Moving to Germany
from Australia
If you are moving to Germany, OSS World Wide Movers provide a complete moving and relocation service. We are the experts in international moving and have been for over 50 years!
Moving and living in Germany
Moving to Germany to further one’s professional training, skill base, and/or career opportunities are common occurrences.
Germany is an incredibly diverse nation; with its incredible natural beauty from the mountainous south to the rolling plains of the north. Amazing rivers are lined with medieval castles and the villages are just stunning.
The pulsating cities of Berlin, Hamburg & Munich have so much experience and adventure to offer. Germany is an exciting and popular destination for Australians who love to travel, being central to Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Moving to Germany from Australia with OSS
At OSS World Wide Movers, our network of FIDI / FAIM accredited partners cover the whole of Germany.
Our partners in Germany are well versed in all aspects of the requirements for importation of personal and household goods.
This guarantees you a seamless, tailor made move to Germany, right through to your new home not only your personal effects and vehicles, but also for your much loved pets as well.
Germany’s central location provides easy access to the UK and the rest of Europe. It’s a popular and exciting destination for Australians.
Moving to Germany with furniture and household goods
When moving to Germany, can I pack my own goods?
Sending items which have been packed by yourself “owner packed” will attract more stringent inspection by Customs in Germany. Providing a detailed carton by carton inventory will assist Customs in inspecting your effects, and may avoid unnecessary delays. It is advisable to have your goods packed by OSS if you are looking at sending larger consignments. This ensures the clearance process can be conducted with a minimum of fuss.
Moving to Germany with my car
Moving motor vehicles and motor bikes to Germany is possible provided Customs criteria are met. This service is usually depot to depot; meaning the motor vehicle will be collected by you from our partners depot in Germany following customs clearance. Customs may require evidence that the owner of the vehicle has lived abroad for 12 months or longer. A copy of your passport with date stamp showing arrival in Germany; or a copy of lease or rental agreement on in Germany would be sufficient.
Moving to Germany with my boat
Moving a boat to Germany has similar requirements to moving a car when it comes to registration requirements and process.
Customs and Quarantine in Germany will have a special interest in the boat due to its exposure to marine life. As Australia has a fairly clean marine environment, your boat should pass customs and quarantine without any problem.
How long does moving to Germany take?
Sea freight transportation of your household goods to Germany generally takes 10-12 weeks for an FCL service. However, for services such as LCL and shared container services (i.e. groupage), a longer waiting time is typical. This is due to your goods being consolidated with other consignments headed to the same destination. For this type of service, it is crucial to discuss your options and shipping times with your removal consultant. Shipping times will vary significantly for each destination in contrast to FCL services.
When moving to Germany, what insurance should I have?
OSS offers a full range of moving insurance options depending on your needs.
Your shipment to Germany will be packed to export standards (designed to withstand the the longest journey). Adding the cost of insurance gives you complete peace of mind when moving from one side of the world to the other.
Ask us about Movecover, our Marine Transit Insurance product.
Moving to Germany with restricted or prohibited items
When looking to relocate to Germany you will need to consider the extensive list of restricted and prohibited items. The following is a sample of the extensive list you can see via this PDF: Moving to Germany – FIDI Guide
Moving to Germany with pets
Moving overseas with your pets presents a unique set of logistical challenges. When moving with your furry friend, this process will be managed with a specialist ‘OSS approved’ pet moving provider. We understand the needs of both pets and their owners. The pet moving provider will take care of all the relevant arrangements for your move to Germany.
Each person moving to Germany from outside the EU is allowed to bring in a maximum of five animals. This is classed as part of their “personal or household items”. The animals should be family “pets” and not brought to Germany to be traded or sold. Animals brought into Germany do not have to be quarantined if they have the proper vaccinations. (Proof of this is required.) Certain breeds (and cross breeds) of dogs present special problems. The rules vary from state to state in Germany. Most consider Pit Bulls, Staffordshire Bull Terriers and American Staffordshire Terriers too dangerous. Their import is banned.
The German Customs Office (Zollamt) is the federal agency charged with making sure that pet owners comply with the rules. More information can be found there.
Moving to Germany and tax implications
If you earn income in Germany, you are required to pay tax on that income. The German tax system operates with a progressive tax rate in which the tax rate increases with taxable income. Most people will pay income tax through payroll deductions through their employer. If you have multiple professions, run your own business or are self-employed in Germany, you will be required to submit an annual tax return to work out your income tax.
