How much does a move cost for first-time tenants?

The costs depend on the size of the flat, the distance and the additional services required. After the survey we give you a fixed price , so first-time tenants know in advance what costs to expect. For a small flat within the city, moves are often cheaper than expected, especially with a part load .

When should I plan my move?

Work backwards: if you have to give notice on a flat or flat-share room, the plan starts around three months beforehand. You should book the moving date six to eight weeks in advance and, in Berlin, apply for the parking restriction two to four weeks in advance. If you are leaving your parents' home, you can plan at shorter notice – but moves at the end of the month are booked up early.

What do I need to bear in mind when re-registering?

Within two weeks of moving in you must register with the registration authority – in Berlin at the Bürgeramt (§ 17 BMG). Bring your identity card and the landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung). Insurers, your bank and your employer should also be told your new address soon so that no post goes missing after the move .

How many moving boxes do I need for my first flat of my own?

For a small one-room flat, 15 to 25 moving boxes are usually enough. As a first-time tenant you often have fewer belongings than established households, which makes the move simpler. Our team is happy to advise you individually on the exact amount needed for your private move .

What is a part load and is it worth it?

With a part load , you share the cargo space of a removal van with other customers travelling a similar route. This saves considerable costs, especially for first-time tenants with few belongings. However, the delivery date is less flexible than with an exclusive removal van.

Do I need removal insurance?

By law, under the HGB the removal company is liable for damage to the goods, limited to €620 per cubic metre of cargo space required (§ 451e HGB). Within this limit we are liable for your goods; for valuable items you can take out additional insurance. Ask about it before the moving date is fixed – then this point in the timeline is also taken care of.

How does a fixed-price move work?

After a free survey you receive a binding quote with a fixed price . This price remains unchanged regardless of effort and duration, as long as the scope of services does not change. This way first-time tenants know the exact costs of their move in advance.

What should I check before moving into the new flat?

Before moving in, check all the meters, inspect the flat for defects and document them in the handover report. You should also test that the heating and electrics are working. These steps protect first-time tenants from later disputes with the landlord after the move .

How do I pack my boxes properly?

Use sturdy boxes, put heavy items at the bottom and pad fragile items well. Label every box with its contents and destination room so that the move runs efficiently. These simple tips make packing and unpacking much easier for first-time tenants.

What does a long-distance move to another city cost?

The cost of a long-distance move depends on the distance, the moving volume and the additional services you want. With our fixed-price quote you keep full control of costs even over longer distances. You can find details of our long-distance services under Long-distance moves .

What deadlines do I need to observe when giving notice on my old flat?

For tenants the statutory notice period of almost three months applies: notice must reach the landlord by the third working day of a month at the latest and takes effect at the end of the month after next (§ 573c BGB). Longer periods to the tenant's disadvantage are invalid, but an agreed waiver of the right to give notice may apply. Give notice in writing and early.

FIRST-HOME TIMELINE

Your First Move: A Timeline from Giving Notice to Getting the Keys

Q: How do I find the right removal company for my first move?

Look for a fixed price after a survey, verifiable customer reviews and clear information on liability: under the HGB, removal companies are liable for €620 per cubic metre of cargo space, and more protection is available through additional insurance. Request several quotes and compare the scope of services. A personal consultation, such as the one we offer on 01625978461, gives you additional peace of mind for your first move .

From giving notice on your flat-share room to registering your address: what needs doing three months, six weeks and two weeks before you move in.

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WORKING BACK FROM MOVING-IN DAY

First move

A timeline that starts with moving-in day

Step by step

Unsere Firma A timeline for your first move: notice period, moving date, parking restriction, packing and re-registration in the right order.

Your first move rarely fails because of the carrying, but usually because of deadlines tackled too late. If you are moving out of a flat-share room or a small rented flat, you have to allow for the statutory notice period of around three months; if you are leaving your parents' home, you have more leeway but still need a fixed moving day. Beste Umzug Unternehmen helps you set this day early. You can find all our services under Private move.

Once the date is set, the rest almost plans itself: six to eight weeks beforehand we carry out a survey and give you a fixed price, two to four weeks beforehand the parking restriction is applied for in Berlin, and packing happens in the last week. After moving in, you have two weeks to register at the registration office (Bürgeramt). On request we take care of packing, transport and furniture assembly; your goods are covered by liability under the HGB. Whether within Berlin or nationwide – we set off from Stromstraße.

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PLAN YOUR DATE

PERSONAL ADVICE

Set the moving date first

Survey, fixed price, fixed day

On your first move, the date is the anchor of the whole plan: once it is set, notice, holiday and parking restriction can be arranged around it. We survey your flat or room, then give you a fixed price and reserve the day. Call us on 01625978461 – the consultation is non-binding.

Offers available individually, depending on effort, scheduling and the scope of services required.

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PLANNED MOVING

What we take care of in the timeline

One date, one price

On a first move, almost every step depends on the moving-in date: notice, holiday, parking restriction, re-registration. That is why we carry out the survey early and then give you a fixed price – with this date and this figure you plan the rest backwards. We handle the transport as a private move from Berlin (Stromstraße 21); your goods are covered by liability under the HGB, and additional insurance is available on request.

Site survey

One appointment in your flat or room is enough to estimate the volume – after that the fixed price is set and you can plan the rest around it.

