Moving to Belgium from Ireland is closer than it looks on the map. A short flight, a scenic ferry, and you are crossing the threshold of a new life. Picture warm waffles, quiet squares, and keys turning in a Brussels townhouse or an Antwerp loft. Because you are moving within the EU, your household goods travel with minimal red tape. What matters most is a crisp plan, smart packing, and a crew that treats every box like it holds something priceless. With the right timeline and the right van size, the journey feels smooth, not stressful.
With VANonsite, you get punctual teams, meticulous packing, and live GPS tracking from pickup to delivery. We move students, families, and offices across Europe with speed, safety, and zero drama. One coordinator, clear communication, and careful handling at every step.
Get a fast quote: Removals to Belgium
TL:DR
- EU move, simple rules. No customs for normal household goods. Focus on Belgian commune registration after arrival and keep copies of your rental contract and ID.
- Follow a 7 step timeline. Book early, prep documents, secure parking and permits, pack smart, and keep a first night kit for calm arrival.
- Bring the essentials. Valid ID, proof of Belgian address, health insurance details, and status documents when required for students, workers, or self sufficient movers.
- Size the van to your volume. From 5 m³ micro moves to 90 m³ full house relocations, sized by real cubic metres so you do not pay for empty air.
- Control costs with smart choices. Declutter heavy items, book mid week, bundle Packing Service with Furniture Removals, and reserve lifts and loading bays.
- Special items need planning. Vehicles, pets, art, and instruments follow extra steps. Tell us early so we can protect and route them correctly.
- Track everything live. Get a GPS link, milestone updates, and one point of contact until the last box is placed.
Why Belgium works for Irish movers
Ireland and Belgium share straightforward EU rules, vibrant expat communities, and strong English usage in international hubs. Brussels is a magnet for EU careers, Antwerp brims with fashion and port energy, Ghent and Leuven buzz with research and student life, and Liège thrives on logistics. Compact distances inside Belgium keep road legs short, while our GPS tracking and precise ETAs keep you calm on move day.
City snapshots
- Brussels: international roles, multilingual services, dense streets that reward good access planning and resident parking know‑how.
- Antwerp: fashion and port energy, thriving design scene, low emission zone rules that need compliant routing.
- Ghent: bike friendly centre, family friendly districts, bustling student move‑in periods.
- Leuven: research hubs and academic calendars that make weekend or evening slots valuable.
- Liège: logistics heartland with quick motorway access to the rest of Belgium.
- Bruges: postcard old town, narrow streets and cobbles that call for careful protection and shorter carry distances.
Practical advantages for Irish movers
- EU freedom of movement for people and goods, with straightforward recognition of EU driving licences in Belgium.
- Predictable timing thanks to short Belgian road segments after arrival on the continent.
- Similar rental documentation expectations, which speeds up commune registration once you have your address.
Friction we remove
- Rapid scheduling and clear pricing
- Trained crews for stairs, narrow lifts, and fragile items
- Optional disassembly and reassembly of furniture
- Floor and doorway protection, clean materials, fast cleanup
- Permit handling for loading bays and resident parking where required
- Low emission zone compliant route planning for Belgian cities
- Weekend and evening slots when building rules demand it
- Building certificates of insurance available on request
- Storage if keys or renovations slip
- Live GPS tracking with milestone updates and one coordinator
Explore our specialist services:
- Last Minute Moving for urgent relocations
- Furniture Removals for single items or full rooms
- Home Removals with predictable timing
- Packing Service with premium materials
- White Glove Delivery for art and designer pieces
- Office Removals with staged handovers
- Storage on request
- Student Removals for compact, budget moves
Van sizes and what they really fit
Choose capacity based on real cubic metres so you do not overpay. Share quick photos or a short video tour and we will size your move in minutes.
| VANonsite service | Capacity | Typical load | Best for | Example from Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moving Basic | 5 m³, 300 kg | 10–15 medium boxes, small desk, 1 bike | Students, micro moves | Limerick room to Leuven dorm |
| Moving Medium | 10 m³, 600 kg | Studio set, mattress, dresser, 15–25 boxes | Partial apartment | Galway studio to Ghent flat |
| Moving Premium | 15 m³, 1,000 kg | 1 bedroom set, sofa, washer, 25–40 boxes | Standard apartment | Dublin 1 bed to Brussels |
| Moving Premium Plus | 30 m³, 3,500 kg | 2–3 bedrooms, wardrobes, 50–80 boxes | Family move | Cork family to Antwerp townhouse |
| Moving Full House XXL | 90 m³, 20,000 kg | Full house or office floor, pallets, crates | Big homes or offices | Dublin suburban house to outskirts of Ghent |
How we size your move
- Count large pieces first, then estimate boxes. Most moving boxes fall between about 0.06 and 0.10 m³.
