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Moving to : Germany

There are a number of things you will need to research or do before moving to Germany, these include:

• Local Culture 
• Residence Permits/Visa Requirements/Fees 
• How to search for work if you do not already have a job 
• The importance of your Contract of Employment 
• Self Employed? Starting a new business 
• Studying in Germany 
• School/Childcare - admissions, childcare, registration 
• Retiring to Germany 
• Accommodation, property search 
• Removal Companies and Personal Effects 
• Public Healthcare 
• Registering with a Doctor/Dentist 
• Medication 
• Private Medical Insurance, Healthcare and Hospitals 
• Banking 
• Setting up TV, Telephone and Internet 
• Registering for a mobile phone 
• Taking your car 
• Moving your pets 
• Make sure your passport is valid 
• Tickets for your move, hotel bookings and car rental 
• UK Voter Registration 
• Final Checklists 
• Final Notifications 

German culture is defined in many ways. From their efficiency to their sausages. Clicking on the links below will help you understand the country and its unique appeal.

BBC - Cultural Notes
Kwintessential - Language &Culture
Germany Travel - Romantic &history of Germany
TLC - German Culture
Communicaid - Business Cultural Awareness

Each area of Germany will also have its own history and culture. Don't forget to run a search specifically on the area of Germany you are looking at moving to. We recommend Google for all searches and the easiest way of searching for local culture is to put "culture" + the area of Germany you are investigating.

As an EU national you do not need a work permit to work in Germany. In fact, according to new legislation you don't even "need" a residence permit. We put the "need" in quotes as it's a very loose statement. German bureaucracy is such that without it, many things will become virtually impossible. For example, setting up a mobile phone contract or applying for a job will become a nightmare.

It is always best to be prepared, and have employment set up before you go. However, if you do not have a job, you are able to enter the country as a tourist for up to 3 months providing you have a full 10 year passport.

To look for a job in Germany it's advisable to register with the local Arbeitsamt which will advise and guide you and you will need a residence permit. You can not apply for a job without it. Also be aware that you are not entitled to uneployment benefit or social security while searching for employment.

To get the residence permit, you will need to go to your local foreign office (Ausländeramt) and they will give you the residence permit (Aufenthaltsgenehmigung). If you plan to stay for more than 3 months, you must also register with the local citizens' Administration office (Einwohnermeldeamt) which proves residency.

There is no avoiding "German Bureaucracy". If you plan on staying in Germany for more than 3 months, it's advisable to get all the paperwork done as soon as you enter the country. A lot of it feels like a "chicken and egg" scenario, eg, you can't get the residence permit without the registration in the local citizens' administration office etc. So even though you have the right to stay for 3 months without it all, sort it out early!

Auswaertiges Amt - I'm an EU citizen. What are my options?
BBC - Residency and Entry Requirements
EuroFound - Permission ot Reside

More information can be found on this in our "living in..." Registering your arrival in the Country.

If you are planning on going to Germany and starting your own business, this site may be of use to you: Doing Business

General information regarding schooling can be found here:

The Voyage - German school system
Eduserver - Education and care

The rules for compulsory schooling are simple. Children are expected to start school at the age of 6. 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?" These sites may help you with this decision.

Eduserver - Education and care
MPG - Report for German School System
Schools Network - German School System
How to Germany - International Schools in Germany

If you are considering retiring to Germany, then the following sites should be useful:

Direct - Britons living abroad 
Foreign & Commonwealth Office - Moving Abroad 

The decision regarding whether to purchase or rent a property in Germany can be difficult. If you are looking to buy, then these links will help.

Overseas Property - Buying in Germany
This is Money - Should you buy in Germany?
Right Move - Property Website
World of Property - Information about Germany
World of Property - Property Search
Estatepool - Buying (Click the language drop down at the top to change to English)


Rental can be harder as most real estate agencies focus on short term/holiday rentals, however it is not impossible. You will usually be expected to pay a deposit and a months' rent in advance and property search for rentals is usually easier in autumn and winter as during the summer months the shorter lease periods are more appealing to landlords.

Expat Focus - Renting Property
Estatepool - Rental (Click the language drop down at the top to change to English)
The Move Channel - Search
Relocation Apartments - Apartment Opportunities

When shipping your personal (household) effects within the EU, they are not subject to normal customs formalities or restrictions. For more information on this, you can check this site:

Please check our Resources section to see if there is any further information on English speaking removal companies.

The Form E111 is no longer valid. You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as German nationals.

