Guides to living in Germany
A complete guide for expats: from relocation to citizenship. All legal, bureaucratic, and practical aspects of life in Germany in one place. HOUSING AND EVERYDAY MATTERS
- Registration at place of residence (Anmeldung)
- Searching and renting an apartment
- Connecting internet, TV, electricity
- Termination of utility contracts
TRANSPORT
- Obtaining a driver’s license
- Car registration
- Technical Inspection (Hauptuntersuchung - HU / TÜV)
- Obtaining the Eco-label (Umweltplakette)
FINANCE AND TAXES
- Opening a bank account
- Obtaining a Tax ID (automatically after Anmeldung)
- Obtaining a tax number (for business, freelancers)
- Submitting a tax declaration
- Tax deductions
- Child benefits (Kindergeld)
- Pension system
HEALTHCARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY
- Health insurance (mandatory)
- Child benefits (Kindergeld)
- Pension system
- State support for education (BAföG, etc.)
FAMILY AND EDUCATION
- Child benefits (Kindergeld)
- Kindergarten and school
- Family reunification
- State support for education (BAföG, etc.)
IMMIGRATION AND LEGAL STATUS
- Application for permanent residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis)
- Application for citizenship (Einbürgerung)
- Family reunification
- Recognition of foreign diplomas
BUSINESS AND WORK
- Starting a business (Gewerbe, freelancer)
- Obtaining a tax number (for self-employed/companies)
- Licenses for bar/restaurant (Gastronomieerlaubnis)
- Permit for itinerant trade (Reisegewerbekarte)
- Registration of a construction company
- Private security license (§34a GewO)
- Recognition of foreign diplomas
LAW AND DOCUMENTS
- Pre-trial claims — templates (Mahnung, Abmahnung, etc.)
- Court Order for Debt Payment
- Rent Reduction
- Order Cancellation and Return of Goods
- Filing an Objection to an Official Decision
- Claim for Damages
- Power of Attorney in Case of Loss of Legal Capacity and Directive for Medical Intervention
- Will and Inheritance Agreement
- Termination of utility contracts (Kündigungsschreiben)
Latest changes
January 2025
Opening a bank account
No registration required — through fintech (N26, bunq). SCHUFA for non-residents: access after 3 months. IBAN discrimination prohibited (penalties).
January 2025
Internet, TV, and Electricity Connection
Dynamic tariffs (depending on time of day). Electricity: 40 cents/kWh (+5%). EU Directive: LPG system inspection every 2 years.
January 2025
Health Insurance
Zusatzbeitrag up to 3.89% in some Kassen. Electronic Health Insurance Card (ePA). Private Health Insurance threshold: €73,800/year.
January 2025
Child Benefits (Kindergeld)
€255/month (+€5). Child benefit up to €297. Child benefit scheme introduced.
January 2025
Pension system
Fixed rate of 48% until 2035. Generation Capital (€200 billion by 2036). Contributions: 18.6% until 2027.
January 2025
Business opening (Gewerbeanmeldung)
Online registration via ELSTER. Child benefit limit: €25,000/year. W-IDN automatically.
January 2025
Termination of contract with utility companies
Notice: 2 weeks (written). Confirmation within 1 week.
January 2025
Private security license
NIS2 implementation (October 2024). ICS certification for industrial safety.
January 2025
Construction Company Registration
Market growth: +2.4% (2025–2028). Permits: -11.5% (2024).
January 2025
Tax Deductions
Kinderfreibetrag: €6,672. Childcare: €4,800 (80%). Home Office: 210 days (€1,260).
January 2025
Pre-trial Claims — Templates
E-Rechnung mandatory for B2G (2027), acceptance from 2025. Templates updated for GDPR.
April 2025
Car Registration
Digital documents (trial mode). Discounts for electric vehicles until 2030. H-numbers: +4.9%.
May 2025
Obtaining a driver's license (Führerschein)
Tuition fees: €2,500–3,500. License renewal (pre-1958) by January 19, 2025. Simplified theory.
May 2025
Finding and renting an apartment
Rent: +7.5% (2024–2025). Informal transactions: 30% of the market. Subsidy limit: €10/m² (Berlin).
July 2025
Filing a tax return
Deadline for 2024: July 31, 2025 (independently), April 30, 2026 (with a consultant). Mandatory filing through ELSTER.
July 2025
Family reunification
Suspension for subsidiary protection (2 years). Quota: 1,000 visas/month. Parents for qualified persons from March 2024.
Opening a bank account
No registration required — through fintech (N26, bunq). SCHUFA for non-residents: access after 3 months. IBAN discrimination prohibited (penalties).
January 2025
Internet, TV, and Electricity Connection
Dynamic tariffs (depending on time of day). Electricity: 40 cents/kWh (+5%). EU Directive: LPG system inspection every 2 years.
January 2025
Health Insurance
Zusatzbeitrag up to 3.89% in some Kassen. Electronic Health Insurance Card (ePA). Private Health Insurance threshold: €73,800/year.
January 2025
Child Benefits (Kindergeld)
€255/month (+€5). Child benefit up to €297. Child benefit scheme introduced.
January 2025
Pension system
Fixed rate of 48% until 2035. Generation Capital (€200 billion by 2036). Contributions: 18.6% until 2027.
January 2025
Business opening (Gewerbeanmeldung)
Online registration via ELSTER. Child benefit limit: €25,000/year. W-IDN automatically.
January 2025
Termination of contract with utility companies
Notice: 2 weeks (written). Confirmation within 1 week.
January 2025
Private security license
NIS2 implementation (October 2024). ICS certification for industrial safety.
January 2025
Construction Company Registration
Market growth: +2.4% (2025–2028). Permits: -11.5% (2024).
January 2025
Tax Deductions
Kinderfreibetrag: €6,672. Childcare: €4,800 (80%). Home Office: 210 days (€1,260).
January 2025
Pre-trial Claims — Templates
E-Rechnung mandatory for B2G (2027), acceptance from 2025. Templates updated for GDPR.
April 2025
Car Registration
Digital documents (trial mode). Discounts for electric vehicles until 2030. H-numbers: +4.9%.
May 2025
Obtaining a driver's license (Führerschein)
Tuition fees: €2,500–3,500. License renewal (pre-1958) by January 19, 2025. Simplified theory.
May 2025
Finding and renting an apartment
Rent: +7.5% (2024–2025). Informal transactions: 30% of the market. Subsidy limit: €10/m² (Berlin).
July 2025
Filing a tax return
Deadline for 2024: July 31, 2025 (independently), April 30, 2026 (with a consultant). Mandatory filing through ELSTER.
July 2025
Family reunification
Suspension for subsidiary protection (2 years). Quota: 1,000 visas/month. Parents for qualified persons from March 2024.
Integrated services
Guides for migrants. You've arrived in the country, what's next? Step-by-step instructions.
Receiving social benefits. Documents, addresses, deadlines.
Business registration templates. Checklists for Kleinunternehmer.
Visa and Residence Permit Instructions
AI assistant for filling out forms with error checking.
Calculator for calculating tax refunds and state duties.
Property rental guides. Templates for rental agreements, landlord registration forms, and landlord relocation documents. Instructions for landlord disputes.
Notifications of changes in laws
