It is easier for foreigners to find employment in Germany without having German language skills in technology startups and established multi-national companies Yes, there are jobs in Germany for non-German speakers; otherwise I wouldn't have worked here! It is easier for foreigners to find employment in Germany without knowing German in technology startups and established multi-national companies; on the other hand, foreigners seeking employment in medical fields, marketing, consulting, etc have a much harder time finding employment in English here. Applying for a job here does not require you to already live in Germany. It is not uncommon for German companies to hire people from abroad and assist them with relocation. How likely is it that English-speaking jobs will be available in Germany? As far as we know, finding a job in Germany that speaks English is not very difficult. It is common for companies - mostly multinational companies - to use English as their official language. There are thousands of job listings on LinkedIn and Indeed that require only English skills in Germany. It is also likely that you will find English jobs in native German companies that hire for their English-speaking clients. What Are Your Chances Of Finding An English-Speaking Job In Germany Without German skills? We have observed in our past experience that those who look for a job in a tech company, or a startup in any field are most likely to find employment in Germany that only requires English skills. In contrast, jobs requiring you to know German or work with German regulations are the least likely to be offered to you if you are unable to speak the language. Those in marketing, medicine, consulting, etc. are hard to find a relevant position. Tips To Find An English-Speaking Job In Germany Consider Startup Jobs Over Big Companies It is common for startups to have English as their official language since they are open to having an international team. You Need To Look In The Right Place For Jobs Among many job portals out there, LinkedIn, Indeed, Xing - known as Germany's LinkedIn, Make It In Germany, Munich Startup Jobs, Startuplist, Arbeitnow are few websites that can help you land the right job in Germany without speaking German. Furthermore, if you've already shortlisted a few companies where you'd like to work, check out their own career websites to find opportunities that may not be listed elsewhere. Allianz World Wide Careers, Microsoft Careers, Jobs at Brainlab, Zalando Careers are just a few. In addition, make sure your LInkedIn profile is up to date. On LinkedIn, recruiters contact potential candidates directly, and a lot of great companies post their jobs, so you can apply directly. Choose cities with a larger population Among the top five cities in Germany are Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Dusseldorf, which are home to most large organizations as well as start-ups. Some of these companies include Allianz, Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Munich RE, and Twitter. What if you cannot find an English-speaking job in Germany? It is likely that you will need to learn German if you are unable to find an English-speaking job in Germany. When participating in meetings and performing non-customer-facing jobs, companies usually require expats to have a B2 language level. Finally, you may have difficulty finding an English-speaking job at first in Germany. However, the key to success is extensive research and a never-say-die attitude. In our experience, the chances of finding English-speaking employment in Germany are higher if you focus on tech companies and startups. We still suggest you ask the recruiter if they consider candidates without German skills even if you come across a job listing in German. On your way to Germany You can find all the information you need about living and working in Germany at www.expatova.com. If you enjoyed the content and feel like you learned something from it, consider supporting us by buying us a Ko - fi

Both native Germans and expats find the German tax regulations confusing. While you have many advantages of hiring an expert to handle the task for you, how do you pick the best one? If you have ever attempted filing a tax return in Germany, you know how tedious it can be. Despite the hassle of preparing the documents and filing the tax return, it pays off in the end. There can be a lot of difficulty in finding a tax consultant who has the space to accommodate you and can also communicate with you in a language you both understand well. What to look for when searching for a tax consultant in Germany? There are a couple of professions including tax consulting that are strictly regulated in Germany. Therefore, the consultants can only charge you up to a limit depending on the services offered, such as your income, the intensity of the complication of your specific case, etc. If you have a lot of income and different sources of income, or if you make only a small amount, different tax consultants cannot charge you significantly higher or lower for the tax filing service. However, if they provide additional services to you, such as calculating the income you earn abroad, or the income you earn in Germany from sources other than salary, the amount charged to you and another person with a similar income may vary. Therefore, we recommend you look for other areas such as how good the consultant is able to communicate or how much experience they got, etc. You won't need to search for the lowest price as the variation would not be significant. Where to find the best consultant in Germany? When I moved to Germany for work six years ago, I had no idea how the German tax system worked, what all things I could claim as deductions, or even where to find an English-speaking tax consultant! Asking around was the first thing I did. I asked my friends who moved before me, my German co-workers, even my neighbors. Among the few tax consultants they suggested, I shortlisted a few and contacted them by phone and email. Finally, I chose the one who spoke relatively good English and was fine with having me on board. As of today, she still does my taxes and I am very satisfied with the service she provides. In addition, you can search for tax consultants in your city on LinkedIn or Xing, and view their profiles. If they speak English or even your mother tongue, that should give you a better idea of how well you can communicate. Furthermore, choosing a tax consultant who has connections with legal advisors or if the tax firm itself has an on site legal advisor that may come handy for you when legal advice is required. However, keep in mind that every additional service could cost you. If you find your tax consultant from the internet or through your friends and colleagues, we recommend you to meet them at least once before you hand them over your case. Because, trust is built when you meet them in person. It is even better if they are already doing taxes for someone you know. Meeting with them is not to just see if the tax advisor can handle your case, but also to make sure you get on well.

If you are a new parent or need support for preparing to give birth, you can attend a birth preparation course (Geburtsvorbereitungskurs) before your due date. In Germany, There are many types of birth preparation courses. Either you attend the courses conducted by the hospital, or there are many private courses both online and classroom sessions out there you can opt for. Preparing for the delivery Be prepared, get away from the fear and have your best birth possible by attending a birth preparation course. Generally the courses are available in different languages while both English and German are on the popular side. The courses are not just talking about physical activities or exercises, they also cover emotional & mental well being of you and your partner. The programs are designed in a way that it helps both you and your partner to work as a team and your journey through the labor with the basic awareness. It will help you and your partner prepare, approach the labour with confidence for the birth. How to find a birth preparation course in Germany? Our first suggestion would be to contact your hospital and ask them if they provide a course. Generally, the hospitals will provide you with a brochure of the facilities you can opt in. Otherwise, there are many private practices providing birth preparation and after care (Rückbildung) courses. Just google “birth preparation courses near me” and you should be able to find many courses near your area. How much does the birth preparation course cost? While some hospitals provide the courses free of cost, other hospitals as well as the private courses both online and classroom training costs between 80€ and 200€ depending on what is covered, how long the course is and the city where it takes place. The cost is mostly covered by your health insurance. Sometimes, you have to pay up front and submit the invoice to the insurance company and they will reimburse. However, its worth checking with your insurance provider in advance if they can cover the course you selected. What does the birth preparation course cover? This class usually covers information about pregnancy, labor and birth. You learn the ways to manage labor pain, fear, and muscle tension. It also covers breathing methods and birth positions for the different phases of labor with your partner and some massaging techniques for easing delivery. The course discusses addressing the advantages and disadvantages of various methods of pain relief and other questions brought up by the participants. On your way to Germany You can find all the information you need about living and working in Germany at www.expatova.com. If you enjoyed the content and feel like you learned something from it, consider supporting us by buying us a Ko - fi

Radio and television taxes of 18,36 euros per household per month is mandatory in Germany regardless of the number of people living in the household. Four times a year, you will pay 55,08 euros, since it gets collected every quarter. Rundfunkbeitrag refers to the license fee or broadcasting contribution for German public media or basically TV and radio. Despite being frequently referred to as the TV and radio tax, it is not a tax. German households are required to pay 18,36 euros a month to support the independent public broadcasting. Does ARD ZDF have to be paid? The answer is yes. The Rundfunkbeitrag is now mandatory from 2013 in Germany unless you are in one of the categories below that allows an exception. Whether or not you actually use any services of German public broadcasting services does not matter. Reduction and exemption from Rundfunkbeitrag The Rundfunkbeitrag can be exempted or reduced if you meet one of the following criteria: The BAföG provides you with financial aid for your education. Social security benefits, such as unemployment benefit 2 (ALG 2), or a guaranteed minimum pension, are paid to you. Deaf-blindness is a condition you suffer from. In the event that you have severe disabilities that prevent you from participating in public events, you may be eligible for a reduction to 6,12 euros a month. Rundfunkgebühr: Why Do We Have It? After WWII, the British introduced public broadcasting to Germany. It was believed that propaganda-controlled television and radio contributed to the outbreak of the war. Therefore, a democracy requires independent media which cannot be influenced or financed by politics or economics. Rather, all residents contribute equally to its funding. As a result, the license fee was created. Germany's public broadcasting allows cultural niches to flourish and prevents fake news from spreading. In Germany, what happens if you do not pay the radio tax? In the event that you fail to pay the radio tax in Germany, you will be subject to serious legal consequences. It is likely that you will receive repeated orders for payment, which are likely to result in official collection procedures. Continuing to avoid repeated payment orders may result in the Beitragsservice informing the SCHUFA, which maintains your credit score in Germany, about your failure in the payment. As a result, this will negatively impact your SCHUFA score. As the due amount increases, you will be obligated to pay the entire amount due and any additional fines associated with late payments. The case of a German lady who refused to pay the ARD - ZDF tax was followed across Germany and she was sentenced for 6 months and was released after spending 61 days in prison. Read more about this story in Bild.de. How do I cancel the TV and Radio tax in Germany? Your ARD - ZDF subscription is automatically canceled when you deregister in Germany with your local Bürgeramt. Unfortunately, there is no other way to cancel it if you do not fall into one of those categories mentioned above. On your way to Germany You can find all the information you need about living and working in Germany at www.expatova.com. If you enjoyed the content and feel like you learned something from it, consider supporting us by buying us a Ko - fi

