Thinking about moving to the South? Choose the right mover

Leaving everything behind to head for the sun: Belgians often decide to make the move when they retire. And not only then: other people decide to go abroad to start a tourism-related business (bed and breakfast, etc.). Several reasons explain this trend:

• Nice weather, which can soothe joint pain and respiratory problems
• Better quality of life due to a more relaxed pace
• More advantageous cost of life and tax system
• High-quality healthcare
• Easy proximity thanks to low-cost flights.

Your European specialist to and from Belgium explains how certified professionals can be a precious resource.

Leaving Belgium for the South of France and Southern Europe

The preferred destinations for our seniors are the following:

• South of France
• Moving to Spain from Belgium
• Portugal
• Italy
• Switzerland
• Tenerife (or more broadly, the Canary Islands)

The administrative formalities are relatively simple, even for a move from Belgium to Switzerland, which is not part of the European Union. The Swiss Confederation has bilateral treaties with Europe, bringing it closer to the Member States.

Carriers have a document stipulating that you have entrusted to them the goods being transported. The CMR Convention regulates road transport of international goods and responsibility for these goods.

Moving to another European country: How to prepare

A move of this magnitude has to be prepared well in advance, in steps and with the help of your mover. For example, the choice of packing boxes must be adapted to the items you want to pack in them.

Depending on the distance to cover by land or by sea, the mover sets up a specific schedule:

• Preparing furniture and packing a few days before the departure date. The packing of fragile objects and works of art requires special care
• Loading in a padded trailer or in a container if the move is being done by ship

• Local partners: road transport is done by the crew that does the packing, loading and delivery, with reassembly at the destination. Your international, CBD-certified mover can call upon local colleagues to help with unloading at the destination, but it does not subcontract its responsibility

Transport of vehicles and collectors’ items 

You do not need to worry about your own vehicles: a premium move from Belgium includes secure transport of your vintage cars and motorcycles, as well as your trailers, tillers and other moving vehicles.

Moving by sea in shipping crates and containers

Are you thinking about moving to the Canary Islands or to Malta? A container will be placed in front of your home, so that it can be loaded directly. Its size varies: 32 m³, 64 m³ or 75 m³. You pay only for the actual volume.

It is also possible to pack your objects in shipping crates that meet the current international standards.

Loading is done so that your goods will not be damaged or break due to shaking. However, you will be asked to insure your most precious possessions. These different containers are sealed in your presence after an inventory. You will be asked to be present when the seal is removed at the destination and authorise a proxy to do this for you, if necessary.

Are you thinking of moving to Southern Europe? Contact Maison Genné

Maison Genné handles everything from packing to installation of your furniture at the destination. We are there for you throughout the administrative formalities and will take care of the logistics of your international move from Belgium. Contact us for a detailed quote or for any additional information. We will get back to you as soon as we can.