The best period to move back from Spain to the Netherlands is September through November or February through April. During these months, the roads are quieter, removal companies are less busy, and the climate in Spain is more pleasant for working. For families with school-age children, an additional rule of thumb applies: plan the move so that children can start at the beginning of a new school year. Below, we answer the most frequently asked questions about timing, planning, and what to do if your ideal moment is not feasible.

Which months are the quietest for an international move?

The quietest months for an international move from Spain to the Netherlands are October, November, February, and March. During this period, demand for removal capacity is at its lowest, which means there is more flexibility in planning, greater availability of removal trucks, and shorter waiting times when scheduling a moving date.

The high season for international moves runs roughly from May through August. During those months, many families move at the same time, often driven by the end of the school year or the expiry of expat contracts. The pressure on removal companies is greatest then, causing availability to decrease and planning to proceed less smoothly.

September is an in-between situation: still fairly busy due to late summer movers, but already noticeably quieter than July and August. Those who are flexible with the exact date would do well to schedule the move over a midweek period in the low season. That provides the most room and the least hassle.

What are the advantages of moving outside the high season?

Moving outside the high season offers greater availability, better planning options, and less stress. Removal companies have more capacity in the low season to plan a move tailored to your needs, are more accessible for questions, and can more often accommodate specific wishes such as an exact moving day or additional services.

Practically speaking, there are even more advantages:

More choice of moving dates: You are not dependent on the few available slots during a busy summer period.
Less traffic pressure on the route: The motorways between Spain and the Netherlands are considerably quieter in the low season, reducing travel time and the risk of delays.
Better attention for your move: A removal company that is less overloaded can devote more time and attention to your specific situation, from the inventory assessment to the final delivery.
Smoother handling of paperwork: Customs documentation, inventory lists, and country documentation take time. Outside the high season, there is more room to prepare this carefully.

Those who choose a move within Europe outside the peak period generally experience a calmer and more controlled process from start to finish.

How does the Spanish climate affect the timing of a move?

The Spanish climate, and certainly that of Andalusia, has a direct influence on the timing of a move. Summer temperatures of 35 to 45 degrees Celsius make it physically demanding to lift boxes, carry furniture, and load trucks. This increases the risk of heat damage to materials and significantly extends the required working time.

The Andalusia region, from Málaga to Marbella and Cádiz, is popular among Dutch emigrants and retirees. In the summer months, it is particularly warm and dry here. Moving in July or August means working in extreme heat, which is a considerable strain on both the household goods and the removal team.

The most comfortable climate periods for a move from this region are:

March to May: Pleasantly warm, little rainfall, good driving conditions on the route to the Netherlands.
September to November: After the heat peak, temperatures drop quickly. October and November are excellent moving months in Andalusia.

December and January can bring wintry driving conditions in the mountains and on certain motorways heading north through Spain. Those moving then would do well to discuss this with the move coordinator.

When do you need to take Dutch school years and work start dates into account?

If you have children who will attend school in the Netherlands, the most logical moving timing is just before the start of the new school year in September. By arriving at the end of August or the beginning of September, children can enrol directly without a break in the middle of a school year.

A move halfway through the school year, for example in November or February, is not impossible, but requires more coordination with the new school and can mean a more difficult transition for children. Schools in the Netherlands have fixed enrolment moments, and not all schools accept mid-year registrations without a waiting period.

For working adults, a similar logic applies. Those starting a new job in the Netherlands ideally want to have arrived a few weeks before the start date to arrange practical matters: registration with the municipality, opening a bank account, enrolling children in school. Allow for a minimum of two to three weeks’ buffer between arrival and the first working day.

If you receive a relocation allowance from your employer, it is also advisable to plan the tax and administrative settlement in a timely manner. We guide you through all the associated documentation, from the inventory list to the required country documentation for customs.

How far in advance should you plan a move from Spain?

For an international move from Spain to the Netherlands, the rule of thumb is: plan at least eight to twelve weeks in advance. This provides sufficient time for the inventory assessment, arranging customs documents, applying for any exemptions, and the logistical planning of the removal truck.

Those taking a car or motorcycle to the Netherlands need additional preparation time. Applying for a BPM exemption, arranging an inspection, and applying for new registration plates are steps that cannot be sorted overnight. We guide this process fully through our move coordinators, but the same applies here: the earlier you start, the more smoothly it proceeds. More information about importing a car can be found on our website.

During the high season, from May to August, it is advisable to book even three to four months in advance. Removal capacity is scarce then and popular moving dates fill up quickly.

Good preparation includes at minimum:

An inventory consultation or home visit with the move coordinator
Drawing up a detailed household inventory list
Arranging the correct customs documentation
Coordinating the desired moving date and any storage requirements
Arranging additional services such as assembly, unpacking, or a handyman

What if your moving timing is not ideal?

Not everyone can choose when the move takes place. A contract end, a family situation, or an employer who determines the timing means that the ideal period is sometimes simply not achievable. A good moving partner turns even a less-than-ideal moment into a controlled process.

