FAQ (100)

For Anmeldung at the Bürgeramt, you need a valid passport or ID card, the completed Anmeldung form, and the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord confirmation) from your landlord. You can book an appointment online.

Your tax ID will be automatically sent to you by mail, approximately 2–4 weeks after your Anmeldung. If you don't receive it, you can inquire with the Bundeszentralamt für Steuern (BZSt).

Non-EU citizens must apply for a residence permit at the Ausländerbehörde within 90 days. Required documents are: passport, Meldebescheinigung, employment contract, and proof of health insurance.

You can open an account at a branch bank or online bank. You will need a passport/ID and Meldebescheinigung. Many online banks offer Video-Ident, so no branch visit is necessary.

Yes, health insurance is mandatory in Germany. Employees are automatically covered by statutory insurance. Self-employed persons and civil servants can opt for private insurance. Without insurance, additional payments are due.

No, EU citizens enjoy freedom of movement and are allowed to live and work in Germany without a visa. They only need to register at the Bürgeramt. A residence permit is not required.

You must register (Anmeldung) at the responsible Bürgeramt within 14 days of moving. Late registration can result in a fine of up to 1.000 €.

The Meldebescheinigung is one of the most important documents in Germany. You need it for opening a bank account, employment contracts, vehicle registration, and many administrative procedures.

Net rent is the pure rent without additional costs. Gross rent additionally includes operating costs such as heating, water, and waste disposal. Electricity and internet are usually not included.

The deposit may not exceed three times the net base rent. It can be paid in three equal monthly installments. The landlord must deposit it in a separate deposit account, kept separate from their own assets.

SCHUFA is a credit reporting agency that assesses your creditworthiness. Landlords often require a SCHUFA credit report. You can request a free copy of your data once per year at meineschufa.de.

Tenants can terminate with a notice period of three months to the end of the month, regardless of the duration of residence. The notice must be given in writing. For landlords, the notice period extends depending on the duration of residence.

The landlord must provide the Nebenkostenabrechnung within 12 months after the end of the billing period. If it arrives later, you do not have to pay any additional charges.

A WBS entitles you to rent a social housing apartment at a reduced rent. Income limits vary depending on the federal state. You submit the application at the Wohnungsamt of your city.

You need permission from your landlord. If there is a justified reason (e.g. financial reasons), the landlord generally cannot refuse consent. Unauthorized subletting can lead to termination of the lease.

In areas with a tight housing market, the rent for new lettings may not exceed a maximum of 10% above the customary local comparative rent. This applies in many major German cities. Exceptions exist for new buildings and comprehensive modernizations.

Your spouse and minor children can join you if you have an Aufenthaltserlaubnis and sufficient living space. The family reunification application must be submitted at the German embassy in your home country.

You need an Ehefähigkeitszeugnis, certified birth certificates and valid identity documents. The Standesamt conducts the marriage ceremony. Foreign documents must be translated and apostilled.

Before a divorce, a one-year separation period must be observed. The divorce is filed with the family court — a lawyer is mandatory. In the case of a mutually agreed divorce, one lawyer for both parties is sufficient.

If the parents are not married, the father must acknowledge paternity with the Jugendamt or Standesamt. This is important for child allowance, custody rights, and the child's surname.

In the case of unmarried parents, the mother initially has sole custody. Both parents can apply for joint custody by submitting a Sorgeerklärung to the Jugendamt.

Child maintenance is determined according to the Düsseldorfer Tabelle and depends on the income of the person obliged to pay maintenance and the age of the child. The minimum child maintenance for 2026 is 480 € (0–5 years).

Yes, the spouse of a person entitled to reside can obtain a residence permit for family reunification. The requirements are basic German language skills (A1) and sufficient living space.

By law, you are entitled to at least 20 vacation days for a 5-day week (24 days for a 6-day week). Many employment contracts and collective agreements provide 25–30 days.

A Minijob is a minor employment with earnings of a maximum of 556 € per month (as of 2026). You do not pay income tax or social security contributions (except voluntary contributions to pension insurance).

In businesses with more than 10 employees, the Kündigungsschutzgesetz applies after 6 months. Your employer then needs a valid reason for dismissal. The notice period is at least 4 weeks.

