Pros and cons lists compiled, niggling doubts dispensed with, initial research done, and maybe even a flight booked? Congrats! You\u2019re moving to Berlin.<\/p>\n
Of course, making the decision to move is only the very beginning; the actual physical act of relocating is little more complex. Yep, there\u2019s a whole heap to organise before you can take that first sweet sip of freedom in your new home. Moving your life from one place to another isn\u2019t exactly a walk in the park but just remember, once it\u2019s all done you\u2019re going to actually live in Berlin, one of the (if not the singular) coolest cities on the planet. Enough said, really.<\/p>\n
Meet Planning and Preparation. They\u2019re going to be your new best friends. Before you get into the nitty gritty of logistics, it\u2019s best to assess your own needs and your abilities and limitations. The biggest decision will probably be whether you\u2019re going to take on the task alone or hire a relocation company that will do most of the hard work for you. Some of the most important things to consider are:<\/p>\n
Before making any decisions, it\u2019s important to be informed on how the processes work and what each involves. Unfortunately it\u2019s not just a matter of wrapping things in newspaper, sticking it in a box stamped with your new address and sending it on its merry way. Don\u2019t worry though, we\u2019ve got your back and will break down each method of transport for you.<\/p>\n
Sending your belongings by shipping container is an easy enough and fairly cost-effective way to get your life\u2019s possession from A to Berlin particularly if what you\u2019re moving is big and from far away.<\/p>\n
So first up, how much you are sending? If you have an entire house-worth of stuff then you can choose to have your own container. Costs are based on size, a 20- or 40-foot container, rather than weight. If you have less to send then you can also decide to have your things amalgamated with other smaller loads and therefore share the cost of one container.<\/p>\n
The negative thing about sharing a container is that you will have to wait until it is filled before it\u2019s shipped, meaning you might be waiting a while. Even if you have your own container, transit times are not particularly speedy and can vary greatly depending where you\u2019re coming from. You might wait a few weeks or even a few months for your container to arrive.<\/p>\n
As with most things, different companies have slightly different processes in terms of what they provide and rules that apply. Most offer a door-to-door service, but it\u2019s important to look at a number of companies to compare not just prices but also what you need to do on your end. For example when it comes to packing, some offer a packing service at an additional cost, but some will not insure you unless they have packed your belongings themselves.<\/p>\n
All in all, if you have more time than money and want to transport heavy belongings, this is going to be your best bet.<\/p>\n
There are a number of sites that offer price comparison between various shipping companies. Most will ask you to fill out a form with your requirements and go from there. It\u2019s a good option as it will allow you to get as wide a scope as possible and ensure you\u2019re getting value for money. It\u2019s also not a bad idea to read any customer reviews or feedback before making your final decision. Whilst every individual will have a different experience, you should at least be able to see if they are overwhelmingly negative.<\/p>\n
A few examples of such comparison sites are:<\/p>\n
If you want your things and you want them now, no matter the cost, then this is the transport method for you. Generally your belongings will arrive within a week. Great! Why bother with shipping? Whoa there, cowboy \u2014 be aware that you\u2019ll pay for that speed. It\u2019s considerably more expensive than shipping; costs go by weight, not size, and there can be additional handling fees and other charges.<\/p>\n
The process is easy. Again, looking around for the best value is important, and make sure to clarify all costs, what\u2019s included and what\u2019s not. If you choose a door-to-door delivery then the company you choose will assess your belongings before providing a final price. You set a date for pick-up, receive tracking and flight information for your shipment, and hey presto!<\/p>\n
Most companies will have a packing service available for an additional cost but you are normally allowed to pack your own things.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re moving from another country within Europe or one that\u2019s relatively close then it\u2019s also possible to go by road. Either rent a van or a lorry and drive yourself, or find a company that does the same. It\u2019s normally inexpensive, fast and secure as you\u2019ll know where your possessions are at all times.<\/p>\n
Relocating to Berlin using a Relocation Company<\/p>\n
Without a doubt the easiest, most hassle-free way to move your personal world to Berlin is to hire a relocation company. They take the administration and organisation out of your hands and a lot of the stress out of the move.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re moving to Berlin for a job, your new employers may well provide you with a relocation agency to help your move go as smoothly as possible and make your transition to Berlin life easy.<\/p>\n
If not then you\u2019ll have to be ready to pay for it, and unfortunately they don\u2019t come cheap.<\/p>\n
The services they offer go way beyond co-ordinating the physical movement of your things. They can help with everything from visas, to your registration here in Berlin, finding somewhere to live and negotiating the contract, or even finding a kindergarten for your kids if needs be. You know all that German red tape we keep talking about? Well, they\u2019ll cut right through it for you.<\/p>\n
Because of this, you won\u2019t find a direct price anywhere without first engaging with a company, telling them what you want and working out the details. They all claim to have \u201ctailor-made\u201d packages, with each unique offer suited to the individual\u2019s needs, but it basically boils down to the fact that the more of those services you want to avail of, the more you\u2019ll pay.<\/p>\n
If you think you can\u2019t afford it, sit down and calculate how much more expensive it actually is than organising shipping or air freight yourself, including any additional costs that might apply like insurance or customs charges. You might be surprised. And if you can afford it then why not take the stress-free route? If you don\u2019t have time to take on the masses of administration and organising, this is a good shout.<\/p>\n
When choosing a company it\u2019s important to get quotes, if only loose ones, from a range of different providers. Come up with questions about the move that are important to you and compare each company\u2019s answers. While there will always be at least one grumpy online hater, it\u2019s a good idea to read user reviews if possible to see how previous customers found their experiences.<\/p>\n
With that in mind, here are a few examples of the many relocation companies that are ready to make your Berlin-troduction a smooth, calm process:<\/p>\n
As long as what you\u2019re bringing into Germany isn\u2019t illegal, you should be okay. Most personal property, or \u201cproperty moved in connection with a transfer of residence\u201d as German Customs likes to call it, is allowed. They\u2019ve really got a way with words, those German authorities.<\/p>\n
There are conditions upon which the permission to bring your belongings into the country depend, but don\u2019t worry \u2014 they\u2019re nothing too out of the ordinary. They need to be for personal use only, and to have been in your possession for at least six months, and you need to have lived in your country of origin for at least 12 months.<\/p>\n
Bringing your car to Berlin: If you want to bring your car from another EU country then it\u2019s no problem. If you want to bring it from outside the EU however, you will be charged 10% turnover tax and 19% VAT. You can get around those charges if you can prove that you have given up residence in your previous non-EU country and are making a new one here, alongside proving that you\u2019ve lived outside of Germany for 12 months.<\/p>\n
Bringing your pet to Berlin: If you want to bring your pet into Germany it must be vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before your departure, and have all the paperwork to prove it. Your pet will need to be micro-chipped and have an EU pet passport.<\/p>\n
There are also restrictions on certain plants and animal products, as well as a number of breeds of dogs considered \u2018dangerous\u2019.<\/p>\n