Schwerin for newcomers: districts lakes, offices

Schwerin is divided into 17 districts (Ortsteile), some of which comprise several neighbourhoods. The centre includes the Old Town with Feldstadt, Paulsstadt and Lewenberg as well as the Schelfstadt with Werdervorstadt and Schelfwerder. This is where the castle, the cathedral and the Pfaffenteich are; the Paulsstadt was built from the mid-19th century near the main station.

In the south, the large GDR-era housing estates Großer Dreesch, Neu Zippendorf and Mueßer Holz (formerly Dreesch I to III) were built; in the west lie Lankow on the Lankower See and the Weststadt. Zippendorf and Mueß lie on Lake Schwerin, and Friedrichsthal, Warnitz and Wickendorf in the north.

As the state capital, Schwerin is the seat of the state government and the state parliament, which meets in the castle. Accordingly, there are many jobs at public authorities and ministries. Major employers also include Helios Kliniken Schwerin and Deutsche Bahn, plus companies in mechanical engineering, healthcare, services and tourism. In Schwerin you can study at the University of Applied Labour Studies (Hochschule der Bundesagentur für Arbeit) and at the Vitruvius design university.

Water and green space above all provide the quality of life: twelve lakes lie within the city, from the Pfaffenteich in the city centre to Lake Schwerin at Zippendorf and Mueß. Since 2024 the Schwerin Residence Ensemble, with the castle and 37 other buildings, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you come from Berlin, you are back in the capital in around two and a half hours via the A24 – practical for visits in both directions.

With a removal company, transparency is what counts most. That is why here are our guide prices: 1-room flats from €375, 2-room flats from €594, 3-room flats from €884, 4-room flats from €1,269. There is no standard price for a house or villa – for these we calculate an individual quote. If you move further away, a per-kilometre price from €3.80 applies to the long-distance move. Click through to a free survey to secure a binding quote.

For the price calculation, distance (from €3.80/km), volume, floor and lift are decisive. A parking restriction zone needed on site also plays a role. Additional services such as furniture assembly or part load increase the total accordingly.

We are based in Berlin and carry out moves to Schwerin as well as from Schwerin back to Berlin. Our page Move from Berlin to Schwerin describes the route, driving time and process; further destinations can be found in the locations overview.

In Schwerin, the traffic authority orders mobile parking restrictions (Haltverbote) for a private move on application. According to the state capital, the application must be made at least 10 working days before the moving date. You do not have to put up the signs yourself, but you do have to commission them yourself: you obtain quotes from signage companies, and the company puts up the signs no later than 4 days before the move. The application can be made online via the city's service portal. The fees are listed in the city's “Gebührenübersicht bei Umzügen” (fee overview for moves); we deliberately do not quote an amount here. Apply for the parking restriction and the exemption permit separately, each via the online service or by PDF form.

If you need to enter restricted areas, such as the pedestrian zone or no-parking and no-stopping areas, an exemption permit (Ausnahmegenehmigung) is also required. This too must be applied for at least 10 working days in advance. If a bollard key is issued, the rental deposit is EUR 50.00 according to the city. The responsible unit is the Lower Traffic Authority/Special Uses team (Fachgruppe Untere Verkehrsbehörde/Sondernutzungen), Am Packhof 2-6, tel. +49 385 545 1903.

We coordinate signage and dates for you; details under parking restriction zone. Because of the 10 working days' lead time, it is worth fixing the moving date only once the application and the signage company's quote are in place. For Old Town addresses, expect more preparation than for streets without restrictions.

The city portal describes the Old Town as a historic core with romantic squares such as the Schlachtermarkt, narrow lanes and busy junctions such as the Marienplatz. The Schelfstadt has largely been renovated and consists of palais and half-timbered houses with many courtyards. The Paulsstadt was built from the mid-19th century, mostly to plans by Georg Adolf Demmler. According to the city portal, the buildings of the Old Town range from the Renaissance to Classicism, with the historicist castle at the centre. In total, the city portal lists 24 neighbourhoods (Stadtteile), from the Old Town to Mueß; they are grouped into the 17 districts (Ortsteile). If you are moving into narrow lanes or courtyards, you should clarify access and carrying routes in advance.

You register your new address at the citizens' office (Bürgerbüro, Am Packhof 2-6). According to the city: Monday 8.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. without an appointment, Tuesday and Thursday 8.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. and Friday 9.00 a.m. to 12 noon by appointment only, plus every 3rd Saturday of the month from 9.00 a.m. to 12 noon. You can book appointments online or on 0385 545-1111. By law, registration is due within two weeks of moving in (§ 17 of the Federal Registration Act, Bundesmeldegesetz).

For bulky waste, the SDS waste calendar, which you can look up by address, is helpful. According to SDS, there are two recycling centres in Schwerin. More about our local services: removal company Schwerin.