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Sharing a vehicle keeps smaller moves affordable. Get a free quote from one vetted, FIDI-certified partner mover.
In short: Part load and groupage both mean your goods share vehicle space with other people's shipments, so you only pay for the space you use. It is the cheapest way to move to Germany, and it suits smaller moves, one bed flats, students and anyone who is not filling a whole van.
The trade-off is timing. A shared load waits for other shipments heading the same way, so it takes a little longer and is less flexible on dates than a dedicated vehicle. Your partner mover confirms the schedule for your route.
If you are not moving a full household, a dedicated van is often more space than you need, and you would be paying for empty room. A shared load fixes that. You pay for your cubic metres, and the rest of the vehicle carries other people's goods heading the same way. These are sometimes called overseas removals or house removals to Germany, and the removal services described here cover all of them.
It works well for a studio or one bed flat, a student move, a few rooms of furniture, or sending some boxes and a bed ahead of you. For a full three or four bed house, a dedicated vehicle usually works out better on time and handling.
People use the two words to mean much the same thing, but there is a slight difference.
For Germany, most shared moves go by road as a part load, because Germany is well within reach of a UK vehicle by road via the Channel.
Your partner mover collects your goods, wraps and labels them, and loads them alongside other shipments travelling to Germany. The vehicle crosses via the Channel and delivers to your German address. Because the load is shared, collection and delivery fall within a window rather than on a fixed day.
Since Brexit, a UK to Germany move still needs customs clearance, and used goods can enter duty-free under Transfer of Residence rules. Your partner mover handles the paperwork. Send your postcode, destination city and rough volume for a free quote.
This guide is written and maintained by Darren Benjamin, founder of International Removals Companies (DATACONTEXT (UK) LTD, company number 07425576). Darren has worked in international removals and logistics for over 20 years and has been a director of a UK removals company since 2013.
The international movers and international moving companies we work with hold FIDI FAIM Certified, BAR Overseas, IAM, EUROMOVERS and FEDEMAC accreditations where confirmed. Only FIDI FAIM is an audited certification, checked by Ernst and Young. To hold it, a moving company must pass more than 200 independent quality checks and be re-audited every three years.
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Moving between the UK and Germany means switching between pounds and euros. German landlords normally ask for a deposit of two to three months' cold rent (Kaltmiete) in euros before they hand over the keys, and that is usually the first large euro payment you will make. International Removals Companies can connect you with a trusted currency exchange partner at no charge. Ask about this when you request your Germany removals quote.
Registration and customs are handled locally. The local Bürgeramt handles Anmeldung and the local Zollamt processes customs clearance.
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.
See our verified Germany partner movers for more on the partner network and accreditation details.
International moving companies price by cubic metre, not by room count or weight. A sparsely furnished three bed house can cost less than a heavily furnished two bed flat. Reducing volume before the survey is the most effective way to lower the figure.
Ground floor with parking outside is straightforward. A fourth floor German apartment with no lift, restricted parking and a narrow stairwell may need an external furniture lift. Describe access honestly at survey stage so it is priced in rather than discovered on the day.
June to August is peak season across the European moving industry, and prices rise while availability tightens. October to March is materially cheaper. Month-end and Friday collections are busier than mid-week, mid-month slots.