Who may claim the flat-rate moving allowance?

People whose move is work-related are entitled to the flat-rate moving allowance , for example due to a change of job, a transfer, first taking up residence at a new place of work or a considerable reduction in travel time. This also applies to civil servants; where the employer or public employer reimburses the costs tax-free, they cannot also be deducted. Moves made purely for private reasons, such as personal ones, are not covered.

Do I have to submit receipts for the flat rate?

For the flat-rate moving allowance itself you do not need individual receipts – the tax office accepts the set amount without proof of the other expenses. However, you must prove that the move is work-related, for example with your employment contract or transfer letter. You claim transport, travel costs or double rent additionally with invoices.

What is the difference between the flat rate and income-related expenses?

Both count as income-related expenses : you claim the actual costs such as the removal company's invoice, estate agent fees for a rented flat or travel costs with receipts. The flat-rate moving allowance only replaces proof of the other small items. So you combine them: transport and other large items individually, the remaining expenses as a flat rate – or individually if they are demonstrably higher.

Does the flat rate also apply to a long-distance move?

Yes, the flat rate does not depend on the distance but on the work-related reason. With a long-distance move , it is usually above all the transport and travel costs that are higher – you claim these with receipts anyway, and the flat rate for the small items comes on top. A long-distance move made purely for private reasons, on the other hand, does not entitle you to the flat rate.

Can the employer reimburse the flat-rate moving allowance tax-free?

Yes. If your employer reimburses moving costs for a work-related move, this is tax-free under § 3 Nr. 16 EStG, provided the amounts do not exceed the costs deductible as income-related expenses – including the flat rate. Anything beyond that is taxable employment income. You may not claim the part reimbursed tax-free a second time yourself as income-related expenses.

Is there a flat rate for moves abroad?

Moves abroad are subject to their own rules under the Foreign Removal Expenses Ordinance (Auslandsumzugskostenverordnung), and the amounts differ from the domestic flat rate. Have your tax adviser calculate your specific case. We handle the transport abroad from Berlin – find out more under international move .

Does the flat rate increase for families with children?

Yes. Since 2020 there has no longer been a separate rate for married couples; instead, the flat-rate moving allowance rises for each additional person who moves with you and lives in the household, currently by €643. For a family with two children this gives €964 plus three supplements. In addition, tutoring for the children needed because of the move can be taken into account up to €1,286 per child.

Which costs does the flat-rate moving allowance actually cover?

The flat rate covers other moving expenses that are difficult to prove individually, such as tips, re-registration, connecting appliances, new name plates or minor adjustments to the new flat. The costs of the removal company, such as our private move service, are not included – you claim these additionally with the invoice as income-related expenses.

How do I claim the flat-rate moving allowance from the tax office?

You enter the moving costs in Annex N (Anlage N) of your income tax return under income-related expenses – the flat-rate moving allowance and the individually documented costs such as our invoice. Keep proof that the move is work-related ready, for example your new employment contract or a transfer letter. For your individual case, a tax adviser or an income tax assistance association is the right place to go.

Is the flat rate worthwhile for a small volume with a part load?

With a part load the transport invoice is lower – this does not change the flat rate. If the move is work-related, you claim the invoice for the part load as transport costs and the flat rate for other expenses on top. Ask our team about available part-load dates on your route.

How often is the flat-rate moving allowance adjusted?

Not on a fixed schedule: the Federal Ministry of Finance adjusts the amounts by official letter, most recently on 1 June 2020, 1 April 2021, 1 April 2022 and 1 March 2024. What always counts is the status on the day before your household goods are loaded. Check the current amount with the tax office or your tax adviser before submitting your tax return.

TAX TIP

Flat-Rate Moving Allowance 2026

The flat-rate moving allowance at a glance: current amounts according to the Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF), who may use it and which costs you also declare to the tax office.

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FLAT RATE AND RECEIPTS

Tax after the move

Flat rate plus invoice: how to separate the costs cleanly

Moving for work

Unsere Firma Flat amount for other moving expenses, the removal company's invoice and double rent – three items, three rules.

If you use the flat-rate moving allowance, you only claim the so-called other moving expenses with it – such as tips, re-registration or new curtain rails. The transport costs go into your tax return separately as income-related expenses (Werbungskosten). That is why Beste Umzug Unternehmen gives you an invoice that lists transport, packing and assembly separately and that you can submit as a receipt. We quote our services for a private move as a fixed price after a survey.

Whether itemised proof is worth it alongside the flat rate depends on your actual expenses: if you can document higher other expenses, you may claim these instead of the flat amount. With a long-distance move in particular, travel costs and possibly double rent come on top. We are not allowed to give tax advice – for your individual case, a tax adviser or an income tax assistance association (Lohnsteuerhilfeverein) is responsible. We take care of a clean receipt.

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RECEIPT FOR THE TAX OFFICE

PERSONAL ADVICE

Request a fixed price after a survey

Invoice with separate items

Request a no-obligation fixed-price quote for your work-related move. Call us on 01625978461: after the survey you receive a quote and later an invoice in which transport and additional services are listed separately. We are based in Berlin and drive nationwide – destinations with their own page can be found under Locations.

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

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CLEAR RECEIPTS

What we do for your tax documents

Transport documented, flat rate free

Beste Umzug Unternehmen is based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and handles moves within the city and nationwide. For your tax return, what matters most is a clear invoice: you claim the transport costs as income-related expenses, while the flat-rate moving allowance covers the remaining small items without itemised proof. Your household goods are covered under the German Commercial Code (HGB) (§ 451e: €620 per m³), and additional insurance is available on request. Whether a private move or an office relocation – we quote the fixed price after the survey.

