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Germany route note: moving from the UK to Germany requires customs planning since Brexit. Moving from Spain, France, Italy or the Netherlands to Germany does not face a customs barrier for household goods, but registration rules apply to all movers regardless of origin country.
Before you book: ask the matched partner mover to confirm the route, paperwork, Anmeldung sequencing, packing, insurance and delivery access specific to your move.
Germany is one of the most active international removals destinations in Europe. People move there from the UK, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands and across the continent. Others leave Germany for the UK, for Spain, for France and for destinations worldwide. The route and the paperwork change depending on where the move starts.
International Removals Companies is a free route matching platform, not a removal company. Darren Benjamin, founder and platform manager since 2010, built the service to match each enquiry with one suitable FIDI-certified mover for that specific route. Not a list of companies. One partner who contacts you with the quote and explains the plan.
Whether you need UK to Germany removals, house removals to Germany, relocation to Germany from Spain or France, or an international moving company for any Germany route, the matching process is the same. Send your details once. One partner mover responds with the quote.
Free matching service. One FIDI-certified partner mover. No obligation.
Tell us where the move starts, the Germany city or delivery address, the move date, goods volume, packing needs, storage needs, access conditions and any special items such as a vehicle or pet.
Your enquiry is checked against the route direction, shipment size, origin country, customs requirements where they apply and partner mover coverage for that German city or destination.
A vetted FIDI-certified partner mover contacts you, confirms what the service covers, explains the paperwork for your specific route and gives you the quote directly. The matching service is free.
Since Brexit, the UK sits outside the EU customs area. Household goods moving from the UK to Germany need a formal customs declaration. Whether it is a full family move, house removals to Germany or furniture removals to Germany, the Transfer of Residence rules are the same. If you qualify, your goods can enter Germany duty-free and VAT-free. Getting the sequence of steps right is where most customers run into delays.
Form 0350 is the German customs declaration for Transfer of Residence goods. You complete sections 1 to 19 and submit at the Zollamt, the German customs office. To qualify, you need to have lived outside the EU for at least 12 consecutive months, owned and used the goods for at least 6 months, and plan to import within 12 months of setting up German residence.
The step most people miss is the sequence. You must complete Anmeldung, the mandatory address registration at the local Einwohnermeldeamt, before you can submit Form 0350. The Anmeldebestätigung, your registration confirmation, is the document the Zollamt needs to release your goods. If your belongings arrive before you have registered your address, they can be held at customs with storage fees building up. The correct order is: arrive in Germany, register your address, receive your confirmation, then submit the customs form.
A dedicated vehicle service typically delivers removals to Germany from UK in 3 to 5 days. Groupage or part load services take around 7 to 14 days depending on consolidation. Add 1 to 3 days for customs clearance at the Zollamt. Allow 2 to 3 weeks overall as a planning guide for international removals UK to Germany. The partner mover confirms the exact timeline for your specific route and move date.
EU nationals moving to Germany do not face a customs barrier for household goods. There is no equivalent of Form 0350 for moves between EU member states. The focus for these routes is Anmeldung registration, access planning, packing and delivery timing. That said, each origin country has its own practical considerations and the partner mover should confirm the plan for your specific route.
Spain is one of the most common European origin routes for moves to Germany. Common routes include Madrid to Berlin, Barcelona to Munich and Valencia to Frankfurt. Road freight is the standard method. Transit typically takes 3 to 6 days depending on the exact pickup and delivery locations.
Spanish nationals moving to Germany must complete Anmeldung within 14 days of arrival. If leaving Spain permanently, Empadronamiento de-registration is also recommended to avoid continued Spanish municipal obligations.
France and Germany share a border, making this one of the most straightforward road freight routes in Europe. Common moves run from Paris to Frankfurt or Stuttgart, Lyon to Munich and Strasbourg to Freiburg. Short-distance cross-border moves are often completed within 1 to 3 days.
French nationals relocating to Germany should be aware that Anmeldung is required within 14 days of setting up a German address, regardless of how close the move was.
Italy to Germany is a well-established removal corridor. Milan to Munich and Rome to Berlin are common routes. The Alpine crossing means road freight planning is important, particularly for oversized items or tight access properties in mountain regions.
