Relocating from the UAE to Germany – 5 things to consider

Are you planning an international relocation from the UAE to Germany?

Whether you’re relocating for work, family, or a fresh start, moving from the UAE to Germany is an exciting step — but it comes with its own set of practicalities. From navigating customs regulations to planning your shipping timeline, there’s a lot to think about.

To help you prepare, Jessie De Ryck, one of Crown Relocations’ experienced Move Managers, shares expert insights into five key questions we often receive from clients moving to Germany. Whether you’re shipping a full household, sending a small shipment, or importing your car, here’s what to expect — and how we can help make it easier.

1. Transit Times for Sea Shipments to Germany

You should allow approximately 9 to 11 weeks for a shipment to reach your new home. For relocations from Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Crown offers a direct sailing from Jebel Ali to German ports, ensuring faster and more reliable transit times.

The direct sailing to Bremerhaven typically takes 32 to 35 days. The door-to-door transit times include:

• Sailing time from port to port
• 3 to 5 working days in the UAE for customs clearance
•  5 to 10 working days in Germany for customs clearance
• Loading, unloading, and final delivery.

To ensure timely delivery, we recommend early booking, especially during peak summer periods.

2. Door-to-Door Quotations – Avoiding Surprises

At Crown Relocations, we aim to provide comprehensive transparent door-to-door quotations for international moves. However, certain destination-specific fees may arise based on your final address or property access. Common examples include:

• Port Storage and Demurrage: shipping lines grant very limited free time following the arrival of your shipment at port in Germany. This is often insufficient to arrange customs clearance and delivery so additional charges often apply.
• X-ray scanning and physical inspection fees: If German Customs order an x-ray scan for your shipment, then estimated costs will be €225. This applies in nearly all cases if you ship a vehicle. If German Customs order a physical inspection, then estimated costs will be €650 plus.
• Parking Permits: In many German cities with strict parking regulations — such as Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munich — a temporary parking permit may be required to secure space for the moving truck or container. If this applies to your delivery location, your Move Manager can advise you on local requirements and whether additional support may be needed to obtain a permit. Costs and availability will vary depending on the city and timing.
• Outside Elevator (Furniture Lift): In buildings without internal elevators or with restricted stairwell access, an external elevator may be needed for higher floors. This is often the case in older city buildings.
• Shuttling Services or Long Carry Fees: If your destination has narrow streets, gated complexes, or underground parking only, a smaller shuttle vehicle may be required to complete the final delivery leg. Alternatively, a long-carry fee may apply if items need to be moved a significant distance from the vehicle to your home.

If you have a final delivery address at the time of enquiry, your dedicated Move Manager will work with you to discuss the details and provide tailored solutions to avoid surprises or unnecessary additional expenses.

3. Customs Duties on Household Goods

Germany offers duty and tax exemptions for household goods and personal effects brought in as part of a relocation, provided you meet the following criteria:

• Items must be owned and used by you for at least 6 months and must not be resold within 12 months after importation.
• You have lived outside the EU for a continuous 12 month period prior to moving to Germany.
• Goods must be imported within 12 months of establishing permanent residency in Germany.
• You must provide proof of residency abroad and evidence of your intention to settle in Germany (e.g. job contract, rental agreement, registration of residence – “Anmeldung”)

4. Sending Smaller Quantities of Furniture and Personal Items

If you’re relocating on a small scale,  Crown Relocations offers a regular, cost effective EU Shared Container Service to Germany This service is ideal for partial shipments or when you’re sending goods ahead in stages.

Find out more about the service here.

5. Shipping Vehicles to Germany

You can ship a car and/or motorbike along with your household goods to Germany. Crown Relocations will support you with logistics, customs clearance, and final delivery. Keep the following in mind:

• The vehicle and household goods must belong to the same owner
• Duty-free import is permitted if the vehicle has been owned and used for at least 6 months before relocation and is not intended for resale within 12 months.
• You must provide proof of residency outside of the EU for at least 12 month prior to your move.
• In Germany, you’ll be responsible for registering the vehicle, completing a technical inspection (TÜV), and securing mandatory third-party insurance.

Important note: Vehicles imported to Germany must meet strict environmental and safety standards. Before shipping, you should research Germany’s regulations around emissions, technical inspections, and registration.