The income tax brackets for 2022 are as follows:
- Less than 9.984 euros: 0% Tax Rate
- 9.985 – 58.596 euros: 14% – 42% Tax Rate
- 58.597 – 277.825 euros: 42% Tax Rate
- More than 277.826 euros: 45% Tax Rate
If you don’t plan to use an accountant to lodge your returns please be sure to do your research thoroughly so that you don’t end up facing fines or penalties. Please note that this information is general in nature and not specific to your circumstances.
It is vital that you understand and obtain specific accounting and taxation advice suitable to your individual circumstances prior to your arrival.
Moving to Germany with electrical goods
For Germany, there are two associated plug types, types C and F. Plug type C is the standard European plug which has two round pins and plug type F is the plug that has two round pins with two earth clips on the side. Germany operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.
Visa and Immigration Information for Moving to Germany
In 2005, the German government admitted that its immigration system was opaque and overly complex and omitted all previous variations. Now, you get an Aufenthaltserlaubnis that will clearly instruct whether or not you are allowed to work. A residence permit is limited in years and forbids you from working unless it expressly says so.
Depending on the line of work you intend to do in Germany, you might be able to obtain permission from the labour office, which is known as the Bundesagentur für Arbeit. However, highly qualified workers (such as academics, IT specialists with an annual salary above EUR 66,000) can gain a Niederlassungserlaubnis from the start.
The situation is similar for self-employed entrepreneurs. The German government grants privileges to someone who invests EUR 250,000 and creates five new jobs. Those who do so get permanent residency immediately and do not need any integration course. If you lack the funds, it isn’t the end of your venture, you will simply only be granted a temporary permit to start with.
Citizens of EU countries are spared the hassle of acquiring any type of residency permit because European law grants the freedom of movement inside the EU. When they register their residential address with the Bürgeramt their status will be documented ‘ex officio’. However, when the family member is from outside the EU, these persons still have to obey visa regulations.
Citizens of the US, Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand and Switzerland can enter without a visa but must apply for their residency permit within three months – before their ‘visa waiver’ expires.
Passport Information for Moving to Germany
A new passport law has been in effect since 1 November 2007. Under this new law, fingerprints also must be stored on a chip contained in German biometric passports. This affects all passport applicants six years and older:https://australien.diplo.de/au-de/service/02-reisepaesse
General Information when Moving to Germany
If you’re looking for some general information about the country of Germany, you should have a look at this: https://www.spendlifetraveling.com/things-to-know-before-moving-to-germany/
German Consulate
Do you need a visa for Germany or a new passport or you want to renew your current one ? If you are looking for information on German citizenship or numerous other consular matters, view the items below.
Visa Information for Moving to Germany
Important information for Australian citizens – You should generally apply for a residence permit after entering Germany at the local immigration authority, without applying for a visa beforehand: https://australien.diplo.de/au-de/service/10-visaeinreise
All about Germany – Moving to a new lifestyle
Germany is one of Europe’s largest countries and is situated between Netherlands, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Czechoslovakia & Poland.
The spiritual heart of the country is the incredible central city of Berlin, which has risen from the ashes of World War 2 and now after being reunited with Eastern Berlin is the capital of a reunified Germany. The world-famous Rhine River flows from Switzerland towards the English Chanel. Along the Rhine’s banks other the other major rivers in Germany, such as Neckar, Main, Moselle, and Ruhr stand hundreds of medieval castles, churches, beautiful villages & towns, and centres of learning and culture, such as Heidelberg.
Being the site of one of Europe’s oldest universities being founded in 1386, and Mainz is historically one of Europe’s most important publishing centres. Oh, we forgot to mention the world Famous Beer festival of Oktoberfest which is held annually in Munich every October. These are all the centre of Germany’s amazing tourist economy, which every year brings millions of visitors to the country, drawn by this natural beauty, history, culture, and cuisine (including its renowned wines and world-famous beers).
Germany is an exciting, diverse and constantly surprising country where there is always something new to discover, even for people who have visited many times or lived there for years. From sports and history to language, music, food, culture and technology, there’s so much to do, see and find out about Germany.
When you are moving to Germany from Australia, you know you can trust OSS to efficiently move your entire home contents with minimum fuss as we have over 50 years specialist international moving experience.