As a commuter, should I move closer to my workplace?

That depends on travel time, job security, rent and family. Write down both options and work out the daily travel time over the year. If the journey is shortened by at least one hour a day, the move usually counts as job-related for tax purposes – which lowers the costs further.

How do I organise the move alongside a full-time job?

Plan backwards from the move-in date: no-parking zone (around four weeks' processing in Berlin), packing in stages, mail forwarding no later than five working days beforehand. What you cannot manage alongside the long route to work is taken over by the packing service and furniture assembly.

What does a move cost for commuters on average?

There is no average – flat size, distance, floor and services determine the price. Guide prices are in the price overview above. We give you the fixed price after the survey, so that you can factor it into your decision.

As a commuter, how do I sort out parking for the removal van?

With a no-parking zone (Halteverbotszone). In Berlin you apply for it at the district road traffic authority; processing takes around four weeks, and the fee starts at €21. The signs must be up at least three full days beforehand. We can take care of this on request.

Does a weekend move make sense for working commuters?

A Saturday saves a day of leave but is in demand – ask early whether your preferred date is free. We do not usually move on Sundays and public holidays. A weekday is often quieter in the stairwell and leaves time for visits to the authorities in the new place.

How do I pack efficiently when I have little time as a commuter?

Pack in short stages in the evening, starting with things you rarely need. Label every box with the room and contents and pack a separate bag for the first working days. If time runs short, our packing service takes over the kitchen or the whole flat.

What is a part load and is it worthwhile for commuters?

With a part load your belongings travel together with other jobs. This is worthwhile if you are moving closer to work on your own with only a few pieces of furniture. Because the tour has several stops, there is a time window instead of a fixed time.

As a commuter, how does registering at the new place of residence work?

Register at the registration office within two weeks of moving in (§ 17 BMG); it is not possible beforehand. You need your ID and the landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung). Then notify your employer, bank and insurers of the new address.

How do I find a flat with good public transport links?

Start with the network map: which places are on a direct line to your workplace? Check the walk to the stop, the frequency and changes, and test the journey at the real time. More detail in part 7 of this series .

How does a long-distance move work for commuters with two places of residence?

Often in two steps: first a small second home at your place of work, later the move of the whole household. For the first step a part load is often enough, for the second a transport of your own. We drive from Berlin nationwide; more under Long-distance moves .

What insurance do I need for a commuter move?

During transport we are liable under the German Commercial Code (HGB), limited by law to €620 per cubic metre of goods (§ 451e HGB). For valuable items, additional insurance is worthwhile. Notify your household contents insurer of the new address so that cover applies in the new flat.

PART 11 · DECISION

Commute or move? How to make the decision easier

On the road for a long time every day – or move after all? Five questions help commuters decide before the lease and moving date are fixed.

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DECIDE FIRST, THEN PLAN

Commuter guide, part 11

When a move closer to work is worthwhile

Time, job, everyday life

Unsere Firma Commute or move: weigh up travel time, job security, rent and family before planning a move closer to your workplace.

If you spend an hour or more on each journey every day, at some point you will ask yourself: is a move closer to work worthwhile? The answer does not depend on travel time alone. Job security, the rent in the new place, partner and children, friends and clubs matter too. If you write these points down honestly, you will not decide on the whim of a bad commuting day.

An important point in time is the end of the probation period: it lasts a maximum of six months, and during this time notice can be given with two weeks' notice (§ 622 para. 3 BGB). Many people therefore wait to move until the job is secure. If the move shortens the journey by at least one hour a day, it is usually regarded as job-related for tax purposes. Once the decision is made, we give you a fixed price after the survey – more under Private move.

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FOR COMMUTERS

PERSONAL ADVICE

Decided? Then we plan the move

Fixed price after a survey – plannable even after the probation period

Have you decided to move closer to work? Call us on 01625978461. We survey your flat and then give you a fixed price. If you would like to wait until the end of your probation period first, we will agree the date with you accordingly.

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

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A CLEAR BASIS

What we contribute to your decision

A fixed figure for the move

Whether you move is your decision. We provide an important figure for it: what the move costs. After the survey we give you a fixed price that you can weigh against travel costs, commuting time and rent. We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21, Moabit) and drive within the city, to the surrounding area and nationwide. Your belongings are covered by liability under the German Commercial Code (HGB); we can arrange additional insurance on request.

Fixed price

After the survey you know the costs of the move. That makes the fixed price a fixed quantity in your decision.

Planning after the probation period

If you would like to wait for the probation period to end first, we plan the date after it. That way the moving date fits your professional situation.

