How high is the moving expenses flat rate for a work-related move?

The moving expenses flat rate covers smaller expenses that are not individually documented. There is an amount for you and a supplement for each additional person in your household; the amount is set by the Federal Ministry of Finance in a BMF letter (BMF-Schreiben) and adjusted at irregular intervals. Transport and estate agent's fees come on top. The tax office or a tax adviser can tell you the amount currently in force.

Does my employer cover the costs of the move?

Many employers cover part or all of the moving costs if the change is in the company's interest. Up to the amount of the deductible work-related expenses, the reimbursement is tax-free for you (§ 3 Nr. 16 EStG). It is best to clarify the exact terms in writing before the move begins; an itemised invoice makes settling up easier.

What counts as a work-related move?

A move is considered work-related if it is triggered by a change of workplace, a transfer or a considerable shortening of the commute. According to the case law of the Federal Fiscal Court (Bundesfinanzhof), this is the case if the travel time per working day is reduced by a total of at least one hour. Moving into or out of a company flat can also count.

Which receipts does the tax office need for the move?

Important documents are the invoice from the moving company , proof of estate agent's fees and the tenancy agreements for the old and new flat. Travel costs and additional subsistence expenses should also be documented. A well-organised collection of all receipts makes the tax return considerably easier. On request we issue you a detailed invoice that can be used for tax purposes.

How does a part load work when moving because of a change of job?

With a part load you share the loading space of a van with other customers travelling on the same route. Especially for smaller households, this saves considerable costs compared with a complete move. This option is particularly attractive for career starters or single-person households. We check for you whether a part load is possible on your route.

What does the cost of a long-distance move depend on when changing jobs?

The cost of a long-distance move depends on the distance, the size of the flat and the additional services you want, such as packing or assembly. With our fixed price you get full cost transparency in advance without hidden surcharges. Further details can be found under Long-distance moves . We will gladly prepare a personal quote for you after a brief needs analysis.

Can I deduct estate agent's fees for the new flat from my tax?

Yes, estate agent's fees for renting a new flat count as work-related expenses , provided the move is work-related. What matters is a proper invoice from the estate agent showing the commission. These costs can be claimed in addition to the moving expenses flat rate. If in doubt, talk to a tax adviser about your individual situation.

What is the difference between double housekeeping and a move?

With double housekeeping (doppelte Haushaltsführung) you keep your main residence and additionally rent a second flat at the new place of work, usually for fixed-term assignments. A complete move, on the other hand, means relocating the centre of your life entirely. For tax purposes, the two variants are treated differently and each offers its own deduction options. Which option is worthwhile depends on the duration of the job change.

How far in advance should I book the moving company when changing jobs?

Ideally, you should book at least four to six weeks before the planned date to allow enough lead time for planning and packing. For short-notice job changes, however, we also organise faster dates. An early enquiry also secures you better terms on the fixed price . Simply call 01625978461 and we will find a suitable solution.

What should I bear in mind with an international change of job involving a move?

With an international change of job , customs regulations, transport insurance and organising furniture assembly abroad play an important role. Tax rules also differ considerably depending on the destination country. Agreeing cost coverage with the new employer early on is particularly important. We will gladly advise you on the first steps for your international move.

Does the fixed price also apply to a short-notice change of job?

Yes, even with moves needed at short notice because of a change of job, we quote a fixed price after the survey, so that no hidden extra costs arise. We are liable for damage under the HGB, and additional insurance is available on request. Details of our services can be found under Private move . Contact us by phone for a quick quote.

MOVING FOR WORK

Moving costs when changing jobs

Moving for work? We explain which moving costs when changing jobs are deductible and what your employer may reimburse tax-free.

Get a quote

Our services

Customer service01625978461

Google · 119 reviews

(5,0/5)

Monday – Friday09:00 – 17:00 Uhr

Red box van on a paved square in front of trees

WORK-RELATED

Changing jobs

Moving when changing jobs: who bears which costs

Tax, employer, receipts

Unsere Firma When moving for a job, three parties often share the costs: you, the tax office and the new employer.

A change of job often comes with tight time pressure, as the new employer usually expects a punctual start. We take care of organising your work-related move from the first survey to the last box. We calculate a transparent fixed price that gives you complete cost certainty for discussions with the tax office or your employer. That way you keep track of all moving costs, even when dates are at short notice.

For tax purposes and for your employer, what counts is a comprehensible invoice. After the survey we quote a fixed price and itemise the services – transport, packing, assembly – individually on the invoice. Your belongings are covered under the German Commercial Code (HGB), and additional insurance is available on request. We come from Berlin (Stromstraße 21), travel nationwide and plan the move around your new start date. Details of our range of services can be found under Private move.

Sofa wrapped in stretch film, cushions and stacked moving boxes in an empty flat

50,-DISCOUNT

FOR THE NEW JOB

PERSONAL ADVICE

Request a move to your new workplace

With an individually itemised invoice

If you are moving for work, you need two things above all: a date that fits your start at work, and an invoice that the tax office and your employer accept. After the survey you receive a fixed price including all services. Contact us by phone on 01625978461 for an individual quote.

Offers available individually, depending on effort, scheduling and the scope of services required.

Two movers in red T-shirts lift a film-wrapped piece of furniture into a lorry

RECEIPTS THAT FIT

What you get from us for reimbursement and tax

Quote and invoice, neatly itemised

When moving because of a change of job, short lead times and receipts are the typical challenges. Many employers want to see a written quote before giving approval, and the tax office wants an invoice later. That is why you receive a binding fixed price after the survey, and the invoice lists transport, packing and assembly individually. Your belongings are covered under the HGB. We come from Berlin and travel nationwide – at short notice too, if the new job starts earlier than expected.

Written quote

Many employers only reimburse after prior approval. You can submit our quote after the survey directly to the HR department.

