Moving to Amsterdam
Amsterdam looks beautiful on a postcard, but anyone who has ever carried a chest of drawers in there knows that moving to Amsterdam is a discipline of its own. The narrow canal houses have stairs so steep they resemble a ladder, and for centuries furniture has gone into flats through the windows. 4RELO from Wrocław plans a move like this around the building, not just the route.
Why furniture goes in through the window in Amsterdam
At the top of old canal houses you can still see protruding beams with a hook. They were once used to hoist goods up to the attics, and the façades were deliberately tilted forward so the load would not knock against the wall. Today, instead of a rope and pulley, furniture lifts set up in the street are used – the lift reaches a window on an upper floor, and the furniture goes straight inside without squeezing through the stairwell.
Windows in historic buildings can often be opened wide or have a casement removed, but not always. That is why, before quoting, we ask for photos of the façade, the windows from the inside and the stairs, as well as the dimensions of the largest pieces of furniture. Sometimes it makes more sense to dismantle a large bed or wardrobe in Poland than to risk damaging a historic window frame.
Access to the centre and space on the street
Restrictions for heavy vehicles
Canal-side quays and old bridges cannot bear heavy loads, so central Amsterdam has a zone that vehicles over 7.5 t may only enter with a permit. In practice, we reach the very centre with a smaller vehicle.
Low-emission zone
The city only lets vehicles with a suitable emission standard into the zone. We choose the moving vehicle with these rules in mind.
Reserving a space
A kerbside space is needed for unloading and setting up the furniture lift. The application to the municipality has to be made in advance.
Bikes and pedestrians
Cycle paths and narrow pavements require careful positioning of the lift. We work so as not to block traffic for longer than necessary.
Amsterdam districts and their character
| Area | Housing | How we carry things in |
|---|---|---|
| Jordaan, Grachtengordel | narrow canal houses | usually a furniture lift through the window |
| De Pijp, Oud-West | townhouses with upstairs flats | steep stairs or a lift |
| Oud-Zuid | spacious early 20th-century buildings | stairs, less often the window |
| Noord, IJburg | new estates with lifts and car parks | as standard, via the stairwell |
| Amstelveen | houses and apartments popular with families | access right up to the building |
Living on a boat
Amsterdam has thousands of homes on the water. Moving onto a houseboat means narrow gangways, limited deck load capacity and furniture that suits low interiors. If your new address is a boat, let us know when requesting a quote – it changes the way we pack and the size of the crew.
Route and formalities
Amsterdam is about a thousand kilometres from Wrocław via Berlin and Hanover, which means two days of driving with the drivers’ required breaks. Moving belongings within the EU does not require customs clearance. After arriving, you register at the city office and receive your BSN number – in Amsterdam, appointments are booked well in advance. If you get your keys later, we will store your belongings as part of our storage service, and furniture disassembly and reassembly are described on the additional services page.
Questions about moving to Amsterdam
Does every move in Amsterdam require a furniture lift?
No. In new buildings with a lift, we carry things in the usual way. A lift is mainly needed in old canal houses, where the stairs are too steep and narrow.
Will a piano fit into a canal house?
Usually only through the window. We will assess this from photos and the dimensions of the window opening before confirming the job.
Can the lorry get right up to the house in the centre?
A large vehicle often cannot enter the centre. In that case, we bring your belongings to the address in a smaller vehicle or plan unloading in stages.
How should I prepare for a move to Amsterdam?
Take photos of the building and windows, measure your largest furniture and book a registration appointment at the city office. We will sort out the rest during the free quote.
A new address by the canal?
Show us the façade and stairs – we will choose how to carry things in and give you a free quote.
Free quote