Long-distance move Berlin – Haarlem: route process & deadlines

As the Netherlands and Germany are both EU member states, there is no customs clearance for your household goods when moving to Haarlem. Your own inventory list of valuable items is still sensible, for checking after unloading and in the event of damage. In Germany you deregister at the earliest one week before and at the latest two weeks after moving out. More on this in the article Moving to the Netherlands: customs and formalities.

In Haarlem you register with the Gemeente in the Basisregistratie Personen (Personal Records Database) within five days of arrival if you are staying for more than four months; the BSN then arrives by letter. Anyone working in the Netherlands takes out Dutch health insurance within four months. A car belonging to a resident of the Netherlands is registered with the RDW (vehicle authority). You take care of these steps yourself; we plan the long-distance move so that there is time for them.

Haarlem, capital of the province of North Holland with around 169,000 inhabitants, lies on the River Spaarne; the old town around the Grote Markt with the Sint-Bavokerk is a protected townscape. For your move to Haarlem this often means narrow streets and little space in front of the building. Many older houses have narrow, steep stairs, so bulky furniture sometimes has to come into the building via a furniture lift.

The housing market also works differently from Germany: tenancy agreements, deposits and deadlines follow their own rules, so check these before signing. We plan the lorry part: around 678 km from Berlin, arrival in the morning if possible, when the bollards in the city centre are lowered, and unloading in the agreed order, so that your move abroad stays predictable.

Whether it is a small 1-room flat from €369 or a spacious 4-room flat from €1,299 – the costs depend on the scope of your move. A 2-room flat costs from €579, a 3-room flat from €894. For houses and villas we prepare an individual quote, and for long-distance moves we charge from €4.15/km. The quickest way to find out your personal price is a free survey.

The basis of the price calculation is always the volume of your belongings. Added to this is the distance, which we charge from €4.15/km, as well as the floor and whether there is a lift. If a parking restriction zone is needed, further costs arise. If you would also like to book furniture assembly or a part load, we are happy to include this in the calculation.

We plan moves from Berlin (Stromstraße 21), including to the Netherlands. What a move abroad involves is described under International move.

If you need a removal vehicle or furniture lift outside your front door in Haarlem, you must clarify with the Gemeente Haarlem how public space may be used. The page "Ontheffing voorwerp in de openbare ruimte plaatsen" (exemption for placing an object in public space) distinguishes between objects and vehicles.

• Vehicles such as a crane, aerial work platform (hoogwerker) or removal or construction lift do not need an exemption (ontheffing), according to the municipality, but a traffic plan must be submitted to LTC. The page does not mention removal vans separately.
• Objects such as containers or scaffolding need an exemption, for example if they stand for more than a month, occupy more than 10 m² or obstruct traffic. The application is made online via DigiD or eHerkenning and must be submitted at least 3 weeks before the start. The application fee is 329.05 euros and is also payable if the application is refused.
• Closures or reserved parking spaces: for these the municipality additionally requires a traffic plan in the LTC portal (account required) in accordance with CROW 96b.

For queries, the municipality gives the number 14 023, weekdays 8.30 am to 4.30 pm. We recommend coordinating the date for the lift or parking restriction with us early, so that the traffic plan is ready in time. General notes on the process can be found in our guide to parking restriction zones and under Parking restriction zone.

Haarlem city centre has a pedestrian area closed off by bollards. According to the Gemeente Haarlem, the bollards are lowered from 6.00 to 11.00 am, and during this time anyone may drive in. Outside these times a pass is needed. You should drive directly to your destination to load or unload; parking is not allowed, except in your own parking space. The exemption costs 84.61 euros and the pass 39.89 euros. Those entitled to apply include residents of the area, businesses based there and people who need access there for work. Residents in category 1 (pedestrian streets) do not receive a pass.

After moving in, registration is next. If you are coming from abroad and staying for more than four months, according to the Gemeente Haarlem you register within 5 days of arrival.

• Appointment online at haarlem.nl/afspraak-maken or by telephone on 14 023.
• Without an appointment, visits are possible on weekdays from 9.00 to 11.00 am, but there may be a wait.
• The citizens' office at Zijlvest 39 is open on weekdays from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm, and until 8.00 pm on Thursdays.
• Bring: ID, proof of nationality, proof of residence such as a tenancy agreement.

According to the municipality, after registration you will receive a letter with your BSN within four weeks. More about the city: Living in Haarlem.