How do I apply to the job centre for the costs to be covered?

You submit the application informally or with a form to the job centre at your current place of residence, usually with a cost estimate. State the reason for the move and enclose the flat offer. You apply for approval for the new flat at the job centre responsible for the new location.

Do I need to get approval before the move?

Yes. The approval for the new flat should be in place before the tenancy agreement, and the one for moving costs before you order a hire van or moving company. Anyone who moves without approval risks bearing the costs themselves; higher housing costs will then not be recognised.

What reasons does the job centre accept for a move?

Accepted reasons include, for example, excessive rent costs after a request from the job centre, a growing family, health reasons, taking up a job in another place or the termination of your tenancy. Wanting a nicer flat is usually not enough. The individual case is decisive.

What does reasonableness of the new flat mean?

Reasonableness refers to flat size and rent costs in relation to household size and local rent guideline values. If the new flat exceeds them, the job centre can refuse to cover the moving costs or approve them only in part.

Are the costs of a moving company also covered?

It is possible, but not the rule. Job centres are meant to keep costs low and often expect a do-it-yourself move. A company is more likely to be covered if you cannot carry out the move yourself, for example because of age, illness or small children. A written cost estimate helps with the assessment.

Does the job centre also cover the rent deposit?

Yes. The rent deposit is granted by the job centre at the new location, usually as a loan. It is repaid at 5% of the standard rate per month while you receive Bürgergeld (§ 42a SGB II). If the landlord repays the deposit later, the outstanding amount becomes due immediately.

What happens if I move without approval?

If you move without the prior consent of the job centre , there is a risk that the costs will not be reimbursed. The new rent may also not be covered in full if it is not considered reasonable. Agreeing things beforehand protects you from financial disadvantages.

How high should the cost estimate for the move be?

The cost estimate should be complete and transparent: volume, floors, route and every service listed separately. Whether it is reasonable is decided by the job centre; some require comparison quotes. We state the fixed price in writing after a survey, with transport, porters and materials.

Can I also carry out the move myself?

Yes, a do-it-yourself move is common; depending on the job centre, costs such as hire van, fuel, boxes and food for helpers are then covered. Clarify beforehand which receipts are needed. For heavy single items, a shared load or a single service from a company can fill the gap.

Does cost coverage also apply to a long-distance move?

Yes, the job centre can also cover the costs of a long-distance move if the move is necessary and was approved in advance. The current job centre remains responsible for the moving costs. Because of the distance, an accurate cost estimate is important; routes under long-distance moves .

Who do I contact for a suitable cost estimate?

For a written cost estimate , you can reach us on 01625978461. After a survey or precise details, we list all services separately. Whether the costs are covered is decided by the job centre; apply for approval before you place the order.

STRESS-FREE MOVING

Moving on citizen's income (Bürgergeld): who pays?

Q: Does the job centre always cover all moving costs on Bürgergeld?

No. The job centre only covers moving costs with prior approval, and only reasonable costs. Approval should be granted if the move was initiated by the job centre or is necessary, for example because the rent is too high. There is no automatic entitlement without an application.

When the job centre covers the costs of your move on Bürgergeld, which job centre is responsible and what must be settled before the tenancy agreement.

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FROM BERLIN-MOABIT

Bürgergeld and moving

Moving on Bürgergeld: approval, moving costs, deposit

who pays what

Unsere Firma is based in Berlin-Moabit (Stromstraße 21) and prepares a written cost estimate for your application on request.

Anyone receiving citizen's income (Bürgergeld) who wants to move should obtain the prior approval (Zusicherung) of the job centre (Jobcenter) responsible for the new flat before signing the new tenancy agreement (§ 22 Abs. 4 SGB II). Without it, higher housing costs after the move will not be recognised. The moving costs themselves are covered under § 22 Abs. 6 by the job centre at your current place of residence – again only with prior approval. It should be granted if the move is necessary or was initiated by the job centre.

Job centres expect costs to be kept as low as possible; often a do-it-yourself move with a hire van and helpers is expected first. A moving company is more likely to be covered if that is not reasonable, for example because of age, illness or small children. On request, after a survey, we prepare a written cost estimate with a fixed price. Everything about the process under private move; enquiries on 01625978461.

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Cost estimate for your application

In writing, with a fixed price after a survey

On request, we prepare a written cost estimate that you can submit to the job centre. It lists transport, porters and, if you wish, packing materials as separate items. Whether the job centre covers it is decided by the authority alone.

Quotes available individually based on workload, scheduling and the desired scope of services.

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CLEARLY DIVIDED

What we handle in a Bürgergeld move

Application from you, quote from us

We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and handle moves within Berlin and, as a long-distance move, to other cities. You submit the application for approval to the job centre yourself; for it, after a survey, we supply a written cost estimate with a fixed price in which every service is listed separately. For your household goods we are liable under § 451e HGB at €620 per cubic metre. Ask your job centre beforehand how many quotes it wants to see. Routes from Berlin under long-distance moves.

