Removals to Germany are becoming quite popular. A country which is clean, safe and with a diverse community, moving to Germany can offer many benefits.\r\nHowever, relocating to any country requires research and preparation and Germany is no exception. Even if you are planning on moving to Germany from elsewhere in the EU, there will be lots of differences in the culture, plus practical matters to organise too.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Once you\u2019ve decided to move, it\u2019s never too soon to start preparing. This means not just booking flights and international removals, but also learning more about where you\u2019re going to be living. Here\u2019s a brief overview of moving to Germany and the essential facts you should know.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Lying in the centre west of Europe, Germany is a federal state which is home to around 82 million people. The nation is the second most popular destination for ex-pats and immigrants in the world, and society is diverse and welcoming.<\/p>\r\n
Using the euro as its currency, the economy of Germany is secure and stable, with many opportunities for business, entrepreneurship and jobs. There\u2019s much more here though than industry; the country has a rich, cultural history and is often referred to as Das Land der Dichter und Denker - which translates as The Land of Poets and Thinkers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Even though there\u2019s no longer an official east\/west divide within Germany, there are very different lifestyles depending on the area you choose to live in. The eastern side of Germany is typically more influenced by colder, Russian weather and the climate isn\u2019t as warm as the west. Likewise, there\u2019s also a climatic north\/south divide too, with the northern regions much greyer and not enjoying as much sun overall as the south.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
However, there\u2019s much more to deciding where to live in Germany than just the weather; each of the central regions offers a different landscape.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Although Berlin lacks the traditional charm of some of the more rural areas, the opportunities for work are excellent. Allied bombing\u00a0destroyed the city during the war. It was rebuilt with sleek and contemporary architecture. It is a particularly clean city, with green areas covering a third of the space.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Bavarian state includes the city of Munich and couples a booming economy with a rich tapestry of art and culture. The region is a great alternative to living in Berlin. With a strong student population, Munich suits professionals and hipsters alike; The city is diverse and has plenty to offer everyone. And that includes, of course, its famous annual Oktoberfest: beer is a great tradition in this fabulous city.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
For a different type of Germany, consider the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern region. All of Germany is economically sound, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is no exception with thriving industries, with particular emphasis on SMEs. However, what this area also offers is a spectacular landscape with the stunning Baltic coastal beauty, crystal clear lakes, fields and unspoilt scenery.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
If you want a city that offers skyscrapers and plenty of work opportunities in the financial sector, then moving to Frankfurt is the right choice for you. Situated in the centre of Germany in the state of Hesse it is another financial hub, not unlike Munich.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Many consider Frankfurt the \u201cfinancial capital of Continental Europe\u201d. Germany\u2019s 5th<\/sup> largest city is also a significant transportation hub as with its central location, many people travel through the town on their way to other destinations.<\/p>\r\n\r\n For those expats that choose to live there (and there are many), it has so much to offer with a busy theatre district, more than 50 museums and a world-renowned opera.<\/p>\r\n\r\n In Germany, the official language is German which is spoken universally in both cities and rural areas. Like many major European countries, many people speak English, and it is possible to get by even if you don\u2019t speak German.<\/p>\r\n\r\n However, if you want to be entirely comfortable and able to access everything, speaking German is an enormous help. It\u2019s a language that\u2019s relatively easy to learn and even if you don\u2019t know German when you arrive, there are many Volkshochschule around the country for newcomers to enrol in.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Currently, it is easy for EU residents moving to Germany; With the decision to leave the EU we are yet to discover how this will affect Brits looking to make a move to any country within Europe.<\/p>\r\n You will find essential links for British Expats in Germany on the UK Govt website<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n Once you arrive, you will need to inform the authorities immediately of your presence. If you don't, you could face trouble later down the line.<\/p>\r\n It is possible for non-EU residents to move to Germany first and apply for a visa once there. However, if you are buying a property, you may want to sort the paperwork out before you\u00a0move.