UK to Germany European Removals

Moving to Germany from the UK

A new home in Germany brings plenty to organise. Your belongings need a practical route from the UK front door to the rooms where you will use them. Move Home Easy plans removals to Germany around your inventory, property access and preferred dates, bringing collection, packing, transport and delivery into one coordinated service.

An address in Berlin, Munich or Hamburg may need a reserved loading area and a booked lift. Send the building rules early so the collection and delivery crews can work to the same access plan. We can discuss moves involving Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and the wider German regions, with the exact coverage and handling arrangements confirmed for your address.

For UK-to-Germany removals, the main choice is often between sharing a road service and reserving a dedicated vehicle. We assess the packed volume and your timing before recommending an option. A few boxes, selected furniture and a full household each need a different balance of space, cost and flexibility.

Build your quote around the complete journey: preparation, UK collection, export arrangements, international transport and delivery at destination. Customs requirements and any available relief depend on the goods and your circumstances. Use the route guidance below to prepare the paperwork, and confirm storage or specialist handling before the booking is finalised.

The goods must continue to be used for the same household purpose and cannot normally be sold, lent, hired out or given away during the first twelve months after customs acceptance. New goods, alcohol, tobacco, commercial vehicles and commercially used items are not covered in the same way.

Request a Free QuoteSee How It Works
  • Professional household packing
  • UK collection
  • Dedicated European removals
  • Part-load and groupage services
  • UK export and German import support
  • Storage
  • Door-to-door delivery across Germany
Hamburg Speicherstadt, Germany
Hamburg Speicherstadt

A Moving Company for Relocation to Germany

Germany is one of the most accessible international-removal destinations from the UK, but the customs border created by Brexit means the move still requires careful coordination. The vehicle must leave Great Britain with the correct export records and enter the European Union under the correct import procedure.

Move Home Easy coordinates the survey, packing, collection, European transport, customs documentation and final delivery as one planned service. We start by identifying what needs to be moved and estimating its packed volume.

A dedicated vehicle can suit a larger move, fixed dates or customers who do not want their goods combined with other consignments. A part-load or groupage service can be more economical for boxes, selected furniture and smaller homes where the dates are flexible.

Unlike most intercontinental relocations, Germany moves are normally completed by road. The vehicle travels through the Channel Tunnel or a ferry route and continues through the European road network. When assessing the route, take the collection point, destination city, customs plan, vehicle schedule and current border conditions into account.

Delivery to Cologne, Düsseldorf or western Germany is usually shorter by road than delivery to Berlin, Dresden, Munich or another eastern or southern destination. Distance is only one factor, however. Customs availability, access, parking, loading restrictions and delivery appointments can also affect the schedule.

This page focuses mainly on moves from Great Britain—England, Scotland and Wales—to Germany. Northern Ireland follows a different goods and customs framework in several areas, so a move beginning there needs to be checked separately.

Cologne Rhine panorama, Germany
Cologne Rhine panorama

Who is this service suitable for?

  • UK residents relocating to Germany for employment
  • Families moving to Berlin, Munich or another German city
  • German citizens returning after living in the UK
  • Couples moving the contents of a flat or small home
  • Students and researchers shipping personal effects
  • Businesses arranging employee relocations
  • Customers sending boxes or a part-load rather than a full household
  • People requiring storage before export or after customs clearance

On This Page

  1. UK-to-Germany relocation services
  2. The European moving process
  3. Dedicated, part-load and small-shipment options
  4. Professional packing
  5. German customs and transfer-of-residence relief
  6. Documents commonly required
  7. German address registration and customs evidence
  8. Preparing the household-goods inventory
  9. Restricted and excluded goods
  10. Cost of moving from the UK to Germany
  11. Road-removal and delivery times
  12. Popular German destinations
  13. Storage during a Germany relocation
  14. Cars, pets and employee relocation
  15. Moving checklist
  16. Frequently asked questions

UK-to-Germany Relocation Services

Choose the elements that fit your consignment and destination from the services below. Your written Move Home Easy quotation will confirm the precise work included.

Home or Video Survey

The survey gives us the information to choose a suitable vehicle and service: expected packed volume, access at your UK home and any items requiring specialist preparation.

Show every item that might travel, including belongings in the loft, garage, shed or a separate storage unit. Point out musical instruments, artwork, mirrors, antiques, televisions, exercise equipment, stone furniture, safes and unusually heavy pieces.

Professional Packing

Professional packing can reduce the chance of damage during lifting, vehicle loading, road transport, customs examination and final delivery. Depending on your quotation, the available support includes cartons, furniture wrapping, picture and mirror protection and dismantling of appropriate furniture.

