Do I need customs formalities for a move to Belgium?

No. Belgium and Germany both belong to the EU ; there is no customs clearance for private household goods. An inventory list is still useful for recording the condition of your furniture. For a car that you register in Belgium, separate steps with the Belgian authorities apply.

How long does a long-distance move from Germany to Aalst take?

From Berlin-Moabit it is around 786 km via the A2, A46, E314 and E40. With the lorry, we reckon on about 12 hours including breaks – more than the permitted daily driving time of 9 hours. With two drivers or an overnight stop, plus loading and unloading, we plan two days for a long-distance move to Aalst .

Do I have to register my address in Aalst?

Yes. According to the City of Aalst, you register the new address within 8 working days with Burgerzaken – online, by email or in person. The neighbourhood police officer then checks your residence. In Berlin, you deregister beforehand at the registration office, at the earliest one week before moving out.

What language is spoken in Aalst?

In Aalst, as in all of East Flanders, Dutch (Flemish) is spoken. Basic language skills are helpful for everyday life, but many Belgians also speak English or French. For dealings with authorities, we recommend an interpreter or professional translations of important documents if needed.

How are my goods covered during the journey?

For damage to your goods, we are liable under the German Commercial Code (HGB), under § 451e HGB at €620 per cubic metre of loading space. For particularly valuable items, you can arrange additional insurance . Record visible damage on delivery in Aalst and report it no later than the following day.

What does a shared load to Aalst cost?

A shared load is cheaper for smaller volumes because you share the transport costs with other customers. How much you save depends on the volume, date and free loading space on the route. Delivery takes place within a time window; contact us for a quote for your preferred date.

Do I need a work permit for Belgium?

No, as an EU citizen you do not need a separate work permit for Belgium. You may settle and work there, but you must register with the city and go through the residence rights procedure.

How do I find a flat in Aalst?

Search on Belgian property portals and coordinate the moving date with the move-in. We schedule the transport for the handover day so that the vehicle does not have to wait. How the sub-municipalities of Aalst differ is covered in our guide to costs and districts.

What happens to my car when I move to Belgium?

Anyone registered in Belgium needs a Belgian number plate for their car. For this, the vehicle is registered with Belgian customs, technically inspected (Autokeuring) and registered with the vehicle registration authority DIV, usually via the insurer. Ask your insurer early about the necessary documents .

What insurance do I need in Belgium?

Anyone who lives and works in Belgium is usually insured through a Belgian health insurance fund (Ziekenfonds). Register promptly after the move and check with your German insurer when cover switches over. This way you avoid gaps in your health insurance .

Does Beste Umzug Unternehmen also offer a packing service?

Yes, we offer a complete packing service for your move to Aalst, including high-quality packing materials and proper protection of fragile items. On request, we also take care of all the packing and unpacking for you. This saves you valuable time on your long-distance move .

How early must I apply for the removal van permit in Aalst?

According to the City of Aalst, at least 7 calendar days before the move, online via Eaglebe. The permit for the use of public space is valid for one day and free of charge. If traffic is obstructed, you must submit a signage plan and put up the signs yourself.

May the removal lorry drive into central Aalst during rush hour?

According to the City of Aalst, vehicles over 7.5 tonnes maximum permissible weight may not drive within the ring road from 7.45 to 8.45 a.m. and from 3.30 to 4.45 p.m., and on Wednesdays from 11.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Stopping to load and unload is permitted during this time. Exemptions can be requested from the city.

How do I register in Aalst as a German citizen?

As an EU citizen who is new to Belgium, you book an appointment with the City of Aalst for “Non-Belgians: residence rights and registration” and attend the administrative centre (Werf 9) in person. You must bring a valid identity document and the further evidence named when booking the appointment. The city states €24.50 for issuing the certificate.

What happens with the residence check in Aalst after registration?

After your address registration, according to the City of Aalst, the neighbourhood police officer checks that your main residence really is at the address given. Only then are you entered in the register and invited to update your ID or residence card. When registering, give a phone number and the times you are at home.

Does the removal lorry pay a kilometre charge in Flanders?

Yes, according to Viapass, the kilometre charge applies to vehicles over 3.5 tonnes carrying goods. It covers roads in the Flemish Region, to which Aalst belongs, and in the Brussels-Capital Region. We take it into account when planning the route.

STRESS-FREE MOVING

Long-Distance Move Berlin – Aalst: Route Registration, Duration

Q: What costs are involved in a move to Aalst?

The cost of a long-distance move to Aalst depends on volume, floor, access and extra services. On top of that come the roughly 786 km, the lorry toll in Germany, the Viapass kilometre charge in Flanders and the second driver or an overnight stop. After a free survey, you receive a fixed price in which these items are listed.

