Cost of Moving from France to the UK 2026: Complete Price Guide
Quick answer: Moving from France to the UK in 2026 costs €1,700 (Silver, 1-bedroom) to €8,800 (Platinum, family home) including Eurotunnel/ferry and UK customs handling. Post-Brexit you need a HMRC ToR1 application before shipment to qualify for duty- and VAT-free import. Paris–London is 460 km via Eurotunnel; 1–2 day transit. Customs handling adds €180–€400 (sources: gov.uk, comparemymove.com, frenchentree.com).
Key takeaways
- Post-Brexit the UK is outside the EU customs union — you must apply for a HMRC ToR1 (Transfer of Residence) before the goods arrive in the UK
- Cost bracket: 1-bedroom €1,700–€3,900; 2-3 bedroom €1,700–€6,100; family home €1,900–€8,800 (incl. Eurotunnel/ferry and customs)
- Crossing: Eurotunnel (Calais–Folkestone, 35 min) or ferry (Calais–Dover, 90 min) — both fully coordinated by Flyto
- Distances: Paris–London 460 km, Lille–London 295 km, Lyon–London 950 km, Bordeaux–London 1,000 km
- ToR1 must be approved before shipment — typical processing 3–10 working days (gov.uk)
What it costs in 2026 — headline pricing
A France to UK move in 2026 ranges from €1,700 to €8,800 door-to-door including Channel crossing and HMRC customs handling. That’s €200–€400 above an equivalent EU-internal move because of the post-Brexit customs work and the Eurotunnel or ferry cost (typically €280–€450 for a moving truck — source: eurotunnel.com).
Industry data from comparemymove.com puts a typical 30 m³ Paris–London move at €3,950–€4,200 Gold tier. Lille or Calais origin can shave €300–€500 off because of the much shorter inland leg.
Distance and route: France to the UK
- Paris → London: 460 km, 5h drive + 35-min Eurotunnel, 1–2 day delivery
- Lille → London: 295 km, 3h drive + tunnel, same-day possible
- Calais → London: 165 km, 2h drive + tunnel, same-day
- Paris → Manchester: 720 km, 8h drive + tunnel, 2 day delivery
- Paris → Edinburgh: 1,070 km, 12h drive + tunnel, 2–3 day delivery
- Lyon → London: 950 km, 10h drive + tunnel, 2 day delivery
- Bordeaux → London: 1,000 km, 11h drive + tunnel, 2 day delivery
- Marseille → London: 1,250 km, 13h drive + tunnel, 2–3 day delivery
Flyto uses Eurotunnel (Calais–Folkestone) as the default crossing — 35 minutes vs 90 minutes for ferry, and works on any tide or weather. Ferry (P&O or DFDS, Calais–Dover) is the fallback at peak departure times.
Price brackets in 2026 — Silver / Gold / Platinum
| Home size | Volume | Silver (from) | Gold (from) | Platinum (from) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1-bedroom | ≈15 m³ | €1,700 | €2,650 | €3,900 |
| 2-3 bedroom apartment | ≈30 m³ | €1,700 | €3,950 | €6,100 |
| Family house | ≈60 m³ | €1,900 | €5,700 | €8,800 |
All prices include Eurotunnel/ferry crossing, French and UK road haulage, statutory carrier liability, and HMRC customs handling. Add-ons: professional packing €600–€950; furniture disassembly/assembly €380–€600; storage in London/Manchester €120–€180/m³/month.
What drives the cost
- Volume: 15 m³ studio vs 60 m³ family home = 4× spread.
- Channel crossing: Eurotunnel for a moving truck costs €280–€450 depending on date and time (already in Flyto’s quote).
- UK customs handling: €180–€400 for ToR1 submission and HMRC clearance preparation.
- UK access: Central London ULEZ charge, congestion charge (£15/day), and tight loading windows often need a smaller shuttle vehicle (£200–£500 added).
- Season: June–August peak +15–25%; November–February low season -15–20%.
- Distance: Calais–London is ~€700 cheaper than Marseille–Edinburgh.
Customs and border — post-Brexit ToR1 explained
Since 1 January 2021, the UK has been outside the EU customs union. Personal belongings moving from France to the UK now require a customs declaration and a HMRC Transfer of Residence (ToR1) application (source: gov.uk/transfer-residence-to-uk).
ToR1 grants relief from UK customs duty and import VAT on used personal goods provided you meet all of:
- You’re moving your normal place of residence to the UK
- You’ve lived outside the UK continuously for at least 12 months
- You’ve owned and used each item for at least 6 months before import
- You commit not to sell, lend or hire out the goods for 12 months
- Goods are imported within 12 months of your UK arrival
You apply online at gov.uk before shipment. HMRC issues a Unique Reference Number (URN) — typically within 3–10 working days, occasionally up to 14. Flyto’s customs team submits the URN to the UK port of entry, so the truck clears without unloading at Folkestone.
