Every year, thousands of Brits make the decision to relocate to a different country, either for work, to retire or to improve their lives in some other way.
The decision to emigrate is a big one and often takes many months of careful consideration and planning.
As Brexit negotiations continue, there has been no significant reduction in the number of UK citizens moving to other EU states. In fact, some news outlets have reported an increase in the number of enquiries from UK citizens looking to move to France, Ireland and Spain.
During the Brexit negotiations, there have been suggestions that UK expats could have “associate citizenship” in their country of residence and our own PM has suggested a revised EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) scheme to give free healthcare to UK expats living in the EU.
These suggestions have not been written into any formal agreement yet, but are clear indicators that both the UK and EU negotiators want to keep the process fair and simple for UK citizens already living in the EU when we leave.
Even if the “associate citizenship” isn’t implemented, a simple visa system is the most likely outcome. Of course, there is also the option to apply for citizenship in the country of residence. In France, for example, a person can apply for citizenship if they are over 18, have lived in France for 5 consecutive years and meet some other minor criteria.
At Central Moves, we continue to provide relocation services to Europe, with no significant change to the number of enquiries. If anything, enquiries have increased, but that can be attributed to the annual increase resulting from recommendations from happy customers.
While the UK is still part of the EU, moving to another EU state may be simpler than in the future, so now could be the best time to move to Europe. If you have made the decision to move to France, Spain or anywhere else in Europe, give us a call for a free, no obligation quote. Whether you want to move the full contents of house, a few pieces of furniture or just a number of boxes, we are happy to help.
All You Need To Know About The Most Popular British Expat Destinations
If you are British and are planning on moving overseas, then choosing the ideal place to live is highly important.
With the global economy remaining shaky and Brexit having an influence on the UK’s place in the world, there are various British individuals who are choosing to head home instead of leave. If, however, you are one who is opting to remain away from the United Kingdom it is important to note that it is still feasible for Britons to live abroad. The only thing is that you need to take various factors into consideration when choosing an overall destination. This article will provide information on the most popular current British expat destinations.
Europe is without a doubt the favourite of all Britons regarding expatriation, particularly for individuals who are searching for a retirement destination. This is due to the fact that the expat is able to enjoy amazing landscapes with spectacular beaches without spending too much money on the cost of living. Furthermore, British expats can still enjoy access to expatriate health insurance benefits and medical benefits while residing in Europe. The most popular options for Britons tend to be Austria, Italy, Malta, Monaco, France, Spain and Switzerland.
Arguably, the most popular of the European countries that Britons choose to retire or move to is Switzerland. While it is known to have a high cost of living when compared to other European countries, it is also highly beneficial for people with sufficient funds because of the low taxes. Switzerland also provides the most comprehensive expatriate health insurance policies, healthcare options and transportation amenities for its residents. Furthermore, it has the most scenic mountainous landscapes and lakes with the iconic Swiss Alps.
Known as the Swiss Alternative among many British expats, Austria is another of the more popular European expat destinations. Austria is located in central Europe is a tourist hotspot during the tourist season, but in the off-season it is a quiet location. Unlike Switzerland, it does not have a very costly standard of living; however, similar to Switzerland it also presents with scenic Northern landscapes and lakes.
Italy is another country that offers breathtaking landscapes, beaches and beautiful scenic countryside. This is a good expat destination and favoured by many British expats because of the plethora of cultures available in the country. It is seen that a person could experience diverse cultures from Northern Italy to Southern Italy making the choice wide-open regarding community. While cost of living can be high, the expense is dependent on the area with larger cities like Rome or Milan being more expensive. It is also possible to receive expatriate benefits in Italy, so it is worthwhile if you are looking for a diverse destination with good food and benefits.
Spain is a popular expat country because it is a popular British holiday destination and the Spanish are prepared for British communities, with many places being called little britain. Expatriate heath care benefits are good in Spain and the weather is a strong pull factor for retirees. However, it is important to consider the area you choose as some cities become tourist hubs and can be noisy during summer.
