Home About Us Sitemap: Complete Guide to Our Content Sitemap About Us Foto: qmedia GmbH About Us: The Expats Behind How-to-Germany Everyone on the team has lived through the apartment hunts and the bureaucracy as an expat or immigrant – and pairs that experience with research. Foto: qmedia GmbH Contact Get in touch with our team. Reach out with questions, feedback, or partnership inquiries—we’re here to help you navigate life in Germany. Foto: qmedia GmbH Editorial Guidelines: How Facts and Experience Stay Apart Personal tips are welcome here, but they are labeled as experience – kept apart from facts checked against official German sources. Foto: qmedia GmbH Ethics Policy: The Rules Our Team Works By Design tricks that mislead you or pressure you into a click are explicitly banned here – and the code binds every employee, director and partner. Bank Accounts Bank Account Types Germany, Expats GuideFoto: insta_photos / iStock Bank Account Types in Germany: Your Right to a Basiskonto German law gives anyone legally residing in the EU a right to a basic account – even without a permanent address or SCHUFA history, as the fallback option. Bank Accounts for Foreign Students in GermanyFoto: Maksym Belchenko / iStock Student Bank Accounts: Age Matters More Than Enrollment Many accounts marketed to students are tied to your age, not your enrollment – worth knowing if your master’s or PhD runs past the cut-off. Foto: nd3000 / iStock Bank Accounts in Germany: English App, German Contract An English banking app does not make the contract English – binding terms, price lists and notices are often still German, which matters when fees change. Joint Bank Accounts in GermanyFoto: JLco - Julia Amaral / iStock Joint Bank Accounts: Why Being Married Makes a Difference If one unmarried partner pays much more into a joint account and the other spends it, German tax law can treat that as a gift – spouses have far more leeway. German Girokonto Checking Current AccountsFoto: Yaroslav Olieinikov / iStock Girokonto: Why the Girocard Still Matters in Germany Outside big cities, some shops still prefer the girocard to Visa or Mastercard – a detail worth checking before you choose your German current account. Children Savings and Brokerage Account GermanyFoto: evgenyatamanenko / iStock Junior Depot: Investing in Your Child’s Own Name In Germany even a newborn is a separate taxpayer with allowances of their own – the reason a Junior Depot can grow for years with little or no tax. Investment Plan Options Expats GermanyFoto: Pinkypills / iStock Investing in Germany: First Ask Whether You Might Leave Pensions, property and long-term contracts can lose their appeal once you leave Germany – so the first question for any investment here is whether you might. Foto: Arsenii Palivoda / iStock Online Brokers in Germany: Who Handles the Tax for You A German broker usually withholds capital gains tax and applies your Freistellungsauftrag – with a foreign broker you may report the income yourself. Foto: Nattakorn Maneerat / iStock Savings Accounts in Germany: The Interest Staircase Split your savings across fixed deposits with staggered terms and part of the money comes free every year – a way to keep fixed-term savings flexible. Foto: Prostock Studio / iStock Blocked Account: Why Not to Send the Exact Amount Send exactly the required sum from abroad and bank charges along the way can leave you short – and even a small gap can delay your confirmation letter. Business bank accounts GermanyFoto: SeventyFour / iStock Business Bank Accounts: Why Freelancers Keep Money Apart Mix private and business payments and the tax office may want a receipt for every deductible item – with a business account, the statement often suffices. Banking GermanyFoto: nd3000 / iStock Banking in Germany: Making Sense of the Pillar System Commercial banks, savings banks and cooperatives each form a pillar of German banking – one reason it feels different from countries with a few national banks. Foto: nd3000 / iStock Opening a Bank Account in Germany: The Paper That Counts For most newcomers the sticking point is not the passport but the Meldebescheinigung – the official proof that you have registered your address in Germany. Credit Cards american express credit cardsFoto: American Express American Express in Germany: When Your Amex Abroad Counts Already hold an Amex in another country? Through its Global Transfer Program, American Express can consider that credit history when you apply in Germany. Foto: BAWAG AG Barclays Credit Cards in Germany: Now Under easybank Still see Barclays on older statements? The German Barclays cards now run under easybank, part of an Austrian banking group, with many of the familiar features. business credit cardsFoto: nd3000 / iStock Business Credit Cards in Germany: Often Not Credit at All For many freelancers and expat founders, the first business card is a debit card on a business account – easier to get and cleaner for bookkeeping. Foto: shironosov / iStock Charge Cards in Germany: One Bill, Paid Automatically A charge card puts a buffer between a disputed payment and your checking account – nothing leaves the account until the monthly statement is collected. Foto: Viorel Kurnosov / iStock Credit Cards in Germany: Where Newcomers Usually Start With a limited German credit history, the TF Bank Mastercard Gold is generally easier to get than most. Which cards open up as your Schufa record grows. debit cards germanyFoto: Paul Bradbury / iStock Debit Cards in Germany: Which Ones