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London to Lisbon With 136 Boxes

Starting a New Job Abroad

By Simonetta B.
Moved from United Kingdom to Portugal
March 2026, using Algarve Removals
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I recently moved from London in the United Kingdom to Lisbon in Portugal after accepting a new job opportunity that required me to relocate. It was not a huge household move, but it still involved a significant number of belongings: 136 boxes in total! I made the move together with my husband and our cat, which added another layer of planning to the process. We have only just arrived in Lisbon and are still in the middle of organizing our new life here.

Why I Decided to Move to Lisbon for Work

The move was primarily driven by a professional opportunity. I was offered a new job that required me to be based in Lisbon, and after considering the opportunity, my husband and I decided it was the right step for us. It meant leaving London and relocating internationally, which always comes with a mix of excitement and logistical challenges.

The timing of the move meant we had to think carefully about how to transport our belongings efficiently. Since we were not moving large furniture, most of our items were packed into boxes. Even though it was technically a “small household move,” the number of boxes quickly added up.

Arriving in Lisbon has been exciting but also a bit hectic. Right now we are still settling in, organizing our things, and getting used to the new environment.

How I Compared Quotes and Chose Algarve Removals

Before committing to a moving company, I requested several quotes through Sirelo. This allowed me to quickly compare different providers and understand the typical costs and services offered for this route.

Algarve Removals stood out quite early in the process. They were very quick to respond to my initial inquiry and consistently followed up whenever I had questions. The communication was clear and straightforward, which made planning easier. On top of that, the quote they provided was competitive compared to the other companies I had contacted.

The responsiveness of their team made a difference. During a move like this, even small uncertainties can become stressful, so having a company that replies quickly and explains things clearly helps a lot.

Preparing and Organizing 136 Boxes Before the Move

Preparation turned out to be one of the most important parts of the process. Because we were moving such a large number of boxes, organization was key.

We made sure everything was packed, labelled, and numbered before the movers arrived. This helped keep track of what we had and made the loading process faster. Having everything prepared in advance also meant the crew could focus on transporting the boxes rather than waiting for last-minute packing.

“We had 136 boxes in total, and keeping them organised made the whole move much easier.”

Looking back, putting the effort into preparation really paid off. When moving internationally, a bit of structure beforehand can save a lot of time and stress later.

Moving Day in London From the First Floor

On moving day, two crew members arrived to handle the collection. Our boxes were located on the first floor, so they had to carry everything downstairs and load it into the truck.

They worked continuously and handled the boxes carefully, especially the ones marked as fragile. We had left two monitors unpacked, and they helped by wrapping them securely before loading them.

Despite the number of boxes, the process was surprisingly quick. Because everything had already been packed and numbered, the team could move efficiently without needing to stop and reorganize things. Watching them carry the boxes down one after another was impressive, they barely had to pause or take  break.

Arrival in Lisbon and Storage Facility Delivery

The delivery took place on the date that had been communicated to us, which helped us plan our time around the arrival. Instead of delivering directly into a home, the boxes were brought to a storage facility in Lisbon.

The crew carefully unloaded everything and helped us position the boxes inside the storage unit. All 136 boxes arrived intact, which was obviously a huge relief after an international move.

They were also helpful when we had questions during the unloading process. Since we needed to coordinate our arrival time with the storage facility, it was important that everything stayed organized and efficient. The whole unloading process went smoothly and felt well coordinated.

Settling Into Lisbon After the Move

We are still very much in the “settling in” phase. Moving to a new country always takes time, even when the physical move itself goes well.

Right now we are focused on organizing the boxes, setting up our living space, and getting familiar with Lisbon. Having our belongings arrive safely definitely makes this transition easier. It allows us to concentrate on adapting to the new job, the city, and the daily routine that comes with living somewhere new.

It’s an exciting moment, but also a busy one.

Cost and Payment Structure

The final cost of the move matched exactly the quote we had received, which is always reassuring when planning something like this.

The payment structure was straightforward. We paid 25% at the time of booking and the remaining balance at pickup. Knowing the total price in advance helped us plan the moving budget without worrying about unexpected charges later.

Tips for Anyone Planning a Similar Move

If you are planning an international move with many boxes but limited furniture, here are a few things that really helped me:

  • Create an Excel file listing every box, including approximate dimensions. It helps track your volume and keeps everything organized.
  • Use smaller boxes where possible. Boxes around 50 × 30 × 30 cm are easier to carry and stack.
  • Number every box clearly so you know exactly what has been loaded and delivered.
  • Start packing earlier than you think you need to. Spreading the work over time reduces stress significantly.

Conclusion

Moving from London to Lisbon for a new job was a big step for me and my family, and coordinating an international move with 136 boxes required careful preparation. What made the experience manageable was planning ahead, keeping everything organized, and working with a responsive moving team. The collection in London, the transport, and the delivery in Lisbon all went according to plan, which allowed us to focus on starting our new chapter rather than worrying about the logistics of the move. Experiences like this show that preparation and clear communication can make even a complex relocation feel surprisingly smooth.