Central Moves is an experienced European removals company and a member of the BAR, FEDEMAC, AIM and Eurovan. They offer services ranging from transporting a few items to full house removals, including packing, unpacking and even transporting the family car.
Moving house to Europe is one of the most stressful undertakings that a person will go through in their lifetime.
There is so much to think about and the pressures involved can have an impact on not only you but your friends and family. Throw in the fact that you’re moving to another country and the process becomes even more challenging
Central Moves are here for you
Thankfully, help is at hand. If you are relocating to Spain, look no further than Central Moves UK. With so much to consider when emigrating, it’s a real headache, and that’s why you should contact us about taking care of your removals to Spain.
Our message to you is simple: take a weight off your own shoulders by entrusting us with the responsibility of transporting your items. We have years of experience in assisting people who are moving to Spain, and we also have an endless list of satisfied customers.
Every item will be removed with the utmost care
When it comes to removing everything, from large pieces like a piano to fine art and antiques, we at Central Moves have made an art form out of getting the job done with the minimum of fuss.
It is our policy that all of your belongings are dealt with as if they were our own. When you catch your plane, rest assured that all of your removals from the UK to Spain will be there waiting for you on the other side, in the same condition as when you left them.
If you want to enlist the help of the best removals company to Spain, call us today for a no-obligation quote. Our dedicated team pride themselves on going through every last detail with you in a friendly, non-pushy way. There will be no pressure on you to make a decision there and then, although we do proudly stand over the fact that, when it comes to house removals to Spain, our service is unrivalled.
Once you decide to enlist our expert help, you can choose to have your possessions removed via our full-load removals service or our part-load service.
When you sit down to decide which of the two services to use, your decision will be based on two factors: budget and the volume of possessions that need to be moved from the UK to Spain. Both options offer an amazing service. Opting for a full-load service will mean that your possessions are afforded the entire storage space of a removals vehicle.
Part load to Spain is more cost-effective for you because simply put, it is more cost-effective for us and we are happy to pass on the saving.
With the part-load service, we can load a number of individual clients’ possessions on to the same vehicle. Every item is tagged and packed away just as carefully as the full-load service.
Removals Company to Spain
Central Moves is the founder of the Alliance of Independent Movers (AIM), and we have developed an outstanding reputation transporting families’ belongings to Spain & Europe. Widely regarded as the company you can trust, we have built up a lengthy customer database, thanks largely to word of mouth. The fact that you have navigated your way on to our website suggests that you might soon be moving to Spain, and if that is the case, we’d like to make you our next satisfied customer.
Our dedication to professionalism is unrivalled:
Central Moves is a member of FEDEMAC European movers, and our promise is that all of your belongings will be transported to your new abode in Spain in the same condition as when we loaded them into the van prior to moving. Our dedicated removals team have built up years of experience and they fully appreciate the level of care that must be afforded to every item. We have earned the BS EN Certificate for quality assurance, which serves as a further illustration that we insist upon, and deliver, the very highest standards.
POPULAR EXPAT DESTINATIONS IN SPAIN
Central Moves have monthly departures to these popular spanish destinations
Benahavis
Famous for its abundance of high quality restaurants, Benahavis is self-described as the gastronomic corner of Andalucía. A mere 7 kilometres from the Costa del Sol, this beautiful mountain village is a favourite for expats, particularly golf enthusiasts.
Duquesa
Duquesa has an abundance of high quality eateries and bars, many of which overlook the Puerto de la Duquesa marina. It has all the amenities of the Costa del Sol, while maintaining its authentic local character. Many expats move to Duquesa for the wide range of water activities, including relaxing boat trips and enthralling scuba diving.
Estepona
With its narrow, pedestrianised streets, the old town of Estepona is relaxed and friendly while still providing more than adequate facilities. A short walk away is the Paseo Marítimo, a palm-lined promenade overlooking the beautiful Playa de la Rada beach.
Guadalmina
Guadalmina is one of the more urbanised choices for Brits moving to Spain. It has all the amenities expected for a town of its size, while retaining the relaxed atmosphere and lifestyle associated with Spain’s southern coast.
