Moving to Germany: checklist for expats

This checklist is for anyone relocating to Germany from abroad: employees starting a new job, self-employed professionals, and job seekers arriving on a visa. The steps apply whether you are coming from inside or outside the EU, though some sections (especially the visa part) are more relevant to non-EU nationals.

If you are already registered and settled, you will find the insurance sections most useful. If you are still planning your move, start from the beginning and work through in order.

EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens can move to Germany freely and do not need a visa. Most other nationals need a visa or a residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel), which is the official permission to live and, depending on the type, to work in Germany.

Three routes come up most often for newcomers. The Opportunity Card Germany is a points-based permit that lets you search for a job after you arrive. The Opportunity Card replaced the former job seeker visa in June 2024; see that page for what still applies. The EU Blue Card Germany is for non-EU nationals with a recognised university degree and a job offer above a salary threshold.

Most visa applications require proof of health insurance, so think about your coverage before you book your flight.

Health insurance is mandatory for everyone who lives in Germany. Your employer will ask for proof of it, and immigration offices require it for most residence permits. There is no opt-out.

Three types of coverage apply to expats. GKV (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) is public health insurance, the statutory system. PKV (private Krankenversicherung) is private health insurance with individually underwritten policies. IPMI (International Private Medical Insurance) is internationally portable coverage: it may or may not meet German legal requirements, so check before relying on it.

For GKV, the contribution rate is 14.6% of your gross income, plus an average additional rate of 2.9%, giving a combined rate of around 17.5%. This is split between you and your employer. The calculation only applies up to the contribution ceiling, which is €69,750 per year in 2026 (rising to €76,500 from 2027, subject to Bundesrat approval).

Employees earning above €77,400 per year in 2026 (€84,150 from 2027, pending Bundesrat approval) can opt out of GKV and take out private insurance instead. Self-employed people and civil servants can usually join PKV regardless of income. Your employer contributes up to €508.59 per month towards private health insurance in 2026, plus €104.63 for long-term care.

For a full breakdown of how to choose between these options, read our guide to private health insurance in Germany.

Personal liability insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung) covers accidental damage you cause to other people or their property. If you spill something on a neighbour's laptop or accidentally break a window in your rented flat, this policy pays the bill. It is usually inexpensive and is one of the first things many landlords informally expect tenants to have.

Household contents insurance (Hausratversicherung) covers your belongings against fire, water damage, and burglary. It is worth considering once you have furnished your flat, particularly if you own electronics, a bicycle, or valuable items.

Legal insurance (Rechtsschutzversicherung) covers legal costs if you end up in a dispute with your landlord, employer, or a service provider. Most policies have a waiting period, often three months, before you can make a claim, so it does not help with disputes that arise immediately after you arrive.