[PROGRESS]Info for Movers to Germany

7/28/2019 [PROGRESS]Info for Movers to Germany

1/17

Info for movers to DEAuthor: Noble paul,CFIP1Date: 2012-07-02Version: 1-3Status: Published


2/17

2010 CASSIDIAN - All rights reserved Page

Welcome to Germany

This document is intended to make the life easier for new arrivees to Germany.

All the content is based on my personal experiences over the last two years in

Munich and hence subjective.

Main topics covered:

Residence registration Finding accomodation,

Health Insurance

Other important insurances

Cars and License

Banking

Electricity,Gas & Water Mobile /Handy

TV & Internet

Practical tips


3/17


Residence registration

When moving to Germany to take up permanent residence, i.e. staying for morethan three months, you must register your address with the authorities within

seven days of arrival in most Bundeslnder with the exception of Schleswig-Holstein, Sachsen, Brandenburg and Berlin, where you register within two weeks,and Rheinland-Pfaltz, where you must register "unverzglich" or immediately. InGerman this is calledAnmeldung. This applies not just to foreign nationals, but alsoto local German citizens. Germans and foreigners alike, when moving betweencities within Germany, must register their new address on arrival in the new city.

When leaving Germany one must deregister again. In German this iscalledAbmeldung.

Residence registration / Anmeldung: The residence registration is handled atoffices called the Einwohnermeldeamt. In Munich the Einwohnermeldeamt is

alternatively known as the Kreisverwaltungsreferat, or KVR for short.

Note that registration of residence and address is the very first paperwork

task to be done on moving to Germany. Visa applications and residence and

work permits come later. Source: http://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Residence_registration

3

Cassidian IM PMO:

Date
http://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Residence_registrationhttp://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Residence_registrationhttp://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Residence_registrationhttp://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Residence_registrationhttp://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Residence_registrationhttp://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Residence_registrationhttp://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Residence_registrationhttp://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Residence_registrationhttp://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Residence_registrationhttp://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Residence_registrationhttp://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Residence_registration


4/17


Finding Accomodation

Finding an accomodation in Munich is very challenging. Most houseowners rent

via maklers(agents)/companies(Immobilienhndler) who typically charge 2months rent + 19%VAT.

Most house owners demand a kaution/deposit of 2-3 months which legally theyare obliged to put into a separate account from their savings and give the tenantany interest accrued from it.

There is an organization called Mietverein/ renter's association who can support

with problems against landlords after membership.

Websites with more details:

http://www.justlanded.com/english/Germany/Germany-Guide/Housing-Rentals/Contracts

http://www.howtogermany.com/pages/housing.html

http://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Apartment_rental
http://www.justlanded.com/english/Germany/Germany-Guide/Housing-Rentals/Contractshttp://www.justlanded.com/english/Germany/Germany-Guide/Housing-Rentals/Contractshttp://www.howtogermany.com/pages/housing.htmlhttp://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Apartment_rentalhttp://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Apartment_rentalhttp://www.howtogermany.com/pages/housing.htmlhttp://www.justlanded.com/english/Germany/Germany-Guide/Housing-Rentals/Contractshttp://www.justlanded.com/english/Germany/Germany-Guide/Housing-Rentals/Contractshttp://www.justlanded.com/english/Germany/Germany-Guide/Housing-Rentals/Contractshttp://www.justlanded.com/english/Germany/Germany-Guide/Housing-Rentals/Contractshttp://www.justlanded.com/english/Germany/Germany-Guide/Housing-Rentals/Contracts


5/17


Accomodation Common abbreviations-I

Rental Advertisement Abbreviations

2 Zi. Whg = 2 Zimmer Wohnung = 2 room apartment (i.e one bedroom and oneliving room)mbliert = furnished

EBK = Einbaukuche = Kitchen is included (stove, cabinets, fridge, sink). WithoutEBK means the kitchen is an empty room with pipes and wires sticking out of thewall!

2 OG m. Lift = Third floor (US English), second floor (British) (2ndObergeschoss) with elevator

Miete = Rent

Splm. = Splmaschine = Dishwasher

WaMa = Waschmaschine = Washing machine

ca. 100 qm (or m2) = About 100 square meters kalt/warm = Heating and other costs included in the price (warm) or excluded

(kalt)+NK +TG +3MM KT = Plus maintenance costs (Nebenkosten), plus charge forunderground garage (Tiefgarage), plus 3 months' deposit

5

Cassidian IM PMO:

Date


6/17


Accomodation Common abbreviations-II

Provisionsfrei = No agency fees + Prov. = Plus agency fees

Nachmieter = Follow-on tenant.

ab. 1 Mai = Apartment is available from 1st May

Topausst. = Top quality furnishings

ab sof. = sofort frei = Available immediately

WG= Wohnung Gemeinschaft = Suitable as a flatshare.

