Moving to Germany: plan your paperwork, packing and new home.

Start with the whole route

Your nationality, your right to live in Germany and the customs position of your belongings are separate questions. Give the actual collection country and town, even if you are arranging the move from somewhere else. For a departure from the UK, say whether collection is in Great Britain or Northern Ireland. The shipment's customs territory needs to be checked for that route.

Check your residence and work arrangements

Visa requirements depend on nationality and the purpose of your stay. EU and EFTA nationals have different arrangements from most non-EU nationals. British and US nationals can enter without a visa under the published exceptions, but still need the appropriate residence permission before starting work. A departure from the UK does not establish your nationality. If you are moving from South America or another region, check the rules for your own passport and plans with the German mission serving your place of residence.

Official guidance: Federal government: applying for a German visa

Bringing household goods from outside the EU customs territory

For a normal-residence transfer, EU import-duty relief generally requires at least 12 months' previous residence outside the EU customs territory. Qualifying non-consumable belongings normally need at least six months' possession and use before leaving, with the same use intended at your new home. Entry is normally within 12 months of establishing residence. For the first 12 months after release, lending, hiring out or transferring relieved goods requires prior customs notification and can bring duties into payment. Alcohol and tobacco are excluded. Exceptions and other conditions apply, so confirm eligibility and any separate import-tax treatment with German customs before collection.

Official guidance: EU household-goods duty relief: Articles 3 to 8

Get the documents ready before packing is finished

The German missions' guidance gives examples of evidence that you have left your former home, such as an ended tenancy or employer transfer, and established a new one, such as a German tenancy or registration document. Ask which evidence and declarations customs will need for your circumstances. Prepare an inventory that matches your numbered boxes and larger items. Keep documents, medicines and essentials for your arrival with you, rather than inside the shipment.

Official guidance: German missions: moving and customs documents

Arrange school enquiries for the area you are moving to

Germany's federal states manage education, so school arrangements vary by location. Contact the receiving school and local education authority about registration, the intended start date and any language support your child may need. Ask which identity, address and school records to bring, and whether translations are needed. Use the relevant state's school search while you are choosing a home, then check availability directly with the school.

Official guidance: Federal government: schools and enrolment after arriving from abroad

Describe the home at both ends

For an apartment, tell us the floor, whether there is a lift and its usable dimensions. Check the distance from the unloading space to the entrance, stair turns and doorway widths. At a house, describe gates, driveways and turning space. Ask the property manager about delivery times and any parking arrangements that need approval. Photographs help us assess access before the moving plan is agreed.

Choose what to take and how to pack it

Start with furniture and appliances, then estimate the boxes of clothes, kitchenware and other smaller belongings. Measure large pieces against your new rooms and doorways. Tell us which items need dismantling, fragile packing or an assessment for particular care. You can add an inventory and photographs to your enquiry, then discuss the packing help you would like.

• A room-by-room list, with dimensions for larger furniture.
• Fragile belongings and the packing or dismantling help requested.
• Anything new, restricted or intended for business use, for separate checks.

Plan collection around keys and travel

Tell us when your old home must be cleared, when you expect to travel and when the German property will be available to receive your belongings. Name the person who can meet the delivery and explain which dates are provisional. Ask what the proposed service includes, how timing changes will be handled and which document or access charges need separate confirmation. Your enquiry starts that discussion; it does not book the move.

Moving from Germany instead?

Give the actual receiving country and town, your collection address in Germany and the help you need with packing. Residence and import requirements must be checked for the receiving country. The same enquiry can describe a return to the UK or another international relocation, with provisional details clearly marked.