Thinking about a new life in the sun? AMC makes moving to Spain easy for families, retirees, and remote workers alike. We collect your household goods anywhere in Ireland, pack them to export standards, and deliver them safely to your new Spanish address including apartments & rural homes.
Around 15,000 Irish people currently live in Spain, and that number keeps climbing. The reasons vary: retirement in the sun, remote work, kids following parents, or just reaching a point in life where Dublin's weather stops being bearable.
Most Irish settle in one of 5 areas. Each one is genuinely different, and the choice matters more than most people realise before they arrive.
The Costa Blanca is the most established Irish and British expat corridor in Spain. Alicante city is affordable, well-connected (direct flights from Dublin and Cork), and has real infrastructure for foreign residents: English-speaking solicitors, Irish-friendly banks, international schools. Towns like Torrevieja, Benidorm, Orihuela Costa, and Altea all have large expat communities. For retirees, this is the go-to. For younger families with school-age kids, it works well too.
This is also where AMC's Spanish office is based.
The other major draw for working-age Irish people. Tech, finance, and healthcare jobs pull people here. Barcelona has a large international community, good public transport, and a very different feel from the Costa Blanca. Its more urban, more expensive, less English spoken outside tourist areas. Renting is tight and competitive. If you're relocating for work, budget for 3-4 months of overlap before you find a long-term apartment.
Spain's capital is where you go for career-focused moves: multinationals, language teaching, banking. It's slightly cheaper than Barcelona, more central for travel, and has a growing Irish community. Less of a beach city, more of a proper capital.
Málaga has transformed in the last 5 years. A wave of remote workers and digital nomads have made it one of the most popular relocation destinations in Europe. The tech hub around Málaga city is real, the cost of living is lower than Barcelona or Madrid, and the airport has direct connections to most Irish cities. Marbella, Nerja, and Torremolinos attract a different crowd that is more lifestyle-focused.
Often overlooked, increasingly popular. Valencia offers good value for money, excellent food, a proper Spanish city feel rather than a tourist-heavy resort, and a growing expat community. Flights from Dublin are direct and regular.
Most removal companies operating the Ireland-Spain route are Irish businesses. They hand off your belongings to a Spanish haulage partner you've never spoken to, who delivers to an address they've never seen, with no local knowledge and no accountability if something goes wrong.
AMC has a physical office in Alicante. Same company, same team, both sides.
That means your delivery is handled by people who know the Costa Blanca roads, who understand the access issues at Spanish apartment buildings (narrow streets, no lifts, third-floor flats with a single staircase), and who can answer your questions in English when you're standing in an empty apartment trying to work out where your furniture is.
For the Costa Blanca specifically that includes Torrevieja, Benidorm, Orihuela Costa, Alicante city, Altea &Calpe, this is a genuine advantage.
Two main options for moving from Ireland to Spain. The right one depends on how much you're moving.
Your belongings are loaded onto a truck with other customers' shipments, driven through the UK and France, across the Pyrenees, and delivered to your door in Spain. This is the most common option for partial loads that include a one-bedroom flat, a studio, a single room of furniture, or a car alongside boxes.
Groupage typically runs on a fixed weekly schedule, so your collection date depends on the next available load going south. Delivery takes 7-14 days from collection.
Your own truck, your own load, nothing shared. This is the right option if you're moving a 3-bedroom house or more, or if your timeline is strict and you can't wait for a groupage slot. Faster (typically 5-7 days door to door), more expensive.
Less common for Ireland-Spain given the road option is competitive, but used for very large moves or when budget is the priority and timeline is flexible. A full container from Dublin or Cork to Valencia or Barcelona takes 3-4 weeks. Groupage sea freight exists but adds further time.
Most people wait until after they've signed a lease or confirmed a moving date before calling a removal company. That's usually 3-4 weeks before they need to go.
For a Spain move, that's cutting it close. Here's a realistic timeline:
Good news: if you're moving your primary residence from Ireland to Spain, your personal belongings and household goods are generally exempt from import duties and VAT. Spain follows EU customs rules, and relocating residents bringing household effects that they've owned for at least 6 months are covered.
What you'll need:
New items, commercially purchased goods, alcohol, and tobacco are not covered by the relief. If you're bringing anything that's still in its original packaging or recently purchased, declare it separately and expect to pay duty.
One thing that trips people up: cars are not covered by household goods relief and require a separate import process (see below).
