Removals to Lake Como and Northern Italy from the UK
Elite Moving runs removals to Lake Como and the rest of Northern Italy from our base in Wallington, Surrey. We collect from London and the South East, and we pack and protect everything. Then we plan the route over the Alps and deliver to your new home. That might be a flat in Como town, a villa above Bellagio or a house near Lecco. One team handles the whole move, so you have one person to talk to from the first survey to the last box.
Moving to the lake is not like moving to a city
Lake Como is beautiful because it is steep, narrow and old, and those are the same things that make a removal there harder than a move to Milan or Turin. The road along the western shore, the old Strada Regina, squeezes between stone walls and through small villages. Many villas sit at the top of steep, winding drives with tight gates and little room to turn. A full-size removal lorry often cannot get close to the door.
We plan for this before moving day. We ask for photos or a video of the access, check the width of gates and drives, and look at where a vehicle can legally stop. If the main vehicle cannot reach the property, we transfer your belongings to a smaller shuttle van close by and make short runs to the house. It adds a little time, but it means nothing is carried further than it needs to be.
Where we deliver around Lake Como
We move households and businesses to every part of the lake and the towns around it. The most common destinations are:
Como and Cernobbio
The southern tip of the western branch. Como's historic centre is a limited traffic zone (ZTL), so we arrange access or plan a short transfer for flats inside the old walls.
Tremezzo, Menaggio and Cadenabbia
The middle of the western shore. Narrow roads by the lake and villas on the hills mean we need careful timing and, often, a smaller van for the last part of the trip.
Bellagio
On the point where the lake divides. The town climbs in steps and lanes, so we survey access in detail and bring extra hands for carries.
Varenna and the eastern shore
You reach it along the eastern road towards Lecco. We plan pick-up and drop-off times around the busy summer months.
Lecco
The town at the foot of the eastern branch, with easier road access and a mix of apartments and family homes.
How we get your belongings from the UK to Italy
Most of our moves to Northern Italy cross the Channel at Dover and then drive through France. From there we choose between two main ways over the Alps, depending on your address, the season and the paperwork.
- Through Switzerland by the Gotthard route. This is the direct way to Como, as the lake sits just south of the Swiss border at Chiasso. Switzerland is not in the EU customs union, so the load travels with a transit paper and is checked at each border on the way.
- Through France by the Mont Blanc or Fréjus tunnel into Italy. This keeps the whole trip inside the EU, so the load does not need to cross a second customs border.
We tell you which route we plan to use when we quote, and why. If you are flexible on dates, a part-load or shared removal to Italy lowers the cost by sharing a vehicle with other customers heading the same way. If you need a fixed date or have a full house, a dedicated vehicle carries only your things.
Paperwork for moving to Italy after Brexit
Since the UK left the EU, household goods going to Italy must pass through customs. If you are moving your main home to Italy, you can usually bring your own things in without paying import duty or VAT. This is called transfer of residence relief. In most cases, it applies when you have lived outside the EU for at least twelve months, and you have owned and used the goods for at least six months. You make the claim to the Italian customs office, the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli.
You will likely need your passport and proof of your new Italian address, or proof that you have signed up as a resident with the local comune. You will also need a full list of what is in the load. We make this list as we pack, so every box has a number and is written down. Rules and forms change, so we always suggest you check the current rules for your own case before you book. We will talk you through what we need from you.
New arrivals who plan to stay should also register their residence with the comune where they live. Doing this early makes the customs side of the move simpler.
Packing, storage and fragile items
A long road trip and steep carries at the end call for good packing. Our packing service uses strong double-walled boxes, wraps and blankets your furniture and makes fitted protection for mirrors, art and glass. We take apart bigger furniture where needed, so it fits through old doorways and narrow stairs. Then we put it back together when we arrive.
If your Italian home is not ready on the day you leave the UK, we can keep your things in secure storage. We then deliver once the keys are in your hand. This often happens for people who are still finishing building work on a home by the lake.
For a wide look at moving to the whole of the country, read our guide to moving from London to Italy. Or you can see our main page for removals to Italy to find out more.