Separate items

Transport, packing materials and assembly are listed individually on the invoice – so you can assign each item correctly, alongside the flat rate.

Company relocation

If your employer relocates and you move with it, the move is usually work-related – it is best to collect the documents for this from the start.

Family move

For each additional person in the household, the flat amount rises by €643 – we plan the move for the whole family, including the children's room.

Transport separately

The costs of furniture transport do not belong in the flat rate; they are claimed separately as income-related expenses with our invoice.

TRACEABLE

How your move stays traceable for tax purposes

Transparency starts with the quote: we show you which services are included in the fixed price.

That way you know what is documented as transport costs and what the flat-rate moving allowance covers.

Fixed price after a survey

After the survey the price is fixed – the total on the quote is the total you later document as income-related expenses.

Date documented

The amount of the flat rate depends on the day before loading – the date is shown on our invoice.

One contact person

A dedicated contact person answers questions about the quote, invoice and process; individual tax questions are for your tax adviser.

Receipts in one place

Employment contract, notice of termination, tenancy agreements and our invoice belong in one folder – this saves queries from the tax office.

Flexible dates

Once your start date at work is fixed, we schedule the moving date to match – even with short gaps between the old and new flat.

Order to the very end

At the end the furniture is in place and you have a complete invoice – the basis for Annex N (Anlage N) and the flat rate.

SMALL LOADS

Small transport, its own invoice

There is an invoice here too

For smaller volumes we offer an affordable part load, where your belongings travel together with other consignments.

You receive an invoice for this too. If the move is work-related, you claim it as transport costs and the flat rate for other expenses on top.

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MOVING FOR WORK

Which
costs go where

Flat rate, receipts, employer

For tax purposes, it is not the distance that counts but the reason: whether a private move within the same city or a long-distance move across Germany – the flat rate is only available if the move is work-related. In that case, transport, travel costs, double rent and estate agent fees for a rented flat each go into the tax return individually, while the flat amount covers the small items. We provide you with the receipt for the transport.

Prove the reason

A new job, a transfer or at least one hour less travel time per day: keep your employment contract or transfer letter ready – this applies to any private move with a work-related reason.

Deduct transport individually

Invoices for the packing service, furniture transport and small transport are not other expenses – they appear in the tax return as separate income-related expenses alongside the flat rate.

Employers and special cases

If your employer reimburses the costs, this is tax-free up to the amount that is deductible; for an office move, company relocation or a part load, the same separation of transport and flat rate applies.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the flat-rate moving allowance

Answers on amounts, requirements, receipts, employer reimbursement and moving abroad.

According to the BMF letter of 28.12.2023, for moves from 1 March 2024 the amounts are €964 for the person moving and €643 for each additional person living in the household – i.e. spouses or partners and children. Up to €1,286 per child can be added for tutoring needed because of the move. No newer adjustment was available at the time of going to press; the Federal Ministry of Finance changes the amounts by official letter, so check the current status before your tax return.

What is the flat-rate moving allowance 2026?

The flat-rate moving allowance is a flat amount for other moving expenses that the Federal Ministry of Finance sets by official letter and adjusts at irregular intervals. It applies to work-related moves, for example when changing jobs, on a transfer or when your daily commute is shortened by at least one hour. The amounts were last adjusted with the BMF letter of 28.12.2023 for moves from 1 March 2024: €964 for the person moving and €643 for each additional person in the household. The decisive date is the day before your household goods are loaded. No newer adjustment was available at the time of going to press – check the current status before submitting your tax return.

Unlike the removal company's invoice, estate agent fees for a rented flat or double rent, you do not need to submit individual receipts for the flat rate. If you can prove higher other expenses, you may claim these instead of the flat amount. You can read more about the other deductible items in the article Deducting moving costs from tax.

Who benefits from the flat rate?

The flat-rate moving allowance mainly benefits employees who move for work reasons – for example because of a new employment contract, a transfer or a significantly shorter commute. Since the 2020 reform of the Federal Removal Expenses Act (Bundesumzugskostengesetz), there is no longer a separate rate for married couples: the person moving receives the full amount, while spouses or partners and children who move with them each receive the supplement for additional persons. Anyone who did not previously have their own flat only receives a small partial amount (currently €193).

What matters is proof that the move is work-related, for example through your employment contract or a certificate from your employer. From Beste Umzug Unternehmen you receive an invoice with the moving date and itemised services – you claim this as transport costs in addition to the flat rate.

Our moving prices as a basis for receipts

1 room → from €369
2 rooms → from €605
3 rooms → from €879
4 rooms → from €1,299
House/villa → individual quote
Long-distance move → from €4.20/km

Arrange your free survey now for an exact quote.

What determines the transport price

Volume, distance (from €4.20/km), floor and lift largely determine the price. A parking restriction zone (Halteverbotszone) may also be necessary. Additional services such as furniture assembly or part load round off the offer.

Services that can appear on the invoice

Every move is different – which is why we offer tailored services.

House clearance – House clearance: we make space.
Furniture transport – Furniture transport: gentle and safe.
Company relocation – Company relocation: for smooth operations.
Part load – Part load: cost-conscious transport.
Move with assembly – Move with assembly: handed over fully assembled.
Private move – Private move: personal support.

Moving for work – from Berlin across Germany

We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and handle your work-related move throughout Germany. Destinations with their own page can be found in the locations overview, long routes under Long-distance moves.

Moving Costs & Prices

Beste Umzug Redaktion

August 27, 2026

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