There are hundreds of insurances available in Germany in different categories. Being an expat, these numerous types could confuse you. In this article, we detail some useful insurances for you. Being insured is one of the key elements to consider during our lifetime. In Germany, you’ll have to decide what kind of insurance you will need while living here as the insurance companies offer many varieties of insurance. The many options of insurance tend to confuse expats generally while thinking about which all insurances should you invest on. The key is that while you should not be over insured, you have to make sure that you are not under insured too. Thankfully, most of the insurance companies offer packages to expats towards their specific requirements. Which are the mandatory insurances in Germany Health insurance Krankenversicherung or health insurance is mandatory in Germany no matter if you are a tourist or resident here. There are both public and private health insurances available. You will be anyway covered by the state health insurance / gesetzliche krankenversicherung – GKV if you work in Germany. However, you should have at least €4950 to €59400 of income per annum (not for self-employed people). In Germany, the employers usually cover 50% of the health insurance premium. Private health insurance or private krankenversicherung – PKV is also available for those who are not entitled to GKV or if you prefer to get private insurance. Few large health insurance companies in Germany are Allianz, AXA, etc. Arbeitsversicherung or Labor Insurance Sozialversicherungsbeiträge or social security contributions is something you pay automatically if you work in Germany. This will cover your Unemployment insurance (arbeitslosenversicherung) – This entitles you to the unemployment benefits if you become jobless and you meet certain criterias. The premium is shared by the employer and the employee. Statutory pension insurance (rentenversicherung) – This goes to your state pension account. Statutory accident insurance (gesetzliche unfallversicherung) – this employer paid insurance is to take care of your treatments for any accidents or illness occurred during or related to your work. Motor insurance Motor insurance or Kfz versicherung or autoversicherung is a mandatory insurance for all drivers in Germany. During the registration process of a motor vehicle, you must present a proof of motor insurance in Germany. Only then the Tüf / motor vehicles department issues a license plate to you. The premium of the insurance depends on the coverages you opt for. Third-party liability (haftpflicht), Partial coverage (teilkasko) or Comprehensive coverage (vollkasko) are the commonly available options. The premium also depends on the age of the driver, driving experience, driving record, and the depreciation value of your vehicle. AXA, Allianz, and HDI are few front liners in this area. Use the comparison tools provided by check24.de to have a meaningful comparison. Good to have insurances House Insurance or hausratversicherung House insurance is nice to have if you are living in a rental apartment / house that is furnished; which is a common scenario for expats in Germany. This covers damages to the properties in your house such as fire, water damages, theft, etc. While the costs may vary depending on the size of the house and the appliances you have in your house, many companies offer a package to expats on a rather cheap cost. Entry level policies should not cost you more than €50 a year. Personal liability insurance or Private haftpflichtversicherung It's better to think about this not so expensive insurance if you live in Germany. This is to cover injury or damage to third parties or to their properties. According to the German laws, there is no limit set for the amount a person can claim against you. The personal liability insurance helps you prevent such unexpected risks and following financial harm! Usually, personal liability insurance should not cost you 60 - 100 € yearly. Personal accident insurance While the mandatory accident insurance is paid by the state in Germany, the coverage is limited to accidents that happen at or on the way to / from the workplace. The insurance covers the injuries that happen out of work. It is a popular insurance in Germany. This insurance covers the long term disabilities caused by an accident. The costs may include, care charges or modifications to your home or vehicle. However, It doesn’t include loss of job, which is usually covered by the Occupational Disability Insurance. In this insurance different body parts are valued differently. While the loss of a finger is valued 10% approx. the loss of sight of both the eyes may be valued 100%. This differ by the insurance company and the policy scheme Occupational disability insurance or berufsunfähigkeit This covers income loss if you are no longer able to work due to an injury caused by an accident. If you live in Germany for a certain period of time and pay into a pension, you should be able to claim a erwerbsminderungsrente or disability pension. The insurance companies that offer private occupational disability insurance generally offer more coverage. The premiums are based on the age, type of work and the risks associated with it. Legal insurance or rechtsschutzversicherung Legal insurance covers legal costs such as a lawyer and court fees. In Germany, the court fees and related costs can be very high. This is an insurance you must consider if you like to avoid huge legal bills. The premiums start from €150 to €300+ per annum for the comprehensive coverage. Finally, this is Germany and there are many more insurances from pet insurance to gadget insurance. It is your choice to choose the best that suits your requirement. Since, adding the premiums together would be a not so cheap amount from your monthly salary, it's up to you which one you should choose. On your way to Germany You can find all the information you need about living and working in Germany at www.expatova.com. If you enjoyed the content and feel like you learned something from it, consider supporting us by buying us a Ko - fi

Tax returns in Germany can be complicated, tedious, and time-consuming. Tax authorities don't seem to make things easier for expats, despite the fact that the number of expats continues to increase year over year. If you have ever attempted filing a tax return in Germany, you know how tedious it can be. Although preparing the documents and filing the tax return is a hassle, knowing how much you will get back is a relief. The following five tips could prove to be the icing on the cake. Child care and school fees You may be able to claim tax exemption for your children's school fees if you live in Germany with your family. It may be possible to claim the tuition fee for a deduction if your children attend a school where the tuition fees need to be paid. It is common for international schools in Germany to charge tuition and other categories of fees. However, you need to keep the invoices when you pay the bills as the tax authorities require evidence for the fees that are paid. Additionally, childcare costs can also be deducted from your tax return. However, you need to provide the bills and invoices as supporting documents while filing the tax return. Training and education for jobs Usually job related training or any education that prepares you for your job are paid by the employer. However, in the event that you need to pay for a training or a course of your own, then you can claim this for a deduction when filing your taxes. The expenses for your transportation to the destination where the course is conducted, accommodation, food, any other related costs can also be considered. However, you need to show the invoices as supporting evidence. Work from home Since the pandemic began, most German companies had provided their employees with office desks, chairs, laptops, and other equipment to set up their home office. On the other hand, some companies offered additional payments to their employees so that they could purchase the necessary equipment. However, it is possible to claim up to 600€ for the expenses incurred to you to set up your home workstation if the bills are paid by you. Therefore, make sure to include the invoices as supporting evidence when filing your tax return. Supporting a second home abroad The amount that you spend on financially supporting your elderly parents who are living abroad can be claimed for your tax return. However the parent who owns the bank account into which you transfer the money should be over 65 years old and not earn a living. While preparing the documents, you need to include the bank account statements of both the sender and the receiver highlighting the corresponding monthly transaction. Additionally you also need to submit the maintenance declaration (Unterhaltserklärung) and Confirmation of receipt of money (Geld-Empfangsbestätigung) forms. Travel expense to the home country You can claim the expenses for the flight tickets if you paid them yourself when you travel back home to visit your parents or for any other purposes. However your trips to anywhere else cannot be considered. As always, make sure to keep the flight tickets as well as boarding passes as supporting evidence while filing the tax return. SteuerGo SteuerGo is one of the easiest options to file your annual tax return online. Whether income tax, capital gains or childcare costs, SteuerGo is a good choice. They help to secure overpaid income taxes. It is easy to enter your data with SteuerGo since it provides everything you need to get it done correctly and securely. With their online form, you can get started right away and keep track of everything, from personal information to useful tax tips. SteuerGo checks all data automatically for accuracy and plausibility. Then you can securely submit your tax return to the tax office. Additionally, SteuerGo allows you to check the subsequent tax assessment notice from the tax office. Another benefit that SteuerGo offers apart from the english speaking customer support is, you can try it before you actually file your tax return. You simply follow the questions, enter the data or any supporting evidence and see how much you will get back.

Being the strongest player in the European economy, Germany is one of the most preferred among people who wish to migrate abroad. Besides being the 4th largest economy in the world with a GDP of a whopping 4.22 trillion euros, there are many other reasons to choose Germany as your destination. Work - life balance in Germany In Germany, the average working hours are strictly regulated between a sweet spot of 36 and 40 hours per week. Daily working hours are limited to eight hours, and weekly working hours are limited to 48 hours with a lunch break ranging between 30 and 60 minutes. Generally, you are entitled for additional compensation or additional holidays if you work more than the regulated time. For instance, my company offers me 30 paid leaves per year. In 2022, I did carry forward 22 of my paid leaves from the previous year and still had around 45 days of paid time off in 2021 by utilizing the overtime benefit. Despite not being forced to work over hours, my company allowed me to enjoy the additional time I spent for them. Occupational opportunities for skilled workers in Germany There is no doubt that the German economy is doing well; however, it could be doing even better. According to the state development bank KfW's semi-annual 'skilled labor barometer' report, about one in two companies were hampered by the lack of skilled workers in 2022. In the manufacturing sector, skilled workers are in short supply at an all-time high. As of April 2020, there was a shortage of around 320,000 skilled workers, specialists, and academics in the fields of mathematics, information technology, natural sciences, and technology. You Need To Look In The Right Place For Jobs Among many job portals out there, LinkedIn, Indeed, Xing - known as Germany's LinkedIn, Make It In Germany, Munich Startup Jobs, Startuplist, Arbeitnow are few websites that can help you land the right job in Germany without having to know German. Furthermore, if you've already shortlisted a few companies where you'd like to work, check out their own career websites to find opportunities that may not be listed elsewhere. Allianz World Wide Careers, Microsoft Careers, Jobs at Brainlab, Zalando Careers are just a few. In addition, make sure your LInkedIn profile is up to date. On LinkedIn, recruiters contact potential candidates directly, and a lot of great companies post their jobs, so you can apply directly. Alternatively, if you wish to search for a job in Germany, you can apply for a German job seeker visa which is valid for up to six months and the possibility to convert to a residence permit. Get German permanent residency in 21 months You can apply for a German PR if you come to Germany with an unlimited job contract and have an EU Blue Card. Also, you must have made monthly contributions to the statutory pension insurance fund for at least 33 months while employed in a qualified job. Furthermore, you possess a basic understanding of the German language (A1 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)). By demonstrating German language proficiency at B1 level, the 33-month requirement can be shortened to 21 months. Free education in public universities in Germany In Germany, everyone can study tuition-free! No matter whether you are a German or a European citizen. Non-Europeans can also study in public universities in Germany without paying tuition fees. Almost every German public university offers tuition fee free programs. Which means, you have the opportunity to choose from over 1,000 study programmes at almost 300 public universities in Germany. Travel visa free in 40+ countries If you decide to move to Germany, you will have to obtain a Schengen visa. With a Schengen visa, you can travel between 26 Schengen member states without applying for separate visas. Additionally, the Schengen visa also allows foreigners to enter other countries outside of the European Union or the Schengen zone as long as they hold a valid multiple entry visa. A warm and friendly atmosphere Well, the outside world has mixed opinions about the friendliness of Germans. However from my experience, visiting Germany every year since 2012 and permanently living here since 2016, it is likely that when a German makes friends with you, they’ll become your true friend. Germans may be straight to face, reluctant to speak a foreign language and stick to the rules almost 100% almost every time, they are very friendly, keen and understanding people. You may find it hard to make a German friend. But, when you make a German friend, they’ll be your friend for life long. Finally, these are just 6 top reasons you should consider moving to Germany if you are planning to migrate abroad. However, there are many other benefits too such as child benefits, parental benefits, unemployment benefits, strong social security, etc.

