A Comprehensive Guide on Moving to Germany

Jump right in:

• Relocating your household goods and pets
• Visas and work permit requirements
• Finding a new home in Germany
• Jobs and finding work in Germany
• Cost of living and helpful facts about life in Germany
• Health insurance and the healthcare system of Germany explained
• Opening a bank account and managing your taxes
• Education in Germany

Relocating household goods and pets

Before you get carried away with stuffing boxes and booking flights, you need to bear in mind some important factors about the process of moving to Germany. Shipping your household goods to Germany can be simple if you follow government guidelines.

Options for moving your belongings:

• In terms of speed, air freight will almost always be the quickest way to move your belongings from your home country to Germany, however, it’s the most expensive delivery method.
• Shipping your items by sea is considerably cheaper, but there’s the obvious downside that you’ll be waiting longer for your cargo to arrive.
• If you already live in the European Union, you have another, cheaper option: Driving your goods to Germany, a process that can be completed in two to three days. 

If you’re moving with pets, you’ll need to have your dog or cat microchipped. If you’re importing them from within the EU/EEA, they’ll also need a European Pet Passport. Be aware that some breeds are banned: Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and Bull Terriers are not allowed in Germany. Moreover, there are different vaccinations required for pets. All cats, dogs, and ferrets require proof that they have received a rabies vaccination after being microchipped.

Read our complete guide on relocating to Germany

Visa types & work permit requirements

Knowing how to get a German residence visa and work permit is crucial to successfully settling down in the country. The process is easy if you’re an EU national: all you need to do is register with the local authorities as soon as you find somewhere to live. If you’re moving from outside Europe, you must begin your German visa application process early. It can take a few months to get your documents approved by the German authorities.

When you apply for a German visa, you’ll need to meet certain requirements, including proof of income and health insurance. The type of visa you need in Germany will depend on the situation you are in. If you’re moving from a non-EU country to Germany for a job, you should prioritize a work permit, but if you’re joining a spouse or family member who is already legally settled in the country, you might need a family reunion visa.

Read our complete guide on visas & work permits in Germany.

Opinion

Germany is such a vast country, rich with diverse cultures — both regional German traditions and influences from around the world. It’s easy to feel at home, and there’s always something new to try. (Swedish expat in Hamburg)

Opinion

Everything you need to know about finding a new home

Renting is popular among both locals and expats. The average rent and house prices vary from place to place, with higher prices in large cities. For instance, Munich is the most expensive city in Germany in terms of property prices. Although it’s Germany’s capital, Berlin is much cheaper because it is rent controlled. Rent prices have gone up in recent years, but that’s due to the city’s popularity among creatives. If you’re considering moving to Berlin, read our guide to living and working in Germany’s capital.

In our guide, we cover how to rent a house in Germany, plus how to buy a house in Germany as a foreigner and the cost and options for utilities. No matter which option you go for, we recommend searching online first as real estate agents charge large fees of up to two months’ rent plus VAT.

If buying a house sounds like the right option for you, there are other considerations, such as which type of house to choose. Among the options you’ll find are apartments, semi-detached houses, detached houses, bungalows, cottages, and more.

Read our complete guide on housing in Germany

Jobs & finding work in Germany

As Europe’s largest economy, Germany is an ideal location for expats to start a new life. The German job market offers diverse opportunities.

One of the biggest drawbacks to working in Germany is the bureaucratic red tape. Expats will need to submit a lot of documents to apply for a visa, and you’ll need to repeat the same steps for any dependents that accompany you. When it comes to visas, they can be limited or unlimited and are often dictated by the type of job you have. The same goes for self-employed expats wanting to work in Germany: while the job opportunities within the country may be attractive, the process to legally be allowed to work can be tough. Benefits of all this bureaucracy include the social security system, which covers all workers — you’ll be taken care of during periods of ill health. We go into more detail about working life and everything you need to know about working in Germany.

Read our complete guide on working in Germany.

Cost of living & helpful facts about life in Germany

With high salaries and a reasonable cost of living, Germany is one of the most attractive Western European countries to settle in.

We provide key information about the country, such as emergency numbers, as well as the public holidays you should be aware of. Knowing about these basic aspects of German life will help you find your feet more quickly. 

When it comes to the cost of living, it has increased in Germany faster than almost anywhere else in the world. It’s especially obvious in the cities of Frankfurt, Berlin, and Munich. 

It’s no news that in Germany, expats find it hard to feel welcomed by the locals. This is due to cultural customs that generally impose a certain formality when interacting with strangers and casual acquaintances.

If you’re considering owning and driving a car in Germany, it should be a positive experience, but bear in mind that most cars, including rental vehicles, will have a manual transmission. Here you’ll find the famous Autobahn, where only 30% of the highway has a speed limit, attracting motorists who want to test their high-powered engines. However, if you prefer taking public transport, you hit the jackpot as Germany offers a wide range of public transport options that are modern, safe, and provide regular services.

Read our complete guide on Living in Germany

Opinion

It is extremely rare to find a German who would open up his/her heart to you. Those who do, are generally people who have seen the world (esp. those who have been to developing countries). I don’t like the rigidness in observing rules — even when these rules make no sense or even harm oneself. (British expat in Germany)

Opinion

Health insurance & the healthcare system of Germany explained

The healthcare system and health insurance in Germany are excellent. However, the ins and outs of the system might be a little confusing at first. Everyone residing in Germany must have health insurance, either public or private. Our Healthcare in Germany article explains everything you need to know about this and more, giving you an overview of Germany’s healthcare system.

Furthermore, this section outlines how to find a doctor and the best hospitals, as well as information on pregnancy and giving birth in Germany. Did you know that once you’re registered at an address in Germany, you should sign up with a General Practitioner (GP or family doctor) as soon as possible? If you’re looking for a trusted doctor, you could ask for help from other expats in the InterNations community. InterNations has a worldwide forum, plus local forums, including one for Germany.

Opinion

German bureaucracy is difficult to manage. They do not have integrated systems for simple things online, like registering your address. You have to make appointments to do things in person, and appointments are very difficult to get. (US American expat in Berlin)

Opinion

Opening a bank account & managing your taxes

Opening a bank account in Germany might pose more challenges than you imagined. A German bank account is not needed for everyone, as a lot of workplaces accept international bank accounts such as Revolut. For example, some banks in Germany require that you deposit a minimum amount each month. Plus, it might not be possible to find an English-speaking member of staff at German banks.

Moreover, as an expat, you can open a non-resident bank account in Germany. Despite this, if you’re from outside the EEA, you’ll need to prove that you’re registered and living in Germany and show your German work permit. If you want to join a local German bank, there are lots of what are called Sparkassen in towns and cities. You’ll need proof of your German address to set up an account here.

This section also looks at how much tax is in Germany. Every person working as an employee or as a self-employed person must pay income tax (or pay as you earn, PAYE tax), which is automatically deducted.

Read our complete guide on banking & taxes in Germany.

Education in Germany

Germany’s education system offers top-quality schooling. Nevertheless, it can vary significantly from one Bundesland (state) to the next, making it quite challenging to choose among the best schools and higher education options for your children. There is little difference in quality between public and private schools in Germany. Local law mandates high educational standards throughout public schools and prevents private schools from only attracting wealthy families.
In our education guide, we explain the education system in Germany, kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, international schools, and higher education. We also include costs and the best schools in different German cities. Read the full guide on education in Germany.