Moving out of Berlin? What to do with your furniture

Moving out in Berlin and have furniture or things you cannot take? Below is what the city's waste company BSR and the university themselves say, with the source next to every rule. What still works can go free to someone nearby.

Please note: this guide is general information to help you plan, not legal advice. yeybu is not part of, or affiliated with, the city or the organisations named here. Fees, fines, opening hours and rules are set by them and can change at any time; the official page always prevails. No rights can be derived from this page.

When students move in Berlin

  • At Freie Universität Berlin, the winter semester 2026/27 lecture period runs from 12 October 2026 to 13 February 2027; the semester ends on 31 March 2027. (Freie Universität Berlin - winter semester 2026/2027, 2026-10-06)
  • In the summer semester 2027 the lecture period runs from 12 April to 17 July 2027. (Freie Universität Berlin - summer semester 2027, 2026-10-06)

Rooms come free around those dates; start sorting out a few weeks before.

Give it away free

What still works can make someone else happy. On yeybu you can see what is being given away free in Berlin, and post something yourself for free.

Taking it to a recycling centre

  • You can bring up to three cubic metres of bulky waste, plus electrical appliances, to a BSR recycling centre (Recyclinghof) free of charge. (BSR - bulky waste, 2026-10-06)
  • BSR also takes things in good condition at its second-hand department store NochMall and at its Kieztage neighbourhood days. (BSR - bulky waste, 2026-10-06)

Bulky-waste collection (paid)

  • Standard fee: €100 flat for up to 5 m³, collected within 6 to 15 working days; each further started m³ €20. (BSR - bulky-waste collection, 2026-10-06)
  • Saver fee: €50 flat for up to 5 m³, collected from the 16th working day; each further m³ €10. Express fee: €96 flat for up to 2 m³, collected within 5 working days. (BSR - bulky-waste collection, 2026-10-06)
  • Furniture must be taken apart for collection; dismantling can be booked as an extra. (BSR - bulky-waste collection, 2026-10-06)

What not to do

  • Illegally dumping more than one cubic metre of bulky waste in Berlin can bring fines of €500 to €10,000. (BSR - bulky waste, 2026-10-06)

Free in Berlin right now

  • Chair zu verschenken
  • Amazon Kindle zu verschenken - nur Selbstabholer
  • Wanderschuhe Größe 38 zu verschenken
  • Boxsack Halterung Boxhandschuhe zu verschenken
  • Tisch zu verschenken 160x 90 hellbraun
  • stabile Versandkiste 128x70x23 cm zu verschenken
  • Kabel zu verschenken
  • Klavier zu verschenken

Everything being given away free in Berlin

Timeline

  1. 4 weeks before you move: decide what you take, what you give away and what has to go.
  2. 3 weeks before: post what you give away free online, with photos, sizes and when it can be collected.
  3. More than 3 weeks left? The saver fee (€50, from the 16th working day) is the cheapest collection.
  4. The week before: take the rest (up to 3 m³) to a recycling centre yourself, free.
  5. Do not put anything on the street - that is illegal dumping.

Frequently asked questions

Is bulky-waste collection free in Berlin?

No. BSR collection costs from €50 (saver fee, up to 5 m³, collected from the 16th working day). Bringing up to 3 m³ to a recycling centre is free.

Can I put my old sofa on the street?

No. Illegally dumped bulky waste of more than one cubic metre can bring a fine of €500 to €10,000.

Where does furniture that still works go?

Give it away free - or to NochMall, BSR's second-hand department store.

Every rule above comes from the official source named next to it and was checked on the date shown. Rules can change: if in doubt, check the source.