The possibility of obtaining a job in Germany without a degree is quite high depending on your area of expertise. However, you must have the necessary experience to be considered. It is in fact not necessary to have a recognized degree in order to work in the IT sector in Germany if you have worked in the IT sector elsewhere for at least three years within the last seven years. All you need is a job offer in Germany with a salary of at least 50,760 EUR gross (before taxes). Is it necessary for you to learn German before you can work in Germany? Perhaps you are thinking wrong! How to get a German residence permit? Once you have an offer from a local company in Germany, you may need a German work visa and a residence permit depending on where you are from and how long you intend to stay. Germany offers different types of work permits, most of which are available to those who have found a job here. Documents required for German residence permit: Application form filled out online Your passport Biometric passport photo Job offer with the salary information German language certificate. Proof of previous IT-related experience Be sure to check the official website of the German Embassy or Consulate General in your country of residence for additional requirements. Once you have all documents ready, book an appointment in the German consulate. You must submit your application along with supporting documentation on the date of your appointment. Upon verification, the German consulate will make a decision regarding your application. Upon approval of your application, you will be granted a visa for working in Germany. As soon as you arrive in Germany, you should register at the local citizens office and apply for a long-term residence permit at your local foreigners office. On your way to Germany You can find all the information you need about living and working in Germany at www.expatova.com. If you enjoyed the content and feel like you learned something from it, consider supporting us by buying us a Ko - fi

Living in Germany for a certain period of time may grant you the opportunity to apply for German citizenship upon fulfilling additional criteria. There are a couple of ways you can acquire your German citizenship. However, we discuss only the options that are relevant to an expat living in Germany on a residence permit for a long period. If you plan to apply for German citizenship, you need to meet and follow a few strict requirements and guidelines. Rights I get through German citizenship German citizenship comes with many rights including but not limited to The right to participate and vote in the national as well as state elections. The ability to enter and leave the country freely. The right to apply for a German passport. The right to be a civil servant. Additionally, you will automatically get European Union citizenship with the right to freedom of movement. German citizenship by naturalisation Although it involves undergoing several processes and longer waiting periods, expats who wish to obtain German citizenship usually choose this option as it is more meaningful and approachable to them. Requirements to obtain German citizenship by naturalisation To be eligible for naturalization, a person has to have lived legally in Germany for at least eight years and possess the appropriate residence permit. Foreigners who have successfully completed an integration course are eligible for naturalization after seven years. Even if you do not fulfill any of the requirements mentioned below, you may still apply for a Discretionary naturalisation (including renaturalisation of former German citizens). However, the final decision is taken by your local authorities. In general, consider yourself eligible if you satisfy below listed criteria. The local authority will let you know if additional requirements have to be met according to your particular situation. You can or are willing to give away your previous citizenship (s) You should have lived legally in Germany for at least eight years and possess the appropriate residence permit. You can financially support yourself as well as your dependents without the supporting benefits from the federal government (unemployment benefits, child benefits or Housing benefit, etc) You’ve successfully passed the German naturalisation test. You do not have a criminal record or you are not an extremist. You have sufficient German language skills (B1 level) Even though it is required to complete eight years to apply for the citizenship, it is not required if you have a local like German proficiency with more than six years living in Germany OR if you are married to a German citizen (by birth or by naturalization) for more than two years and you are living in Germany for more than three years, OR if you live in Germany for more than seven years and you’ve done a German integration course in a Volkshochschule. Documents required for German citizenship application While each person’s individual situation demands additional documents to support their German citizenship application, below listed are the generally applicable documents. Current passport Proof of financial stability (your salary slip,investment statement,bank statement,etc) Birth certificate Marriage / partner registration certificate (if applicable) German language proficiency certificate Naturalisation test certificate How to apply for German citizenship? Once you find out that you satisfy all the mandatory criteria and you have all the documents, you need to contact your Ausländerbehörde (Local Foreigners’ Office) or the citizens’ office (Bürgeramt). Which authority in Germany is responsible to process your application depends on which Land (federal state) you reside. Therefore, it is best to ask your municipal or district authorities or foreigners authority to make sure that you are applying to the right body. The citizenship authority responsible for people who do not have their habitual abode in Germany is the Federal Office of Administration, a subordinate agency of the Federal Ministry of the Interior (www.bva.bund.de). If this applies to you, please seek initial advice from the German Embassy or Consulate-General responsible for your place of residence. Numerous German missions abroad have information about citizenship issues on their websites. The citizenship authority which is responsible for you will then invite you for an initial sitting and provide you with all the necessary information and forms. Then you can follow the guidelines, fill the forms and finally submit your application. You can request for your children under the age of 18 years to be naturalised along with you to get German nationality for them too. German citizenship application cost The fee for regular or discretionary naturalization is €255. A reduced fee of €51 applies for each dependent minor child naturalized along with a parent. Fees may be reduced or waived completely in certain cases depending on each individual’s situation. How long does it take to process the German citizenship application? Depending on the federal state where you’ve applied, your application can take from a couple of weeks to months to get a decision on your application. Decision on German citizenship application If your citizenship application is successful, you will get a notification by post with in few weeks of your application. You must follow a guideline and finally attend a citizenship awarding ceremony to complete the process. Your letter will contain instructions on how to complete this process. You swear an oath of faithfulness to Germany’s custom and laws in the event. What to do if my German citizenship application is rejected? If your application was unsuccessful, you will receive notification by post detailing the reasons behind the rejection. You can speak to your citizenship authority or local foreigner’s office to see if you can go for an appeal. In that case, you may have to contact a lawyer to help you file the appeal. Please check the benefits of having legal insurance in Germany. Retention of your old citizenship Upon receiving German citizenship, you may have to surrender your passport and citizenship from your home country. However, you can still keep your previous citizenship if You are a European Union or Swiss national. If you get the permission from the German officials to keep your previous citizenship under special cases.. Your country doesn’t allow you to surrender your citizenship due to a special reason. There could be other reasons that can prevent you from surrendering your previous citizenship. Please check with your foreign ministry office if you can still keep your citizenship. On your way to Germany You can find all the information you need about living and working in Germany at www.expatova.com. If you enjoyed the content and feel like you learned something from it, consider supporting us by buying us a Ko - fi

