Things you should know before moving to Germany

There are lots of things you’ll need to arrange before moving to Germany. The country may only be a short hop over the Channel, but there are plenty of logistical issues to take into account. For example, you may need to book Furniture removals to Germany.

Getting set up in your new home overseas is much easier once you’ve got all the items you need from the UK. By bringing in the professionals to help you with this, you can make the task much more straightforward.

Some information

Meanwhile, to help ensure the transition is as smooth as possible, it really pays off to do some research into your new home nation. Writing in the Guardian recently, Sandra Haurant provided some information for soon-to-be expats.

She noted that Germany has plenty to offer, with its “free-spirited cities… spectacularly varied landscapes, fairytale castles, magical forests, a good standard of living and… relatively robust economy”.

Given its many attractions, it may come as little surprise that more than 100,000 UK citizens have made this country their home.

Some tips

The writer noted that British citizens and those from other EU countries don’t need a work permit or visa to live and work in Germany and if you move there in retirement, you can receive your UK state pension either into a British or German bank account.

She also pointed out that there is no need to arrange special vaccinations before moving to the nation.

When you get there

Ms Haurant noted that on November 12th, one euro was worth 79p, while one pound equated to €1.25. She also stated that German taxis are cream in colour and have a black and yellow taxi sign on their roofs. Usually, they are Mercedes or Audis and they can be hailed in the street. However, heading for a taxi rank or calling to book one is “probably a better option”, she suggested.

If there is a gap between when you arrive in Germany and when you get the keys to your home there, you might have to book a hotel. The writer revealed that mid-range hotel rooms cost around €60 per night out of town and at least €80 per night in cities.

Buying property

If you’re keen to invest in property in the country, you may be interested to note that the average apartment cost €149,700 in June 2012, while a new detached house cost €250,000 and a typical existing house would have set you back €192,950.

Once you’ve selected a house or flat and the transaction is completed, you can arrange removals to Germany.

Here to help

Here at European Removal Experts, we’re experts when it comes to European removals and should be perfectly placed to help you achieve your goals. With us on your team, starting a new life in this vibrant and attractive country could be that little bit easier.

To find out more about what we have to offer, just take a look around the relevant section of our website. You might be surprised by how straightforward the process is.

German Cuisine: Beyond the Bratwurst!

German Cuisine: Beyond the Bratwurst!

On the world stage, German cuisine does not hold a  better reputation than the UK’s – and that’s saying something! However, just as there’s much more to UK cuisine than fish and chips, when if comes to German food – there’s a little more to it than the Bratwurst.

Probably due to our similar histories/cultures, there is a lot of a common ground between what we eat in the UK and what Germans eat – which will come as some comfort for anyone moving to Germany who doesn’t have the most adventurous palette.

There are, however, enough gastronomical differences to excite the food connoisseur moving to Germany. And whilst much of the food you’ll find in Germany will bear a passing resemblance to food you’ll find in the UK, things are often done a little differently.

For example, anyone moving to Germany will notice the prevalence of pickled vegetables, such as sauerkraut, which often accompany meals; Germans also love their breads, and therefore you’ll find a lot of bakeries, offering, for example, pretzels; and whilst it is not the be all and end all of German cuisine, the Bratwurst and other quality sausages also prevail in the country, making it an ideal place to live if that sort of thing is your cup of tea – or should be “stein of German beer”.

Whatever the reason for moving to germany – whether its the cuisine or otherwise – with European Removal Experts we like to think that we take the hassle out of European removals.

Reasons to Relocate

Reasons to Relocate

These days, relocation is on the rise. It isn’t hard to see why either as moving abroad can be a fantastic decision, and if you’re thinking of moving yourself here are a few reasons to tip the scales.

• The food. England isn’t always known for its top-class food, but France certainly is. All you gourmets out there will be in your element if you considered moving to France, and you can experience the delights of French cuisine every single day.

• The scenery. We do have some spectacular scenery in the UK, but can it really rival the Alps? If you have a love of skiing or of breathtaking views then moving to France or Switzerland could well be for you.

• The culture. You’ve lived in the UK all your life, so you know what it’s all about. But are you familiar with the cultures of the Netherlands, Switzerland or Germany? If you’d like to experience something completely different, then moving to Holland could be a great idea.

• The way of life. Britain is an incredibly fast paced society, and sometimes it’s nice to just sit back and take stock of everything. By relocating abroad, perhaps by relocating to Holland or Switzerland, you’ll be able to enjoy a much more peaceful way of life – particularly if you choose somewhere off the beaten track.

These are just a few reasons that you should relocate, and there are many more besides. So what are you waiting for? Pick your country and start your new life abroad, and remember to get in touch with us here at European Removal Experts to make the whole process as stress-free as possible.

5 Top Reasons to Break from the U.K (just for a while, at least!)

Our client base covers everyone from families moving to France for a rustic life among olive groves, to young professionals relocating to Zurich for their careers. To say our client book is diverse is an indubitable understatement!

