Living in :
Germany
Once in Germany, there are more things you need to do. These include:
Registering your arrival
One of the first things you MUST do when arriving in Germany is register with the police. You must do this in your first week in the country if you plan to stay for more than three months. To get your "polizeiliche Anmeldebestätigung" you must visit your local registration office "Einwohnermeldeamt/Meldestelle" which can usually be found as part of your local town hall "Rathause" or police station.
There are many things you can not do in Germany without this document. Eg, set up a bank account, get a mobile phone etc. and failure to comply with this law could result in a fine.
It is also essential to remember to notify them if you change your address at any time.
Further information on both registering with the police and for residency can be found:
Expatica - Registration in Germany
Like in most European Countries, you no longer need a residence permit "Aufenthaltserlaubnis" if you are an EU citizen. If you plan on staying for some time, you can apply for a "Freizügigkeitsbescheinigung " after 3 months, however this is not necessary. This is your permission to stay indefinately. To get one of these you must prove proof of job eg your work contract (or a way of supporting yourself with approx 600€ a month) and that you have your own health insurance. There is no fee for this and it's granted almost automatically. This can be applied for at your local Meldestelle.
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Tax registration with the authorities
If planning on staying/working/buying a house or car, you must obtain a Lohnsteuerkarte (wage tax card). This document identifies you to the German taxman and is required when dealing with the Tax Office.
You get it from the same place you registered your arrival in the country and it must be given straight to your employer. This tells them what tax bracket you have been put into. Once a year this is returned to you and outlines the amount you earned and the amount of tax you have paid. A new one is issued each year.
German Tax Info - Find your local Finanzamt
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Registering children with daycare/school/universities
Children between the ages of 3 and 6 may attend kindergarten in Germany. There are several different types of kindergarten: religious, state-run, and alternative or independent. Kindergartens are not compulsory and as a result, are not free of charge. The fees for kindergartens are based on the income level of the child's parents. Depending on the type of kindergarten you choose for your children, they may attend in the morning, in the afternoon, or all day.
Children in Germany between the ages of 6 and 18 are required by law to attend school. German public education is free. This includes up to and including University where the costs are considerably subsidised by the state.
One of the biggest decisions you need to make will be "Do I want my children educated in English, at an International school, or in a German school?" It's also worth mentioning, that there are many British Army Bases in Germany and for a fee, you may be able to get your child into one of the British Army schools as a fee payer. You would need to contact the Service Children's Eduction office. Please remember offering your child a place is at their discretion and subject to availability.
Service Children's Education
Depending upon how long you plan to reside in Germany, you will have to either register your children at a German school or apply to have your children exempted from this law. If you choose to have your children exempted from this law please be aware that the decision to allow children not to attend school is made on a case by case basis. It is also possible to send your children to an international school during your stay in Germany.
To apply for your child to be exempt from the German system, you must contact your local Schulamt. You can get these details from the same place you registered your entry into the country. You must have this permission if you plan to either send your child to an International school, or home school. Unlike the UK, Germany does not have compulsory education it has compulsory attendance.
You can get a list of nearby kindergartens and schools via your local Rathause.
Once you have decided on a school, if it's in the German system, you will need to contact the "Schulverwaltungsamt" (School Administration Office) who will be able to inform you of the correct procedure.
How to Germany - German Schools
London diplo - Education
The above sites will give you an insight into the German School system from the age of 6 up to University.
If you're planing on studying in Germany, you will need two things. Firstly a Student Visa which you must apply for in person at the same place you register your arrival.
Graduateshotline - German Student Visa
Secondly, you'll need information regarding courses. There are so many options online, we did not feel it necessary to point you in any specific direction. If you know the type of course you are looking for, a search online should bring up the needed results.
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Signing up with a Dr or Dentist etc
Many Doctors and Dentists are English speaking, especially in the more commercial areas of Germany. You have a free choice of general practitioner, paediatrician and several specialists within your area. For an English speaking Doctor, ask around - other Brits in the neighbourhood can help as well as many of the locals.
