Moving from London to Montreal (2026): Costs, Visas & Complete Guide

Moving from London to Montreal (2026): Costs, Visas & Complete Guide

Montreal is one of the most affordable of Canada’s big cities, a bilingual metropolis where French is the official language, winters are genuinely cold and the cultural life is out of proportion to the cost of living. For Londoners weary of astronomical rents, it can feel like a revelation. But moving from the UK to Quebec means navigating a distinct immigration system, Canadian customs and a French-language reality that Toronto and Vancouver do not share. This guide walks you through the whole journey for 2026.

Key takeaways

• Quebec runs its own immigration selection: you generally need a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) obtained through the Arrima expression-of-interest portal before federal permanent residence.
• French matters. Quebec’s economic streams weight French heavily, and Bill 96 reinforces French as the language of public life, work and services.
• Household goods travel by sea to the Port of Montreal (ocean crossing from Northern Europe is fast, roughly 8–14 days) or urgent items by air to Montréal-Trudeau (YUL).
• Used personal effects are generally duty-free for settlers, declared on CBSA Form BSF186 with a list of goods “to follow”.
• Budget for a 3-month RAMQ health-insurance waiting period and arrange private cover for the gap.

1. The route: London to Montreal

Most household moves from London travel by sea. Your belongings are packed and containerised, then routed through a Northern European hub such as Felixstowe, Southampton, Liverpool or Antwerp before the transatlantic crossing to the Port of Montreal, sitting inland on the St Lawrence River. The ocean leg itself is quick by transatlantic standards, typically 8–14 days, though the full door-to-door move, including packing, consolidation, sailing schedules, customs clearance and final delivery, usually runs several weeks.

For a smaller move you can share container space (groupage/LCL), which is cheaper but slower because your goods wait for a full container. A sole-use container (FCL) costs more but moves faster and is handled less. Anything you need immediately, documents, a few boxes, professional equipment, can fly into Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) within days, at a far higher cost per kilo.

2. What it costs

The cost of an international move is driven by the same general factors wherever you start: the volume and weight of what you ship, whether you take a shared or sole-use container, the access at both ends (narrow London streets, upper-floor flats and any need for a parking permit or an external lift all add labour), the level of packing and insurance you choose, and any storage if your Montreal home is not ready.

The good news for Londoners: Montreal is meaningfully cheaper to live in than Toronto or Vancouver, and dramatically cheaper than London. Rents, eating out and everyday costs are lower, which softens the settling-in bill. The most reliable way to control the moving cost itself is to declutter ruthlessly before you pack, since you are paying to ship volume across an ocean.

3. Canadian customs: CBSA Form BSF186

When you import your belongings, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) treats you as a settler. Used household and personal goods that you owned, possessed and used before arriving are generally admitted duty- and tax-free. The mechanism is Form BSF186 (Personal Effects Accounting Document), with BSF186A used to itemise the goods.

Practical points:

• Prepare two lists: goods accompanying you on arrival, and “goods to follow” (your sea shipment, which arrives later). Only items on the “to follow” list can be cleared duty-free when they turn up.
• Include make, model and serial numbers for valuable items such as electronics.
• Some goods are restricted or controlled: alcohol and tobacco are limited, and certain foods, plants and firearms have their own rules.
• Keep it accurate. The list you present is the basis for clearance, so a complete, honest inventory saves delays.

4. Living in Montreal

Montreal is a city of distinct neighbourhoods. The Plateau-Mont-Royal is the classic bohemian heart, full of triplexes, cafés and outdoor staircases. Mile End is its creative, indie extension; Outremont and Westmount are leafier and more upmarket; NDG (Notre-Dame-de-Grâce) is family-friendly and traditionally anglophone; Griffintown is the redeveloped downtown-edge district of new condos; and Rosemont offers quieter, good-value residential living.

The defining feature of daily life is language. Quebec is officially French, and Bill 96 strengthens French as the language of government, business and services. Montreal is genuinely bilingual and you can live in English in many areas, but you will get far more out of the city, and out of your career, by learning French. Set against that, rents are affordable by big-city standards, the food and festival scene (jazz, comedy, film) is world-class, and summers are warm and vibrant. The trade-off is a long, harsh winter with heavy snow and temperatures well below freezing, so factor in winter clothing and heating.

5. Immigration, health, driving and pets

Quebec’s own immigration system

This is the biggest difference from the rest of Canada. Quebec selects its own economic immigrants. Instead of applying directly through the federal Express Entry pool, most skilled workers must first obtain a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ). You submit an expression of interest through the Arrima portal, are scored and ranked, and are invited to apply when your profile matches Quebec’s priorities. Once you hold a CSQ, you then apply to the federal government (IRCC) for permanent residence.

