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

Like Germany, the Netherlands is a member of the European Union. There is therefore no customs declaration and no import duty for your household goods, and no mandatory inventory list either; your own list only helps with unpacking and in the event of damage. If you take your car, you register it with the RDW; the BPM registration tax may not apply if you owned and used the car for at least six months beforehand.

Anyone staying longer than four months registers in person at the Stadhuis in Almere shortly after arrival; the exact deadline and documents are given in the section on the Stadhuis further down. You then receive the BSN, which you need for your employer, bank and health insurance.

From Stromstraße 21 the shortest route runs via the A100, A115 and A10 onto the A2, along it for almost 300 km to Bad Oeynhausen, then 134 km on the A30 to the border at Bad Bentheim. In the Netherlands the lorry follows the A1 via Deventer and Amersfoort to Eemnes and takes the A27 to Almere. That is around 647 km; pure driving time is a good 8.5 hours, about 9.5 hours with a break.

Because that is just under the daily driving limit of 9 hours, we usually load in Berlin the day before or early in the morning and unload in Almere on the second day. By car you are faster and can be there before the lorry to collect the keys.

Moving costs depend heavily on the size of the home and the distance. As a rough guide: a 1-room move starts from €339, while a 2-room move is calculated from €615. For a 3-room flat the costs start from €915, and for a 4-room flat from €1,289. Houses and villas are calculated individually, as the effort varies greatly – you receive an individual quote. For long-distance moves we charge from €4.20 per kilometre. It is best to have an exact quote prepared as part of a free survey.

How much your move costs depends on the volume of your belongings, the distance (from €4.20/km) and the floor. An existing lift saves time and money. A parking restriction zone (Halteverbotszone) may also be necessary. Further services such as furniture assembly or shared load round off the package.

From planning to the last box – we are there for you with the following services:

• Company relocation: Company relocation without interrupting business
• Home removal: Home removal with a personal touch
• Furniture transport: Furniture transport for individual items
• Move with assembly: Move with assembly with an all-round service
• House clearance: House clearance for old belongings
• Shared load: Shared load for small moves

We plan long-distance moves from Berlin (Stromstraße 21), including to the Netherlands. Places with their own pages can be found in the locations overview, and routes from Berlin under Long-distance moves. For Almere: around 647 km, one border crossing at Bad Bentheim, no customs.

Almere is in the Netherlands, and therefore in the EU. According to German customs, you can bring goods for personal use or consumption duty-free from any EU country. EU driving and rest times apply to the removal van: a maximum of 9 hours' driving per day (10 on two days a week), a break of at least 45 minutes after 4.5 hours, and daily rest of at least 11 hours.

If you move to Almere from abroad, according to the Gemeente Almere you register within 5 working days; the national government portal Nederlandwereldwijd states 5 days after arrival. Go by the shorter deadline. You must attend the Stadhuis (Stadhuisplein 1) in person; you book the appointment online or on 14 036 (from abroad +31 36 539 99 11). Everyone moving with you comes along.

Bring a valid ID, the purchase or rental contract as proof of address, a copy of the landlord's ID if you rent privately, and if subletting, the consent declaration of the main occupant. Birth certificates from abroad require an original with legalisation or an apostille. According to the municipality, certificates in Dutch, English, German or French do not need a sworn translation; laminated certificates are not accepted.

You receive the BSN automatically after registration in the BRP. Further steps are described in our guide Moving to the Netherlands.

According to the municipality, Almere consists of six districts: Almere Stad, Haven, Buiten, Hout, Poort and Pampus, which is still being developed. Almere Haven is the oldest district, with a harbour basin and a village character. Almere Buiten has a polder character with its own shopping centre and 14 neighbourhoods. Almere Poort lies on the A6 near Amsterdam, has its own NS railway station and good bus connections. Almere Stad is divided into areas including Muziekwijk, Literatuurwijk, Filmwijk and Danswijk.

For parking, the municipality requires a parkeervergunning (parking permit) in areas with parking charges. It applies on the street in the zone where you live, is linked to a registration number, and the vehicle must be registered to the applicant. Almere's pages do not describe a separate procedure for the removal van; so ask the municipality on 14 036 or via the contact form where space can be kept free outside your front door.

According to the municipality, Almere Hout is the most rural district, with plenty of space for self-build; it is divided into Nobelhorst, Vogelhorst and Oosterwold. According to the information portal Op weg naar ZES, a zero-emission zone for delivery vehicles is planned from 1 January 2028. For more, read our guide to Almere.