Bringing your Irish car to Spain is doable, but it's a process. Here's what's actually involved:
The re-registration process involves going through a gestor (a Spanish administrative agent) and costs vary by province, car value, and engine size. Budget roughly €500-1,200 in fees for a typical family car, not including any modifications required to pass ITV.
Many people decide it's not worth it and sell their Irish car before leaving. Run the numbers before assuming you'll bring it.
AMC can transport your vehicle as part of your removal shipment. We quote for vehicles alongside household goods.
The process for bringing pets from Ireland to Spain is relatively straightforward, since both are EU countries and Ireland is a listed country under EU pet travel rules.
What your pet needs:
Dogs also need tapeworm treatment (Echinococcus) administered 1-5 days before entering most EU countries. Check this with your vet since requirements can be updated.
Pets travel by air to Spain, either in the cabin (small dogs/cats, airline rules vary) or as checked baggage or cargo. AMC doesn't transport live animals, but we can advise on specialist pet travel companies we've worked with.
One thing worth knowing: Spain has restrictions on certain dog breeds. If you have a bull terrier, Rottweiler, American Staffordshire terrier, or similar, check current Spanish breed restrictions before making plans.
We are a removal company, not immigration lawyers. so this is a practical overview, not legal advice. For specific situations, talk to a solicitor who specialises in Spanish relocation.
The NIE is your Spanish tax identification number. You need it for almost everything: opening a bank account, signing a lease, buying or registering a car, starting a job, accessing the health system.
You can apply at a Spanish consulate in Ireland before you leave, or at a Policía Nacional office once in Spain. Applying in Ireland takes longer but means you arrive with it sorted. In Spain, appointments can be booked online and typically take 2-3 weeks to process.
If you're staying longer than 90 days, you need to register as a resident at your local Oficina de Extranjeros. You'll need your NIE, proof of address, proof of sufficient funds or employment, and health insurance. The certificate is valid for 5 years initially, then renewable permanently.
The physical residency card. Most people use this in place of carrying their passport day-to-day. Not strictly mandatory, but practically useful.
As an EU citizen, you're entitled to access Spain's public health system once registered as a resident. Register at your local health centre (centro de salud) with your residency certificate and NIE. For private healthcare, which many expats use to avoid public waiting lists, providers like Sanitas and Adeslas offer English-language plans.
Costs vary depending on how much you're moving, where you're going in Spain, and whether you opt for groupage or a dedicated truck. The ranges below are a guide. Your actual quote depends on a survey.
Prices are for road freight (collection in Ireland, delivery in Spain). Packing service, piano or specialty items, and vehicle transportation are priced separately.
The single biggest factor in your quote is volume. Do the declutter before the survey, not after.
A. Pricing depends on volume, access at both addresses, time of year, and the transport method you choose. Complete our online quote form for an obligation-free in-home or video survey.
A. We measure everything in cubic feet or cubic metres. After the survey we recommend the right truck space or container size, so you only pay for the capacity you need.
Yes. We can drop branded boxes, tape, and bubble-wrap to your door a few days before loading. See our various packing materials & sizes here.
A. Transport and packing charges are payable before departure. Any storage fees are billed monthly while your goods remain with us.
A. You can, but self-packed items are not covered by our insurance policy.
A. No problem. We’ll store your goods securely at our Naas warehouse, or in our partner depot in Spain, until you’re ready for delivery. Learn more about household storage here.
A. Groupage road freight: typically 7-14 days from collection. Dedicated truck: 5-7 days. Sea freight: 3-5 weeks.
A. Yes. AMC provides shipment updates at collection, loading, and estimated delivery. If you're in Spain before your belongings arrive, we'll call you when the truck is 24-48 hours out.
A. This happens. AMC has storage facilities in Ireland in Naas. We can hold your shipment until your Spanish address is confirmed. Ask about this when you're booking, not the week before your move.
A. You or someone you trust needs to be present to accept the delivery and sign the inventory. We won't leave goods unattended at an unoccupied property.
A. Yes. A lot of people pack books, clothes, and personal items themselves and have AMC pack fragile items, furniture, and large pieces. We'll advise on what needs professional packing.
A. Book a survey. In-person if you're in Leinster, video call if you are further afield. We'll assess the volume, walk you through the options, and send a written quote within 48 hours.
Instant Online Booking. Choose your size, book in minutes & move in the same day.
.png)
.jpg)