As with other medical roles, dentists are in high demand in Germany. Whether you want to become a hygienist, dentist or orthodontist, Germany has plenty of opportunities for you. If you hold a foreign dental professional qualification, and wish to practice in Germany, you need an official, state-issued authorization, known as "approbation". Approbation is an occupational license which is unrestricted throughout the country. In order to practice dentistry or open your own clinic in Germany, an approbation is mandatory. You can apply for recognition of this specialized professional title in Germany if you possess both a dental specialty qualification and a dental job specialization. However, it is important to note that you must receive approbation as a dentist before applying for specialized title recognition. What does a Dentist get to do in Germany? A dentist examines patients, records their findings, diagnoses diseases of the teeth, mouth, and jaw, and teeth formation on anomalies. A dental treatment or intervention is prescribed based on the therapeutic measures. Dentists in Germany may work in dental practices, dental clinics, medical research and teaching, pharmaceutical industry, health authorities, insurance companies, and dentist’s chambers, etc. How can I become a Dentist in Germany? Mainly there are two options, Study Dentistry in Germany Move to Germany as an experienced Dentist or Dental specialist. Study Dentistry in Germany or Applying to medical school There are many promising higher education opportunities in Germany. A number of universities provide dental and medical services, mostly in large cities like Munich, Berlin and Frankfurt, but also in smaller cities like Essen. The German dental Schools offer both bachelor's and master's programs in Dentistry. The bachelor's program is eleven semesters long (ten semesters plus six months of work experience). The preclinical phase consists of five semesters, with a focus on natural sciences, medicine, and dental materials, as well as a preliminary dental exam. During the remaining five semesters, you will take lectures, seminars, and hands-on training in clinical research. Afterward, professional training in oral surgery, orthodontics, or public health may be required, with a three to four-year training period. It is similar to dental training in all other countries and ends with a state examination. Upon successful completion of the course, you can apply for the EU Blue Card to work in Germany. Do I need to learn German to study Dentistry in Germany? Since it is a medical field and upon completion of the course, you work closely with the people in Germany, it is necessary to have adequate German language knowledge. Initially, knowledge in the B2 - C1 level is required and while you complete the course, it is necessary to have a job specific German language skill. Move to Germany as an experienced Dentist or Dental specialist. The recognition of your professional qualification is likely to be required if you wish to move to Germany as an experienced dentist or dental specialist. In Germany, recognition is essential for many professions, including dentistry. It is impossible to work in these professions without recognition. Recognizing your professional degree is a procedure, and there is a competent authority for every recognition procedure. Competent authorities check whether the professional qualification accrued in a foreign country is equivalent to German qualifications. If you are not from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland, your profession is regulated in Germany and you are not permitted to work in Germany in this profession without recognition. If you learned your profession abroad or if you studied abroad at an institute of higher education or a university, and if you have successfully completed your training or degree, and your university certificate is either certified or recognized in any of the EU states, you can directly apply of a recognition and you have a high chance of passing the procedure. Otherwise, the recognition of your professional qualification is necessary for you to work as a Dentist in Germany. However, you do not meet all the requirements. This means that your application for recognition will probably be unsuccessful and you need to provide additional information or supporting documents for a successful recognition. How to apply for a recognition in Germany To understand the procedure easily, the information portal of the German government for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research has prepared a very detailed documentation in English. Please note that this specific documentation is only for the candidates seeking to work in Munich. You can go to the Your place of work section and choose the city you wish to work in. This is because the recognition procedure is different in different states. As soon as your professional qualification is recognized in Germany, you can start applying to hospitals, medical universities, care homes, or basically any medical organization that requires your qualifications. You can check LinkedIn, Glassdoor, or Indeed for openings as well as the websites of hospitals and other organizations. You have a specialization on Orthodontist, Oral surgery or Public health system It is possible to apply for recognition of a specialized dental occupation title in Germany if you have obtained additional dental specialization. However, prior to applying for a specialized recognition, you must already have approbation as a dentist. Depending on their specialization, specialists perform different dental activities. Orthodontists, for instance, identify, prevent, or treat masticatory and jaw malformations. Depending on your skills and open positions, you may get to work in Dental clinics, Centers specializing in dental, oral and maxillofacial medicine, Medical and pharmaceutical research institutes, etc. if you are really skilled, you can even get into the German armed forces or Dentist’s chambers or medical associations too. The process of recognizing dental specialization in Germany The process is the same as recognizing the dental degree and experience. Checkout the detailed process documented in anerkennung-in-deutschland.de. Applicants who do not intend to stay in Germany for more than two years can apply for a permit to temporarily practice dental medicine. The temporary permit to practice dentistry can only be granted upon application, which requires proof of completion of dental education and training. However, if the dental training took place in a member state of the European Union, another state party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area or in Switzerland, a provisional license is not required. On your way to Germany You can find all the information you need about living and working in Germany at www.expatova.com. If you enjoyed the content and feel like you learned something from it, consider supporting us by buying us a Ko - fi

For you to be able to work in Germany, your degree or professional certificate may need to be recognized according to the German system. Anerkennung in Deutschland or simply Recognition in Germany is the central information portal of the Federal Government for recognizing foreign professional qualifications in Germany. At both the federal and state levels, the portal implements the legal regulations on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). What is it like to work in Germany? Do you want to work in Germany in the field in which you earned a professional qualification in your home country? There is no need to have a confirmed job offer before applying for recognition. This is also possible from abroad. Find out more about working in Germany at Expatova Recognizing your professional qualifications Obtaining information about reference occupations and receiving advice Find your profession in the Recognition Finder: www.recognition-in-germany.de/finder (the site is availalbe both in German and English). On this page, you will find information about different German professions, and you can select the reference occupation that is relevant to you and figure out whether recognition is needed for you. There are several factors to consider, including your profession and your country of origin. When looking for a job, recognition is always helpful. You can find contact information for a recognition advisory center and the authority responsible for processing your application through the Recognition Finder. Even though the competent authority communicates only in German, the advisory centers often offer guidance in a variety of languages. It's a good idea to seek advice before submitting an application for recognition. Guidance is also available if you are unable to locate your profession in the Recognition Finder. In addition, you will receive information about financial support. The application process In order to apply, you must hold a professional qualification such as completion of vocational education and training or completion of a degree. Application for recognition must be submitted to the competent authority that is responsible for you. Information regarding the necessary documents is provided by the recognition finder. The cost of obtaining recognition varies depending on the profession and the federal state. The cost of recognition generally ranges from 200 to 600 euros. However, a detailed estimate of the costs will be provided to you by the competent authority. Evaluation of the application Upon receipt of your application, the competent authority processes it. Approximately one month after the application is submitted, you will be notified. Depending on the situation, this may indicate that the competent authority has received all the documents or that additional documents need to be submitted. A comparison is made between your professional qualification and that of the German reference occupation by the competent authority. During this process, your professional experience and other qualifications are taken into consideration. Receipt of your recognition notice It usually takes three to four months for the recognition process to be completed. Following this, you will receive your recognition notice. The full recognition of your qualification means that it is fully equivalent to the German qualification. Recognized partially or not recognized at all? It is possible that your notice indicates that there has been no recognition or partial recognition on your application. However, you may also be able to work without full recognition depending on your profession. You may also be able to complete additional training in Germany in many cases. You will receive advice from the competent authority regarding your options. On your way to Germany You can find all the information you need about living and working in Germany at www.expatova.com. If you enjoyed the content and feel like you learned something from it, consider supporting us by buying us a Ko - fi

You have been offered a job in a German company, and you would like to know how to relocate smoothly. You will find this article to be helpful in navigating the relocation process. If you already got a job offer and you are looking for the tips to relocate to germany, findout whether your salary offer is considered to be a good salary in Germany. While already in your home country, after applying for your German visa and work permit, you can look around in Google maps and decide on the area you want to live in the city you are moving to. You should consider the distance from your workplace, supermarkets, doctors, and schools nearby, or anything else that matters to your life. By the way, have you already been offered a job in Germany, congrats! Come to one of the most beautiful, liberal, and safe countries in the world! On the other hand, have you checked whether the salary offered to you is considered to be a good salary in Germany? If not, it is still not too late to speak to your HR department and make the necessary adjustments. Finding a place to live As you await the decision on your German visa application, you can already take advantage of the time you have left. Find an apartment that meets your requirements and desires by browsing the many online real estate portals. Among other real estate portals, the most popular in Germany is immobilienscout24. Most German landlords use this portal to advertise their properties. They offer both free as well as paid programs. Alternatively, you can create your search profile in Immomio and get suggestions that suit your requirements. It is recommended that you try out the free program for a while before jumping into the paid programs. The free plan is likely to provide you with what you're looking for. For those in a hurry and able to afford it, you can opt for the paid program. As soon as you find a place that suits your requirements, shortlist it and contact the landlord. You shouldn't wait until you have your visa in hand since if your documentation is complete, you won't have to worry (generally) about the embassy rejecting your application. When it comes to communication, most landlords prefer German. Therefore, make sure your message is in German and that you include personal information such as your smoking habits, if you own a pet, etc. Documents required Copy of your passport Copy of your offer letter SCHUFA-Auskunft or simply your credit score : One of the most requested documents by the landlords in Germany is your credit score. Since you are only just moving in, this is not necessary. It may be necessary for you to convince your landlord as you haven't opened a bank account yet. Proof of income - Since you cannot present a salary slip or bank statement, your offer that shows salary details would suffice. Bringing your possessions to Germany Once you know that your work permit has been granted, you should begin organizing the moving of your possessions. Research logistics companies and ask them for an estimate of the price and arrival time. Ideally, the arrival should take place three months after your arrival in Germany, so you have time to settle in. In addition, if you can simply get rid of things by selling, giving away, or storing them somewhere safe, you can buy good quality used furniture in Germany for cheap, or you can rent furniture as well. If you are considering the costs of transportation and damage to your possessions while bringing them to Germany, you may want to think about shops like Ikea and Pocco that sell very fine quality furniture and utensils for less money. Get your address registered Hopefully, by now you've already received your visa and you’ve landed in Germany. In accordance with immigration regulations, you must register your place of residence at the local citizens office within 14 days of arrival. As soon as you register in Germany for the first time, your official records will be created in the Tax department (Finanzamt), ARD - ZFD (German radio and TV broadcasting service), etc. After you've secured a place to live, however, it's easy to obtain an Anmeldung. Understand more about How to Register in Germany or How to get meldebescheinigung in Germany more. Apply for your German residence permit Applying for your German residence permit should be considered only after your address is registered. Otherwise, you’ll have to reapply to update your new address in the residence permit which is usually sticking a piece of paper with your new address on the plastic card. Make an appointment with the Ausländerbehörde, the office for foreigners. In spite of the fact that this is the foreigners department, they communicate only in German. You will need a translator or a friend who understands the language to help you. Usually, the first residence permit you get will be valid for three years. A permanent residency can be applied for later if you meet certain criteria. Get your Steueridentifikationsnummer - Tax ID in Germany For anything involving the Finanzamt, you need to get your Steueridentifikationsnummer. Your tax ID number usually arrives in your post after you register in Germany. But if you are wondering about the process, check it out here Open a bank account in Germany Expats living, studying or working in Germany must get familiar with the German banking system from anytime they move in - no matter whether they need to open a bank account to receive their salary or simply want to transfer money to and from abroad. In Germany, there are many options for banking; you can choose from new generation online-only banks, traditional banks or hybrid banks. Get familiar with the German way of banking. Shortly, we recommend Wise - formally TransferWise - or N26 if you desire a simple and easy account opening process. Get necessary Insurances There is insurance on everything in Germany, unlike many other countries. Whether it's your pet or an appliance in your kitchen, almost everything can be insured in Germany. Generally your employer offers health insurance for you and your dependents. We cover almost every possible scenario in this article. So, make sure to check it out. Get your German driving license Though the public transportation is great in Germany compared to other countries in the world, it's always nice to get your driving license in Germany. Your license is still valid if it was issued in the EU. Otherwise, you are not allowed to drive after 6 months and you will need to convert it to a German driver's license. If your non-EU license is not converted to a German one and you are driving in Germany, you won't have insurance coverage and may owe thousands of Euros if you get into an accident. Driving without a valid license can get you into even more serious trouble. It is also necessary to translate all non-German licenses, and you should carry that translation around with you at all times. If your driving is about to expire, you need to renew your license well in advance to avoid an unnecessary waiting period. The German integration course Despite the fact that many cities in Germany are considered international, if you wish to live in Germany, you should learn German. The language knowledge will be useful for you if you want to mingle with locals, fill out application forms, when receiving letters from authorities, or support your children at school. You should also know certain things about Germany, such as its history, culture, and legal system. In the BAMF portal (Federal Office for Migration and Refugees), you can find the nearest integration centers. Finally, the process of moving to a new country might seem long and complicated at first. In spite of their long and complicated nature, Germany's processes work in the end! As you settle into this wonderful country, you'll enjoy its excellent quality of life! On your way to work in Germany You can find all the information you need about living and working in Germany at www.expatova.com. If you enjoyed the content and feel like you learned something from it, consider supporting us by buying us a Ko - fi

