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Read our go-to guide on moving to Berlin. We’ve compiled everything about visa requirements, costs, advice and lifestyle.
We compared the estimated costs of moving to Berlin from London for transport types and different size households:
| Household size | Cost via Road | Cost via Sea |
| 1 bed | £1,400 – £2,000 | £2,200 – £3,100 |
| 2 bed | £1,800 – £2,500 | £2,900 – £4,000 |
| 3 bed | £2,300 – £3,200 | £4,700 – £6,400 |
| 4 bed | £3,100 – £4,200 | £5,300 – £7,200 |
| 5 bed | £3,900 – £5,300 | £7,300 – £9,800 |
Disclaimer. The costs above are only estimates and may differ from the actual costs due to the distance of the move, volume, and your individual needs!
You can transport your household by road, which takes 2-4 days on average, or by sea, which can take between 25-31 days.
Moving companies offer several services to make your move easier, including packing and unpacking, fragile item transportation, immigration advice, and storage solutions. The best way to find a company which suits you is to request quotes from different removal companies – You can compare prices and services to make an informed decision.
You can consider certain factors that can bring the price up or down:
The German capital is considered as one of the most family and kid-friendly in the country (and even Europe). With many outdoor areas such as parks and playgrounds and family-oriented activities, you will find a nice environment to settle and raise your kids.
There are some things you can consider:
As an open-minded and welcoming city, exploring Berlin alone can be exciting. In its dynamic and diverse environment, there’s a place for everyone.
Some things to keep in mind:
We gathered the main things you need to know before moving to Berlin in the following checklist:
Due to Brexit, you will need a visa to move to Berlin from the UK, unless you are an EU citizen.
There are two ways to apply for a visa:
Prepare your birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable), medical documentation, university degree, financial statements and health insurance policy. These main documents will be useful to have on hand for your move.
In Germany, it’s mandatory to be covered with – at least –public health insurance. The country counts with state and private health insurance. Every citizen is covered by the state healthcare, which covers the main services. However, you can also be eligible for private insurance.
If you’re going to start working in Berlin, your employer will typically sign you up for the public healthcare system. As an employee, you have the option to select the provider. The system works as a statutory fee, part of the social security contribution.
After registering at your new address, you should receive your tax number (Steueridentifikationsnummer) and provide it to your employer. You will also need to notify HM Revenue and Customs. Germany and the United Kingdom have an agreement to avoid double taxation. Read more on our page about Taxes in Germany.
If you’re bringing your furry friend, make sure it is:
Some dog breeds (and half-breeds) like Dobermann, Rottweiler, and Mastiffs must pass a viciousness test or face being banned from import like the following completely banned breeds: Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier.
For exotic or other pets that aren’t cats or dogs, check out the German Food and Agriculture Ministry’s page on pets or reach out to the German Embassy.
Don’t forget to review and cancel any utilities or services that you can’t bring with you, as well as to inform every institution and people about your relocation. Be sure to leave a forwarding address. The Royal Mail offers this service.
Let’s dive into the living costs and possibilities of living in the capital city of Germany.
In the following table you can compare the prices of daily costs in London and Berlin:
| Metric | London | Berlin |
| Milk | 1.32 £ | 0.98 £ |
| Eggs (12) | 3.40 £ | 2.79 £ |
| Coffee | 3.61 £ | 3.14 £ |
| Restaurant Meal | 18.00 £ | 11.97 £ |
| One-way transport ticket | 2.90 £ | 2.91 £ |
| Basic utilities | 289.62 £ | 284.70 £ |
Source: Numbeo
While English proficiency is increasing nationwide, some language barriers may still exist in rural areas, small towns, and particularly in eastern Germany. However, it shouldn’t be too hard to find English speakers in Berlin, as it is an international city known for welcoming people from all over the globe.
We recommend you take a German language course so you can integrate easily into the culture, as Germans are a bit hesitant to talk in English and you adapt to the country more easily as well.
If you’re still trying to find reasons enough to move to Berlin, weigh some of the following advantages and disadvantages of the city:
Accommodation in Berlin comes at a reasonable price and is often quite spacious, compared to other European capitals. Here are some estimated prices so you know what to expect when moving to Berlin:
| London | Berlin | |
| 1 bedroom | £1,700 | £800 |
| 3 bedroom | £3,300 | £1,600 |
| City Centre Price/m2 | £11,100 | £5,425 |
| Outside Centre Price/m2 | £5,600 | £3,500 |
Renting is a great way to get your foot in the city. If you’ve started doing some research this information can be useful:
To be able to work in Germany, you will need to get your visa first (unless you have EU citizenship).
These are the main industries you can start your research to find a job:
You can begin looking at job fairs and job listings on the following websites:
Even if jobs are advertised as English-speaking, the office language may be German. Therefore, learning German will give you an advantage and help your career, even just basic conversational German.
Now that you’ve finished reading, you are ready to move from the UK to Berlin. If you heed all the advice that we’ve listed here, it should be seamless and enjoyable.
