Moving from Germany to Ireland
A move between two European Union members, which keeps customs and immigration simple, even as Ireland's housing market makes the landing the hard part. Here is the honest brief on cost, the ferry logistics, and the few numbers you actually need.
Costs are indicative ranges for 2026.
The honest summary of this move.
Moving a household from Germany to Ireland is straightforward on paper because both countries are in the European Union. For a 2 to 3 bedroom home, a shared road and ferry load runs roughly 3,000 to 7,500 US dollars in 2026, with door to door times of about one to three weeks via the French and Irish ferry ports or the land bridge across Britain.
The European Union membership is the gift here. Your belongings are goods already in free circulation, so there is no customs import, no duty, and no import VAT on your used household effects, and as a German citizen you have the right to live and work in Ireland without a visa or residence permit. That removes the two biggest headaches that movers to non European countries face.
The real challenge is housing. Ireland, and Dublin in particular, has a severe shortage of rental homes, high rents, and fierce competition for the places that do come up. Many movers secure temporary accommodation first and house hunt on the ground, and it pays to have references, deposits, and proof of income ready to move quickly when something suitable appears.
Two practical numbers. You will want a PPS number, the Personal Public Service number, for work, tax, and public services, obtained after you arrive and have an address. And if you bring a car, Ireland charges Vehicle Registration Tax when you register it, which can be significant, and Ireland drives on the left while German cars are left hand drive, so weigh importing against buying locally.
What this move really costs in 2026.
Cost is driven by your volume, the ferry routing, and the delivery distance in Ireland. The table shows indicative ranges in US dollars for the common home sizes, with road and ferry groupage as the typical choice.
Indicative ranges for 2026 in US dollars. The direct French to Irish ferry routes avoid two crossings but can cost more than the land bridge across Britain. Delivery beyond Dublin and city access affect the figure. Summer is busier and dearer.
- + Best value for a normal 2 to 3 bed home
- + You pay only for the space you use
- ~ Dates depend on a shared schedule
- + Faster and more flexible on dates
- + Worth it for a 4 plus bed home
- ! You pay for the whole vehicle
- + Fastest for key items
- ! Rarely needed on this lane
- ~ Best kept for essentials only
A realistic timeline for this move.
With no visa and no customs import to arrange, the plan centres on shipping and, above all, securing somewhere to live. Here is the sequence movers follow.
Plan housing and budget
Because Ireland's rental market is tight, start researching neighbourhoods and securing at least temporary accommodation early, and gather references, proof of income, and deposit funds to act fast.
Get three movers to survey
Have movers run video or in home surveys for an accurate volume and a binding or not to exceed quote. Choose between the direct French to Irish ferries or the land bridge, and confirm your slot.
Prepare documents
As an EU move there is no customs import to clear, but prepare an inventory for the move and gather the documents you will need in Ireland, such as identification and proof of address for later steps.
Pack and load
The packing crew comes one to two days before collection. Your goods are inventoried and loaded for the ferry routing to Ireland.
Deliver to your home
Because there is no customs import between EU members, your goods move freely and are delivered and unpacked once they reach Ireland, subject to the shared schedule.
Get your PPS number and set up
Once you have an Irish address, apply for your PPS number, register with Revenue, open a bank account, and sort utilities, a doctor, and any car registration.
Bringing your household goods into Ireland.
Because both Germany and Ireland are in the European Union, your used household goods are in free circulation and move without a customs import, duty, or import VAT.
Personal belongings moving from Germany to Ireland are not subject to customs clearance, duty, or import VAT, because they are goods already in free circulation within the European Union single market. This is the major practical advantage of an intra European move and removes the transfer of residence paperwork that non European corridors require.
You will still want a clear inventory for insurance and for the movers' own records, and you should keep proof of ownership for higher value items. The free movement of goods does not change your obligations on things like television licensing or registering a vehicle once you settle, which are handled separately in Ireland.
