Moving to Germany?
Find everything you need
Complete relocation guide for Germany: Anmeldung, health insurance, Blue Card and work visas, blocked accounts, bank accounts, taxes and housing. No middlemen, practical steps that work in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg and everywhere else.
Get your complete Germany moving checklist
Work through the interactive checklist to see exactly which steps you still need for your move to Germany
No signup required • Assess your readiness • Get your action plan
Recently added guides
The newest practical guides for expats settling in or moving to Germany.
Bürgergeld is now Grundsicherungsgeld: rates, rules and what it means for expats
Renamed on 1 July 2026: still €563 a month, but savings limits from €5,000, a flat 30% sanction, and a clear risk for residence permits.
Wohngeld: Germany's housing benefit, explained for expats
1.3 million households get €296 a month on average. Official examples, how to apply, the planned 2027 cuts, and why it can affect your permit.
Abmeldung: how to deregister your address when you leave Germany
Within 2 weeks of moving out, free and usually by post. Fines up to €1,000, and why your residence permit and departure-year taxes depend on getting it right.
Public holidays in Germany 2026 and 2027, state by state
9 national holidays plus up to 5 per state, every date for 2026 and 2027, the bridge days worth booking, and why 2027 loses four holidays to weekends.
Essential guides for expats
Step-by-step guides covering the most important aspects of moving to Germany
Anmeldung
Register your address within 14 days: documents, appointment tactics, and what the Anmeldebescheinigung unlocks.
Health insurance
GKV costs about 17.5% of gross in 2026, employer pays half. Public vs private, enrolling, and English-friendly insurers.
EU Blue Card
The skilled-worker fast track: €50,700 threshold 2026 (€45,934 shortage list), process, family perks and PR after 21-27 months.
Bank account
Open a German account as an expat: online banks without Anmeldung, traditional branches, and the SEPA rules that protect you.
Blocked account
The Sperrkonto explained: €11,904 for a year in 2026, €992/month released, and the provider comparison students need.
Tax return
Deadlines (31 July 2026 for 2025), the €1,095 average refund, and why expats who arrived mid-year almost always get money back.
Apartment hunting
ImmoScout, WG-Gesucht and the application folder (Schufa, payslips) that makes German landlords say yes.
First 30 days
The complete arrival sequence: SIM, Anmeldung, bank, insurance, tax ID, Rundfunkbeitrag - in the order that actually works.
Calculators and tools
Run your own numbers before you sign anything
Net salary calculator
Brutto to Netto with every deduction explained: tax class, church tax, GKV, pension.
GKV vs PKV helper
Public or private health insurance? The decision that follows you for decades, modeled.
Blocked account calculator
How much your Sperrkonto needs (€992 × months) plus provider fee comparison.