the cubic metres your items occupy, making it the most cost-effective option for studios, one-bedroom flats, student moves and small household volumes. Delivery takes slightly longer than a full load: typically 5–10 days to Vienna. RMV's international removals service offers part load departures on regular schedules to Austria.

Do I need a visa or residence permit to live in Austria?

UK citizens can visit Austria for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. For stays exceeding 90 days, including permanent relocation, a residence permit from Austrian authorities is required.

RMV does not arrange visas or residence permits but coordinates your shipment timeline around your confirmed residency documentation, as Austrian customs require proof of Austrian residence as part of the ZBefr Form 2/2a process.

Can you help with furniture assembly or setup at my Austrian property?

Yes. RMV's handyman service covers furniture assembly, dismantling and fixture installation, available at the UK origin address and, by arrangement, at the Austrian destination for clients who need practical help setting up their new home on arrival.

How far in advance should I book a removal to Austria?

For full-load removals of three bedrooms or larger, four to six weeks is recommended to allow time for survey, ZBefr Form 2/2a preparation and vehicle scheduling. For part load bookings, two to three weeks is usually sufficient. For urgent or same-week requirements, call 0208 0900 232 directly.

Your Complete UK-to-Austria Moving Solution

RMV Storage & Removals provides end-to-end removals from the UK to Austria, from pre-move survey and packing through ZBefr Form 2/2a customs documentation, international road freight and door-to-door delivery at any Austrian address.

Our removals service manages the full physical move; our storage service bridges UK and Austrian timelines; our man and van service handles smaller volumes cost-effectively; and our handyman service provides practical setup support at origin and destination.

All packing materials for an Austria move are available through our Packing Shop. For Austria-specific relocation guides and moving advice, visit our blog. For AIM accreditation details and company background, see our About Us page. For a full overview of our European and worldwide services, visit our international removals page.