Italian nationals moving to Germany need to complete Anmeldung and should also consider their AIRE registration (the Italian registry for Italians abroad) if they plan to remain in Germany long term.
The Netherlands shares a long border with Germany and the route is one of the shortest in Europe for international moves. Amsterdam to Cologne or Dusseldorf, Rotterdam to Dortmund and Utrecht to Hamburg are common routes. Transit is typically 1 to 2 days for most moves.
Dutch nationals have a straightforward entry for household goods. Anmeldung within 14 days applies. De-registration from the Dutch municipality (uitschrijven) is required on departure.
Poland to Germany is a high-volume route driven by employment migration. Warsaw to Berlin, Krakow to Munich and Wroclaw to Frankfurt are among the busiest corridors. Road freight transit is typically 1 to 3 days given the shared border and well-established freight network.
Polish nationals moving to Germany are EU citizens and face no customs barrier. Anmeldung applies within 14 days. Those leaving Poland permanently should also de-register from their Polish commune of residence.
We also match routes from Sweden, Portugal, Switzerland, Ireland, Belgium, Denmark, Norway and Austria to Germany. Each route has its own transit method, timing and registration rules. Switzerland is not in the EU so customs considerations apply for Swiss-origin moves into Germany.
If your origin country is not listed, send both postcodes and the matched partner mover will confirm whether the route is covered and what paperwork applies.
Germany is also a major starting point for international moves. People leave Germany for the UK, relocate within Europe and ship goods to Australia, the USA, Canada and the UAE. The process starts with the right planning and the right partner mover for your destination.
Anyone leaving Germany for the UK should complete Abmeldung, the mandatory de-registration at the local Einwohnermeldeamt, before departure. Skipping this step can result in continued German tax liability and council registration fees after you have left. On the UK side, ToR1 is the Transfer of Residence process used to claim duty relief on qualifying personal belongings. The partner mover confirms the documents and timing for your return route. German speakers moving to the UK often search for Umzug nach England or Umzug von Deutschland when planning this move.
Germany to Spain is one of the most active intra-European removal routes. Munich to Barcelona, Berlin to Madrid and Frankfurt to Valencia are among the most common. Germany to France is similarly high volume given the shared border. No customs barrier applies for moves between EU member states, but the destination country registration rules and import rules for specific items such as vehicles still apply.
Australia, the USA, Canada, the UAE and Singapore are the most common long-haul destinations from Germany. Australia has particularly strict biosecurity rules that apply to household goods. Each destination country has its own import document rules and the partner mover should confirm what applies before packing begins, not after goods are loaded.
These terms appear on forms, official letters and partner mover paperwork. Understanding when each one matters in the move process helps you prepare for arrival in Germany and for departure.
Anmeldung is mandatory address registration, required within 14 days of arriving in Germany regardless of your nationality. The confirmation letter you receive is the Anmeldebestätigung. You need this before the Zollamt will process Form 0350 for UK arrivals. The registration office is the Einwohnermeldeamt.
Abmeldung is the de-registration you must complete before leaving Germany permanently. Without it you may face continued tax and municipal registration liability. German speakers planning a UK move often refer to this phase as Umzug nach England or Umzug von Deutschland.
Übersiedlungsgut is the official German customs classification for transfer of residence goods. It is the category your household belongings must qualify under to enter Germany duty-free from a non-EU country. Zollamt is the customs office where you submit Form 0350.
MwSt is German VAT, currently 19%. If a Transfer of Residence application is refused, this rate applies to the full declared value of the goods. Zoll is the German customs authority that publishes guidance at zoll.de.
Umzug means move or relocation. Internationale Umzüge means international moves and is used by partner movers in their German-language documentation. Umzugsfirma means moving company. An international moving company operating in Germany may be described as an internationale Umzugsfirma.
The TÜV is Germany's technical inspection body. If you are shipping a vehicle alongside household goods, it will need to pass a TÜV technical inspection and meet German emissions standards before it can be registered in Germany.
A Germany move can include export packing, furniture wrapping, full loading, road freight, customs support where applicable, storage and room-by-room delivery at the destination address. The right combination depends on the route direction, total volume and access conditions at both properties.
