Moving to Germany from Dubai

Ocean freight runs from Jebel Ali to Hamburg; typical sea transit times are on our destinations overview. Add 3–5 days for UAE packing and export, and 1–3 days for German Zollamt customs clearance and onward road freight to your delivery address. Air freight via Frankfurt Airport is available for urgent shipments. We confirm exact timelines at survey based on available vessel departures.

The Umzugsgut exemption (EU Regulation 1186/2009) allows qualifying individuals transferring their normal residence from outside the EU to Germany to import used household goods and personal effects free of customs duty and import VAT (19%). To qualify: you must have lived outside the EU for at least 12 consecutive months, your goods must have been owned and used by you for at least 6 months, and goods must not be sold or transferred within 12 months of import. Fusion assesses your eligibility at survey stage and prepares all documentation.

The Zollamt requires: Zollformular 0350 (or EU-equivalent declaration), a complete German-language inventory (Umzugsgutliste), proof of former residence outside the EU for 12+ months (UAE residence visa, utility bills, employer letter), proof of new German address (rental contract, Anmeldebescheinigung), passport copy, and Bill of Lading. Fusion prepares the Zollformular 0350 and the German-language inventory in-house — you provide the supporting evidence and we assemble the complete file.

The Anmeldung is mandatory German address registration at your local Einwohnermeldeamt (residents’ registration office). German law requires you to register within 14 days of moving into your new address. The Anmeldebescheinigung (registration certificate) you receive is required for Zollamt customs clearance, opening a German bank account, vehicle registration (Zulassung), and health insurance. You cannot do the Anmeldung before you move in — you need a signed rental contract or property deed. Fusion briefs every client on the process and timing before they leave Dubai.

Fusion can ship a car from Dubai to Germany by RoRo where the route offers it, or in a container, and handles the UAE side — export clearance, RTA deregistration and the export certificate. Whether your particular car can be imported and registered in Germany, and at what cost, depends on the vehicle and your circumstances — we check Germany’s current rules for it at survey, before you commit to shipping it. See our Automobile Relocation page.

Yes. Dogs and cats entering Germany from the UAE must comply with EU pet import regulations: ISO-standard microchipping, valid rabies vaccination, and an EU-format health certificate issued by an officially authorised UAE government veterinarian within 10 days of travel. Germany does not require quarantine for pets meeting these requirements. However, some breeds are subject to breed-specific legislation (Rasseliste) in certain German states — Fusion advises on breed restrictions at survey stage. See our Pet Relocation page.

A Halteverbotszone is a temporary no-parking zone arranged with the local Ordnungsamt (public order office) to reserve parking space for the removal vehicle at your delivery address. In most German cities — particularly Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt, and Cologne — parking in front of residential buildings is restricted and a Halteverbotszone must be applied for 3–7 days in advance. Our German partner teams arrange this as standard for all urban deliveries. The cost is typically €50–150 depending on the city and duration.

Germany and the EU prohibit: controlled drugs, certain firearms (German Waffengesetz permit required for eligible firearms), CITES-regulated items (ivory, certain skins and feathers), counterfeit goods, hate material, and obscene publications. Restricted items include: certain food products from outside the EU, live plants and soil (phytosanitary certificate required), and some chemicals. Fusion provides a full prohibited and restricted items list at survey stage. Moving to Germany? You May Also Need