Your move at a glance
The tasks spread over roughly three months. Here’s the timeline; below it, every item to tick off.
| When | What matters |
|---|---|
| 3 months before | Give notice, set the date, plan costs and transport |
| 1–2 months before | Book movers or helpers, apply for a no-parking zone, declutter |
| 2 weeks before | Address changes, mail forwarding, packing |
| The last few days | Emergency box, take furniture apart, defrost the fridge |
| Moving day | Meter readings, handover report, keys |
| After the move | Registration, address changes, deposit |
Three months before: give notice and plan
Tenants in Germany usually have a three-month notice period (Section 573c German Civil Code). Your notice must be in writing and signed; an email doesn’t count. It has to reach your landlord by the third working day of a month for that month to count, so send it by registered mail or hand it over against a receipt.
Your progress is saved on this device.
If you’re looking for movers, our configurator gives you a quote straight away: get a moving quote.
Day off: there’s no general legal right to special leave for moving, but some employment or collective agreements include a moving day, so it’s worth checking.
Redecorating: not every redecorating clause in a lease is valid. Check yours before spending money on paint and tradespeople.
Timing: end-of-month dates are in high demand. If you can move mid-month, helpers, vans and no-parking zones are often easier to get.
One to two months before: organize and declutter
This is when the decisions that need lead time get made. And the less you take, the cheaper and faster the move: every box you don’t pack is one you don’t have to carry or unpack.
Your progress is saved on this device.
Internet: your provider must continue your contract at the new address if it offers the service there. If it can’t, you may cancel with one month’s notice (Section 60 German Telecommunications Act).
No-parking zones: usually handled by the local traffic authority or public order office. Depending on the city, allow a few days to several weeks.
Two weeks before: change your address and pack
Start with what you won’t need before moving day: basement, attic, books, out-of-season clothes. The kitchen and bathroom come last.
Your progress is saved on this device.
Home contents insurance usually covers both apartments for a transition period during the move, but your insurer needs to know about it.
The last few days: emergency box and disassembly
Now it’s about everything that needs to be at hand on moving day, and about the furniture.
Your progress is saved on this device.
On moving day: meter readings, handover, keys
Some things can’t be done later: the meter readings and the condition of both apartments. Photograph the meters so the meter number and reading are legible.
Your progress is saved on this device.
Only sign what’s accurate in the handover report. It’s your most important evidence if there’s a dispute about the deposit later.
After the move: register and wrap up
You have to register at the local registration office within two weeks of moving in (Federal Registration Act). Bring your ID and the landlord’s confirmation of residence (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung), which your landlord is required to give you. Your new address goes straight onto your ID card.
Your progress is saved on this device.
Deposit: there’s no fixed legal deadline for repayment. Your landlord may take a reasonable time to check and can hold back part of it for a pending utility bill.
Taxes: if your move is work-related, the costs are deductible as work expenses. For a private move, part of the labour costs of a moving company can be claimed as household services.
Vehicle: if you move to a different registration district, you can keep your number plate.
When a storage unit helps during a move
Not everything has to go into the new apartment on moving day. In these situations, a storage unit makes the move easier:
- Bridging a gap: you’ve already handed over the old apartment, but the new one isn’t ready yet. Instead of paying rent twice, your furniture goes into storage for a few weeks.
- Moving somewhere smaller: what you want to keep but can’t fit waits in storage until you’ve decided.
- Renovating before moving in: empty rooms are quicker to paint, and floors are easier to lay.
- Decluttering without time pressure: whatever you don’t want to decide on right away goes into storage first, so you only pack what you really need in the new apartment.
The emergency box: what to keep at hand on moving day
Pack one box or bag that doesn’t go in the van but stays with you.
Your progress is saved on this device.
The most common moving mistakes
- Giving notice too late: miss the deadline and you pay rent twice for a month.
- Giving notice by email: it isn’t valid, and the notice period keeps running.
- Forgetting the meter readings: without proof, you can barely check the final bill.
- Handing over without a report: if there’s a dispute about damage, you have no evidence.
- Unlabelled boxes: unpacking takes longer than labelling would have.
- Skipping the last rent to “use up” the deposit: that isn’t allowed.
Frequently asked questions about moving
When should I start planning my move?
About three months before, because that’s the usual notice period for tenants. For movers and no-parking zones at the end of the month, even more lead time helps.
How many moving boxes do I need?
As a rough rule of thumb, plan on 10 to 15 boxes per room, and more for the kitchen and bookshelves. Better to get a few too many: running short on moving day costs more time than having spares.
How long do I have to register my new address?
Two weeks from moving in. If you miss the deadline, you risk a fine.
Who do I need to tell about my new address?
Registering at the registration office is mandatory. Beyond that: your employer, bank, health insurer, insurers, the broadcasting fee service, utilities, subscriptions and clubs. Mail forwarding catches what you forget, but it doesn’t replace updating your address.
What if my move-out and move-in dates don’t line up?
You can try to agree on different dates with your landlord, or bridge the gap: furniture and boxes can go into storage until the new apartment is ready.