Your goods share space in a vehicle with other shipments on the same route. Most cost-effective for one or two bedroom moves. Used for most European-to-Germany routes. Transit adds time for consolidation.
Sole use of a vehicle for your move. More control over the delivery window. Standard for larger family moves and for routes where timing is critical. Typically 3 to 5 days UK to Germany.
Professional packing for fragile, high-value and oversized items. Particularly important for long-haul routes from Germany to Australia, the USA or Canada where goods spend weeks in transit or sea containers.
If your German property is not ready on collection week, storage can be arranged at either end of the route. Also useful if you are between properties in the origin country and need to clear the address before your German arrival date is confirmed.
Special items always need mentioning at enquiry stage. Vehicles, pets, antiques, pianos, artwork and high-value goods have specific documents or handling needs. The earlier the vetted partner mover knows, the more accurately they can plan and give door to door delivery in Germany at the right time. For anyone planning relocation to Germany from anywhere in Europe, giving the partner mover the access details for both properties from the start prevents delays at delivery.
When people search for a removal company for Germany, a moving company in Germany or international movers for a Germany route, the certification question matters more than most customers realise. Not every company operating on the Germany corridor holds the same level of accreditation.
FIDI FAIM is the international gold standard for removal companies. To earn it, a company must pass more than 200 independent quality checks and be audited by Ernst and Young every three years. Fewer than 500 companies worldwide hold this certification at any one time. BAR Overseas is the British Association of Removers international certification, which includes a formal code of practice and a dispute resolution process for customers. IAM is the International Association of Movers, the world's largest trade body for international moving companies.
The partner movers we work with hold these accreditations. International Removals Companies does not carry goods itself. The service matches your Germany enquiry to one suitable certified partner, and that partner gives you the quote and manages the move from collection to delivery. One company. One accountable contact. Not a stream of calls from companies you did not choose.
Choose the city closest to your delivery or collection address for more specific route guidance, transit times and customs information.
We also support moves to other German cities including Dresden, Stuttgart, Nuremberg, Aachen and Kaiserslautern. If your city is not listed, send both postcodes and we will confirm the route.
International Removals Companies is the trading name of DATACONTEXT (UK) LTD, company number 07425576. Darren Benjamin founded the platform in 2010 and has over 20 years of experience in international logistics and route matching. The service has matched many thousands of requests since opening, connecting customers from the UK, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands and across Europe with certified international movers on the Germany route.
People searching for a moving company in Germany, for removal companies in Germany or for international shipping from Germany often find it difficult to know which companies hold the right accreditations. The partner movers we work with hold FIDI FAIM, BAR Overseas and IAM accreditations. FIDI FAIM is the international gold standard for removal companies. To earn it, a company must pass more than 200 independent quality checks and be audited by Ernst and Young every three years. BAR Overseas is the British Association of Removers international certification, covering a strict code of practice and a formal dispute resolution process. IAM is the International Association of Movers, the world's largest trade body for international moving companies with members across more than 170 countries.
For those moving from Germany to UK, from Germany to Spain or from Germany to any worldwide destination, the service works the same way. One suitable certified partner receives your enquiry. That partner contacts you with the quote and explains what the service covers from collection to delivery. You deal with one company, one plan and one accountable contact throughout.
International moves often involve currency exchange at some point. Rent deposits, property costs, school fees and regular transfers after arrival in Germany all involve moving money between currencies. For moves from Spain, France or Italy to Germany, this may mean euros to euros within Europe. For UK to Germany moves it means pounds to euros. For worldwide moves from Germany it depends entirely on the destination.
International Removals Companies can connect you with a trusted currency exchange partner. The referral is free and covers any currency pair. Ask about currency exchange when you request your Germany removals quote and we will arrange an introduction to the right contact.
This is a customer convenience only. International Removals Companies does not give exchange rate advice, forecasts, savings claims, urgency claims or instructions to transfer money.
UK to Germany moves now need customs clearance because the UK sits outside the EU customs area. Your household goods can qualify for duty-free and VAT-free entry under Transfer of Residence rules, but the sequence of paperwork matters. You need to register your German address, which is called Anmeldung, and receive the Anmeldebestätigung confirmation letter before you can submit Form 0350 at the Zollamt. Goods arriving before you have completed Anmeldung can be held at customs with storage fees accruing. The partner mover confirms the full document list and timelines for your specific route.
