I’ve always had a soft spot for Germany, stemming from several cultural exchange visits with my school band back in the ‘90s. It opened my eyes to life in Western Europe, and the warmth of the people, the richness of the heritage and the beautiful landscapes all left a lingering mark. I’ve since gone back to Germany several times and rank it highly amongst the few places I’d consider moving to.
Germany is a popular country for expat relocation, thanks in no small part to its strong economy, buzzing cities and stunning scenery. When it comes to work and education, Germany is a solid choice, and there’s plenty to do in your down time too, with all the diversions you could wish for.
If you’ve been thinking about moving abroad to Germany, a bit of prior research is essential, so you know what to expect and how to properly plan your transition. In this post, I’ll talk about some of the most important aspects of moving to Germany, including the costs of living, visas, cultural nuances, and making friends. Let’s take a closer look!
What’s the cost of living like in Germany?
One of the first questions to ask is how much it’s going to cost you to live in Germany, and is it more or less expensive than your current location? Compared to the rest of Western Europe, living costs are reasonable, and often cheaper than here in the UK, which is good news for us Brits. Of course, this depends on your chosen location – some cities and regions are more expensive to live in than others, just like anywhere in the world.
Rent
Rent will probably be your main expense, so this is something you’ll need to factor in when deciding on your location and budget. One-bedroom apartments generally cost between €800-€1,500 a month in larger cities like Munich, Frankfurt and Hamburg, and €500-€800 in smaller cities like Leipzig and Dresden. Your money will go further in the more rural areas too.
Groceries and Transport
Grocery shopping in Germany is a little cheaper than in the UK, and the cities all have a great range of supermarkets, from cheaper options like Lidl to organic stores selling fresh local produce. You could probably spend as little as €150 a month on food if you’re on a budget.
Public transport in Germany is excellent, with affordable bus, tram and metro services. It’s generally much cheaper to use public transport than here in the UK, and it’s more efficient and reliable too. If you’re living in a city and plan on travelling frequently, weekly or monthly transport passes can be a cost-effective way to get around. The Deutschland-Ticket, which allows unlimited travel on public transport throughout Germany costs just €58 a month.
Once you’ve decided to Settle in Germany, don’t forget to sort things like opening a bank account, so you can be all set up before you move. You’ll need this in place to manage monthly outgoings like rent and shopping, and by organising this in advance, you’ll make the whole relocation process much smoother.
What visas do you need?
Residence visa
If you’re a citizen of an EU country, you don’t need a visa or residence permit to move to Germany. However, if you’re from outside the EU (and this includes the UK, thanks Brexit!), you’ll need to apply for a national visa if you want to stay longer than 90 days, or work. This can then be converted into a residence permit after you’ve lived and worked in Germany for a few years.
Work visa
If you want to work whilst living in Germany, you’ll have to apply for a work visa. For the most common visa, you must be sponsored by your new employer in Germany, so you’ll already need an employment offer in place. If, like me, you’re self-employed, you’ll have to apply for a Freelance Visa (if you’re not an EU citizen). You’ll need to prove that you have a viable business and adequate financial resources to be successful in this application.
The whole visa process can take a few months, so don’t leave this to the last minute and make sure you get your paperwork completed well ahead of your move.
Do you need health insurance?
Unlike in the UK, health insurance in Germany is mandatory. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing since healthcare in Germany is excellent, and quite a step up from the current NHS situation here in the UK. You’ll need either public or private health insurance, depending on your circumstances.
Public health insurance
If you’re employed and earn below €73,800, you’ll be entitled to statutory health insurance. It costs 14.6% of your salary (split 50/50 with your employer), and covers most basic medical services and treatment, as well as dental care.
Private health insurance
If you’re a higher earner or a self-employed freelancer, you can take out private healthcare insurance. This can be more expensive, but often includes more coverage and faster treatment than the public insurance.
Either way, you’ll need to get your health insurance sorted the moment you arrive in Germany to avoid any penalties.
Embrace the cultural nuances
Germany has its own distinct culture, often expertly blending tradition with modernity. The culture has regional nuances too, and you’ll come across different customs everywhere from the Black Forest to Berlin. To help with integration after arriving, and to make sure you don’t put your foot in it, try to learn and embrace some of the local customs.
Punctuality
People in Germany tend to be very punctual, and being late can be considered disrespectful. So, make sure you’re on time for meetings and social occasions to avoid any awkwardness.
Directness
You might initially find Germans to be more direct than what you’re used to, which can feel a bit intimidating at first. However, you’ll soon discover that they’re simply trying to be clear and communicative, rather than offensive, so just go with it and you may even learn to appreciate this approach.
Greetings
In professional settings, or when meeting someone for the first time, titles like Herr and Frau are often used alongside surnames as a polite way to address someone. To an outsider, this can seem a little formal, but don’t worry, you’ll soon get used to it.
How to make friends in your community
One of the most daunting aspects of relocating to a new country is that you probably won’t know anyone when you first arrive. It’s hard to leave behind friends, family, and the familiar, and it’s even harder to start again when it comes to building relationships.
Learn the language
Perhaps the most important thing to do is start learning German if you don’t already speak it. Whilst many people will speak English, you’ll gain a lot more respect from the locals if you make an effort to speak their language. Enrol in a language course or use an online language learning app, and then go out and practice in real situations, from cafes to the workplace.
Join community groups
It’s a good idea to join some local social groups in your area, whether that’s a crafting group, a sports club, or a hiking group. Getting to know people is much easier if you have a shared interest, so this a great place to get the ball rolling. Try and join in with local events, traditional German festivals and markets too, as this will help you integrate into the community.
Seek out other expats
If you’re struggling to connect with local residents, you can seek out expat groups which exist in most cities. Talking with fellow expats who’ve been through the same process as you is encouraging, and will give you the confidence to stick with it. Regular meetups are often scheduled with everything from sightseeing to pub crawls on the agenda, and joining these expat communities is a good way to learn the way of things in your chosen location.
It’s time to think about moving
Relocating to Germany can be both thrilling and intimidating, but it’s an adventure to embrace, knowing that at the end, you’ll be set for a wonderful new life in one of Europe’s most appealing countries. The moving process can feel a bit overwhelming, but so long as you plan ahead and get all your paperwork in place, it doesn’t have to be scary. Just do your research, follow the advice above, and you’ll be well on your way to settling into your new life in Germany.
