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Your relocation guide

💡 Welcome to relokate’s handbook! This section of our handbook is publicly available to support all our candidates, with all the questions that come up along the way. We are continuously adding new content, but if there is something you can't find here, don't hesitate to reach out to us to see if we can add an additional topic or to advocate for a new public page. Hope you enjoy reading this as much as we like being transparent about it!🙂

If you’re curious about who we are, find more information on relokate here.

How to use this guide:

  • Moving to another country is one of the most exciting and challenging things you can do, and it's a whole lot easier if you're prepared for it.

  • This guide helps to prepare you for your relocation by providing an overview of life and work in Germany.

  • Here you'll find information about the building blocks of your new life in Germany: visas, residence permits, health insurance, bank accounts, and accommodation.

  • We've also included helpful information about schools, integration courses, and taxes. There's a little cultural navigation, as well as many other tips & tricks.

General information

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Emoji of two yellow keys on a blue keyring
Illustration of an airplane flying among clouds
Illustration of a clipboard with a checklist and a pencil
Illustration of a visa document with a photo and text fields.
Graduation cap and diploma icon
outline of Albert Einstein with his tongue out

Life in Germany

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Illustration of a house with a bed inside and a chimney, surrounded by stars
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Icon of hands on a steering wheel
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Man meditating in lotus position with plants in the background
Icon of a female doctor with long hair, wearing a white coat and stethoscope, on a yellow circular background.
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Illustration of a school building with a clock and flag
Illustration of an open book with a lightbulb symbol above it, representing ideas and learning.
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Logo of Leafly featuring stylized green leaves

Before arriving in Germany

calendar icon with clock, indicating scheduling
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Health insurance document with dollar sign, cross symbol, and heart
Illustration of a house with a bed inside and a chimney on top, featuring stars above, symbolizing a good night's sleep or home comfort.
Aerial view of Prospect Park in Brooklyn, New York, showing trees and surrounding urban buildings.
Icon of a blue gear with a white wrench inside, symbolizing settings or tool options.
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Arrival in Germany

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Icon of a contact book with tabs, featuring a profile silhouette on the cover.
silhouette of a small bird perched on a branch
Icon of a hand holding an ID card
Colorful bus icon with blue, red, and yellow details
Two theater masks, one smiling and one frowning, representing comedy and tragedy.
Party popper emoji with colorful confetti and stars
Emoji of a person meditating in lotus position with a calm expression, wearing a pink top and blue pants, with two floating leaves, one green and one orange, symbolizing balance.

Culture

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Glossary

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💡 The information given in this guide is compiled and constantly updated based on the experiences of real-life expats in Germany.

Legal disclaimer: the information contained in this guide and on relokate’s website is for general information purposes and do not constitute any business or legal advice.

Last modified: 28.02.2024