Moving abroad can sometimes be overwhelming. With so much to consider, from your visa application to finding somewhere to live, it’s hard to know where to begin. If you’ve been drawn in by the German way of life – and the great employment options, high quality of life and attractive work-life balance that come with it – you’ll need to plan how to make that dream a reality. That means deciding which region (in Germany, the usual term is state) you want to live in, whether to buy or rent a property and how to move your possessions.

Our comprehensive guide will help you get to grips with the pre-move planning necessary for a move to Germany.
 

Visas and legal requirements
 

If you’re going to be in Germany for longer than 90 days, you will need a visa or residence permit and to register your stay. You will be required to register within two weeks of arrival at your local registration office, or Einwohnermeldeamt. There are numerous offices spread across Germany’s federal states. You must re-register if you move house during your stay – this also applies to German citizens.

Anyone living within the EU’s Schengen Area can move freely between the countries in the 26-country zone for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. If you’re moving from outside of the Schengen Area, there are legal requirements for crossing the border. Depending on your reason for moving, you may need to apply for a visa or work permit. Contact your local German Embassy to find out more information on what is required.

The cost of all long-term visas is €80 for Schengen visas and €75 for national visas for adults and €40 for Schengen visa applications for children between six and 12 [TD4] [HB5] or €37.50 for national visas for anyone under 18. Schengen visas are free for children under six. However, the following are exempt from the national visa fees:

• Foreign nationals with a scholarship from public funds during their stay
  • This also includes their partner and minor children who are also covered by the funding
• German citizens’ spouses and same-sex partners in a civil union, minor single children and parents (of minors)
• Family members of EU/EEA nationals, provided they enjoy freedom of movement
• Members of diplomatic missions, consular posts and international organizations in Germany
  • This also includes their spouse and children of 25 or under

Can I move to Germany without a job?

Yes. If you have valuable skills and experience – and a positive attitude – you’ll have no trouble finding your niche in Germany’s thriving economy.

Germany offers a job seeker visa that allows expats to move to the country before they have secured a professional role. The long-term residency permit will then enable you to stay in Germany for up to six months – you will be allowed to stay beyond those initial six months if you have secured a job.

You are eligible for a job seeker visa if you have:

• A Bachelor or master's degree from a German university, or an equivalent foreign degree
• At least five years of experience in your related field of study
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay
• Travel or medical insurance for your entire stay

How to find a job

The German government has created a Quick-Check tool to help you understand the likelihood of you securing a job. If you’ve not already found a job or if you want to be transferred by your current employer to a German office, this can be a helpful way to know if you can fulfil your dream of moving there. You can increase your chances of employment by ensuring your qualifications are recognised in Germany.

When searching for jobs in Germany, you might find specific positions available for international employees. The government’s Make it in Germany site features job listings from the Federal Employment Agency (BA) that specify these roles. You can also use sites such as Meinestadt.de, Reed and Jobbörse.

Germany’s average salary was €42,593 per year in 2020. Currently, the country’s most sought after jobs include doctors and nursing staff, engineers, mechatronic technicians, IT specialists and train drivers. However, the highest-paying roles include doctors and management, especially sales. The most in-demand industries include biotechnology, banking and pharmaceuticals.

Read our tips for working in Germany and German business etiquette.

Is it a good time to move to Germany?

Yes, it's a good time to move to Germany. Through 2020 and into 2021, the unemployment rate remained under 6% despite the pandemic. With most of the working population already holding down jobs, expats help to fill skill shortages across the country.

The cost of living

If you’re planning to move to a new country, it’s important to understand local living costs. The cost of living in Germany will differ from city to city and if you live in a village or town.

In the Mercer 2020 Cost of Living Ranking, where low numbers mean high cost of living, the first German city to feature in the list is Munich (72). That’s good going compared to London (18), Paris (33) and Amsterdam (44). Next came Frankfurt (76) and Berlin (82). Cities like Düsseldorf, Hamburg and Stuttgart appear even further down the list.

