How Much Does an International Move Cost? Price Factors Explained

"How much does an international move cost?" is usually the first question people ask before they even start planning. There's no fixed rate — the price of a cross-border move in Europe comes down to distance, volume, transport type and which extra services you add. Here's what actually drives the cost, where you can reasonably save, and how to get an accurate quote in 15–30 minutes.

What determines the price of an international move

Several factors combine to set the final price, and each one is worth understanding:

• route and distance between countries;
• volume and weight of your belongings;
• transport type — groupage (shared load) or a dedicated vehicle;
• loading/unloading complexity (floor, lift access, parking, narrow streets);
• packing and extra services (furniture disassembly, temporary storage);
• cargo insurance;
• season and how busy the route is.

Route and distance — it's not just kilometers

A move from Warsaw to Paris naturally costs differently than one from Madrid to Berlin, but distance alone doesn't set the price. What also matters:

• how common the route is for carriers (popular corridors make it easier to fill a groupage load, which lowers cost per client);
• whether the route crosses a border that requires extra customs formalities;
• how far the pickup and delivery addresses are from major highways — a move to a remote village usually costs more than one to a major city.

Moves within the EU involve almost no border formalities. If your route includes a country outside the EU, it's worth checking in advance which documents you'll need, since that also affects the final quote.

Volume and transport type: groupage or a dedicated vehicle

This is one of the factors with the biggest impact on the final price. Layner Group runs a fleet from 1 to 24 tonnes, so you can choose between two formats:

If your volume is modest and the date is flexible, groupage is usually the more economical choice because the cost of the run is split between several clients. If you're moving on a tight schedule or with a large volume, a dedicated vehicle is more convenient even though it costs more.

Packing and extra services

A standard quote usually covers door-to-door transport with loading and unloading. Many clients also add:

• professional packing for fragile and valuable items;
• furniture disassembly and reassembly;
• temporary storage if your move-out and move-in dates don't align;
• carrying items up stairs where there's no lift or access is difficult.

Each of these adds to the price but also reduces the risk of damage and saves you time. A sensible approach is to have fragile and valuable items (electronics, china, artwork) packed professionally and handle the rest yourself if time allows.

Cargo insurance

Carrier liability during transit is governed by the CMR Convention, which applies to international road transport across Europe. That coverage is enough for most belongings, but for antiques, artwork or particularly high-value items, additional insurance is worth considering. We covered what CMR actually covers — and when you need extra cover — in our guide to international move insurance.

How to plan your budget and get an accurate quote

No serious company will give you an exact figure without asking about your volume and route — be cautious of anyone who does. At Layner Group, the process works like this:

1. You describe your volume (by room or as a list) and route.
2. We confirm the details — floor, access, dates, whether you need packing or storage.
3. You receive a preliminary offer within 15–30 minutes.
4. Booking requires a 10% deposit, with the balance due before unloading — no last-minute surprises.

This payment structure protects both sides: you see the full amount up front, not after loading. If you're working to a fixed timeline, our step-by-step international move checklist lays out what to do and when, starting 6–8 weeks before moving day.

Ways to save without cutting corners

• Book early — the sooner a vehicle is reserved, the more date options you have and the lower the risk of a rush surcharge.
• Pack by room and keep an inventory — it speeds up the volume estimate and reduces the chance of pricing errors.
• Consider groupage if your dates are flexible — savings can reach 45% compared with a dedicated vehicle.
• Don't cut corners on packing fragile or valuable items — the cost of a damaged item is almost always higher than the packing service itself.
• Ask exactly what's included in the base price — loading, unloading, fuel surcharge, insurance — so you can compare quotes fairly.

The bottom line

The cost of an international move depends on distance, volume, transport type and the services you add — there's no single universal figure, but every factor can be estimated and planned for in advance. The most reliable way to know your budget is to send us the details of your move. Request a free moving quote — we'll reply within 15–30 minutes.