Arrival and Settling-in for Expats and skilled professionals in Germany
Opt for the best relocation support for arrival and settling-in you can get for your money
Welcome to Germany! Upon arrival in Germany with your visa you want to move directly into your prebooked temporary accommodatio and register. After a short period of relaxing and orientation you normally start with settling down, e.g. by looking for a permanent home or gathering information about requirements to build a new life on location.
You enter the world of what relocation-experts call settling-in services. We give you all the advice and support you would need to master all the callenges when integrating into a new world in terms of language, culture, mentality. There´s so much to learn and to know. And you´ve got a Friend in Germany!
Without a systematic approach settling-in often does not work. It starts with the registration. Only after being registered an expat or skilled worker from a third country can open a bank account that enables her or him to get connectrd to electricity, water and gas as well as internet / Wi-Fi, telephone and cable TV, etc. If the basic necessities are arranged, it is time to take care of the spouse and family: school or kindergarten must be found, children’s allowance and a KiTa voucher should be applied for. The spouse is perhaps looking for reentering the labor market and wants to visit the employment agency (“Bundesagentur für Arbeit”). For personal mobility a car has to be imported and registered and the driver’s license (only if non-EU) needs to be converted.
For these tasks and many, many more, the service list arrival / settling-in has been created with a variety of high quality relocation services:
Service List Welcome in Germany and Settling-in
Residential registration
Introduction into the German system for registration Compiling the necessary documents Completing forms Accompanied registration at the competent authorities or as legal representative More…
Fixed price 120,00 Euro plus VAT
Opening a bank account plus application for a credit card
Introduction into the German banking system and the terms and fees of branch networks and direct banks Selection of a particular bank and deciding on the desired account type, with online banking and credit card Compiling the necessary documents Completion of forms Guided appointment at the bank with translation service More…
Fixed price 150,00 Euro plus VAT
Application for electricity, water and gas
Explanation of suppliers and the terms for gas, water, electricity. Information about radio licence fee Selection of particular suppliers and opting for the desired service package Compiling the necessary documents Application online or via telephone helpdesk Coordination of the connection dates Incoming control of contracts and confirmations Documentation of contracts for possible departure More….
Fixed price 100,00 Euro plus VAT
Connecting internet, telephone and cable TV
Introduction to the German market for telecommunications and technical standards Explanation of suppliers and terms for landline, mobile communications, internet access and cable TV Selection of particular suppliers and deciding on the desired service packages Compiling necessary documents Application online or via telephone helpdesk Coordination of connection dates Incoming control of contracts and confirmations Documentation of contracts for possible departure More…
Fixed price 100,00 Euro plus VAT
Search for and registration at school or kindergarten / day care
Introduction to the school and education system in Germany Explanation of the local situation and opporunities Individual profile processing for each child Pre-selection of suitable institutions Individual support fot the parents during the search Summary and debriefing Completing the necessary application forms Prices per child More…
Fixed price unaccompanied 250,00 Euro plus VAT
Application for child allowance
Consultation on the right to benefit, amounts and the methods to offset payments within the EU Compiling the necessary documents Completing the application forms and sending them off to the Family Office of the Federal Employment Agency Incoming control of decisions or additional requests Clarification of requests from the Family Office More…
Fixed price 100,00 Euro plus VAT
Conversion of a driving license
Pre-check and decision on whether exams are required or not Assistance in obtaining the certificates for a first aid course, an eye test or a health certificate Translation and classification of the drivers license Compiling the necessary documents Recommendation of a driving school when exams and / or driving lessons are required Visit to the local driving license office as a legal representative Collection of the German driving license at the authorities and handover to the holder at an agreed meeting point (process without a driving exam) More…
Starts at 300,00 Euro plus VAT
Import and registration of a car
Introduction into the steps, costs, timing and uncertainties / risks of a car import project Insurance consultation by an independent broker, procurement of a vehicle insurance confirmation number (“elektronische Versicherungsbestätigung”, eVB) Collection of the vehicle and the car documents Compiling the necessary documents and copies Presentation of the vehicle at the Technical Inspection Board (“TÜV”) including emission test, issuing of a whole-vehicle report if applicable (“HU”and “AU”) Registration of the vehicle as a legal representative, mounting of the license plates Handover of the vehicle and the car documents Extra service: Coordination of repairs and modifications if necessary (Fixed price 300,00 Euro plus VAT) More…
Fixed price 500,00 Euro plus VAT
Settling-in with a relocation professional means to arrive in the best way possible
“Sure, you can do it all by yourself, but do you want to do this? As a main earner, you have to get used to the new job, new colleagues, requirements and many foreign things. You have just found an apartment for yourself and your family. There are many things to get accustomed to and to cope with. As a spouse, you may have more time, but you do not speak the language yet or you have to take care of the children. Children usually gain a foothold the fastest, but before you really know the score in your host country, as a parent you have to make important decisions, e.g. which kindergarten or school is the best?
The mastering of the many, many tasks, that need to be done in the first 100 days, is no bed of roses. It´s better to rely on professionals who help you in every situation with quality relocation services. Then the initially overwhelming problems are quickly overcome. Well, take it easy and choose the settling-in services that suit you. Then everything will work out immediately and as desired! You’ve got a Friend in Germany!”
Downloads on arrival + settling-in
Settling-in tips for things to do designed for a smooth landing of the entire family
Registration: If you found an apartment in Germany and moved in, you must register in a timely manner. Anyone who fails to do so pays up to 500,00 Euro as a fine. Without a residential registration, settling in is slow, e.g. because no account can be opened, no utilities can be connected. And even worse, no registration, no appointment at the immigration office!
Bank account: An account is important in order to have the preferred means of payment in Germany which is more common than cash or credit cards. It is the universal debit card called “EC Card” (Maestro)
Utilities: Those who have moved into a home have to deal with contracts for electricity, gas and water as soon as possible. An active search for the best deal helps to save money. A radio licence fee is compulsory in Germany
Internet: The broadband connection and Wi-Fi in the apartment must be fast, because surfing and streaming is vital today. So quickly find the provider, which fits to your own surfing behaviour, compare offers and rates and register immediately
School and day-care: If the children are not well settled in a proper public oder international (private) school or day-care / “Kindergarten”, the parents feel unhappy too. The selection of the right educational institution is therefore very important and should work from the beginning
Child allowance: In Germany, parents are financially relieved from the state. The children’s allowance is available to all parents registered in Germany
Driving license: You can drive for six months as an expat in Germany without an EU driving license (exemptions during Corona). The driving license must then be changed. Therefore, act in time, because the exchange can be time-consuming and driving without a valid license is a criminal offense and will be prosecuted
Car import: Importing a car can be complex and costly. There are many regulations to keep in mind, so that the import is not frustrating and doesn´t become a money pit. Check before you start an import!
Errors and changes reserved. As of spring, 2021
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