EU citizens may work without permission. Non-EU citizens need an Aufenthaltserlaubnis (residence permit) with Arbeitserlaubnis (work permit). This is issued by the Ausländerbehörde (immigration authority), often in coordination with the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency).

The probationary period may last a maximum of 6 months. During this time, the employment relationship can be terminated with a notice period of 2 weeks without giving reasons. Termination protection applies only after this period.

Inform your employer on the first day of illness. From the fourth day onwards, you need a medical certificate of incapacity for work (AU). Since 2023, the eAU is transmitted electronically to your employer.

A Midijob is employment with earnings between 556,01 € and 2.000 € per month. You pay reduced social security contributions but have full social security coverage (health insurance, pension insurance, long-term care insurance, and unemployment insurance).

Each parent is entitled to up to 3 years of parental leave per child. You must notify your employer in writing of the parental leave at least 7 weeks before it begins. During parental leave, you have protection against dismissal.

Employees with only one job are usually not required to, but can voluntarily file and receive on average about 1.100 € back. Filing is mandatory, among others, for Steuerklasse III/V combination, additional income over 410 €, or severance payments.

The Rundfunkbeitrag amounts to 18,36 € per month per household (as of 2026) and is collected automatically. Exemption is possible if you receive Bürgergeld, BAföG, or have a severe disability.

There are 6 tax classes: I (single), II (single parent), III/V (married couple combination), IV (married couple equal), VI (second job). The tax class affects the monthly income tax deduction.

Child allowance amounts to 250 € per month per child (as of 2026). It is paid out by the Familienkasse of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit. The application can be submitted online.

The standard rate for a single person is 563 € per month (as of 2026). In addition, accommodation and heating costs are covered. Partners each receive 506 €.

Private liability insurance is not mandatory, but is strongly recommended. It covers damages you cause to others. Good rates are available from around 5 € per month.

A Pfändungsschutzkonto (P-Account) protects a basic exemption amount of 1,500 € per month (as of 2026) from garnishment. Every bank must convert your current account into a P-Account upon request.

Wohngeld can be applied for by people with low incomes who do not receive Bürgergeld. The amount depends on income, rent, and household size. You submit the application at the Wohngeldstelle in your city.

On the website of the Kassenärztlichen Vereinigung or on jameda.de you can search for doctors near you. Call and ask if they are accepting new patients. A referral from a family doctor is often necessary for specialists.

112 for emergency services and fire department, 110 for police. The on-call doctor service can be reached at 116 117 — you can also get help there outside of office hours.

Yes, you can switch your gesetzliche Krankenkasse. The binding period is 12 months. If your contribution increases, you have a special right to terminate. The switch is simple: the new insurance company handles the cancellation.

For prescription medicines, you pay a co-payment of 5–10 € per package. If you have a low income, you can apply for exemption from the co-payment. Over-the-counter medicines you pay for yourself.

Health insurance covers basic dental care. For dental prosthetics, you receive a fixed subsidy that increases through regular preventive care (Bonusheft). Dental supplementary insurance covers higher costs.

Contact the Terminservicestelle at 116 117 to schedule an initial consultation within 4 weeks. Alternatively, you can contact therapists directly. The costs are covered by your health insurance.

The ePA stores your medical data digitally. Since 2025, all statutory insured persons automatically receive an ePA unless they object. You can access it via an app and decide for yourself who may see your data.

Legally insured persons are entitled to regular health check-ups (from age 35 every 3 years), cancer screening, dental care (2x yearly), and skin cancer screening. All examinations are free of charge.

Children from 1 year old have a legal entitlement to a Kita place. Register your child early via the municipal portal (e.g. Kita-Gutschein in Hamburg). Waiting times can be long in large cities.

Basic Elterngeld amounts to 65–67 % of net income, minimum 300 € and maximum 1.800 € per month. ElterngeldPlus is half the amount but lasts twice as long (up to 24 months).

In Germany, compulsory school attendance begins at age 6 for 9–10 years (depending on the federal state). School attendance is mandatory for children without a German passport as well. Homeschooling is not permitted.

The Kinderzuschlag amounts to up to 292 € per child per month (as of 2026). It is paid in addition to Kindergeld when the parents' income is sufficient for themselves but not for their children.

The package covers school supplies (195 € annually), school trips, lunch meals, learning support, and club memberships (15 €/month). Eligible are families receiving Bürgergeld, Wohngeld, or Kinderzuschlag.

