Moving to London from Germany
Household moves to London from Munich, Berlin, Hamburg and the rest of Germany. We handle the UK customs paperwork, the Channel crossing and parking at your London address, at a fixed price agreed in advance.
ISO certifiedHow much does it cost to move to London from Germany?
From Munich, a household move to London starts at €1,200 for one person, €1,500 for two and €1,800 for three, including VAT and the UK customs paperwork. From Berlin, Hamburg and other German cities, your fixed price follows the same logic: inventory, access at both addresses and the services you book.
| 1 person | from €1,200 |
|---|---|
| 2 people | from €1,500 |
| 3 people | from €1,800 |
A planning guide, not a volume allowance. Open the calculator →
The price depends on the work more than the distance. A studio with packed boxes is a different job from a family flat with wardrobes to dismantle, a piano, or a London conversion with narrow stairs and no lift. Full packing, furniture assembly and parking-bay suspensions are only in your offer if you book them.
Import duty or VAT on goods that don’t qualify for customs relief is not part of the moving price. For a normal household move with Transfer of Residence relief, there is usually nothing to pay at the border.
Moving to London from Munich, Berlin or Hamburg
Most of our London moves start in one of Germany’s big cities. The drive itself takes about two days; what needs planning is the customs paperwork and parking at both ends.
- Distance:about 1,150 km from Munich and 1,100 km from Berlin, including the Channel crossing.
- Collection to delivery:two to three days, including the crossing and border checks.
- Crossing:by ferry or Eurotunnel, chosen for your dates and vehicle.
- Trucks:3.5 t or 7.5 t, chosen for your volume and London street access.
- Customs:the UK is outside the EU; our customs agent handles the import declaration in every offer.
- Your own travel:direct flights connect Munich, Berlin and Hamburg with London every day.
UK customs: Transfer of Residence relief
The UK is outside the EU, so every move to London goes through customs. If you are moving your main home to the UK, you can usually import your belongings free of duty and import VAT with Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief. The standard conditions: you have lived outside the UK for at least 12 months, you have owned and used the goods for at least six months, and you import them within 12 months of moving.
What you do
Apply online with the ToR1 form early and send us the reference. Allow two to three weeks for approval; HMRC makes the decision.
What we do
We prepare the inventory, provide the power of attorney in your customer portal, and our customs agent files the import declaration for your shipment.
Documents to have ready
Passport, proof of your German and UK addresses (for example a rental contract or employment letter), the inventory and the ToR reference. We check everything digitally before collection.
What doesn’t qualify
Alcohol, tobacco and newly bought items don’t qualify for relief, and neither do goods you intend to sell. Tell us about them so they are declared correctly.
Step-by-step detail in our UK customs document guide.
Parking, stairs and charging zones in London
In London, the street decides as much about delivery day as the flat does. We check your address before we confirm the plan.
Parking-bay suspension
Each borough has its own rules for suspending parking bays on moving day. Westminster, for example, asks for 10 working days’ notice. We check your street and apply where it’s needed.
Red routes and loading rules
On TfL red routes, stopping is restricted and loading is only allowed in marked bays at set times. If your address is on one, we plan the loading point and time in advance.
Flats without a lift
Many London flats are in converted terraced houses with narrow stairs and no lift. Send photos of the entrance and staircase so we can plan the crew, the protection and anything that has to be dismantled to fit.
ULEZ, LEZ and Congestion Charge
The ULEZ and LEZ cover Greater London, and the Congestion Charge applies in the centre. We plan the vehicle and route for your address with these zones in mind when we prepare your offer.
A real move to London with Smoover
Michael and his wife moved from Bogenhausen in Munich to Wimbledon and needed everything in London within two days. The team packed their boxes, wrapped the fragile items, dismantled the bed and wardrobe, and had the customs paperwork ready before the truck left Munich.