ZH = Zentralheizung = central heating Ex:Sendling: 70qm, EBK, Splm., Laminat, Bad mit Fenstern & Wanne,grosszgiggeschnitten, hell & rhg., sgt. Anbindung (S2, A99, A8)Nicht WG-geeignet, ab1.5., KM + 740,- +100, -NK PLZ 809Translated:

Sendling (district): 70 m, with kitchen and washing machine, laminate flooring,bathroom with window and bath, spacious floor plan, bright, quiet location, goodconnections (S2 S-Bahn, A99 and A8 motorways), not suitable as a flatshare,free from May 1, rent:740 per month excluding all bills (which cost about anextra100 per month), located in postal district 809.

Source: http://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Apartment_rental

6

Cassidian IM PMO:

Date
http://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/S-Bahnhttp://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Apartment_rentalhttp://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Apartment_rentalhttp://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/S-Bahnhttp://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/S-Bahnhttp://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/S-Bahn


7/17 2010 CASSIDIAN - All rights reserved Page

AccomodationSources to find own accomodation

immobilienscout24.de

kalaydo.de

Wohnungsbrse.netwww.studenten-wg.de

Quoka.de

www.immonet.de

www.mrlodge.de

immobilienmarkt.sueddeutsche.de/ www.wg-gesucht.de

www.immowelt.de

http://www.checkin-muenchen.de/

http://www.toytowngermany.com/forum/index.php?showforum=212

www.easywg.de Hostels

http://www.hostelworld.com

http://www.hostelbookers.com

7

Cassidian IM PMO:

Date
http://www.immonet.de/http://www.wg-gesucht.de/http://www.immowelt.de/http://www.checkin-muenchen.de/http://www.toytowngermany.com/forum/index.php?showforum=212http://www.easywg.de/http://www.hostelworld.com/http://www.hostelbookers.com/http://www.hostelbookers.com/http://www.hostelworld.com/http://www.easywg.de/http://www.toytowngermany.com/forum/index.php?showforum=212http://www.checkin-muenchen.de/http://www.checkin-muenchen.de/http://www.checkin-muenchen.de/http://www.immowelt.de/http://www.wg-gesucht.de/http://www.wg-gesucht.de/http://www.wg-gesucht.de/http://www.immonet.de/



Health Insurance

Health insurance is obligatory for everyone residing in Germany who isemployed full-time by a company.

There is mainly Public insurance: If you are employed in Germany and you are earning less than the threshold

( Versicherungspflichtgrenze) of 50.850,00 per year or 4.237,50 Euros monthly you areautomatically and compulsorily insured in a public health insurance scheme. Main companies:TKK,AOK etc

Private insurance: If you are earning more than the threshold of EUR 4,237 gross salary per

month, you can elect to leave the public health insurance and get a private health insurance whileemployed in Germany. This option is cheaper for younger people and normally includeInternational coverage.

I changed from Public to Private insurance(to a company called Hallesche who offered good service andInternational coverage) via an independent consultant Derreck Loehr saving me about 200/month. Hecan provide Hallesche and all other private companies for different kind of insurances with competitivepricing. Based on my great experiences, I highly recommend his services. He can be contacted at belowaddress.

Optimum Capital Management

Hohenzollernstrasse 22 A

80801 Mnchen

Mobil: 0179-9186219

Tel: 089-99749627

[email protected]

More info: http://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Health_insurance8

CassidianMore in

Date
mailto:[email protected]://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Health_insurancehttp://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Health_insurancehttp://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Health_insurancehttp://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Health_insurancemailto:[email protected]



Other important insurances

Privathaftpflichtversicherung/Personal Liability Insurance: It is insurance incase you (for example) hit someone whilst riding your bike or knock someonedown the stairs. (I also bought it via Derreck from Zurich Insurance)

Legal Insurance: Legal insurance will cover your legal fees in many situations,regardless of whether you are a defendant or a plaintiff in a case.

Household Insurance: Insurance against fire, flood etc is normally the

responsibility of the owner of the property, not the renter. Travel Insurance: If the health insurance does not cover it.

Car Insurance: Online companies are cheaper than more established ones. Thecost depends on SF class and gets lesser with each free accident free/no claimsyears. (Had good experiences with admiraldirekt and Allianz.)

Car Insurance comparison : https://kfzversicherung.financescout24.de/ Bicycle Insurance: Normally covered by a household insurance, if not its good

to have one against car damages,accidents etc.

Source: http://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/German_insurances

9

Cassidian IM PMO:

Date
https://kfzversicherung.financescout24.de/http://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/German_insuranceshttp://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/German_insuranceshttps://kfzversicherung.financescout24.de/



Cars and License Driving schools in Germany are called fahrschule.It is possible to take the

German driving exam in English.

