Moving to Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne, Frankfurt am Main or Stuttgart? - Need for information?
There is nothing you won't find here!
Apply for electricity (Cologne)
In Cologne many electricity suppliers exist, therefore, the prices for electricity differ a lot. You can choose the electricity supplier you want. In every city...
Apply for electricity (Hamburg)
In Hamburg many electricity suppliers exist, therefore, the prices for electricity differ a lot. You can choose the electricity supplier you want. In every city exists a regional...
Apply for electricity (Düsseldorf)
In Düsseldorf many electricity suppliers exist, therefore, the prices for electricity differ a lot. You can choose the electricity supplier you want. In every city exists a regional...
Apply for electricity (Frankfurt am Main)
In Frankfurt many electricity suppliers exist, therefore, the prices for electricity differ a lot. You can choose the electricity supplier you want. In every city exists a regional electricity supplier, however...
apply for electricity and gas (Berlin)
In Berlin many electricity suppliers exist, therefore, the prices for electricity differ a lot. You can choose the electricity supplier you want. In every city exists a regional electricity supplier, however this one is not always the cheapest. If your flat is part of a building cooperative, it may exist a special, cheaper tariff for tenants of these flats. You should bear several things in mind before choosing an electricity supplier:
apply for electricity and gas (Stuttgart)
In Stuttgart many electricity suppliers exist, therefore, the prices for electricity differ a lot. You can choose the electricity supplier you want. In every city exists a regional electricity supplier, however this one is not always the cheapest. If your flat is part of a building cooperative, it may exist a special, cheaper tariff for tenants of these flats. You should bear several things in mind before choosing an electricity supplier:
apply for electricity and gas (Munich)
In Munich many electricity suppliers exist, therefore, the prices for electricity differ a lot. You can choose the electricity supplier you want. In every city exists a regional electricity supplier, however this one is not always the cheapest. If your flat is part of a building cooperative, it may exist a special, cheaper tariff for tenants of these flats. You should bear several things in mind before choosing...
civil liability insurance
voluntary insurances in Germany
It is common in Germany to have an private liability insurance, however, it is not compulsory. A private liability insurance answers for damages, done by you without intent. Often landlords expect such insurances. The insurance will pay for unintentional damages, after proving them.
furnished apartment (Berlin)
Maybe you only want to stay in Berlin for a few days, weeks or months. Or you´re still not sure whether you want to live here or not. For this kind of stay you should chose between a furnished flat a served apartment or a room in a shared flat...
furnished apartment (Stuttgart)
Maybe you only want to stay in Stuttgart for a few days, weeks or months. Or you´re still not sure whether you want to live here or not. For this kind of stay you should chose between a furnished flat a served apartment or a room in a shared flat...
furnished apartment (Munich)
Maybe you only want to stay in Munich for a few days, weeks or months. Or you´re still not sure whether you want to live here or not. For this kind of stay you should chose between a furnished flat a served apartment or a room in a shared flat...
Furnished apartment (Hamburg)
Maybe you only want to stay in Hamburg for a few days, weeks or months. Or you´re still...
Furnished apartment (Frankfurt am Main)
Maybe you only want to stay in Frankfurt for a few days, weeks or months. Or you´re still not sure whether you want to live here or not. For this kind...
Furnished apartment (Cologne)
Maybe you only want to stay in Cologne for a few days, weeks or months. Or you´re still not sure whether you want to live here or not. For this kind of stay you should chose between a furnished flat a served apartment or a room in a shared flat. If you stay here for several months...
Furnished apartment (Düsseldorf)
Maybe you only want to stay in Düsseldorf for a few days, weeks or months. Or you´re still not sure whether you want to live here or not. For this kind of stay...
health insurance
statutory health insurance & insurance obligation
Generally it is compulsory in Germany to have a health insurance, regardless of the occupational or person group:
- employed
- self-employed
- student
- retirees
house hunting
which borough fits you best? all tools and documents you need
You selected an area you want to live. Now it is important to compile a list containing your requirements and needs. For example:maximum price of the flat/house, its size.
household insurance
Voluntary insurance
A householder´s insurance is not compulsory, however it does make sense, as you only acknowledge the value of everything in your flat only once it is broken, for example due to fire or water damage. It is very costly to purchase replacement of all your inventory by yourself.
Internet/ TV /Phone (Düsseldorf)
In Düsseldorf television reception is possible either via cable network or via satellite. Reception via antenna is often not available, because landlords do not install antennas and do...
Internet/ TV /Phone (Frankfurt am Main)
In Frankfurt television reception is possible either via cable network or via satellite. Reception via antenna is often not available, because landlords do not install...
Internet/TV/Phone (Berlin)
Internet and telephone is often provided in packages. As providers are currently improving the cable capacities the quality varies at every location. Most of the providers offer possibilities to test cable capacities for a certain address. This could vary significantly from one street to the other...
Internet/TV/Phone (Stuttgart)
Internet and telephone is often provided in packages. As providers are currently improving the cable capacities the quality varies at every location. Most of the providers offer possibilities to test cable capacities for a certain address. This could vary significantly from one street to the other...
Internet/TV/Phone (Munich)
Internet and telephone is often provided in packages. As providers are currently improving the cable capacities the quality varies at every location. Most of the providers offer possibilities to test cable capacities for a certain address. This could vary significantly from one street to the other...
Kiddies (Berlin)
All parents with main residence in Germany can apply for child benefit. The benefit is available for: all children until the age of 18, for children in education until...
Kiddies (Hamburg)
All parents with main residence in Germany can apply for child benefit. The benefit is available...
