How to Relocate Your Household & Pets to Germany

Jump right in:

• What to pack when moving to Germany
• Germany customs allowances: Prohibited and restricted items
• Moving your household goods
• Importing your car
• Vaccinations and health requirements for Germany
• Moving with pets

What to pack when moving to Germany

Documents

• Birth certificate: To register as a resident in Germany, you’ll need this document.
• Marriage certificate: You must also provide proof that you are married, if applicable.
• Bank statements: You may need to prove you can financially support yourself in Germany to secure a rental. Read more in our article about Housing in Germany.
• A recent pay slip (past three months should be acceptable): Another way to prove you have funds to pay your rent. A work contract can sometimes be used in place of bank statements and pay stubs.
• Proof of education: e.g. certificates, university diplomas; you need this type of document to secure a job in Germany.
• Proof of health insurance: It’s compulsory to have healthcare cover in Germany, so if you’re already insured, bring your proof. You can’t get a residence permit without it.
• Medical records: These are important when you register with a doctor and especially if you suffer from a chronic illness, so you can receive appropriate care. If these documents are in a specific foreign language, it’s better to have them officially translated to make sure they’re accepted.

Prove you have permanently left your non-EU country with documents including:

• a job contract for Germany
• a termination letter from your former employer
• a letter confirming the end of your property lease
• documents to prove you have sold your home in your previous country, or a note from your employer stating that you have been relocated to a site in Germany

Show that you’re establishing a new residence in Germany by providing:

• a lease agreement on a property in Germany
• a statement from your employer in Germany
• or proof of registration from your local Einwohnermeldeamt (residents’ registration office)

Proof you have been living outside of Germany for a minimum of 12 consecutive months. If you’re returning to Germany sooner than 12 months, you must provide proof of why your return is unavoidable.

Germany customs allowances: Prohibited and restricted Items

Items you’re allowed to bring

• Household goods
• Private cars, bicycles, trailers, caravans, and any other vehicle
• Domestic pets, like cats, dogs, and horses (find out more in the “Moving with Pets” section below)
• Items required for use in a trade or profession that are portable and for applied or liberal arts, like pottery and jewelry making
• Tobacco items: up to 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos (maximum 3 grams each) or 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco.

Examples of items that are not acceptable include:

• More than one liter of spirits over 22% strength or undenatured ethyl alcohol of 80% or higher; two liters of alcohol and alcoholic beverages 22% or higher; any equivalent combined quantity of the above; more than four liters of non-sparkling wine; or more than 16 liters of beer
• Commercial vehicles
• Items used in a trade, profession, or applied or liberal arts that are not portable

Moving your household goods

To make it easier for you to move your household goods and personal belongings, you can always contact a moving company specializing in international moves to help you make everything easier and smoother.

Not only can they help you move your household goods, but also sort any required paperwork. If you’re someone coming from outside the EU, you might have to declare your goods to customs as “imports”. Here are the benefits of hiring a moving company:

• Less Stress: They handle packing, loading, customs paperwork, and delivery, so you can focus on other important tasks.
• Experience with International Moves: They know how to navigate regulations, border controls, and shipping logistics.
• Safe Transport: Your belongings are professionally packed and insured, reducing the risk of damage or loss.
• Timesaving: They streamline the process, saving you weeks of planning, coordination, and heavy lifting.
• Storage Options: Many companies offer temporary storage solutions if your new home isn’t ready yet.

International moving companies

• Mathew James Global Relocations
• Expat Moving Company
• AGS Movers Germany
• Deutsches Umzugszentrum
• Gerson Moving Services
• Expat Movers International

Other ways to move your belongings:

• Shipping container: You pack and load a shipping container yourself (or hire help), and it’s transported by sea or land. Cheaper than full service but more work.
• Shared container (groupage): You can share space in a container with others moving to Germany. It’s affordable but slower.
• Road transport: If you’re from a nearby country in Europe, using a moving truck or van service is efficient and affordable.
• Air freight: Fastest option but most expensive. This is generally ideal for small, urgent shipments like essential items or documents.
• Postal or courier services: You can send small boxes with international postal companies like DHL, FedEx, or UPS. Good if you’re traveling light.

