Compare moving companies in North Rhine-Westphalia

North Rhine-Westphalia is Germany's most populous state, and nowhere else are so many large cities so close together. Many moves here therefore do not cross half the country but go from one city to the next: from Essen to Duisburg, from Cologne to Düsseldorf, from Bochum to Dortmund.

Short distances in the Ruhr

The cities of the Ruhr are often only 15 to 40 kilometres apart, so a move from one to the next can often be done in a day. The day is then decided less by the kilometres than by floors, lifts and carrying distances at both addresses, and by traffic: the A40, which crosses the Ruhr, and the A1 and A3 can be busy at peak times.

The Rhine cities and the Bergisches Land

Cologne and Düsseldorf are around 40 kilometres apart, with Wuppertal a little aside in the Bergisches Land. In the older districts of Cologne and Düsseldorf, narrow streets and limited parking can make loading and unloading more difficult. In Wuppertal, slopes and stepped paths can lengthen the way from the vehicle to the front door.

No-parking zones and low-emission zones

You apply for a no-parking zone in the city where each address is, usually to its traffic authority. Lead times and fees differ from city to city; many moving companies handle the application. Low-emission zones vary too: the Ruhr has one joint zone covering large parts of several cities, while Cologne, Düsseldorf and Wuppertal have their own. They generally require a green sticker; the moving company can confirm that the vehicle it uses has one.

Moving to another state

If you are leaving North Rhine-Westphalia or coming here, keep an eye on public holidays: Corpus Christi and All Saints' Day are public holidays in NRW but not in some other states. That can affect office opening hours, the schedule and driving restrictions for certain goods vehicles. Clarify such a date with the moving company in good time.

Comparing moving companies in NRW

Your request goes to the moving companies whose service area includes your move-out address. For a move within NRW these are often firms from the region; for a long-distance move, also companies that drive all over Germany. The quotes arrive by email with a link to your overview, where you compare prices and services, ask questions and decide yourself whether to accept one, and which. You and the company exchange names and contact details only once you accept a quote.

What decides the price

On short moves within NRW, the kilometres rarely make the big difference. The price is set mainly by the amount of furniture and boxes, floors and carrying distances, and services such as packing, furniture assembly or a furniture lift. Calculating moving costs explains how to estimate them.

After moving in, you usually have two weeks to register with your new city, even if you have only moved to the next town.