Maternity protection begins 6 weeks before and ends 8 weeks after birth. During this time, an employment ban and protection against dismissal apply. You receive Mutterschaftsgeld from the health insurance fund and a subsidy from your employer.

U examinations (U1–U9) are free preventive check-ups for children from birth to age 5. They are mandatory in most federal states. The pediatrician checks development, hearing, and vision.

Public schools are free of charge. Parents only pay for school materials, excursions, and possibly school meals. For families with low income, the Bildungs- und Teilhabepaket covers these costs.

Legal protection insurance is voluntary, but recommended, especially for tenancy and employment law. Good rates are available from around 20 € per month. It covers lawyer and court costs.

Beratungshilfe is state-funded legal advice for people with low income. You only pay a 15 € personal contribution. You can obtain the Beratungshilfeschein at the district court (Amtsgericht).

Legal aid for court costs is granted to persons who cannot afford a lawsuit and whose claim has prospects of success. The costs are covered by the state or granted as an interest-free loan.

The Allgemeine Gleichbehandlungsgesetz (AGG) protects you from discrimination. You can contact the Antidiskriminierungsstelle des Bundes (antidiskriminierungsstelle.de) or hire a lawyer specializing in employment or civil law.

You must identify yourself, but you do not have to make a statement. You may ask for the reason for the check. Racial profiling is prohibited. If you have complaints, you can contact the police complaints office.

Yes, every employee is entitled to a qualified work reference. It must be formulated truthfully and in good faith. You can challenge a poor reference in labor court.

Report defects immediately in writing to the landlord and set a reasonable deadline for repairs. For significant defects (mold, heating failure), you can reduce the rent. Document everything with photos.

A warning is a formal reprimand for misconduct and a caution against termination if the behavior is repeated. You can file a written objection and submit a statement for your personnel file.

In most cities you can book an appointment online. In Hamburg, for example, via hamburg.de/termin. Without an appointment, waiting times are often very long. Book early as appointments are allocated quickly.

The Ausländerbehörde is responsible for residence permits and visas. Appointments are usually assigned online. Always bring all documents in full, as missing documents will result in a new appointment.

You can apply for a Führungszeugnis at the citizen's office (Bürgeramt) or online through the Federal Office of Justice (bundesjustizamt.de). The fee is 13 €. Processing time is approximately 1–2 weeks.

Yes, if you move within Germany, you must re-register (Anmeldung) at the new Bürgeramt within 14 days. Deregistration at your old address is not necessary. You will need a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord's confirmation of residence).

Authorities require certified translations for foreign documents (birth certificate, marriage certificate, diplomas). Only sworn translators are permitted to create these. Costs are approximately 30–80 € per page.

No, the German ID card is only for German nationals. As a foreigner, you will receive an Aufenthaltstitel (card) or travel document instead. EU citizens use their national ID cards.

An apostille is an international certification for public documents. It is required when a German document is to be used abroad (or vice versa). State or federal authorities are responsible for issuing it.

Since 2024, naturalization is possible after 5 years (previously 8). Requirements: secured livelihood, German language skills B1, passed naturalization test, no criminal record. Multiple nationality has been generally allowed since 2024.

EU driving licences are valid indefinitely. Non-EU driving licences can be used for 6 months, after which you must exchange them. Depending on your country of origin, an examination may be required. The exchange costs approximately 35–50 €.

A class B driver's license costs an average of 2,500–4,000 €. This includes driving school fees, driving lessons (approx. 50–80 €/hour), exam fees, eye test, and first aid course.

Not in Germany if you have an EU driving license. For travel outside the EU, an international driving license is recommended. It is available at the Bürgeramt (approx. 15 €) and is valid for 3 years.

At 8 points, the driving license is revoked. At 4–5 points, you receive a caution, at 6–7 a warning. Points expire after 2.5–10 years depending on the offense. You can check your point balance at the KBA.

At the Kfz-Zulassungsstelle (vehicle registration office) you need: Fahrzeugbrief, personal ID, eVB number (insurance), bank details for Kfz-Steuer (motor vehicle tax) and possibly HU proof. Costs are approximately 30 € plus license plates (approximately 20–35 €).

New cars must undergo their first main inspection (HU) after 3 years, then every 2 years. The HU costs approximately 100–150 €. If defects are found, they must be corrected. The TÜV sticker can be found on the rear license plate.

