Moving from Germany to Iceland
A practical guide to shipping a home from Germany to Iceland by sea, the realistic timeline to Reykjavik, the customs relief on used household goods, and the residence routes that fit this corridor.
Germany to Iceland is a short North Atlantic sea move that hinges on the kennitala and the duty relief.
Moving a household from Germany to Iceland is a sea shipment, usually loaded at Hamburg or Bremerhaven and sailed to Reykjavik, where the Sundahofn terminal handles almost all container traffic. The route is short by ocean standards and well served by regular sailings, because Iceland imports nearly everything by sea, so the logistics are routine even though the destination feels remote.
Iceland is not in the European Union but is in the European Economic Area, and it grants duty free relief on used household goods for people moving their home, provided the goods have been owned and used for at least one year and arrive within six months of you establishing legal residence in Iceland. That relief, administered by the Icelandic tax and customs authority, is the single biggest lever on your landed cost, alongside getting your kennitala, the national identity number from Registers Iceland that unlocks a bank account, a tenancy and almost everything else.
As an indicative range for 2026, a one bedroom move runs roughly €3,000 to €5,500 in a shared container, while a full three bedroom home in a sole use forty foot container lands around €8,500 to €13,000 door to door. The sea leg is shorter than most transatlantic moves, but Iceland's housing market is tight, so line up your home before the box arrives.
What shipping a household from Germany to Iceland costs in 2026.
Indicative ranges in euros for 2026. Sea freight on this lane is priced by the volume you ship and the container you book, so the biggest decision is shared space versus a sole use box.
Indicative ranges for 2026, in euros. Real quotes depend on volume, the German load port, season, the Reykjavik clearance and the delivery distance from the capital.
- +You pay only for the space your goods occupy
- +Best value for a one bedroom
- −Consolidation adds time before sailing
- −Sailing date depends on the load filling up
- +Fits a typical two bedroom home
- +Your goods travel alone and are handled less
- +Faster and on your own schedule
- −You pay for the box even if part empty
- +Space for a three or four bedroom home
- +Best cost per cubic metre for large volumes
- −Overkill for a small flat
- −Needs truck access at both ends
Get moving quotes for Germany to Iceland.
Tell us your size and timing. We pass your request to vetted international movers who run the Germany to Iceland lane, and you compare them on your own terms.
A realistic schedule for this route.
A conservative schedule for a Germany to Iceland move. The fixed point is your sailing date, so book early and let everything else hang off it.
Book the move and take a survey
Get a binding in home or video survey of your volume from movers who run the Germany to Iceland lane, and lock a sailing while you sort your residence paperwork.
Sort documents and the relief
Assemble your passport, the packing and valued inventory, proof you have owned and used the goods for a year, and your evidence of legal residence in Iceland, which the duty free relief needs.
Pack and load in Germany
Movers pack and load your container at Hamburg or Bremerhaven, seal it and book it onto a vessel sailing for Reykjavik.
Sea crossing to Reykjavik
The box sails to Iceland and arrives at the Sundahofn terminal. This is the longest and least visible stretch of the move.
Customs clearance at Reykjavik
Your agent lodges the duty free relief and clears the goods with the Icelandic customs authority. Have your inventory and residence evidence ready to avoid delay.
Delivery and unpacking
The container moves by road to your home in or around Reykjavik, where the crew unloads, unwraps and removes the packing materials.
Bringing used household goods into Iceland.
Iceland grants duty free import of home inventory, meaning household equipment, appliances and personal effects, when you are moving your residence to the country, provided the goods have been owned and used by you for at least one year and you bring them with you or within six months of moving your permanent residence to Iceland or registering your legal residence there. The relief is administered by the Icelandic Directorate of Customs, part of the national tax authority, and you may be asked to prove you meet the conditions with a residence permit or an employment contract.
Newer items owned for less than a year fall outside the relief above a modest value threshold and can attract duty and tax, so list purchase dates honestly on your inventory. Goods that are not genuine household inventory, anything for sale or business use, and items with their own rules such as vehicles, alcohol and tobacco above allowances are treated separately. A detailed valued inventory is the backbone of a smooth clearance.
The routes in for this corridor.
As a German citizen you benefit from the European Economic Area agreement, so you have the right to live and work in Iceland without a traditional visa. You register your stay and obtain your kennitala rather than applying for permission. The right step depends on your situation.
German and other EEA citizens can live and work in Iceland. For stays over three months you register your right of residence and obtain a kennitala from Registers Iceland, the national registry.
Non EEA spouses and close family of an EEA citizen can join you in Iceland and apply for a residence permit on family grounds through the Directorate of Immigration.
If you are not an EEA citizen but are moving from Germany, you will generally need a job offer and a residence and work permit from the Directorate of Immigration before you arrive.
For students accepted at an Icelandic university. EEA students register their residence, while non EEA students apply for a study based residence permit before travelling.
How to pick a mover for this route, without the guesswork.
We do not rank or recommend individual companies. We teach you the criteria that separate a safe international move from an expensive mistake, then put your request in front of vetted movers who run this lane.
Check the trade affiliation. Membership of FIDI or IAM is the clearest signal a mover is financially screened and bound to industry standards for international household goods. In Germany, look for movers affiliated with FIDI or IAM and ask directly about their regular sailings into Reykjavik, their delivery network on the island, and whether they handle the Icelandic duty free relief routinely.
Insist on a binding pre move survey. A real video or in home survey of your volume is the only honest basis for a price. A quote given without one is a guess that tends to grow on moving day.
Compare like for like. Read what each quote includes: packing, materials, customs clearance, destination delivery, stair or long carry charges, and insurance. The cheapest headline number is rarely the cheapest move.
Understand the insurance terms. Ask whether cover is full replacement value or depreciated, what the excess is, and how claims are handled. Read the valuation clause before you sign.
Read recent reviews for this corridor. A mover can be excellent locally and weak on international shipments. Look for verified reviews that mention the actual route and customs experience.
Questions people ask about this move.
How much does it cost to move from Germany to Iceland?
As an indicative range for 2026, a one bedroom move runs about €3,000 to €5,500 in a shared container, and a full three bedroom home in a sole use forty foot container lands around €8,500 to €13,000 door to door. Your real price depends on volume, the German load port and the season.
How long does shipping take from Germany to Iceland?
Plan on roughly three to five weeks door to door for a sole use container and four to seven weeks for a shared load. The sea leg from Hamburg or Bremerhaven to Reykjavik is short, but consolidation and clearance add time.
Do I pay duty on my furniture moving to Iceland?
Usually not. Iceland grants duty free relief on used household goods owned and used for at least one year, brought in within six months of establishing legal residence. Newer items can attract duty and tax. Verify the current rules before you ship.
Can I bring my car from Germany to Iceland?
A vehicle is possible but follows separate rules from household goods, including registration and any duty or tax. Many people sell in Germany and buy locally given Iceland's conditions. Confirm the current requirements before shipping a car.
What ID number will I need in Iceland?
You will need a kennitala, the national identity number issued by Registers Iceland. It is required to open a bank account, sign a tenancy, register with healthcare and handle tax. Apply for it as soon as you can after arrival.
Last reviewed: 28 April 2026. We refresh this guide as costs, customs, and visa rules change.