Fragile, high-value or unusually shaped items may need reinforced packing or custom cases. The crew also records numbered packages for the customs inventory.

UK Collection

Tell us whether collection is from a house, apartment, storage unit or business address. Parking, stairs, lifts, narrow approach roads and loading rules need to be checked before the date is confirmed.

The vehicle, equipment and crew should be planned using accurate access details. If the international truck cannot park near your door, a smaller shuttle or additional handling labour may need to be included.

Dedicated Road Removals

A dedicated service reserves the removals vehicle or agreed vehicle space for one customer. It is commonly used for larger households, fixed collection dates, direct routes and customers who want the shortest practical transport schedule.

The goods are loaded in the UK and travel through the export and import process before continuing to the German address. Customs timing still needs to be allowed for even when the vehicle is dedicated.

Part-Load and Groupage Removals

With part-load or groupage transport, several households share a vehicle heading in the same direction. Each keeps a separate inventory and pays for the space taken by its consignment.

This can be a cost-effective option for boxes, smaller flats and selected furniture. Flexibility: collection and delivery are planned around a shared European route instead of one customer's dates alone is the main trade-off.

Customs Documentation Support

Our team at Move Home Easy can help you bring together the household-goods information required for the UK export and German import declarations. The German customs file commonly includes Form 0350, proof of residence transfer, a passport copy and a detailed inventory.

German Customs makes the final decision on transfer-of-residence relief, inspection, duty, tax and release. Review the facts and documents before collection.

Destination Delivery

After customs clearance, the crew continues to the German delivery address. Delivery may include unloading, basic reassembly of suitable furniture and removal of used packing materials, depending on the selected service.

Before the arrangements are finalised, check parking, loading-zone, lift and building requirements directly with the landlord, building manager or local authority. Some German city centres require a temporary parking suspension or official permit for the removals vehicle.

Storage

Arrangements for storage can be made when goods need to be held before export or after customs clearance. It can also support a phased move or a part-load collection that does not depart immediately.

Agree where storage will take place, the basis of the rate and the notice required for release. Ask whether intake and release handling are separate charges and whether goods must clear customs before entering destination storage.

Business and Employee Relocation

Our team at Move Home Easy can help you bring together household-goods shipments for employers transferring staff from the UK to Germany. The service can be organised around a relocation allowance, approved volume, employee start date and internal authorisation process.

Clear communication between the employee, employer and moving team helps keep requested service changes and additional charges transparent.

How Moving from the UK to Germany Works

A Germany relocation should be planned so that the collection, customs documents, road transport and German address evidence remain aligned.

  1. Initial Move Assessment

    Help us assess the move by providing the UK collection postcode, intended German destination, approximate shipment size and preferred moving dates. Mention storage, specialist items and any fixed employment or tenancy deadlines.

  2. Home or Video Survey

    Use the survey to measure packed volume and review access, packing and handling together. Its findings help decide whether a shared part-load or dedicated service suits the move.

  3. Customs Eligibility Review

    The moving team reviews whether the relocation appears to meet the German transfer-of-residence conditions, including the previous period of residence, ownership and use of the goods and intended German residence.

  4. Written Quotation

    The quotation should explain the service type, packing scope, collection, customs support, delivery and exclusions. Review possible charges for waiting, inspection, storage, parking permits and difficult access.

  5. Document Preparation

    Complete the German customs form and provide the passport, inventory, evidence of UK residence and documents supporting the move to Germany. When assessing the final checklist, take the individual circumstances into account.

  6. Packing and Collection

    The crew packs and numbers the agreed belongings and prepares the inventory. Before they start, set aside your original documents, passports, medication, jewellery, cash, keys and essentials to carry with you.

  7. UK Export Clearance

    The removals company or appointed customs representative submits the required UK export information. The vehicle must carry the correct shipment and border references for its chosen Channel route.

  8. German or EU Import Clearance

    The goods are presented under the agreed import procedure. The customs representative submits Form 0350 and supporting documents and requests transfer-of-residence relief where applicable.

  9. Customs Review

    Customs can review the documents, request further evidence or inspect the goods. Any duty or tax assessed outside the relief conditions must be resolved before release.

  10. Delivery in Germany

    Once the goods are released, the vehicle continues to the German address. Delivery access, parking and building arrangements needs to be confirmed before moving day.

Transporting Household Goods from the UK to Germany

Most UK-to-Germany household moves travel by road. When assessing the right service, take the consignment volume, date flexibility, destination and whether the vehicle space is shared into account.

Dedicated Removals Vehicle

A dedicated booking assigns the agreed vehicle or capacity to one customer's shipment. This normally provides more control over collection and delivery than a route shared with other households.