Itemised invoice

Transport, packing, assembly and materials are listed individually on the invoice. That way the tax office can assign each item to the work-related expenses.

Dates around your start at work

We plan moving day around your first working day – on request with interim storage too, if the new flat only becomes available later.

Long-distance move

A new job is often in another city. From Berlin we travel nationwide and abroad, and in the opposite direction into the capital too.

WHAT IS DEDUCTIBLE

Cost items in a work-related move

With a work-related move, every euro counts, as not all expenses are reimbursed automatically. We show you which cost items typically arise and how you can estimate them realistically.

Transport

The moving company's invoice is the largest item. With a work-related move it counts as a work-related expense; your employer can reimburse it tax-free up to that amount.

Estate agent's fees

The commission for a new rented flat can be deductible, but not when buying a property. Keep the estate agent's invoice.

Double rent

If you have to keep paying for the old flat for a while because of the notice period, this rent can be claimed as rent compensation (Mietentschädigung) – provide evidence with the tenancy agreement.

Travel expenses

Trips to look for a flat and the moving journey itself can count as travel expenses. Note the date, route and purpose of each trip.

Flat rate

For other expenses there is a flat rate for you plus a supplement for each additional person; the amount is set by a letter from the Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF-Schreiben).

Evidence

Employment contract, old and new address, commuting time before and after: with these you prove to the tax office that the move was work-related.

FOR SMALL HOUSEHOLDS

Part loads for career starters

Few household goods, a new place of work

For smaller households or people starting their careers, a part load (Beiladung) can lower moving costs considerably. You share the loading space with other customers on the same route and pay only for the space you use. This invoice also counts as a work-related expense.

Open cargo space of a red lorry with wrapped furniture, panels and boxes

WHO PAYS WHAT

Three
ways to share the moving costs

Tax office, employer, you

There are many aspects to consider when it comes to moving costs when changing jobs: from the moving expenses flat rate and reimbursement by your employer to the right part load for smaller households. Especially with a long-distance move to another city or another federal state, early planning pays off to save costs. Further information on moves across regions can be found under Long-distance moves. Our guide shows you in practical terms how to make the best use of tax advantages.

Work-related expenses

If the move is work-related – a new employer, a transfer or an hour less commuting a day – you deduct the costs in your tax return. This applies to a private move just as much as to a senior move or a student move to a first job.

Reimbursement by your employer

If your employer pays, this is tax-free up to the amount of the deductible work-related expenses (§ 3 Nr. 16 EStG). Clarify in advance whether a packing service, furniture transport or a small transport for individual items will also be reimbursed.

What you bear yourself

Whatever is neither reimbursed nor deductible – such as new furniture – is borne by you. With an office move or company move, the company pays; a part load or furniture taxi lowers your own share.

Mover in red workwear pushing a sack truck with a box towards a stack of boxes

MoabitBased at Stromstraße 21

Google 5.0 (119 reviews)

Two movers in dungarees carry moving boxes through a bright flat

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about moving costs when changing jobs

Answers on work-related expenses, the flat rate, employer reimbursement, receipts and estate agents.

Deductible items include transport costs, estate agent's fees, double rent payments and the moving expenses flat rate. The prerequisite is that the move is work-related, for example because of a new job or a significant shortening of the commute. Keep all invoices carefully, as the tax office may ask for evidence. We issue you a detailed invoice for your tax return.

Tax-deductible moving costs when changing jobs

If your move is work-related, for example because of a new employer or a transfer, you can deduct many expenses from your tax as work-related expenses (Werbungskosten). These include transport costs, estate agent's fees for a new rented flat and double rent payments during the transition period. For other smaller expenses there is a moving expenses flat rate (Umzugskostenpauschale); if you can prove higher costs, you claim the actual amounts instead.

What matters is that the move is demonstrably connected with the job, for example because the commute is shortened by a total of at least one hour per working day. Keep all invoices and contracts carefully, as the tax office will ask for evidence if it has queries. We issue you an itemised invoice that you can submit with your tax return.

Reimbursement of moving costs by your employer

Many companies cover part or all of the moving costs if the change of residence is in the company's interest, for example in the case of a transfer or a new site. Clarify early with the HR department which types of cost are reimbursed and whether there is an upper limit. For tax purposes: the reimbursement remains tax-free as long as it does not exceed the amounts deductible as work-related expenses (§ 3 Nr. 16 EStG) – whatever is reimbursed, you do not deduct a second time.

For the reimbursement to go smoothly, make sure you have a clear invoice that shows all services individually. Our fixed price with a detailed breakdown makes settling up with your employer easier. That way you avoid discussions about unclear items.

Starting prices for your work-related move

Number of rooms	Price
One room	from €375
Two rooms	from €605
Three rooms	from €909
Four rooms	from €1,324
House/villa	individual quote

For long-distance moves we charge from €4.10/km. Arrange a free survey now.

What determines the size of your moving invoice

Volume
Distance from €4.10/km
Floor without a lift
Required parking restriction zone
Optional: furniture assembly
Optional: part load

Services that can appear on your invoice

We list all booked services individually on the invoice.

House clearance: reduce the volume before the move. House clearance
Company move: when the whole team changes location. Company move
Move with assembly: dismantling and assembly as a separate item. Move with assembly
Furniture transport: individual pieces to the new place of work. Furniture transport
Private move: the complete household. Private move
Part load: affordable for small households. Part load

A new job in another city

If the new workplace is far away, kilometres and often a second moving day are added. We come from Berlin and travel nationwide in both directions: destinations in the locations overview, long distances under Long-distance moves.

Moving Costs & Prices

Beste Umzug Redaktion

August 28, 2026

Back to Blog

Moving Costs & Prices Moving Costs Moving Tips