'Moving within Germany: Checklist for changing your address, lease, and

It’s best to plan a move within Germany as a project with specific dates: first, terminate your old lease and coordinate the handover of the apartment; then, arrange for moving, mail forwarding, utility contracts, and registration at your new address. The key points to check are Kündigung, Kaution, Nebenkosten, Schönheitsreparatur, Anmeldung, and notifying all organizations that use your old address.

We’ve already covered finding a new apartment, and here’s a practical plan for after you’ve found your new place.

First, review the lease agreement

Once your new apartment is confirmed, the process of terminating your old lease begins. For a standard open-ended lease in Germany, a written Kündigung is required. According to § 573c BGB, the notice must generally reach the landlord no later than the third business day of the month for that month to count toward the notice period. For tenants, the standard notice period is often about three months, but specific contracts and special cases should be reviewed individually.

This is what a notice of termination of a rental agreement in Germany might look like

Before sending the Kündigung, check:

• Who should sign the notice if there are multiple tenants listed in the lease?
• to which address should the letter be sent;
• Is there a minimum lease term or a special termination clause?
• whether it’s possible to arrange for a Nachmieter—that is, a new tenant who will move in earlier;
• when you need to hand over the keys and take meter readings.

Don’t assume that the new tenant you’ve found will automatically relieve you of payment obligations until the end of the lease term. This usually requires the landlord’s consent.

Sort out the Nebenkosten and Kaution

After you move out, the landlord will settle the final account for Nebenkosten: heating, water, building maintenance, and other expenses specified in the contract. The final settlement often arrives after the end of the calendar year, once the landlord has received bills from the service providers.

There may also be a delay with the security deposit: the landlord may withhold a reasonable portion of the deposit until any outstanding rent, damage, or utility bill adjustments are resolved. According to the German Civil Code (BGB), the maximum security deposit (Mietkaution) is up to three months’ base rent, excluding utility costs. If too large an amount is withheld or the landlord fails to explain the reason for an extended period, you should request a written breakdown.

Before moving into the apartment, prepare the following:

• Take photos of the condition of the rooms, floors, walls, windows, plumbing, and kitchen;
• meter readings;
• the apartment handover report;
• your new address for the utility bill;
• a written agreement, if part of the security deposit is temporarily held for future adjustment.

Repairs and the condition of the apartment before moving out

The landlord is responsible for major repairs to the property, but the lease may include a provision for Schönheitsreparatur—cosmetic repairs. Such provisions do not always apply automatically: much depends on the wording of the lease, the condition of the apartment upon move-in, and the specific circumstances.

This is what an apartment in Germany looks like after the tenants have moved out: freshly painted walls, no chandelier, no furniture

Usually, before moving out, you should check:

• whether you need to paint the walls and ceiling;
• Do you need to fill in the holes left by shelves, pictures, and mounts?
• what to do about wallpaper, doors, radiators, and pipes;
• what is specified in the move-in report;
• which damages are considered normal wear and tear, and which ones might be deducted from your security deposit.

If the contract contains ambiguous wording or the landlord demands a full renovation without a clear justification, it’s best to consult the Mietverein or a real estate lawyer before handing over the keys.

Furniture, Kitchen, and Belongings

Apartments in Germany are often rented unfurnished, and sometimes without a kitchen. Therefore, it’s best to coordinate your move-in date so that you have time to measure the rooms, order a kitchen, make arrangements with the previous tenants, or decide what to bring from your old apartment.

What to do in advance:

• Measure the kitchen, doors, stairs, elevator, and hallways;
• Decide whether to sell, give away, or move your old furniture;
• Agree in writing on the Ablöse if you’re buying furniture or a kitchen from the previous tenant;
• Order delivery of new furniture with plenty of time to spare;
• Do not leave any belongings in your old apartment without the consent of the landlord or the new tenant.

Moving: On Your Own or Through a Moving Company

There are two main options: rent a van and ask friends for help, or hire a moving company. The first option is cheaper but requires more time and personal responsibility. The second is more expensive, but the company can disassemble furniture, pack large items, arrange insurance, and carry the boxes into each room.

