Moving to Germany from UK

Removals Germany

Congratulations! You’ve officially decided to set up a new life for yourself in Germany. This will be an exciting new chapter for you and your family, so don’t let your enthusiasm be overshadowed by the stress and uncertainty of relocating.

With over 90 years’ of experience of transporting belongings to the continent, Reads Removals can help you move from the West Midlands to Germany quickly and conveniently, so you can enjoy the hassle-free, smooth transition you deserve on the way to your new home.

Request a quote today to see how we can help you move to Berlin, Munich, Hamburg or Cologne from the West Midlands. Our personal care and service have earned us a 4.8/5 rating on Trustpilot, and we’re proud to call ourselves a British Association of Removers (BAR) approved partner. Book your removals to Germany with us and let’s begin your next great adventure!

Our Trusted Removals Process

Moving to Germany from the UK doesn’t have to be daunting. At Reads Removals, we take the weight of relocating off your shoulders, so you can focus on settling into your new home.

• We take the time to discuss your budget beforehand so we can organise transportation that fits within it.
• We offer competitive door-to-door rates and will do the wrapping, packing, shipping and delivery of your belongings for you; we’ll even provide the boxes and styrofoam!
• Each box will be inventoried and checked prior to removal for your peace of mind.
• Whether you’re travelling by air, land or sea, we’ll track and regularly update you on the location of your belongings.
• We can even ship your car over with your belongings if you give us your car’s make, model and destination.
• Once your belongings arrive safely in Germany, our fleet will collect your items and bring them to a safe and secure storage facility that’s monitored by CCTV until our vans come to collect them on move-in day.

Our removals to Germany team leaves no stone left unturned, whether we’re organising your essential paperwork, submitting parking permits or helping you apply for a visa. Because the UK has officially left the European Union, we’ll help you apply for and secure the visa needed to relocate to the EU and Germany.

Key Things to Consider When Relocating to Germany

We have listed below some key things to consider when relocating to Germany.

Restrictions and Prohibitions on transporting items to Germany:

1. Furniture and Household Goods

To avoid paying import duties on furniture and household goods, you must fit the criteria:

• You must be planning to take up official residence in the country.
• You must have owned the items for a minimum of 6 months.
• You must have lived in the UK for a minimum of 12 consecutive months.

2. Cash or Assets Worth More Than €10,000

You must declare any cash or assets worth more than €10,000 to the German customs office. If you don’t you could face a fine of up to €1,000,000.

3. Alcohol and Cigarettes

You may need to pay duty for alcohol and cigarettes if they exceed a certain volume or quantity.

4. Pets

There are some complex rules on transporting pets to Germany from the UK. You will need to check things like vaccinations, documentation, and whether they need to be microchipped. Some dog breeds, such as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Pit Bull Terrier, are banned from being imported to Germany.

5. Offensive Material, Drugs, and Weapons

There is also an importation ban on illegal drugs, weapons, or anything that’s unconstitutional, such as pro-Nazi material.

German Permits

Will I need a residence or work permit?

You currently do not require a German residence or work permit if you are from the UK.

German Visas

There are two main types of visa you need to know about if you’re thinking of moving to Germany from the UK:

• Schengen Visa: Suitable for up to 90 days in countries in the EU.
• Residence Permit Visa: If you are planning to live in Germany for more than 90 days, then you should apply for a resident permit visa through the German Embassy.

Things to Know About Germany

Culture

German culture can be very different to the UK. Germany is known for being orderly, and is one of the cleanest countries in the EU. With a diverse landscape and a surprising number of festivals and cultural events, there is plenty to explore and experience.

Eating out is typically less expensive than the UK, and many Germans eat out regularly because of this.

The philosophy of Germany is very much a ‘work hard, play hard’ stance, so while at first it may appear a little restrictive, there is a lot of time designated to celebration.

Many of the traditional holidays we have in the UK are also celebrated in Germany, such as Christmas and Easter.

Language

It may be useful to learn the German language to help you integrate into the community.

Although many Germans are taught English and will be able to translate for you, it is respectful and useful to learn the native language.

While there are many free online courses available, you may find it more helpful to find a native German teacher so that you can properly get to grips with how the language is spoken.

Financial

If you’re looking to set-up a bank account in Germany, you will need to prove your residency, which can come in the form of a document with your registered address.

It is a mandatory requirement that you register at the local Einwohnermeldeamt (registration office) within your first week of arriving in Germany as this will provide you with a passport, proof of address, marriage certificate and income tax card. 

There may be a small fee involved in gaining these documents but these items will be essential for setting up a bank account and processing any financial transactions while you’re in the country.

Employment

The rate at which you find employment in Germany will depend entirely on the skills and qualifications that you have. The job market in Germany is very competitive but luckily you do not need to apply for a work permit to take up employment as they are part of the EU.

An average working week is 38 hours.