<\/p>\r\n\r\n You will need to open a German bank account<\/a> \u2013 especially if you are going to be renting accommodation.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Along with your bank account, you will also want to consider utilities, mobile phone, internet providers etc. By doing this before your move, you will be able to make the transition more smoothly.<\/p>\r\n\r\n If you have children, then you will want as little disruption to their education as possible.<\/p>\r\n\r\n If you have very young children about to start school, then there are good\u00a0German schools<\/a> where they will pick up the language very quickly).<\/p>\r\n\r\n For older children, you may look at an alternative to German schools: Many expat children go to international schools.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Also, German children only go to school in the morning;\u00a0 If both parents are working full-time, you will need to find after school care for the afternoons.<\/p>\r\n\r\n If you\u2019re moving to Germany, you will probably take your pet with you. The good news is that it\u2019s possible, but you will have to do a bit of preparation in advance.\r\nIf you\u2019re coming from the EU, you\u2019ll need a Pet Passport. International pet owners will be subject to similar requirements; cats and dogs will need to be vaccinated and tested for rabies.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Germany also has strict rules about what breeds it allows into the country; certain types\u00a0are disallowed. Pit-bull terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers, bull terriers, American Staffordshire bull terriers and any cross-breed of these cannot enter the country.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Once in the country, all dogs must be licensed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n If you want to fit in with the locals, getting a bike would be a good start. Bike lanes are\u00a0everywhere, and the infrastructure is designed around them. There are also numerous bike-sharing schemes which are more for residents than for tourists.<\/p>\r\n\r\n In Germany, public transport<\/a> is regional, so tickets for the S-Bahn (train) are also valid for a streetcar or bus. You don\u2019t have to live in a big city to take advantage of public transport; it\u2019s widely available, and all maintained to the same high standard.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Taxis are not the cheapest option but available, either through pre-booking or flagging them down in the street. You will be able to identify them by their creamy beige colour and the black and yellow \u201ctaxi\u201d on the top.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Traffic can be a problem, at least in the city, so driving isn\u2019t always the best option. The motorways in Germany, known as Autobahns, are slightly different. There\u2019s no official speed limit although the suggested maximum is 80mph. Many drivers disregard this advice, and it can feel as if you\u2019ve been transported into the middle of a racing circuit if you venture out into the fast lane.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n Once you have decided where you are moving to when you are relocating, and have sorted your accommodation etc. you will need to employ the services of a reliable international moving company<\/a> who can offer the necessary storage and removal services making moving to Germany as straightforward as possible.<\/p>\r\n\r\n For international removals from outside Europe, air freight is a popular option if you\u2019re in a hurry. Your items will arrive quickly and will go through processing without delay. Shipping is an alternative to road transport but travelling by sea is a slower choice although usually cheaper. The speed at which you\u2019re likely to need your items and your budget will, therefore, determine the route you pick.<\/p>\r\n\r\nEuropean removals are much more likely to travel\u00a0by\u00a0road.\r\n Whether you choose our Load & Go<\/a> or our EasyMoves<\/a> solution, European Moving can help you with your removal. We shall be able to help you with the full list of restrictions that apply to removals to Germany and also provide advice on a whole range of removal issues you may not have encountered before.<\/p>","link":"https:\/\/europeanmoving.co.uk\/en\/moving-to-country\/moving-to-germany\/","name":"Germany","slug":"moving-to-germany","taxonomy":"category","parent":0,"meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/europeanmoving.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories\/3218"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/europeanmoving.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/europeanmoving.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/taxonomies\/category"}],"wp:post_type":[{"href":"https:\/\/europeanmoving.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts?categories=3218"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Moving to Germany:<\/span> Language<\/b><\/h2>\r\n
Moving to Germany:<\/span> Visa Requirements<\/b><\/h2>\r\n
Moving to Germany:<\/span> Schools<\/b><\/h2>\r\n
Moving to Germany:<\/span> Bringing your pet<\/b><\/h2>\r\n
Moving to Germany:<\/span> Transport system<\/b><\/h2>\r\n
Moving to Germany:<\/span> Your removal<\/b><\/h2>\r\n