La Alcaidesa
Close to Gibraltar, Alcaidesa grew in size during the 1990s when it was developed within strict guidelines to protect the authentic look. Alcaidesa is a prime location for many families and professionals that move to Spain so they can work in Gibraltar, which can be seen from its three beautiful beaches.
La Linea
La Línea de la Concepción borders Gibraltar and provides much of Gibraltar’s residence with fresh produce. The town has many historic buildings and the wonderful Isthmus Museum, (El Museo del Istmo) which is based in the Old Military Headquarters.
La Zagaleta
La Zagaleta is an exclusive residential estate in Andalucia, Southern Spain. It has two magnificent private golf courses, an equestrian centre and its own heliport. Since only members and invited guests can enter the estate, it is free of tourists and holiday-makers.
Manilva
The municipality of Manilva is made up of several small communities and although it has a high expat population, it has a very Spanish feel. The small fishing communities of San Luis de Sabinillas and Castillo de la Duquesa sit on the coast, a few kilometres from the picturesque white village of Manilva.
Marbella
Marbella is a well-known tourist destination with a high number of expat residents. The main areas of Marbella, (Town Center, Golden Mile, Puerto Banus, San Pedro, and Nueva Andalucia) each have their own attractions. Although there is a lot for tourists to do, there are still plenty of nearby areas that offer a quieter, more relaxing environment, such as Nagueles.
Nagueles
Although the beach at Nagueles is very popular among the rich and famous, the residential area is quiet and relaxed. The luxurious Town Houses range in price from around £300k to £4M, so there is a wide range to choose from. There is also the option to purchase a villa in a private gated community, such as Sierra Blanca del Mar.
Nueva Andalucia
Built in the traditional Andalucian architectural style in the late 1960s, Nueva Andalucia is the largest area of Marbella and a very popular area for expats. The nightlife in Puerto Banus is not far from the quieter residential areas which include the small villas and townhouses at La Torre de Andalucía and La Campana in the western section. The eastern section of Nueva Andalucia has the higher valued villas and enough high-quality golf courses to earn it the name “Golf Valley”.
Ronda
With its spectacular views and long history, Ronda enjoys the status of being a city, while retaining the atmosphere and appeal of a village. Perched above El Tajo gorge, Ronda dates back to the 9th century BC and has attracted many of history’s famous writers and artists. La Ciudad (the city) is the old part of Ronda, with cobbled streets and elegant mansions, some of which are still home to Ronda’s titled families.
Sotogrande
Sotogrande is one of Europe’s most prestigious and luxurious residential developments. The world class marina, which comprises Puerto Deportivo de Sotogrande and the newer Ribiera del Marlin provides a full range of top-quality amenities, from wonderful restaurants to luxury hotels.
Helping Individuals & Families move to Germany from the UK
Central Moves: Professional Removals To Germany
Central Moves are one of the London’s top removal companies for Removals London to Germany who combine specialisation with our total commitment to providing a professional and personalised service, which this is why thousands of families and individuals have entrusted Central Moves with their German home removals, furniture removals and personal effects.
Here at Central Moves we pride ourselves in aiming to be the best Removal Company to Germany .
We are proud to be members of the recently BS EN 12522 , it is the first and only recognised quality Standard specifically aimed at furniture removals.
Central Moves are proud to have achieved this standard, which proves all operatives work to clearly defined and audited standards on a daily basis.
Further testament to our success is the number of corporate clients who continue to choose Central Moves and indeed, refer us to their families and friends.
Relocating to europe can be a high-stress experience, especially when the issue of moving items from your current location to destination becomes problematic. Central Moves appreciate this fact and delves into providing the best relocation experience possible. With this in mind, for UK residents looking to move to Germany, Central Moves is always willing and ready to lend their professional hand in moving your items to your destination, be it Berlin, Cologne, Bonn, Mannheim, Dusseldorf, Stuttgart, Hamburg or any other city.