Approval first

Before the new tenancy agreement, obtain the approval of the job centre responsible for the new flat – otherwise you risk a gap in your rent.

Moving costs from the old office

For a hire van, helpers or a moving company, the job centre at your current place of residence is responsible; here too: first approval, then the order.

Deposit from the new office

The rent deposit is granted by the job centre at the new location, usually as a loan that is offset in small instalments against your Bürgergeld.

Under 25

Anyone under 25 moving out needs prior approval for housing costs to be covered; it is only granted for serious reasons.

ORDER OF STEPS

Six steps to an approved move

When moving on Bürgergeld, the order is what matters: first approval, then signature. These six steps help you avoid having to bear costs yourself.

Clarify the reason

A move is necessary, for example, when the rent is too high, the family grows, for health reasons or when taking up a job. Write down the reason with evidence.

Suitable flat

Rent and size must match the local guideline values. Ask the job centre for the figures before you accept a flat.

Apply for approval

With the flat offer and rent calculation, apply for approval at the job centre for the new location – before the tenancy agreement.

Apply for moving costs

Apply for the moving costs at your current job centre, usually with a cost estimate; some offices want to see several quotes.

Apply for the deposit

Apply for the deposit at the new job centre; if the landlord repays it later, the loan becomes due immediately.

Re-registering

After moving in, register within two weeks and send the registration certificate (Meldebestätigung) to the new job centre.

FOR SMALL LOADS

Few belongings? Consider a shared load

The budget-friendly alternative

With a small moving volume, a shared load can cut costs noticeably: your household goods travel on a trip that is already on the route. Here too you get a written cost estimate; a time window applies instead of a fixed day.

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THREE APPLICATIONS

Approval,
move, deposit

Who is responsible for what

With a move on Bürgergeld, two job centres are often involved: the old one for the moving costs, the new one for housing and deposit. Clarify early which documents both need. How the deposit is calculated and later repaid is explained in our article Rent deposit: amount and repayment. That way you are prepared for every step.

Approval for the flat

At the job centre for the new location, before the tenancy agreement. It checks whether rent and size are reasonable. If you move to another city, its guideline values apply – including for a private move from Berlin to another region.

Moving costs

At your current job centre, before placing the order. Reasonable costs are covered – often hire van, boxes and food for helpers, a moving company more likely in cases of age, illness, disability or small children. Keep all receipts; the office may ask for proof.

Deposit and shares

At the new job centre, as a loan. It is repaid at 5% of the standard rate per month; if the landlord repays the deposit after you move out, the remainder becomes due immediately (§ 42a SGB II). The job centre treats cooperative shares the same way; clarify the amount before signing.

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FAQ

Questions about moving on Bürgergeld

Approval, responsibility, deposit, DIY move, under 25 and long-distance move – briefly answered.

No. The job centre only covers moving costs with prior approval, and only reasonable costs. Approval should be granted if the move was initiated by the job centre or is necessary, for example because the rent is too high. There is no automatic entitlement without an application.

When the job centre covers moving costs

For the job centre to cover the costs of your move on Bürgergeld, prior approval is required. It should be granted if the job centre initiated the move or it is necessary for other reasons – for example because the rent is too high, the family has grown or for health reasons. The new flat must be reasonable in size and rent.

The order is important: first the approval, then the tenancy agreement and the order for a hire van or moving company. Anyone who acts without approval risks bearing the costs themselves. You can get a cost estimate for the application from moving companies before the decision.

How to submit the application correctly

You can apply informally or using your job centre's form. Enclose the reason for the move, the flat offer with rent calculation and a cost estimate; some job centres require several quotes. The current job centre is responsible for the moving costs, the new one for the flat and deposit.

On request, after a survey, we prepare a written quote listing transport, porters and materials separately. Call us on 01625978461 to plan your private move and prepare the application.

Moving costs in detail

From €339 for a 1-room flat
From €605 for a 2-room flat
From €899 for a 3-room flat
From €1,324 for a 4-room flat
Individual quote for a house/villa
From €4.25/km for long-distance moves

What does the price of your move depend on?

Key criteria are the moving volume, the distance (from €4.25/km) and the floor, with or without a lift. A reserved parking restriction zone ensures things run smoothly. If needed, we add furniture assembly or a shared load to your move.

A service offer for every move

Services for every move

Our services are as varied as your moving needs.

Private move: private move with all-round support
Shared load: shared load as a low-cost solution
Office move: office move carried out professionally
Move with assembly: move with assembly including dismantling and reassembly
House clearance: house clearance with no effort for you
Furniture transport: furniture transport safely to any location

Moving to another city

With a long-distance move too: approval from the new job centre, moving costs from the old one. We plan from Berlin; places with their own pages are shown in the locations overview, routes are listed under long-distance moves.

Moving Costs & Prices

Beste Umzug Redaktion

August 28, 2026

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