Those who need to move during the high season benefit from a removal company with its own fleet and storage facilities. If the new home is not yet available, the household goods can be stored temporarily. This way you do not have to wait until everything aligns at once: you leave when you must, and your belongings arrive when you are ready for them.

For moves that involve extra complexity, such as taking a car, pets, or a large household, our relocation services offer a fully comprehensive package. From the first inventory assessment to the last boxes being unpacked: we take over all the paperwork and coordination completely, so you can focus on your new beginning.

With more than a hundred years of experience and our own office in Málaga, we know the route between Andalusia and the Netherlands like no other. Whether you leave in March or in August: we ensure that your international move proceeds professionally and carefully, regardless of the timing.

Veelgestelde vragen

Kan ik ook in december of januari vanuit Spanje naar Nederland verhuizen?

Verhuizen in december of januari is mogelijk, maar vraagt extra voorbereiding vanwege mogelijke winterse rijomstandigheden op de bergpassen en snelwegen in Noord-Spanje en de Pyreneeën. Bespreek de route altijd vooraf met je verhuiscoördinator, zodat er rekening gehouden wordt met weerrisico’s en eventuele alternatieve routes. Het voordeel is dat de verhuiscapaciteit in deze maanden ruim beschikbaar is en je dus veel flexibiliteit hebt in het kiezen van een datum.

Hoe ver op voorhand moet ik mijn kinderen aanmelden op een Nederlandse school?

Het is aan te raden om je kinderen minimaal zes tot acht weken voor de verhuizing aan te melden bij een Nederlandse school, zodat er voldoende tijd is voor de administratieve verwerking en een eventuele plaatsingsprocedure. Sommige scholen, met name in populaire steden, hebben wachtlijsten, dus hoe eerder je begint, hoe beter. Neem ook contact op met de gemeente voor inschrijving in de Basisregistratie Personen (BRP), want dat is vaak een vereiste voor schoolinschrijving.

Wat zijn de meest voorkomende fouten bij het plannen van een internationale verhuizing vanuit Spanje?

Een van de meest gemaakte fouten is te laat beginnen met de voorbereiding, waardoor er onvoldoende tijd is voor douanedocumentatie, BPM-vrijstellingen of het vinden van een beschikbare verhuisdatum. Een andere veelvoorkomende fout is onderschatten hoeveel tijd praktische zaken in Nederland kosten, zoals gemeentelijke inschrijving en het openen van een bankrekening. Plan daarom altijd minimaal twee tot drie weken buffer in tussen aankomst en de start van werk of school.

Is het goedkoper om in het laagseizoen te verhuizen, en hoeveel scheelt dat?

In het laagseizoen zijn verhuisbedrijven minder bezet, wat in de praktijk kan betekenen dat er meer ruimte is voor maatwerk en flexibele afspraken, al varieert de exacte prijsinvloed per bedrijf en situatie. Het grootste financiële voordeel zit hem echter niet altijd in de prijs zelf, maar in de kwaliteit van service: meer aandacht, minder haast en een soepeler proces. Vraag bij het opvragen van een offerte altijd expliciet naar beschikbaarheid en eventuele seizoensgebonden voorwaarden.

Wat gebeurt er met mijn inboedel als mijn nieuwe woning in Nederland nog niet beschikbaar is bij aankomst?

Als je nieuwe woning nog niet beschikbaar is, kan je inboedel tijdelijk worden opgeslagen in een professionele opslagfaciliteit totdat jij er klaar voor bent. Dit is een veelgebruikte oplossing voor verhuizingen waarbij de timing van vertrek en oplevering van de nieuwe woning niet perfect op elkaar aansluit. Bespreek dit vooraf met je verhuiscoördinator zodat opslag naadloos in de planning wordt opgenomen en er geen onnodige vertraging ontstaat.

Hoe regel ik de uitschrijving in Spanje en inschrijving in Nederland correct?

In Spanje dien je je uit te schrijven bij het plaatselijke Padrón Municipal en, indien van toepassing, je NIE-registratie af te handelen. In Nederland schrijf je je zo snel mogelijk in bij de gemeente via de Basisregistratie Personen (BRP), het liefst binnen vijf dagen na aankomst, want dit is wettelijk verplicht. Een correcte en tijdige in- en uitschrijving is ook belangrijk voor zaken als belastingaangifte, zorgverzekering en toeslagen, dus zorg dat je dit hoog op je prioriteitenlijst zet.

Kan ik mijn huisdier meenemen vanuit Spanje naar Nederland, en waar moet ik op letten?

Ja, je kunt je huisdier meenemen vanuit Spanje naar Nederland, maar hier zijn specifieke regels aan verbonden. Je huisdier heeft een geldige Europese huisdierpaspoort nodig met een actuele hondsdolheidsvaccinatie en een geïmplanteerde microchip. Omdat beide landen EU-lidstaten zijn, is de procedure relatief eenvoudig, maar plan dit toch ruim van tevoren in en raadpleeg je dierenarts voor de meest actuele reisvoorwaarden.

When is the best time to move back from Spain to the Netherlands?