What Does Moving in Later Life Cost – and Who Helps Pay?
Senior moves part 4
Planning an affordable move in later life
Keeping costs in view
For many older people the pension is tightly budgeted – so a senior move has to be predictable. The price depends mainly on the volume, the floors and lift, and additional services such as packing or furniture assembly. Sorting things out beforehand directly lowers the costs. During the survey we look at everything and then quote a fixed price. What can be included is described under Private move.
Two routes can ease the burden: with a recognised care level, the long-term care fund (Pflegekasse) can subsidise a move into a more suitable flat as a measure to improve the living environment with up to €4,180 (§ 40 (4) SGB XI) – the application must be made before the move. In addition, 20% of the labour costs can be deducted from tax as a household-related service, up to a maximum of €4,000 a year (§ 35a EStG). Our quote and invoice show the labour costs for this purpose.
A fixed price as the basis for your application
Free survey, written quote
For the application to the long-term care fund you usually need a cost estimate. After the free survey you receive a written quote from us with a fixed price. Call us on 01625978461. We are liable under the German Commercial Code (HGB); additional insurance is available on request.
Offers available individually, depending on effort, scheduling and the scope of services required.
How our price is calculated
Fixed price after a survey
We do not calculate by gut feeling, but by what we see during the survey: volume, floor, lift, carrying distance and the services you want. This results in a written quote with a fixed price that you can use for applications to the long-term care fund. We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21), are liable under the German Commercial Code (HGB) (§ 451e: €620 per m³) and offer additional insurance on request. The locations overview shows whether your destination has its own page.
Site survey
Packing service
Senior moves
Part load
Six ways to lower costs
A senior move does not have to be expensive. The following six points lower the costs or recover part of them – from choosing furniture to applying to the long-term care fund (Pflegekasse). Check in advance which of them apply to your situation.
Sort out beforehand
Apply for a grant
Use the tax relief
Choose a flexible date
Book services selectively
Avoid double rent
Part load: a small move, a smaller price
Costs,
grants, tax
Part 4 of our series is devoted to the cost side of the senior move: what does the price depend on, when does the long-term care fund pay a grant and what does the tax reduction for household-related services bring? We also show how relatives can keep an eye on costs when moving closer to the family, and what else needs to be considered with dementia or pets. Tips on long distances can be found under Long-distance moves, and details on tax in the article Deducting moving costs from tax.
Understanding the price
Grant from the long-term care fund
Tax and budget options
Frequently asked questions about costs and grants
Grants and tax: recovering part of the costs
With a recognised care level, the long-term care fund can subsidise measures to improve the living environment – up to €4,180 per measure (§ 40 (4) SGB XI). This can include moving into a flat that makes care easier or makes it possible in the first place, for example from the third floor without a lift into a low-barrier ground-floor flat. The application must be made before the move; enclose a quote. The grant does not apply to a move into a care home.
Regardless of the care level, 20% of the labour costs of a private move can be deducted from income tax as a household-related service, up to a maximum of €4,000 a year (§ 35a EStG). The requirements are an invoice and payment by bank transfer. Anyone who pays little tax benefits correspondingly less. More on this in the article What does a senior move cost?
Accessibility and safety when moving in later life
A barrier-free move starts with planning the new flat: door widths, ramps and step-free access should be checked early. Our team also makes sure that walkways stay free of trip hazards during packing and unpacking.
For additional safety we rely on non-slip aids and a team that responds particularly to older customers. That way the move goes smoothly and without unnecessary risks.
Starting prices for a senior move
- 1 room: from €369
- 2 rooms: from €609
- 3 rooms: from €899
- 4 rooms: from €1,299
- House/villa: individual quote
- Long-distance move: from €3.80 per kilometre
For a tailored quote we recommend a free survey.
These factors determine your fixed price
- Volume
- Distance (from €3.80/km)
- Floor
- Lift available or not
- Parking restriction zone required
Further services: furniture assembly and a part load.
Services individually or as a package
Book only what you really need – every service can be requested individually:
Part load: Part load – affordable and environmentally friendly
Office move: Office move – for smooth business operations
Private move: Private move – individually planned
Move with assembly: Move with assembly – including furniture assembly
House clearance: House clearance – for a clean fresh start
Furniture transport: Furniture transport – reliable and fast
Long-distance moves: costs for long routes
If the household moves to another city, the route becomes the most important cost factor. We are based in Berlin and drive nationwide; details under Long-distance moves, destinations with their own page in the locations overview.
Related Articles
After Moving In: Registering at the Bürgeramt and Every Change of Address for First-Time Tenants