“We had a very tight schedule and needed our belongings to arrive within just 2 days, and they accommodated us perfectly without any issues.”
| Volume | 10 m³ |
|---|---|
| Services | Full packing; bed and wardrobe assembly; UK customs |
| Collection | 5 September, 11 am |
| Delivery | 7 September, 9 am |
| Loading / unloading | 6 hours / 3 hours |
| Price paid | €2,800 |
One completed move including full packing. Your price depends on your own inventory, access and services.
Packing, furniture assembly and practical extras
Pack your own boxes and leave the heavy furniture to the team, or hand over the whole household while you deal with everything else that comes with moving abroad. Each service is agreed and priced in your fixed-price offer.
Packing and unpacking
Full packing, or just the kitchen, books and fragile items. We protect furniture, label boxes by room and can unpack at delivery. Our packing guide helps with what you prepare yourself.
Furniture dismantling and assembly
We dismantle wardrobes, beds and tables before loading and rebuild them in London. New IKEA furniture can be assembled at the new home too.
Large TVs and valuable pieces
Share screen sizes and photos so we can plan suitable protection. Flag paintings and antiques in advance; see our art transport service.
Temporary storage
If your London home isn’t ready when you have to leave, we store your belongings and deliver later. Storage period and redelivery are agreed in your offer.
Insurance
Every Smoover move is insured through Allianz. Different levels of cover are available depending on the value of your belongings; we explain them before you book.
Leaving your German flat
We apply for the no-parking zone outside your old home, and where available you can add move-out painting and final cleaning for the days after collection.
How your move to London works
- Show us what’s coming with you.Send your German and London addresses, preferred dates and an inventory. For a larger home, a short video is enough and we create the list for you.
- Receive your offer by WhatsApp or email.We review transport, customs and services and send a detailed fixed-price offer. Ask your questions, then book online when it works for you.
- Prepare the customs paperwork.Apply for ToR relief and send us the reference. We check your documents digitally and confirm access and parking at both addresses.
- Collection in Germany.The team carries out the agreed packing and dismantling, protects your furniture and loads the vehicle.
- Delivery in London.We unload, place the furniture in the rooms you choose and reassemble what was taken apart. Someone needs to be there to let the team in.
Keep passports, keys, medication and everything for the first night with you, not in the truck.
Questions about moving to London
How much does it cost to move to London from Germany?
From Munich, household moves to London start at €1,200 for one person, €1,500 for two and €1,800 for three, including VAT and the UK customs paperwork. From other German cities, your fixed price follows from your inventory, access at both addresses and the services you book.
How long does a move from Germany to London take?
Plan two to three days from collection to delivery, including the Channel crossing and border checks. Confirm the delivery window with us before booking anything that depends on it.
Do I pay duty or VAT on my belongings when moving to London?
Usually not. With Transfer of Residence relief, used household goods you have owned for at least six months come in free of duty and import VAT. Alcohol, tobacco, new items and goods for sale don’t qualify.
What documents do I need for UK customs?
Your passport, proof of your German and UK addresses, the inventory and your ToR reference. We provide the power of attorney in your customer portal and check everything before collection.
Do I need a parking permit for the moving truck in London?
Often yes. Each borough sets its own rules for suspending parking bays, and some ask for 10 working days’ notice. We check your street and apply where it’s needed.
Can I send just a few boxes or items to London?
Yes. Many of our London moves are a few items under 5 m³. Send a list with photos and we quote the transport and customs paperwork the same way as for a full flat.
What if my London home isn’t ready yet?
We can store your belongings and deliver later. The storage period and redelivery are agreed in your offer.
How are my belongings insured?
Every Smoover move is insured through Allianz. Different levels of cover are available depending on the value of your belongings; we explain the options before you book.
Useful next steps
Planning your move to London?
Send both addresses, your dates and an inventory. We put together your fixed-price offer and the customs plan.
Illustrations are AI-generated and conceptual, not photographs of customer moves. Rules checked: 30 September 2026.