Expat Guide to Germany
Everything you need to know about living and working in Germany.
Visa & Residency
Germany offers several visa types for expats. The Job Seeker Visa allows 6 months to find employment. The EU Blue Card targets skilled workers earning €45,300+/year (€41,041.80 for shortage occupations). The Freelance Visa (Freiberufler) is available for self-employed professionals in recognized liberal professions (writers, artists, consultants, IT professionals). The Residence Permit for Self-Employment covers other business activities and requires a business plan showing economic benefit to Germany. EU/EEA citizens have full freedom of movement. Work visas typically lead to permanent residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis) after 5 years and citizenship eligibility after 8 years (6 with integration course).
Tax System
Progressive income tax rates from 14% to 45%. Solidarity surcharge of 5.5% on income tax (now only applies to higher incomes since 2021 reform). Church tax of 8-9% of income tax if registered with a church (opt out during Anmeldung if not applicable). Freelancers must register with their local Finanzamt and may need to charge and remit VAT (Umsatzsteuer) at 19%. The Kleinunternehmerregelung exempts small businesses earning under €22,000/year from VAT. Social contributions include pension (18.6%), health insurance (14.6%), unemployment (2.4%), and nursing care (3.05%), typically split between employer and employee. Self-employed pay the full amount but can opt for private insurance under certain conditions.
Note: Always consult a qualified tax advisor for your specific situation.
Healthcare
Health insurance is mandatory for all residents — you must choose between public (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, GKV) or private (private Krankenversicherung, PKV). Public insurance costs approximately 14.6% of gross salary, split between employer and employee, and covers family members at no extra cost. Private insurance starts cheaper for young, healthy individuals but premiums increase with age. Major public insurers include TK (Techniker Krankenkasse — most popular with expats), AOK, and Barmer. Healthcare quality is excellent with no significant waiting times for most services. Hospital care includes Charité (Berlin), University Hospital Munich, and Heidelberg University Hospital.
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N26 (neobank, fully English, easy sign-up) is the most popular choice for expats. Commerzbank and Deutsche Bank offer English-speaking service at select branches. DKB offers free current accounts with good online banking. Traditional banks typically require an appointment (Termin) and German language ability. Commerzbank is the most English-friendly traditional bank. Account opening requires: passport/ID, Anmeldung (address registration — critical first step), and sometimes proof of income. SCHUFA credit score begins building immediately. Wise and Revolut are widely used as supplementary accounts.
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