It is often selected for a larger home, time-sensitive move, direct business relocation or shipment containing many fragile items. The service costs more than groupage because the vehicle and route are not shared.

Part-Load or Groupage Service

A part-load service combines several household consignments travelling on the same European route. Each move remains separately packed, labelled and inventoried.

It can suit boxes, selected furniture, one-bedroom properties and customers who are not working to one fixed delivery day. Collection may occur before the vehicle completes the remaining route.

Before booking, establish whether the estimated period runs from packing to delivery or only from the vehicle's departure from the consolidation warehouse.

Small Shipment and Box Service

A customer does not need enough goods to fill a removals vehicle. Cartons, books, clothes, sports equipment and a small number of furniture items can often travel as part of a shared service.

Give us a clear inventory, item dimensions and any known weights. Even a small consignment still needs the applicable customs procedures to be completed.

Air Freight for Urgent Goods

Because road transport is relatively fast, air freight is rarely the main method for a complete UK-to-Germany household move. It may still be appropriate for a compact urgent shipment or when the final destination is not suited to the scheduled road service.

Charges are affected by actual and volumetric weight. Compare the complete airport, customs and delivery cost with a dedicated road shipment before choosing air.

Transport Option Comparison

ServiceUsually suitable forMain benefitMain consideration
Dedicated vehicleLarger homes and fixed-date movesDirect and date-focused serviceHigher cost because the route is not shared
Part-load or groupageBoxes, flats and partial household movesPay for the space usedBroader collection and delivery window
Small-shipment serviceCartons and selected itemsNo need to book a full vehicleMinimum charges and shared scheduling may apply
Air freightCompact urgent consignmentsFast international transportOften unnecessary or expensive for this route

Professional Packing for a Move to Germany

Road transport is shorter than an intercontinental sea shipment, but the goods can still be handled several times and may be examined by Customs. Correct packing and a clear inventory remain important.

Packing should match the contents: furniture wrapping, suitable boxes and extra protection for fragile pieces. Artwork, mirrors, antiques, glass, stone and awkwardly shaped objects may need a purpose-made case.

Items that may need additional preparation

  • Pictures, mirrors and framed artwork
  • Glass tables and cabinets
  • Antiques and sculptures
  • Televisions, monitors and audio equipment
  • Musical instruments
  • Marble, stone and unusually heavy furniture
  • Large appliances
  • Bicycles and sports equipment
  • High-value collections
  • Goods requiring custom cases

Furniture and property access

German properties range from modern apartments and suburban houses to older Altbau buildings with narrow staircases and limited lifts. Measure large sofas, wardrobes, bed frames and appliances against the destination access.

In some cities, external furniture lifts are used to move goods through a balcony or window. This requires suitable access, local permission and a separate quotation.

Electrical goods

Germany uses a 230-volt, 50-hertz electricity supply. Many UK appliances are electrically compatible, but plugs, installation rules, warranties and local servicing differ. Built-in appliances may not suit the German kitchen or utility connection.

Some services allow owner-packed boxes, but the protection or insurance terms may be different. Confirm how to declare their contents and which belongings must be packed professionally.

German Customs and Transfer-of-Residence Relief

Great Britain is treated as a non-EU customs territory for goods moving to Germany. Household goods therefore require an export declaration from the UK and an import declaration into the European Union.

Germany normally allows eligible household goods to be imported free of customs duty and import VAT as transfer-of-residence goods, known as Übersiedlungsgut. The relief is conditional and must be claimed through the customs declaration.

Previous residence outside the European Union

The customer must generally have maintained their normal place of residence outside the EU customs territory for at least twelve consecutive months before moving.

It may be possible to consider an exception where the person can prove that they intended to remain outside the EU for at least twelve months, for example through an employment contract, even when the actual period was shorter.

Ownership and use for at least six months

Generally, non-consumable goods should belong to the customer or family and should have been used by them in the previous country of residence for at least six months before the move.

New furniture, recently purchased electronics and goods bought specifically for the relocation can fall outside the relief and may be assessed for customs duty and import VAT.

Continued use for the same purpose

The imported goods should continue to be used by the customer or family in Germany for the same household, personal or professional purpose.

You can include normal personal professional equipment where it is needed for the customer's occupation or craft. The ordinary household-goods definition does not cover commercial vehicles and commercially used objects.

The twelve-month import window

Normally, household effects should be declared within twelve months of transferring the normal place of residence to Germany. The goods can arrive in one or several shipments during that period.

It may be possible to import goods before the customer moves, but the customer must undertake to establish residence in the EU customs territory within six months. Customs can require security when the goods arrive before the residence transfer.

