International Moving · Central Europe
Moving to Germany
Germany is a major destination for both household relocations and corporate transfers, with strong transport links across the rest of Europe. As an EU member state, EU-origin moves avoid customs processes, which simplifies planning considerably.
- Region
- Central Europe, EU member state
- Typical transport
- Shared load (groupage) or dedicated road transport
- Customs
- Not required for EU-to-EU household moves
International moving to Germany
German cities vary widely in how straightforward delivery is — modern apartment blocks with lifts and loading bays in some areas, older buildings with restricted access in others — so we ask about your specific address when planning.
A large share of our work into Germany is corporate relocation, particularly into Frankfurt's financial sector and Munich's corporate hubs, alongside a steady flow of household moves for families and skilled workers. The two are planned differently — corporate moves usually run against a fixed start date coordinated with an employer, while household moves have more flexibility but often more emotional weight around the actual moving day.
Germany's size means "moving to Germany" can mean quite different things in practice — a move into a dense, well-connected city like Berlin or Hamburg, or a relocation to a smaller town further from major transport routes. Both are routine for us, but the second sometimes needs a slightly wider delivery window simply because of distance from the main road network, which we account for at the planning stage rather than treating as a surprise.
How the moving process works
Every international move we plan follows the same core stages, adapted to your route and volume. See our full explanation of how it works for detail on each stage — assessment, planning, packing, collection, international transport, and delivery.
Moving options
Germany's central position in Europe means groupage routes run frequently from most neighbouring countries. Corporate relocations and larger households moving on a fixed date more often use dedicated transport. Given how central Germany is within the European transport network, it is also common for a move to Germany to be part of a broader onward relocation — we can advise if your route continues beyond Germany itself.
Read more about the difference between groupage / shared load and dedicated transport.
Packing services
Our team packs and protects furniture, electronics and fragile items for road transport, and can handle disassembly and reassembly of larger furniture where needed. Corporate relocations sometimes include a home office setup — desks, monitors, equipment — which we pack with the same care as household electronics. Full or partial packing is available depending on how much of the process you want to hand over.
See our full packing service for what is included.
Storage
When move-in and move-out dates do not line up, we can store your goods for the period in between. This comes up often for corporate relocations where a start date is fixed but suitable housing has not yet been secured at the destination.
Read more about our storage service.
Transit considerations
Access varies significantly by city and building age — we confirm lift access, parking restrictions and any permit requirements for the collection and delivery vehicles ahead of your move. Munich and Frankfurt city centres in particular can require advance notice for loading zone access, which we build into the delivery schedule. Older buildings in cities like Hamburg and Cologne sometimes have narrower stairwells than modern developments, which we plan disassembly around in advance.
Cost factors
Volume, transport type, packing needs and access at both addresses are the main cost drivers for a move to Germany. Corporate relocations sometimes add packing and setup services beyond a typical household move, which is worth flagging when requesting a quote. Full detail is on our moving costs page.
See our full guide to international moving costs.
Popular destinations
Where we move people in Germany
Berlin
Germany's capital, with a large international population and mixed housing stock from Altbau apartments to modern developments.
Munich
A common destination for corporate relocations, with strict local parking regulations that affect delivery planning.
Frankfurt
Germany's financial centre, frequently chosen for company transfers.
Hamburg
A major port city with a sizeable international community.
Cologne
A major Rhineland city with strong road links across western Germany and neighbouring countries.
FAQ
Moving to Germany — frequently asked questions
Do you handle corporate relocations to Germany?
Yes — see our corporate relocation service for how we support employer-led moves, including flexible timelines and point of contact for HR teams.
Is a parking permit needed for delivery in German city centres?
Some German cities require a temporary parking permit (Halteverbot) for a moving vehicle to load or unload directly outside a building. We advise on this during planning where relevant.
Can you set up a home office as part of a corporate relocation to Germany?
Yes — we regularly handle desks, monitors and other equipment as part of corporate moves, packed and delivered alongside the rest of the household.
Do you move to smaller German towns, not just major cities?
Yes. Smaller towns further from the motorway network sometimes need a slightly wider delivery window, which we confirm when planning your specific route.
Ready to move to Germany?
Tell us about your move and we will get back to you with a personalised quote.