A few categories are still controlled even within the European Union, including weapons, certain plants, and protected species products, and pets need the correct documentation. The biggest paperwork item most movers meet is the car: importing one means paying Irish Vehicle Registration Tax when you register it, and Ireland drives on the left while German cars are left hand drive.
Verify before you move. While intra European moves avoid customs, the rules on vehicle registration tax, controlled goods, and any temporary requirements change. Confirm the current position with the Irish authorities and your mover before you ship, especially for a car.The realistic routes for this corridor.
As a German citizen you have the right to live and work in Ireland without a visa or residence permit, so this section is short. The notes below cover the practicalities and the position for non European family members.
German citizens can move to Ireland, live there, and take up work or study without a visa or residence permit, exercising European Union free movement rights. You simply settle and register for services.
To work and access public services you obtain a PPS number after arrival and register with Revenue for tax. There is no immigration permission to secure, only these practical registrations.
Non European family members joining you may need to meet entry and residence conditions under European Union family rules. Check the specific requirements for their nationality before they travel.
After a continuous period of lawful residence, European Union citizens can acquire permanent residence rights in Ireland, with the associated stability that brings.
How to choose a mover for Germany to Ireland.
We never name, rank, or recommend a moving company. Instead, here is the neutral checklist that matters on this exact lane. Apply it to any quote, then request comparable quotes through the form below.
FIDI or IAM affiliation
Membership of the FIDI Global Alliance or the International Association of Movers signals audited financial stability and a complaints process you can lean on if something goes wrong.
Real corridor experience
Ask how many households the company has shipped on your exact route in the past year. A mover that runs the lane weekly knows the ports, the customs broker, and the paperwork by heart.
A binding pre move survey
Insist on a video or in home survey and a binding or not to exceed quote. A price built from a real volume estimate is the only quote you can compare like for like.
Clear insurance terms
Read how marine transit cover is calculated, what the deductible is, and whether valuation is by replacement value. Vague cover is the most common regret on an international move.
Verifiable reviews
Look for recent, specific reviews that name the destination, not just star ratings. Patterns in how a company handles claims tell you more than any single glowing note.
Written scope and timeline
Everything that matters belongs in writing: packing, customs clearance, delivery, unpacking, and debris removal, with who pays destination charges spelled out.
Get moving quotes for Germany to Ireland.
One short form, shared with vetted international movers who run this exact lane into Ireland by ferry. No call centre roulette and no obligation.
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Real cost movements, customs rule changes, and corridor notes. No spam, and you can leave whenever you like.
Questions people ask about this move.
How much does it cost to move from Germany to Ireland?
For a 2 to 3 bedroom home, a shared road and ferry load typically costs from about 3,000 to 7,500 US dollars in 2026. The ferry routing and your volume drive the figure, and summer is dearer. Base your budget on a binding pre move survey rather than an online teaser.
How long does shipping take from Germany to Ireland?
Plan on roughly one to three weeks door to door for a shared load, depending on whether the mover uses the direct French to Irish ferries or the land bridge across Britain. A dedicated truck can be quicker, and there is no customs import to slow things between EU members.
Do I pay duty on my furniture moving to Ireland?
No. Because Germany and Ireland are both in the European Union, your used household goods are in free circulation and move without a customs import, duty, or import VAT. You will still want an inventory for insurance and the movers' records.
Do German citizens need a visa to move to Ireland?
No. As a German citizen you have European Union free movement rights, so you can live, work, and study in Ireland without a visa or residence permit. You simply obtain a PPS number and register for services after you arrive.
What is a PPS number and how do I get one?
The PPS number is your Personal Public Service number, needed for work, tax, and public services in Ireland. You apply for it after arrival, once you have an Irish address and the required identification and documents.
Can I bring my German car to Ireland?
You can, but Ireland charges Vehicle Registration Tax when you register it, which can be significant, and Ireland drives on the left while German cars are left hand drive. Many movers weigh that against selling up and buying locally.