Long-distance move Berlin – Karlovy Vary: route process & deadlines

Like Germany, the Czech Republic is part of the European Union. For household goods and personal belongings on a move to Karlovy Vary there is therefore no customs declaration and no import duty; an inventory list is still helpful – for yourself and for liability.

Instead of registering at a residents' registration office, EU citizens report their stay in the Czech Republic to the foreigners' police (cizinecká policie) if they expect to stay longer than 30 days – within 30 days of arrival. If the accommodation provider has already registered you, this is not necessary. For stays of more than three months you can apply for a registration certificate. In Germany you deregister within two weeks of moving out.

From our base in Berlin-Moabit it is around 371 km: via the A9, A14 and A38 towards Leipzig, the A72 towards Chemnitz and then on country roads through the Ore Mountains to West Bohemia. By lorry we reckon on about five and a half hours including a break; depending on the vehicle and the weather, a longer motorway route may also make more sense. We do not give flat-rate average prices – you receive the fixed price after the survey, with packing, assembly or storage as separate items.

In the Czech Republic, vehicles over 3.5 t pay an electronic, distance-based toll; vans up to 3.5 t need an electronic vignette on motorways. In Karlovy Vary itself, according to the city, access to the spa zone is restricted – we clarify the parking space in front of your new address before moving day.

Your move starts at €365 for a one-room flat and rises depending on size: €584 for 2 rooms, €915 for 3 rooms, €1,289 for 4 rooms. For larger properties such as a house or villa we prepare an individual quote. We charge long distances at €3.85/km for long-distance moves. Book your free survey now.

Basically, the price depends on the volume of your belongings and the distance between the old and new address (from €3.85/km). The floor and lift also play a role, as does a parking restriction zone (Halteverbotszone) if one is needed. Anyone booking furniture assembly or a part load should factor this in too.

You can book these services individually or together for your move to Karlovy Vary.

• House clearance – old furniture and bulky waste disposed of properly.
• Furniture transport – your furniture safely at its destination.
• Company relocation – your business moves without downtime.
• Private move – we organise your home move stress-free.
• Part load – cleverly combined and transported affordably.
• Move with assembly – from dismantling to reassembly, all included.

We plan moves from Berlin (Stromstraße 21) for private and business customers – including to other EU countries such as the Czech Republic. What matters for moves across the border is explained under International move; long distances can be found under Long-distance moves. We also plan the way back from Karlovy Vary to Berlin with you.

Much of the city centre of Karlovy Vary (Karlsbad) lies within the spa zone, the lázeňské území. According to the city, vehicle access is restricted there; the city publishes maps of the zones with driving restrictions, the pedestrian zone and the paid parking zone. For moves, it is therefore important to clarify before the date how close the vehicle can get to the flat.

What the city says about entry:

• Entry is free of charge under certain conditions; in most cases a fee is payable.
• Spa guests may enter free of charge on the day of arrival and departure to load and unload luggage if they provide written proof of their booking. This does not apply to parking outside the hotel car park.
• Other drivers need a day permit, valid until midnight on the day of purchase. It can be paid via the Vary Virtual app, at machines by the municipal police building or at the Císařské lázně.

On the page we checked, the city does not state a specific rule for removal vehicles. Ask the city's info line before the date (tel. +420 355 321 171) and send us the destination address; we will then check access during planning. According to the city, parking in the municipal zones is paid via EasyPark; for long-term parking it recommends 17 car parks around the centre. More on costs and districts can be found in the Karlovy Vary guide.

The long-distance move starts at our base in Berlin-Moabit (Stromstraße 21). On the journey, the EU rules on driving and rest times apply to the lorry driver; according to Your Europe, they apply to goods vehicles with a permissible total weight of more than 3.5 tonnes:

• a maximum of 9 hours' driving per day, up to 10 hours twice a week
• after 4.5 hours of driving, a break of at least 45 minutes, or alternatively 15 followed by 30 minutes
• a daily rest period of at least 11 hours

For long journeys this means: we plan loading, driving and unloading so that these times are observed, with an overnight stop if necessary. We agree your delivery window with you in advance.

On the formalities: the procedure for household effects (form 0350) described on zoll.de concerns moves from non-EU countries into the EU. As for residence, according to Your Europe EU citizens do not need a residence document for the first three months; after that, registration of residence may be required, usually at the town hall or the local police. The registration certificate should not cost more than an ID card for nationals. Ask the competent authorities for the exact Czech deadlines.

Further information can be found in the guide Moving to the Czech Republic: customs, formalities and process and under Long-distance moves.