Lake Como and Northern Italy Removals: FAQ
How long does a removal from London to Lake Como take?
The drive itself takes around two days with a Channel crossing and the required driver rest breaks. A dedicated move usually arrives within a few days of collection. A part-load move takes longer, because the vehicle collects and delivers for several customers on the way. We give you a realistic delivery window when we quote.
Can a removal lorry reach a villa on Lake Como?
Often not all the way. Many villas have steep, narrow drives or sit on lanes where a large vehicle cannot stop. We check access in advance and, where needed, use a smaller shuttle van for the final part of the journey. Tell us about gates, steps and parking near the villa when you ask for a quote.
Will I pay import duty on furniture I move to Lake Como?
Usually not, if you are moving your main home to Italy and qualify for transfer of residence relief. You will need to meet the residence and ownership conditions and provide the right documents. Check the current rules for your situation before you move, and we will help you put the inventory together.
Do you go through Switzerland to reach Como?
Sometimes. The Swiss route is direct for Como, but it adds a customs transit. The French route through the Mont Blanc or Fréjus tunnel stays inside the EU. We choose the route that suits your address and timing and explain it in your quote.
Can you store my things until my Italian lake house is ready?
Yes. We can keep your belongings in secure storage in the UK and deliver to Italy once you are ready to receive them. This helps if a purchase is delayed or building work on the house runs late. Just tell us when the keys are due, and we book the trip south for when you can take delivery.
Get a quote for your move to Lake Como
Tell us where you are moving from and to, and roughly how much you have. We will come back with a clear quote and a plan for the route and access. Call 07428 474474 or 020 8044 4474, or email info@elitemoving.co.uk.
Request your Lake Como removal quoteAccess and Parking Around Lake Como
Many towns and villages around Lake Como were built long before lorries existed. Roads along the shore can be narrow and winding, and some old centres have limited traffic zones where only certain vehicles may drive. Before your move, we check the route to your door and look at any rules that apply.
Where a large lorry cannot reach your home, we use a smaller van to shuttle your things for the last part of the trip. For homes up steep paths or long flights of steps, we bring extra crew and the right kit, so heavy items can be carried safely.
If your new home is in a busy spot, you may need to ask the local comune for permission to park a removal vehicle. We can tell you what to ask for and help you plan the timing, so the van can stop close to your door on the day.
Planning the Timing of Your Move to Northern Italy
The lake is at its busiest in the summer, when holiday traffic fills the roads and parking is hard to find. If you can, a move in spring or autumn is often easier. If summer is your only option, we plan early starts and careful drop-off times to work around the crowds.
Mountain passes and tunnels can also be affected by snow in winter. We watch the weather and the road reports before each trip. If there is a delay, we keep you updated and agree a new delivery time with you, so you are never left wondering where your things are.
Once you arrive, give yourself time to settle. Signing up with the comune, opening a bank account and sorting out health care can all take a little while. Our team is happy to deliver in stages if that makes the first few weeks in your new home easier.
See Elite Moving reviews on Google
I had a fantastic experience with Elite Moving Company. Their all-in-one service was exactly what I needed, and they went above and beyond what was originally agreed. They helped with collections, storage, additional ad-hoc pickups, and the final delivery, making the whole process incredibly smooth.
What really stood out was their flexibility around my uncertain dates and timings. They were accommodating throughout and always willing to help, which took a lot of stress out of the move.
I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a reliable and customer-focused moving service, and I’ll definitely be using them again in the future.
Excellent quality of service! The guys took great care in packing and unpacking my items and ensured everything was transported safely! I highly recommend!
Trusted, reliable, friendly and flexible - no negatives to report on three separate removal jobs for me within the UK and to France.
Quick, efficient, and came in at thier quotes time despite issues outside of thier control (they had to disassemble and reassemble a wardrobe to get it out and in at both ends of transit).
They were polite, and friendly.
I am so happy I chose Elite removals, the lads were professional and went above and beyond to take care if my belongings
Have complications with the narrow house but they were very professional and helpful. They took time and sorted. Thank you