Moving to Germany: everything you need to know about living in the country

Advantages of living in Germany

• Geographical location — just a few hours by car or train and you can be strolling through the streets of Prague, Amsterdam, or Vienna.
• High quality of life.
• Well-developed ecology, high level of environmental protection.
• Low crime rate.
• High-quality medical care, if you have insurance.
• German education is considered one of the best in the world.
• Fairly high salaries. Unlike other European countries, it is not difficult to find a well-paid job in Germany, but it is important to know German.
• Social security, unemployment benefits, and child allowances.
• The best roads in the European Union.

Cons of living in Germany

• High taxes.
• High prices for services, expensive mobile communications.
• Difficult language; although 90% of the population speaks English, any everyday issues are resolved more quickly if you speak German.
• Not very comfortable weather conditions.
• Strict laws and high fines, in some cases even excessive control by the state and a life strictly according to the rules.
• Medicine can also be considered a disadvantage. As in many European countries, preventive medicine and early treatment of diseases are not very developed.

Types of visas for entry and residence in Germany

• Schengen German visa category C (tourist visa for short-term trips not exceeding 3 months).
• National visa category D (for long-term stays in the country, suitable for study, work, or business).

List of documents required to obtain a visa:

• international passport (valid and copies of all pages);
• 2 photos, 3 x 4 cm;
• 2 completed visa application forms in German, printed online (before registering to submit documents to the consulate);
• medical insurance;
• certificate from your place of study or work;
• airline ticket reservations for the period of stay;
• copy of the rental agreement;
• proof of financial means (bank statement confirming sufficient funds)
• receipt for payment of the visa fee.

Documents should be submitted to the German consulate or visa center in your country of residence, after making an appointment.

How to obtain a residence permit and permanent residence in Germany

You can obtain a residence permit through asylum, family reunification, marriage to a German citizen, work, study, or starting a business. A residence permit is issued for a period of 1–3 years with the possibility of renewal. Permanent residence is granted to persons who have legally resided in the country for at least 5 years, worked, and paid all necessary taxes and contributions to the budget.

The Blue Card EU is a special type of residence permit that can be applied for by:

• graduates of German universities or other prestigious institutions around the world;
• specialists with higher education and more than 5 years of work experience in the relevant field;
• employees with a contract with a German company worth at least €55,000 per year (for IT specialists – from €44,304).

Documents required for a residence permit:

• application form completed in German;
• 2 photos 3×4 cm (one to be attached to the application form);
• valid foreign passport and passport of the country of birth (copies of all pages);
• bank account statements;
• employment contract or certificate from an educational institution (if the basis is education);
• a rental agreement or document confirming ownership of real estate;
• certificate of no criminal record;
• receipt for payment of consular fees;
• medical insurance.

Documents required for permanent residence:

• application form completed in German;
• valid passport and current biometric photograph;
• proof of income and employment;
• a rental agreement or document confirming ownership of real estate;
• language proficiency certificate;
• proof of completion of an integration course;
• receipt for payment of consular fees;
• health insurance.

The documents must be translated into German, copied, and notarized.

How to obtain German citizenship?

You can obtain German citizenship after legally residing in the country for at least 8 years. If you complete an integration course in German, this period can be reduced to 3 years. With German citizenship, you can live, study, and work in any EU country without a residence permit.

Applications must be submitted on the website of the German Migration Service.

Life in Germany

Work

To find a job, you can contact the employment office, contact employers directly, search for jobs on social networks and Facebook groups, or on special websites. It is easier to find a job if you know the language.

Taxes

Everyone pays compulsory health insurance, which is deducted from their salary. The main taxes are income tax and social security. German residents pay taxes on all their worldwide income in Germany. There is no banking secrecy here.

The income tax rate varies depending on income, ranging from 14% to 45% of salary. For example, with an annual salary of up to €40,000, you will need to pay around 20% tax, and with €60,000, you will pay 28%. The minimum salary of up to €9,168 per year is not taxed. The final amount of taxes may depend on your marital status, number of children, and income level.

Salaries

The minimum wage is one of the highest in Europe, starting at €14 per hour. Unskilled workers earn from €2,800 per month, while skilled workers with education earn from €3,500 per month. Salaries depend on qualifications. Paid vacation is essentially two months per year. And if you count all the holidays, it's even more.

Refuge for Ukrainians in Germany

As a member of the EU, Germany provides Ukrainians with special temporary protection through the Temporary Protection Directive program, activated in 2022: this status entitles them to legal residence, work without additional permits, access to health insurance, education for children, and limited social support.

At the same time, it is important to remember that this is temporary protection – until official decisions on extension after the set deadline (March 2027) are made.

Cost of living in Germany

The cost of living in Germany depends on the city, type of accommodation, and lifestyle. The main expenses include rent, utilities, food, transportation, health insurance, and entertainment.

In large cities such as Berlin, Munich, or Hamburg, renting a one-room apartment in the center costs €800–1,500 per month, while in the suburbs or smaller cities, it costs €400–800. Food costs around €200–400 per month per person, transportation €70–100 (public transport) or more for a car. Health insurance costs €80–400 per month, and additional expenses for clothing, internet, entertainment, and education €100–300. On average, the monthly budget for one person is €1,000–2,500, and for a family with two children, €2,500–4,500, depending on the region and lifestyle.

Transport

The transport system is well developed (buses, trams, metro), but there are often strikes, so transport is sometimes delayed. A monthly travel pass costs €49. Trains and buses run between cities. Maintaining a private car costs an average of €200 per month.

Housing

Rent depends on location. In Germany, there is high demand for rental housing and fierce competition. A two-room apartment can be found for between €500 and €750 per month. Apartments are often rented unfurnished, without a kitchen, appliances, or even lamps.

To rent, you will need the following documents:

• a questionnaire with your personal details and contact information;
• a copy of your Schufa credit report;
• a copy of your income statement for the last 3 months;
• a copy of your passport and a copy of your residence permit.

You can search for housing in social media groups. You can also look in newspapers, which are free for readers.

Websites for finding accommodation in Germany:

Utilities in Germany for a one-room apartment currently cost around €250–300 per month, including electricity, water, heating, garbage collection, and other standard payments. The price may be higher in large cities and depends on the size of the apartment and the type of heating.

Living with pets in Germany has been simplified. The animal must be microchipped, have all vaccinations, including rabies, and have a health certificate and EU passport. You can insure your pet to save on veterinary services. You must look after your pet and clean up after it — there are heavy fines for not complying with cleanliness rules.

The price of real estate depends on the city and district. On average, the price of a two-room apartment on the secondary market starts at €60,000, and in a new building, you will have to pay from €240,000. Most citizens can purchase housing in Germany thanks to the possibility of taking out a mortgage.

Healthcare in Germany

Health insurance usually costs between €100 and €200 per month, with the price depending on age and chronic illnesses. You can insure your whole family with one insurance policy. People who are dependent on the state (pensioners, low-income families, refugees, etc.) receive free insurance.

Medicine in Germany is highly developed, with people coming from all over the world to receive treatment there. There are many specialized clinics and specialists who treat the most complex diseases. Hospitals, even state-run ones, are equipped with the most modern equipment, which is sufficient for all those in need.

However, the downside of medicine in Germany is that there are long queues, and you can wait up to six months for an appointment with a specialist. This situation is due to a shortage of highly qualified doctors. There are also difficult situations due to the healthcare system itself, in which patients cannot choose which doctor to go to or which tests to undergo, which sometimes means spending a lot of time without resolving the problem.

Education for children in Germany

Kindergartens accept children aged 3 to 6. There are nurseries for children aged 8 weeks to 3 years. Places are limited, so you need to register in advance, preferably at birth. In state kindergartens, the monthly fee is €70-200 per child, but in Berlin and Hamburg it is free. Some kindergartens only charge for food and additional services, while others charge based on your family's income, the number of children, and their ages. A private kindergarten will cost from €1,000 per month, depending on the city, the level of the institution, and the activities offered.

Education for children in German schools is free; you only need to cover the costs of stationery and excursions.

In Germany, it is possible to attend an international school. Children of diplomats and employees of international companies study there. Tuition fees for such a school range from €15,000 to €20,000 per year.

Higher education institutions include public, private, and specialized institutions. Free higher education is available to those who have passed and have proven language skills (C1 level certificates: DSH, TestDaF and above). You only need to pay administrative fees of €100-250 for a bachelor's degree and €200-320 for a master's degree.