No-parking zone

In Berlin you apply for the zone at the district office (Bezirksamt) 2–4 weeks in advance, and the signs must be up for at least 72 hours – we take care of this on request.

Packing service

If you run out of time in the last week, we pack for you – we bring sturdy boxes and padding material with our packing service.

Assembly service

We assemble your bed and wardrobe straight away on moving-in day so that you do not spend the first night on a mattress on the floor – with furniture assembly.

STEP BY STEP

The timeline at a glance

A good timeline for your first move works backwards from moving-in day. The six stages show what is due when and which deadlines cannot be moved.

Three months before

Give written notice on your flat-share room or old flat: by the third working day of a month at the latest, to the end of the month after next (§ 573c BGB).

Six to eight weeks before

Arrange a survey, get a fixed price, book the moving day firmly and request leave from your employer or training provider.

Four weeks before

Order electricity and internet for the new address – connecting an internet line often takes several weeks – and start sorting things out.

Two to four weeks before

In Berlin, apply for the parking restriction at the road traffic authority of the district office; the signs must be up at least 72 hours beforehand.

Final week

Pack and label boxes, prepare a box for the first night and ask your landlord for the landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung).

After moving in

Register at the registration office (Bürgeramt) within two weeks (§ 17 BMG), note the meter readings and register for the broadcasting licence fee (Rundfunkbeitrag) for your own flat.

FLEXIBLE DATE

Part load: when your date is flexible

Cheaper with a time window

A part load fits into the timeline if your move-in does not have to be fixed to the exact day: your goods travel on a combined tour, which saves costs. Allow a time window of a few days for this and clarify in advance when the key handover is – then collection and delivery can be neatly coordinated with your notice and move-in.

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GUIDE SERIES

Deadlines
around moving into your first home

What is due when

This guide series accompanies first-time tenants through their first move of their own. Part 1 is about the timeline: when to give notice on your flat-share room or old flat, when the moving date should be set, when to apply for the parking restriction and what has to be done within two weeks of moving in. If you are moving further away for studies or a job, allow more lead time – more on this under Long-distance moves.

Notice and start of the lease

If your old and new rent overlap, you pay twice. Check the notice period and the start of the new lease first – especially when leaving a flat-share or student residence, where their own rules often apply. Your private move or student move is then planned around that.

Moving day and transport

With a fixed date, packing service, furniture transport or a small small transport can be booked to fit. The ends of months and Saturdays are in demand – if you move during the week, you have more choice.

Two weeks after moving in

Registration at the Bürgeramt with the landlord confirmation, broadcasting licence fee, bank and health insurance: this list belongs at the end of every timeline – whether after a private move, part load or furniture taxi.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the timeline for your first move

Answers on notice periods, moving dates, parking restrictions and re-registration when moving into your first home.

Look for a fixed price after a survey, verifiable customer reviews and clear information on liability: under the HGB, removal companies are liable for €620 per cubic metre of cargo space, and more protection is available through additional insurance. Request several quotes and compare the scope of services. A personal consultation, such as the one we offer on 01625978461, gives you additional peace of mind for your first move.

The timeline for your first move

A successful move starts with a look at your old tenancy agreement: as a tenant you give notice by the third working day of a month at the latest, to the end of the month after next – that is, with almost three months' notice. You can read exactly what form and deadline apply in the article Terminating a tenancy agreement. If you are moving out of your parents' home, you do not need to give notice, but you should set the moving day just as early. It is best to start packing four weeks beforehand.

Use sturdy moving boxes in different sizes and label them clearly by room. That way you will find everything immediately after moving in. Our team is happy to advise you on the packing materials you need for your private move.

Choosing the date wisely and saving money

The timeline also determines the costs. A part load is ideal if you are only transporting a few pieces of furniture and are flexible about the delivery day. A moving date during the week or in the middle of the month is also often easier to get than the last Saturday of the month.

Only compare quotes once the date is fixed, and look for a fixed price after a survey. With us you receive an individual quote, whether for a local move or a long-distance move to another city.

What your first move costs

Moving into a 1-room flat? Then you pay from €354.
For a 2-room flat it is from €579.
For a 3-room flat we charge from €915.
A 4-room flat costs from €1,299.
Houses and villas receive an individual quote.
We charge long-distance moves from €4.20 per kilometre.

We are happy to clarify all the details during a free survey.

What influences the price – and which of it lies in the timeline

For a realistic quote we need details of the volume, the distance (from €4.20/km) and the floor and lift. The question of a parking restriction zone is also important – in Berlin, apply 2–4 weeks in advance – as is whether furniture assembly or a part load is wanted.

Services you can build into your timeline

The more we take on, the more breathing space you have in the last week for notice, handover and the authorities.

Part load Part load
Company relocation Company relocation
Private move Private move
House clearance House clearance
Furniture transport Furniture transport
Move with assembly Move with assembly

Your first move to another city

We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and also operate nationwide – for example when your studies or first job begin in another city. For long distances, allow more lead time; everything important about this can be found under Long-distance moves. Destinations with their own page are shown in the locations overview.

Guides & Tips

Beste Umzug Redaktion

September 13, 2026

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Giving notice in a flat share: written form, notice period and every signature