Despite Germany having a very stable healthcare system, nursing professionals remain in high demand and their contribution is more vital than ever. In order to meet the increasing demand in the healthcare and nursing professions, hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities are searching for nursing personnels with different levels of qualifications and experience. According to forecasts, this demand will rise in the near future. What are the requirements to become a nurse in Germany? Nurses who wish to work in Germany require official authorisation to practise the profession in the country. In order to work in the nursing profession in Germany, you must meet the following requirements. Qualification to become a nurse in Germany To become a nurse in Germany, your nationality does not matter. However, your degree or diploma needs to be recognized in Germany in order to determine whether it meets German standards. If your certificate is not recognized, you may take an assessment test or undergo an adaptation period to demonstrate an equivalent level of knowledge. A professional recognition application can be submitted to the competent authority in the state where you intend to work. Professional recognition obtained in Germany is valid throughout the country. German language skills to become a nurse in Germany As a medical professional, you need strong and in-depth knowledge of the German language, as you will be working closely with patients. Depending on where you intend to work, you will need a level equivalent to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) B2 or B1. It is, however, not too difficult to learn German these days. You can find many courses online or you can even come to Germany for a short period to learn the language if you find that practical. This will help you get a first impression about the culture, the people and the system. Furthermore, you can also make connections in Germany that will help you land a job in the future. Physical and mental fitness to become a nurse in Germany A German doctor must certify that you are physically and mentally fit before you can be hired as a nurse. Furthermore, you will have to prove that you don't have a criminal record. It may be sufficient to provide a certificate of good conduct from your country of origin or a German certificate of conduct (Führungszeugnis). How to become a Nurse in Germany There are three options to become a nurse in Germany. Study nursing in Germany in a German university Vocational nursing training and apprenticeship in Germany Migrate to Germany as a professional nurse Study nursing in a German university This is probably the most expensive way to become a nurse in Germany. However, the chances of getting hired in a German hospital or other care facilities are much higher than the other two options. It is the same process as coming to Germany to study any other courses. As soon as you’ve completed your higher secondary school, you can explore the nursing courses in Germany and start applying. In addition, you may be able to get scholarships that cover your entire stay in Germany, including your flight tickets, accommodation, and health insurance. Therefore, don’t forget to explore how to get a scholarship in Germany. Nurse apprenticeship in Germany You have completed your higher secondary and are currently pursuing a degree in another field, or you have already completed your degree in another stream, but you still wish to become a nurse in Germany, you may be able to do that by applying for a nurse apprenticeship. A positive about this program is that you will be paid during the training, so that you can live comfortably in Germany until you begin receiving your regular salary. However, there may be limited apprenticeship vacancies and a high number of applicants. Therefore, you should demonstrate your skills clearly, noticeably, and understandably. Where to find Nurse apprenticeship openings in Germany If you Google Nurse apprenticeship in Germany or ‘Ausbildung zur Krankenschwester in Deutschland’, among the genuine recruiters, you will see millions of websites with advertisements and most of them only waste your time, steal your money or sometimes even endanger you. Therefore, always be careful when planning your career. We suggest you shortlist the cities or towns you want to work and live in Germany. Once you have a final list, start searching for the hospitals and medical universities around there. Frequently check their web pages and follow them on LinkedIn, Indeed, Xing, etc and apply for the apprenticeship as soon as you see an opening. This way, you can avoid middlemen, save some money on commissions, and take advantage of being an early bird. Migrate to Germany as a professional nurse Applicants from EU member states may directly apply for relevant positions in German hospitals, clinics, etc. Many of these institutions offer nurse training programs to help you onboard. Additionally, applicants from any EU country can start an apprenticeship as a nurse in Germany. If you are interested in one of these options please apply directly. However, you need to demonstrate German language skills at least on B1 level. How to get a job in Germany as a nurse? If you already have finished your diploma or degree in Nursing in your home country and you have practical working experience, there might be an option to start as a nurse or nursing helper in Germany. However, your foreign degree must be recognized in Germany. Please note that despite your experience, you must have German language skills of level B1 or B2 in order to work as a nurse in Germany. To start with you need to translate your degree certificates and your experience certificates to German. You can find translation services in your home country which might be cheaper. However, make sure that they are certified translators for official purposes. Alternatively, here’s a list of translation services listed in muenchen.de, an official website of the city of Munich. Once the certificates and documents are translated, you need to send them to the competent authority in the province of your choice by post. Please note that you only need to send the certified copies of Originals. Recognition procedure as General nurse in Germany To understand the procedure easily, the information portal of the German government for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research has prepared a very detailed documentation in English. As soon as your professional qualification is recognized in Germany, you can start applying to hospitals, medical universities, care homes, or basically any medical organization that requires your qualifications. It is also worth noting that there’s no age limit to migrate to Germany as a nurse. As long as you fulfill the criteria of academic comparability, work experience and language skills, you can always give it a try. How to find Nurse vacancies in Germany? As mentioned earlier the easiest method is to shortlist the cities or towns you want to work and live in Germany. Once you have a final list, start searching for the hospitals and medical universities around there. Frequently check their web pages and follow them on LinkedIn, Indeed, Xing, etc and apply as soon as you see an opening. Finally, you may also approach any reputed recruiters you trust and seek help. They mostly charge you a fortune. If you are able to afford this option, consider it only as your last resort. How to get a German visa for nurses? As a citizen of the European Union, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway or Switzerland, you require neither a visa nor a residence permit to work in Germany. Citizens of other countries on the other hand require a residence permit. Once you have successfully completed an interview and secured a job offer, you can apply for a German visa and work permit. The procedure is not different to other job categories. Upon completion of your professional training, you can also come to Germany to look for a job for up to 6 months on a German job seeker visa. On your way to Germany You can find all the information you need about living and working in Germany at www.expatova.com. If you enjoyed the content and feel like you learned something from it, consider supporting us by buying us a Ko - fi

EU Blue Cards are issued by EU member states to third-country nationals. The holder of an EU Blue Card is entitled to take up residence in the EU for the purpose of taking up gainful employment. The EU Blue Card is designed in a way to attract the highly qualified professionals from third-countries to jobs where there is a shortage of qualified personnel or where a shortage is likely to arise in the future. The EU Blue Card is the main residence permit for university graduates from abroad. It is a simple and unbureaucratic procedure geared to third-country nationals keen to put their talents to use in Germany. In fact, An EU Blue Card can be applied for in all EU Member States apart from Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom. Slight differences apply with regard to the conditions, such as the amount of the gross annual salary. What opportunities does the EU Blue Card offer? Generally, an EU Blue Card is issued for the duration of your work contract, including 3 additional months, within a 4-year period. It is possible to be granted an extension if certain requirements are fulfilled. Your local Foreign Registration Authority (Ausländerbehörde) must approve of any job changes taking place within the first two years of employment. When you have a Blue Card, You may apply for a settlement permit after 33 months after getting a Blue Card. A settlement permit can be issued after 21 months if you can provide the proof of required language skills (at least a B1 level). Requirements to apply for an EU Blue Card? You have a German degree, a recognised foreign higher education degree, or you have a foreign higher education degree that is comparable to a German higher education degree. You already have an unlimited job contract / offer from a company in Germany. The position must be appropriate for someone with your qualifications (higher education degree) You have a minimum annual gross salary of 56,800 Euros. A reduced minimum annual gross salary of 44,304 Euros applies to employment in the occupational fields of mathematics, computer science, the natural sciences, engineering and human medicine (not including dentistry) (as of 2021 - the salary thresholds are readjusted for each calendar year). Documents Required for the German EU Blue Card Valid passport. A recent biometric photo. Fully filled and duly signed application form. Declaration on the Employment Relationship. (Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis) Employment contract or job offer. Proof of residence (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung) OR your rental agreement Original degree or diploma certificate. Proof of insurance How to apply for a EU Blue Card in Germany Once you have all the documents ready, get an appointment at your local foreigner’s office (Ausländerbehörde). The official will verify the documents and accept your application. You will then be asked to make the payment by cash or by your bank card. Cost of a Blue Card for Germany First time issue: €100 Extension (up to three months) : €96 Extension more than three months: €93 Turkish citizens: €28.80 On your way to Germany You can find all the information you need about living and working in Germany at www.expatova.com. If you enjoyed the content and feel like you learned something from it, consider supporting us by buying us a Ko - fi

