What is a part load and when is it worth it?

With a part load , several jobs share one van, and you only pay for your share of the load bed. It pays off most with few belongings over a long distance, because the travel costs are spread. Within one city, small-load transport is often similarly cheap and comes with a fixed date. More on this under part load .

How do I find someone to take over my old shared-flat room?

The quickest way to search is via shared-flat portals, university noticeboards and social media. A meaningful advert with photos and clear terms significantly increases your chances. If you start looking early, you avoid paying double rent and can coordinate your own moving date more flexibly with the new tenancy agreement.

Do I have to register my new address after the move?

Yes, re-registering at the registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt) within two weeks of moving in is required by law. Students need their ID card or passport and the landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung) for this (§ 19 BMG); the tenancy agreement is not required. If you miss this deadline, you risk a fine, so you should re-register straight after your student move .

Can I deduct moving costs from my taxes as a student?

Partly. In a first degree without prior vocational training, training costs – which can include a move to your place of study – count as special expenses of up to €6,000 a year (§ 10 (1) No. 7 EStG). In a second degree, for example a master's after a bachelor's, they are income-related expenses (§ 9 (6) EStG). Keep your invoices; if in doubt, a tax adviser or an income tax assistance association (Lohnsteuerhilfeverein) can help.

How do I avoid paying double rent when moving at the start of the semester?

Ideally, students give notice on their old flat early and coordinate the moving-out date precisely with moving into the new flat. A short-term storage space can help if the dates overlap. That way, double rent can usually be avoided completely on a long-distance move to a new university city.

What belongs in the basic furnishings for your first shared-flat room?

The basics include a bed, desk, shelving and kitchen and bathroom utensils. Many students buy second-hand or use second-hand furniture exchanges to save money. For a private move , it is worth drawing up a list in advance so that nothing is forgotten during transport and the move goes smoothly.

How do I plan a long-distance move to another city to study?

A long-distance move requires early planning, especially when coordinating dates with the moving company and the handover of the flat. Parking permits at your new place of residence and timely re-registration are also important. You can find further details and locations under long-distance moves to make the change as stress-free as possible.

Which insurance do I need for my belongings as a student?

For damage during transport, we are liable under the German Commercial Code for up to €620 per cubic metre of removal goods (§ 451e HGB). For a laptop or bicycle, additional insurance can make sense and is available on request. Also check whether your household contents insurance covers the move. It is best to carry your notebook yourself.

How do I find cheap moving boxes for my move?

Supermarkets, drinks shops and online classified ads often offer free or cheap boxes. Moving companies also frequently provide sturdy boxes to hire or buy. If you plan ahead, you can also use suitcases and bags as transport containers on a student move to save on material costs.

What should I do if the moving date clashes with exams?

If possible, schedule the move outside the exam period. If that is not possible, an early, fixed date helps – then you know which day you lose for studying. If the date has to be postponed after all, talk to us as early as possible; what applies then is stated in our quote. For a small move, half a day is often enough.

Is a moving company worthwhile for a small student move?

Even with a small move , a professional team saves time, nerves and often money too, as heavy furniture is transported safely and quickly. Thanks to the clear fixed price , the costs can be calculated precisely in advance. Especially during exam periods, the relief that professionals provide is particularly valuable for students.

SMALL MOVE

A small student move: part load small-load transport or van?

Q: How much does a move for students cost on average?

The cost of a student move depends on the distance, the amount of furniture and the floor. For a small move within the city, prices are usually much lower than for a long-distance move to another city. Thanks to our transparent fixed price , students know exactly from the start what costs to expect, with no hidden extra fees or hourly billing.

Bed, desk, a dozen boxes: which type of transport is worthwhile for a small student move – by quantity, distance and date.

Get a quote

Our services

Customer service01625978461

Google · 119 reviews

(5,0/5)

Monday – Friday09:00 – 17:00 Uhr

Red box van on a paved square in front of trees

FROM BERLIN-MOABIT

Few belongings

The right type of transport for one room

Do not book too big

Unsere Firma Small student move: choosing a part load, small-load transport, furniture taxi or a removal van of your own – by volume, distance and preferred date.

After the first semester, many students own little more than a bed, a desk and ten to twenty boxes. Booking a large lorry for so few belongings is usually too expensive. The cheapest solution depends on three things: quantity, distance and how fixed the date needs to be. For each option, we give you a fixed price after the survey.

Within one city, small-load transport with two helpers is often enough; over a long distance, a part load is frequently cheaper because several jobs share the journey. We also deliver single pieces of furniture without a complete move – find out more under furniture transport. We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and drive from there to any university city.

Sofa wrapped in stretch film, cushions and stacked moving boxes in an empty flat

50,-DISCOUNT

NO-OBLIGATION ENQUIRY

PERSONAL ADVICE

Which type of transport suits your room?

Describe it briefly, get a fixed price

Send us a list of your furniture and the approximate number of boxes, or call us on 01625978461. After the survey, we tell you whether a part load, small-load transport or a removal van of your own is cheaper, and give you a fixed price.

Offers available individually, depending on effort, scheduling and the scope of services required.

