The Ultimate Moving Checklist for Berlin (From Someone Who Did It 4 Times)

Why Berlin moves are special

Moving is stressful everywhere. But Berlin has a few... peculiarities:

• Altbau stairwells: Narrow, winding, often no elevator
• Parking situation: Hahaha. Good luck.
• No-parking zone: Yes, you need to apply for this. 3 weeks in advance.
• Quiet hours: Officially no carrying heavy stuff through stairwell on Sundays

After 4 moves, I have a checklist that works. Here it is.

4 weeks before

Bureaucracy stuff (the most annoying part)

• Apply for no-parking zone: At the Ordnungsamt, costs about 20-30€, needs 2-3 weeks lead time
• Inform old landlord: Check notice period (usually 3 months)
• Mail forwarding: Online at Deutsche Post, costs 28€ for 12 months
• Organize moving helpers: Ask friends NOW, not one week before

Plan logistics

• Decide transport option:

  • Moving company? (From 400€ for 2-room apartment)
  • Rent a van? (50-80€/day + helpers)
  • Service like BringEasy for individual large items? (30-60€ per trip)
  • Bother friends with cars? (Plan pizza + beer budget)

• Declutter furniture: What's coming, what's being sold/given away?

Old apartment

• Schedule handover appointment: With old landlord
• Clarify cosmetic repairs: Painting yes/no? (Check rental contract!)

2 weeks before

Get materials

• Moving boxes:

  • 2-room apartment: about 30-40 boxes
  • Where? IKEA (sturdy), hardware store, or ask supermarkets for free ones

• Packing material:

  • Newspaper for dishes
  • Blankets for furniture protection (old duvets work!)
  • Tape (more than you think)
  • Marker for labeling

Start packing

• Things you don't need first: Books, decor, seasonal clothes
• Label boxes: "Kitchen", "Bedroom", "FRAGILE" - Trust me, you'll thank yourself

1 week before

Final preparations

• Organize keys: How many keys do you have? Return all of them!
• Disassemble furniture: IKEA wardrobes, bed, etc. - best 2 days before moving
• Get tools ready: Allen key, screwdriver, cordless drill
• Use up food: Empty fridge and freezer

Last admin tasks

• Note meter readings: Electricity, gas, water - photograph on moving day!
• Inform electricity provider: Transfer or new registration
• Transfer internet: At least 2 weeks before, they are SLOW

3 days before

• Confirm helpers: Ask again if everyone's coming
• Confirm van booking: If rented
• Check weather: Rain? Then plastic wrap for boxes
• Plan catering: Drinks, snacks, pizza for helpers

Moving day itself

Morning (before chaos)

• Pack first-aid bag:
  • Toilet paper
  • Towel
  • Soap
  • Charging cable
  • Important documents
  • Change of clothes

This bag goes LAST into the van and comes out FIRST.

• Clear out fridge: If not done already
• Take final photos: Of old apartment condition (proof for handover)

During the move

• Heavy stuff first: Washing machine, sofa, wardrobes
• Sort boxes by room: Directly into the right room in new apartment
• Take regular breaks: Every 2 hours, otherwise everyone gets grumpy

Evening (in new apartment)

• Set up bed: PRIORITY NUMBER 1. Everything else can wait.
• Check toilet: Does everything work?
• Test internet: Hopefully it works
• Say thank you: Give helpers beer/pizza, don't forget!

The week after

Bureaucracy (don't forget!)

• Register new address at Bürgeramt: Within 14 days! Otherwise fine.

  • Book online appointment (2-3 weeks waiting time in Berlin...)
  • Bring Wohnungsgeberbescheinigung from landlord

• Change address at:

  • Bank
  • Insurance companies
  • Amazon, Zalando, etc.
  • Employer
  • Health insurance
  • GEZ (yes, them too)

Practical stuff

• Unpack boxes: Most important first (kitchen!)
• Dispose of boxes: To recycling center
• Meet neighbors: Not required, but helps with package acceptance

Pro tips from 4 moves

Biggest mistake: Wanting to do too much on moving day. Set up bed, sleep, rest next day.

Best tip: A "survival box" with everything you need in the first 24h. Pack separately, DON'T bury in van.

For heavy individual items: Use a service like BringEasy. Carrying a piano or washing machine up 4 floors with friends rarely ends well.

Parking hack: Apply for no-parking zone + put chairs out the evening before (controversial, but works).

TL;DR - The short version

1. 4 weeks before: No-parking zone, helpers, plan transport
2. 2 weeks before: Boxes, start packing
3. 1 week before: Disassemble furniture, admin stuff
4. On the day: Heavy stuff first, set up bed first
5. After: Register within 14 days!

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Written after 4 moves in Berlin. Hopefully the fifth won't come anytime soon.