One of the first things that cross your mind as soon as you move to a new country to work or live would be ‘how do I bring my family together?’ A German reunification visa lets you bring your spouse or children to Germany. The process for bringing your spouse or partner or children to Germany depends on whether they are European Union citizens or not. EU Citizens If the person you want to bring to Germany is a European Union citizen, they do not need a visa or a residence permit. EU citizens are allowed to live and work in Germany or any EU member states without a visa or residence permit using their Freedom of Movement rights. Other Nationals Bringing other nationals requires a little bit of effort and sometimes it's a lengthy process. To start with the process, you need to make sure that you have the necessary rights to bring your family members to Germany. You need to have either a permanent residency, a permanent settlement permit, or an EU blue Card. Where should I apply for a German visa for my spouse or partner In general your spouse or partner can apply for a family reunification visa in any German mission where they reside. However, the German mission in some countries have outsourced the visa processing to third party visa centers. Check if your spouse's country have a German mission As per the visa policy of Germany you should not apply for a visa six months prior to your planned trip. The latest time you can apply is two weeks ahead of your trip. The recommended time to file your visa application would be four to six weeks before your planned date of travel. Documents required to apply for a family reunification visa for Germany Fully filled and duly signed Visa Application Form. Valid Passport. Biometric passport photo. Travel health insurance Proof of German knowledge (optional) Flight tickets Documents to prove your financial stability (salary slips, employment contract and bank statements) Proof of accommodation in Germany (rental agreement, hotel booking, etc.). Copy of your passport. Copy of your residence permit (if applicable) Proof of relationship Marriage certificate. Registered partnership certificate Processing time of a German family reunification visa The visa processing time varies depending on the location you apply for the visa, your personal situation or even where the visa is processed. For example, the places where the visa processing is outsourced may send the application to the nearest German mission to process it. In general, it could take from days to a couple of weeks. Bringing your children to Germany You can bring your children who are under the age of 18 years to Germany on a family reunification visa provided you have the custody of the child. If your partner is not moving to Germany and you both have joint custody of the child, the partner who’s not moving must give their consent before applying for the visa. You can also bring your matured children to Germany if they are differently abled and need support. However, you may need to undergo a different process and might need to submit additional supporting documents. Additional documents required for children : School certificates mentioning parentage and date of birth Proof of marriage of parents Birth certificate (optional) Bringing your family to Germany offers many benefits. Not only the financial benefits offered by the federal government, but from small towns to big cities, Germany is a very safe country to raise a family and a great place to live. On your way to Germany You can find all the information you need about living and working in Germany at www.expatova.com. If you enjoyed the content and feel like you learned something from it, consider supporting us by buying us a Ko - fi

If you recently moved to Germany, you'll want to stay in touch with family and friends wherever they are. Thanks to Germany's excellent mobile phone network, you get 4G coverage throughout Germany. It's no surprise that Germany has one of the best mobile networks in Europe. As with other European countries, Germany uses GSM. Therefore, you wouldn’t find a big issue in connecting to a German network. Can I use my mobile phone in Germany? Most international mobile phone operators in the world such as Jio and Airtel from India, or AT&T and Verizon from the US have partnership with German providers. Therefore, if you’ve bought an international roaming plan from your provider and enabled international roaming on your phone, you should automatically get connected as soon as your flight lands in Germany. To avoid surprises, we recommend you check with your home operator about their connectivity and tarif in Germany before traveling. How to get a SIM card in Germany? You may want to consider buying a German SIM card or sign up for a German mobile contract if you are moving to Germany or staying for a short to longer period of time. In our opinion, getting a local SIM card is the most cost-effective option. Unlike some countries, Germany has many mobile operators to choose from. There are some companies that offer discounts when you sign up for their internet, or TV services. The process of getting a German mobile plan is relatively straightforward. In most cities, there will be a store of one of the major operators. Either you can visit one of their local outlets in your town or you can also order a SIM card online or. However, if you visit a store, there’s likely less chance that the shop assistants speak English. Documents required to get a German SIM card Passport - most stores would want you to show your passport and they make a copy on the spot. Copy of your visa or residence permit Shops rarely ask for your registration certificate, or Meldebescheinigung German bank account (IBAN) if you are signing up for the post paid plan Even if you buy online, you'll still have to provide your registration documentation during the activation process. Each provider's activation process will differ, but generally it can be done through a video ID check or a postident through Deutsche Post. With a German mobile bank like Revolut, Wise or N26, you can open a bank account in Germany online. Is it possible to complain about a German mobile operator? Yes! In case of problems about the service of an operator, every German mobile operator will have its own complaints process. This information can be found on their website easily. Nevertheless, if you wish to file a complaint against the operator itself, you can contact the German Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur), which is the telecom regulator in Germany.

Applying for a German residence permit may not come easy for many people. The procedure includes several steps from filling up the application form to getting health insurance and opening a bank account. It is a series of documentation. Work permit vs residence permit The federal government has easen the process of obtaining a residence permit by the end of 2011. Now you don't need to apply to different authorities for the permission to live and work. A single permit now covers both. However, obtaining a residence permit does not allow you the right to be involved in economic activities. The type of residence permit you have determines whether or not you are entitled to work. If you are not sure whether you can work in Germany with the permit you have, the documents you receive with your residence permit will explicitly state whether you are allowed to work. Steps to follow Register at Bürgerbüro / the citizens’ office An Anmeldebescheinigung / registration certificate is one of the documents you need to have before you can apply for a residence permit. This can easily be obtained from your local citizens’ office / Bürgerbüro. Health insurance You must also prove that you are covered by health insurance from Germany. Insurance policies from a foreign countries are generally not accepted. Open a German bank account To prove your financial status, you need a German bank account. This is mostly required if you are applying for a family reunion visa. It is the best option to show your financial stability. Open a German bank account and transfer your money from your current bank account to the new German bank account. You can use your bank statements as a supporting document to prove your financial stability. Supporting documents There are multiple documents required to support your German residence permit application. Your local foreigners’ office should be able to guide you through all documents you need to submit along with the application. Generally the supporting documents include: Completed application form Valid passport One biometric photo (not older than 6 months) Certificate of registration Proof of health insurance Proof of secure livelihood Purpose of living in Germany. Employment contract Proof of pension plan The list of supporting documents depends on the type of residence permit you are applying for. Once the application and the supporting documents are ready, you may get an appointment at your local foreigner’s office / Ausländerbehörde and bring along the documents. Cost The cost of a German residence permit application is usually between 50 and 110 euros. It varies on the location and the complexity of your case. The exact charges may be obtained from your local foreigner’s offices website. The fees may not be refunded in case your application is rejected. Additionally, please note that not all foreigners offices accept credit cards. German Residence permit application processing time Once the forms are submitted and the fees have been paid, the next step is for the foreigners’ office to evaluate your application. Depending on the type of the residence permit, they may contact the Federal Employment Agency for additional information. The process usually takes two weeks to a month. However, it can take even longer depending on the pending cases and vacation periods. You will get a certificate from the local foreigners office to cover you during this period. What if my German residence permit application is rejected? If your application is rejected, you will receive a letter detailing the reasons for the rejection. Mostly the reason for a rejection is failing to provide relevant supporting documents or incorrectly field applications. The letter will also explain the next steps, including how to file a counter. How can I collect my residence permit If your application is approved, your residence permit will be issued and you will get notified to come to the local foreigners’ office to collect it. You must pick it up in person or you can have someone else authorised by you to collect it for you. How to renew a German residence permit? It is advised to start the procedures to renew your residence permit as early as possible to avoid an illegal stay which may land you in a position that you are banned from entering Germany in the future. The cost of renewing a residence permit is generally 50-80 euros. However, depending on location and the complexity of your case, it may vary. If you have a temporary residence permit, it will be valid for one year. Generally, the foreigners’ office does not notify you if your residence permit is due to expire. Therefore it is wise to remember the expiry date of your residence permit and take the steps to renew in advance. Renewal of a temporary residence permit in Germany is a complex procedure as long as your personal circumstances are the same as when you initially applied. If your employment, financial or marital statuses changed significantly, you may contact your local foreigners’ office to check the ways to renew it. On your way to Germany You can find all the information you need about living and working in Germany at www.expatova.com. If you enjoyed the content and feel like you learned something from it, consider supporting us by buying us a Ko - fi

