So, you’ve decided to move with your family to Germany. Now you’re standing with empty bags, working up the courage to pack for this new and exciting chapter.
But what should you pack?
Whether you’re relocating for work or pleasure, no doubt moving with children brings a unique set of challenges. You don’t want to bring too much but don’t want to leave anything behind.
As a relocation coach who supports professional mothers moving to Germany with their families, I’ve seen firsthand how thoughtful packing can ease the transition, from your old life to your new one. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the packing essentials for families relocating to Germany.
What to bring, what to leave, and how to stay organized. This isn’t about a checklist (though I’ve got one of those, too). It’s about preparing yourself emotionally and practically for a smoother, enjoyable transition to your new home.
So, before you zip your suitcase shut, let’s make sure you’ve got the packing essentials for families relocating to Germany.
This move should be empowering, not overwhelming.
Why Well-planned Packing Matters
Moving abroad with a family means thinking beyond just what fits in a suitcase. With you, you’re carrying memories, routines, comfort, hopes and logistics to the other side of the world.
From my experience, I know how important the little things are to make your new house quickly feel like a home. Think about your favourite coffee cup. Sure, there are other coffee cups but your favourite is just right. Your morning coffee wouldn’t be the same without it. These little reminders of home help us build our new foundation from day one.
Plus, there’s a cost to replacing anything that you forget once you’re here in Germany. Some goods are more expensive here. Clothing and electronics are often pricier. Other items are not only expensive but hard to find (I’m looking at you, Peanut butter and decent swimming gear).
And we shouldn’t forget the emotional cost of forgetting particular items. We decided not to bring our daughter’s nightlight, thinking the one waiting in Germany would do the job. But on the first night, she looked at me and started to cry. With her little voice she whispered, “Where’s my light?”. At that moment, I realised the importance of the little things.
With proper packing, you reduce stress for yourself and your family, keep your routines in place and help everyone adjust to their new life even faster.
What’s one item from home that would make your new house in Germany feel instantly comforting? Write it down now—you’ll thank yourself later.
Must-Have Documents to Keep in Hand Luggage
Germany, as the land of bureaucracy, adores physical documents. The more, the merrier!
Keep the following essential Original documents in your carry-on luggage to ensure their safe arrival:
- Passports
- Residence/ work permits (if you have them)
- Birth Certificates of every family member
- Marriage certificate
- Vaccination and medical records of every family member
- School records and report cards of each of your children
- Highschool Certificate and University Diploma/s
- Travel insurance confirmation
- Confirmation of German Health Insurance coverage for your whole family
- Driver’s license and international driving permit (if needed)
- Employment contract or letter of employment (if you have already secured work)
📌 Pro Tip: Use a document organizer or accordion folder with labelled tabs. Make both paper and digital backups (in encrypted cloud storage).
Here’s my complete guide to Conquering German Bureaucracy.
Clothing Essentials for the German Climate
Germany has four distinct seasons. You will need to rearrange your closet space roughly every three months.
Coming from Australia, this was new to me! I’d never experienced the beautiful transition from harsh winter to blooming spring or the gentle slowness transitioning from Autumn to Winter.
Layering is your best option to manage weather changes.
Basics to pack
- Waterproof jackets and pants (rain is common here year-round!)
- Gum boots or Wellingtons (however you call them where you’re from)
- Lighter jackets and sweaters for layering in Spring and Autumn
- Thermals and base layers for the colder months (they’re brilliant year-round outside of Summer).
- Comfortable walking shoes for cobblestone streets.
- Indoor shoes or slippers (many schools and homes require them).
Wardrobe Staples
Now that you have the basics packed, it’s time to pack your favourite pieces.
Those pieces that you wear all of the time. The items of clothing that fit just right and make you feel confident, no matter what’s going on.
You’ll need those here, too.
- Jeans
- Tshirts
- Pullovers
- Skirts
- Dresses
🎒 For kids: Include their favourite outfits from home. Comfort and familiarity can go a long way in easing the transition.
Work Wear
Work in Germany is one of the most important pillars of life. However, most workplaces do not require formal clothing daily (no, you probably won’t need that suit).
This of course depends on your industry, so I would recommend seeking clarification before you start!
The staple items I brought with me were:
- Business-casual pants, shirts and pullovers.
- Dresses, skirts and shirts that were comfortable, modest and suited my style.
- Leggings, warm socks and long-sleeved shirts (perfect for layering through the colder months!)
As a Social Worker, I’m often required to be out and about, so it’s not uncommon for me to be outside for large portions of my day. If you’re in a more traditional office role, you may not need the layering options!
School and Kindergarten Clothes
Unlike other parts of the world, German schools typically don’t have a school uniform. That means you’ll need to pack the “school” clothes your kids are already comfortable wearing.
These suggestions can be used as prompts to get you started, but what you need will depend on your child’s age and comfort.
- Tracksuit pants and pullovers
- T-shirts and longsleeve shirts
- Jeans and other pants
- Pyjamas (if you have a younger child who still naps through the day)
- “Outside clothes”: rain jacket and pants, snow clothes, sun hat
Winter Gear (if you already have it!)
- Hats, scarves and gloves for winter
- Warm coats for winter (down or insulated)
- Clothing and shoes for snow (some cities still receive a lot of snow in Winter)
If you’re moving from a less-than-wintry climate (as I did), buy your Winter gear here. You might find (as we did) that the so-called winter clothing from home just doesn’t cut it in a German Winter.
