Moving may be a life-changing event. Many decide to relocate overseas in order to start a new career, reconcile with family, or go on an exciting adventure. It broadens your perspective, makes lifelong memories, and allows you to experience new cultures.
Moving overseas, though, may be both thrilling and overwhelming.
The process can be made less intimidating by learning from other expats’ experiences, which can also assist you in making decisions about everything from your destination nation to the international moving firm you select. For the second year in a row, we have examined the trends to determine the areas where people are moving the most. Let’s examine in more detail the top locations that individuals want to relocate to this year.
Key findings
Out of 75 countries globally, Canada was the most popular place to relocate.
l For UK movers, the United States is the most preferred destination, followed by the United Arab Emirates and Australia.
l After Miami and Los Angeles, New York City is the US city that UK citizens look for the most.
l In the previous two years, New York City also had the highest number of removal inquiries.
l Global relocation patterns continue to be dominated by sunny, English-speaking locations, demonstrating that language and lifestyle are what drive people to relocate.
What qualities should an international moving company have?
When choosing an international moving company, there are a few things you should consider. We recommend looking for options such as overseas availability and positive customer reviews
Availability.
A mover can’t help you if it doesn’t provide service to your destination country. Every full-service mover on this list can ship your belongings almost anywhere in the world.
Customer service hours.
Moving companies don’t usually offer 24/7 customer service—and most aren’t even open on weekends. Companies like American Van Lines, and North American Van Lines and quick shift moving stand out because they have reps available seven days a week.
Strong reputation.
There aren’t many companies that focus entirely on international movements. That means you want to find reputable international moving companies with solid reputations for domestic moves. We factor that into our rankings.
Excellent evaluations.
Nothing speaks more to quality than client reviews. Look for a business that has a rating greater than the 3.7 out of 5 industry average.
The Big Four Cost Factors You Can Control
Factor 1: Traveling distance and destination
The route is more important than the distance. Compared to distant or low-frequency ports, established lanes—such as those connecting the East Coast of the United States to Europe—are typically speedier and less expensive. Costs are further impacted by country-specific laws, such as last-mile delivery complexity, customs inspections, and destination port management. In addition to more regular sailings and better consolidation alternatives on certain lanes, the United States has become increasingly interested in destinations such as Portugal, Spain, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, and parts of Asia.
Factor 2: Shipment dimensions and mode of transportation
The main driver is volume. The greatest way to lower your total is to declutter before you quote. There are three typical routes for you:
Freight via sea
LCL, or shared container, is perfect for studios and tiny one-bedroom apartments because you only pay for the space you use.
FCL is an exclusive 20 or 40-foot container that is more expensive but offers quicker and easier handoffs, making it ideal for family-sized moves.
Air freight
Faster by weeks, more costly by several times; ideal for high-value, time-sensitive, or necessary items.
Specialty goods
Pianos, cars, artwork, and climate-controlled wine all require specific handling, permissions, and crating.
Factor 3: Timing and services
Although packing and unpacking are more convenient and less likely to break, they are more expensive.
It is not advisable to forego insurance or full value protection, which typically accounts for 1 to 3 percent of the declared value.
Peak summer months and year-end surges drive up prices, so timing is crucial. Shoulder, midweek, and midmonth seasons are generally gentler. If the dates of your lease do not coincide, budget for storage at origin or destination, which is a distinct line item.
Factor 4: Additional costs not included in the mover’s quote
Immigration and visas differ by program and nation.
The kind of products, exemptions, and resident status all affect customs taxes and duties.
Travel expenses for you and your family, as well as any necessary pet relocation. Initial living expenses include utilities, furniture, school deposits, and temporary lodging.
2025’s Top 10 Trending Destinations in the USA, a brief cost analysis, and the outlook for 2026
The following table combines popular freight lines with current expat trend reports. Portugal and Spain in Europe, Canada and Mexico in North America, Costa Rica and Panama in Central America, Thailand, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Ireland have all shown a great deal of interest in 2025.
Sample budgets that are realistic, straightforward, door-to-door, and broken down by household size
These are not guarantees, but planning budgets. They assume maritime freight, basic professional packing, standard access, and mid-season dates. If your lane is far or has complex customs, plan a buffer.
200–350 cubic feet, studio or at least one bedroom
- Door-to-door LCL, 3,200–5,200 USD
- For fragile-only packing, it costs between $150 and $400 USD.
- 1–3% of the declared value for insurance
- $100 to $250 USD a month for storage, if required
- 300–500 cubic feet, typical for one bedroom
Door-to-door LCL, 3,800–6,800 USD
Unpacking at the destination is optional and costs between $150 and $300.
1 to 3 percent for insurance
Final thought
While they don’t eliminate anxiety, calculators can make planning seem manageable. You will almost always obtain a range that reflects reality if you give them honest inputs. After that, you receive the survey, set the dates, and cease checking the shipping news. That’s the objective—a plan you can live with, not perfection.
FAQs
Q1: What is the cost of relocating abroad?
Depending on the location, shipment size, mode of transportation (air or sea), and services selected, international moving fees typically range from $3,000 to $18,000+. While larger homes with full containers (FCL) or specialty products might drive expenses substantially higher, smaller movers using shared containers (LCL) may be on the lower end.
Q2:How do international movers determine costs?
The majority of businesses use volume (cubic feet or cubic meters) rather than weight to determine costs. They also take into account your place of origin and destination, mode of transportation (air vs. sea), and extra services like insurance, storage, or expert packing. Another factor is timing; summertime moves are usually more costly than off-season ones.
Q3: Which is less expensive: shipping by sea or by air?
Freight via sea is nearly always less expensive. Air shipping is much faster but can cost four to six times as much. Air freight is ideal for urgent or necessary things, while sea freight with a shared or exclusive container is the most economical choice for the majority of families.