Moving costs in France in 2026 range from 200 to over 5,000 euros depending on volume, distance, floor and the chosen formula. For a 30 m2 two-room apartment moved locally by a company, the average price is around 1,200 euros. This guide details the moving price factors, compares the options (company vs DIY), lists the financial aids available and provides concrete levers to reduce the bill.
Average moving price in France in 2026
The pricing of the main French moving companies (Demeco, Demenageurs Bretons, Gentlemen du Demenagement, Allo Demenageur) converges on fairly precise ranges. According to the Chambre Syndicale du Demenagement (2025 data), the average moving price locally is:
| Type of housing | Estimated volume | Average local price | Average 500 km price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio (15 m2) | 10 m3 | 600 to 900 euros | 1,100 to 1,600 euros |
| Two-room (30 m2) | 20 m3 | 1,000 to 1,400 euros | 1,800 to 2,400 euros |
| Three-room (60 m2) | 35 m3 | 1,500 to 2,000 euros | 2,700 to 3,500 euros |
| Four-room (80 m2) | 50 m3 | 2,200 to 2,800 euros | 3,800 to 4,800 euros |
| House 120 m2 | 70 m3 | 3,000 to 4,000 euros | 5,200 to 6,800 euros |
These rates are for a standard formula (the company loads, transports and unloads, the client packs and unpacks themselves). Economy formulas (volume only, without furniture disassembly) are 20 to 30 percent cheaper, premium formulas (turnkey, packing and unpacking included) are 80 to 120 percent more expensive.
Rate per m3 and per km
Moving companies calculate their quote according to two main variables:
- Price per m3: 30 to 50 euros per m3 depending on complexity. A 20 m3 two-room apartment therefore represents 600 to 1,000 euros on this item.
- Price per km: free up to 30 or 50 km depending on companies, then 1.5 to 2.5 euros per km beyond that. A Paris-Lyon move (460 km) therefore adds 700 to 1,150 euros to the local rate.
To these two variables are added additional costs detailed below.
Factors that vary the price
Beyond volume and distance, seven major factors influence the moving price:
1. Floor and elevator
The absence of an elevator adds on average 50 euros per floor according to the Demeco 2025 pricing. For a three-room apartment on the 4th floor without elevator, the extra cost is 200 euros compared to the same housing with an elevator. Some companies use a furniture hoist (rental 200 to 400 euros for a half-day) for high floors or narrow windows.
2. Carry distance
The distance between the truck and the front door affects the price. Beyond 10 to 20 meters (depending on the company), an extra charge of 30 to 80 euros is billed. Pedestrian city centers or homes at the back of a courtyard generate this surcharge.
3. Truck access
A street too narrow for the classic truck requires the use of a smaller vehicle (multiplication of trips) or transshipment, billed 100 to 300 euros extra. Some city center areas (Paris 4th, Lyon Croix-Rousse, old Lille) almost systematically impose this surcharge.
4. Furniture disassembly and reassembly
The standard formula does not include furniture disassembly. Count 20 to 50 euros per piece of furniture disassembled and reassembled, or opt for the premium formula that includes this service. Antique wardrobes, four-poster beds and custom bookcases are the most time-consuming to handle.
5. Fragile or valuable items
Piano (200 to 600 euros extra), artworks, safe, built-in appliances requiring specialized intervention: each specific element drives up the quote. Complementary insurance (10 to 30 euros per 1,000 euros of declared value) is strongly recommended for these items.
6. Period and day
- High season (June to August): extra cost of 20 to 30 percent
- Weekend and public holidays: extra cost of 10 to 20 percent
- End of month (28th to 5th): extra cost of 10 to 15 percent (concentration of end of leases)
- Quiet period (October to February excluding holidays): standard rate or promotional reductions
7. Chosen formula
- Economy: pure transport, the client loads and unloads. 600 to 1,200 euros for a two-room apartment.
- Standard: the company loads, transports and unloads, the client packs and unpacks. 1,000 to 1,500 euros for a two-room apartment.
- Premium or turnkey: everything included (packing, disassembly, transport, unpacking, reassembly). 2,200 to 3,500 euros for a two-room apartment.
Moving by a company or DIY
The choice between hiring a moving company or moving autonomously depends on budget, volume, available help and time to devote to it.
Moving by a company
Advantages:
- No load carrying to perform
- Professional equipment (straps, furniture hoist, blankets)
- Insurance included (civil liability and transported goods)
- Speed (a three-room in 4 to 6 hours with a team of 2 to 3 movers)
Disadvantages:
- Cost 2 to 4 times higher than DIY
- Need to take quotes in advance (8 to 12 weeks in high season)
- Risk of delay or breakage (residual but existing)
DIY moving
DIY consists of renting a van and carrying out the move with relatives. Typical total cost:
| Item | Cost for a two-room (20 m3) |
|---|---|
| Van rental 12 m3 (one day) | 80 to 150 euros |
| Fuel (50 km round trip) | 30 to 50 euros |
| Boxes and packing material | 50 to 100 euros |
| Complementary insurance (optional) | 20 to 40 euros |
| Meals and drinks for helpers | 50 to 100 euros |
| Total | 230 to 440 euros |
For a local two-room, the saving versus a standard company is 600 to 1,100 euros. This saving decreases rapidly for larger volumes or long distances, where logistics become complex.