Regardless of the destination of interest, a move to Germany is proving to be too enticing for many UK families to ignore. And in many regards, Germany’s is one of the best countries within the European Union for UK expats to move to for several reasons. For starters, it has proved to be welcoming to foreigners. Germany is home to the third-largest expat population in the world. The expat population, which in 2011 was estimated to be more than six million, makes up about 7.7 percent of the country population.
However, it is not just a matter of expat numbers that is drawing UK residents as well as expats from other countries to Germany. A huge draw to this western-central powerhouse is the enormous economic growth opportunities. The opportunities come in the form of employment opportunities as well as business opportunities.
For UK resident seeking employment, the low unemployment rate (6.8% in 2014) just shows how well Germany’s economy is able to provide employment for both citizens as well as foreigners. As for the entrepreneurs, Germany has a pool of very highly-skilled workforce, large capital stock, and a high level of innovation, all the ingredients that start-ups require to flourish.
With the opportunity for a better life in Germany in mind, many UK residents are seeking new and in many regards better lives in Germany. For such families, individuals or even corporate, moving household items and or physical assets during the migration process is top-priority. During such periods, Central Moves is always at hand to help you make the move. Understandably, moving from the UK to Germany (or any other country for that matter) can be a tad difficult to cope with. Thus Central Moves works to ensure that the removal of your effects from anywhere within the UK to the Germany is as smooth as possible.
The professional removal company provides bespoke solutions. Whether you are moving antiques and fine arts or you simply want to a packing solution for fragile items, Central Moves is able to cater for your every packing need.
Thereafter, the company is clients can opt for the European Part Load service or the European Full Load Service depending on their shipping timeline as well as effects. With this service, items from different clients are itemised, packed, label, sorted transported together, thus reducing the removal costs that each client pays as no individual client has to pay for the entire transport charges. The Part Load Removal service is well designed for individuals, families, or corporates that are moving small items or moving a large number of items in a spread-out timeline.
On the other hand, the Full Load/Dedicated Vehicle service gives Central Moves the capability of moving large items to Germany at one go. Thus, they can move their items in their own time and their own convenience.
Therefore, whether you are moving to Germany to be able to remain within the EU even after Brexit, or you are seeking new economic opportunities, be sure to contract the best removals in the UK – Central Moves.
Parking permit for removal lorry in Germany
A parking management system has been implemented to regulate parking in the central areas of Germany. Various districts have been subdivided into parking zones, with different criteria applying to their use. For instance, there are exemptions for certain groups of professionals. You need to obtain a permit and sign and both of these places are all-in-one services from the local city council website or there is a website https://www.platzda.de that can deal with this for you for a small fee (in german)
Central Moves Ltd have compiled a list of expat & German news websites that can be of help and give some insight to existing people Moving or currently living in Germany
Germany in western-central Europe consisting of 16 constituent states, which retain limited sovereignty. Its capital city and largest city is Berlin. Germany has 80.6 million inhabitants, it is the most populous member state in the European Union. Germany is a major economic and political power of the European continent and a historic leader in many cultural, theoretical and technical fields.
Germany has a social market economy with a highly skilled labour force, a large capital stock, a low level of corruption, and a high level of innovation. It has the largest and most powerful national economy in Europe, the fourth largest by nominal GDP in the world, the fifth largest by PPP, and was the biggest net contributor to the EU budget in 2011. The service sector contributes approximately 71% of the total GDP, industry 28%, and agriculture 1%. The official average national unemployment rate in April 2014 was 6.8%.
Germany is the most populous country in the European Union, the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and ranks as the 16th most populous country in the world. As of 2011 and about six million foreign citizens (7.7% of the population) were registered in Germany. Germany is home to the third-highest number of international migrants worldwide.
Currently the population is covered by a fairly comprehensive health insurance plan provided by statute. Certain groups of people (lifetime officials, self-employed persons, employees with high income) can opt out of the plan and switch to a private insurance contract.
Property in Germany
Historically low mortgage rates – For all those who have the intention to buy a property and plan to apply for a mortgage, the currently exceptionally low interest rates are a godsend. Today on average you can expect half the repayment rates, as for example those of ten years ago. A loan in the amount of € 100,000 today costs a monthly repayment of around 330 €, while the former was the average amount at 620 €. Mortgage rates with a ten year bond starting as low as effectively 3.25%.