Two movers in red T-shirts lift a film-wrapped piece of furniture into a lorry

THE RIGHT FIT, NOT TOO BIG

How we find the right transport size

Estimate the volume, save costs

Whether a small van is enough depends less on the size of the room than on the volume: a dismantled bed frame takes up hardly any space, a sofa does. At the survey, we estimate the quantity, look at the floor and access and suggest the option that suits the distance and date. For transport damage, we are liable under the HGB (§ 451e: €620 per m³). We are based in Berlin-Moabit; on Google we are rated 5.0 from 119 reviews.

Part load

For a little furniture over a long distance: your belongings travel along with other jobs, and you only pay for your share of the load bed.

Small transport

Within one city, two helpers with a small vehicle bring your bed, shelving and boxes to your new room in one morning.

Furniture taxi

Just a sofa or a wardrobe from the classified ads? We also transport single items without a complete move.

Assembly service

Dismantled furniture needs less space and makes the transport cheaper – we dismantle it and reassemble it in your new room.

HOW TO DECIDE

Six questions before booking

With these six questions, you can find out which type of transport best suits your small student move.

How much is there?

Count the boxes and large pieces of furniture. A dismantled bed, a desk and 15 boxes often fit into a small van.

How far is it?

Within the same city, small-load transport is usually the simplest; over a long distance, a part load often pays off.

How fixed is the date?

If you have to move in on a specific day, a transport of your own is easier to plan. With a part load, there is usually a delivery window.

Which floor?

A fourth floor without a lift takes time – with few belongings, this matters more than the size of the vehicle.

What can be dismantled?

A dismantled bed frame, shelf and table need a fraction of the space. That reduces the volume and therefore the price.

What actually needs to come?

Buying cheap furniture new at your new place is sometimes cheaper than transporting it. Do a quick calculation before you book.

FOR LONG DISTANCES

When a part load is the cheapest choice

Little volume, long distance

A part load pays off above all when few belongings travel a long distance: several jobs share the travel costs. Within one city, the advantage is smaller because travel and carrying make up most of the costs. More on this in the article Part load or your own van.

Open cargo space of a red lorry with wrapped furniture, panels and boxes

OVERVIEW

Sizing
a small move correctly

Quantity, distance, date

This part covers the question many students have before their first quote: do I even need a removal van? We compare a part load, small-load transport, a furniture taxi and a transport of your own and show when each option is cheaper. You can read how a partial move with a few items works in the article Partial move by part load.

Estimating volume

Count the boxes, list the furniture, mark what can be dismantled – that turns your student move, private move or small-load transport into a job of the right size.

Saving space

With furniture assembly, a packing service and careful furniture transport, a whole room often fits into a small vehicle.

Single items and long distances

For a sofa, a furniture taxi is enough; for a room going to another city, a part load or a long-distance move.

Mover in red workwear pushing a sack truck with a box towards a stack of boxes

MoabitBased at Stromstraße 21

Google 5.0 (119 reviews)

Two movers in dungarees carry moving boxes through a bright flat

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about small student moves

Answers on costs, part loads, finding a new tenant, registration, tax, double rent and liability for a small move.

The cost of a student move depends on the distance, the amount of furniture and the floor. For a small move within the city, prices are usually much lower than for a long-distance move to another city. Thanks to our transparent fixed price, students know exactly from the start what costs to expect, with no hidden extra fees or hourly billing.

The right time for a student move

At the start of the semester, moving companies are in particularly high demand, as many students are moving into new shared-flat rooms or halls of residence at the same time. If you are flexible, you should ideally schedule the move for the lecture-free period to avoid bottlenecks and higher prices. Booking early secures not only your preferred date but also a fair fixed price.

If the moving date still clashes with exams, it is worth agreeing flexible time windows clearly with the moving company. That leaves enough time for exam preparation and changing flats at the same time.

Organising furniture transport and a small move cleverly

Many students own only a few pieces of furniture, which is why a part load is often more worthwhile than a whole removal van. Several smaller moves are combined in one vehicle, which noticeably reduces costs. This pays off most for a small move over a longer distance, for example to the neighbouring federal state.

Our team advises individually on whether a part load, a small move or a classic private move best suits your personal situation. That way, students only pay for the transport space they actually need.

Your move – our starting prices

Property	Cost
1 room	from €365
2 rooms	from €579
3 rooms	from €915
4 rooms	from €1,309
House/villa	individual quote

We charge long-distance moves from €3.90/km. Request your free survey now!

How the price of a small move is made up

First of all, the volume plays a central role, followed by the distance, which starts at €3.90/km. Further factors are the floor, an available lift and a possible parking restriction zone (Halteverbotszone). For additional services, we recommend furniture assembly and a part load.

Types of transport and services

Our offers for your move

We take care of every detail of your move.

Office relocation Office relocation

Efficient and without interrupting operations.

Furniture transport Furniture transport

Reliable transport of single pieces of furniture.

Move with assembly Move with assembly

We handle dismantling and assembly.

Private move Private move

Personal support for your move.

Part load Part load

Save with combined transport.

House clearance House clearance

Fast clearance of properties.

From Berlin – from furniture taxi to long-distance move

We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and handle small moves within Berlin as well as journeys to other cities. You can find destinations with their own page in the locations overview, and long distances under long-distance moves.

Guides & Tips

Beste Umzug Redaktion

September 17, 2026

Back to Blog

Guides & Tips Moving Tips

Moving into assisted living or a care home: contracts, deadlines, furniture