The twelve-month non-disposal restriction

Goods admitted under the relief cannot normally be lent, hired out, sold, given away or transferred during the first twelve months after Customs accepts the declaration.

Inform the supervising customs office before disposing of a relief-approved item during that period. Duty and tax can become payable if the restriction is broken.

Goods included in the household-effects definition

  • Personal effects
  • Household, bed and table linen
  • Furniture
  • Household appliances intended for personal use
  • Private bicycles, motorcycles and passenger cars
  • Private trailers, camping trailers and certain leisure craft
  • Normal household supplies in customary family quantities
  • Pets and riding animals
  • Portable instruments
  • Professional or craft equipment needed for the customer's occupation

Goods excluded from the relief definition

  • Alcoholic products
  • Tobacco and tobacco products
  • Commercial vehicles
  • Commercially used objects

Other goods can require licences, certificates or separate customs treatment. The shipment should not be treated as an opportunity to import new merchandise or commercial stock.

Customs Form 0350

Form 0350 is the written German customs declaration used for transfer-of-residence goods. It must be completed and signed and is normally submitted by the customer, moving company or appointed customs representative with the supporting records.

Customs reviews the declaration and can examine the shipment. The customer receives a copy of the accepted declaration.

Customs inspection

German Customs can inspect the vehicle or selected packages and compare the goods with the inventory. Customs can also request evidence of ownership, period of use, previous residence and new residence.

Accurate records and early disclosure of new, restricted or unusual items can support the process, but no moving company can guarantee that a shipment will not be examined.

This information is general guidance rather than legal or tax advice. German Customs and the relevant authorities make all final decisions.

Documents Commonly Needed When Moving to Germany

When assessing the final checklist, take the customer's circumstances, goods and customs office into account. Commonly requested documents include:

  • Completed and signed German Customs Form 0350
  • Passport identity-page copy
  • Detailed packing inventory
  • Proof of previous residence outside the European Union
  • Foreign de-registration or departure certificate where available
  • UK council-tax bills, utility bills, bank statements or employment records where requested
  • German registration confirmation where available
  • German rental agreement or property-purchase documents
  • German employment contract or transfer letter where applicable
  • Evidence that the goods belong to the customer
  • Invoices or purchase records for newer or high-value goods where requested
  • Signed declaration concerning prohibited or excluded goods
  • Power of attorney for the customs representative
  • Vehicle registration evidence where a private vehicle is included
  • Licences or certificates for restricted goods

Proof of the transfer can be built from more than one record. German official guidance lists examples such as a foreign de-registration certificate, German registration certificate, rental agreement, personal documents and employment contract.

Names should remain consistent across the passport, inventory, Form 0350, transport documents and power of attorney. Tell Move Home Easy promptly if the passport is renewed or the consignee changes.

Keep electronic and paper copies available during the move. It may be possible to request original or newly issued German documents before final customs release.

German Address Registration and Your Household Move

People living in Germany are generally required to register their address with the local residents' registration office within two weeks of moving into the property. The process is commonly known as Anmeldung.

The name of the office varies by city and may include Bürgeramt, Einwohnermeldeamt, Kreisverwaltungsreferat or Bürgerservice. The document issued after registration is commonly called an Anmeldebestätigung or Meldebestätigung.

This registration confirmation is frequently used as evidence that the customer has transferred residence to Germany. However, official customs guidance also recognises other evidence, such as a rental agreement, personal records and employment documents.

Your evidence accepted will be determined by the customs office and stage of the move. Ask the destination customs representative whether registration must be completed before the goods arrive or whether an alternative document is acceptable.

Plan the sequence carefully

  1. Confirm the German address and planned move-in date.
  2. Ask the landlord for the documents needed for address registration.
  3. Book the local registration appointment where appointments are required.
  4. Tell Move Home Easy when the registration evidence is expected.
  5. Plan the customs and delivery schedule around the available evidence.

Move Home Easy does not arrange the property, tenancy or address registration itself. The customer, employer, relocation adviser or landlord remains responsible for those arrangements.

Preparing the German Customs Inventory

The inventory supports the customs declaration and helps identify whether the goods appear consistent with a genuine transfer of residence.

Number every carton and wrapped item to match the packing list. Use descriptions that identify the contents rather than filling the inventory with entries labelled simply as miscellaneous.

Useful inventory descriptions

  • Used adult clothing
  • Used children's clothing
  • Used kitchen utensils
  • Books and study materials
  • Bedding and household linen
  • Used ornaments and decorative goods
  • Children's toys
  • Used sports equipment
  • Small household electrical items
  • Used furniture by item type

New and recently purchased goods

Items owned and used for less than six months should be identified accurately. Customs may request an invoice and can assess duty and import VAT.