Packing service

New job, long journey, little time: our packing service takes care of the boxes, so that the last weeks of commuting do not get even fuller.

Long-distance move

If your place of work is in another city, we drive from Berlin nationwide – we discuss the long-distance move during the survey.

WELL WEIGHED UP

Five questions before moving closer to work

The decision between commuting and moving is a personal one. These questions help you avoid making it on gut feeling – ideally, write down the answers for both options and compare them calmly.

How much time does the journey cost?

Work out your daily travel time over the year. With one hour per journey, several hundred hours quickly add up.

How secure is the job?

During the probation period (a maximum of six months), notice can be given with two weeks' notice. Many only move afterwards – it is a question of security.

What does the new rent cost?

Closer to work, the rent is often higher. Compare the rent including bills with the travel costs saved – that gives you the real difference.

Who is moving with you?

Partner, children, caring for relatives: a shorter journey for you may mean a longer one for others. Do the maths for the whole family.

What stays behind?

Friends, clubs, doctors: these have a value too. Some people opt for a home-office arrangement instead of a move.

What does the move cost?

After the survey we give you a fixed price; your belongings are covered by liability under the HGB, with additional cover on request.

SMALL LOADS

Part load for the small move

The low-cost alternative

With a part load (Beiladung) your belongings travel together with other jobs – good value if only a few pieces of furniture and boxes are moving. This keeps the cost of the move low when you weigh commuting against moving. There is a time window instead of a fixed time.

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COMMUTE OR MOVE

Three
ways to deal with a long route to work

Moving is not the only solution

A long route to work can be solved in three ways: move, take a second home at your place of work or agree more home office with your employer. Which one suits you depends on family, job and costs. For a move to another city you will find information under Long-distance moves; what applies to a second home is explained in part 10 of this series.

Moving

A list with travel time, rent, job security and family helps with every private move, senior move or student move closer to work: you see what you gain and what you give up.

Second home

Instead of moving the whole household, a small transport is often enough: with a packing service, careful furniture transport and flexible small transport, the essentials get to your place of work.

Home office

The same applies to an office move, company relocation, public authority move, part load or furniture taxi: sometimes a new home-office rule solves the commuting problem better than a change of residence.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions: move or keep commuting?

Answers on the moving date, the decision, costs, parking space, part loads, registering your address and long-distance moves with two places of residence.

If you are moving because the journey is too long: set the date after the end of the probation period and so that you do not pay double rent. Work backwards with a three-month notice period for the old flat and four to six weeks for planning the move.

Commute or move: preparing the decision

Before you look for a moving date, the fundamental question should be settled: will you move closer to work, or will you keep commuting? For both options, write down what they cost – in time, money and quality of life. Work out the daily travel time over the year and compare the travel costs saved with the new rent.

With a new job, it is worth looking at the probation period: it lasts a maximum of six months, and the notice period is short during this time (§ 622 para. 3 BGB). Many people therefore commute for a while and only move once the position is secure. You usually give notice on your old flat with a three-month notice period.

Short journeys, relaxed everyday life – and what counts for tax

If you move closer to work, you gain time for family, sport and sleep. But also check the trips besides work: nursery, shopping, friends. A flat ten minutes from the office is of little help if everything else is far away.

For tax purposes, a move is usually regarded as job-related if the daily journey there and back is shortened by at least one hour (wage tax guidance H 9.9). The moving costs can then be income-related expenses (Werbungskosten). More in the article Moving costs when changing jobs.

All prices at a glance

Size of move	Costs from
1-room flat	€354
2-room flat	€589
3-room flat	€884
4-room flat	€1,299
House/villa	individual quote
Long-distance move	€3.90/km

For a tailored calculation, please arrange a free survey.

Factors that affect your moving price

Volume
Distance from €3.90/km
Floor without a lift
Required parking restriction zone (Halteverbotszone)
Optional: furniture assembly
Optional: part load

What we do for your move

Once you have decided to move, you can book these services individually.

Company relocation: professional support for offices and businesses. Company relocation
Move with assembly: dismantling, transport and reassembly from a single source. Move with assembly
Part load: the low-cost option for smaller moves. Part load
Private move: your move, our concern. Private move
Furniture transport: for individual pieces of furniture or whole rooms. Furniture transport
House clearance: we dispose of what you no longer need. House clearance

Moving from Berlin – in the city and nationwide

We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and drive within the city, to the surrounding area and nationwide. If your workplace is in another city, read more under Long-distance moves; you will find destinations with their own page in the locations overview.

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September 23, 2026

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