Moving Abroad — Taking Your Belongings

Status: March 2026. All information without guarantee.

Planning (3–6 months in advance)

• ☐ Search for Spedition for international moving and compare quotes
• ☐ Decide: containers (sea freight), air freight or land transport?
• ☐ Create an inventory list (important for Zoll!)
• ☐ What are you selling, gifting, disposing of?
• ☐ Conclude transport insurance

Costs (approximate values)

Zoll — Übersiedlungsgut

Within the EU:

• Within the EU: No Zoll, no restrictions
• Simply take it with you

Outside the EU:

• Übersiedlungsgut is in most countries duty-free (used personal items)
• Conditions: Minimum 6–12 months residence in Germany, items in possession for at least 6 months
• Inventory list (bilingual) with valuations
• Abmeldebescheinigung as proof of change of residence

What is often not duty-free:

• New goods (originally packaged)
• Alcohol and tobacco above duty-free limits
• Vehicles (individual rules per country)
• Electrical appliances (note voltage differences!)

Taking your car

• Within the EU: Simply re-register in the new country
• Outside the EU: Vehicle must be deregistered at Zoll (Kfz-Brief + Abmeldebescheinigung)
• TÜV: Not recognized in many countries — local inspection required
• Insurance: German vehicle insurance ends upon deregistration

Don't forget before departure

• ☐ Abmeldung at the Bürgeramt
• ☐ Clarify bank accounts (may keep for pension)
• ☐ Cancel insurance policies (liability, household, vehicle)
• ☐ Cancel electricity/gas/internet (special cancellation right for moving abroad!)
• ☐ Set up Nachsendeauftrag (international: 44.90 € for 6 months)
• ☐ Deregister from GEZ
• ☐ Prepare tax return for the year of departure

Tips

• Compare offers: Umzugsauktion.de, Movinga.de — request quotes from multiple Spedition
• Insurance: Transport insurance with new value coverage recommended
• Take photos of all valuable items before packing
• Important documents in carry-on (passport, contracts, certificates, Abmeldebescheinigung)