Embedded Files
You've probably heard that everything is hard in Germany when it comes to dealing with the government...
Get ready!
Get ready!
In my limited experience so far, it's all feeling pretty true: Getting to grips with German bureaucracy is going to leave you bruised and battered.
If you've come from Australia, where more and more of your 'relationship' with the government can be managed online, you're going to feel like you've travelled back in time.
Germany is slowly getting more systems moved online, and there are good reasons for it having taken so long, but in the meantime... get ready for a lot of old-school paperwork!
Please note: I've included referral links with some of the below, based entirely on my own experience. I am not paid to promote these businesses – I use each of them myself, based on recommendations made to me, and whenever a referral link is available... well, I'd be silly to not use it!
JUMP AHEAD
JUMP AHEAD
The information in this article is getting a little old now, but most of it is still valid. On the page linked above, you'll find some very in-depth advice for getting a visa, getting health insurance, opening a bank account, getting a SIM card, finding a job, and of course, somewhere to live!
I'll say up front: I'm a freelance journalist and designer with ongoing clients, and my wife is an Australian-German dual citizen. As the father of her children, my pathway to a visa was admittedly a little easier than it will be for others.
Below are the tips that have been useful to me so far
Below are the tips that have been useful to me so far
But, folks, please be sure to also ask friends and the various community groups in Berlin – it's vital that you don't make decisions based on the advice of just one person. Especially financial decisions!
Chris recommends the N26 banking app, and I do too! – it's as good as the Commbank app in Australia, and it's all in English.
I was drawn to it mostly because of the English language aspect, but I'm also a sucker for an easily understood and well-made app with comprehensive features. They also offer a number of insurance services directly in the app, underwritten by Allianz.
If you do join N26, please consider using my referral link!
The insurance screen in my N26 bank account.
And then there's Wise
And then there's Wise
I also use the Wise app to transfer money from my Australian bank. In my Wise account, which is a bank account in its own right, I can keep money in whatever currency is most convenient for me.
Like N26, the Wise app is all in English, and it's super easy to use. Realistically, I could actually use Wise as my main bank account in Germany, but I already had an N26 account when I first learned of Wise as an easy way to exchange and transfer currency from Australia! Chris recommends Wise too, though, if that helps.
And guess what? I have a referral link for Wise, too! 😂 I get a bonus, and you get a free physical card, which is usually around €10.
Another great guide on Nomad Toolkit is the all important step of getting yourself a SIM card for your phone.
I actually ended up going with a pre-paid sim from Lebara, again because of the English-friendly interface. I had my SIM mailed to my home in Berlin, but you can also just pick one up at the supermarket and activate it online. (And you can port it to another carrier later if you want.)
You'll need to get through an ID process, so get ready (with your passport) for a guided selfie process. It's all fairly straightforward and friendly, so you should be fine!
🔥 HOT TIP: Get an e-SIM for data!
🔥 HOT TIP: Get an e-SIM for data!
If you just need to get online ASAP and don't need a phone number right away, I recommend the Saily e-SIM app.
It's crazy easy to get set up with, and requires no ID. Just purchase a data pack in the app and you're away. It's fairly new and was launched by NordVPN, a top VPN company. (That said, I use ExpressVPN for my VPN needs!)
I also have a referral code for Saily! Use my code MIKEEP2202 during checkout to get $3 off your first data pack. 😄
Lastly (for now!), I recommend the Tools page at All About Berlin. Nicolas has built an amazing range of tools and calculators to help you figure out what you'll need to satisfy the German government.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse