A separation or divorce is one of the most difficult experiences in life, and it almost always involves a move. Dividing years of shared life, deciding what each person takes, finding a new home on a reduced budget, and managing all of this emotionally within a matter of weeks is an enormous challenge. This guide gathers practical advice to make a move after separation as smooth as possible.
Before the move: emotional and legal planning
Agree on possessions in writing
Even if the separation is amicable, agree in writing who takes what before anything is moved. A simple spreadsheet listing the main items of furniture and who they belong to prevents future disputes. If there is a separation agreement, include the assets to be divided there.
Take your time — don't decide in the heat of the moment
The urge to “get out of the house as soon as possible” is understandable, but decisions made in the midst of emotional turmoil are usually poor ones. If you can, give yourself 3–4 weeks for the move with everything planned, rather than a chaotic week.
Inventory of shared and individual assets
Distinguish between:
- Individual assets: what each person owned before the relationship or has inherited
- Shared assets: what was purchased during the relationship (especially under a community property regime)
Individual assets go with their owner without question. Shared assets are divided according to the agreement or court order.
How to choose your new home
Realistic budget
After a separation, each person typically has half the joint income (or less if one parent supports children). Calculate:
- Maximum rent/mortgage: 30–35% of your net income
- Additional set-up costs: deposit + agency fee + utilities + possible new furniture = 1,500–3,000 €
- Moving costs: 500–1,500 € depending on volume
Location based on children (if applicable)
If you have minor children, try to find a new home that is:
- Close to their current school (avoid a double disruption)
- Near the other parent's home (to make visits and pick-ups easier)
- With a room for the children (even a small one; what matters is that they have “their” space)
Moving day: practical organisation
Do NOT move at the same time
Although sharing a single moving day is technically possible, it tends to be emotionally complicated. Better to:
- Have one person wait away from the home while the other's belongings are loaded (at a family member's house, out for a walk, at a café)
- Set separate dates if you are leaving at different times
- Clearly communicate to the removal team which items go with whom (colour-coded labels)
Personal documents in your name that you must NOT forget
What you take MUST include personal documents WITHOUT exception:
- DNI, passport, NIE, family record book
- Property deeds, bank account contracts
- Separation ruling or signed separation agreement
- Personal medical records
- If you have minor children: health cards, school reports, vaccination records
Your first night in your new home
The first day is emotionally intense. Recommendations:
- Do NOT try to unpack everything on the first day
- Set up only: bed, bathroom, and a minimal kitchen
- Call someone you trust (not to “talk about what went wrong”, but simply for company)
- Order food in (don't cook on your first night)
- Have a warm bath and rest
Tomorrow there will be time to carry on organising. The first night is for SURVIVING, not for being productive.
Practical aspects of starting your new life
Urgent change of address
Within the first 30 days, notify the following of your new address:
- Employer and HR department
- Banks (important for cards, direct debits, bank correspondence)
- Insurance companies (home, vehicle, life)
- GP, specialists, dentist
- Tax authority (form 030 for change of tax domicile)
- Municipal census register at your new location
- Vehicle registration authority (update your address on vehicle documents)
Rebuilding your social life
After a separation, your social circle changes: mutual friends may drift away, while others become closer. Sign up for activities that interest you (gym, sports club, cultural association, volunteering). It will help you get out and meet people outside your previous circle.
Moving after a separation to the Canary Islands
More and more people choose the Canary Islands as a fresh start after a separation: a new life, the climate, favourable tax conditions. If you are moving to the archipelago following a divorce, consider:
- Register immediately on the municipal census: this gives you a Canarian health card, a 75% discount on flights to visit children/family, and regional IRPF tax deductions. Guide: registering on the census in the Canary Islands
- AIEM exemption: your used household effects are exempt from the Canarian import duty. Details: REF of the Canary Islands
- Matrimonial property regime: even if you separate on the mainland, assets acquired after registering on the Canarian census are taxed under Canarian fiscal rules. Consult an adviser before buying property
- Shared custody and resident discount: if your children spend half the year on the mainland and half in the Canary Islands, they may also be able to register and benefit from the flight discount
Frequently asked questions about moving after a separation
Who pays for the move after a separation?
Normally each person pays for their own. If the separation is the result of a court ruling with a separation agreement, the cost of the move may be included as compensation. In amicable separations, the most common arrangement is a 50/50 split if both use the same company on the same day, or each pays for their own if the moves are done separately.
Is there any financial assistance available for moving after a divorce?
There are no specific grants for divorce-related moves in Spain. However, some regions offer emergency housing assistance (for victims of gender-based violence, single-parent families with low incomes) that may cover part of the cost. Contact your local social services department.
What do I do with wedding gifts or my ex-partner's family heirlooms?
Gifts given to the couple at significant shared moments (wedding, children, anniversaries) are generally considered shared assets and are divided. Inheritances received by one partner are individual assets and remain with that person. To avoid disputes, note the origin of each item in writing.
How do I organise the move if I have minor children coming with me?
Involve them in the process in a way appropriate to their age: let them choose the colour of their new bedroom, help with their personal boxes, and decide which toys to bring. Keep their routines (times, meals, outings) as stable as possible during the first weeks in the new home.
Can I book a separate move if we are still sharing the same home?
Yes, this is entirely normal. Each person books their move with whichever company they prefer and on the date that suits them. If you are both moving on the same day with different companies, coordinate the timings so you don't cross over (one in the morning, the other in the afternoon, for example) and avoid disputes about space in the street.
Can your company help coordinate between two parties?
Yes. At Horizont Atlantic we have experience with moves after separation. We can coordinate two services at the same property on different days/times, provide separate quotes with individual invoices, and handle the situation with the sensitivity it deserves. Contact us and we will advise you with no obligation.
Sensitive and professional support
At Horizont Atlantic we understand that a move after a separation is not just a logistics service — it is a delicate moment in people's lives. We work with discretion, efficiency, and empathy. Request a quote with no obligation and let us know your situation.
