Moving to Germany for Dummies

We know that moving to a foreign country is a big decision to make and it can be very challenging. That is why we would like to offer you a simple guideline with all the steps that you need to follow to help you in the process of moving to Germany!

Relocation

Health Insurance

Bank Account

Service

Languages

Blogs & Info

Bring Your Partner

Concierge Services

1. Relocation

Before changing your life completely and moving to Germany, there is some research that you should do. First of all, it’s essential to decide in which city you would like to live. Costs of living and job opportunities may vary depending on the region, so you should consider all these factors when making a decision.

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After you decide where you want to go, the next step is to inform yourself about the entry requirements for immigrants. Germany is a member of the European Union, which means that citizens from a Member State of the EU, EEA or Switzerland can enter the country and stay for as long as they want without a visa. All they need is a valid ID or passport.

However, nationals from the rest of countries will have to apply for a visa in order to enter Germany. Entry regulations vary depending on the country of origin, so it is compulsory for you to check whether you meet the entry requirements or not before moving to the country. To check if you will need a visa, what kind of visa you will need, how much it will cost and more useful information, you can check the website of the German Federal Foreign Office https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/visa-service/-/215870 or talk to one of our Relocation Partners.

Once you have arranged all the documents that you need to move to Germany, you will start looking for a property or an apartment to rent. There are different websites in which you can find flats, houses or the property you may prefer, such as https://www.immobilienscout24.de, https://www.immowelt.de or https://www.wg-gesucht.de (if you want to share an apartment).

After moving to your new place, you will have to register your address in your town of residence within two weeks. This is a pretty simple procedure, called Anmeldung. You just need to get an appointment in the city council and bring the following documents: a valid ID or passport, a document from your landlord, a registration form that is usually in the city’s website and your residence documents (if applicable).

If all of this sounds too stressful, you should know that you can also count on a relocation agency. Relocation specialists may help you from transporting your household belongings or finding your new home to moving your car or even bringing your pet to Germany. They will make the relocation process much easier by sorting out all the procedures that you need. Check out our Relocation Partners if you want to find out more information about their services.