Education

If you’re moving your children to Germany, sorting out their education and where they will go to school will be a top priority. Typically, the German education system produces high performing students. Although most schools teach in German, there are some schools that teach lessons in English.

Germany’s international schools are well known for their modern approach to education although they often command high fees.

Driving

Germany is often said to be the place to live if you love driving.

With its toll-free no-limit autobahns, your UK licence is still valid for you to enjoy some driving freedom. 

If you decide to take your existing car over to Germany you will not need to immediately register it, but within six months the vehicle will become liable for registration and you will need to switch to a German driving licence. 

With the colder weather conditions in Germany you are more likely to experience snow, and due to this it is a legal requirement that all cars and motorbikes are fitted with winter tyres when conditions are snowy.

Healthcare

As a German resident, you must register with a health insurer to access healthcare.

Home Life

Germans take great pride in their community and you will be expected to withhold the high standards of living.

It is commonplace for many German families to live in apartments, and if you decide to take up residence in an apartment block you may be expected to contribute to the upkeep of the communal areas.

You may also come across restrictions in your neighbourhood such as specified times in which loud music can be played.

Our team of removal experts know everything there is to know about the German way of life, so if you have any questions or concerns don’t hesitate to contact us.

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 Based on 32 reviews. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
Richard Page
 
06/02/2022
 
 
 
 
 I had an excellent experience using Reads Removals. An efficient video survey saving me the need to fill in loads of forms to get a quote and also have my questions answered. I had quotes from multiple companies and Reads were definitely good value. I had regular communication in the lead up to move day. On the day the crew arrived bang on time and were fantastic all day. Nothing was a problem for them and they were professional, careful and considerate with all of our belongings.  I highly recommend this company to help take the stress out of what could have been a very stressful day. 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
Keith Furness
 
04/01/2022
 
 
 
 
 smooth move 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
Liam Wickham
 
24/06/2021
 
 
 
 
 Where to start on the accolades to shower over this brilliant company. It's all about the people isn't it? Sarah was our original contact to handle the quotes after we gave a video tour of the property to move from. She has been friendly and flexible the whole time. We moved from a large bungalow to a three floor house, with two teams handling this. The first team of packers were fantastic - fast, hard-working and good-humoured, as well as extremely respectful and careful. The unloading team were similarly focused and took great care with everything they handled. Considering we're moving with a baby too, this was as important as anybody's move. The after service has been perfect too - boxes and paper collected so we didn't have to get rid of it ourselves.

I'm entirely satisfied and very impressed. Thanks everyone involved. 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
Daniel Bye
 
21/04/2021
 
 
 
 
 Good communication and service. The support on the removal day was excellent. 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
Naveed Javed
 
07/03/2021
 
 
 
 
 Neil is very helful 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
Simon Liddell
 
24/02/2021
 
 
 
 
 From start to finish they were very helpful and professional. On the day of the move, the guys on the lorry were efficient and conscientious. When off loading, there was a delay due to the solicitors but again Reads were patient and understanding.  I would highly recommend this company 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
Mike Mister
 
20/12/2020
 
 
 
 
 This was complicated 4 location move and executed faultlessly by Shaun and Michael - guys, many, many thanks, I still don't understand how you worked the volumes and got it all in that little truck!  Kudos and many thanks. 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a removal quote?

Getting a removal quote with us is quick and easy. Simply fill out the contact form or get in touch with us today. We’ll talk you through the volume of contents, where you’re moving to and any specific requirements and then we’ll follow up with a free, no-obligation quote.

How much does it cost to move to Germany?

How much it will cost to hire a removals team to move to Germany will depend on a number of factors, including the quantity of items you’re moving and whether you have extra requirements. We tailor our service to suit your needs and our quotes are always fair and competitive.

Are you cheaper than other removal companies?

We do frequent removals to Germany meaning that we can combine loads, saving money on transportation. We pass these savings onto you, so you will pay less with us than with a smaller removal company.

Can you ship my car or vehicle?

Yes, we can. We understand that moving overseas is a different kettle of fish to just moving down the road. We can help ship your car over with your belongings. All you need to do is to inform us of your car’s make, model and destination.

Can you help with the paperwork?

From submitting parking permits to helping you apply for a visa, we can help you with your essential paperwork – it’s all part of the exceptional customer service we offer. Now that the UK has officially left the European Union, we’ll help you navigate the changes to successfully secure the visa you need to relocate to Germany.

Do you provide insurance?

Yes, as part of our dedication to offer a complete and hassle-free removals package, we can provide European removals insurance. This will cover your belongings against loss or damage whilst they are in our care, subject to the policy terms and conditions.

We also offer indemnity cover against all risks outlined in our terms and conditions. This is activated by the completion of the Overseas Moving Valuation form we’ll provide with the quotation.

Can you do removals to rural areas of Germany?

We understand that not everyone wants to move to the city. If you’re moving to a more rural area of Germany, get in touch today and we’ll see if we can get you there.