Moving from Spain back to the Netherlands costs on average between €2,500 and €6,000 for an average household, depending on the volume of household goods, the distance to the nearest collection point, and the chosen mode of transport. Those who opt for shared transport (groupage) pay less than with exclusive transport using a dedicated truck. In this article, we answer the most frequently asked questions about the costs and related matters when moving internationally from Spain.

What determines the price of an international move?

The price of an international move is primarily determined by the volume of household goods (measured in cubic metres), the distance, and the chosen mode of transport. Additional factors also play a role, such as the accessibility of the collection and delivery address, the desired level of service, and any additional services.

Specifically, the following cost drivers apply:

Volume: The more cubic metres, the higher the transport costs. This is the largest cost item in any international move.
Distance and route: The Netherlands–Spain route is a popular corridor. From Andalusia, where we have our own branch in Malaga, the distance to most Dutch cities is around 2,200 to 2,500 kilometres.
Mode of transport: Groupage (shared transport) is cheaper than an exclusive truck. More on this later in this article.
Accessibility: A narrow street, a high floor without a lift, or a historic centre in Spain may require a shuttle service, which incurs additional costs.
Additional services: Packing and unpacking services, assembly and disassembly of furniture, storage, or a handyman service increase the total price, but also take work and worry off your hands.

We carry out every European move on a bespoke basis. This means that a quote is always based on your specific situation, not on a standard rate that does not suit your household goods.

How many cubic metres does an average household have?

An average household has between 20 and 40 cubic metres of household goods. An apartment or smaller home is typically around 15 to 25 cubic metres, while a larger family home can quickly contain 35 to 50 cubic metres or more.

As a general guideline, you can use the following breakdown:

Studio or small apartment: 10 to 20 m³
Two- to three-room apartment: 20 to 35 m³
Family home with garden: 35 to 55 m³
Large villa or townhouse: 55 m³ and above

The exact volume is determined during a survey, which we carry out as standard before drawing up a quote. This way you know exactly where you stand and won’t be faced with any surprises on moving day itself.

What are the average costs for a move from Spain?

For a move from Spain to the Netherlands, you pay on average between €2,500 and €6,000 for a medium-sized household of 20 to 40 cubic metres. Smaller volumes via groupage can work out cheaper; large family homes with exclusive transport sit at the upper end or above.

For reference, based on current market prices:

Small volume (up to 20 m³) via groupage: €1,500 to €3,000
Medium volume (20 to 40 m³) via groupage: €2,500 to €4,500
Large volume (40 m³ or more) exclusive transport: €4,500 to €8,000 or more

From our branch in Malaga, we serve the Andalusia region, from Malaga to Marbella and Cadiz. This means shorter driving distances for the collection service, which favourably affects costs for customers in this area. Would you like an accurate price? Then a no-obligation survey is the best first step.

What is the difference between groupage and exclusive transport?

With groupage, your household goods are combined with those of other customers in the same truck, so you only pay for the cubic metres you actually use. With exclusive transport, you hire the entire truck for yourself, which is faster and more flexible, but also considerably more expensive.

Groupage: advantages and points to consider

Groupage is the most cost-efficient choice for smaller volumes. The truck travels a fixed route and combines multiple loads. The downside is that delivery time may be slightly longer, as the vehicle makes multiple stops or waits until there is sufficient load for a full run. For those not tied to an exact date, this is generally the smartest choice.

Exclusive transport: speed and certainty

With exclusive transport, the truck goes directly from the collection address to the delivery address, without intermediate stops. This is ideal for large volumes, time-sensitive moves, or customers who want to be certain that their household goods are not combined with other loads. For many people, the higher costs are outweighed by the certainty and convenience.

For the Spain–Netherlands route, we offer both options. Our move coordinators will advise you on which option best suits your situation, volume, and schedule.

Which additional costs are often overlooked?

In addition to the basic transport price, there are additional costs that many people do not immediately factor into their budget. Think of parking permits, shuttle services, insurance, storage, and, when taking a car along, taxes upon import into the Netherlands.

The most commonly forgotten cost items are:

Parking permit: In Spanish cities such as Malaga or Marbella, a parking permit for the moving truck is almost always required. We arrange this as standard on your behalf.
Shuttle service: When the moving truck cannot reach the final destination due to narrow streets or access restrictions, a smaller shuttle is needed. This incurs additional costs.
Transport insurance: Good household contents insurance during transport is essential. Not all standard insurance policies cover international shipments.
Storage: If there is a gap between the handover date in Spain and the handover date of your new home in the Netherlands, you will need temporary storage. We offer storage facilities from our head office in Spijkenisse.
Importing a car: Are you taking a car back to the Netherlands? Then BPM, VAT, and import duties may apply. Through a removal exemption for car imports, it is possible to avoid these taxes, provided you meet the conditions. Our move coordinators will guide you through this process.
Pets: Transporting animals requires specific documents and preparation. Through our partners, we offer a specialised pet service.

Does an employer or the tax authority reimburse moving costs?

Yes, in many cases the costs of an international move are (partially) reimbursed by an employer or are tax-deductible through the tax authority. This applies in particular when the move takes place in connection with a new job or a posting by the employer.

