Removals UK to Greece

Greece draws British movers for reasons that are almost entirely its own. The combination of Mediterranean climate, affordable property by Western European standards, outstanding food culture, and a pace of life that stands apart from northern Europe has made Greece one of the most consistent destinations for British retirees and lifestyle movers for decades.

Athens, however, has changed the profile of who moves to Greece. A growing technology and entrepreneurship scene, an influx of international investment, and the city's remarkable cultural infrastructure are increasingly attracting younger British professionals alongside the established wave of island and peninsula retirees. Thessaloniki, Greece's second city, draws academics, artists and those who prefer a more grounded urban experience. And the islands, from Crete's year-round communities to Corfu's long-established British expat presence, continue to attract movers at every stage of life.

The UK-to-Greece route is one of the longer European removals journeys from London, typically around 2,000 miles by road through France, Italy and either direct ferry to Patras or overland through the former Yugoslavia. Greece's geography adds an additional layer of complexity for island deliveries: furniture for Crete, Corfu, Rhodes or any of the smaller islands requires ferry or interisland freight coordination beyond the road leg. Since 1 January 2021, Greece is an EU member state and the UK is a third country.

Every household goods removal from the UK to Greece now requires formal customs clearance with AADE (Ανεξάρτητη Αρχή Δημοσίων Εσόδων, the Independent Authority for Public Revenue). Qualifying for Transfer of Residence relief, which exempts your belongings from Greek import VAT at 24%, requires specific documentation prepared correctly before the vehicle or shipment crosses the Greek border.

RMV manages the complete Greek customs process on your behalf, including the 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 Greece: What You Need to Know

Since Brexit, all removals from the UK to Greece require customs clearance with AADE. To import household goods duty-free, you must qualify for Greek Transfer of Residence relief.

AADE requires formal declaration of all household goods entering Greece from outside the EU. For British nationals relocating their primary residence to Greece, the Transfer of Residence scheme provides exemption from Greek import VAT (24% 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 Greek border or port of entry.

The eligibility conditions follow the standard EU framework: the importer must have been resident outside the EU for at least 12 months before the move date; all goods must have been owned and used at the UK residence for at least six months; the goods must be imported within 12 months of establishing Greek residence; and the importer must not sell or transfer the imported goods for at least 12 months after import.

Greece uses the euro. British nationals moving to Greece require a residence permit for stays exceeding 90 days in any 180-day period. Since Brexit, British nationals must register with the Greek authorities and obtain an AMKA (social security number) and AFM (tax identification number) as part of establishing legal residence. RMV does not arrange visas or permits but coordinates your shipment timeline around your confirmed Greek residency documentation, as AADE requires proof of Greek residence as part of the Transfer of Residence customs process.

Documents Required for Removals to Greece from the UK

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

• Passport copy, identity and nationality confirmation for Greek customs (AADE)
• Greek proof of residence: rental contract, property deed or Greek municipal registration (Δήμος) confirmation
• AFM (Greek tax identification number) and AMKA (social security number) registration confirmation where available
• Itemised and valued inventory of all goods being moved, signed and dated, with second-hand estimated values for each item category
• Completed Transfer of Residence declaration for Greek customs, covering 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 AADE
• 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

For island deliveries, additional ferry or interisland freight documentation may be required. RMV coordinates all island delivery logistics as part of the removal booking. Document errors are one of the primary causes of delays at Greek ports and border crossings. All packing materials for a Greece move are available through our Packing Shop.

Who We Move to Greece

Retirees and Lifestyle Movers to the Islands and Peninsulas

Greece remains the most popular Mediterranean destination for British retirees. Crete's year-round communities, particularly around Chania, Rethymno and Heraklion, have well-established British expat populations. Corfu's northwest coast has been home to British residents for generations. The Peloponnese, Rhodes, Kefalonia and Zakynthos all have active communities of British permanent residents. These relocations typically require full-load removals: the complete contents of a two to four-bedroom property, often including furniture that has been in storage since a previous UK sale. Our storage service frequently bridges the period between UK property sale and Greek property readiness.

Professionals and Entrepreneurs Moving to Athens

Athens' technology ecosystem has grown significantly in recent years. Initiatives like Elevate Greece, the Hellenic Startup Association and a growing venture capital community have established Athens as a genuine Southern European technology hub. British professionals in fintech, software, shipping and energy are among the most frequent movers. Professional relocations to Athens are typically one to three-bedroom apartment contents. Our man and van service handles smaller volumes, and our removals service manages full household relocations with customs coordination.

Academics and Students Moving to Athens and Thessaloniki

The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the Athens University of Economics and Business attract British academics and researchers. Thessaloniki also has a significant arts and cultural community that draws British creatives. Student and academic moves are typically small in volume and well-suited to part load or groupage services.

Families Relocating to Greece

British families moving to Greece permanently, particularly to Athens' northern suburbs (Kifissia, Ekali, Psychiko) and to Crete and the Ionian Islands, generally require full-load removals including furniture, white goods and personal effects accumulated over many years. The Greek international school network is well-developed, which supports family relocation decisions. Pre-departure storage through our storage service is used where the UK property is vacated before the Greek property is ready.

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

RMV offers three transport formats for UK-to-Greece removals. Greece's geography, including its islands and peninsulas, affects delivery options more than most European destinations.

