Family Law · European Union
Moving With a Child? Get Child Relocation Right From the Start
Relocating with a child after separation — to another city or another country — can disrupt the other parent’s contact and spark a legal battle if it is not handled properly. We match you, free of charge, with a vetted family lawyer who handles child relocation cases across Europe every day.
- 155+ legal services, 14 practice areas
- Family lawyers across the EU & EEA
- No fee to get matched
No commitment. No hidden fees.
Get matched with a lawyer
Tell us about your situation and receive a free, confidential case review.
Who this is for
Child relocation is about balancing one parent’s freedom to move with the child’s relationship with the other parent
Child relocation arises when a parent who lives with a child wants to move with them, and that move would materially affect the other parent’s ability to maintain contact. It might be a move to a new region for work, to be closer to family, or to follow a new partner — but whenever the move changes the child’s routine or the other parent’s access, it becomes a legal question as well as a personal one. The rules differ significantly across Europe: in some countries a move within the same country needs consent or court approval if it affects contact, while in others the threshold is higher. The child’s best interests are always the central test, and courts weigh the reasons for the move, the impact on the child’s relationship with both parents, and the practicalities of maintaining contact. Getting this right early prevents a move from becoming a crisis.
Why relocation cases get stuck
A move is rarely just a move.
It is a change to the child’s whole relationship with one parent.
Relocating without the other parent’s consent can lead to a court battle, a blocked move, or an order that the child be returned.
Moving without consent
A parent who relocates with a child without the other parent’s agreement — or without a court’s approval where it is required — risks the move being challenged and, in serious cases, an order that the child be returned.
The other parent objects
Objections to a proposed move can escalate quickly, with arguments over schools, distance, contact schedules and motives. Without a structured approach, the dispute can harden into costly litigation.
Contact arrangements fall apart
Even an agreed move can collapse if new contact arrangements are not worked out in advance — travel costs, holiday schedules and how the child keeps a relationship with the left-behind parent all need to be settled.
What you get
A child relocation lawyer who keeps the move on track
We only match you with family lawyers who handle relocation, contact and child arrangement disputes regularly.
Early assessment of your case
Your lawyer reviews your reasons for the move, the current arrangements and the relevant law, then tells you honestly whether consent or court approval is needed and how strong your position is.
Negotiation with the other parent
Where possible, your lawyer negotiates the move and a revised contact schedule directly, avoiding court and keeping the focus on what works for the child.
Court approval where required
If the other parent objects or approval is needed, your lawyer prepares and advances the application, presenting the move in terms the court will weigh: the child’s welfare and the practicalities of ongoing contact.
Protection against wrongful relocation
If the other parent has moved, or plans to move, with your child without your agreement, your lawyer acts to protect your rights and secure the child’s return or a proper review of the situation.
Coverage
Child relocation lawyers across Europe
Relocation is governed by national law, and moves across borders bring additional rules on jurisdiction and child abduction into play. The right lawyer practises in the country that will decide the matter. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Child relocation — common questions
Do I need permission to relocate with my child?
It depends on the country and the circumstances. In many jurisdictions you need the other parent’s consent or a court’s approval if the move would significantly affect the other parent’s contact or the child’s routine. Moving without the required permission can have serious legal consequences.
What does a court consider when deciding a relocation?
The central question is the child’s best interests. Courts typically weigh the reasons for the move, the impact on the child’s relationship with both parents, the proposed arrangements for maintaining contact, and the practicalities such as schooling and housing in the new location.
Can the other parent stop me from moving?
They can object, and in many countries they can ask a court to decide whether the move should be permitted. That does not mean they will necessarily succeed — the court weighs the child’s best interests, not simply one parent’s preference — but an objection can delay or block a move if it is not handled properly.
What if I move anyway without consent?
Relocating a child without the required consent or court approval can lead to an order that the child be returned and, in cross-border cases, may trigger child abduction proceedings under the Hague Convention. The consequences can be severe, so legal advice is essential before acting.
How do we keep contact going after a move?
A successful relocation usually includes a revised contact plan covering holidays, visits, travel costs and communication. Working this out in advance, ideally as part of the agreement or court order, protects the child’s relationship with the parent who stays behind.
Is moving abroad different from moving within a country?
Yes. International relocation engages additional legal frameworks, including rules on jurisdiction and, potentially, child abduction provisions. The threshold and the procedures are often more demanding, and the practical consequences for contact are greater.
Free case review
Plan the move properly, before it becomes a legal problem
Tell us about your situation and we’ll connect you with a family lawyer who handles child relocation in the relevant country — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.