In terms of banking, there are a few options open to expats living in Germany. Some choose to maintain an existing account in their home country, which can be useful for things like paying recurring bills back home. Others choose to open an international account with their existing bank, which may eliminate or reduce penalties on moving currencies across borders. And there is also the option of using a borderless account, such as TransferWise. However, generally speaking, if you’re going to be moving to Germany long-term, then your best option will be to open a local account. This will make it easy to receive your salary, pay bills, get a mortgage, and establish a credit history in the country.   more ...

Germany is the largest economy in Europe, and a major force globally. The job market there has remained buoyant in recent years. Levels of employment are high, and terms and conditions at work are usually generous.   more ...

The housing market in Germany is equally split between renting and buying. There are no restrictions for foreigners buying property, even those from outside the European Union.   more ...

Citizens of a country in the European Union or the European Economic Area can enter and remain in Germany as a tourist for any length of time without a visa. Note that, until the end of 2020, the UK is still regarded as an EU country for purposes of travel. It is not yet known what arrangements will apply after 2020.

Citizens of the 62 countries listed here on the Germany Visa website can enter Germany without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. During this time, they can conduct business but not work. To stay for longer than 90 days, they would need a visa or a residence permit; see ‘Residency’ below.

Citizens of any other country need a visa to enter Germany. Anyone staying beyond the term of their visa will require a residence permit; see ‘Residency’ below.

Germany has no work permits as such, so any visa holder wishing to work full-time needs a work visa; see ‘Visas’ below.

For further information, visit the Germany Visa website.   more ...

If you are due to give birth in Germany, you will find yourself in the hands of a healthcare system that is high in quality and organised to suit the needs of all parents and their newborn babies.   more ...

Any citizen of an EU country, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Iceland can enter Germany and work there freely without a visa.

Citizens of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand or the USA can enter Germany without a visa and stay for up to three months. If you want to take up employment then you must first apply for a residence permit.   more ...

Germany has one of the best universal healthcare systems in the world, and public healthcare is available to expats and locals alike. However, it is mandatory to have health cover before applying for residency, so most expats take out private health insurance to cover them in the interim period.   more ...

Germany is recognized for having one of the best healthcare systems in the world, in terms of both affordability and quality. As an expat, you will be able to access the same healthcare options as German citizens.   more ...

Whether you’re moving to Germany as an expat or you’re interested in learning about medical tourism options there, you can expect a high level of care. While the relatively universal access to healthcare in Germany may be appealing enough in itself to attract expats there, it is really the quality of the healthcare that has put this country at the top of the charts.   more ...

As an expat in Germany, you will need to prove that you have health insurance. Whether you are a student, a freelancer, a foreign worker, or an asylum seeker, registering for the health system in Germany is just another part of living there as an expat.   more ...