Long-distance move to Aalst: 786 km from Berlin-Moabit, parking permit and registration – fixed price after a survey.

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FROM BERLIN-MOABIT

From Berlin to Aalst

Long-distance move to Aalst: 786 km to the Dender

Guide

Unsere Firma comes from Berlin-Moabit (Stromstraße 21) and drives around 786 km via the A2, E314 and E40 to East Flanders.

A move to Aalst covers around 786 km: from Berlin-Moabit west on the A2, a short stretch through the Netherlands, and on the E314 and E40 via the Brussels Ring to East Flanders. Aalst lies about 24 km north-west of Brussels on the Dender and has around 91,000 inhabitants. Because Belgium, like Germany, is part of the EU, there is no customs clearance for your household goods. More on cross-border moves under International move.

With the lorry, we reckon on about 12 hours including statutory breaks. That is more than one driver is allowed to drive in a day (9 hours) – so we use two drivers or plan an overnight stop; with loading and unloading, it takes two working days. In Aalst, the removal van needs a free permit for its parking space, which must be applied for at least 7 calendar days in advance. We give the fixed price after the survey; for a furniture lift or temporary storage, see Private move.

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Fixed-price quote for your move to Aalst

Request a free quote for your long-distance move to Aalst. Call us on 01625978461: after the survey, we give you a fixed price that lists the route, tolls and second driver.

Quotes available individually based on workload, scheduling and the desired scope of services.

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FROM BERLIN

What we take on along the route to Aalst

We drive – you handle the registration

Our base is Berlin-Moabit (Stromstraße 21); we do not have an office in Belgium. The lorry drives from here right to your door in Aalst. We take care of packing, transport and reassembly and agree with you where the vehicle may park. You do not need a customs declaration within the EU; you register your address with the city yourself. For your goods, we are liable under § 451e HGB at €620 per cubic metre. Places with their own pages can be found under Locations.

Packing Service

For the roughly 786 km, we pack crockery, books and electronics securely and label the boxes by room in Aalst with our packing service.

Office Move

If your company is moving to East Flanders, we plan dismantling, the journey and reassembly over two days to Aalst with an office move.

Senior Move

When parents move to Belgium to be near their children, we plan in breaks and reassemble the furniture on arrival day in Aalst – with a move for seniors.

Furniture Transport

Wardrobes and display cabinets travel padded and secured; for narrow stairs in Aalst, we plan a furniture lift with furniture transport.

DEADLINES IN AALST

What should be settled before moving day

Within the EU there is no customs clearance for your household goods. More important for a move to Belgium are two deadlines set by the City of Aalst: the parking permit and address registration.

Apply for a parking permit

If the vehicle stands on the pavement, a parking strip or the road, apply for the free permit at least 7 calendar days in advance.

Put up the signs yourself

If traffic is obstructed, the city requires a signage plan; you put up the signs yourself – we agree the parking spot with you.

Mind the city centre

Weight limits apply in the city centre, and the historic core is car-free – there the vehicle needs a further permit from the city.

8 working days

After moving in, register the new address within 8 working days with the City of Aalst's civil affairs department (Burgerzaken) – online, by email or in person.

Residence check

After registration, the neighbourhood police officer (wijkagent) checks that you live there; then you are entered in the register.

Deregistering in Berlin

In Berlin, deregister at the registration office (Bürgeramt), at the earliest one week before moving out – take the confirmation with you to Belgium.

FOR SMALL LOADS

Part loads – the clever solution

Save on smaller loads

For smaller volumes, a shared load to Aalst can lower the costs: your goods travel with other consignments heading to Belgium, and delivery takes place within a time window. The parking permit is only valid for one day – apply for it for the delivery day.

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BERLIN – AALST

Moving
& transport from a single source

So you can relax

This guide covers the route and formalities around moving day: driving time and driving-time rules, the kilometre charge in Flanders, the parking permit and address registration with the city. The costs of a long-distance move depend on distance, volume and extra services. What life is like in the sub-municipalities is covered in the guide Moving to Aalst: costs and districts; more routes under Long-distance moves.

Planning safe and relaxed

Permit 7 calendar days ahead, deregistration in Berlin, address registration within 8 working days – this keeps your private move, move for seniors or student move to Aalst on schedule.

Furniture, boxes, transport routes

With a packing service, careful furniture transport and a small transport for remaining items, everything arrives safely over 786 km; for narrow streets in Aalst, we plan the vehicle size and furniture lift.

Costs, timing and special cases

Besides volume and route, lorry tolls, Viapass in Flanders and a second driver count. Whether an office move, company move, shared load or furniture taxi: we give the fixed price for Aalst after the survey.

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MoabitLocation: Stromstraße 21

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FAQ

Frequent questions

Route, duration, permit, registration, customs and costs – answered briefly.

