Know the Rules for Your Move in Germany

Requirements are set nationally rather than by state, and a dedicated section of German commercial law deals specifically with moving contracts.

Before you rely on this

Unlike the US or Canada, Germany does not license movers state-by-state. Commercial goods transport licensing (since 27 February 2026, issued to new applicants only as the EU Community Licence, with legacy national Güterkraftverkehrserlaubnis licences valid until they expire) is a single national legal framework under the Güterkraftverkehrsgesetz (GüKG) and the underlying EU Regulation 1071/2009, overseen federally by the Bundesamt für Logistik und Mobilität (BALM), but administered regionally, by whichever transport authority (Verkehrsbehörde) covers the area where the company’s registered office (Betriebssitz) is located. The licence applies to the company operating the vehicles. There’s no 16-state patchwork of different rules, but the office you deal with depends on where the business is registered. Always confirm current requirements directly before hiring a mover.

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What kind of question is it?

Business & transport licensing

Trade registration (Gewerbeanmeldung) plus, where the mover operates its own vehicles, a goods-transport licence (EU Community Licence, or a legacy national licence until it expires), administered regionally but governed by uniform national/EU law.

Germany →

Moving-specific liability law

Germany has a dedicated legal framework for moving contracts (Umzugsvertrag, §§ 451 to 451h HGB), not just general consumer protection law.

Covered within the Germany page

International moves

The EU Community Licence covers cross-border transport; CMR excludes furniture removal, so § 451 HGB continues to apply to international moves.

International: Germany →

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Germany

Trade registration for every mover plus, where the mover operates its own vehicles, an EU Community Licence (Gemeinschaftslizenz). Germany’s licensing law changed on 27 February 2026, and new applicants now receive only the Community Licence rather than a domestic-only permitView requirements

International: Germany

The EU Community Licence covers cross-border road transport for movers operating their own vehicles; CMR does not cover furniture removal, so § 451 HGB continues to applyView requirements

Disclaimer: This information is provided for general reference only. Regulations may change. Always confirm current requirements directly with BALM, the relevant regional transport authority, and the local trade office (Gewerbeamt) before hiring a mover.

Last updated: October 15, 2026

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