There might be an exemption in the number of lessons if you have a previous non-EU license. Check with the local vehicle office or driving school.

Some of the non-EU countries have an agreement with Germany and you canconvert your license 1 to 1 and/or with an eye test and/or with a theory test.So askthe local Vehicle Registration Office(Kraftfahrzeugzulassung und Fahrerlaubnisbehrde)

Websites to buy a used car

http://www.autoscout24.de www.mobile.de/?lang=en

http://www.auto-m.com/

After buying the car first thing to do is to get the insurance for the car. Before aperson can register a car in Germany he or she must have proof of third partyliability coverage for all damage or injury to another person, car or object. Internet

companies are cheaper than the more established companies. Website for carinsurance comparison. https://kfzversicherung.financescout24.de/

Insurance follows an SF class system which gets reduced with every non-accident/non-claim year. Some insurance companies accept record of non-claimsfrom other countries.

10

Cassidian IM PMO:

Date
http://www.autoscout24.de/http://www.mobile.de/?lang=enhttp://www.auto-m.com/https://kfzversicherung.financescout24.de/https://kfzversicherung.financescout24.de/http://www.auto-m.com/http://www.auto-m.com/http://www.auto-m.com/http://www.mobile.de/?lang=enhttp://www.autoscout24.de/



Cars and License After getting the insurance, proceed to get the number plates from the Vehicle

Registration Office. Sometimes there is a possibility to get the fancy numbers whichcan be booked beforehand. When visiting the local motor vehicleregistry (Autozulassungsstelle)proof of ownership, proof of insurance and, if the carwas purchased in Germany, the Kraftfahrzeugbrief, a document that is supposed toaccompany the car through all owners from assembly line to scrap yard.

Car tax depends on the emission.Normally petrol engines have lower taxes.

It is good to get a membership in the ADAC(Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club

e.V)(Automobile club). It costs from 70-120/year depending on the plan. Thisoffers some discount in fuel,other accessories,cheaper insurance costs and servicefrom the ADAC including emergency assistance.

Every two years the cars in Germany have to be tested by the TV(Technischerberwachungsverein) for driving certification. Include tires, emission, handling etc.

Another important thing is the changing of summer/winter tires according toseason. Wrong tires could lead to loss of insurance in case of accident.

Accidents occurring at speeds of over 130 kph on the autobahns can result ininsurance payment claims being annulled regardless of who was at fault.

http://www.howtogermany.com/pages/driving.html

11

Cassidian IM PMO:

Date
http://www.howtogermany.com/pages/driving.htmlhttp://www.howtogermany.com/pages/driving.html


12/17


Banking

Most banks ask for Anmeldung and passport to open a bank account and sendthe bank details to the address in about 2 weeks.

Some banks have free accounts(Ex. Comdirect, Commerzbank, Postbank,Hypovereinsbank, DKB) and others like Kreissparkasse charges about5/month.(I have an account with Kreissparkasse and is happy with them)

Source: http://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Banking_in_Germany

12

Cassidian IM PMO:

Date
http://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Banking_in_Germanyhttp://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Banking_in_Germany


13/17


Electricity,Gas & Water

Electricity and Gas: SWM (Stadtwerke Munchen) is Munich citys public works

organsiation. They offer competitive and eco-friendly options for gas andelectricity supply. Mstrom is electricity provided by SWM and offers safe supplyof electricity at a reasonable price. The average customer rate is customer charge: 7.44 Euros/month plus

kilowatt-hour charge: 16.66 cents/kilowatt-hour

http://www.swm.de/en/products/mstrom.html

Water: Munich boasts of some of the best drinking water in Europe. It comesdirectly from the Lower Alps and is fresh and clean without any additives. Cost ofwater is roughly 1.33 euros for 1m of drinking water. The SWM (StadtwerkeMunchen) is responsible for all matters concerning drinking water and wastewater management. http://www.swm.de/en/products/mwasser.html

Comparison site: http://www.tariftip.de/

Source:http://www.easyexpat.com/en/munich/moving/gas-electricity-water.htm

13

Cassidian IM PMO:

Date
http://www.swm.de/en/products/mstrom.htmlhttp://www.swm.de/en/products/mwasser.htmlhttp://www.tariftip.de/http://www.swm.de/en/products/mstrom.htmlhttp://www.easyexpat.com/en/munich/moving/gas-electricity-water.htmhttp://www.swm.de/en/products/mstrom.htmlhttp://www.swm.de/en/products/mstrom.htmlhttp://www.easyexpat.com/en/munich/moving/gas-electricity-water.htmhttp://www.easyexpat.com/en/munich/moving/gas-electricity-water.htmhttp://www.easyexpat.com/en/munich/moving/gas-electricity-water.htmhttp://www.easyexpat.com/en/munich/moving/gas-electricity-water.htmhttp://www.easyexpat.com/en/munich/moving/gas-electricity-water.htmhttp://www.swm.de/en/products/mstrom.htmlhttp://www.swm.de/en/products/mstrom.htmlhttp://www.tariftip.de/http://www.swm.de/en/products/mwasser.htmlhttp://www.swm.de/en/products/mstrom.html


14/17


Mobile /Handy

The four key mobile operators in Germany are: T-Mobil (www.t-mobile.de): operated by the former state monopoly Deutsche

Telekom.