The German Health Care system is one of the best in the world - waiting lists for treatment are virtually unheard of. The Statutory health insurance scheme provides nearly full cover for most medical treatments and medicines. Almost everybody in Germany has access to this system, irrespective of income or social status.
However, this said, medical insurance is essential. Before you do anything else, speak to your employer to find out if they have a policy which you and your family are entitled to join. Although your EHIC will cover you for the first 3 months of your stay in Germany, you will have to prove you have a more permanent solution before residency will be permitted.
Before you go to a Doctor or Dentist or in fact any health care institution, you must have your Health Insurance Card. You WILL be asked for it at every visit.
Please check our Resources section to see if there is any further information on additional medical insurance, general private heathcare and private hospitals.
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Set up a bank account
Opening a bank account can be a challenge! Before you can set up a bank account, you must first make sure all your paperwork is in order. If you have not yet registered your arrival with the Police, or arranged a place to live, you will NOT be allowed to open a Bank Account.
Hopefully, this site should give you the information you need.
Expatica - Setting up a bank account
Most Germans do not like speaking English, so our advice would be to try to find a bank which has an English speaking division. Possibly an international banking institution like Citi-Bank who have banks worldwide.
I have lived in Germany, and can confirm that Citi-Bank do have an English interface for internet banking, and when necessary, have been able to supply me with an English speaker.
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Convert your driving license?
The first thing you need to be aware of is if you move abroad, you cannot have your new international address added to your British driving licence.
Directgov - Driving Abroad on a GB Licence
You can apply for an International Driving Permit as a temporary solution although the German authorities will accept your UK licence so this is not necessary. Information about this can be found here:
The AA - International Driving Permit
Alternatively, you have two other choices. Either leave it with your last address in the UK, or submit it to the German authorities and have it replaced with a German Licence.
Expatica - Driving in Germany
Regardless of your decision regarding your licence, you should familiarise yourself with the rules of the German roads! This website should help you. The traffic laws are outlined here:
How to Germany - Driving
Expatica - Driving in Germany
Europa - Getting there
It is worth mentioning that only people who hold a German driving licence can be subject receiving points on their licence and risk losing it. People with a British Licence can only be fined.
And finally, please remember that although in the UK you can take and pass your driving test at the age of 17, in Germany, your licence is not valid until your 18th birthday! Other general differences can be found here:
ViaMichelin - Driving in Europe - Similarities and Differences
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Registering or buying a car
Deciding whether to take your car or not is something you will need to think about. What is "right" varies from person to person. For example, for my first move, I took my UK car with me for the first 6 months only. This gave me the security blanket when I wasn't sure if I would stay. Had I returned to the UK, I wouldn't have then had to look for a new car. Having decided to stay, I returned my UK car to the UK, and bought a local one. Just make sure that if you decide to take your own car, your insurance covers you properly with a "permanent green card"!
Direct Gov - Taking your car abroad
If you plan on taking your own car permanently, this site should help. Although American, it refers to any car taken into Germany from anywhere else.
US German Embassy - Driving in Germany
Buying a car in Germany is slightly different. Take a look at these sites.
Expatica - Buying a car
How to Germany - Buying a car
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Search for a job
There are a number of websites which focus on job searches in Germany. The following are a few, however we can not take liability for any of their content or claims. It is also worth actually going into agencies on the street with your up to date CV.
Job Centre Plus
4ICJ
Euro Jobs - Finding work in Germany
Jobs Abroad
Executives on the Web
Tip Top Jobs
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Register for language courses
We Brits are terrible when it comes to learning languages! It's awful to walk around the shops and feel illiterate. Seeing the letters but not understanding the words. It can leave you feeling very isolated. Learning the language has many benefits. Firstly, it teaches you the essentials you will need to get by. Secondly, it helps you meet people - often people in a similar situation to yourself. And thirdly, it makes people take you more seriously on a daily basis.
Please check our Resources section to see if there is any further information on language courses.
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Recycling
Germany is big on recycling. In general, anything that can't be recycled needs to be paid for when it comes to removing it, however anything which can be recycled is free. It's well worth learning and understanding this system to help reduce your costs. All bins are colour coded. Below is the official colour system, however some regions may vary. Please verify for your own area.