Common to live in rented apartments – Unlike in countries such as Spain or France, there is a functioning rental market in Germany. Only about 44% of all Germans have home ownership, in a European comparison, a very low percentage. It is common in Germany to live in rented accommodation, in the context of a long-term lease. For investors, this means a reliable basis for regular, secure rental income. But recently in 2014 Cheap loans and rising incomes are the two main drivers of the trend for Germans to increasingly buy rather than rent their homes read more
British citizens and those from other EU countries don’t need a work permit or visa to live and work in Germany.
If you live in Germany in retirement you can receive your UK state pension either in a UK or German bank account. Your pension income will be index-linked as Germany is an European Economic Area country – that means it will increase each year, just as if you had not left the UK.
Few Facts about Germany
Germany’s motorways (Autobahn) are famous for having no speed limit, but an advisory limit of 130km/h (81mph) is in operation, and some stretches of road do have limits.
Munich’s Oktoberfest, which actually starts in September, is the biggest beer festival in the world. Oktoberfest 2012 covered 26 hectares and had 35 giant beer tents.
Germany’s relationship with beer is serious. According to German newspaper Der Spiegel, in 2006 it was home to almost 1,300 breweries and was responsible for three-quarters of Europe’s beer production.
Most grocery stores, drug stores, and shopping malls are all closing up shop by 7pm (8pm at the VERY latest). The smaller the town, the earlier the closing times. And if it’s Sunday, you might as well just stay inside your house. NOTHING is open. Restaurants are the only exception to this rule.
Most people today are looking for a change and moving to Europe has exponentially increased over the past couple of years.
If you are looking to move to Europe, particularly the southern countries such as Spain, Germany andFrance, expect a different way of living, lifestyle and culture. With so much history culture and better weather, it’s quite easy to see why so may opt to move to southern Europe.
Well, the problem arises when it comes to relocating your belongings. This can be very problematic as you are bound to handle a lot of things which is inevitable. Ideally, you will find yourself spending a lot of money which might leave you with less than enough to spend in your new country. However, there are still ways you can make the process less costly. With a European removals company and the tips I am about to post, you will be able to save a good deal of money.
Saving Money On European Removals
Research removal companies
If you wish to save money on house removals, then take you time and do some research on the country or area you are about to shift. Ideally, take a look at some of the best removal companies. There’s no need to relocate to a place where the cost of living is too high. Most people recommend removals to Spain as they are easier, and the cost of living is fairly low when compared to other parts of Europe.
Don’t overload Your Boxes
It is wise to de-clutter and downsize on the items you want to carry. The maximum recommended weight of a box is 20Kg. If you find yourself having too many items, consider selling them or giving things you do not really need for charity. By doing this, you will avoid using too many boxes and you will lower the cost factor.
Mark The Boxes and Furniture
Mark the boxes in regards to the contents inside to avoid confusion and unnecessary frustrations when unpacking.
Avoid Packing Your Belongings At The Last Minute
Packing all the items, you will need can take a lot of time and so, avoid doing this at the last moment. If you hurry the packing process, high chances are you will miss and leave a few important things. This can delay the moving process, and the removals company might end up charging you more for the wait.
Find A Roommate
If you are moving away from your family, then it is best you move in with another person. This not only reduces the monthly expenses but the cost of moving in as well. Rent a house or an apartment with a friend and share a room with them, instead of paying the rent alone. This will significantly reduce the utility bills, expenses and such as you will be sharing them. However, it is important that you move in with a person who is trustworthy.
So, if you are looking to shift to somewhere better in Europe, why not consider saving some money with these tips?
Whether you are planning removals to Europe or any other place within the United Kingdom, you need to focus on picking a reliable removal company for the job.
