Moving on a Tight Budget: Financial Support Options
Moving on a tight budget
Financial support for a move: who contributes?
Approval first, then the move
A move on a tight budget is often not a wish but a necessity – a flat that is too expensive or too small, a separation, a new job in another city. Anyone receiving basic income support (Grundsicherungsgeld; until June 2026 citizen's income, Bürgergeld) can apply to the Jobcentre for moving costs to be covered; anyone receiving social assistance applies to the social welfare office (Sozialamt). Both, however, only pay if they have agreed before the move. And for jobseekers taking up a position, there is support from the Federal Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit).
For the application, you usually need a written quote for the moving costs. We come from Berlin-Moabit (Stromstraße 21), survey your flat and then give you a fixed price listing every service separately – so the office can see what the money is needed for. Ask there how many quotes it requires. How your move works is described under Private move; the rules specifically for benefit recipients are explained in the guide Moving on citizen's income.
A written quote for your application
Fixed price after a survey – to submit to the office
Call us on 01625978461 and arrange a free survey. You will then receive a written fixed price with all services listed separately – to submit to the Jobcentre or social welfare office. Whether and how much the office pays is its own decision; only book the move once you have approval.
Quotes available individually based on workload, scheduling and the desired scope of services.
Four bodies that may cover moving costs
Depending on your circumstances
Who contributes to a move depends on your situation: basic income support, social assistance, job seeking with a new position, or an employer bringing you in. All bodies have one thing in common: the application comes before the move, not afterwards. We come from Berlin-Moabit (Stromstraße 21) and, after the survey, provide a written quote with a fixed price; you handle the applications and discussions with the office yourself. For your goods, we are liable under § 451e HGB at €620 per cubic metre. Which destinations we serve from Berlin is shown on the page Locations.
Jobcentre
Social welfare office
Federal Employment Agency
Employer
Six rules for the application
Many applications fail not because of the entitlement but because of the order of steps. These six rules apply equally to the Jobcentre and the social welfare office and help you plan a move on a tight budget safely.
Ask beforehand
Justify the necessity
Enclose a quote
The right office
Deposit as a loan
Objection within a month
Shared load for small budgets
A shared load is an affordable alternative if you have few household goods and are moving further away: your belongings travel with other consignments heading in the same direction, and you pay your share of the loading space. In return, there is a time window instead of a fixed day.
Support,
own work, tax
Whether a private move within the city or a long-distance move to a new job – on a tight budget, three routes help: support you apply for beforehand, your own work with packing and carrying, and tax in the following year. For small amounts there is also the shared load. More money-saving tips are collected in the guide Moving cheaply: 10 ways to save. First check which body is responsible for your situation.
Apply for support beforehand
Plan your own contribution
Tax in the following year
Questions about support for a move
Moving costs from the Jobcentre: how the application works
Anyone receiving basic income support – the name of the former citizen's income (Bürgergeld) since July 2026 – can apply to the Jobcentre for moving and housing procurement costs to be covered. The basis is § 22 para. 6 SGB II: the costs can be recognised if the Jobcentre responsible until the move has given its assurance beforehand. The assurance should be given if the Jobcentre initiated the move or it is necessary for other reasons and no flat could be found within a reasonable time without it.
Enclose a justification and a written quote with the application. After the survey, we prepare a fixed price with all individual items. You apply for the rental deposit at the Jobcentre at your new place of residence; it is usually paid as a loan.
Other bodies: social welfare office, employment agency, employer
Anyone receiving social assistance should contact the social welfare office: under § 35a para. 2 SGB XII, moving costs can be covered with prior approval, and rental deposits as a loan. The housing benefit office (Wohngeldstelle) does not pay moving costs; it recalculates housing benefit for the new rent. Charitable foundations help in individual cases – ask at social advice centres.
Jobseekers taking up a position subject to social insurance can apply to the Federal Employment Agency for support from the placement budget (§ 44 SGB III), before the move. If an employer is bringing you to another city, ask about reimbursement. For long distances, there are our long-distance moves from Berlin.
How much does my move actually cost?
A fair question that we are happy to answer: 1-room flats cost from €375, 2-room flats from €599. If you live in a 3-room flat, you pay from €905; with 4 rooms it is from €1,289. Houses and villas are always calculated individually. Important for anyone moving a longer distance: we charge long-distance moves from €3.95 per kilometre. Arrange a free survey today.
How your moving price is composed
- Moving volume
- Price per kilometre from €3.95/km
- Floor and use of a lift
- Need for a parking restriction zone
Optional extras: furniture assembly and a shared load.
Everything from a single source
Everything from a single source
You can book these services individually – or do them yourself and save.
- Office move – From IT to the filing cabinet, everything safely at the new location.
- Private move – Your private move in good hands.
- House clearance – We professionally clear flats, cellars and lofts.
- Moving with assembly – An all-round package with professional furniture assembly.
- Furniture transport – Reliable transport for your furniture, whatever its size.
- Shared load – You share the loading space and save real money.
Moves from Berlin
We come from Berlin-Moabit (Stromstraße 21) and handle moves within Berlin and from Berlin to other cities. Destinations with their own pages can be found in the locations overview, long routes under Long-distance moves.
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