- Add a buffer for awkward shapes like bikes, lamps, plants, or musical instruments.
- Factor in access notes, lift size, and walking distance from the truck to your door to set crew size and timing.
Your 7‑step timeline from Ireland to Belgium
6–8 weeks before
- Choose your move window and reserve your slot.
- Shortlist Belgian communes and neighborhoods; note resident parking and LEZ rules.
- Start a document folder for IDs, contracts, registration, and passport‑style photos.
- Decide on storage if handover dates do not align.
- Measure large items and check access: lifts, stairwells, door widths.
4 weeks before
- Book Packing Service or gather double‑wall boxes, wrap, and labels.
- Notify your landlord or building manager, and reserve lift time where required.
- Declutter and sell or donate heavy items you can easily replace.
- Set up Belgian utilities; schedule cancellations in Ireland.
2 weeks before
- Confirm parking and loading permissions at both addresses; arrange temporary no‑parking zones if needed.
- Photograph valuables and record serial numbers.
- Pack non‑essentials; label boxes on two sides and the top.
- Share a simple floor plan for room‑by‑room placement on arrival.
Move week
- Empty, defrost, and drain appliances 24–48 hours before loading.
- Dismantle large furniture and bag the fittings.
- Protect floors with blankets or cardboard; hold the lift if possible.
Arrival day
- Direct boxes to rooms by label.
- Reassemble beds first; test appliances.
- Take meter readings and photos for your records.
Within 10 working days if short stay
- Report your presence to the local commune when required.
Within first weeks if long stay
- Register residence and arrange health insurance with a mutuality.
Documents and official links
Always check current requirements. These links point to official sources.
What to bring for commune registration
- Valid passport or national ID card for each family member
- Proof of address in Belgium such as a signed lease or property deed
- Passport‑style photos if your commune requests them
- Proof of health insurance or a plan to join a Belgian mutuality
- Evidence of status when relevant such as employment contract, student enrolment, or proof of sufficient resources
- Civil status documents when applicable such as marriage or birth certificates. Multilingual extracts speed things up
- You may receive a home visit to confirm residence. Keep your name on the bell and mailbox
Belgium: residence for EU citizens
- Right of entry and residence for EU citizens and family: EU citizen – entry and residence
- Stays longer than three months: Residence over three months
- Short stay reporting within 10 working days: Reporting presence
Health insurance in Belgium
- Join a mutual health insurance fund after registering residence: Mutual health insurance overview
- Travelling before you register. Carry a valid European Health Insurance Card for emergencies: EHIC
Driving and vehicles
- Recognition and possible exchange of EU licences: Foreign driving licences
- Vehicle registration and Belgian plates handled with your insurer and DIV: Registration and deregistration
Customs inside the EU
- Household goods moving within the EU usually do not need a customs declaration: Belgian Customs
Pets
- EU Pet Passport, microchip, rabies vaccination, and transport rules: Travelling with pets in the EU
Students, workers, jobseekers
- Bring enrolment or employment evidence if applicable, plus proof of funds for jobseekers. Your commune’s checklist may vary. Use the Immigration Office guidance above for exact conditions
Costs and how to save more
Costs stay predictable when you know the levers. We build your quote around real cubic metres, crew time, access, and route planning, then lock the plan before move day so there are no surprises.