French is central. Quebec’s skilled-worker streams award significant weight to French ability, and strong French can be decisive. The federal Express Entry system still exists, but Quebec manages its economic selection separately, so for a move to Montreal you plan around the Quebec route. Verify current criteria on the official Quebec and IRCC websites before committing to a timeline.

RAMQ health insurance

Quebec’s public health plan is run by RAMQ. New permanent residents typically face a waiting period of up to three months before coverage begins. The UK does not have the reciprocal social-security arrangement that exempts, for example, French citizens, so as a Londoner you should register with RAMQ promptly on arrival and buy private health insurance to bridge the gap.

Driving licence (SAAQ)

Driving is regulated by the SAAQ. You may drive on your UK licence for a short settling-in period, but to keep driving you must exchange it. Quebec maintains formal exchange agreements with a number of jurisdictions; the arrangements differ by country and, in the case of the UK, are not identical across all parts of the country. Check your specific eligibility directly with the SAAQ and gather the paperwork early, because some documents are hard to obtain once you have left the UK.

Bringing pets (CFIA)

Dogs and cats are imported under Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) rules. For a personal pet the core requirement is a valid rabies vaccination certificate signed by a licensed vet, in English or French, identifying the animal and the vaccine. A microchip is strongly recommended. Rules differ for commercial imports and for puppies below a minimum age, so confirm the current requirements on the CFIA website well before you fly.

6. A realistic timeline

• 6–12 months out: research the Quebec route, begin/continue French study, and submit your Arrima expression of interest.
• 3–6 months out: progress your CSQ and then federal PR application; get moving quotes and a home survey.
• 2–3 months out: book your shipment, sort pet paperwork, request driving-licence documents, and start decluttering.
• 1 month out: confirm packing dates, prepare your BSF186 inventory, and arrange private health cover.
• Arrival: register with RAMQ, open a bank account, get a social insurance number, and clear your goods with the CBSA.

How Flyto handles your move

Flyto Relocation runs its own European hubs and ships worldwide, which is exactly the kind of route a London-to-Montreal move needs: consolidated collection in the UK, an efficient transatlantic sailing to the Port of Montreal, and coordinated customs paperwork so your BSF186 and “goods to follow” list are handled correctly. Rather than juggling a chain of separate suppliers, you get one team managing packing, shipping, customs and delivery to your Montreal address.

Get a personalised moving plan and quote with the Flyto advisor

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to speak French to move to Montreal?

You can live and work in English in many parts of Montreal, but French is the official language of Quebec and is heavily weighted in immigration selection. Learning French will greatly improve both your immigration prospects and your daily life.

Why do I apply to Quebec instead of federal Express Entry?

Quebec selects its own economic immigrants. Most skilled workers must first obtain a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) via the Arrima portal, then apply to the federal government for permanent residence.

Will I pay duty on my household goods?

Used personal and household effects that you owned and used before arriving are generally admitted duty-free as settler’s goods, declared on CBSA Form BSF186 with a separate list for goods arriving later.

How long does the sea shipment take?

The transatlantic crossing from Northern Europe to the Port of Montreal is fast, roughly 8–14 days, but the full door-to-door move usually takes several weeks once packing, scheduling, customs and delivery are included.

Can I use my UK driving licence in Montreal?

You may drive on it for a short initial period, but you must exchange it to keep driving. Quebec’s exchange agreements vary by jurisdiction, so confirm your eligibility with the SAAQ and prepare documents before you leave.

When does my Quebec health coverage start?

RAMQ coverage for new residents usually begins after a waiting period of up to three months. UK citizens are not exempt, so register on arrival and arrange private insurance for the gap.

Related moves

• Moving from Dublin to Montreal
• Moving from Paris to Montreal
• Moving to Winnipeg from Abroad
• Moving to Edmonton from Abroad

Sources

• CBSA – BSF186 Personal Effects Accounting Document
• Government of Quebec – Immigration (CSQ, Arrima)
• Government of Canada – IRCC (Express Entry, permanent residence)
• RAMQ – Health insurance eligibility and waiting period
• SAAQ – Driver’s licences and exchange agreements
• CFIA – Importing pets to Canada
• Port of Montreal
• HM Revenue & Customs (UK export/customs)

Hiring an international mover? See our full International removals to Canada service — Flyto’s own European hubs, vetted local partners and one English-speaking coordinator, door to door.