Moving to Potsdam: districts authorities and costs
Potsdam guide
Getting to know Potsdam: districts, authorities, moving day
Living on the Havel
Anyone moving to Potsdam is heading for the state capital of Brandenburg – with palaces and parks, Havel lakes and historic quarters such as the Dutch Quarter. For many Berliners, a move to Potsdam is a short trip: from our base at Stromstraße 21 in Moabit it is around 35 road kilometres. We handle packing, transport and assembly in one day. What matters in advance is access in the city centre and the parking restriction, which the city must approve at least 14 days beforehand. For private moves you can find all the details under Private move.
Whether an old-building flat in Babelsberg with a narrow staircase or a new build in Krampnitz with a lift – we check the floor, walking route and parking space during the survey. We secure heavy furniture, pianos or artworks for transport; we are liable for your belongings under the German Commercial Code (HGB), and additional insurance is available on request. If you are moving to Potsdam from another federal state, we plan the route as a long-distance move with a fixed price after a survey. You can find more information on moves between regions under Long-distance moves.
A no-obligation quote for your move to Potsdam
Fixed price after a survey, by video too
Tell us your old and new address, the floors and the large pieces of furniture – from this we plan the vehicle, team and time for your move to Potsdam. After the survey you receive a fixed price. On request we apply for the parking restriction in Potsdam in good time. Simply call us on 01625978461.
Offers available individually, depending on effort, scheduling and the scope of services required.
How we support your move to Potsdam
Short, but well planned
We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21, Moabit) and drive to Potsdam for your move via the A100 and the A115 or the B1 – depending on whether you are heading for Babelsberg, the city centre, Waldstadt or Golm. Before the date we check whether your street needs a parking restriction and submit the application to the state capital, which requires at least 14 days' notice. We quote the price as a fixed price after a survey; we are liable for your belongings under the HGB. You can find an overview of other destinations under Locations.
Packing service
Office move
Senior moves
Furniture transport
What you can rely on in Potsdam
On a move to Potsdam, planning and clear agreements count: the parking restriction, walking routes and date are fixed before moving day – as is the price, which we state bindingly after the survey.
One team for the whole day
Parking restriction included
Clear quote up front
Schedule based on your move-in
Flexible moving dates
Liability under the HGB settled
Single pieces of furniture to Potsdam
First
steps in Potsdam
A move to Potsdam brings a few typical issues: the parking restriction in the often narrow city centre, registration at the citizens' service within two weeks and heritage protection in historic quarters such as the Dutch Quarter. The date also plays a role, because many students move to the city at the start of semester at the University of Potsdam. Clarify the handover with your landlord early on, as well as the waste bin, which in Potsdam is the responsibility of the owner or the property management. If you are coming from Berlin, you do not need to deregister there – registering in Potsdam is sufficient. That way the start in your new flat goes smoothly.
Registration and visits to the authorities
Old buildings, new builds, walking routes
Dates, companies, special cases
Frequently asked questions about living in Potsdam
Potsdam's districts at a glance
Potsdam is made up of varied districts, each with its own character. Babelsberg is considered the creative heart of the city, shaped by the famous Studio Babelsberg and many late 19th-century buildings. The city centre around the Dutch Quarter and the Alter Markt impresses with historic architecture and short distances to cafés, shops and the state parliament. If you prefer things quieter, you will find new flats with plenty of greenery in Waldstadt, Bornstedt or the newly developing Krampnitz quarter.
Families often appreciate Kirchsteigfeld and Drewitz for their good infrastructure and more affordable rents, while students often live near the University of Potsdam's Golm campus. Nature lovers like to move to Groß Glienicke or Neu Fahrland, right by the lake and the Havel. Whichever district you choose, we organise your move to Potsdam to suit the location and type of home.
Housing market, employers and quality of life in Potsdam
The housing market in Potsdam is in demand, and in popular areas such as the city centre or Babelsberg supply is tight. As the state capital of Brandenburg and Berlin's direct neighbour, Potsdam benefits from a strong economy: alongside the Brandenburg state parliament and the state ministries, the Hasso Plattner Institute, research institutes on the Telegrafenberg and in Golm and numerous media and film companies around Studio Babelsberg are important employers. The University of Potsdam and the Film University Babelsberg Konrad Wolf also attract many students to the city.