No customs declaration equivalent to Form 0350 is required for moves between EU member states. Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland are all EU members, so household goods moving between these countries and Germany do not face a customs barrier. However, Anmeldung registration at the local Einwohnermeldeamt is mandatory within 14 days of arriving in Germany regardless of your origin country. The partner mover will confirm any route-specific requirements for your move.
Form 0350 is the German customs declaration for household goods moved as part of a transfer of residence from a non-EU country. You complete sections 1 to 19 yourself and submit at the Zollamt. To qualify, you need to have lived outside the EU for at least 12 consecutive months and owned the goods for at least 6 months. The form is in German but the German customs authority, Zoll, publishes an English translation guide on their website at zoll.de.
The documents you need to submit alongside Form 0350 include your passport, proof of UK residence such as a P60 or 12 months of council tax bills, your German rental contract or proof of German address, a numbered packing inventory describing your goods box by box, your Anmeldebestätigung registration letter and a signed removal contract. If your employer transferred you, a letter from them confirming you lived outside the EU for at least 12 months is also needed. The matched partner mover confirms the full document list for your specific route.
Anmeldung is the mandatory address registration every person living in Germany must complete at the local Einwohnermeldeamt within 14 days of arriving. The confirmation letter you receive, the Anmeldebestätigung, is one of the documents German customs needs to release goods under Form 0350 for UK arrivals. For EU arrivals, it is simply a legal requirement. Registering before your goods arrive prevents delays. The correct order for UK movers is: arrive, register, receive the confirmation, then submit Form 0350.
Yes, under certain conditions. To import a vehicle duty-free it must have been owned for at least 6 months. It must be for personal use only and cannot be sold for at least 12 months. It must also enter Germany within 12 months of you setting up German residence. Once in Germany, the car needs to pass a TÜV technical inspection and meet German emissions standards. Right-hand-drive UK vehicles may need changes before they can be registered. Car import rules can change. Confirm the current rules with the partner mover before shipping the vehicle.
Yes, but the requirements depend on the species, vaccination history and the direction of travel. For UK to Germany moves, dogs, cats and ferrets generally need to be microchipped, have a valid rabies vaccination recorded after microchipping, and travel with an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by an approved official vet no more than 10 days before travel. For EU to Germany moves, an EU Pet Passport is the standard document. For Germany to UK moves, UK border rules apply including entry through a designated Border Inspection Post. Pet travel rules change regularly, so confirm current rules with the partner mover and the relevant authority well before your move date.
Before leaving Germany, you must complete Abmeldung at the local Einwohnermeldeamt. Skipping this step can result in continued German tax and municipal registration liability after you have left the country. German speakers planning this move often search for Umzug nach England or Umzug von Deutschland. On the UK side, ToR1 is the Transfer of Residence process for claiming duty relief on qualifying personal belongings entering the UK. The partner mover confirms the document list and timeline for the specific return route.
Transit times depend on the origin country and service type. UK to Germany by dedicated vehicle takes 3 to 5 days. Groupage services take 7 to 14 days. France or Netherlands to Germany by road takes 1 to 3 days. Spain or Italy to Germany takes 3 to 6 days. Add 1 to 3 days for customs clearance if applicable. Allow 2 to 3 weeks as an overall planning guide for UK moves. Your partner mover confirms the expected timeline for your specific route.
The cost depends on origin country, shipment volume, service type (groupage or dedicated vehicle), packing needs, access conditions at both properties, storage if needed and customs support where applicable. International Removals Companies does not set the price. The matched partner mover surveys your move and gives you the quote directly. The matching service itself is free.
The matched FIDI-certified partner mover gives you the quote. International Removals Companies provides the free route matching service and does not set the removals price. The matched partner confirms the cost, what the service covers, packing and storage options, customs support where applicable and the delivery plan for your specific Germany route.
Moving to Germany from the UK, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands or anywhere in Europe. Moving from Germany to the UK, to Spain, to France or worldwide. Send your details once and we match your route with one suitable FIDI-certified partner mover who gives you the quote directly.
Get Matched for Germany RemovalsFree matching service. One certified partner mover. No obligation.