What shapes your quote
- Distance and route such as ferry timing and motorway usage
- Volume and total weight that set van size and crew
- Floors, stairs, lift size, and long carries from truck to door
- Packing time and special handling for fragile or bulky items
- City permits and low emission zones that require compliant routing
- Timing windows such as evenings, weekends, or very early access
Cost impact at a glance
| Cost component | What drives it | Typical impact |
|---|---|---|
| Transport | Route length, ferries, fuel, tolls | High |
| Labor time | Packing hours, stairs, long carries | High |
| Materials | Cartons, wraps, crates | Medium |
| Access | Lift reservations, shuttle van needs | Medium to high |
| Permits | Loading bay or temporary no parking | Low to medium |
| Storage | Overnight or longer key delays | Medium |
| Special care | Pianos, art crates, IT crates | Medium to high |
Ways to reduce the bill
- Declutter early. Heavy, replaceable items often cost more to move than to buy again
- Book mid week and avoid peak days when possible
- Bundle Packing Service with Furniture Removals to reduce total crew hours
- Reserve lifts and secure a legal loading bay near the entrance
- Share photos or a short video so we can size m³ precisely and avoid oversizing the van
- Pack non fragile items yourself and keep box weights comfortable for speed and safety
- Disassemble simple flat pack items in advance and bag the fittings
- Choose a flexible delivery window or shared route when your timing allows it
Quick quote checklist
- Origin and destination postcodes and floor levels
- Lift dimensions and reservation window if any
- Parking distance to the entrance and any permits needed
- Bulky items list such as sofa length, wardrobes, appliances, bikes, piano
- Preferred dates and building rules such as quiet hours
Special items: cars, pets, art
- Vehicle registration in Belgium: insurer initiated DIV registration, potential technical inspection, Belgian plates. Guidance: Registration and deregistration
- Licence recognition: EU licences are generally valid. Some categories may require exchange. Info: Foreign driving licences
- Pets: EU Pet Passport, microchip, and valid rabies vaccine. EU overview: Travelling with pets in the EU
- Art and designer pieces: choose White Glove Delivery for custom crating and climate aware routing.
- Pianos and large instruments: extra crew, stair protection, turn planning, and hoist options after a site check. Tell us early so we can arrange permits and padding.
- Aquariums and terrariums: empty completely and dry for 24 hours. Pack glass with edge protectors and transport fish or reptiles separately under animal transport rules.
- Bikes and e bikes: remove accessories and pedals where useful. Follow manufacturer guidance for lithium batteries and keep them separate from soft goods when requested.
- Prohibited items: no hazardous materials, gas cylinders, open paint cans, explosives, perishable food, or illegal items.
- CITES controlled materials: art, instruments, or antiques containing protected species may require permits. See EU guidance: CITES trade in the EU.
Quick prep guide
| Item | Preparation checklist | On the day |
|---|---|---|
| Car or motorbike | Insurance details, registration papers, spare key, clean VIN visible | Hand over keys, note mileage, remove loose accessories |
| Piano | Measure stairs and turns, clear path, confirm floor strength | Team lead coordinates pads, straps, and skid boards |
| Large art | Share dimensions and photos, request crate if needed | Keep orientation labels visible, allow acclimatisation |
| Aquarium | Rehome livestock short term, dry tank 24 hours, pack cabinet | Load upright, avoid pressure points on glass |
| E bike | Charge to safe level, remove battery and charger | Carry battery as advised, secure frame and wheels |
Packing like a pro
- Use double wall boxes and keep each under a comfortable lifting weight, ideally under 20 kg.
- Seal bottoms with an H tape pattern and add a cushion layer on top before closing.
- Wrap plates vertically and separate stacks with card. Never place heavy items over glassware.
- Pack TVs and monitors only in original cartons or dedicated TV boxes. Do not lay screens flat.
- Slide mattresses into protective bags and cover sofas and chairs to keep fabric clean.
- Guard corners and glass with foam or edge protectors. Bubble wrap frames and mirrors.
- Label two sides and the top with Room code plus 2 or 3 keywords. Mark essentials as Open First.
- Colour code by room with stickers and keep a simple number inventory on your phone.
- Bag hardware for beds and shelves and tape the bag to the item or keep a single hardware box.
- Photograph cable layouts behind the TV or desk before packing for easy reassembly.
- Keep liquids and cleaners in a sealed crate with lids upright and separate from linens.
- Use wardrobe cartons for crease free clothes. Stuff shoes with paper and bag in pairs.
- Do not overfill boxes. Keep tops flush for safe stacking and place lighter items at the top.
