Moving Berlin Finland – Your Specialist for Smooth International Removals

Moving Berlin–Finland: across the sea to Helsinki

The most direct route to Finland is across the Baltic Sea. Ferries run from Travemünde to Helsinki and take around a day. Alternatively, the lorry drives through Denmark or takes the ferry to Sweden and crosses from Stockholm to Turku or Helsinki. Which route we take depends on ferry timetables, costs and your destination in Finland. Either way, the move is a project lasting several days.

Formalities

• No customs duty on household goods within the EU
• Deregistration at the Bürgeramt (citizens’ office) in Berlin
• Registration in Finland and allocation of a personal identity code, which is needed for many everyday matters
• Vehicles are subject to their own tax rules in Finland – find out in advance

Winter and daylight

In the Finnish winter the days are short, and snow and ice are part of life. We then schedule the unloading during daylight hours wherever possible and allow more time for the journey. We protect wooden furniture and electronics against moisture and large temperature differences. Plants only survive a winter transport if well packed – consider whether they really need to come along.

Living in Finland

In Helsinki, Tampere or Turku many people live in apartment buildings with a lift, often with shared sauna and laundry rooms. Flats are frequently let with a kitchen and cooker. Find out which appliances are already there before you bring your own.

Preparation

Label boxes legibly, ideally in English, and pack important documents in your hand luggage. If you are short of time, our packing service will do the packing for you.

Costs

For Finland, the ferry crossing, fuel, overnight stays and the return journey make up a large part of the price. We explain how we calculate prices in general under moving company Berlin costs. Further destinations abroad are shown on international removals Berlin, and information on the neighbouring country can be found under moving Berlin–Sweden.

Routes to Finland: ferry or overland

Finland can be reached from Berlin by several routes, and each has its pros and cons. The most direct is the ferry from Travemünde to Helsinki. It takes around a day and a half, and in the port of Helsinki the lorry drives straight into the city. A second route leads through Poland and the Baltic states to Tallinn and from there by a short ferry across the Gulf of Finland. The third route goes via Sweden with a ferry to Turku or Helsinki. Which route we choose depends on the destination, the ferry timetables and the season. For a move to Helsinki, Espoo or Vantaa, the direct ferry is usually the simplest. For destinations in central or northern Finland, the route via Sweden can be shorter.

What the ferry means for your move

The crossing for a lorry has to be booked in advance, especially in summer. We plan the loading day in Berlin so that the lorry reliably catches the booked ferry. Your belongings stay in the locked vehicle throughout the journey. If you are driving yourself, you can take the same ferry or choose a different connection. Let us know when you will be at the new flat so that we can coordinate the unloading accordingly.

Registering in Finland

EU citizens staying in Finland for longer than three months register their right of residence with the Finnish Immigration Service. You then register your address with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency and receive a personal identity code. You need this number for your bank, employer, health insurance and many online services. Before that, you deregister at the Bürgeramt in Berlin. Set aside the first few weeks after the move for the Finnish authorities and have your ID, employment contract or proof of study ready.

Storage compartment, sauna and laundry room

Finnish apartment buildings often have a shared basement with a storage compartment for each flat, a laundry room and frequently a communal sauna. Many flats are smaller than in Berlin but well designed. Before the move, check whether large furniture such as corner cupboards or wide sofas will fit into the new flat. Things you rarely need can go into the storage compartment. Anything that does not fit can initially be put into storage in Berlin and brought over later. Electrical appliances from Germany work in Finland without an adapter, because sockets and voltage are the same.

Pets and personal items

Dogs and cats need the EU pet passport, a microchip and a valid rabies vaccination. For dogs, Finland has additional requirements for tapeworm treatment before entry. Check the current rules in good time with the Finnish Food Authority. Take documents, valuables and medication for the first few weeks with you. We describe further countries in Northern Europe and the differences between them on our page on international removals.

Moving in winter

Between November and March the days in Finland are short, and snow and ice are part of everyday life. The ports and main roads are easy to use even in winter, but access roads to houses in the countryside must be cleared. Delicate items such as plants, liquids or certain electronics do not cope well with severe frost. We pack such items with extra protection and load them so that they are unloaded first. If you are flexible, a move between May and September is usually more relaxed.