Green - Paper
Envelopes, books, catalogues, illustrations, cartons, writing pads, brochures, writing paper, school books, washing detergent cartons without plastic, newspapers, paper boxes
Brown - Biological waste
Kitchen waste: old bread, eggs shells, coffee powder and filters, food leftovers, tea leaves and tea filters
Fruit and vegetables: peels, apple cores, leaves, nutshells, fruit stones and pips, lettuce leaves
Garden waste: soil, hedge trimmings, leaves, grass clippings, weeds, dead flowers, and twigs
Other: feathers, hair, kitchen towels, tissues, sawdust, and straw
Yellow - Plastics/Packaging etc
Aluminium foil, plastic wrap, inside packaging materials
Tins, cans, liquids refill sachets/bags, yogurt cups, body lotion bottles
Plastic bags, margarine tubs, milk sachets, plastic packaging trays for fruit and vegetables, screw-top bottle tops, detergent bottles, carry bags, vacuum packaging, dishwashing liquid bottles
Grey - Household waste
Ash, wire, carbon paper, electrical appliances, bicycle tubes, photos, broken glass, bulbs, chewing gum, personal hygiene articles, nails, porcelain, rubber, plastic ties, broken mirrors, vacuum cleaner bags, street sweeping dirt, carpeting pieces, diapers, cigarette butts, miscellaneous waste
For those areas using "yellow bags" for packaging etc, you can pick those up for free from your local Rathause. Make sure you speak with neighbours or the local council to find out the rules for your area.
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If a student, check out the local student life
Once you know where you will be studying, contact your campus to find out about the local social life. Find out the "in" places to go and the local club scene. Most students work hard, but play harder!
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Marrying in Germany
When living in a foreign country, it is not unthinkable that you might meet and later want to marry someone in Germany.
Foreign Office - Marrying in Germany
Marrying in Germany is a lengthy process with a lot of paperwork. This includes having official British documents translated which is also very costly. In addition, all documents must have been issued in the last 6 months. This means that you would have to get new copies of things like your birth certificates.
Most people give up and decide to marry in the UK! Another alternative is to travel to the neighbouring country of Denmark. To marry there, you need only be in the country for 24 hours prior to the wedding. This is officially your local "Vegas"!
However, if you do choose to get married in Germany, please speak with your local Standesamt who can advise you of everything you need to know.
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British Nationals dying in Germany
While in Germany, although none of us wants to think about it, it is possible that you could be left to deal with the death of a loved one. There are many decisions to be made and the British Foreign Office have put together a booklet (PDF) which you can download.
Foreign Office - Registering a Death
Foreign Office - Help if someone dies
Foreign Office - Death Overseas
Please also visit our Repatriation page where we go into this in more detail.
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Protect your pension
As a UK citizen you are entitled to a UK pension when you retire. This can and will be paid into your bank account anywhere in the world. However, whether you get a full or part pension at retirement age depends on your contributions.
Be aware that you are able to pay into a private pension for 5 years after you leave the UK, however advisers also suggest that you consider paying voluntary NI contributions to preserve your state pension entitlements.
You can find out how much to pay by calling the HMRC International Services Helpline on +44 (0) 845 9154811 giving them your UK NI Number. There are many ways to pay, the link below will be of use.
HM Revenue &Customs - Paying NI from abroad
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Keep an eye out for your work / residence permit / insurances / passport lapsing...
This may seem obvious but make sure you know exactly when each of your documents are due to expire! To begin with you may not be able to read the correspondence these companies are sending you. This makes renewal notices very difficult to understand. The last thing you want is to find out that part of your life is no longer legal... Whether it's your right to live in the country or your car insurance have those dates marked clearly somewhere that you check regularly and if it spans more than one year... make sure you copy it over to the following year!
If your passport is due to expire you will need this website:
Foreign Office - Passports
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Emergencies
Emergency Services can be reached by dialing 112, however if you want to get hold of a specific service you can call the following numbers.
Police - 100
Ambulance - 112
Fire Bregade - 112
If anything else goes seriously wrong, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office offers the following help:
Foreign Office - When things go wrong
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