- Keep a personal essentials bag with chargers, meds, documents, keys, and a small toolkit.
- Do not pack passports, cash, or jewellery. Carry valuables with you.
Moving day checklist
Before the crew arrives
- Confirm parking, loading bay or temporary no parking permits. Hold the lift where allowed and protect lift walls if the building requires it.
- Protect floors and corners with blankets or cardboard. Photograph both homes and take initial meter readings.
- Empty, defrost, and drain appliances. Tape doors and loose shelves. Check the washing machine filter and secure the drum if you have transit bolts.
- Set aside a clearly marked Do Not Move bag with IDs, keys, contracts, chargers, meds, and basic tools. Keep valuables with you.
- Clear hallways and stairwells of trip hazards. Keep pets and children safely in one room or with a sitter. Notify neighbours of the time window.
During loading
- Walk the inventory with the team leader and flag fragile or high value pieces. Confirm stair protection and lift rules.
- Label the last box from each room and count total boxes by room for faster checks.
- Confirm route, GPS tracking link, contact numbers, and ETA. Stay reachable by phone.
- Take quick photos of any pre existing marks in communal areas for your records.
On the road
- Monitor the GPS link and keep your phone charged. If you are driving, plan fuel and rest stops and carry IDs plus contracts.
- Have cash or card ready for building deposits or parking meters at destination if required.
At delivery
- Place a simple room map near the entrance and direct boxes by label and colour code. Use doorstops and floor protection.
- Assemble beds first and connect major appliances safely. Place felt pads under furniture feet.
- Keep packing materials in one spot for a quick end of day cleanup. Photograph final meter readings.
- Walk through each room with the team leader and note any issues on the job sheet before sign off.
Within 72 hours
- Report any issues promptly with photos so we can resolve them quickly.
- Register presence or complete commune steps if applicable. Update address with bank, employer, and insurer.
- Flatten cartons for recycling or reuse. Book a collection if you prefer us to take materials away.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to move from Ireland to Belgium?
EU citizens can live in Belgium. For stays over 3 months, register at your local commune. See the Immigration Office links above.
Do I need customs clearance?
No for normal household goods within the EU. Vehicles and excise items have special rules.
How do I track my move?
We share a live GPS link with milestone updates and one coordinator stays in touch from loading to placement of the last box.
Can you move me at short notice?
Yes. Ask about Last Minute Moving for priority scheduling and weekend or evening windows when available.
What van size do I need?
Studios often fit 10 to 15 m³. Most one bedroom moves land around 15 m³. Families choose 30 m³ or more. Share photos for a precise estimate in minutes.
Do Belgian cities require parking or loading permits and what about LEZ rules?
Some communes require temporary no parking signs or a loading bay. Brussels, Antwerp, and Ghent operate low emission zones. We plan compliant routes and can help arrange permits. If you are parking your own car, always check the official city website.
Is my shipment insured and can you provide a building COI?
Yes. Your goods travel under appropriate cover and we can issue a certificate of insurance for your building or landlord on request.
Can you dismantle and reassemble furniture?
Yes. Beds, wardrobes, modular systems, and basic shelving are included when requested. Hardware goes into labelled bags so nothing gets lost.
What if my keys are delayed or renovations overrun?
We offer short and long term storage with photo inventory and partial redelivery when you are ready.
Can you move pianos, art, or an aquarium?
Yes, with extra planning. We provide dedicated teams, white glove packing for art, and safe transport for dry aquariums. Tell us early so we can prepare access and protection.
Summary
This guide shows how to move from Ireland to Belgium without stress. You travel within the EU, so normal household goods need no customs; focus instead on commune registration after arrival. Follow the 7 step timeline from booking to first week setup, gather the right documents, and choose a van size that truly fits your volume from 5 m³ to 90 m³. Control costs by trimming volume, booking mid week, securing lifts and legal loading, and bundling Packing Service with Furniture Removals. Prepare special items early: vehicles, pets, art, pianos, and aquariums get dedicated protection and White Glove care. Pack like a pro with double wall boxes, H tape, colour coded labels, and an Open First kit, then use the moving day checklist for a clean handover. With live GPS tracking, insured transport, storage on standby, and one coordinator until the last box is placed, VANonsite turns a border hop into a calm, confident arrival.