Taking off a product's original packaging changes neither its purchase date nor its period of use. Describe recent purchases accurately instead of declaring them used merely to claim relief.

Private vehicles

List a private car or motorcycle separately and supported by the registration documents. The customer must also meet the ownership, use, residence and non-disposal conditions for customs relief.

Professional equipment

Portable tools and equipment needed for the customer's occupation can qualify where they are normal personal professional equipment. Business inventory, commercial vehicles and goods intended for resale do not qualify in the same way.

Commercial quantities

Business stock, samples, merchandise and goods for sale should not be presented as a personal household removal. Several identical new products may be treated as commercial goods, so declare their purpose accurately.

Restricted, Excluded and Prohibited Goods

Transfer-of-residence relief does not override German or EU rules on restricted goods. Check controlled or unusual items before packing.

Goods excluded from ordinary household relief

  • Alcoholic products
  • Tobacco and tobacco products
  • Commercial vehicles
  • Commercially used objects
  • New goods that do not meet the six-month use condition
  • Goods imported for resale

Goods requiring particular attention

  • Weapons, ammunition and replica weapons
  • Medicines and controlled pharmaceutical products
  • Plants, seeds, soil and plant products
  • Meat, milk and other animal products
  • Animals and products from protected species
  • Hazardous chemicals and flammable goods
  • Antiques or culturally protected objects
  • Radio and specialist communications equipment
  • Commercial stock and professional machinery
  • Counterfeit goods

Food and animal products

Because of animal-health risks, personal imports of meat, milk and products containing them from Great Britain into the European Union are restricted. Generally, household shipments should exclude these products.

Other foods may also have import conditions. Discuss unusual or substantial food quantities before packing.

Plants and plant products

Imports of plants and many plant products from Great Britain are subject to the European Union's phytosanitary requirements. A phytosanitary certificate and inspection may need to be arranged.

Keep plants, soil, seeds and untreated plant products out of the removal load until you have written confirmation that the specific goods can be imported.

Medicines

Carry essential medication yourself in its original packaging, with the prescription or a supporting medical letter. Check whether the medicine is restricted or needs additional documentation before travelling.

Items to keep with you

  • Passports and original immigration documents
  • German tenancy and registration documents
  • Prescription medication and medical records
  • Cash, jewellery and irreplaceable valuables
  • Keys and important employment paperwork
  • Phones, laptops and chargers needed immediately
  • Several days of clothing and essential toiletries
  • Children's immediate-use items
  • Important school and veterinary records

How Much Does It Cost to Move from the UK to Germany?

There is no single reliable price for a UK-to-Germany move. When assessing the total, take shipment volume, service type, collection location, German destination, packing, access, customs, storage and specialist requirements into account.

Shipment Volume

Price the actual volume rather than relying on bedroom count. Two homes of the same size can hold very different amounts of furniture and stored possessions, which is why a survey gives a better basis for the quotation.

Sort out unwanted belongings before the survey to reduce the volume needing packing, handling and transport. For bulky items of limited value, compare the shipping cost with the cost of replacing them after arrival.

Dedicated or Part-Load Service

Reserving a vehicle and its route for one household usually costs more. A part-load service spreads those transport costs between customers and can be more economical when you have a smaller shipment.

UK Collection Location

A collection in southern England has a shorter journey to the Channel than a collection in Scotland or northern England. Distance, overnight planning, crew time and access all affect the cost.

German Destination

Western destinations such as Cologne, Düsseldorf and Frankfurt are closer to the UK route than Berlin, Dresden or Munich. When assessing the final cost also, take city access, parking and whether the route is shared with other deliveries into account.

Packing and Specialist Handling

Full packing needs more crew time and materials than collecting boxes already packed by the owner. Antiques, artwork, instruments, stone, safes and unusual pieces may also require individual cases or specialist lifting equipment.

Parking Permits and Difficult Access

German city-centre moves can require a temporary no-parking zone or official permit. External furniture lifts, long carries, small lifts and upper-floor stair access can add cost.

Storage

Ask for storage pricing from intake through to release or delivery, including the weekly or monthly rate. Confirm the storage location, minimum term and notice needed to retrieve the goods.

Duty, Import VAT and Inspection

Eligible transfer-of-residence goods are normally relieved from duty and import VAT. New goods, alcohol, tobacco, commercial items and goods outside the relief conditions can create additional taxes and customs charges.

Insurance or Shipment Protection

Check the protection included in your quote, any additional cover available and the rules for owner-packed or high-value items. Suitable photographs, invoices and valuations can help document the belongings before collection.