Rent

The national average cost of rent per month is €731.92 for a one-bedroom apartment in a city centre. This rises to €1,403.28 for a three-bedroom apartment. In Berlin, prices are higher than the national average, at €1040.82 for a city centre one-bedroom apartment and €1,941.73 for a three-bedroom apartment.

Find out more about the monthly rent, as well as the general cost of living per month, for cities across the country:

Prices from Numbeo.com. Correct November 2021.

Buying or renting?

The key factor in deciding whether to rent or buy is the length of time you’re planning to stay in Germany. For shorter spells, renting could be more affordable – but the longer your stay, the more attractive real estate becomes.

Buying

Around half of Germany’s population owns their own home. Happily, there are no restrictions on foreigners buying property in Germany, regardless of whether they live in the country or elsewhere. If home ownership is your preferred route, find the right home using sites like Rightmove, Tranio and Engel & Voelkers.

Although buying isn’t as popular in Germany as it is in other countries across the continent, house prices are always on the rise. In addition to the stable property market, you’ll also find interest rates on mortgages are low: usually between 1 and 2%. However, you cannot deduct mortgage interest from your taxes and buyers are often expected to pay 40-50% of the house price up front to secure a mortgage.

Renting

Germany has one of the highest proportions of renters in Europe. Partly this is because it’s cheaper than elsewhere (renting in Munich, Germany’s most expensive city, is still 36% cheaper than in London), but the considerable deposits necessary to buy property are a key factor too.

Rent prices vary across the country. Major cities like Munich, Hamburg and Frankfurt are among the most expensive, while Leipzig, Essen and Hanover are more affordable.

When looking to rent, use sites like Nestpick, Housing Anywhere and LongTermLettings.com.

How much money do I need to move to Germany?

The total cost of your move can vary depending on where you’re from. We’ve already covered the cost of long-term visas: €80 or €75 unless you are exempt from the fee. On top of that, you will need to factor in the price of you and your family’s travel tickets, your first month’s rent plus any agency fees and the cost of shipping your possessions. And then there’s the usual cost of living considerations, such as groceries and transportation, while you await your first salary payment.

Let’s say your family of four are moving from the US to Dortmund. In total, your move and expenses for the first month could add up to the best part of €20k. This will cover your flights, first month of rent and general living expenses plus the cost of shipping your possessions. Relocating from countries within Europe will be cheaper.

Cities and states in Germany

If your job is relocating you to Germany, your location may already be decided. Cities like the capital Berlin and the financial hub Frankfurt are home to many foreign workers.

If the choice is yours, however, you might be wondering how to narrow things down. Here are Germany’s 16 states:

1. Baden-Württemberg
2. Bavaria
3. Berlin
4. Brandenburg
5. Bremen
6. Hamburg
7. Hesse
8. Lower Saxony
9. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
10. North Rhine-Westphalia
11. Rhineland-Palatinate
12. Saarland
13. Saxony
14. Saxony-Anhalt
15. Schleswig-Holstein
16. Thuringia

Each state also has its own personality. Bavaria is famed for its lively culture scene, especially music and theatre. Outdoorsy expats are often drawn to Thuringia, home to the Rennsteig, Germany’s best-known hiking trail. But this barely scratches the surface: there are significant geographical, historical and cultural differences between all the states, so it’s worth doing some research to figure out which is the best fit for you.

The Germany health care system

You can access health care in Germany through both public and private providers.

Public health care

If you are a working resident, you may be eligible for the government’s public health care scheme, known as Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung (GKV). It's funded by statutory contributions – 14.6% of your gross salary with payments split between you and your employer – and covers most routine health services, such as dental checkups, family doctor visits, medications and cancer screenings. Additional services may be available for a surcharge depending on your local health care provider.

Once you have registered your address (within 14 days of your arrival), you will receive a social security number that you can use to apply for a public health insurance fund. Access to health care providers is usually set up through your employer.

Private health care

Private health insurance can replace or top up your state health care, which covers primary care with registered health care facilities, doctor visits and basic dental treatments. Different policies will offer different levels of coverage, but these will be more extensive than state health care.