Another nuance: to enter a German university, you must study for 1 year at a Studiekolleg (this is pre-university training for international students).

There are also paid programs at specialized and private institutions, with costs ranging from €5,000 per semester. In Germany, in addition to the DAAD (a private organization that funds about 150,000 scholarship recipients per year), there are 20 other scholarship organizations that fund thousands of students at German universities every year.

Life with children in Germany

The country cares about the well-being of all children and the protection of their rights; they should want for nothing and grow up with dignity. This includes respecting their opinions and ensuring their participation in decision-making. It is prohibited to use corporal punishment on children or to cause them physical or emotional harm. This is strictly monitored, and children may be removed from their families and placed in special institutions for children if this rule is violated. Parents are obliged to support their children until they receive their first professional education.

Leisure

For excursions, people mainly go to Berlin, Düsseldorf, Dresden, Munich, Bonn, and Bavaria — there are simply a huge number of attractions there. The beaches in Germany are excellent, the sea is clean, but cool, so Germans often prefer Spain for beach holidays.

Germany has many stunning natural places to visit. The Bavarian Alps offer the best hotel service and a variety of trails for both beginners and professionals. Thermal and mineral waters and "healing" therapeutic muds can be found in Caracalla and Friedrichsbad in Baden-Baden, Karlovy Vary in Aachen, and Claudius Thermae in Cologne.

Language

German is the most widely spoken native language in the European Union and ranks eleventh in the world among languages with the largest number of speakers. This language is considered difficult, but if you supplement your studies with courses or a teacher with live communication with locals and make German friends, the process will be much easier and faster.

In Germany, most locals know English, and some know French and Spanish.

Climate

The climate is temperate continental, with stability as its main feature: warm, comfortable summers and winters that are not very cold but rainy. Due to the fact that Germany has a variety of landscapes, including coastlines and mountain ranges, the climate varies from region to region. The northern part has rainy summers with warm winters and storms. The Alps have a typical mountain climate.

Relocation of people of retirement age

Retirees can move under the family reunification program, go through the naturalization process, or marry a citizen of the country.

Foreigners who legally reside in the country are eligible for German pension payments. You must pay pension contributions for at least 5 years and reach retirement age. The minimum insurance period for receiving a pension can be obtained by adding periods of work in Germany and other EU countries.

The German mentality

Saving and putting money aside for a rainy day, and spending less than you earn, is considered in Germany to be as virtuous as honesty, a desire for order, modesty, and diligence. In Germany, children are taught to save and accumulate wealth from an early age.

Germans are extremely law-abiding, trying not to break the rules under any circumstances, and this trait is instilled in them from early childhood. Germans have a love of cars, bicycles, and all kinds of mechanisms in their blood. Family traditions and the home are very important. They treat nature with care and love animals very much. Germans can be quite open, but at the same time reserved, and they do not cross personal boundaries.

Traditions

Sunday is considered a day of rest, and most restaurants and shops are closed. Christmas markets are when many small shops sell handmade items and decorations for Christmas gifts. Children go around singing Christmas carols, and there is a festive atmosphere everywhere.

There are also unusual traditions, such as Schultute, when on the first day of school, parents and grandparents give children a large cardboard cone filled with sweets, toys, stationery, and other small gifts. The idea is to make the first day of school joyful and unforgettable. Or Polterabend, which is the tradition of breaking various objects during a wedding. It is believed that broken items will bring happiness and good luck to the newlyweds.

Safety

Germany has a relatively low crime rate and well-developed investigative authorities, and Germans highly value law and order. However, be vigilant and do not leave your valuables unattended. According to statistics, the most common crimes are fraud and theft in larger cities. However, the crime detection rate is close to 94%, which keeps crime levels low and demonstrates the inevitability of punishment.

Banking services

Banks offer a wide range of services: international transfers, loans, mortgages, insurance, and deposits. There are banks that operate exclusively online. In this case, cash withdrawals are made at partner banks. All major banks have internet banking and mobile apps.

Who is Germany suitable for?

Germany is a developed country with a high standard of living and a high-quality education system. There are many attractions here and plenty of places to enjoy active leisure.

When working in Germany, you and your family are covered by health insurance, pension savings accumulate, and in case of job loss, there is unemployment insurance. This country is suitable for people who love order and stability, active recreation, and cool weather.