Questions to ask when comparing quotations

  • Is this a dedicated or part-load service?
  • Does the quote include professional packing?
  • Does it include UK export and German import customs handling?
  • Does it include delivery to the exact German address?
  • Are unpacking and furniture reassembly included?
  • What waiting charges could apply at customs?
  • Are Channel crossings, road tolls and fuel included?
  • What parking or permit costs could be added?
  • What difficult-access charges could apply?
  • What storage charges could be added?
  • Which duty or import-VAT costs are excluded?
  • What insurance or shipment-protection options are available?
  • How long is the quotation valid?

Request a tailored Germany removals quote

How Long Does a UK-to-Germany Removal Take?

Germany removals are normally completed by road instead of intercontinental shipping. Current industry estimates commonly place dedicated transport at around two to five days, depending on the UK collection point and German destination.

Because the vehicle follows a shared collection and delivery schedule, part-load and groupage services are commonly estimated at around seven to fourteen days.

Customs clearance can add approximately one to three working days in straightforward cases, but the timing varies according to the route, customs office, documents, inspection and border conditions.

A realistic complete plan may therefore range from several days for a direct dedicated move to approximately two or three weeks for a shared service. Dates remain estimates unless the quotation expressly confirms a fixed delivery period.

Factors that can affect the schedule

  • Dedicated or shared vehicle service
  • UK collection distance from the Channel
  • German destination distance
  • Groupage route and consolidation
  • Ferry or Channel Tunnel availability
  • UK export processing
  • EU or German import processing
  • Customs document review
  • Physical examination
  • Weather and European traffic
  • Weekend and public-holiday restrictions
  • German parking permits
  • Building delivery appointments
  • Storage instructions

Travel with passports, medication, laptops and immediate essentials rather than packing them in the main shipment. Do not place anything required on the first day in Germany inside a shared road shipment.

Relocation Services Across Germany

Moving to Berlin

Berlin is one of the most common destinations for UK-to-Germany relocations. Deliveries can involve Altbau apartments, courtyards, restricted streets and upper floors without large lifts.

A temporary no-parking zone or external furniture lift may be needed for some addresses. Help us assess the move by providing the district, floor and lift details before delivery.

Moving to Munich

Munich is a major destination for professional and corporate relocations. The longer road distance from the Channel affects the route and schedule.

Central access, parking restrictions and appointments should be checked in advance. Munich's local registration office is commonly known as the Kreisverwaltungsreferat.

Moving to Frankfurt

Frankfurt and the Rhine-Main area are common destinations for financial, professional and employee relocations. Road access is generally direct, but city apartments and controlled loading areas still require planning.

Moving to Hamburg

Hamburg is a major northern German city and international business centre. The route from the UK is shorter than many southern destinations, subject to the selected crossing and traffic.

Moving to Cologne or Düsseldorf

Cologne, Düsseldorf and the wider Rhine-Ruhr region are among the closest major German destinations to the UK road route. They are well suited to both dedicated and regular part-load services.

Moving to Stuttgart

Stuttgart is a common engineering, automotive and corporate-relocation destination. The final delivery can be affected by hilly neighbourhoods, narrow streets and underground parking limits.

Moving to Leipzig or Dresden

Leipzig and Dresden require a longer eastern route after customs clearance. When assessing part-load timing, take the complete European delivery schedule into account.

Moving Elsewhere in Germany

Our team at Move Home Easy can help you discuss relocations to Hanover, Bremen, Nuremberg, Heidelberg, Freiburg, Bonn, Dortmund and smaller towns or rural areas. Provide the full postcode so the route and access can be assessed.

Cars, Pets and Employee Relocation to Germany

Moving a Car to Germany

A private passenger car can qualify as transfer-of-residence property when it meets the same residence, ownership, six-month use and continued-use conditions. The vehicle must generally remain in the customer's possession for twelve months after the relief declaration.

Customs relief is separate from German road registration. The vehicle must also meet registration, insurance, technical inspection, emissions and road-use requirements.

UK vehicles are right-hand drive and may require lighting or other modifications. Compare the total registration and modification cost with selling the vehicle in the UK and purchasing another in Germany.

Vehicle transport and documentation should be quoted separately where the car is not being driven by the customer.

Moving Pets to Germany

Dogs, cats and ferrets travelling from Great Britain to Germany follow the EU pet travel rules. For they, the usual requirements include a microchip, valid rabies vaccination and an animal health certificate issued by an official veterinarian.

The animal health certificate is generally valid for entry into the EU for ten days from issue. At least twenty-one full days are normally required after the first rabies vaccination before travel.