Third-party liability insurance (Kfz-Haftpflichtversicherung) is legally required. It covers damages to third parties. Teilkasko (theft, hail) and Vollkasko (own accident damages) are optional. Compare rates annually in November.

The BAMF (Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge) issues authorization. EU citizens can participate voluntarily. The course comprises 600 hours of German + 100 hours of orientation course. The costs are 2,29 € per hour or are free if you receive benefits.

Yes, Volkshochschulen offer affordable courses. Online there are free offerings such as Deutsche Welle (dw.com), Goethe-Institut (goethe.de/deutschlernen) and the vhs learning platform. The app 'Ankommen' is also free.

B1 is a prerequisite for Niederlassungserlaubnis and Einbürgerung. It means you can communicate in everyday situations. You can prove this through a recognized examination (e.g. Telc, Goethe-Zertifikat).

The Telc-B1 exam costs approximately 150–200 €, depending on the exam center. Goethe certificates cost similarly. For Integrationskurs participants, the first DTZ exam is free.

Professional language courses (DeuFöV) lead from B1 to B2 or C1 and are free for job seekers. They combine German with work-related topics. Authorization is provided by Jobcenter or Agentur für Arbeit.

Apps like Tandem, HelloTalk or ConversationExchange connect you with native speakers. Adult education centers and libraries also offer language tandems. It's a free way to practice German in everyday life.

The test consists of 33 questions on politics, history, and society. 17 correct answers are sufficient to pass. On einbuergerungstest-online.eu you can practice all 310 questions for free. The test fee is 25 €.

You can check whether your degree is recognized on anabin.kmk.org. For regulated professions (doctor, teacher), formal recognition is mandatory. Advice is available at the IQ-Beratungsstelle. The procedure costs 100–600 €.

Yes, if you permanently leave Germany, you must deregister at the Bürgeramt. Deregistration can be done earliest 7 days before moving out and must be completed latest 14 days after. You will receive a deregistration confirmation.

Yes, German pensions are paid worldwide. The minimum requirement is 5 contribution years. EU citizens receive the full pension; for non-EU countries, there may be restrictions. Inform Deutsche Rentenversicherung about your move.

Yes, you can also file a tax return for your last working year in Germany after moving away. Deadlines apply as usual. A tax advisor with international experience is recommended.

Cancel in a timely manner: rental agreement (3 months), electricity/gas, internet, mobile phone, insurance, Rundfunkbeitrag, gym membership. Don't forget to close bank accounts or switch them to international conditions.

EU citizens can take Arbeitslosengeld I to other EU countries for up to 3 months (form PDU1). You must deregister with the Agentur für Arbeit beforehand and register as a job seeker in the destination country.

Bring with you: Arbeitszeugnisse, Abmeldebestätigung, Steuerbescheide, Sozialversicherungsnachweise, Renteninformation, Schulzeugnisse der Kinder. Have important documents certified and translated.

No, your Kindergeld entitlement ends after deregistering from Germany. Exception: cross-border commuters or posted employees who remain socially insured in Germany.

You need an ID and a German bank account. Prepaid cards are also possible without a contract, but require identity verification. Comparison portals like Check24 help with tariff comparison.

Compare providers on comparison portals. The most common providers are Telekom, Vodafone and 1&1. Contracts usually have a 24-month term. Installation takes approximately 2–4 weeks. Fiber optic is the fastest.

Yes, switching is simple and free of charge. The new provider handles the cancellation. Compare prices on Verivox or Check24. A switch often saves 100–300 € per year.

Standard letters cost 0.95 € (2026), packages from 4.99 €. Deutsche Post mailboxes are located everywhere. Packstationen offer 24/7 package pickup. You can set up mail forwarding for a move online with the Post.

Libraries offer books, DVDs, e-books, magazines and WLAN for free or for a small annual fee (approx. 10–30 €). Many also have German course materials and events for immigrants.

The Deutschlandticket costs 49 € per month (as of 2026) and is valid for all public transport in Germany (buses, trains, S-Bahn, U-Bahn). It is available as a monthly subscription and can be cancelled at any time.

At the justice portal (justiz-dolmetscher.de) you can find sworn interpreters. Migration advisory centers and integration agencies often offer free assistance. Volunteer support groups can also help.