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

As Belgium is a member of the European Union, there are no customs formalities for private household goods when moving from Germany. What matters is registering your address with Stad Brugge: according to the city, within eight working days of the move, online or at a service point. Non-Belgians first register with the municipality and then apply for their residence document.

If you move your residence to Belgium and bring a car, you usually have to register it in Belgium; check deadlines and documents in advance with the Belgian vehicle registration authority. You can keep using your EU driving licence. In Germany you deregister when moving abroad, so that your move to Bruges is also in order on paper.

Bruges is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with canals and medieval architecture; housing in the Binnenstad is therefore in particularly high demand. If you want to live more cheaply, look at districts such as Sint-Michiels or Sint-Andries, which have good connections to the centre. The city is very bike-friendly, and many newcomers quickly get themselves a bicycle.

The official language in Bruges is Dutch; a basic knowledge makes everyday life and dealing with the authorities easier. The healthcare system and schools also differ in details from the German system, so it pays to research early. According to the city, new access rules apply to the Binnenstad from 16 February 2027 – we factor this into the moving date.

Small moves are possible with us from €375 – that applies to 1-room flats. Larger households pay correspondingly more: 2 rooms from €615, 3 rooms from €889, 4 rooms from €1,309. For a house or a villa there is no flat rate, but always an individual quote. If you are moving further away, long-distance moves cost from €4.10/km. The quickest way is a free survey.

First, the volume counts – the more household goods, the greater the effort. The distance is charged from €4.10/km. The floor and lift also play a role, as does a possible parking restriction zone. We are happy to add furniture assembly or a shared load.

These services make us the reliable partner for your move.

We plan moves from Berlin (Stromstraße 21) for private and business customers. In the locations overview you will find places with their own pages, and details on longer routes under long-distance moves.

If you move to Bruges, you register your new address with Stad Brugge. According to Stad Brugge, this must be done within 8 working days of actually moving. You can do it online or in person at a service point. One adult member of the household may register the whole family, but the form must list everyone moving with you.

The central contact point is the Huis van de Bruggeling at Frank Van Ackerpromenade 2. There are further offices in the sub-municipalities (deelgemeenten) of Sint-Andries, Sint-Kruis, Assebroek, Zeebrugge and Koolkerke. The city answers questions on 050 44 8000.

• Moving from abroad: according to the city, non-Belgians must first be registered with the municipality; only then can a residence document be applied for.
• Check visit: the police check your place of residence on site; according to the city, this visit usually takes place within a month of registering.
• Address on the eID: it is updated after this confirmation; the city recommends booking an appointment in advance. Bring your eID with PIN and, for children, the Kids-ID if applicable.

If you live in a zone with residents' parking, apply to Stad Brugge for a parking permit (parkeervergunning). Directly after the move there is a temporary permit, for which you need the certificate you receive when registering your address. According to the city, the first two digital permits per household are free, while the third and fourth cost €150 each. Read more about planning in the Bruges moving guide.

Stad Brugge is changing its traffic and parking rules on 16 February 2027. This affects everyone moving into or out of the Binnenstad. According to the city, between 13:00 and 17:00 only authorised vehicles may then drive into the streets inside the first city ring – every day, including weekends. Outside these hours entry is free, and leaving is always possible.

• On-street parking: the spaces are mainly intended for residents of the Binnenstad and their visitors. Other visitors may park for a maximum of 2 hours, charged from 9:00 to 21:00, with no extension.
• Pedestrian zone: Steenstraat and Rozenhoedkaai become a pedestrian zone around the clock. According to the city, loading and unloading there is only possible between 6:00 and 11:00 and between 19:00 and 21:00.
• Deliveries: for deliveries, the city gives the time before 13:00 as a guideline. An approved use of public space also entitles you to access.

The city does not explicitly mention removal vans on its information page. For questions about this it gives the address [email protected] and the number 050 44 80 00. Applications for new permits and passes are expected to be possible from January 2027.

If your new home is in the Binnenstad and the move is planned after 16 February 2027, tell us the address, floor and carrying distances early. We will align the process with the time windows. An overview of customs and paperwork can be found under Moving to Belgium: customs and formalities.