Moving home or relocating to a different city is overwhelming enough on its own. Add to that the task of packing an entire life into boxes, stacking them up, and transporting them to wherever the next chapter may be. For some, it also means managing artworks that can't be replaced, wine collections that require careful handling, and interiors designed with real intention.
That's why the best movers in Abu Dhabi operate less like logistics firms and more like private concierges. They understand that packing is only part of the job. What matters is preservation – of objects, routines, and the sense of arrival that allows a new space to feel settled from the very first night. Below are six of the best moving companies that work in this way.
Writer Relocations
Fine Art and Heritage Specialist
Moving a Basquiat or an 18th-century porcelain collection requires a different approach than moving furniture. One scratch, one temperature shift during transport, and something irreplaceable is damaged. Writer Relocations specialises in exactly this. They build museum-grade wooden crates for individual pieces, use temperature-controlled vehicles for sensitive works, and handle everything with the care galleries expect.
As members of ICEFAT (International Convention of Exhibition and Fine Art Transporters), they move art between Abu Dhabi and capitals like London or New York using the same standards museums require. While they handle corporate relocations for multinational companies and embassies, their private client division focuses on individual collectors of high-value assets. The approach is boutique rather than commercial, with services that extend to school searches and immigration paperwork, with the kind of discretion that keeps high-profile moves quiet. Their fine art division exists specifically for collectors whose pieces need this level of attention.
Santa Fe Relocation
Global Mobility with ISO Methodology
Moving internationally means organising an entire life across continents. Santa Fe's 46 years of experience shows in all aspects of how they approach this move. Door-to-door packing, customs clearance, and real-time digital tracking manage the logistics. Schools, visas, area orientation, and pet relocation are coordinated alongside the move.
Embassies and multinationals use them for complete relocations. Where families with children need school places confirmed, and to understand their new city from day one, Santa Fe organises all of it under one service.
ISS Relocations
Family-Focused Transitions
ISS Relocations begins every move by understanding how families live – morning routines, work locations, which rooms matter most – then prioritises the new home setup accordingly. Children's bedrooms go first, creating a sense of belonging before the rest gets unpacked. That familiarity matters, especially for young children adjusting to a new home.
Families in Saadiyat Grove and Yas Island use them for moves that feel settled immediately. Within 48 hours of arrival in Abu Dhabi, the home office is fully functional, the nursery is assembled, and the kitchen operates as if they'd been there for months. The focus is purely residential, with continuity valued over speed.
Crown Relocations
Single-Point Executive Service
For busy executives, juggling multiple vendors – one for packing, another for shipping, a third for customs, someone else for the car – creates more work than the move itself. Crown Relocations assigns one person who oversees everything. Not a team to coordinate with, but a single move manager who takes care of packing, shipping, pets, vehicles, insurance, and customs under one timeline.
Their vehicle logistics wing processes EPA and DOT paperwork for cars moving to the US, arranges registration transfers, and ensures compliance. The service operates door to door with one point of contact throughout.
AGS International Movers
Global Network Scale
Moving pets internationally requires health certificates, microchipping, and Pet Passport documentation. Moving vintage cars requires customs compliance and EPA regulations. AGS International manages both through dedicated departments – one for pets, one for vehicles – both operating alongside the main household move. This works smoothly because each specialist team runs their area separately.
With 147 locations worldwide, they own the journey from warehouse to warehouse. For families relocating from Abu Dhabi to Europe, that owned infrastructure often means faster transit and fewer customs delays.
Gerson Relocation
Discreet Private Client Service
Discretion matters for diplomats, high-profile executives, and families who value privacy. Gerson Relocation assigns one client manager who acts as chief of staff, overseeing the visible work – packing, shipping – and managing the invisible logistics: setting up private utilities, finding botanical services for gardens, recalibrating wine cellars to exact humidity before arrival.
Time-critical moves are their speciality. Overnight transitions mean leaving one fully furnished residence and arriving at another that's equally operational – beds prepared, kitchens functional, systems activated. The service operates exclusively on a full white-glove basis.
What to Know About Premium Moving in Abu Dhabi
Premium moves work differently from standard residential services. A few things to expect:
- Site surveys come before quotes – final costs depend on volume, destination, and what's being moved
- International relocations involve customs documentation, import duties, and regulations that vary by destination country
- High-value items like art, antiques, and vehicles typically need insurance beyond standard coverage
- Pet relocations require health certificates, microchipping, and sometimes quarantine, depending on where you're going
- Wine cellars need climate-controlled transport and recalibration once they arrive
- Vehicle shipping involves EPA compliance for some countries and registration transfers
How Long Does a Premium Move Take?
Timeframes depend on the complexity of the move and where you're heading:
- Local Abu Dhabi moves: 1-4 days, depending on property size and what needs special handling
- International air freight: 7-10 days for routes like London, New York, or Paris
- International sea freight: 4-6 weeks, though customs can extend this
- Same-day service exists for smaller households
- White-glove packing takes longer – custom crating for valuable items needs time
- Pet relocations follow destination country health protocols
When Should You Book a Move in Abu Dhabi?
Booking windows matter, especially during peak periods:
- Summer months (June-August) see higher demand as families coordinate with school breaks
- Art and vehicle shipping needs advance booking for specialised handling and documentation
- December and January typically have shorter wait times
- Peak season moves should be booked 6-8 weeks ahead
- Complex moves involving multiple asset types need longer planning
Early booking matters most when combining several services – art transport, pet relocation, and vehicle shipping all happening at once.
Choosing the Right Moving Company in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi's expat community moves frequently – job changes, school transitions, family circumstances. Some relocations are planned months in advance. Others happen quickly. Either way, the quality of the move determines how quickly life feels normal again.
A good move means unpacking happens in the right order. Essentials first, then comfort, then everything else. It means documentation arrives when needed, not weeks late. It means the first morning in the new home feels manageable rather than chaotic.
Most premium movers in Abu Dhabi work on bespoke pricing following initial consultations. The conversation typically covers timelines, what needs special handling, and where coordination matters most. Early contact makes sense, particularly during the summer months when demand peaks.