The U.K economy isn’t great right now, which is why heaps of folks are heading to pastures new throughout Europe, be it on a temporary basis or more permanently. Here are five of the top reasons behind some of our recent customers’ relocation’s to some of the most glorious (and unexpected!) spots on the continent.

1. Career change/job prospects
Travelling for work used to mean moving to the city or adding an hour onto the daily commute. These days, we meet hundreds of folks relocating to France, Belgium, Spain and loads of other promising European locales for work reasons. Contract work and international experience are becoming more attractive to prospective employers. A stint overseas could set you in fantastic stead for a position back home in due course.

2. Quality of family life
According to a 2011 article in the Guardian, the U.K has the worst quality of life in Europe based on cost of living, average holidays per year, number of sunny days, working hours, life expectancy and about ten other deciding factors. One in ten Brits are seriously considering emigration or temporary relocation to another country to access a better standard of living for themselves and their families.

3. A change is as good as a rest
The idea of someone living the same life for their whole life (as most of our parents did) isn’t practical anymore. We don’t typically work for the same company in the same role living in the same house. We travel, we live, we work, we explore and make changes that previous generations couldn’t have easily made. A year living in Bruges – why not?

4. The world is getting smaller
Just a hundred years ago it took two days to get from London to Bristol on a fast horse. The option is still there today, but at less than two hours the train seems more appropriate! The great age of travel has made every corner of the world more accessible for us all, so why not make the most of it?

5. Retirement
It used to mean heading out to pasture in the potting shed, but these days retirement can be the best years of your life! A 2010 article in the Telegraph set Spain high on the list of retiree destinations. In fact, the Mediterranean in general ranked high in terms of affordability, ex-pat integration and quality of life.

Fun in the sun, a great career move or just more time to do the things you like – what’s stopping you? Our removals service extends far and wide over the European continent, making it as easy as possible for folks just like you to pick up, pack up and head off hassle-free!

The Benefits of Moving to Germany

Many people from Britain have moved abroad to work over recent years, some to European countries and others further afield, to Australia and New Zealand for example.

Although these two antipodean nations are seen as the favourite choice for Britons seeking a new life, a lot of people are moving to Germany and other European countries with their jobs.

This has many benefits, the main one being it is a lot easier to get back to the UK from mainland Europe. Although you may feel that you are leaving the country behind when you are planning on moving to Germany or moving to France, there will be occasions when you need to return home. It’s something we don’t like to think about, but our parents aren’t getting any younger are they?

When you are thinking about moving to Germany, you can be assured that if you do need to get home in a hurry for whatever reason you are just a couple of hours flight away.

Now we have sorted that particular aspect out, how much thought have you given to the actual logistics of moving to Germany? Have you organised a company to take care of moving your furniture and other belongings yet? If not, you need to make sure that the company you choose has plenty of experience in this field because the last thing you need once you arrive at your new home is to find that your possessions have been damaged or broken in transit.

European Removal Experts are the experts, so make sure you talk to them when planning your move abroad.

Moving to France from the UK

Shopper’s Solace: The Most Stylish Cities in Europe

Moving to Europe – for some of us at least – HAS to mean… shopping!

Paris, France
Moving to France? Head for Paris – You know you want to! As the home of Haute Couture, Paris is one of the most chic cities in Europe. Renowned stores along the Rue du Fauborg and Champs Elysees attract label-seekers like moths to a flame! But it’s not all couture, flea markets and vintage fairs are the soul of Paris. When relocating to France who knows what you’ll find – vintage Chanel, classic Halston or an antique Chesterfield that’s fits perfectly into your new French living space!

Barcelona, Spain

Of course Milan is a style capital, but if its art and beatnik chic you seek, a trip to Barcelona should be on the cards! The designer names are all there, nestled sweetly amongst the jostling array of markets and bargain vintage stalls!

Zurich, Switzerland
An unexpected gem, Zurich’s central square plays host to some lavish brands! The elegant Bahnhofstrasse is certainly one of the most stylish and gracefully designed shopping streets in Europe. And don’t forget a little bad-weather indulgence in the sumptuous and labyrinthine ShopVille underground shopping centre.

Amsterdam, Holland
A city of quirky uniqueness and shopping curiosities! Moving to Holland? Make Amsterdam one of your first excursions. The Dutch love to mix and match their markets, meaning you’re likely to find a bit of everything!

Ok, so shopping trips aren’t for everyone. But for those amongst us who love nothing more than a day whiled away window shopping, Europe is more than satisfactory!

Considerations When Relocating Abroad

If you’re thinking of relocating to France, Spain or indeed any Western European country; there are a few essential aspects which you will need to consider before you actually up-sticks and wave goodbye to Blighty.

Language
Although many people on the Continent now speak English, there are just as many who do not (or will not). Therefore, you will find it very beneficial to learn the language spoken in your destination country as it will allow you to eat in restaurants, shop in markets and generally mingle with the locals with much greater success.

Climate
Although Western Europe’s climate is not drastically different to that of the UK; there are some parts of the Continent which frequently experience quite extreme weather conditions. Certainly some areas of France, Spain, Portugal and Italy can be very hot in the summer months, so you will need to be sure that you and your family will be able to endure such extremes before you move.