The quality of life in Potsdam is exceptionally high: UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Sanssouci Palace and Sanssouci Park shape the cityscape, while numerous lakes invite you to swim and sail. At the same time, the RE1 runs from Potsdam Hauptbahnhof to Berlin Hauptbahnhof in around 25 minutes, making Potsdam ideal for commuters. This mix of culture, nature and proximity to a big city is one of the main reasons why so many people decide to move to Potsdam.
Prices for a move to Potsdam
| Type of move | Cost |
|---|---|
| Small move (1 room) | from €369 |
| Medium move (2 rooms) | from €584 |
| Larger move (3 rooms) | from €909 |
| Large move (4 rooms) | from €1,309 |
| House or villa move | individual quote |
| Long-distance move (per km) | from €4.15 |
For an exact price calculation, please use our free survey.
What determines the price in Potsdam
The decisive factors are volume, distance (from €4.15/km), floor and lift. In Potsdam's city centre a parking restriction zone (Halteverbotszone) is often added, which the city must approve at least 14 days beforehand. We are also happy to advise you on furniture assembly and a part load.
Our services for Potsdam
We are your partner for everything to do with transport and moving.
- Furniture transport: sofa or wardrobe – we transport it safely.
- Move with assembly: an all-inclusive package with assembly service.
- Company relocation: smooth moves for offices and companies.
- House clearance: professional clearance with disposal service.
- Part load: a cost-saving alternative to a full move.
- Private move: a complete service for your move to a new flat.
From Berlin to Potsdam and beyond
We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and handle moves to Potsdam as well as to other cities. The route from Moabit is described on the Berlin – Potsdam page, and you can find further destinations under Long-distance moves.
Parking restriction for your move in Potsdam: apply 14 days ahead, signs 96 hours
For the removal van in Potsdam, the road traffic authority can order a limited parking restriction in front of the building. According to the state capital, the condition is that loading and unloading would otherwise not be possible without disrupting traffic. The responsible body is the Roadworks and Traffic Control working group; the legal basis is § 45 (6) of the German Road Traffic Regulations (StVO).
The deadlines according to the city's service portal:
- application at least 14 days before the move begins
- traffic signs in Potsdam set up at least 96 hours before the start
You submit the application ‘Setting up a limited parking restriction for a move / loading zone’ online or by post, email or fax; you can reach the city on 0331 2892752. You must state your name and address, the reason, location and area, the duration and an overview plan or sketch. An application only ever applies to one street; if the moving-out and moving-in addresses are in different streets, you need separate applications. You set up the signs yourself or commission a company. The city does not state an amount: the fee depends on the GebOSt (fee schedule for road traffic measures) and the extent of the restriction, plus costs for the signs. In the Brandenburger Straße pedestrian zone you do not apply for a parking restriction; the existing signage applies there. On managed private land, the owner's consent is required. You can find more about our service under Parking restriction zone.
Registering in Potsdam after moving from Berlin: citizens' service, online route and waste bin
According to the state capital, anyone moving from Berlin to Potsdam must register in Potsdam ‘within two weeks of moving in’. Deregistering in Berlin is not necessary for a move within Germany; registering at the new place of residence is sufficient. It is free of charge and, with complete documents, usually takes about five minutes according to the city.
The citizens' service centre is located at Yorckstraße 22 and Friedrich-Ebert-Straße 79/81. The city recommends booking an appointment to avoid waiting; on Saturdays (8 am to 12 noon) it is by appointment only. You should bring your identity card or passport and the landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung); owners bring proof of ownership.
Alternatively, there is electronic registration of residence. For this you need an identity card with the online function activated, a BundID account, the AusweisApp and an NFC-enabled smartphone. According to the city, the citizens' service centre checks the application within 72 hours. The service does not apply to secondary residences or to people moving from abroad.
Remember the waste bin too: in Potsdam, registering and changing it is the responsibility of the owner or the property management; as a tenant, contact your landlord. We plan your move from Berlin via the Removal company Potsdam page, and you can find advice on the visits to the authorities in the guide Changing your registration online.
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