Moving to Germany from the USA
Germany draws Americans for work and study, with household goods shipping by sea container to Hamburg or Bremerhaven. This guide covers costs, transit times, EU customs relief and the main visa routes for Americans.
Estimate your move cost
An instant, route-specific range for Germany. Adjust the details for a closer figure, then get matched with movers for exact quotes.
Estimated shipping cost
$6,400 – $9,500
Indicative only — based on typical 2 bedrooms moves. Get real quotes below.
Visa & residency options in Germany
Germany sets its own immigration rules. The routes below are informational — consult a German immigration lawyer for advice.
EU Blue Card
For graduates with a qualifying job offer above the salary threshold.
Job Seeker Visa / Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)
To enter Germany and look for work.
Freelance visa (Freiberufler)
For self-employed professionals — popular in Berlin.
Student visa
For enrollment at a German institution.
These are Germany immigration routes — consult a local immigration lawyer for advice. Portunus specializes in U.S. visas, not Germany ones.
Typical moving costs
Indicative ranges by home size for moving to germany from the usa. Reviewed 2026-06-15.
Studio
$2,584–$4,080
1 bedroom
$3,944–$6,120
2 bedrooms
$5,304–$8,500
3 bedrooms
$7,820–$12,240
20ft container
$3,910–$5,980
40ft container
$6,460–$9,880
What drives the cost
- Shared vs full container (volume)
- Origin coast & port pair
- Door-to-door vs port-to-port
- Packing, insurance & customs handling
- Season — summer is peak
Transit times
Shipping methods
- Sea freight, shared container / LCL (cheapest for partial loads)
- Sea freight, full container / FCL (20ft or 40ft for whole-home moves)
- Air freight (fast but expensive — for essentials only)
Moving companies for this route
Compare what each mover offers, then request quotes to see exact pricing for your move.
| Mover | Best for | Door-to-door | Packing | Storage | Vehicles | Pets | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SDC International Shipping | Sea freight, Door-to-door overseas | Get quote | |||||
| International Van Lines | Best overall, Full-service moves | Get quote | |||||
| Crown Relocations | Premium, Corporate relocation | Get quote | |||||
| Seven Seas Worldwide | Budget, Small moves & students | Get quote | |||||
| PSS International Removals | Worldwide shipping, Part & full loads | Get quote | |||||
| Sirelo (compare multiple movers) | Compare several quotes at once | Get quote |
Movers serving the Germany route. Links go to each company's own quote page; we may be compensated for referrals. We don't publish third-party star ratings — request quotes to compare directly.
Customs & import rules
- Germany is in the EU: used household goods enter duty/VAT-free under transfer-of-residence relief.
- Generally requires you lived outside the EU 12+ months and owned/used the goods 6+ months.
- A detailed inventory and German registration/residence documentation are required.
- New items, alcohol/tobacco over limits and vehicles have separate rules.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to move to Germany from the USA?
A shared-container move is roughly $2,600–$8,500 by volume and service; a full 40ft container can run $7,600+. Use the estimator above for a route-specific range.
How long does shipping from the USA to Germany take?
From the U.S. East Coast, sea freight to Hamburg/Bremerhaven is typically 12–20 days in transit; the West Coast is longer. Add packing, customs and delivery.
Do I pay import duty moving household goods to Germany?
Used belongings usually qualify for EU transfer-of-residence relief if you lived outside the EU 12+ months and have German residence documents plus an inventory.
Can Americans move to Germany?
Yes — common routes include the EU Blue Card, Opportunity Card, freelance and student visas. These are German routes; consult a German immigration lawyer.
Estimates and timelines are indicative; mover and route details last reviewed 2026-06-15. We may be compensated when you request a quote through links on this page.