Items that don’t qualify: anything bought in the 6 months before the move, items still under finance, alcohol/tobacco over personal allowance, and vehicles unless declared separately.
Seasonal pricing — when to book
UK schools change academic year in late August/early September, driving peak relocation demand at that time. June–August adds 15–25% (source: comparemymove.com). Cheapest months are November, January and February. May and October are good shoulder windows.
DIY container vs full-service comparison
- DIY van + self-clearance: €1,400–€1,900 for a 20 m³ one-way van, Eurotunnel for van class (€180–€250), plus your time on ToR1 paperwork. Real risk of border delay or rejected items. Realistic spend: €1,700–€2,200 plus 30+ hours of your time.
- Full-service Flyto: From €1,700 Silver including crossing, customs and delivery. Premium over DIY is often under €200 — a sensible insurance against ToR1 problems.
Hidden costs to budget for
- French péages to Calais: Paris–Calais ~€30 (in Flyto’s quote).
- ULEZ + Congestion Charge in London: £12.50 + £15/day for any non-compliant truck entering central London zones.
- French exit cleaning: €200–€400 for landlord deposit.
- HMRC ToR1: No fee — only Flyto’s customs handling charge.
- UK utilities setup: £30–£100 (typically free with major suppliers).
- UK Council Tax: Begins from move-in date — £130–£300/month varies by band.
- Vehicle import: Separate from ToR1. Use NOVA (Notification of Vehicle Arrival) within 14 days; VAT/duty relief possible under ToR if vehicle qualifies. Plus DVLA registration £55, MOT cost, UK insurance, and possibly modifications for right-hand-side driving compliance.
- Optional cargo insurance: 1–2% of declared value, from €200.
Step-by-step timeline
- 12 weeks before: Request Flyto quote. Apply for UK visa if non-EU citizen (Skilled Worker, Family, etc.). Start UK housing search on Rightmove/Zoopla.
- 10 weeks before: Confirm UK address. Apply for HMRC ToR1 online — needs detailed inventory, evidence of UK residence (job contract, rental, university place).
- 8 weeks before: Give French landlord 3-month preavis. Notify Sécurité sociale, EDF, internet.
- 6 weeks before: ToR1 typically approved (3–10 days). Flyto receives URN.
- 4 weeks before: Open UK bank account (Monzo, Starling accept remote setup; HSBC/Lloyds need in-person).
- 2 weeks before: Pack (Silver/Gold). Cancel French utilities for day after pickup.
- 1 week before: Confirm Eurotunnel slot via Flyto. Reserve UK parking and any London ULEZ permits.
- Moving day: Crew loads (3–6h). Truck departs for Calais.
- Same day: 35-min Eurotunnel crossing; truck enters UK with pre-cleared ToR1.
- Day 1–2: Delivery and unloading at UK address. Platinum: unpack and assemble.
- Within 5 days: Register with GP (NHS). Apply for NI number if not yet held.
FAQ
Will I pay UK customs duty or VAT on my belongings?
No — provided you qualify for the ToR1 relief: you’re moving normal residence to the UK, you’ve lived outside the UK 12+ months, you’ve owned and used each item 6+ months, and you won’t sell within 12 months. ToR1 must be approved before shipment (source: gov.uk).
How much does Paris to London cost?
For a typical 30 m³ apartment: €1,700 Silver, €3,950 Gold, €6,100 Platinum — all including Eurotunnel and HMRC customs handling.
How long does ToR1 take to approve?
3 to 10 working days typically; occasionally up to 14 in busy periods. Apply at least 6 weeks before your move to have margin for any HMRC follow-up questions.
Can I bring my car?
Yes, but it’s a separate process from ToR1. You’ll register the vehicle via NOVA within 14 days of arrival, then register with DVLA. UK only allows right-hand-drive cars long-term in most cases — French left-hand-drive vehicles will need headlight modification and may not pass MOT efficiently.
How long is the crossing?
Eurotunnel: 35 minutes Calais–Folkestone. Ferry: 90 minutes Calais–Dover. Plus 30–60 minutes border check-in. Flyto schedules slots to minimise wait.
What about pets?
Pets need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by a French vet within 10 days of travel, microchip, rabies vaccination, and tapeworm treatment for dogs. They travel with you, not in the moving truck.
Do I need to be in the UK when the goods arrive?
Strongly recommended. You — or an authorised representative — must sign for delivery and confirm condition. If your flight arrives a day after the truck, Flyto can store goods at our UK depot at €100–€140/m³/month.
What’s the cheapest month to move?
November, January, February — 15–20% below summer peak. Avoid late August/early September when UK student moves spike demand.
Planning your France to UK move?
Get a free door-to-door quote including Eurotunnel and HMRC customs handling.