The process for issuing or converting a driving license has different processes depending on where you live in Germany. However, expats moved to Germany can still use their existing driving license for a limited period of time, depending on where it was issued. If you are planning to move to Germany for a longer period, you can use the driving license issued in your country for the first 6 months provided you have an IDP (International Driving Permit). During this period, you may consider converting your driving license for a German driving license (Führerschein). Using a foreign issued driving license in Germany The validity of your foreign issued driving license in Germany depends on the country it was issued; whether it is an EU / EEA member state or a third country. Driving license issued by an EU / EEA member country In general, the driving license issued by an EU / EEA country is valid in Germany until it’s actual expiry. However, there are some exceptions for driving licenses of a few categories. Read this article published by the Federal Ministry of Transport to know about the exempted categories in detail Driving license issued by non-EU / EEA country If you have a driving license issued by a non EU / EEA country, you can still use it in Germany for up to six months from the date of registration. You might get special consideration to keep using it until 12 months if you can prove that your stay is more than 6 months but less than 12 months. You may contact the local driving licensing authority for more information on that. You may still have to carry a translation of your driving license even if it is in English. ADAC, Europe’s largest driving club can help you with the translation process. Converting a driving license in Germany There are certain conditions you must meet in order to be eligible to convert a foerign issued driving license. Few common ones are : You must hold a valid residence permit. Your current driving license must be issued by an EU / EEA country, or a country with an agreement with Germany on driving license conversion (Andorra, Australia, Canada, Croatia, French Polynesia, Israel, Japan, Namibia, New Zealand, San Marino, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea and Switzerland, Japan, Monaco, U.S.A.). Your driver's license is valid at the time of application. You were not a resident of Germany (defined as spending 185 out of 365 days in Germany) at the time you obtained the license. The US driving license requirements could vary depending on the state. You might have to take a test depending on the state the driving license is issued. Read more If your country is not listed above, you will have to take either a theoretical exam or a practical exam or both to get a German license. Check this list of countries and requirements listed by muenchen.de to see if you need to take the theory or a practical exam. To convert your foreign driving license to a German driving license, you need to reach out to the local driving licensing authority. Since the offices are quite busy and not easy to walk in, get an appointment either online or by calling them and check the exact requirements for converting. The driving institute near your area could also help you with this on a small fee. Documents required Passport or Aufenthaltstitel Biometric passport photo (not older than 6 months) Your original foreign driving license (The license must be valid at the time of applying) Driving license translation (if required) Proof of completion of a first aid training course (optional) Eye test certificate (optional) Fitness certificate (applicable to category C / D) In general, you cannot hold two driving licenses issued by different member states in the EU / EEA. Therefore, you might have to surrender your existing foriegin driving license when you get the German one. Even though the driving license and road safety laws are set at the national level, different states have implemented it differently. Therefore, it's always better to keep checking the local regulations if you are driving around in Germany.

Your Schufa record will be created as soon as you open a bank account or a phone / cable contract in Germany. Did you know that most furnished apartments in Germany ( listed in Spotahome, Wunderflats) do not ask for a Schufa? If you are looking for your first apartment, this can be an effective method. How do I get a Schufa for free You have all the right to see the data anybody saved about you. Schufa Holding AG - the company who issues Schufa is not exempted. You can use this rule in your favor for requesting a free Schufa report. However, the free Schufa report may look different from the paid one. But, both the reports have the same information. Go to the Schufa data copy page on the Schufa website and enter your personal information and submit the form. Though the form asks for your passport and other informatoin, you only need to enter your name and address. Other details are not mandatory. A few days later, you will receive your Schufa Datenkopie by post. Unfortunately, you cannot get it by email. How different is free Schufa from the paid one? Well, it does not appear to be that different at all. It will actually be the main Schufa certificate that only the landlord and other parties will care about. It is important to note, however, that the inner pages of the paid version contain quite a bit more detailed information about your transactions. Compared to the free Schufa, it would contain much more information. Moreover, a paid Schufa record extract provides you with a Schufa score, which may be of interest to the banks. Get Schufa instantly You can also get Schufa instantly by paing 30€. You have this option in meinechufa.de. Websites like immobilienscount24.de or immowelt also offer Schufa services for a fee. On your way to Germany You can find all the information you need about living and working in Germany at www.expatova.com. If you enjoyed the content and feel like you learned something from it, consider supporting us by buying us a Ko - fi

The Federal Central Tax Office; Bundeszentralamt für Steuern or simply BZSt issues a unique tax identification number to everybody who’s registered in Germany. In order to handle the taxes of each registered person in Germany, the BZSt introduced a centralised system in 2007 replacing the old tax identification method. Every registered person regardless of a citizen or expat including babies receives a Steueridentifikationsnummer or tax ID. You need to submit your tax ID to your employer in order to pay your salary and calculate the tax. As per the German tax laws and tax classes, you have to pay the highest tax if you don't have a tax ID. How to get a Steueridentifikationsnummer - Tax ID in Germany Getting a tax ID is not a big task. In fact, your tax ID will automatically be processed and issued as soon as you register in Germany. Two to three weeks after you register in Germany, you’ll receive your tax ID via post. The Federal Central Tax Office has created a great amount of articles and guidelines on their website to help you resolve all queries related to tax ID. Please check the articles for more information.

Expats living, studying or working in Germany must get familiar with the German banking system from anytime they move in - no matter whether they need to open a bank account to receive their salary or simply want to transfer money to and from abroad. One of the initial steps you should do as soon as you move into Germany is to open your bank account. In the modern world, you need a bank account for almost anything; like receiving your salary, paying your rent, etc. You’ll see several banks in Germany when you start researching about it. From the ones that were found 100 years ago to the new generation online only banks like N26. One of the key facts to think about while choosing the right one for you is that most banks in Germany have an annual fee for maintaining your account. Also, almost every bank would charge you for withdrawing money from an ATM owned by a non partner bank. The New generation banking system Like any other countries in the world, Germany also has some great and strong new generation banks. N26, Wise, and Vivid are the front liners in the row. They also offer lower fees and telephone-based customer service. Wise - formally TransferWise In 2011, Wise launched with the goal of making international money transfers cheap, fair, and simple. Globally, millions of people and businesses use their multi-currency account to manage their money. Wise offers a multi-currency bank account which you can use as your everyday bank account to receive salary, pay rent, make online shopping, etc. With a Wise account, you get a physical debit card for free as well as unlimited virtual debit cards that you can use to pay online and use them as virtual debit cards in Apple Wallet and Google Pay, or even withdraw money at an ATM with NFC capabilities. It is possible to add money to your account in 19 currencies. These include AUD, BGN, CAD, CHF, CZK, DKK, EUR, GBP, HRK, HUF, JPY, NOK, NZD, PLN, RON, SEK, SGD, TRY and USD. The real exchange rate is always used when you convert money between any of the 50+ currencies in your account. You can also receive money in 11 currencies using your account details. A plus is that there are no fees associated with opening or maintaining an account. Revolut Just like Wise, Revolut too won’t ask you to visit a branch or bury you in paperwork. Opening an account in Revolut takes just less than a few minutes, and you can do everything straight from your phone. With Revolut, you can send and receive money in 30+ currencies with no hidden fees. Plus, transfers are almost always instant and free between Revolut friends anywhere in the world! Additionally, Revolut offers to fix you up with discounts and cashback offers from your favourite brands, so you can save when you spend. You just need to use your Revolut card when you shop. Revolut also offers splitting of bills with anyone, even if they’re not on Revolut. You just need to enter the numbers and Revolut will do the math. You can split bills from restaurant to rent. PS : All of the above new generation banks offer English support and their apps are available in English as well. Account opening and processes are also rather simple compared to the traditional banks. However, when it comes to loans and other services, the traditional banks still standout! Make sure you check the details of the services offered that suit your requirements before fixing one. Traditional German Banking system Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, Postbank, and Targobank are one of the major and oldest private banks in Germany. They operate nationally with their wide and vast branches. By opening an account with them, you can also avail their non-banking services like real estate and investment banking too. PS : While the banks are still developing, most of them are still running the old style banking and English support cannot be expected always. Especially when it comes to customer care and product detailing. Cooperative banks Banks like Sparkasse and Volksbank are local banks focused on local investments and small and medium-sized businesses. Their advertisements and branding might give you an image that they are a single organization. However, each regional bank operates as a separate entity. One of the major benefits for you would be the availability of branches even in the rural areas! Opening the bank account (traditional) In general, the process of opening a private current account / Girokonto in any of these banks is similar. You start with getting an appointment either online or by calling the branch nearest to you. You then visit the branch and meet your point of contact. They’ll then help you fill out the forms and get your signature and other supporting documents (check below). You should get a notification by mail or post in the next couple of days. Many of the traditional banks now offer the options to fill the application form online. Once done, you’ll get a form which you have to take out to your nearest post office / DHL center along with the supporting documents to verify your identity (Postident). Once done, you’ll get a notification by mail or post in the next couple of days. Nowadays, you also get the possibility of confirming your identity either by a video chat. Opening the bank account (new gen) Simply head over to the Appstore or Playstore. Download the app of the bank of your choice. Sign up or create a new account. Enter the details and upload your ID card. mostly, the your ID verification will be done during the sign up process by a video call or a software algorithm. Thats it! you have your German bank account ready! Documents required While different banks ask you to provide different documents, some of the common ones are Passport or photo identity card (not a driving license) Certificate of registration Visa or residence permit Some banks require you to maintain a minimum balance. Therefore, you might have to submit your pay slips or an employment contract. If your bank has a minimum income requirement you may also have to provide proof of income with pay slips or an employment contract. Online banking While most of the banks offer online banking by default and share the required details as soon as your account is created, you might need to contact their customer care in some rare cases. As you might have read already above, most traditional banks do not offer internet banking services in English. Be sure to check this information on the bank's website or ask the staff when you visit the branch for account opening. Few terms to help you with banking in Germany. Giropay Giropay is an Internet payment System in Germany, based on online banking. This payment method allows customers to buy securely on the Internet using direct online transfers from their bank account. Girocard Girocard is an interbank network and debit card service connecting virtually all German ATMs and banks. It is based on standards and agreements developed by the German Banking Industry Committee SEPA SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) is an initiative of the European Union. It exists to check and improve the bank transfers of euros of cross-border payments. Using your IBAN, you can pay or receive money to any account located in the SEPA. IBAN International Bank Account Number - IBAN is a unique number that identifies your country and bank and account number in a way that can be understood by financial institutions worldwide. Your IBAN will be included on any correspondence you receive from your German bank. You can also find it in your bank card. On your way to Germany You can find all the information you need about living and working in Germany at www.expatova.com. If you enjoyed the content and feel like you learned something from it, consider supporting us by buying us a Ko - fi

