Expert Tipps for Expats Who Are Considering Relocating to Germany

This article was contributed by Sarah Schadek-Keane, Managing Director | International Actuarial & Financial Services at Emerald Group.

Language

Whilst you can get around with English in most locations these days, it is advisable to learn the local language, in this case German, as well as you can beforehand. It will open more possibilities on the job market with less competition as well as making day-to-day life easier as you won’t need as much support with paperwork, bureaucratic challenges etc. For most it will also be cheaper to take German lessons in your home country than going to language classes here unless you already have an employer that supports these.

Visa/EU Blue Card

Make sure you understand Visa / EU Blue Card needs before applying for them; the salary level for qualified workers has been lowered in 2023 so for graduates or sought-after jobs it’s now around €44,000 in Germany; for expats / other jobs it’s currently around €48,000; if you already have an EU Blue Card in a different EU country your application for the “Aufenthalts-/ Arbeitserlaubnis” will be prioritised and will take less time to be processed than those of first time applicants.

Paperwork/Bureaucracy

• Registration in Germany: As soon as you start to work in Germany, you will need to register a current home address (which can also be a hotel) with the local authorities. Once you find long-term accommodation though, you will  have to register again, meaning double the cost; if you have a new employer who covers this, make sure you understand whether they will only cover it once, or ask directly if it could be covered twice if you don’t have the chance to look for an apartment before starting .
• Tax: The German tax system is fairly complicated for someone new to the country so ask for help in your first and second year from your employer, e.g., ask if they could provide you with a tax advisor, initially for this timeframe; some offer this service for the first year only but, depending on when in the year you start, ask for the first 2 years ideally to make sure you handle it correctly.
• Health Insurance: Similar to the tax system, the German health insurance system is also hard to understand for someone who hasn’t been in Germany before; there is public and private health insurance. You qualify for private health insurance once your salary reaches €73,800, the same goes for self-employed or freelancing expats. If you qualify for the public system try to get an understanding of what is on offer use portals like check24.de or https://www.gesetzlichekrankenkassen.de/ (in German only).

Hunt for accommodation

When being relocated by new employers, some offer apartments that are being rented out by the company, however, this is usually limited to a certain time frame (1-6 months) to give an option whilst looking for an apartment yourself. This also differs to what you might potentially experience in other countries. Especially in larger cities you basically need an application package including, for example, payslips, information about yourself and a “SCHUFA-Auskunft”, which is a credit check to make sure you haven’t had any issues previously. Once you are invited to view an apartment with other applicants you will need to hand this application package to the potential landlord, who will then decide who he will give the apartment to.

After these initial steps in the mid- to long-term you will also come across different expenses like church tax (again only in Germany), radio and tv license fee, quiet periods if you live in an apartment, the preference for cash in stores and restaurants etc., however, in most cities in Germany you can get guidance from local international offices in each city that can guide you on German quirks.

Other german peculiarities when getting settled

Every country has its own pros and cons, however, once you decide to move to a country, expat life can be rewarding through personal growth, new opportunities and a better or simpler lifestyle as well as gaining career advantages. If you decide on Germany, you are making a decision to come to a country that is culturally diverse, has everything to offer from access to the sea in the north to mountains in the South and a country that borders other attractive locations within travelling distance.

If you want to find out more, please reach out to us:

Sarah Schadek-Keane
Managing Director | International Actuarial
Phone: +49 (0)170 7335605
sarah.schadek-keane@emerald-group.com
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