Things You’ll Regret NOT Packing
Every child is different, but some things just make life easier for every family in those first few months in their new home.
These include:
- Beloved soft toys, books or blankets: Comfort items like these can’t be easily replaced and can do a lot to support your children through the big move.
- Pram, stroller or baby carrier: If you have very young children, I expect that you’d never thought to leave this one behind.
- Family Medicine Box: While all of the usual family medicines are available in Germany, some of your favourite brands may not be. Some medications that are over-the-counter in your home country may require a prescription in Germany.
- Children’s fever medicine
- Paracetamol or Ibuprofen
- Prescription medication for the first weeks in your new home
- School Supplies: Bring what your child already uses daily and supplement the kit with any additional items required by their new school. Buying some of these items in Germany can be surprisingly expensive.
- Digital Devices: Tablets, phones and computers should all make the move with you.
💡 Idea: Let your kids help you pack their “Moving Day Backpack” with their favourite comfort items, snacks from home and activities for the travel day and beyond.
Household Must-Haves (That Are Expensive or Hard to Find in Germany)
I know we’re aiming for thoughtful and conscious packing, but some items are well worth bringing if you’re particular about quality, price or familiarity.
Here are the top items I recommend packing from home that are hard to replace, find in Germany and can be surprisingly expensive:
- Your favourite spices and pantry basics: Your favourite brand likely won’t be on the shelves here and some products (like brown sugar and self-raising flour) don’t exist. Bring a starter kit for yourself until you can find a workaround.
- Bedding and pillows: German bedding is something that I struggle with. Typically, the pillows are very soft and large (I prefer a smaller, firmer pillow). It’s also common to have two single doonas on a large bed instead of a larger blanket for two people.
- Power adapters and converters: Read more about the universal EU power outlet with two prongs of 220 – 240V (with pictures!).
- Small appliances: Bring that KitchenAid, vintage record player or favourite lamp, but don’t forget the right adapters.
- Essential Kitchen Tools: Baking scales and measuring cups in your preferred measuring unit are a life saver, especially if you’re not yet used to the metric system.
🚫 Note: Avoid bringing large appliances due to limited space in apartments and potential compatibility issues.
Travel & Transition Kit
For your first week in your new home, while you’re still very much living out of your suitcase, it’s helpful to have these items on hand.
No matter what happens with your shipment of items, you’ll at least have the basics to get you and your family started the right way.
- A few days’ worth of clothing for each family member
- Basic toiletries
- Bedtime things: white noise machine, favourite books and toys.
- Chargers, power banks, and travel adapters.
- Important documents and valuables.
Exactly what you put into this kit will depend on your circumstances. Consider the following questions to help guide you:
- Will you be moving directly into your new apartment, or first staying at temporary accommodation?
- Are you shipping over the majority of your belongings, or taking only what can fit in your suitcases?
- If all of your luggage was lost and late to arrive, what would cause the most difficulty for you and your family?
What Not to Pack
It’s hard to let go of the familiar and sometimes it feels like it would just be easier to take everything we own.
But some things are better to buy after you arrive. These items are expensive to ship, will often require duty taxes to be paid on them and can very often be purchased for less than the shipping cost in Germany.
Here are my tips on what not to pack for your new chapter in Germany:
- Bulky or cheap furniture
- Over-the-counter medicines you rarely use
- Food that may not be allowed through customs
- Kids clothes that aren’t for the current season. Children’s clothing is generally inexpensive and shopping secondhand in Germany is also an option.
🙅♀️ Less is more when moving abroad. Focus on essentials and items that will support a smooth transition for you and your family.
Final Packing Tips for a Smooth Move to Germany
- Start early: Begin sorting and packing your stuff about 6 – 8 weeks before your departure date. You have more stuff than you realise!
- Be Ruthless: Don’t get lost in emotion. It’s time to think like an army Captain. Ask only: “Do we love this enough to pay to move it?” and “Will I miss this in my new home?”.
- Label Boxes Clearly: Be specific. Write an itemised list and stick it to the inside flap of the box, so you know exactly what’s in there the moment it’s opened.
- Let your kids help: Let them decide which pullovers to pack and which Lego sets to leave behind. These little choices give them some control over their transition, which will help them feel more grounded and involved in the family’s decision-making.
- Look after yourself, too: Without you, the show cannot go on. Schedule breaks, and keep your favourite comfort items at hand through this sometimes overwhelming and stressful period.
You’re Not Alone on this Journey
Moving abroad as a family is no small feat. This move is more than just moving stuff from one place to the next.
You’re planting new roots for your family to grow from, creating new routines in a foreign land and supporting small people through what may be the biggest transition of their lives.
Through all of it, look after yourself. Take your time. Try not to add any unnecessary pressure to your mental load right now – you have enough going on.
If you want more support navigating the relocation process, I’ll guide you through the German bureaucracy, simplify the paperwork, and help you settle into your new life with confidence and calm.
➡️ Download my free Thriving from Day One: Expat Family Starter Pack for Germany, including your FREE printable packing checklist, to make this process even smoother.
➡️ Join my email list for weekly tips, stories, and support from someone who’s been there.
You’ve got this—and I’m here to help you every step of the way.
