Moving from the UK to Germany
Germany is one of the shorter and cheaper European corridors, reached by road through the Netherlands or Belgium. Berlin is roughly 700 miles from London, Munich about 900. The proximity, the excellent road network and the volume of traffic on the route mean groupage vehicles fill quickly, so shared loads move faster to Germany than to Spain or Portugal.
How Much Does It Cost to Move from the UK to Germany?
| Home size | Shared load | Dedicated vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1-bed | £1,100 – £2,500 | £1,900 – £3,600 |
| 2-bed | £1,700 – £3,200 | £2,700 – £4,600 |
| 3-bed | £2,800 – £5,200 | £4,000 – £7,000 |
| 4+ bed | £4,000 – £7,000 | £5,600 – £9,500 |
Western cities such as Cologne, Düsseldorf and Hamburg sit at the lower end; Munich and Berlin cost more. Calculate the cost of moving to Germany.
Transit Times
| Destination | Dedicated | Shared load |
|---|---|---|
| Cologne, Düsseldorf, Ruhr | 1–3 days | 5–10 days |
| Hamburg and the north | 2–3 days | 6–12 days |
| Berlin | 2–4 days | 7–14 days |
| Frankfurt and the centre | 2–3 days | 6–12 days |
| Munich and Bavaria | 2–4 days | 8–14 days |
Customs and Paperwork After Brexit
A UK to Germany move is an import into the EU. Used household goods are normally free of duty and Einfuhrumsatzsteuer (import VAT) under transfer-of-residence relief, provided you have owned and used them for at least six months and are genuinely relocating.
You will typically need a detailed valued inventory in German, proof of your German address, your passport and visa where applicable, and proof of prior ownership. German customs apply the rules precisely, so an accurate inventory matters more than a fast one.
Anmeldung — the Step That Gates Everything
Within two weeks of moving into a German address you must complete Anmeldung, registering your residence at the local Bürgeramt. This is not optional and it gates almost everything else: a tax ID, a bank account, a phone contract, health insurance and often the rental itself.
Appointments in Berlin, Munich and Hamburg are notoriously scarce and can be booked out weeks ahead. Book the appointment before you arrive if you can.
Health Insurance Is Mandatory
Germany requires everyone resident to hold health insurance, either statutory (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) or private. You cannot simply arrive uninsured and sort it later — proof of cover is required for the residence process, and for employment. Budget for it from day one rather than treating it as an afterthought.
Visas and Residency
UK citizens are now third-country nationals. Common routes are the EU Blue Card for qualifying graduate professionals with a job offer above a salary threshold, the skilled worker visa, the job seeker visa allowing six months to find work, and the freelance visa (Freiberufler) which is popular in Berlin. Apply before travelling.
Access and Practicalities
German apartment buildings are frequently five or six storeys with no lift, and an external furniture lift (Möbelaufzug) is a normal part of a German move rather than an exception. Expect it to appear on your quote for an upper-floor flat.
Also worth knowing: German rental flats often come without fitted kitchens, light fittings or sometimes even floor coverings. Departing tenants take theirs. If you are renting, confirm what is included before you decide what to ship or sell.
Pets need a microchip, valid rabies vaccination and an animal health certificate issued within 10 days of travel. Vehicles must be re-registered and pass a TÜV inspection.
A Realistic Timeline
- 3–4 months before — start the visa process if needed, collect removal quotes.
- 2–3 months before — book the remover, confirm the German address, book an Anmeldung appointment.
- 6–8 weeks before — finalise the inventory, arrange pet documentation, research health insurance.
- 2–4 weeks before — packing, cancel UK utilities, arrange mail redirection.
- First two weeks after arrival — complete Anmeldung, then tax ID, bank account and insurance.
Next Steps
Price it with the European moving cost calculator, then read the European removals guide for how groupage, customs and transit work across the continent.