Removals to Germany from the UK: Costs & Customs 2026

Last updated: 23 October 2026

Germany is one of the easiest European countries to move to by road from the UK. Most removals cross the Channel by ferry or the tunnel, then drive through France, Belgium or the Netherlands, so your furniture usually arrives within a few days. Since Brexit you also need customs paperwork. This guide covers 2026 costs, timings and the German rules.

Removals to Germany: typical costs in 2026

Destination	2–3 bedroom house (full load)	Part load (about 200–400 cu ft)	Typical transit (full load)
Cologne, Düsseldorf, Ruhr	£2,300–£3,800	£900–£1,700	1–3 days
Frankfurt, Rhine-Main	£2,500–£4,000	£1,000–£1,800	2–3 days
Hamburg, Bremen, Hanover	£2,500–£4,200	£1,000–£1,900	2–3 days
Berlin, Leipzig, Dresden	£2,800–£4,600	£1,100–£2,100	2–4 days
Munich, Stuttgart, Bavaria	£2,900–£4,800	£1,100–£2,200	2–4 days

Indicative prices. Flats on upper floors without a lift, narrow city streets and parking restrictions can add to the cost. In German cities, movers often need a parking suspension permit (Halteverbotszone) at both ends.

Full load or part load?

Full load: a dedicated vehicle, fixed dates and the fastest option
Part load: your goods share a scheduled lorry, which is cheaper but less flexible on dates
Sea freight to Hamburg or Bremerhaven: occasionally used for very large moves or when combined with storage

Aerial view of a container ship in port — Germany’s North Sea ports, Hamburg and Bremerhaven, handle most sea freight from the UK.

Customs after Brexit

Moving household goods from Great Britain to Germany is an import into the EU, handled by German customs (Zoll).

Relief for a change of residence: used personal belongings you have owned for at least six months can usually enter free of duty and import VAT.
Form 0350: the German application for duty relief on household effects. Your remover’s customs agent usually helps you complete it.
Supporting documents: a detailed inventory, your passport, proof of your German address and registration, and proof of your UK residence
Timing: goods normally need to arrive within 12 months of you moving your residence.
Restricted items: meat and dairy, plants, weapons, and alcohol and tobacco beyond allowances

Registering your address (Anmeldung)

Within two weeks of moving into your German home, you must register your address at the local residents’ office (Bürgeramt), using a landlord confirmation form (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung). The registration certificate is needed for customs relief, banking and your tax ID, so book an appointment early.

Cars being loaded onto a ro-ro ferry — Most UK–Germany removals travel by road via the Channel crossings.

How long do removals to Germany take?

Stage	Typical time
Survey and quote	1–2 weeks
Booking lead time	3–6 weeks
Packing and loading	1–2 days
Driving and delivery (full load)	1–4 days
Part load delivery	1–3 weeks

Tips for moving to Germany

Get three written quotes from companies with regular German runs.
Ask who arranges parking permits at your German address.
Check kitchen plans: many German rentals come without a fitted kitchen (Einbauküche). Some people ship theirs.
Confirm customs clearance is included in the price.
Insure for full replacement value.

Read our moving to Germany from the UK guide for visas, healthcare and jobs, and our international removals guide.

Sea travel to the Baltic and North Sea

Container ships connect UK ports with Hamburg, Bremerhaven and the Baltic, and some take passengers. See exploring Europe by ship.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

How much do removals to Germany cost from the UK?

A 2–3 bedroom house typically costs £2,300–£4,800 for a full load, depending on the destination. Part loads start from around £900.

Do I pay import duty on furniture when moving to Germany?

Usually not, if you qualify for change of residence relief and submit form 0350 with the right documents.

How long does a removal to Germany take?

A dedicated full load usually arrives within 1–4 days. A part load can take 1–3 weeks.

What is Anmeldung?

It is registering your address at the local residents’ office, required within two weeks of moving in.

Do movers in Germany need parking permits?

Often, yes. A temporary no-parking zone (Halteverbotszone) is common in cities.

Travel to Germany by sea

Ask us about freighter voyages to Hamburg, Bremerhaven and the Baltic.

Explore sea voyages →

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Steve Joury

Fracht-Reise-Berater bei Cargoholidays

Leidenschaftlich über langsame Reise und Meer. Steve kennt die meisten Schifffahrtsrouten und Verfahren, um unsere schöne Welt vom Meer aus auf einem Containerschiff zu entdecken. Er war auf den meisten Reisen von 7 Tagen auf Frachtfahrt bis zu 140 Tagen an Bord.

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