Pets must enter through an approved travellers' point of entry and travel under the correct non-commercial or commercial movement rules. Use a specialist provider for complex or unaccompanied pet transport.

Corporate and Employee Moves

For an employer-funded relocation, agree the shipment allowance, authorisation process and reporting needs early. Move Home Easy can coordinate the physical move with the employee and the employer's nominated contact.

The employer can also provide evidence of the previous assignment and new German employment where this supports the transfer-of-residence application.

Students and Temporary Moves

A student, temporary assignee or customer furnishing a secondary home may not fit the ordinary transfer-of-main-residence conditions. Customs duty and import VAT can apply according to the circumstances.

Tell Move Home Easy whether Germany will become the main residence and how long the customer expects to remain before booking the transport.

UK-to-Germany Relocation Checklist

Eight to Twelve Weeks Before Collection

  • Request detailed European-removal quotations.
  • Arrange a home or video survey.
  • Confirm the German destination and planned main residence.
  • Decide what will be moved, sold, donated or stored.
  • Identify goods owned or used for less than six months.
  • Discuss vehicles, pets and restricted goods separately.
  • Gather proof of at least twelve months' residence outside the EU.
  • Check the appropriate German visa or residence route independently.

Four to Eight Weeks Before Collection

  • Choose a dedicated or part-load service.
  • Review the written quotation and customs exclusions.
  • Complete insurance or shipment-protection documentation.
  • Begin Form 0350 and the customs-document checklist.
  • Gather the German rental agreement or property records.
  • Gather the employment contract or transfer letter where applicable.
  • Arrange storage where required.
  • Check the local process for address registration and parking permits.

One to Four Weeks Before Collection

  • Confirm parking and access at the UK property.
  • Remove alcohol, tobacco and unapproved restricted goods.
  • Separate passports, medication, valuables and immediate essentials.
  • Back up computers and important files.
  • Photograph high-value items.
  • Check names across the passport, inventory and customs forms.
  • Provide the most accurate German address available.
  • Confirm when German registration evidence will be available.

After Arriving in Germany

  • Register the German address within the applicable two-week period.
  • Keep the registration confirmation safely.
  • Provide the customs representative with requested German evidence.
  • Remain available during customs clearance.
  • Respond to requests concerning newer goods or proof of ownership.

Before Delivery in Germany

  • Confirm the complete address and local contact number.
  • Arrange a parking suspension or permit where required.
  • Check the floor, lift and staircase access.
  • Confirm whether an external furniture lift is needed.
  • Ensure an authorised adult can receive the shipment.
  • Inspect goods as they are delivered.
  • Report visible loss or damage under the applicable procedure.

Why Use Move Home Easy for a Relocation to Germany?

A post-Brexit Germany move requires more than booking a vehicle. The survey, inventory, UK export, German import declaration, residence evidence and final delivery all need to work together.

Move Home Easy brings together those stages from the UK. We assess the consignment, explain the practical difference between dedicated and part-load services and work with the customs and delivery teams through to the German address.

We also encourage customers to compare complete quotations. A low transport-only figure may exclude packing, UK export work, German customs handling, waiting time, parking permits, storage and difficult-access delivery.

Move Home Easy coordinates the practical stages that make a Germany relocation work: survey planning, packing, UK collection, road transport, customs support and destination delivery.

Moving in the other direction?

Moving to the UK from Germany?

You can also book the reverse route. Packing, international transport, customs assistance and delivery within the UK can be brought together in a door-to-door moving plan.

Can your team handle moves from Germany to the UK?

Our return-route guide explains the journey in the opposite direction, including shipping choices, UK customs procedures and the practical steps to take before collection.

View Germany to UK removals

Your questions about Moving to Germany from the UK:

Is it possible to move food or plants to Germany?

When entering the EU from Great Britain, meat, milk, plants, seeds, soil and other agricultural goods can be prohibited or require certificates and inspection. Generally, these goods should be excluded unless written approval is obtained.

At what stage should I book a move to Germany?

Allow time for a survey, customs documents, route planning and parking arrangements by starting around six to ten weeks before collection. Begin earlier during summer, school holidays or when the German address is not yet confirmed.

How can I keep costs down when I move belongings to Germany?

For a small load, ask about shared part-load or groupage transport. Sharing the vehicle space and route costs with other households often makes this the lower-cost option.

What should I budget to move from the UK to Germany?

Your quotation is worked out from shipment volume, dedicated or part-load service, collection location, German destination, packing, access, customs and storage. A survey followed by a written door-to-door quotation is the most reliable way to establish the price.

Is it possible to send my belongings before I move?

