Overview

The epicentre of the second world war, the dividing line between democracy and communism during the Cold War, the self-imposed exile of David Bowie and Iggy Pop and the site of a peaceful revolution that brought down the Iron Curtain – Germany’s capital city plays a mythic role for Teutons, history buffs and music aficionados…

Considering The City

Berlin’s bumpy past has conspired to make it one of Europe’s most accessible cities – it’s cheaper than London, less clubby than Paris and with better English than Barcelona. When the Berlin Wall fell, it opened up an entire city once off-limits to most. Newcomers had the opportunity to feel like pioneers while taking part…

Before You Arrive

You’ll never quite get everything done before you leave. Making a list can help but since this departure is at least semi-permanent, it’ll take more time and effort to complete. The most important thing is to let every regular contact in your address book, both professional and private, know where you’re going. This makes it…

When You Arrive

Once you’ve made the decision to move to Germany, you’ve implicitly entered into a long-term relationship with German bureaucrats. They’ll want to see you within the first week of your arrival to register your presence and address at the einwohnermeldeamt, an office in each district that takes care of most citizen-related business. This is the…

 

Essential Documents

If you’re lucky, your employer will hire someone to interact with the German government for you. If not, employers in Germany understand the time and commitment the country’s bureaucracy requires. Your colleagues are also unlikely to object when you take an afternoon off to secure your residency permit, get plates for your car or register…

When You Leave

Whether you’re glad to be escaping the place or already planning a return trip, Germany will want you to officially say goodbye before you leave. You’ll need to de-register your presence and address with the Einwohnermeldeamt and cancel your phone, internet and cable contracts. Your landlord should probably be the first to know you’re leaving…