Vodafone(www.vodafone.de): Formerly Mannesmann.

E-Plus ( www.eplus.de): It positions itself as an low-cost provider, offering a widerange of calling plans for people who use their mobiles infrequently.

O2( www.o2online.de): The youngest competitor in the market; can be an attractiveoption if you don't want to get a fixed line or want a single phone number.

Pre-paid cards: Provide the option of connectivity without contract problems.

I had good service from blau.de(application can be made online and they sent SIM viapost)

Others include: Simyo, maxxim, Lidl Mobile etc Comparison site: http://www.handytarife-rechner.de/

Source: http://www.easyexpat.com/en/munich/moving/tv-internet.htm

14

Cassidian IM PMO:

Date
http://www.t-mobile.de/http://www.vodafone.de/http://www.eplus.de/http://www.o2online.de/http://www.handytarife-rechner.de/http://www.easyexpat.com/en/munich/moving/tv-internet.htmhttp://www.easyexpat.com/en/munich/moving/tv-internet.htmhttp://www.easyexpat.com/en/munich/moving/tv-internet.htmhttp://www.easyexpat.com/en/munich/moving/tv-internet.htmhttp://www.handytarife-rechner.de/http://www.handytarife-rechner.de/http://www.handytarife-rechner.de/http://www.o2online.de/http://www.eplus.de/http://www.vodafone.de/http://www.t-mobile.de/http://www.t-mobile.de/http://www.t-mobile.de/


15/17


TV & Internet In Germany if you own a radio, a television or a computer, then you are obliged

to pay the TV license fee (Rundfunkgebhr), once per household, which is usedto pay the German public broadcasting services. This fee is collected by GEZ(Gebhreneinzugszentrale).

To receive cable television all you should need is a TV antenna cable. Thisconnects the normal antenna socket on the television, or other receiver such asa video recorder or digital receiver, to the cable socket in the apartment wall.

Most apartments in Munich are already wired for cable television. Sometimes the

entire apartment block will be subscribed to the service by the landlord. Othertimes it is the responsibility of the individual tenants to subscribe and have theirconnection activated. To find out if you are subscribed simply plug yourtelevision aerial into the wall socket - if you see cable channels then you knowyou are subscribed. Iesy : http://www.unitymedia.de/

Kabel BW: http://www.kabelbw.de/ Primacom : http://www.primacom.de/

Telecolumbus : http://www.telecolumbus.de/

Kabel Deutschland: http://www.kabeldeutschland.de/

1&1: www.1und1.de/Source: http://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Television_licensehttp://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Cable_television

15

Cassidian IM PMO:

Date
http://www.unitymedia.de/http://www.kabelbw.de/http://www.primacom.de/http://www.telecolumbus.de/http://www.kabeldeutschland.de/http://www.1und1.de/http://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Television_licensehttp://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Cable_televisionhttp://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Cable_televisionhttp://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Television_licensehttp://www.1und1.de/http://www.kabeldeutschland.de/http://www.telecolumbus.de/http://www.primacom.de/http://www.kabelbw.de/http://www.unitymedia.de/


16/17


Practical Tips

Quoka.de Is like a local eBay where you can buy used things.

Bierfests come in many names and forms(starkbierfest,Octoberfest) and they arenot to be missed.

The public transport system normally has some discounts for employees ofEADS. But beware there is penalty for cancellation during contract period.

http://www.mitfahrgelegenheit.de/ Gives the possibility of ride sharing within and

outside Germany. Do not ignore the official letters from any official/government bodies. They do not

disappear but rather comes back with bigger punch just when you dont expect.

There are many groups like Internations who comprises of expats in Germany.

After all have fun!

16

Cassidian IM PMO:

Date
http://www.mitfahrgelegenheit.de/http://www.mitfahrgelegenheit.de/


17/17

2010 CASSIDIAN - All rights reserved Page 17

Cassidian IM PMO:

2010-10-25

The reproduction, distribution and utilization of this document as well asthe communication of its contents to others without express authorizationis prohibited. Offenders will be held liable for the payment of damages.

All rights reserved in the event of the grant of a patent, utility model or design.

Thank you for your attention!

Documents

[PROGRESS]Info for Movers to Germany