Long-distance move Berlin – Rotterdam: route process & schedule

As the Netherlands is a member of the EU, a move to Rotterdam involves no customs clearance and no import VAT on your household goods. An inventory of belongings is still helpful, for example for insurance. Separate rules apply to a car you bring with you: if you live in the Netherlands, you must register it there with the RDW, and the registration tax BPM may be due.

What matters is registration with the municipality of Rotterdam; this, the so-called inschrijving, is one of the first steps after your arrival. By law there is a deadline of five days after moving in, and you book the appointment online.

The cost of a long-distance move to Rotterdam depends on the moving volume, the distance and the scope of service you want. Thanks to our fixed price model, you know exactly from the start what costs to expect, with no nasty surprises at the end. Additional services such as packing, furniture assembly or interim storage can be booked individually.

The process begins with a free survey or virtual assessment of your belongings, followed by a detailed quote. Once the date has been agreed, our team takes care of packing, transport over 694 km with an overnight stay or two drivers, and delivery in Rotterdam. For more information on our range of services, please visit Home move.

For a tailored fixed-price quote, arrange a free survey.

Besides the volume, the distance plays a central role – we calculate from €3.95/km, and it is 694 km from Moabit to Rotterdam. The floor, lift and the parking options, which in Rotterdam are clarified instead of a German parking restriction zone (Halteverbotszone), are also factored in. For furniture assembly or a part load you will receive a quote.

Our service portfolio covers every aspect of moving and transport.

We come from Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and drive nationwide and abroad, including to the Netherlands. Destinations with their own page can be found in the locations overview, and further information under Long-distance moves.

According to the Gemeente Rotterdam, anyone moving to Rotterdam must register as soon as possible; only with official registration do you build up rights, for example to benefits or healthcare, and without it you risk fines. First registration in the Personal Records Database (BRP) applies to everyone who will live in the Netherlands for more than four months and has never lived there before. Anyone working or studying for less than four months registers as a non-resident. A requirement is a place of residence in Rotterdam, and children must also be registered.

First you answer a few questions on the municipality's website, then you book an appointment online; registration takes place in person. First registration is free of charge, processing usually takes four weeks once all documents have been received, and you receive a letter about it. With the registration you receive your BSN (citizen service number), which you need for work, a bank account, healthcare and school; a DigiD is only available to residents with a BSN. Anyone who has been registered before can register via “Opnieuw inschrijven” (re-registration), which according to the municipality takes a maximum of two weeks.

If you have questions, you can reach the municipality on 14 010, or from abroad on +31 10 267 16 25. For international newcomers, the municipality refers to the Rotterdam Expat Centre. The route and the formalities are summarised in the guide Long-distance move to the Netherlands.

Rotterdam is one of the cities with a zero-emission zone, which according to the national overview on opwegnaarzes.nl has applied since 1 January 2025. Vans up to 3,500 kilograms in emission class 4 or lower have no access. For lorries over 3.5 tonnes first registered from 1 January 2025, the site lists removal vans among the vehicle types exempt until 1 January 2030; older Euro 6 box vehicles have access until 2028 or 2030, depending on their first registration. Fines for 2026 are given as 130 euros for vans and 320 euros for lorries. Vehicle data can be checked via ovi.rdw.nl.

Since 1 December 2025 a housing permit (huisvestingsvergunning) has been required for certain Rotterdam streets. If your new address is one of them, the landlord must submit a declaration of willingness; even when moving (verhuizen) within the city you must then appear at the municipality in person and cannot authorise anyone else. So check this before signing the contract; if you have questions, the municipality can help on 14 010 (from abroad +31 10 267 16 25).

The municipality does not describe a separate procedure for reserved moving parking spaces on the pages we checked; enquiries go via 14 010 or the contact form. For comparison, see Long-distance move to 's-Hertogenbosch and the city guide Living in Rotterdam.