Kiddies (Düsseldorf)
All parents with main residence in Germany can apply for child benefit. The benefit is available for: all children until the age...
Kiddies (Frankfurt am Main)
All parents with main residence in Germany can apply for child benefit. The benefit is available for: all children until the age of 18, for children in education until the...
Kiddies (Cologne)
All parents with main residence in Germany can apply for child benefit. The benefit is available for: all children until the age of 18, for children in education until the age of 25, it is unlimited in time for children not capable of supporting themself due to physical or mental handicap. Children without employment can apply for the benefit...
Kiddies (Munich)
All parents with main residence in Germany can apply for child benefit. The benefit is available for: all children until the age of 18, for children in education until the age of 25, it is unlimited in time for children not capable of supporting themself due to physical or mental handicap. Children without employment...
Kiddies (Stuttgart)
All parents with main residence in Germany can apply for child benefit. The benefit is available for: all children until the age of 18, for children in education until the age of 25, it is unlimited in time for children not capable of supporting themself due to physical or mental handicap. Children without employment can apply for the benefit until the age of 21. Child benefit must be requested...
learn German (Berlin)
Improve your language skills - Non-EUs need level B2 to work in Germany
You want to take part in a language course in order to learn German? In Berlin many language schools offer German as foreign language, most of these schools are certified; this implies that you may be compensated for your costs. This is the case if
Mobile telephony
Large supply - What fits your needs best?
Germany is very active in matters of mobile networks. Hence, there is a little jungle out of networks, rates and providers. You could chose between prepaid or a proper contract, between several speeds of data transmission, and many other things. We try to disentangle all these possibilities for you
move
Do-it-yourself or full service?
For planning your move to Berlin you need to decide whether you want to make use of a moving company or not.
open a bank account
Opening a German bank account is mandatory
You can apply for a current account and an EC card with the bank of your choice. Current accounts with some banks do not allow overdrafts; in other words, they do not permit you to borrow money through your account.
private health insurance
voluntary health insurance for "higher income earners"
As self-employed, student or retiree you can choose between being statutory insured or privately insured. Insurance premiums for private health insurances are not calculated proportional to your salaries, but are influenced by the services you want to receive from your insurance.
Recognition of academic qualification/certificates
school-leaving certificate, highschool diploma, university degree - valid in Germany?
German institutes of higher education are responsible for the recognition of foreign school qualifications which may lead to admission to study for a first degree at a German institute of higher education.
register at municipal office (Berlin)
You are legally required to register your place of resident in Berlin. You can do this in every municipal office of every district, hence in entire Berlin regardless in which district you live. You can go there directly without having an appointment for registering.
register at municipal office (Stuttgart)
You are legally required to register your place of resident in Berlin. You can do this in every municipal office of every district, hence in entire Berlin regardless in which district you live. You can go there directly without having an appointment for registering.
register at municipal office (Munich)
You are legally required to register your place of resident in Berlin. You can do this in every municipal office of every district, hence in entire Berlin regardless in which district you live. You can go there directly without having an appointment for registering...
register car (Berlin)
Every vehicle (vehicle with auxiliary drive, meaning autocycle, motorbike, car and larger vehicles) needs to be registered at the owner´s main residence in Germany. If you move to Berlin and register your main residence in Berlin, your car needs to be registered in Berlin as well.
For registering you need the electronic insurance certificate “elVN” as proof of insurance in case of liability damages. Usually, it is uncomplicated to get the “elVN” at an insurance company of your choice.
register car (Stuttgart)
Every vehicle (vehicle with auxiliary drive, meaning autocycle, motorbike, car and larger vehicles) needs to be registered at the owner´s main residence in Germany. If you move to Stuttgart and register your main residence in Stuttgart, your car needs to be registered in Stuttgart as well.
For registering you need the electronic insurance certificate “elVN” as proof of insurance in case of liability damages. Usually, it is uncomplicated to get the “elVN” at an insurance company of your choice...
register car (Munich)
Every vehicle (vehicle with auxiliary drive, meaning autocycle, motorbike, car and larger vehicles) needs to be registered at the owner´s main residence in Germany. If you move to Munich and register your main residence in Munich, your car needs to be registered in Munich as well.
For registering you need the electronic insurance certificate “elVN” as proof of insurance in case of liability damages. Usually, it is uncomplicated to get the “elVN” at an insurance company of your choice...
Registration (Hamburg)
You are legally required to register your place of resident in Hamburg. You can do this in every municipal office of every district, hence in entire Hamburg regardless in which district you live. You can go there directly...
Registration (Düsseldorf)
You are legally required to register your place of resident in Düsseldorf. You can do this...
Registration (Frankfurt am Main)
You are legally required to register your place of resident in Frankfurt. You can do this in every municipal office of every district, hence in entire Frankfurt regardless in which district...
Registration (Cologne)
You are legally required to register your place of resident in Cologne. You can do this in every municipal office (Kundenzentrum) of every district, hence in entire...
rental contract
What to bare in mind:
The house rules are part of the rental contract. It indicates the “dos” and “don’ts”. It is less about your flat and more about the general behaviour of all tenants in the house. It indicates for example, from what time the front door has to be closed, how and where to dispose garbage and who is when allowed to use which communal areas. Often the house rules include a section about the keeping of pets.
TV / Internet / Telephone (Hamburg)
In Hamburg television reception is possible either via cable network or via satellite. Reception via antenna is often not available, because landlords do not install antennas and do not allow the tenants...
Tools & Infos
for your
relocation