To find relatives or paid contributors, the platforms mentioned in our guide best peer-to-peer service platform can help. The typical rate of a private mover is 15 to 25 euros per hour.
Intermediate solutions
- Group moving: share a truck with another move going in the same direction (specialized platforms like Cocolis). Saving 30 to 50 percent versus standard.
- Self-employed mover: call a freelance mover under self-employed status. Rate 30 to 40 percent lower than a classic company, quality varies according to the provider.
- Furniture hoist rental alone: 200 to 400 euros for a half-day to facilitate passage through windows in DIY.
Financial aid for moving
Several financial aids can significantly reduce moving costs depending on family and professional situation.
CAF moving allowance
Paid to families with at least 3 dependent children (including upcoming births), conditional on a move between the 3rd month of pregnancy and the arrival of the last child at its 2nd birthday. 2026 amount:
- 3 children: 1,130 euros maximum
- 4 children: 1,224 euros maximum
- 5+ children: + 94 euros per additional child
The allowance only covers actual expenses incurred, with supporting documents. Request to be made within 6 months following the move.
Action Logement Mobili-Pass aid
Intended for private non-agricultural sector employees in professional mobility (job change involving a move of more than 70 km). Modular aid up to 3,500 euros to cover agency fees, moving costs and administrative support. Conditions: company contributing to Action Logement, effective move.
Pole emploi aid
For job seekers taking a position far from their home (more than 60 km or 2 hours of travel). Flat-rate aid up to 1,200 euros, subject to prior file constitution. No retroactive payment.
Local aid
Some departmental councils and regions pay one-off aid: aid for young people on first installation, senior mobility aid, aid for retirees losing autonomy. For seniors in particular, aid can be combined with APA if the move targets installation in a nursing home or senior residence, as detailed in our guide home care for seniors.
Tax deduction (professional mobility)
For employees in professional mobility imposed by the employer, unreimbursed moving costs are deductible from taxable income. Keep all invoices and supporting documents.
Practical tips to reduce costs
Several concrete levers can reduce the moving bill:
- Request 3 to 5 comparative quotes (free and without commitment from all serious companies)
- Move in a quiet period (October to February, weekdays)
- Sort belongings beforehand (donate, sell, recycle): a volume of 25 to 30 percent can be avoided
- Disassemble furniture yourself to avoid the supplement
- Pack your boxes yourself (standard formula and not premium)
- Book early in high season (8 to 12 weeks before)
- Check included insurance to avoid double coverage
- Refuse non-essential additional services (post-moving cleaning, box drop-off)
Traps to avoid
- Choosing the cheapest company without checking reviews and professional approval
- Signing a quote without prior visit to the property (guaranteed volume underestimation)
- Forgetting to declare valuables on the insurance form
- Not checking truck compliance (gross weight authorized to drive without C license)
- Underestimating moving time and paying overtime hours
Frequently asked questions
How much does moving cost on average?
A move costs on average 1,200 euros in France in 2026 for a 30 m2 two-room apartment over a local distance (less than 50 km), according to the pricing of the main companies (Demeco, Demenageurs Bretons, Gentlemen du Demenagement). The price increases with the volume to be transported (30 to 50 euros per m3), the distance (1.5 to 2.5 euros per km beyond 50 km), the floor without elevator (50 euros per floor) and the chosen formula (economy at 1,000 euros, standard at 1,200 euros, premium turnkey at 2,500 euros).
How to reduce the cost of a move?
Several levers reduce moving costs: choose a quiet period (avoid June to August, choose October to February to benefit from rates 20 to 30 percent lower), rent a van and move autonomously (200 to 600 euros total versus 1,500 euros), sort belongings to reduce volume, request 3 comparative quotes, avoid weekends and public holidays. Going through a collaborative moving platform like Cocolis or peer to peer services can lower the bill by 40 to 60 percent.
What financial aid is available for a move?
The main financial aids for a move in France in 2026 are the CAF moving allowance (up to 1,130 euros for families with 3 or more children), the Action Logement Mobili-Pass aid (up to 3,500 euros for private sector employees in professional mobility), the Pole emploi moving aid (on application for job seekers taking a position far from home), and local aid paid by some departmental councils. Moving expenses are also tax deductible for workers in mobility imposed by the employer.
What is the best time to move?
The best time to move from a price standpoint is between October and February (excluding end-of-year holidays), with reductions of 20 to 30 percent on summer rates. The months of June to August concentrate 60 percent of moves in France according to the Chambre Syndicale du Demenagement, which pushes prices up. Weekdays (Tuesday to Thursday) are 10 to 15 percent cheaper than weekends and beginnings of the month (28th to 5th).
Should you insure your move?
Moving insurance is strongly recommended, and even legally mandatory for moving companies (professional liability). For a DIY move with van rental, the insurance included by the rental company covers the vehicle but not the transported goods: take out complementary insurance (20 to 50 euros) for valuables. For a move by a company, check the compensation ceiling (often 250 to 500 euros per m3 declared), insufficient for valuable items to be declared separately.