Whether you’ve spent two years in the UK or twenty, the move back to Poland – or to – Poland for the first tim- follows the same basic logistics. What’s changed since Brexit is the paperwork.
This guide covers what to expect, what to organise in advance, and what tends to catch people out.
1. What Brexit changed
Before 2021, moving household goods between the UK and Poland required no customs formalities. Your belongings simply crossed the border with the van. That’s no longer the case.
Every removal from the UK to Poland now requires a UK export declaration, an ENS (Entry Summary Declaration) submitted before the goods enter the EU, and a T1 transit document covering the journey through any EU countries en route. If you’re moving your personal belongings and establishing permanent residence in Poland, you can apply for Transfer of Residence Relief – which allows import without customs duties or VAT. The relief isn’t automatic; it requires an application with documentation.
Most good removal companies handle all of this. The important thing is to check, before you book, whether the company manages customs in-house or outsources it.
2. Timeline and planning
UK to Poland moves typically take three to six days door to door, depending on route, load size, and whether your goods travel on a dedicated vehicle or as part of a shared shipment.
Book at least six to eight weeks in advance. If you’re moving between January and March – peak season for returns, with many people timing moves around the end of the UK tax year or school terms – availability goes quickly.
3. What to organise on the Polish side
If you’ve been out of Poland for an extended period, a few administrative steps are worth doing early. Re-registering your address (zameldowanie) opens up access to local services. If you’re returning to employment in Poland, PESEL re-activation and ZUS registration will be handled through your employer, but it’s worth understanding the timeline. For families with school-age children, early contact with local schools matters – places at preferred schools in larger cities can fill up months in advance.
4. Shipping a car
If you’re bringing a vehicle from the UK, this is handled separately from household goods and requires its own customs documentation. Not all removal companies offer vehicle transport – check before assuming it’s included.
JCL Transport Group runs regular UK–Poland departures with Polish-speaking consultants and in-house customs clearance. If you’re planning a move and want to understand costs and timings for your specific situation, get in touch for a free quote.
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If you’re planning a family move from the UK to Europe and want to talk through the logistics — timelines, packing, pet transport, customs — get in touch. We’ve moved a lot of families, with a lot of dogs, and we’re happy to help you think it through before you commit to anything.
JCL Transport Group offers door-to-door international removals from the UK to Europe. We handle customs clearance in-house and work with families relocating to Spain, France, Poland, the Netherlands and beyond.