Even though it is quite unusual to hear from someone who didn’t have a stressful time when moving, a quality removal company will help minimise the stress and risk involved in moving. A quality removal company is ideally a company that is a member of the British Association of Removers (BAR) or Alliance of Independent mover (AIM). There are so many advantages of picking a removal company registered with the BAR or AIM. This article provides a comprehensive overview of what you should look for when choosing removals to Europe.
BAR has a minimum standards of conduct for all their member removal companies. These practices are very helpful to the consumer since they cover important aspects of the removal company such as licensed vehicles, legal aspects, free conciliation or arbitration and protection for your deposit in an unlikely event of something going wrong during the removal project. Companies that do not invest in maintaining such high standards should not be picked for your removal project. Small firms usually don’t employ their own staff, but hire casual labour when they are in need of a crew. Such practices are not conducive to the security and safety of your personal belongings. Most of the hired crew members are not professionally trained to pack and handle the belongings effectively. This is why you need to avoid such companies when you are looking to pick a professional removal company in the United Kingdom.
Not having a legal contract with the removal company will leave your valuable possessions unprotected. Although a verbal agreement and a shake of hands would be nice, it is not the best thing to do when you have valuable belongings to be moved. There are many instances where consumers have arranged cheap deals with a gentleman who seems friendly and fallen into trouble because the guy didn’t turn up on the day. You need to insist on a contract with the services to be provided written in clear English. The contact details of the service provider should be included in this document. This is why it is important that you pick a professional and reputed removal company that is a member of a professional trade association in the country. Such service providers are more trustworthy, and the consumer has a place to complain if something goes wrong during the removal process.
There are many questions that you should ask from the potential removal company before you pick such a company. How long has the company been in business? Are they able to provide references? Do they have an office or depot where you can visit? What is the security provided to your goods if they are in the vehicle overnight? What type and level of insurance cover is offered? These are very important when you are looking to pick the best removal company in the United Kingdom for Removals to Europe.
Hassle-Free House Removals To Europe with Central Moves Ltd
House-Removals-Europe
Moving house is one of the most stressful life events. As if it wasn’t stressful enough already, add to it the fact that you’re moving your entire family and your possessions to Europe and you’ve got a recipe for even more stress. It’s so easy to forget certain details or leave things behind, that you need to be able to keep calm and stay focused throughout the entire moving process in order to have everything done the proper way.
Luckily, there’s a way to enjoy hassle-free house removals to Europe: hire professional help. Expert movers have a well-established methodology and the experience of thousands of relocations, so they know what needs to be done at each stage of the moving process.
Expert movers can also guide you through the packing operation, as this can also turn into a mess if you don’t know which boxes contain which items. There is a system of packing and labeling everything in order to be able to unpack easily at your destination. Additionally, professional moving companies provide you standard cardboard boxes to fill with your stuff. This eases a lot their storage and transportation. If you had boxes of all shapes and sizes mixed together with plastic bags, you risk of getting your personal belongings damaged during the transportation. The removal company is also going to supply you with all needed materials such as bubble wrap, packing tape and labels. Moreover, if you need advice regarding the best packing methods for various items, you can call a consultant and find out such useful tips to help you move all your stuff safely and without too much hassle.
House removals to Europe can get quite pricey if you don’t organize the process very well. This is where a specialist in such removals can help you. By following their advice and by doing things the right way, you are going to need less room in the truck, thus enjoying lower transportation costs. If you pack everything by yourself without expert guidance, you may need to use more boxes, because you can’t see from a glance what is the most effective way of grouping various items inside boxes. An expert can easily spot such mistakes and help you fit more stuff into the same number of boxes.
The other sensitive issue in case of relocating to another country is the unloading at the destination. By hiring our expert removalist, you can rest assured your belongings are going to be unloaded and carried into your new home. The moving team is going to work under your direct supervision in order to put all your items and boxes where you want. This is a surefire way of avoiding headaches on arrival, as unloading can be a hassle even bigger than the packing and the transportation. If you don’t use a methodical approach to packing your things and you don’t have a clear inventory of what went where, you are going to have a very hard time in deciding what to unpack first and in which of the rooms of your new home. If you want a smooth house removal, call 020 8892 8931 get professional assistance.
