This guide looks at how many people move abroad from the UK each year, and what to plan for if you are one of them. For full details of our service, visit our international removals page.
Moving abroad in numbers
Moving overseas from the UK is far more common than many people realise. Estimates suggest that more than 5.5 million British people currently live abroad, equivalent to roughly one in ten of the UK population, with the United Nations separately estimating 4.8 million British citizens living overseas in 2024 (iExpats; Brexit FactBase). Around 1.3 million UK nationals are believed to live within the EU alone.
Interestingly, the popular image of a retiree relocating for the sunshine is not the whole picture. Recent analysis suggests around three-quarters of British emigrants are under the age of 35, with the majority moving abroad for career opportunities rather than retirement (UK Visa Blog). Whatever the reason for the move, the practical challenges of shipping a household overseas remain broadly the same.
What makes an international move different
Customs and documentation
Every destination country has its own import regulations, and the paperwork required varies significantly depending on whether you are shipping a full household or a handful of items. Missing or incorrect documentation is one of the most common causes of delay at port.
Sea and air freight decisions
Larger household moves typically travel by sea freight, while smaller or time-sensitive shipments may go by air. The right choice depends on your budget, your timeframe and the volume of belongings involved.
Quarantine and restricted items
Certain countries apply quarantine rules or restrict specific items entirely. Understanding these requirements before packing avoids costly surprises once your belongings arrive.
Insurance across jurisdictions
Standard UK home insurance does not cover an international shipment. Specialist international removals insurance is essential to protect belongings in transit and during any storage period at either end.
Tips for a smoother international move
- Start planning as early as possible, ideally several months ahead, given the additional documentation involved
- Ask your removals company whether they assign a dedicated international move manager who understands your destination country’s regulations
- Check whether secure storage is available in the UK before shipping, particularly if your departure and travel dates do not align
- Use export-quality professional packing for anything fragile or high-value travelling overseas
- Confirm insurance cover for the full journey, not just the UK portion of the move
How Cheshire Moving & Storage supports international moves
We have been handling international relocations for over 15 years, managing everything from single-item overseas shipments to full household and business relocations. Every client is assigned a dedicated international move manager who handles the paperwork and coordinates packing, transport, customs and final delivery from start to finish.
If your move begins locally before heading overseas, our guides to Chester, Liverpool and the Wirral cover the local details, while our nationwide removals page covers moves within the UK.
Ready to plan your move overseas?
Moving abroad involves more moving parts than a domestic relocation, but with the right planning it does not need to be overwhelming. Contact us to discuss your international move, or get your free quote today.