The Schutzgemeinschaft für allgemeine Kreditsicherung or simply Schufa is a record of your creditworthiness record created and maintained by Germany’s biggest credit agency; Schufa Holding AG. Before you jump in to apply for Schufa, did you know that most furnished apartments in Germany ( listed in Spotahome, Wunderflats) do not ask for a Schufa? If you are looking for your first apartment, this can be an effective method. What is Schufa or a credit score? Schufa or how likely you are to repay a debt, is a major factor in whether you'll be approved for a credit card, an auto loan or a mortgage. It accounts for your debt, your credit history and your ability to pay back loans. Generally, the banks will check your Schufa score when you apply for a loan or any kind of credit. In Germany, the landlords will always ask you to provide up to date Schufa information when you approach them to rent an apartment or house to make sure that you have a good reputation repaying the debts. Your Schufa record is automatically created when you register in Germany. Your credit score from the country you previously lived does not influence your Schufa score in Germany. How to apply for Schufa? The easiest way is to order a Schufa Bonitätsauskunft from meineschufa.de; the official portal of Schufa holdings AG. Register on the meineschufa portal and create your account. You’ll then be able to request Schufa from the portal. Additionally, you can also reach out to 0611 – 92780 and request the Schufa Bonitätsauskunft. They may ask you to send your visa or residence permit information to check the personal information and send you a link which you should open to make an online payment. You’ll then receive your Schufa Bonitätsauskunft in post within 2 - 4 business days. When you order Schufa, make sure that your report is up to date and remember to opt in for an online download. Additionally, real estate websites such as Immobilienscout24.de offers Schufa service. You can simply go to the website, fill in an online form and make payment using your credit / debit card and order your Schufa. Schufa information usually costs 29,95€. However, the cost differs if you opt in for additional plans. All your credit information is governed by GDPR (German Data Protection Act). Therefore, you can trust that your information will not be shared or sold to a third party. It is an important task to maintain a good Schufa history when you live in Germany. As already stated, you’d require to present your Schufa information for many purposes. On your way to Germany You can find all the information you need about living and working in Germany at www.expatova.com. If you enjoyed the content and feel like you learned something from it, consider supporting us by buying us a Ko - fi

As soon as you process your visa and land in Germany, one of the first steps you should be doing is to register in your respective Bürgerbüro (local citizen’s office) and get the meldebescheinigung OR Anmeldebescheinigung OR Anmeldebestätigung. What is meldebescheinigung? Meldebescheinigung or a registration certificate is basically a proof of address. Regardless of you being a German citizen or an expat, you will or should get one as soon as you start living in Germany. Generally, you should visit your local citizen’s office and register yourself as a resident within two weeks of arrival. Though it is not mandatory to do this within two weeks, it is recommended to do it as soon as you can to avoid any fines or issues. What do I need meldebescheinigung for? The registration certificate is necessary for many processes in Germany, such as: Enrollment in a university Opening a bank account Applying for a residence permit Buy an insurance Not only the items listed above, it might also be required for other purposes such as getting a monthly travel card for the public transport or even to get a phone contract in Germany. How to register in Germany? As already stated, any person who stays in Germany for more than 90 days has to register their address in their respective local citizens’ office (Bürgerbüro) within two weeks of arrival. To register, first you need to get an appointment at the Bürgerbüro. You can do it online in the respective city portal (eg: muenchen.de, the official city portal of Munich) or by calling the citizen’s office. Documents required to register in Germany Valid Passport or proof of identity Visa in case of non EU citizen A rental contract Residence certificate (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung) signed by the landlord How long does it take to get the meldebescheinigung If you present all these documents and if they are through, you will get the registration certificate right there. Soon after you register, the information will be passed over to the tax department and you will receive your tax ID via post. On your way to Germany You can find all the information you need about living and working in Germany at www.expatova.com. If you enjoyed the content and feel like you learned something from it, consider supporting us by buying us a Ko - fi

Scams involving rental apartments are becoming more prevalent as the rental market in major German cities becomes more competitive. What can you do as an expat in Germany to avoid becoming a victim of these scams? I was in search of a new apartment in Munich after the arrival of our baby last year. A fake advertiser recently contacted me offering a rather costly apartment for a lower price in a relatively expensive area. As I read the emails received from the advertiser, I understood the scam and played him a little bit. After a couple of emails with me, he should have realized that I found out about his foul play, so he stopped contacting me. Beware of fake advertisers A common scam involves advertising for apartments that don't exist. It has been found that these types of ads appear on all of the major rental portals, including Immowelt and immobilienscout24. In order to attract potential victims, fraudsters often advertise apartments for surprisingly low rents in relatively hot areas. It might be a good idea to be skeptical if the rent offered is much lower than similar offerings in the same area. Additionally, read the description carefully and compare it with the images in the advertisement. There is a high chance that the advertisement is fake if the images and the description contradict each other. Furthermore, do your research before contacting the advertiser for a viewing appointment. A fraud involving an advance payment The practice of requesting advance payments is particularly prevalent in Germany. Often fraudsters request the victims to transfer a portion of the deposit to their bank account or paypal in order to offer a viewing. They convince you by telling you that the deposit is to filter and reduce the number of people coming for the viewing. In addition, you will be told that if the apartment isn't offered to you, the money will be refunded. You should never pay anything before the contract is signed. No legit owners ask you to pay in advance before signing the contract. Unless you are absolutely sure that the owner is legit, do not pay by cash. Instead, use bank transfers. It is very unlikely that you will get your money back if you pay in cash or use another form of money transfer. Taking advantage of your identity This is what I was asked to do by the fake advertiser. They do not ask you to transfer money to a bank account abroad. You are instead asked to provide copies of your passport, visa, pay stubs, and bank statements. Additionally, you will be asked to send a picture of yourself holding your passport or national ID and claim that this is for verification. This personal information can then be used by fraudsters to open bank accounts, obtain loans, apply for credit cards and leave you high and dry. These kinds of scams are very difficult to identify at an early stage as these documents are often asked by landlords and other real estate agencies before preparing the contract. Therefore, it is recommended that personal documents are not shared unless the landlord specifically requests them. Make sure that the person asking for your passport and visa is trustworthy before sharing them. What should I do if I believe I have been scammed? If you are contacted by a scammer, or if you’ve come across a potential fake advertisement on an online portal, make sure to report it at the earliest. Thus, you are probably taking precautions to ensure your safety and that of others using the platform as well In the event that you have been the victim of a scam, you should contact the police immediately. You can either walk into a nearest police station or file a complaint online.

It is recommended to pay your parking fines at the earliest to avoid any additional processing. However, if you disagree with the decision, you still have the opportunity to appeal. In the event that you fail to buy or showcase a parking ticket in a controlled area, you are most likely to get a parking fine in Germany. Issuing parking fines It is usually the Ordnungsamt who issue parking fines in Germany. Their power is limited to finding out public offenses, issuing fines and dealing with small disturbances. Despite this, they cannot make arrests. A white slip (Verwarnung) will usually be placed under your windscreen wipers if you are accused of parking illegally. Tickets can cost anywhere from 5 to 60 euros. However, this ticket is only a warning. You will receive an official notice via post if you do not pay the warning fine within the specified time period. It is recommended to pay the warning as soon as possible to avoid incurring any additional fines. In most cases, the ticket contains the payment details of the local authority. You can pay the fine using online banking. However, make sure to include the ticket reference number in the customer reference area to avoid any confusions. Even if you believe you have been wrongly accused, appealing the parking warning fine is usually not possible. If you wish to challenge the warning, you need to wait until you receive the official notice of offense (Bußgeldbescheid). You will usually receive it in the post within one to three months. The Bußgeldbescheid will be 20 - 25 euros higher than the warning notice as it includes the processing charges as well. Appealing your parking offense If you can prove yourself that you haven't committed the offense, you can take it to the next level by appealing against the fine. Usually this is proved by different photos of your vehicle parked on the location in question. As soon as you receive the official notice of offense by post, you have 14 days in which to appeal the offense in writing to the issuing authority. If you miss the appeal deadline, you will lose your chance to appeal. Therefore, It is best to send the appeal with a tracking number in order to avoid any future conflicts with the authority. Do I need a lawyer to appeal against the parking fine? The fine can generally be appealed by you on your own. You can prepare your appeal letter by using one of the many templates available online.. In the event that you wish to appeal against the fine, it is recommended to hire a lawyer who specializes in traffic violations. However, the cost of hiring a lawyer would be much more expensive if you do not have lawyer insurance. Your appeal will be replied to with a stiffly worded letter referring to the laws that uphold the offense. They will typically request payment within 14 days of receiving your appeal. The fine will then increase significantly if you are still not willing to pay. If you wish to defend your case, you can inform them of your intention If the authority understands and accepts the appeal, you will receive another letter stating that the fine has been waived. There have also been times when the authority did not respond to the appeal. Choosing a lawyer can be a daunting task if you don't know where to begin. Yourxpert provides a variety of options to seek legal and tax advice and a free initial assessment and consultation in Germany. You just simply enter your question with a brief description about your situation on their website and they will get back to you. Finally, we recommend that you think very carefully before seeking legal counsel to contest a relatively small fine. The costs can easily reach hundreds of euros. In most cases, it's more trouble than it's worth unless you are very sure about your innocence.