Germany can allow household goods to be imported before the residence transfer if the customer undertakes to establish residence in the EU customs territory within six months. Customs can require security.

Is it possible to sell my belongings after importing them duty free?

Goods admitted under transfer-of-residence relief cannot normally be sold, lent, hired out, given away or transferred during the first twelve months after customs acceptance.

Could my belongings be inspected by German Customs?

German Customs can review the documents and examine the vehicle or selected packages. No moving company can guarantee that a shipment will not be inspected.

Is it possible for my belongings to be stored during the move?

If you need storage, check availability both before export and after customs clearance. Agree the location, ongoing rate, handling costs, minimum term, release notice and onward delivery before making the booking.

What timing should I allow for a UK-to-Germany removal?

Dedicated road services are commonly estimated at approximately two to five days. Part-load and groupage services are commonly around seven to fourteen days. Customs can add approximately one to three working days, although every move is different.

Is it possible to move only boxes to Germany?

Boxes and small personal-effects loads can often join a shared European service. Their size does not remove the need for the relevant customs paperwork.

What should I know about a dedicated Germany removal?

A dedicated service sets aside the agreed vehicle or capacity for your own move. It generally gives you a more direct journey and greater choice over dates than shared groupage.

What should I know about a part-load or groupage service?

A part-load service combines separately packed and inventoried moves travelling on the same European route. Each customer pays for the vehicle space used.

Is it necessary for me to complete customs forms after Brexit?

Yes. Household goods moving from Great Britain to Germany cross a UK–EU customs border. UK export and German or EU import declarations are required.

Under what conditions are household goods duty free when moving to Germany?

Eligible transfer-of-residence goods can normally be imported free of customs duty and import VAT. The customer and goods must meet the residence, ownership, use, import-timing and continued-possession conditions.

How do the ownership and use periods affect ToR eligibility?

Generally, non-consumable household goods should have belonged to and been used by the customer or family for at least six months before the move.

What deadline applies to importing my household goods?

Normally, transfer-of-residence goods should be declared within twelve months of moving the normal residence to Germany.

What should I know about German Customs Form 0350?

Form 0350 is the written customs declaration used to request transfer-of-residence treatment for household goods entering Germany.

Which paperwork should I prepare for German customs clearance?

For the paperwork file, you will commonly need Form 0350, passport copy, detailed inventory, proof of previous residence outside the EU and evidence of the new German residence. Rental, employment and registration documents can also be requested.

Is it a requirement to complete Anmeldung before customs clearance?

Registration confirmation is commonly used as evidence of the move, but German official guidance also recognises other records such as a rental agreement, personal documents and employment evidence. Confirm the exact requirement for the selected customs office.

Is collection from anywhere in the UK available?

We can arrange UK collection for Germany removals from London and many other UK locations. Before the arrangements are finalised, provide the full postcode and property access details because distance and access affect the quotation.

Is delivery anywhere in Germany available?

You can discuss moving services for Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Cologne, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart, Leipzig, Dresden and other German destinations.

Is it possible to include alcohol or tobacco?

The ordinary transfer-of-residence household-goods definition does not cover alcoholic products, tobacco and tobacco products. Do not include them without specific customs advice.

Is help available to move pets to Germany?

For dogs, cats and ferrets moving from Great Britain, the usual requirements include a microchip, rabies vaccination and animal health certificate and must enter the EU through an approved point of entry.

What period of residence outside the EU is required?

The general rule is at least twelve consecutive months outside the EU customs territory before transferring residence. It may be possible to consider an exception where the customer proves an intention to remain outside the EU for at least twelve months.

What should I know about Anmeldung?

Anmeldung is the process of registering a German address with the local residents' registration office. People living in Germany are generally required to register within two weeks of moving into the address.

Is it possible to move my car to Germany?

You can include a qualifying private vehicle in transfer-of-residence relief when the applicable conditions are met. German registration, insurance, technical and emissions requirements remain separate.

When would I need insurance for a European removal?

Check cover for the complete process, from packing and loading through border transport to delivery. Ask specifically how valuable items and boxes you pack yourself are treated under the protection included.

Start Planning Your Move to Germany

Tell Move Home Easy what you need to move, where it is being collected and which part of Germany it needs to reach. Speak to our team about how we can review the consignment, explain the available dedicated and part-load options and prepare a quotation for your UK-to-Germany relocation.

Request a free Germany relocation quote

A note from Move Home Easy

A little preparation makes moving easier

Create a moving folder before your survey: include a room-by-room list, access photos and your preferred dates. Then compare written quotes line by line, checking the allowances for packing, transport, storage and delivery. This makes gaps in the service easier to spot before you book.