Long-distance move Berlin – Leuven: route process & timetable
From Berlin to Flemish Brabant
Long-distance move to Leuven: loading times, registration and 731 km
Guide
A long-distance move to Leuven (Löwen) is not a customs matter: Belgium is part of the EU, so your household goods cross the border without customs papers and without an inventory of removal goods. What needs planning is the route of around 731 km, the Viapass levy for lorries over 3.5 t, the loading times in the pedestrian area of the city centre and, after arrival, registering with the city no later than eight working days after the move. Leuven is the capital of the province of Flemish Brabant, and the official language is Dutch. We take care of packing, transport and assembly.
We come from Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and drive around 731 km on the A2 into the Rhineland, briefly through the Netherlands and along the E314 via Genk to Leuven. By lorry that is about eleven hours including breaks – more than one day's driving time, so it takes two drivers or an overnight stop. For your home move we also check whether the vehicle needs a parking ban permit at your address. More on cross-border moves under International move.
Request a fixed price for your long-distance move to Leuven
Survey first, then a fixed price
Request your quote for the long-distance move to Leuven. After a survey or a video appointment we give you a fixed price covering volume, floors, around 731 km, the Viapass levy and a second driver. Call us on 01625978461.
Offers available individually, depending on effort, scheduling and the scope of services required.
What we take care of on a long-distance move to Leuven
Planning in Berlin, arrival on the Dijle
We have no branch in Belgium; we drive by lorry from Berlin-Moabit right to your door in Leuven. According to the city, loading in the pedestrian area of the centre is only permitted at fixed times, and there is no access authorisation for moves – a longer stay requires a parking ban permit. We clarify this in advance. We pack, carry, transport and reassemble; you handle registration with the city yourself. We are liable for your household goods under § 451e HGB at €620 per cubic metre.
Packing service
Office move
Senior moves
Furniture transport
What should be clarified before the journey to Leuven
For Belgium you need neither customs papers nor an inventory of removal goods. What matters is the loading time at your address, a city permit for the parking ban if needed, and registration within eight working days – we clarify all this with you before moving day.
Access sorted
Arrival planned
Registration in view
No customs within the EU
Return trip possible
Storage to bridge a gap
Move affordably with a part load
A part load to Leuven bundles several small jobs in one lorry travelling via the Rhineland and the E314 to Flemish Brabant. This lowers the cost per cubic metre but requires flexibility on the delivery day – often the cheapest solution for single pieces of furniture.
Everything
for your move
A move to Belgium covers several topics: the long route with driving times and the Viapass levy, the loading times in the centre, registering with the city followed by a check by the neighbourhood police officer (wijkagent), the residence card for EU citizens, driving licences and pets. This guide shows what you handle yourself and what we take care of. Customs play no part within the EU. If the scope does not change, the price stays as stated in the quote.
Planning back from moving-in day
Furniture, boxes and access
Costs and special cases
Common questions
Formalities when moving to Belgium
As Belgium is part of the European Union, there are no customs formalities for your household goods when moving to Leuven; you do not need an inventory of removal goods. A simple box list still helps when unloading and in the event of damage. According to the City of Leuven, you report your new address no earlier than two weeks before and no later than eight working days after the move, online or at a Digipunt; the neighbourhood police officer then comes to check, which can take up to four weeks. As an EU citizen staying longer than three months, according to the city you register as soon as possible after arrival; the department for non-Belgians provides information. Your German EU driving licence remains valid.
Leuven as a destination: university city on the Dijle
Leuven lies on the Dijle about 20 kilometres east of Brussels and is the capital of the province of Flemish Brabant; around 102,000 people live here. The city is known for the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven and for its townscape with the Gothic town hall and the Oude Markt. Since 1977 the sub-municipalities of Heverlee, Kessel-Lo, Wijgmaal and Wilsele have been part of it. Because of the many students, demand for flats is high, so start looking early; we do not give specific rents. The official language is Dutch. For the move, loading times and parking bans in the city centre matter most – in the sub-municipalities it is often easier.
Transparent prices for every move
- Small 1-room flat: from €375
- Cosy 2-room flat: from €584
- Family-sized 3-room flat: from €894
- Spacious 4-room flat: from €1,269
- House or villa: individual quote after a survey
- Long-distance moves: from €4.15/km
Arrange a free survey now!
What affects the moving price?
The price of your move depends on several factors: the volume of your belongings, the distance (from €4.15/km) and the floor and lift at your home. A parking restriction zone can also affect the calculation. Additional services such as furniture assembly or a part load also affect the final total.
Our range of services
Find out more about our wide range of moving services.
Private move: private move for every household.
Furniture transport: furniture transport safe and reliable.
Part load: part load for smaller quantities.
Company relocation: company relocation professionally organised.
Clearance: clearance done quickly.
Moving with assembly: moving with assembly fully organised.
More routes from Berlin
From a small flat to a company relocation, we plan moves from Berlin (Stromstraße 21), including to Belgium. The locations overview shows places with their own pages, and there is more on long routes under Long-distance moves.
Leuven: access, pedestrian zone and a permit for the removal van
Leuven (Löwen) has a city centre with a pedestrian zone and a traffic-calmed zone. For a move it pays to look at the City of Leuven's rules. Anyone placing a container, aerial work platform, scaffolding, removal van or furniture lift on the public road needs a permit, according to the city. The overview page does not state costs, lead time or procedure; these have to be asked of the city (telephone 016 27 27 27, weekdays 9 am to 5 pm).
On access, the city states:
- Pedestrian zone: entry only in the time windows 6 am to 11 am and 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm. Anyone staying longer, for example for a move, needs a permit to use the street; there are no parking spaces there.
- Traffic-calmed zone: the rules apply all day; on-street parking is reserved for residents, among others. Longer stays by lorries require a temporary parking ban or a permit.
- Bondgenotenlaan: between Martelarenplein and Vital Decosterstraat no stopping or parking from 7 to 9 am and from 3 to 6 pm.
- Martelarenplein: access via the Diestsevest; through traffic from the Tiensevest side is camera-controlled and only allowed for buses, residents and permit holders.
We plan the moving date around these times. Tips on getting there are supplemented by the guide to costs and districts in Leuven.
Leuven: registering after moving in and planning the journey from Berlin-Moabit
After moving in, you report your new address to the city. According to the City of Leuven, for moves to or within Leuven: no later than eight working days after the move, online. You can report up to two weeks before the move. The neighbourhood police officer then checks that you live there; this can take up to four weeks, and a name plate on the doorbell and letterbox is important. There is a free appointment for your ID card and change of address.
For EU citizens staying longer than three months, the route is „Inschrijven als burger van de EU, EER of Zwitserland“: according to the city, register as soon as possible after arrival; the department for non-Belgians provides information (016 27 21 94, [email protected]). The electronic residence card is compulsory from the age of twelve.
On the journey: for lorries over 3.5 tonnes, Viapass charges a kilometre levy in Belgium. The drivers keep to the EU driving times: a maximum of 9 hours a day, a break of at least 45 minutes after 4.5 hours, and 11 hours' rest (Your Europe). That is why we plan an overnight stop if needed and tell you the delivery window in advance. Find out more about everyday life in the Living in Leuven guide. We describe other destinations in Belgium for Mechelen and Liège.
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