Checklist for Your Move

What do you have to consider when preparing for the move?

This checklist supports you in planning your private move and helps you keep track of things during the move and not forget anything important!

  • Terminate utilities: Terminate your old apartment on time (telephone, internet, TV).
  • Organize packing materials: Order moving boxes and other materials.
  • Plan renovations: Renovate the old and new apartments if necessary.
  • Check repairs and equipment.
  • Arrange childcare if necessary.
  • Apply for moving leave (if necessary).
  • Create a plan for furnishings: Plan furniture for the new apartment.
  • Buy and assemble new furniture before the move takes place
  • Go through and sort the entire household. Dispose of unusable items: Order bulky waste.
  • Defrost freezers.
  • Clean textiles: Adjust curtains and carpets for the new apartment.
  • Accommodate pets: With friends or relatives.
  • Organize food for moving helpers.
  • Prepare important documents.
  • Secure appliances: Prepare washing machine, computer, printer, etc. for transport.
  • Inform neighbors and caretaker (old and new address).
  • Remove nameplates: On the old apartment.
  • Attach nameplates to the new apartment
  • What do residents of their own homes need to pay particular attention to when moving?
  • Cancel garbage collection, winter service and any agreed gardening services.
  • Hand over keys to the new owner or agent
  • When moving with children: arrange childcare if necessary. Arrange for daycare and school deregistration or re-registration.


The last 48 hours: What you do shortly before the move.

  • Prepare plants: Water less in summer, keep dry in winter.
  • Pack important boxes separately and label them (food, cleaning products, tools).
  • Organize elevator keys (if necessary).
  • Handing over the apartment: With a protocol for the old and new apartment.
  • Note meter readings.
  • Plan transport and time required for the move to the new home. How long will it take me to get to the new place of residence? This usually always applies to long-distance moves.


Moving notifications: Who do I notify about a move?

  • Employers
  • Employment agency
  • BAFöG office
  • Banks
  • Building society
  • Acquaintances, relatives and friends
  • Book clubs
  • Residents' registration office: Since October 2024, you can register or re-register online in Berlin. Electronic registration of residence can be done online, free of charge and without having to go to the authorities. Go to the Berlin service portal.
  • Energy supplier
  • Tax office
  • Cable provider
  • Kindergarten, school
  • Child benefit fund
  • Health insurance
  • Post (forwarding application for six months)
  • Insurance companies
  • Clubs and associations
  • Cancel newspaper subscriptions
  • If you are moving to another federal state or abroad: inform your family doctor
  • Inform your telephone or streaming provider or change your delivery address.
  • Change your address/delivery for online providers