Moving your belongings, car and pets

Shipping a container costs thousands, takes weeks or months, and furniture made for one climate does not always suit another. Many retirees ship only what they cannot replace (papers, photos, art, a few pieces of furniture) and buy the rest locally, often furnished with the first rental. Get two or three quotes from international movers who handle customs at both ends, and ask them about the exemptions below.

Moving into the EU from outside (Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Malta, Cyprus, Croatia, Ireland)

EU rules give relief from customs duty and VAT on personal property when you move your normal residence into the EU ¹:

• you lived outside the EU for at least 12 months in a row;
• the goods were in your possession and used at your former home for at least 6 months, and are for the same personal use in your new home;
• they are imported within the time allowed after you settle (for example within 12 months in Austria);
• they may not be sold, lent or hired out for 12 months without the customs office's approval;
• a car is usually included under the same conditions, with its own application.

Each EU country applies these rules through its customs office, with its own forms: ask the customs of your new country, or your mover, before shipping.

Retiree exemptions outside the EU

• Philippines: SRRV holders are exempt from customs duties and taxes on a one-time import of household goods and personal effects up to US$7,000 ².
• Uruguay: the retiree benefit (Law 16.340) allows household goods and a car free of duty for retirees with permanent residence who meet its conditions; the car cannot be sold for 4 years ³.
• Elsewhere, ask the consulate or a customs broker: rules and exemptions change often, and some countries tax used cars and electronics heavily.

• Shipping a car is rarely worth it: import duties, conversion to local standards, registration and steering on the wrong side often cost more than a local car. Under the EU relief above it may be duty-free, but registration and technical inspections still apply.
• Buying locally means a tax number, a residence address and local insurance; compare second-hand prices before deciding.
• Insurance: a foreign policy does not cover a locally registered car; ask local insurers whether your claims history abroad counts.

Once you become resident, a foreign licence usually remains valid only for a limited time: then you exchange it or take a local test. Whether it can be exchanged depends on agreements between the two countries. Our settling steps give examples: in Portugal, check with IMT before your licence stops being valid for residents; in Costa Rica, foreign licences work for a limited time, then residents get a licence from COSEVI. Ask early: some exchanges need an apostilled record from your licensing authority, which takes weeks.

Into the EU from outside

The EU's rules for pets travelling with their owners ^4,5:

• a microchip, implanted before the rabies vaccination;
• a rabies vaccination, given when the animal is at least 12 weeks old; the pet can travel at the earliest 21 days after the primary vaccination;
• from some countries, a rabies antibody blood test done in an approved laboratory, which means planning months ahead; the EU publishes the list of countries exempted from the test (Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131) ⁵;
• an EU animal health certificate completed by an official vet before departure.

Elsewhere

Latin American and Asian countries have their own rules: import permits, health certificates within a few days of travel, sometimes quarantine. Check with the country's agriculture or veterinary authority, and with the airline: many limit pets in the cabin and refuse some breeds or hot-season flights.

1. Decide what is worth shipping; get quotes from movers who handle customs at both ends.
2. Keep proof of ownership and use for 6 months (invoices, photos) for the EU relief.
3. Ask about retiree customs exemptions (Philippines, Uruguay) before you ship.
4. Compare shipping your car with buying locally.
5. Check how and when to exchange your driving licence.
6. Start pet paperwork several months ahead for the EU if a blood test is needed; check airline rules.