Reimbursement via the employer

Many employers offer a moving budget or moving allowance as part of an employment contract or expat package. In practice, we see that a large proportion of our private customers on the Spain–Netherlands route receive a reimbursement from their employer. The moving budget is then paid directly by the employer or claimed afterwards on the basis of invoices. Check with your employer or HR department which conditions apply and exactly which costs are covered.

Tax deductibility via the tax authority

In certain situations, you can also declare moving costs to the tax authority. However, this is subject to strict conditions, such as the reason for the move and the distance to your new workplace. Always consult a tax adviser familiar with international situations, as the rules can vary from year to year and from situation to situation.

Whether you are moving on your own initiative or at your employer’s expense, we offer complete relocation services that take care of the entire process. From the survey and paperwork to hanging your curtains in the Netherlands. With more than 100 years of experience and our own branch in Malaga, we know exactly what is involved in a move from Spain, and we ensure that you don’t have to worry about any of it.

Veelgestelde vragen

Hoe lang duurt een verhuizing van Spanje naar Nederland gemiddeld?

De doorlooptijd hangt af van de gekozen transportvorm. Bij groupage moet je rekening houden met een levertijd van 1 tot 3 weken, afhankelijk van wanneer er voldoende lading is voor een volledige rit. Bij exclusief transport bedraagt de rijtijd doorgaans 2 tot 4 dagen, zodat je inboedel snel op de nieuwe locatie aankomt. Bespreek je gewenste opleverdatum altijd vooraf met je move coordinator, zodat de planning hierop afgestemd kan worden.

Wat is de beste manier om mijn inboedel te laten inventariseren vóór een offerte?

De meest betrouwbare manier is een fysieke inventarisatie aan huis, waarbij een verhuisspecialist langskomt om het volume en de aard van je inboedel in kaart te brengen. Wanneer dat niet mogelijk is, bieden wij ook een videoinventarisatie aan via een videogesprek. Vermijd het invullen van een online volumecalculator zonder begeleiding, want onderschatting van het volume leidt vrijwel altijd tot meerkosten op de verhuisdag zelf.

Wat moet ik doen met spullen die ik niet wil meenemen naar Nederland?

Een verhuizing is een uitgelezen moment om uit te sorteren. Spullen die je niet meeneemt kun je verkopen via lokale Spaanse platforms zoals Wallapop of Milanuncios, doneren aan een goed doel, of laten ophalen door een kringlooporganisatie. Houd er rekening mee dat minder volume direct minder transportkosten betekent, dus het loont om kritisch te kijken naar wat echt de moeite waard is om mee te nemen. Onze move coordinators kunnen je hierbij adviseren tijdens de inventarisatie.

Hoe zit het met de verzekering van mijn inboedel tijdens het transport?

Standaard huishoudensverzekeringen dekken internationaal transport vaak niet of slechts gedeeltelijk. Het is daarom sterk aan te raden een aparte transportverzekering af te sluiten die je inboedel dekt van deur tot deur, inclusief laden en lossen. Wij bieden een all-risk transportverzekering aan als aanvullende service, zodat je inboedel volledig gedekt is voor beschadiging of verlies tijdens de gehele verhuizing.

Kan ik mijn auto meenemen als onderdeel van de verhuizing, en wat zijn de kosten?

Ja, het is mogelijk om een auto mee te laten transporteren als onderdeel van je verhuizing vanuit Spanje. De kosten voor autotransport variëren doorgaans tussen de 500 en 1.500 euro, afhankelijk van het type voertuig en de exacte route. Vergeet niet dat je bij terugkeer naar Nederland mogelijk te maken krijgt met BPM, btw en invoerrechten, tenzij je in aanmerking komt voor een verhuisvrijstelling. Onze move coordinators begeleiden je door het volledige importproces om onaangename verrassingen te voorkomen.

Wat als mijn nieuwe woning in Nederland nog niet beschikbaar is op het moment van de verhuizing?

Dit is een veelvoorkomende situatie, zeker bij internationale verhuizingen waarbij de overdracht van woningen niet altijd synchroon loopt. In dat geval bieden wij tijdelijke opslagmogelijkheden aan vanuit ons hoofdkantoor in Spijkenisse, waar je inboedel veilig en klimaatgecontroleerd wordt opgeslagen totdat je nieuwe woning beschikbaar is. Bespreek dit scenario vooraf met je move coordinator, zodat de logistiek en bijbehorende opslagkosten van tevoren helder zijn.

Hoe ver van tevoren moet ik een internationale verhuizing inplannen?

Voor een internationale verhuizing van Spanje naar Nederland raden wij aan om minimaal 6 tot 8 weken van tevoren contact op te nemen voor een inventarisatie en offerte. In drukke periodes, zoals de zomermaanden en rond jaarwisselingen, is de vraag naar internationale verhuizingen hoog en kunnen beschikbare data snel vol raken. Hoe eerder je plant, hoe meer flexibiliteit je hebt in de keuze van verhuisdatum en transportvorm, en hoe beter wij de logistiek kunnen afstemmen op jouw situatie.

What does a move from Spain back to the Netherlands cost?