Rental comparison services can help you estimate costs, but you’ll need to verify the final terms in the specific company’s offer

Before booking transportation, make sure to:

• the volume of your belongings and the number of boxes;
• whether a Halteverbotszone is needed in front of the building;
• who is responsible for damages;
• whether packing, disassembly, assembly, and carrying the items up to your floor are included;
• whether you can pay by bank transfer and receive an invoice.

Moving expenses can sometimes be claimed on your tax return, for example, if you’re relocating for work or as part of “Haushaltsnahe Dienstleistungen” (household-related services). The rules depend on the reason for the move and the documentation, so keep your receipts and review the terms before filing your tax return.

Timeline for Moving

3 months in advance

• Send a Kündigung for your old lease agreement.
• Sign the lease for your new place and agree on the Kaution payment.
• Set the move-out and move-in dates for your old and new apartments.
• Check whether you’ll need a new kitchen or furniture.
• Start a list of organizations you need to notify of your new address.

2 months in advance

• Request time off from work or arrange for a flexible schedule.
• Decide who will look after your children or pets on moving day.
• Sell, give away, or dispose of any furniture you’re not taking with you.
• Estimate the volume of your move and request quotes from moving companies.
• Coordinate with your helpers.
• Check whether there are any no-parking zones (Halteverbotszone) at your old and new addresses.
• Notify your internet provider about your move.
• Sign or transfer your contracts for electricity and gas, if this is your contractual obligation.
• Schedule a meter reading.
• Buy supplies for repairs, if they’re actually needed.

2 weeks in advance

• Prepare the property handover reports.
• Buy boxes, packing tape, markers, and protective film.
• Pack away out-of-season items, documents, and things you don’t need every day.
• Schedule a Sperrmüll pickup for furniture or appliances that can’t be disposed of through regular trash collection.
• Set up mail forwarding through NACHSENDESERVICE Deutsche Post if you want to temporarily receive mail from your old address. In 2026, the official Deutsche Post service is available for 6 months; the price depends on the registration method and customer category.
• Take photos of the common areas: the entrance, elevator, and stairwell.
• Take photos of your new, empty apartment before moving in.
• Check whether large pieces of furniture will fit through the doors and down the stairs.

One week in advance

• Label the boxes by room: bedroom, kitchen, children’s room, storage room.
• Prepare a furniture layout plan for your helpers or movers.
• Double-check the timing with transportation providers, helpers, and landlords.
• Check the lighting in your new apartment: in Germany, tenants often take their light bulbs with them when they move out.
• Pack a separate bag for the first few days: documents, chargers, medication, clothes, towels, and basic kitchenware.

On moving day

• Clear the hallways in the building and protect the floors.
• Keep documents, keys, contracts, a first-aid kit, and tools in a separate place.
• Move in the large furniture first, then the boxes.
• Take photos if anything is damaged during the move.
• Inspect your old apartment, the basement, the balcony, the mailbox, and the storage room.
• Take meter readings and record them in a report.

After moving: Registration and changing your address

After moving in, you need to register your residence at the Bürgeramt, Einwohnermeldeamt, or Bürgerbüro. According to federal regulations, registration (Anmeldung) must usually be completed within two weeks of moving in. If there are no available appointments, keep proof that you tried to schedule one on time.

For registration (Anmeldung), you’ll usually need your passport or ID, a completed form, and a landlord’s confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung). The exact list of documents depends on the city.

After registering and actually moving in, notify the following of your new address:

• your former landlord for the Nebenkostenabrechnung;
• banks and brokers;
• health and other insurance;
• your employer;
• your cell phone carrier and internet service provider;
• сервису Rundfunkbeitrag to avoid any unnecessary charges;
• subscriptions, memberships, clubs, and gym memberships;
• Zulassungsstelle, if you have a car;
• Deutsche Rentenversicherung, if you’re waiting for a letter or statement;
• The Familienkasse or another agency, if you receive Kindergeld, Elterngeld, or other benefits.

Finally, check the nameplates on the door, the doorbell, and the mailbox. In Germany, this isn’t just a formality: without the correct last name, letters from banks, government agencies, and insurance companies may not reach you.