Moving
Regardless of whether you’re moving to France, Germany or wherever; perhaps the most important consideration of all is that of how you will move your furniture and belongings. Thankfully, we here at European Removal Experts can help greatly in this respect as we specialise in moving people’s belongings from all over the UK to countries in Western Europe.

So, if you think you might be needing furniture removals to France or beyond in the near future, look no further than us here at European Removal Experts.

Belgium – Truly Cosmopolitan

Belgium – Truly Cosmopolitan

Europe is a world leader for its cultural diversity, and this is in part thanks to a long history of immigration between nations; however, some parts of Europe are particularly cosmopolitan – and a nation such as Belgium is uniquely so, thanks to its rich diversity of cultures and languages.

One of the reasons why Belgium is so culturally rich is due to the diversity of official languages, and associated cultural input. Anyone moving to Belgium will immediately notice that there is no single dominant language and Dutch, French and German are spoken and taught in schools as official languages.

To confound the matter there are also loads of minority languages spoken there as well, including “Walloon“ and even Yiddish. This prevalence of diverse languages in the nation might seem daunting to anyone moving to Belgium from the UK, maybe with nothing more than a bit of GCSE French to go on, however, instead, it should comfort the British emigre that Belgium is so welcoming of immigrants to the nation.

As well as a diversity of languages, Belgium enjoys a truly unique culture; and the cuisine of Belgium, for example, greatly benefits from a variety of cultural influences; and in particular there is a strong influence from French cooking styles – which can only be a good thing!

So, whilst Belgium mightn’t be the top of your list for European destinations, moving to Belgium could be the portal onto a truly satisfying life – amongst one of the most special and diverse cultures on the planet!

Making Moving Easy

Making Moving Easy

Moving to Germany successfully from the UK can be achieved in many different ways and using many different removal companies. If you want the best chance of a seamless moving experience or if you have special needs such as either modest or grand requirements, we at European Removal Experts believe we can offer the service that you require.

By specialising in moves between the UK and the European continent, we are able to make moving to Germany as seamless as possible. We are a London-based company as this is the perfect location for our operation. We are close to hand for the most densely populated area of the UK and conveniently close to the most common route for travelling between the UK and mainland Europe.

When moving to Germany the types of things that you will need to consider are how you wish to plan your move. Some people will want the entire house move experience to be handled for them from packing to unloading whilst others may select a range of specific items to be moved on their behalf for them and handling the rest themselves.

If renting a furnished property, moving to Germany may simply mean moving your more personal belongings and possibly a certain key piece of furniture without which life would simply not be the same. For these reasons, we offer a variety of services. If cost is an issue, goods can be moved on a shared container basis rather than in a dedicated removal vehicle. Even if you do use a dedicated van, less key items could be moved at a later date using our shared shipments. This may also create a need for storage which is also a service that we offer. A well planned move with an experienced removal firm will make moving to Germany as easy as ABC.

Insurance And Delicate Removals

Insurance And Delicate Removals

One of the most important aspects of our service is the assurance that we can give to you over your personal belongings. At European Removal Experts we recognise that we are dealing with people’s lives, transporting effectively years of their existence, their heritage, family and meaning. Homes mean so much more than just the monetary value that can be assigned to particular objects. Sentimental value really can’t be replaced by any amount of money because once something is gone it is unlikely to return in the same meaningful form. This is why we always take as much care as possible to ensure that our quality of service is the best in the industry.

This is why we are European Experts in transport because it ensures that we always follow the best practices which can offer the greatest levels of protection for your furniture. Removals to Germany, for instance, can be very long haul, but with the Continual Quality Monitoring Procedures that the We will always be looking out for your possessions as they are in transit. It doesn’t matter how big or how small your furniture load is or trip is, you will always get the same attention to detail that has made our business a success and has left many happy customers.

One of the most important aspects of our service is when dealing with very delicate and expensive items. Piano removal, for instance, can be a very time consuming procedure that needs everything to be worked out properly. From driving with absolute care to ensuring that the piano is as well packed as possible. We understand that pianos can be worth tens of thousands of pounds, so we’ll do everything we can to ensure its absolute safety. In the event that something is damaged, our Insurance and Care policies will take care of you. All moves are covered by good in transit insurance of up to £50,000 per vehicle or customer and is included in the overall price. As a company we also have public liability insurance as well. The insurance company we use is called Basil Fry & Company who specialise in the storage and removals industry so they are already well equipped to deal with any issues should they arise. The contracts that we used have been approved by the British Association of Removers and the Office of Fair Trading to ensure complete transparency for all of our customers.

Your precious furniture can also be expertly packed by us. We know exactly what sort of forces our load will be subjected to throughout the trip, so we can pack with this in mind. This includes being able to pack excessively fragile elements like the fine china and crockery. For very long trips like those removals to the South of France, we can also offer to dismantle and reassemble some of the furniture for you. This can both ensure its safety and enable you to make maximum use of the space inside one of our haulage vehicles.