Expats Questions Answered

Anmeldung is registering your address with your local city office. It's the first thing to do after arriving — almost everything else (bank account, health insurance, tax ID) depends on having it done.
Read the full Anmeldung guide →

By law you have 14 days after moving into a permanent address. In practice, book your appointment as early as you can — slots in Berlin and Munich fill up fast.

Your passport, a completed registration form, and a signed Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord confirmation) — most delays happen because this last document is missing or incomplete.

Anmeldung first, then a bank account and health insurance, then your tax ID. Order matters — several of these steps depend on the one before it.
See the First 30 Days checklist →

Yes — every household in Germany must pay the Rundfunkbeitrag (currently about €18.36/month), whether or not you own a TV or radio. You'll usually get a letter from the Beitragsservice within a few months of your Anmeldung — register online early to avoid a backdated bill.

A visa gets you into Germany; a residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) is what lets you stay and work once you're here. Most non-EU arrivals need to convert their entry visa into a residence permit shortly after arrival.
Read the visa & work permit guide →

If you have a university degree and a job offer meeting the 2026 salary threshold (around €50,700, lower for shortage occupations), you likely qualify. It's usually the fastest route to permanent residence.
Read the EU Blue Card guide →

Often yes, under a Fiktionsbescheinigung (temporary certificate) if you applied before your visa expired — but the exact rules depend on your visa type. Check with your Ausländerbehörde or an immigration lawyer directly.

It depends on why you're moving — employment, freelancing, study, and family reunification each have separate visa categories with different requirements and processing times.

Yes — under Germany's reformed citizenship law, dual citizenship is now generally allowed for everyone, not just EU or Swiss nationals. You no longer have to give up your original passport to naturalize as German.

Niederlassungserlaubnis is a permanent residence permit — you can live and work in Germany indefinitely, but you remain a citizen of your home country. Citizenship goes further: it gives you a German passport, EU voting rights, and full freedom of movement across the EU.

Non-EU citizens who leave Germany for good can sometimes reclaim pension contributions — but only after a 24-month waiting period, and only if your home country has no German social security agreement (which rules out most EU countries). Refunds can be substantial, so it's worth checking eligibility with a pension advisor before counting on it.

Yes — online banks like N26 and Wise let you open an account before you've registered your address. Traditional banks usually require a German address first.
Read the banking guide →

N26 and Wise are fastest to open and fully in English; a traditional bank (like Deutsche Bank or Sparkasse) offers branch access and can be easier for some landlords and employers to work with.
Compare N26 vs Wise vs Revolut →

SCHUFA is Germany's credit scoring system. Landlords and some contracts ask for it, and new arrivals usually start with no score at all — it takes a few months of banking activity to build one.
Read the SCHUFA guide →

Not always to open the account, but most banks will ask for it soon after — it's issued automatically by mail a few weeks after your Anmeldung.
Read the Tax ID guide →

Yes, without exception. You need proof of coverage for your Anmeldung, visa, and most employment contracts.
Read the health insurance guide →

Most employees default to public insurance (GKV). Private (PKV) can be cheaper when you're young and healthy, but switching back to public later is difficult — think carefully before opting in.
Read the GKV vs PKV guide →

TK (Techniker Krankenkasse) is usually the top pick for English support and service quality; AOK and Barmer are solid alternatives, with some differences by region and family situation.
Compare TK vs AOK vs Barmer →

Yes — you can apply as soon as you have a contract or visa need, though most insurers will ask for your address once you have it.

Yes, especially in tech, finance, and multinational companies based in Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt — though German still widens your options significantly outside those sectors.
Read the jobs without German guide →

Not usually — payroll tax is deducted automatically. A Steuerberater becomes useful once you have foreign income, are self-employed, or want to claim deductions on your annual return.
Read the tax advisors guide →

Your Steuer-ID (Tax ID) is personal and permanent, issued once by mail. Your Steuernummer (Tax Number) is issued by your local tax office and used mainly if you're self-employed or run a business.
Read the Tax ID guide →

Yes — several recruitment agencies specialize in placing English-speaking professionals, particularly in tech, finance, and engineering roles across Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt.

Expect stiff competition, especially in Berlin and Munich — popular listings can get 50+ applicants within hours. Have your documents ready in advance (SCHUFA report, last 3 payslips, employment contract, ID copy) so you can apply the moment you see a place you like.

By law the Kaution can't exceed three months' cold rent (Kaltmiete), and you're allowed to pay it in three monthly installments. Landlords have up to six months after you move out to return it, minus any deductions for damage beyond normal wear and tear.
Browse real estate services →

Non-EU licenses are valid for 6 months after your first Anmeldung. After that you must exchange it for a German license — whether that means simple paperwork or a full retest (theory and practical exam) depends on your home country's agreement with Germany.

Most German contracts run 24 months, which can be a problem if you have no SCHUFA history yet. Prepaid SIM cards (Aldi Talk, O2, etc.) get you connected immediately with no credit check, while you build up a rental and banking history for a postpaid plan later.

Public Kita spots are subsidized but often have long waitlists — register as early as possible, ideally as soon as you have an address. International and bilingual private schools have shorter waitlists but cost significantly more; public German schools are free but immersion-heavy for non-German speakers.
Browse childcare & schools →