Moving Company (Umzugsfirma) — Costs, Tax Allowance and Tips

How Much Does a Move with a Moving Company Cost?

Costs depend on apartment size, distance, and scope of services. Here's an overview for 2026:

Costs by Apartment Size (local move, same city)

| Apartment | Costs (approx.) |
|---------|-------------||
| 1-bedroom (up to 30 m²) | €400–800 |
| 2-bedroom (up to 60 m²) | €600–1,200 |
| 3-bedroom (up to 80 m²) | €900–1,600 |
| 4-bedroom (up to 100 m²) | €1,200–2,000 |

Long-Distance Move (over 500 km)

For a move across Germany, expect 1.5 to 2.5 times the local costs. Example: 3-bedroom apartment Hamburg → Munich: approx. €1,800–3,500.

What's Included in the Price?

Standard services:
- Transportation in moving truck
- Assembly and disassembly of furniture (basic furniture)
- Carrying/hauling (including stairs)
- Basic transport insurance

Additional costs:
- Packing service: +€200–500 (packing boxes)
- Moving boxes (Umzugskartons): €1–3 per box (20–40 boxes for 2-bedroom)
- Piano/safe: +€150–400 (specialist transport)
- External lift/crane: +€200–600 (narrow stairwells)

Applying for a No-Parking Zone (Halteverbotszone)

A Halteverbotszone reserves parking spaces directly in front of your apartment for the moving truck. Without it, loading and unloading can be stressful and expensive.

Costs

How It Works

1. Apply 3–4 weeks beforehand (Traffic Authority or online)
2. Signs are installed 3 business days before the move
3. Illegally parked cars are towed away at no cost
4. Tip: Many moving companies handle the application as a service

Tax Allowance for Moving Costs

Job-Related Move

If you're moving for job-related reasons (new job, relocation, reducing commute by at least 1 hour), you can deduct moving costs for tax purposes.

Moving cost tax allowance (Umzugspauschale) 2026:
- €886 for the person moving
- €590 for each additional household member (spouse, children)
- Example: Family with 2 children: 886 + 590 + 590 + 590 = €2,656

The allowance applies without receipts. Higher costs can be claimed with receipts as business expenses.

Private Move

For a private move, you can claim household services (moving company invoice) up to 20% of max. €20,000 = €4,000 tax refund.

Finding and Hiring a Moving Company

Comparing Quotes

• Get at least 3 quotes
• On-site inspection is better than phone estimates
• Agree on fixed price — not hourly rate
• Portals: umzugsauktion.de, umzug.de, movinga.de

Recognizing a Reputable Company

• AMÖ member (Bundesverband Möbelspedition) — quality seal
• Business registration and transport insurance present
• No prepayment — payment after the move
• Contract with detailed service description
• Check reviews on Google, Trustpilot

Warning About Disreputable Providers

• Extremely low quotes (under €300 for 3-bedroom) — often extra charges on moving day
• No written confirmation — unreliable
• Cash payment without invoice — no insurance, no tax deduction

Money-Saving Tips

1. Partial load (Beiladung): If your items fit in a truck heading your direction anyway — up to 50% cheaper
2. Move during the week: Monday to Thursday often 20–30% cheaper than weekends
3. Avoid month-end: Early and mid-month — moving companies are less busy
4. Pack yourself: DIY packing saves €200–500
5. Sell furniture: Less to transport = less to pay (eBay Kleinanzeigen, Facebook Marketplace)

As of: March 2026. All information without guarantee.