Moving from Germany, anywhere.

Where we move households to from Germany

Dedicated corridor pages

• Germany → Spain
• Germany → Portugal

Other destinations we cover

• Germany → France
• Germany → Belgium
• Germany → Netherlands
• Germany → Luxembourg
• Germany → Austria
• Germany → Switzerland
• Germany → Ireland
• Germany → United Kingdom
• Germany → Italy
• Germany → Greece
• Germany → Slovenia
• Germany → Croatia

Before you leave Germany

• Deregister your address (Abmeldung) — When you leave Germany, you deregister at your local registration office, usually no earlier than 7 days before moving out and no later than 2 weeks after. Keep the confirmation (Abmeldebestätigung): you will need it for several other steps, and customs at destination may ask for it.
• Cancel the broadcasting fee (Rundfunkbeitrag) — Your broadcasting contribution does not stop on its own. Deregister your home with the contribution service, using your Abmeldung confirmation as proof.
• Tax, health insurance and pension — Inform your tax office (Finanzamt) of your departure and cancel your health insurance once your coverage abroad is arranged. Check your pension and social security position if you have worked in Germany.
• Your German-registered vehicle — If you take your car abroad, it must be deregistered in Germany, either before shipping or by driving it out on temporary export plates. Your new country then registers it under its own rules.
• Contracts and notice periods — German rental, internet and mobile contracts often have long notice periods — three months is common. Give notice early and keep the confirmations.

Exporting your belongings from Germany

To another EU country: if Germany and your destination are both in the EU, your belongings travel freely. There is no export declaration and no customs clearance.

To a country outside the EU: we file the export declaration in Germany on your behalf. What matters most is the import side: whether your belongings enter your new country free of duty depends on that country's rules. Each destination guide explains them.

Wherever you are going, prepare a detailed inventory of your belongings. It is required at destination for almost every move outside the EU, and it is the basis of your insurance.

Moves from Germany to the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, the United States, Canada or any other non-EU country require an export declaration, which we file before departure. Containers usually leave from Hamburg or Bremerhaven.

How a move from Germany works

1. Free quote. Give us your departure address, your new home in Germany and a rough volume. We send an online estimate right away and a written quote within a day.
2. Survey and planning. A coordinator confirms your volume and the transport mode, and reviews the customs rules that apply to your move to Germany.
3. Packing and collection. Our local team packs, inventories and loads your belongings at your home in Germany.
4. Transport. On the road for a European route, in a sea container across an ocean, or by air for small urgent shipments to Germany.
5. Customs clearance (where required). We prepare the export declaration in Germany and the import file for your destination (German export declaration for non-EU destinations).
6. Delivery and set-up. We deliver at your new address and, if you asked for it on the quote, unpack boxes and reassemble furniture.

One coordinator follows your move from Germany from the first call to the final delivery.

How your belongings travel — mode by mode

The times below are door to door and depend on the season, your exact addresses and, if the route needs it, customs clearance.

Door-to-door transit times are indicative and depend on the season, the exact addresses and, where required, customs clearance at destination.

How the price of your move from Germany is calculated

We price every move from Germany with the same ingredients — nothing hidden, nothing improvised:

• Volume — measured in cubic metres (m³) — the main cost driver. Our online volume calculator helps you estimate it room by room.
• Distance and route — from your origin address to your new home in Germany.
• Transport mode — groupage, your own truck, shared or full container, air for urgent small shipments.
• Services — everything beyond pure transport: packing, dismantling, crating, short-term storage, extra legs by ferry.
• Access — floors without a lift, narrow streets, long carry distances or the need for an external lift.
• Customs — declaration fees and port or airport handling, when the route to Germany crosses a customs border.
• Insurance — calculated as a percentage of the declared value of your belongings.

Typical volumes, as a guide:

Our online estimator gives you a starting price for road moves within Europe in two minutes. For sea and air freight, and for any move with customs, you receive a detailed written quote — reply within 24 hours.

Frequently asked questions

When do I have to do my Abmeldung?

Usually no earlier than 7 days before you move out and no later than 2 weeks after. Keep the confirmation: it is needed to cancel the broadcasting fee and is often requested at destination.

Is there any customs paperwork when moving from Germany to another EU country?

No. Moves between EU countries involve no export declaration and no customs clearance.

I am moving back to the UK or the USA after working in Germany. What do I need?

We file the export declaration in Germany. On arrival, your belongings can usually enter duty-free: in the UK under Transfer of Residence relief (ToR01), in the USA on CBP Form 3299 for goods used abroad for at least one year.

Can I take my German car with me?

Yes. It must be deregistered in Germany, before shipping or by using temporary export plates, then registered in your new country. Check the destination's import rules and costs first.

How long does a move from Germany take?

To neighbouring countries, a dedicated truck delivers within a few days. To Spain or Portugal, within a week. To North America, allow six to twelve weeks by sea container.