NHS Guide 
Foreign & Commonwealth Office - Travel Insurance
Civitas - Health Care in Germany

Note, this is NOT a permanent solution. Private healthcare in Germany should be considered. Most companies have some kind of an agreement with a private medical insurance company and these should be offered with employment.

Recent restructure changes due to take effect in 2009 have been highlighted in this article:

BBC - Germany restructures healthcare

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.

Health care in Germany is always handled via insurance companies or the ‘Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse’ (AOK) and the ‘Ersatzkasse’ (substitute health insurance fund).

Although when intitially moving to Germany you are able to use your European Health Insurance Card, it's advisable to set up a private health insurance as early as possible. If you already have a job find out if health insurance is included in your contract.

More information can be found on this in our "living in..." Signing up with a Dr or Dentist etc.

Before taking any medication into Germany make sure that you check that it is legal to do so. Interestingly 63% of Britons didn’t know that some medication in the UK e.g. alcohol based prescription drugs and painkillers such as codeine are illegal in some countries. In Japan for instance, the Vicks inhaler and Sudafed are illegal!

Most pharmacies are open normal shop hours, with some opening slighly earlier and closing slightly later. Many are also attached to supermarkets which may close later than most normal shops. As in the other areas of Europe, a pharmacy can be recognised by it's green cross outside.

Private medical insurance is a necessity in Germany. Make sure you have adequate cover if staying for more than 3 months.

Please check our Resources section to see if there is any further information on additional medical insurance, general private heathcare and private hospitals.

Opening a bank account can be a challenge! As well as the normal passport and proof of address requirements, you will also have to prove residency and that you have a job (show your contract)!

There is a LOT of bureaucracy regarding opening a bank account. For example, with some banks, there is no such thing as a "joint" bank account. One person is the primary owner of the account and you can then add as many people as "users" of the account that you want. Each "user" can then have their own debit cards/credit cards for the account. In addition, some banks will only allow one bank account per person (with a savings account connected to the normal current account), so getting credit cards on multiple accounts can also be difficult. When deciding on a bank, find out their individual rules.

Many companies take a while to set these up, so once you know where you will be living, you might want to contact these companies in advance, so you are able to have connection from the day you move in. Deutsche Telekom is the largest seller of Telephone and Internet in Germany.

Deutsche Telecom This site is all in German, so you will need a native or someone who's German is fluent with you when you go through it.

Like in the UK, to get German TV or radio, you need to pay a licence (GEZ).

Please check our Resources section to see if there are any alternatives.

To get a mobile phone contract in Germany you must have residency. You must prove it by showing them your passport, and residency documents at the time of purchase.  Be aware that the minimum contract period is usually 2 years.  Check your options before signing up for anything as prices and offers change as often as the weather!

As for your UK mobile. Our guess is that you will be returning to the UK from time to time and may want a low cost way for people to contact you when you are there. So why not cancel your contract, but switch to a "Pay as you go"? This is a number that most of your friends/family will already have, so record your voicemail explaining that this phone is now only on when you are in the UK, and tell them how to contact you when you're not. Be careful when choosing your PAYG plan as some expect you to use your phone every few weeks to keep it active.

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"!

Don't forget you must also notify the DVLA if you plan to take your car out of the UK either temporarily or permanently. 

Direct Gov - Taking your car abroad

No one wants to leave their other family members behind, so take them with you! Also, please don't forget to consider they may need their own Residency permits once in Germany.

DEFRA - Qualifying Countries for the PETS Scheme
DEFRA - Preparing your pet for travel (cats, dogs &ferrets)
DEFRA - Preparing your pet for travel (rabits and rodents)

Make sure you have a valid passport. You do not need a minimum period of validity; however it must remain valid for the duration of your stay.

UK Passport Office - UK Passport Information

When moving you need to set a date to do so. Once you have this date, you need to consider your flights or travel arrangements. Investigate cheap flights or travel. There is no need to spend a fortune getting there when there are many cheap options available. The following site details the list of low cost airlines flying to Germany:

Attitude Travel - Guide to Cheap Airline Carriers

If you have not arranged somewhere to live, make sure you have accommodation until you do. Book yourself a hotel. In addition, you may be going to sign contracts for your accommodation. This does not mean you can stay there on the first night! This may not be possible. So make sure you know exactly what your plans are and make arrangements that take these into consideration.

Where car hire is concerned do your research. Different companies offer different deals at different times.

Please check our Resources section to see if there is any further information on car hire and deals.

Don't Lose Your Vote!

If you are 18 and over, and were previously registered to vote in the UK within the last 15 years, you can apply to register again as an overseas voter.

Overseas Voting