Do-it-online
There is no quicker way to fill out your German paperwork. Simply do it all online. In English.
Start your checklist to start working in Germany
Before you can receive your first German salary, you have to take a few bureaucratic steps. On Expats.de you can do all the necessary paperwork in one place. Online. In English.
Simply complete our Checklist: Applying for a work visa, finding an apartment, registering your residence, booking a removal service, obtaining health insurance, booking a removal service.
At every step of the way, you decide: Use our digital solutions. Or get personal help from our relocation experts.
Get an expert
Our friendly team of relocation experts is there to support you, if you get stuck.
What we do
Checklist: Steps to working in Germany
1. Apply for a work visa
If you are a non-EU citizen, you may need to apply for a work visa in Germany. It is true that applying for a visa can be complex and confusing. However, it does not have to be. Simply get one of our experts to help you. We know exactly what steps you have to take; what documents you need; and where to go when you have questions along the way. Get one of our experts to help you apply for your German work visa. Simply submit your details. We will get in touch with you shortly to guide you through the process.
2. Rent accommodation
Finding an apartment or house in Germany does not have to be a challenge. Simply browse through our options. Whether you are looking for a furnished apartment in the city, or a family in the suburbs – we are here to help. If you are busy, you can get our experts to personally assist you with every step of the way. We will listen to your preferences, make appointments for viewings, help draft the rental agreement etc.
3. Register your residence
Everybody who moves to Germany must register. For this you have to fill out the registration form (Anmeldeformular) and landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung). You have to print both documents, get them signed and take them to your local registration office. There you will get your registration confirmation. You can fill out both forms on our website – in English. The forms will then be automatically translated into German. If you are busy and concerned about the procedure then one of our experts can guide you through the process, check your paperwork and answer your questions on the phone.
4. Get health insurance
Everyone who is registered in Germany is obliged to have health insurance. If you first arrive, it is acceptable to have travel health insurance. However, if you are intending on staying to work or study in Germany in the long run, then you must get proper health insurance. You can choose between public and private health insurance coverage, depending on your specific circumstances. More than 85% of Germans are part of public health insurance, the rest is privately insured. Here you can find a selection of the most popular expat health coverages. If you are unsure which health insurance to get, simply contact one of our experts.
5. Open a bank account
Once you live and work in Germany, it is most convenient to open a local bank account. But which bank to choose? Do you prefer personal customer support in a branch office? Or perhaps you find it most important to have all services in English? Whatever your preferences, you can be sure to find your match on our website. We have pre-selected some of the most popular bank accounts for expats in Germany. Why not open your bank account directly online?
Choose a removal company
Moving homes, moving business – there are so many removal services online that it can be hard to choose one that is reliable, safe and efficient. Our experts have been working with removal companies for over 20 years. What is the paperwork involved? How to insure all the files, all the belongings? What happens, if something goes missing? After listening to your needs, we will help you choose the removal company best suited to your individual circumstances.