Home good storage

There is a range of reputable companies such as MyPlace or Boxie, that offer long and short-term storage services. They’ll store your goods in a safe, dry environment, where your items are protected from damage.

In terms of cost, storage prices range from around 15 EUR (approx. 17 USD) per week for three to five square meters to around 64 EUR (approx. 74 USD) for 15 to 30 square meters of space.

Importing your car

EU residents can easily bring their car to Germany without restrictions. However, if you intend to import your personal vehicle from outside the EU, you’ll have to meet certain conditions to avoid paying a 10% import duty and a 19% import VAT (also called import turnover tax or Einfuhrumsatzsteuer).

You must provide proof that you’re coming to stay permanently in Germany and not importing a car to sell.

Registering a vehicle in Germany

Once you have brought your vehicle to Germany, you’ll have to register it with your local car registration office. It must be registered with the authority in the same area as the owner lives. So if you move to another city, you’ll have to register it again.

Documents required for registering a car:

• valid ID
• registration certificate (Anmeldebescheinigung)
• proof of ownership (part 2 of the car’s registration certificate)
• proof of car insurance (eVB number)
• certificate of conformity (if applicable)
• foreign registration certificate (for imported cars only)
• proof of roadworthiness following technical inspection (TÜV certificate)
• SEPA direct debit mandate for payment of vehicle tax

After providing the documents at the registration office, your car will be entered into the German register of vehicles, then you’ll get a seal of registration (Stempelplakette) for your car’s number plates.

Getting a German license plate

Once receiving approval, you can get your license plates printed at an Autoschilder shop. The cost of printing usually varies between 15 and 20 EUR.

After you get them printed, you’ll have to take the license plates back to the vehicle's registry to have the official seal applied. After that, you’re good to go.

Vehicle tax

After registering your car, you’ll receive a tax notification from the customs office (Zollamt). You’ll be informed of the amount of vehicle tax you must pay and how to make a payment.

Vehicle requirements

• The vehicle must be registered in your name only.
• It must be a vehicle that was only used by you in your previous country, for at least six months. Proof could be the registration certificate issued in your previous country.
• You must arrive in Germany at around the same time as your vehicle.
• In most situations, you must keep your vehicle just for personal use during the first year you have it in Germany.
• You might be able to break the previous two conditions if you have good reasons.

Once in Germany, your car must pass an inspection for roadworthiness, safety, and emissions control. Some cars, especially those from North America, are likely to require modification to meet German standards. For example, headlights, brakes, rust, and tires will be checked.

Opinion

I love the culture and the people in Germany. That everything works and there are systems in place to assist with most needs is incredible. I also love its capacity for allowing travel and that, once you are in a job, you can live comfortably. (South African expat in Paderborn)

Opinion

Vaccinations & health requirements for Germany

Before relocating, it’s a good idea to ensure your routine vaccinations, such as your annual flu shot, are up to date for your own health. The most reported infectious diseases in Germany are:

• gastrointestinal diseases such as norovirus gastroenteritis, Campylobacter enteritis, and rotavirus gastroenteritis

• Influenza and chicken pox, which are both largely preventable by vaccination

What vaccinations do you need for Germany?

It's a good idea to be up to date on common childhood vaccinations such as:

• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Rabies
• Meningitis
• Polio
• Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
• Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis)
• Chickenpox
• Shingles
• Pneumonia and influenza

Compulsory measles vaccination

After an increase in cases of the disease, the German government has introduced a law to make the measles vaccination compulsory for all children who attend school or kindergarten. If you refuse to have your children vaccinated, you could be fined up to 2,500 EUR (approx. 2,900 USD) and your children could be banned from school or kindergarten. This means it’s a good idea to have your children vaccinated before moving, and to have the vaccinations completed before they start kindergarten or school.

