PCS to Stuttgart: Step by Step

Packed moving boxes in an empty apartment

A permanent move has many parts, and the order matters. This guide puts the steps in the order that saves most people trouble, and points to the guides with the details. It does not replace your orders, your sponsor or the offices named below.

Your orders, your sponsor and the responsible office always have the final word on what applies to you. Every rule on this page shows the official page it comes from and the month we checked it.

1. Orders and sponsor

Ask your issuing or receiving office what your orders cover, including family members. Then connect with your sponsor. The CPF lists this as the first pre-arrival tip, and its newcomer page says sponsorship is key to a successful PCS.

Sources: USAG Stuttgart CPF, USAG Stuttgart For Newcomers Checked: Nov 2026

2. Start in-processing before you fly

The Central Processing Facility (CPF) is the one-stop in- and out-processing center on Panzer Kaserne. The CPF says you can start before you arrive: complete the Joint In-Processing Needs Assessment and email it with a copy of your orders to the CPF in-processing inbox. The CPF then sends a personalized in-processing checklist and the schedule for the mandatory in-processing brief.

Sources: USAG Stuttgart CPF Checked: Nov 2026

3. Talk to the Housing Office before you choose a home

The Housing Office runs the waiting list for government housing and the paperwork for living off post. You can get on the waiting list before you leave by sending your PCS orders (with all amendments) and a completed DD 1746 housing application. Do not sign a lease before you have talked to the Housing Office. Full details and the rules are in Housing in Stuttgart for Military and DoD Families.

Source: USAG Stuttgart Housing Checked: Nov 2026

4. Plan temporary lodging and allowances

Ask your finance office which lodging and allowances apply before you book a hotel. Local TLA rules in Stuttgart start in your first days, so report to the Housing Office as soon as you arrive. The two official sources word the deadline differently: the USAG Stuttgart Housing page says to in-process with a housing counselor within 2 calendar days of arrival, and that missing it means no TLA. The regional TLA regulation of November 14, 2024 (AEA Regulation 37-4) says to report within 2 workdays, and that failing to report may jeopardize TLA eligibility. Confirm the deadline that applies to you with the Housing Office on your first day. Read Allowances Explained: TDY Per Diem, TLA, TQSA and OHA in Stuttgart before you book.

Sources: USAG Stuttgart Housing, AEA Regulation 37-4: Temporary Lodging Allowance (Nov 14, 2024) Checked: Nov 2026

Need a furnished place while you are on TLA or TQSA? See our furnished apartments in Stuttgart.

5. Driver’s license: do the online part before you fly

The CPF lists starting the online driver’s license training and test among its top four pre-arrival tips. The details, including how long your score stays valid, are in The USAREUR Driver’s License in Stuttgart.

Source: USAG Stuttgart CPF Checked: Nov 2026

6. Passports and ID cards

The newcomer page lists passports (with SOFA) and ID cards under travel documents. A February 2026 notice on the Air Mobility Command (AMC) Travel Site says eligible dependents of service members and DoD civilians on official travel to Germany must have a Special Issuance Passport or the no-fee regular (blue) passport. It points to the Foreign Clearance Guide (CAC required) and your unit passport office. Rules like this can change, so confirm with your passport office what applies to your family before you book travel.

Sources: USAG Stuttgart For Newcomers, AMC Travel Site: Special Issuance Passport notice Checked: Nov 2026

7. Schools

School Support Services has School Liaison Officers who help families with school transitions, school options and homeschooling. The page says the services are free to cardholders. The Stuttgart office is on Patch Barracks. Start early. The three DoDEA elementary schools in Stuttgart are zoned, and enrollment depends mainly on where you live and on your eligibility category. MWR also warns that a child may first attend the school zoned for temporary quarters and change schools after the move into permanent housing, so ask your School Liaison Officer before you choose where to stay. The current school zone map is on the MWR public schools page. For the local German system, see our German School System guide.

Sources: Stuttgart MWR: School Support Services, Stuttgart MWR: Public Schools, DoDEA: Stuttgart Community Schools Checked: Nov 2026

8. Pets

USDA APHIS says to contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian as soon as you decide to travel. The veterinarian helps you find your destination country’s pet entry requirements. Air Mobility Command publishes its own pet travel policy for flights it operates. Our Pets in Germany guide covers registration, dog tax and vets once you arrive.

Sources: USDA APHIS: Pet Travel, AMC Travel: Pet Travel Policy Checked: Nov 2026

9. Your car and your things

If you ship a personal vehicle, PCSmyPOV says the first step is to turn it in at your nearest Vehicle Processing Center. Your transportation office has the final word on household goods.

Source: PCSmyPOV Checked: Nov 2026

10. A personal moving checklist

Military OneSource has a tool called Plan My Move. You answer a few questions and it builds a checklist for your move.

Source: Military OneSource: Plan My Move Checked: Nov 2026

11. Move in

Once your housing is confirmed, set up internet, utilities and waste sorting. Moving into an unfurnished place? The Housing Office page says loaner furniture is available for up to 90 days for incoming personnel. The Relocation Readiness program also lists borrowing household items. See also our furniture guide and cell phone plan guide.

Sources: USAG Stuttgart Housing, Stuttgart MWR: Relocation Readiness Checked: Nov 2026

What often goes wrong

Common pitfalls

Easy to miss in a busy first month

This is editorial advice, not a rule:

  • Starting the off-post search first and hearing about the assignment rules later.
  • Letting the 30-day Housing in-processing deadline slip. That deadline protects your place on the waiting list (your original eligibility date). It is not extra time for the TLA check-in, which counts in days.
  • Missing paperwork, like a hotel bill or a lease copy, which delays reimbursements.

Who to ask

Once you have landed, continue with Your First 30 Days in Stuttgart.

Back to TDY & PCS in Stuttgart

Moving to Stuttgart is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the U.S. Army, the Department of Defense or USAG Stuttgart. Spotted something outdated? Tell us: info@movingtostuttgart.com