Moving from Germany to Austria
Probably the easiest international move a German can make. A shared language, no customs, no visa, and a short drive. The work is the Austrian registration paperwork. Here is the honest brief for this corridor.
For a German, this is about as gentle as an international move gets. You share a language, both countries are in the European Union so there is no customs clearance, and free movement means no visa. The distance is short, often a single day's drive, and Austrian systems will feel familiar. The move itself rarely causes trouble.
What does catch people is the speed of Austrian registration. You are legally required to register your address, the Meldezettel, at the local registration office within three days of moving in. That is days, not weeks, so it should be near the top of your arrival list. After that, as an European Union citizen staying beyond a few months, you apply for a registration certificate, the Anmeldebescheinigung. Get those two done and you are set up to work, bank, and access healthcare quickly.
What it costs to move from Germany to Austria.
What it really costs to move a household from Germany to Austria in 2026, shown as indicative ranges by home size and method. This is a short overland move, so the modes are part load groupage and dedicated van or truck rather than sea containers.
Indicative ranges for 2026 in euros, before full packing, premium insurance, and any access surcharges. The short distance keeps this among the cheaper international moves. These are not binding figures, so confirm with a survey.
Four things move the number on this corridor. Volume is the main one, because a part load charges for your share of a shared truck, so a declutter before the survey lowers the cost. Distance and region matter: a delivery from Bavaria into Salzburg or Innsbruck is short and cheap, while a haul from northern Germany to Vienna or into a Tyrolean valley adds kilometres. Dedicated versus shared is the trade off, with a part load cheaper but slower and a dedicated van faster and date certain. And access at both ends, such as a car free Vienna inner district or a mountain village, can add handling charges.
A realistic schedule, working back from the sailing.
With no visa and no customs, planning is simple: book the move, then prioritise the Austrian registration, which has a tight three day deadline once you arrive.
Get quotes and choose the mode
Have movers survey your home and compare a part load against a dedicated van. Confirm your Austrian address so the registration and deliveries line up.
Arrange housing and essentials
Finalise your Austrian rental or purchase, since you need a confirmed address to register. Plan your bank account and health insurance setup for arrival.
Confirm dates and access
Lock the collection and delivery dates and check parking and access at both ends, including any inner city loading restrictions in Vienna or alpine access.
Pack and load
The crew packs and loads, then drives across the border. With no customs within the European Union, the truck proceeds straight to your new home, often within a day or two.
Register your address
Complete the Meldezettel at the local registration office, the Meldeamt, within three days of moving in. Then, as an European Union citizen staying longer, apply for the registration certificate, the Anmeldebescheinigung, and set up your e card health insurance.
Clearing your goods into Austria.
Germany and Austria are both in the European Union single market, so there is no customs clearance and no import duty or value added tax on your household goods. You move your used belongings to Austria as an internal European Union movement, with none of the inventory, valuation, and clearance steps that apply to moves from outside the union.
A professional mover will still prepare a basic inventory for insurance, and it is wise to keep your own list of valuable items and their condition. Controlled goods such as firearms, large quantities of alcohol or tobacco, and protected species are still subject to separate rules, so check those specific categories if they apply to you. For ordinary household contents, the border is effectively open and the move is purely logistical.
Vehicles need a little attention even within the union. If you bring a German registered car, you must register it in Austria after taking up residence, which involves the standard registration steps and, depending on the vehicle and timing, the standardised consumption tax known as the NoVA, although a genuine transfer of residence can qualify for relief if you meet the conditions. Pets travel under European Union pet rules with a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination, and an EU pet passport. This is general information and not legal or tax advice, so verify the current rules before you move.
How Germans actually move to Austria.
German citizens do not need a visa to move to Austria. Under European Union free movement you have the right to live and work there. This section covers the registration steps rather than permits.
As a German and European Union citizen, you can move to Austria and live and work without a visa. For stays beyond three months you register your residence rather than applying for permission.
- Basis
- EU citizenship
- Permit
- None
- Work
- Allowed
- Register
- After 3 months
You must register your address at the local registration office, the Meldeamt, within three days of moving in. The Meldezettel is a basic but legally required step and underpins much of your other admin.
- Issued by
- Meldeamt
- Deadline
- 3 days
- Proves
- Your address
- Need
- Landlord signature
For stays over three months, European Union citizens apply for the registration certificate, the Anmeldebescheinigung, at the competent authority, showing employment, study, or sufficient means.
- Issued by
- Settlement authority
- When
- Within 4 months
- Proves
- EU residence
- Need
- Income or study
Once employed or insured, you receive the e card, Austria's health insurance card, connecting you to the public healthcare system. Employees are usually registered automatically by their employer.
- Card
- e card
- System
- Public health insurance
- Need
- Employment or cover
- When
- After arrival
How to choose a mover for this route, with no names attached.
This site never names, ranks, or recommends a moving company. Instead, here is the neutral checklist that separates a safe international mover from a risky one. Apply it to every quote you receive.
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Questions people ask about this move.
How much does it cost to move from Germany to Austria?
As indicative ranges for 2026, a 2 to 3 bedroom move runs roughly 1,500 to 3,200 euros as a part load and 3,200 to 5,500 euros in a dedicated van, before packing and insurance. The short distance keeps this among the cheaper international moves. Get a binding quote from a survey.
How long does moving from Germany to Austria take?
Because it is a short overland move, expect about one to five days door to door. A dedicated van from southern Germany can deliver within a day, while a part load that consolidates with other shipments takes a little longer. With no customs inside the European Union, the border crossing has no customs stop.
Do I need a visa to move from Germany to Austria?
No. As a German and European Union citizen you can live and work in Austria under free movement. For stays beyond three months you obtain a registration certificate, the Anmeldebescheinigung, rather than applying for a visa.
Do I pay customs or duty moving from Germany to Austria?
No. Both countries are in the European Union single market, so there is no customs clearance and no import duty or value added tax on your household goods. You move your used belongings as an internal European Union movement. Controlled goods and vehicles have separate rules, so check those.
What is the Meldezettel and when must I register?
The Meldezettel is your address registration, and Austria requires you to complete it at the local registration office, the Meldeamt, within three days of moving in. It needs your landlord's signature and is the basis for much of your other paperwork, so put it near the top of your arrival list.
Can I bring my car from Germany to Austria?
Yes, but you must register a German car in Austria after taking up residence, and depending on the vehicle you may face the standardised consumption tax, the NoVA, unless a genuine transfer of residence qualifies for relief. Check the current rules with the Austrian authorities before you move it.