The cost of a long-distance move to Aalst depends on volume, floor, access and extra services. On top of that come the roughly 786 km, the lorry toll in Germany, the Viapass kilometre charge in Flanders and the second driver or an overnight stop. After a free survey, you receive a fixed price in which these items are listed.

Customs and formalities when moving to Belgium

As Belgium and Germany are both part of the European Union, there is no customs clearance for your household goods. An inventory list is still useful – for planning and for recording the condition of the furniture after arrival. According to the City of Aalst, you register the new address with Burgerzaken within 8 working days; afterwards, the neighbourhood police officer checks that you live there.

As an EU citizen, you do not need a work permit. If you are new to Belgium, you go through the residence rights procedure with the city and then receive a residence card. Also sort out health insurance early with a Belgian health insurance fund (Ziekenfonds).

What makes Aalst special

Aalst lies in the province of East Flanders on the Dender, about 24 km north-west of Brussels; InterCity trains run to Brussels and Ghent. The city is known for its carnival: the street carnival was on UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage until UNESCO removed it in December 2019 at the city's request. The town hall and belfry, on the other hand, are World Heritage as part of the Belfries of Belgium and France. The official language is Dutch.

For a move to Aalst, you should allow for narrow old-town streets and limited parking. The parking permit is free and valid for one day; we agree the vehicle size and parking spot with you so that the application is correct.

Price list: moving made easy

We charge long-distance moves fairly from €4.25/km. Within the city: 1-room flat from €339, 2-room flat from €599, 3-room flat from €899 and 4-room flat from €1,309. For a house or villa, we are happy to prepare an individual quote. Arrange your free survey today.

This determines your moving price

The deciding factors are first the volume and distance – the latter we charge from €4.25/km. The floor of your flat and whether there is a lift also feed into the calculation. Sometimes a parking restriction zone is needed as well. On request, we also provide furniture assembly and a shared load.

Our services for a stress-free move

So you need not worry about a thing, we offer the following services.

Home move – best equipped for your change of home.
Furniture transport – fast and safe furniture transport.
Clearance – professional clearing of every kind.
Company move – your business moves without downtime.
Part load – the inexpensive transport option.
Move with assembly – we reassemble your furniture.

Return trip and further routes

We plan the return journey from Aalst to Berlin in the same way, via the E40 and A2. More destinations can be found under Long-distance moves, places with their own pages in the locations overview.

Route Berlin – Aalst: driving times, Viapass and weight limit

Aalst lies in Flanders and therefore within the EU single market. According to German customs, you can bring goods for personal use or consumption duty-free from any EU country; cash of €10,000 or more must be declared if you are asked. Still keep your inventory list and ID to hand.

For the journey from Berlin, the EU social rules apply: under Regulation (EC) No 561/2006, a maximum of 9 hours of driving per day is permitted (up to 10 hours on two days a week). After no more than 4.5 hours, a break of at least 45 minutes is mandatory, and the daily rest period is at least 11 hours. These rules determine whether the removal van arrives in one day or the trip is split.

In Flanders, the Viapass kilometre charge applies to vehicles over 3.5 tonnes; according to the operator, it covers roads in the Flemish Region and the Brussels-Capital Region.

In the city itself, Aalst restricts lorries over 7.5 tonnes maximum permissible weight: according to the city, within the ring road (R41-N9) they may not drive from 7.45 to 8.45 a.m. and from 3.30 to 4.45 p.m. (on Wednesdays 11.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.). Stopping to load and unload is permitted during this time. The historic core with the Grote Markt and Oude Vismarkt is also car-free and monitored by number-plate cameras. More on the process can be found in the guide to customs and formalities for Belgium.

Moving in Aalst: permit for the removal van, registration and carnival

If you need space on the pavement, a parking strip or the road for the removal van or furniture lift, the City of Aalst requires a permit for the use of public space. It is valid for one day and free of charge. You must apply for it at least 7 calendar days in advance via the Eaglebe portal. If traffic is obstructed, the city requests a signage plan, and you put up the signs yourself. If the location is in the car-free area, a further permit is required.

After moving in, according to the city you register the new address within 8 working days. The neighbourhood police officer then checks that you really live there, and you are invited to update your ID. If you are new to Belgium, you book an appointment for “Non-Belgians: residence rights and registration” at the administrative centre, Werf 9, and attend in person. The city states €24.50 for issuing the certificate; since 1 September 2025, EU citizens must submit all required documents when applying.

According to the city, the Aalst carnival takes place every year on the three days before Ash Wednesday; the Sunday parade starts at 1 p.m. at the Statieplein and ends on the Grote Markt. It is better not to schedule your move for that weekend. Our guide to Aalst offers an overview of the city; we plan the transport itself as a long-distance move.

Moving Abroad

Beste Umzug Redaktion

August 23, 2026

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