Full Load (Exclusive Vehicle)

Your belongings occupy the entire vehicle from UK collection to Greek delivery. The most common route is London to Dover, through France and Italy to Ancona or Bari, then ferry to Patras or Igoumenitsa, with final road delivery to your Greek destination. Full load to Athens typically takes 5–7 days door to door; to Thessaloniki 5–7 days; to Crete (via Patras and Heraklion ferry) 7–10 days; to Corfu 6–8 days. Full load is standard for three-bedroom or larger household moves and for any move requiring schedule certainty.

Part Load and Groupage (Shared Vehicle)

Your belongings are consolidated with those of other customers moving to Greece or Southern Europe. You pay only for the cubic metreage your goods occupy. Part load delivery to Athens typically takes 8–16 days door to door; to island destinations allow additional time for interisland freight connections. Part load is the standard choice for studios, one-bedroom apartments, student moves and lifestyle movers who are not relocating an entire household.

Pre-Departure Storage

Where the UK departure date and Greek arrival date do not align, our storage service holds packed contents in secure UK storage. For Greece moves, where property transactions can run to longer timescales than in the UK, pre-departure storage is especially commonly used. Many British buyers complete on their Greek property months after vacating their UK home.

Removals to Key Greek Cities, Islands and Regions

RMV delivers to mainland Greece, all Greek islands and all regions. Estimated door-to-door transit times from London are provided below.

• Athens (Αθήνα), Greece's capital and the primary destination for British professionals, entrepreneurs and expats. Full load 5–7 days; part load 8–16 days.
• Thessaloniki (Θεσσαλονίκη), Greece's second city and the cultural capital of northern Greece. Full load 5–7 days; part load 8–16 days.
• Crete (Κρήτη), Greece's largest island and the most popular British expat destination in the Greek islands. Full load 7–10 days including ferry from Patras; part load 10–18 days.
• Corfu (Κέρκυρα), the Ionian island with one of the longest-established British communities in Greece. Full load 6–8 days; part load 9–16 days.
• Rhodes (Ρόδος), the Dodecanese island popular with British retirees and lifestyle movers. Full load 8–11 days including Aegean ferry connection; part load 12–20 days.
• Kefalonia (Κεφαλονιά) and Zakynthos (Ζάκυνθος), the Ionian islands popular with British families and retirees. Full load 7–9 days; part load 10–18 days.
• Peloponnese (Πελοπόννησος), including the Mani peninsula and the regions around Kalamata and Nafplio. Full load 6–8 days; part load 9–16 days.
• Patras (Πάτρα), western Greece's main port city and a common delivery point for western Peloponnese and Ionian connections. Full load 6–8 days; part load 9–16 days.

All times include customs clearance and any ferry connections. Island deliveries require coordination of mainland port offload and island freight, which RMV manages as part of the booking. For Greece-specific moving guides and relocation advice, visit our blog.

Frequently Asked Questions, Removals to Greece from the UK

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

Yes. Since 1 January 2021, all removals from the UK to Greece require formal customs clearance with AADE. 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-Greece booking.

What is the Greek Transfer of Residence process?

The Greek Transfer of Residence process allows qualifying British nationals to import household goods without paying Greek import VAT (24% of declared value). You must be relocating your primary residence to Greece, 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 Greek residence. RMV prepares all required documentation and reviews every document package before the vehicle departs the UK.

Can you deliver to Greek islands?

Yes. RMV coordinates island deliveries including ferry connections and interisland freight as part of the removal booking. Island deliveries require additional planning compared to mainland destinations: we confirm the relevant ferry routes, port handling and local delivery agents as part of the booking process. Transit times for island deliveries are longer than mainland Greece, and are detailed in the city list above.

Do I need an AFM and AMKA to clear customs in Greece?

Having an AFM (Greek tax identification number) is strongly recommended and increasingly required as part of establishing legal residence in Greece for customs clearance purposes. AMKA (social security number) is required for access to public services. RMV coordinates your shipment timeline around the availability of your Greek residency documentation and can advise on what is required for the customs declaration.

How long does a removal to Greece take?

Full load removals to Athens typically take 5–7 days door to door. The route includes a ferry crossing from Italy (Ancona or Bari) to Patras or Igoumenitsa, which RMV coordinates as part of the removal. Island deliveries take longer, with Crete typically 7–10 days full load and island ferry connections adding 2–5 days for more remote destinations. Part load deliveries to mainland Greece typically take 8–16 days.

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

UK citizens can visit Greece for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. For stays exceeding 90 days, including permanent relocation, registration with Greek municipal authorities and a residence permit are required. Since Brexit, British nationals no longer have EU freedom of movement rights in Greece. RMV does not arrange visas or permits but coordinates your shipment around your confirmed residency documentation.

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

For full-load removals of three bedrooms or larger, six to eight weeks is recommended given the route length, Italian–Greek ferry booking requirements, and thorough customs documentation preparation. For island deliveries, eight weeks is advisable. For part load bookings, four to five weeks is usually sufficient. For urgent requirements, call 0208 0900 232 directly.

Your Complete UK-to-Greece Moving Solution

RMV Storage & Removals provides end-to-end removals from the UK to Greece, from pre-move survey and packing through customs documentation, Italian–Greek ferry coordination, international road freight and door-to-door delivery across mainland Greece and all inhabited islands.

Our removals service manages the full physical move including ferry booking; our storage service bridges UK and Greek timelines; our man and van service handles smaller volumes cost-effectively; and our handyman service provides practical setup support at your UK origin address.

All packing materials for a Greece move are available through our Packing Shop. For Greece-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.