Moving to Germany: What to Expect

Nowadays, more and more Brits are making the move to Germany. Not only is it a hub for economic development, with several key skills currently in high demand, it also offers a fascinating culture with plenty to explore and experience.

That being said, you cannot simply arrive in Germany and stick around for as long as you like! For one, you will need a clear idea of why you are moving in the first place, as well as for how long and who with. Are you planning to take your family? What about a pet? Most importantly, how are you planning to support yourself financially?

All of this has the potential to create tiresome admin for your trip. Unfortunately, nothing should be left until the last minute, or you could face serious difficulties. It could also take weeks to process certain applications or to make any vehicles you are taking with you roadworthy.

In order to take a huge chunk of stress out of your German adventure, you may want to consider booking a professional international removal service. This will ensure that your belongings all arrive quickly and safely in your new home country. An experienced firm will be able to offer everything you need in terms of manpower, vehicles and insurance, along with advice on fully legalising your move.

Be sure to collect quotes from at least five different companies before choosing a candidate. Remember, the right choice will have positive ratings from fellow British expats, as well as adequate insurance to fully cover all of your belongings.

Before moving to Germany

Before you make the trip to Germany, it will be a good idea to try and find a few new friends for when you arrive. Social network sites like Facebook often have groups for people planning to move overseas. You may even be able to find forums to ask advice from fellow Brits!

It will also be a good idea to start studying the German language early on. This will be doubly important if you are planning to take any children who will be attending school in Germany.

Before you arrive at your destination, you will want to do some research on the local area. Make sure that you will be able to access all of the necessary amenities, such as doctors, schools, local stores and so on. Transport links will be particularly important if you are moving in order to work or travel.

Finally, why not feed your excitement? Start coming up with some ideas for what you will want to do once you arrive - Germany is a big place, with countless experiences for you to discover!

Do I need a visa to move to Germany?

If you are moving to Germany from the UK, you should be able to live or work with nothing more than a valid ID card or full UK passport. If you have a different kind of citizenship, your best bet will be to contact your closest German embassy. Once you provide information about your current nationality and travel plans, it should be no trouble to get a list of the visas you will need to apply for before the move takes place.

After you arrive in Germany and get a place to stay, you will need to register with the local Citizen Registration Office within two weeks. This will allow you to secure health care, a bank account and a tax number (hurray!)

Moving to Germany to study

If you are planning to move to Germany to study at one of the country’s many fantastic universities, it will be important to contact your chosen institution to find out about the international application process.  Depending on your country of origin and nationality, you may require additional paperwork to complete your application.

As an EU/ EEA/ Swiss citizen studying in Germany, you will also need a residence permit. Students of other nationalities will also need to acquire visas prior to the trip. Once you require a student visa, it will remain valid for three months. However, you can apply for an extended residence permit after you arrive in Germany and sign up at a Resident Registration Office.

Keep in mind that health insurance is mandatory for students in Germany. As such, acquiring a European Health Insurance Card will be an important part of your application process, as will be proof of your financial situation.

Can I move to Germany with pets?

While moving to Germany with a pet should not give you any serious trouble, there are still a few hoops that you will need to jump through. Your first port of call should be your current veterinarian’s office, as they will be able to book in any required procedures in advance of your trip. They should also be able to advise you any any potential difficulties. For example, certain animal breeds are prohibited in Germany.

If you have not done so already, you will need to have your pet fitted with an ISO 11784/11785 standard microchip. If your pet has an older model, you may need to bring your own microchip scanner for the journey. Certain tattoos may also count as permissible identification, though again you will need to make sure of this with your vet before travelling.

Once this is done, you will need to update your pet’s rabies immunisation no less than three weeks before your departure. Your vet will be able to advise you of any additional vaccinations.

Finally, you will require a ‘European Pet Passport’ before making the trip. This will contain information such as your pet’s microchip number, their most recent immunisations, the owner’s contact details and so on. This should be filled out by a licenced vet no less than 10 days before your departure.

The boom in the Berlin tech scene

London is known as Europe's technology hub, but in the aftermath of the Brexit vote that success is under threat. The German capital Berlin noticed Brexit was an opportunity to lure London tech firms to a city which is sure to be at the heart of new Europe. On the days and weeks that followed the Brexit vote, there were even promotional vans and billboard advertisements in the popular London tech area of Old Street promoting business moves to Berlin.

In 2017 Samsung also hit the headlines after it snubbed London in favour of Berlin because it said it is 'not a fun place to live unless you are really rich'. Berlin is still considered relatively affordable in comparison to London, especially for those looking to buy property.

So for those looking for a new job in tech, Berlin might be for you. It has been said that there are 3 new startups founded every hour in Berlin and this booming industry is set to produce 100,000 new jobs within 2 years. So moving to Berlin might be a smart move if you work in technology, engineering or product development. These roles are in big demand these days, especially front-end engineers with React experience and backenders with Python coding skills.

Berlin is big for tech and there have been many huge companies launched in the area, such as Helpling. You might have heard of this cleaning firm, as they recently acquired UK company Hassle for a reported £24 million. Meanwhile, one of Berlin's best-known tech companies, SoundCloud, is popular with DJs around the world for hosting audio content.

Enjoying the treats of Oktoberfest

A move to Germany surely wouldn’t be complete without looking at a trip to the annual Oktoberfest? More than 6 million people from all around the world attend the event every year. The event is held in Munich, Bavaria from late September to early October. This 18 day folk festival obviously offers plenty of choices for different types of beer and grilled sausages, plus there are also plenty of colourful parades and a variety of fairground rides for thrill seekers.

Don’t panic: lederhosen for men and dirndl for women are not compulsory, but dressing up will definitely add to the fun. There are plenty of Brits who attend the festival but around 80% of visitors are from Germany. It’s worth saying that if you don’t really like drinking beer, Oktoberfest is probably not the place for you.

If you're looking to move to Germany, see our European Removal services with prices starting from just £79.