Brexit and UK to Spain moves
What changed for households moving to Spain, in summary
Written by the UK–Spain Removals editorial team. Regulatory detail describes Spanish, UK and EU rules as we understood them on the review date, and links to the official source for each. Check anything you intend to rely on against those sources: the rules change, and we are movers rather than legal or tax advisers. What changed at the last review: Corrected the customs relief and EORI statements, the vehicle and residence-card details; trimmed to a summary that links to the detailed guides.
The short answer
Brexit turned a UK to Spain move from an internal EU relocation into an international one. Household goods now need export and import declarations, though they can still enter Spain free of duty and IVA under the change-of-residence relief. UK nationals need a residence route, cars must be re-registered, and pets travel on animal health certificates.
Do household goods pay duty in Spain after Brexit?
Not if you qualify for the relief. Before Brexit, belongings moved between the UK and Spain without customs formalities. Now the UK is outside the EU customs union, so a removal needs a UK export declaration and a Spanish import declaration. Goods imported by someone transferring their normal residence to Spain from outside the EU can still enter free of import duty and IVA under the EU’s change-of-residence relief (Council Regulation (EC) No 1186/2009), claimed with Spanish customs, part of the Agencia Tributaria.
Private households moving their own belongings do not normally need their own EORI number; your remover lodges the declarations. The customs guide sets out the conditions and documents.
How did Brexit change the right to live in Spain?
UK nationals who were living in Spain before the end of the transition period keep their rights under the Withdrawal Agreement and hold a Withdrawal Agreement TIE. Anyone arriving since then is a non-EU national under Spanish immigration law and needs a residence route, such as the non-lucrative visa, the digital nomad visa or a work authorisation, granted by the consulate before moving. Without one, stays are limited to the Schengen short-stay allowance. See the residencia guide.
Can I still bring my UK car to Spain?
Yes, but it must be re-registered on Spanish plates within the short period after you become resident that the DGT sets. That now means a customs import, a Spanish ITV inspection, the registration tax or its change-of-residence exemption, and registration with the DGT. Older vehicles may qualify for historic status, which has its own inspection regime. The car guide explains the order.
How do pets travel to Spain now?
EU pet passports issued in Great Britain are no longer valid for travel into the EU. Dogs, cats and ferrets need a microchip, a rabies vaccination given far enough ahead of travel, and an animal health certificate issued by your vet, which is valid for entry only within a short window after issue (GOV.UK: pet travel to Europe). After arrival, register the animal locally as your autonomous community requires. Our pet relocation page explains how we coordinate with specialist carriers.
What does this mean in practice?
Brexit adds paperwork but does not stop anyone moving. The customs side is handled by your remover, the residence side follows the standard non-EU process, and the vehicle and pet rules are clear once you know the order.
The difference between an easy post-Brexit move and a difficult one is sequencing. Secure the residence route before you fix a collection date, get the NIE early if you need it before the visa process, and give your vet and your remover plenty of notice.
Sources
Official pages and legislation this guide relies on. Each loaded on the review date; the bodies that publish them are the authority, not this page.
Planning a move? Request a written quote and we will set out the paperwork order for your route alongside it.
More guides
on UK to Spain moves
The complete guide to moving from the UK to Spain
Visas, NIE, customs relief and the route itself: a practical handbook for British households
paperworkCustoms declarations UK to Spain
Export, transit and Spain’s change-of-residence relief, explained for household moves
paperworkResidencia after Brexit
How UK nationals get and keep the right to live in Spain