Opinion

The weather is unpleasant. I don’t mind the seasonal changes, but the cloudiness — wow! So many days of gray clouds with neither rain nor snow. I also dislike the often-difficult interactions with rigid, cold receptionists in doctors’ offices and elsewhere. (US American expat in Berlin)

Opinion

Moving with pets

Stray dogs and cats in Germany are rare, and most animals are well cared for. However, taking your cat, dog, or other pets to Germany requires paperwork. Some animals are outlawed, especially certain dog breeds and protected species.

Can you bring pets into Germany?

You can bring pets into Germany, but it’s important to start planning well in advance. Some of the necessary steps may require up to six months of preparation.

If you don’t fulfill all of Germany’s imports and customs requirements, the German Customs Administration can put your pets in quarantine or even return them to your previous country of residence at your expense.

Pet relocation to Germany: Regulations for import

Some regulations for pets in Germany may depend on the regional authorities at your final place of residence. Please note that pet passports must be renewed every two or three years depending on which rabies vaccine the pet received.

To transport your pet via airplane, you must use a suitable, well-ventilated travel container that gives the animal enough room to move and lie down. View the International Air Transport Association’s pet relocation regulations and requirements for information on travel containers before you attempt to travel with your pet.

Taking your dog, cat, or even your ferret to Germany is controlled by European legislation. According to European law, each person traveling may bring up to five pets. If you want to take more than five pets with you, you must follow the requirements for the commercial pet trade.

Pets in Germany: Moving within the EU

To import and keep their pets in Germany, owners of cats, dogs, or ferrets may have to fulfill immigration vaccination requirements. Here are some more things you must know:

• You must have your pet immunized for rabies. Depending on the vaccine brand, repeat vaccination may be required.
• The complete vaccination must not be older than twelve months and no more recent than 30 days.
• Pets in Germany should be clearly identifiable by an implanted microchip. A clearly visible tattoo ID is an alternative, if your pet got the tattoo before July 2011.
• All pets in Germany, as well as other EU member states, must have an identification document or “pet passport”. This confirms the vaccination and the chip implant. In an EU member state, you can obtain the pet passport from your local veterinarian. To register a pet passport, you must bring proof of identification, proof of vaccination, and, in some cases, the pet itself.

Costs involved in obtaining a pet passport

• Microchipping: 26 to 43 EUR (approx. 30 to 50 USD) (prices vary based on location and the type of chip used)
• Rabies vaccination: 26 to 86 EUR (approx. 30–100 USD)
• Other vaccinations (if required): 17 to 69 EUR (approx. 20–80 USD) per vaccine
• Veterinary health check & certificate: 43 to 129 EUR (approx. 50 to 150 USD)
• Pet passport: 17 to 43 EUR (approx. 20 to 50 USD)

Total can add up to 86 to 300+ EUR (approx. 100–350+ USD)

Pets in Germany: Moving from outside the EU

When arriving in Germany with pets from outside the European Union, you have to meet the same requirements mentioned above. In addition, you sometimes must prove the rabies vaccinations’ efficacy.

To bring a pet into the EU (including Germany), follow these key steps:

Rabies blood test requirement: If you’re arriving from a non-EU or not listed country, your pet must have a rabies antibody blood test. This test must be:

• Performed by a certified vet from an authorized lab
• Done at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination
• Done at least 3 months before travel

Timing Rules:

• The rabies vaccine must be less than 12 months old at the time of entry.
• The blood test must be done between 11 and 3 months before departure.
• In some cases, you may need to wait up to 4 months after vaccination before testing.

Health Certificate:

• If you're not coming from an EU/EEA country, your pet will need a valid EU health certificate.
• This must be completed and signed by an officially registered vet or authorized laboratories.
• You can download the correct bilingual form from the EU Commission website if your vet doesn’t have it.