Help Your Schufa The card itself lends nothing, yet the account behind it can support your Schufa profile – if it’s held with a German bank that reports to Schufa. Foto: sorrapong / iStock Free Credit Cards in Germany: Which Kind of Free Fits You A free card doesn’t have to be a credit card: some debit cards cost even less in everyday use – the credit line is what they leave out. Foto: Mirel Kipioro / iStock Cashback Credit Cards in Germany: Money Back or Points Classic money-back cashback is rare on German credit cards – bonus programs and points dominate. Which reward model pays off for the way you spend. Foto: Jovanmandic / iStock Travel Credit Cards in Germany: Why Two Can Beat One Book the trip with the card that insures it, pay abroad with the one that charges no foreign fee – how two travel cards can split the work between them. prepaid credit cardsFoto: Drazen Zigic / iStock Prepaid Credit Cards: Paying by Card Before Your Schufa A prepaid card spends only what you load, so most need no Schufa check and no proof of income – the easiest way to start paying by card in Germany. Foto: Jose Calsina / iStock Revolving Credit Cards: Easier to Get Than Charge Cards Lower starting limits and automated decisions open them to newcomers and freelancers – and repaid in full each month, a revolving card costs no interest. Foto: bernardbodo / iStock Credit Card Guide for Expats: Where Germany Pays Differently Credit cards play a smaller part in German daily life than in the US – until a hotel or a car rental asks for one. Which type of card covers which job. Foto: A stockphoto / iStock Credit Card Reviews: Which German Cards Suit Newcomers Spending on a credit card doesn’t build a German credit score the way it does in the US – so your first card should be one you genuinely need. Foto: Eurowings GmbH Eurowings Credit Cards: What They Unlock at the Airport Both Eurowings cards give you Fast Lane access – the Premium card at airports across Europe. What your ticket needs for the airport perks to count. Foto: kitzcorner / iStock Credit Card Fees in Germany: When Free Beats Paid A card with no annual fee can give you more than a mid-priced paid one – provided its repayment and cash rules suit the way you actually use it. Foto: Jose Calsina / iStock Credit Cards Without Foreign Fees: Pay in Local Currency When a terminal abroad offers to charge you in euros, the local currency is the better answer – even on a card that charges no foreign fee. Foto: MangoStar_Studio / iStock Girocard vs. Credit Card: Why Many Expats Carry Both Many Girocards can go into Apple Pay, yet Google Wallet usually won’t take them – on Android you may need a Visa or Mastercard debit card to pay by phone. hanseatic credit cardsFoto: Hanseatic Bank Hanseatic Bank Credit Cards: A Visa With an English App Not yet comfortable banking in German? Hanseatic Bank’s credit cards come with an English app, and a first decision follows right after the online form. Foto: Sitthiphong / iStock Applying for a Credit Card in Germany: Why to Start Small Many newcomers apply straight for a premium card and are turned down – possibly at a cost to their credit rating. Which card to apply for first instead. Foto: Kunakorn Rassadornyindee / iStock Credit Card Comparison: When the ATM Refuses a Small Sum Ask an ATM for a small sum and several popular German cards decline – a minimum withdrawal applies. What else sets the cards apart beyond the annual fee. n26 credit cardsFoto: N26 N26 Cards: A German Account Without the Anmeldung N26 needs a German address to send your card, but not the Anmeldung certificate – and the virtual Mastercard is in your app as soon as the account is set up. Foto: witsarut sakorn / iStock Schufa Explained: Why You Arrive Without a File Moving to Germany doesn’t create a Schufa file – it starts with your first German bank account or mobile contract. What goes into it, and how to keep it clean. Foto: TF Bank TF Bank Mastercard Gold: Keep the Bank Account You Have No need to move your salary or open a new account: the TF Bank card works with any German bank account you already use, and the application runs fully online. Foto: Ivanko_Brnjakovic / iStock Credit Card Types in Germany: What Each Card Lends You Many German ‘credit cards’ are charge cards: the full balance leaves your account each month – more a short postponement of payment than a loan. Foto: Prostock-Studio / iStock Credit Cards Without Schufa: What No Record Really Means Having no Schufa record yet isn’t a bad rating – German banks simply have no data on you. Which cards you can get while your record is still empty. Communication Health Insurance Allianz: When a Specialist Bills Above the Fee Scale Some private specialists bill above Germany’s standard fee scale. That is where Allianz’s two main tariffs part ways – and why Best can cover the difference. Foto: AndreyPopov / iStock Alternative medicine insurance: Cover for the Heilpraktiker Where a Krankenkasse pays for alternative methods at all, it needs a licensed doctor – a supplementary tariff can also reimburse your Heilpraktiker. ARAG: Health Insurance With Legal Backing for Patients As one of the big names in legal protection insurance, ARAG builds that strength into its private health cover – for disputes you might face as a patient. Barmenia: Telemedicine Included at No Extra Cost Barmenia’s einsA tariffs come with Medgate telemedicine, and using it does not affect your premium refund after a year without claims. Foto: nortonrsx / iStock Health Insurance in Germany: Who May Choose Private Germany’s compulsory insurance threshold and its contribution ceiling sound alike, but only the first decides whether you may leave public insurance. Foto: NazariyKarkhut / iStock Student dental insurance: Why the bonus booklet takes time Check-ups stamped in a bonus booklet raise what your Krankenkasse pays for dentures – but new arrivals start with an empty one. How students bridge the gap. Foto: gpointstudio / iStock Dental insurance providers: Why the tariff matters more Established insurer or app-based provider? The service model shapes how you apply and claim – the tariff conditions decide what you actually get back. Continentale: Private Cover That Rewards Rare Doctor Visits Instead of one yearly deductible, most Continentale tariffs charge a fixed amount for each medical service – so what you pay follows how often you need care. DA Direkt: When the Dentist Has Already Found Something Most dental policies exclude treatment your dentist has already recommended. DA Direkt’s AKUT-Soforthilfe is built for exactly that situation. Debeka: The Insurer Germany’s Civil Servants Know Many German civil servants have the state pay part of their medical bills through Beihilfe. Debeka’s B-Tarife are designed to cover the rest. Foto: nicoletaionescu / iStock Dental insurance without waiting period: What day one covers A no-wait dental plan can pay for new dental needs from the start. What still limits early claims is the reimbursement scale, which rises over the first years. Foto: Dragos Condrea / iStock Dental insurance waiting periods: When an accident counts Many dental plans waive the waiting period after an accident – but a tooth that breaks because decay had weakened it may be assessed differently. Foto: DjelicS / iStock Dental insurance in Germany: What the public subsidy covers For a ceramic crown or implant, your Krankenkasse pays a fixed subsidy for the standard solution, not a share of what you chose. A top-up fills that gap. Dental Treatment Costs in GermanyFoto: dima_sidelnikov / iStock Dental treatment costs: The plan to read before you agree Before major dental work, your dentist draws up a Heil- und Kostenplan – the document that shows the Krankenkasse subsidy and the share left for you to pay. DFV: Outpatient Cover That Pays You, Not Just the Doctor Besides covering co-payments, the higher tiers of DFV’s outpatient plan pay a benefit after a diagnosis such as cancer, heart attack or stroke. die Bayerische: The Tariff That Skips the GP Referral Among the einsA tariffs available through die Bayerische, primex lets you go straight to a specialist without the GP-referral rule of the entry-level prima. HanseMerkur: An Insurer With Plans for Young Arrivals Exchange students, au pairs and interns have their own HanseMerkur tariffs for a temporary stay – a separate product from the insurer’s full private plans. DKV: What BME, BMK and PMN Mean on Your Quote A DKV quote may say BestMed Eco or simply BME – same tariff, different label. Knowing the codes makes broker quotes and application forms easier to compare. Foto: AntonioGuillem / iStock Expat Dental Insurance: The Bonus Newcomers Don’t Have Public insurance pays more towards crowns and bridges once you have years of documented check-ups behind you – something most people new to Germany lack. ERGO: Why Your Private Policy Comes From DKV Take out full private health insurance through ERGO and the contract is issued by DKV, the group’s specialized health insurer – down to the Meine DKV app. Expat Health Insurance: What Changes When Your Job Starts Whether you belong in public or private insurance depends on what you do in Germany, not on your passport – and the answer typically changes when a job starts. R+V: Private Cover From the Volksbank Network R+V’s group covers both sides: next to the private tariffs it includes a public health fund, R+V BKK, whose members get dedicated terms on selected add-ons. UKV Private Health Insurance UKV: The Sparkassen Group’s Private Health Insurer At UKV, outpatient, hospital and dental cover all sit in one core tariff, GesundheitVARIO – dental is part of the plan from the start, not an extra. Foto: santypan / iStock Children's dental insurance: When braces count as cosmetic Whether the Krankenkasse pays for your child's braces depends on a severity scale – milder misalignments count as cosmetic, even when braces would help. Family health insurance: Why marriage can change the answer With one parent in public and one in private insurance, free family cover for a child can hinge on marriage – unmarried parents often keep it. Feather: Private Health Insurance Handled in English Feather runs application, documents and claims in English, while the long-term private plans it sells as an insurance agent are underwritten by the insurer named in the policy documents. Student health insurance: Why cover can change mid-studies Many international students change insurance more than once: a language course rarely qualifies for the student rate, while a degree program usually does. Freelancer dental insurance: Why it rarely cuts your taxes For freelancers, a dental top-up is usually a plain monthly cost: health and care contributions already use up the tax allowance. What the cover is worth. Generali: Why the Entry Plan Travels as Far as Comfort Picking Generali’s lower-cost tariff does not shorten the time you are covered on stays abroad – the two levels differ in benefits, not in travel time. Foto: SeventyFour / iStock Dental coverage in Germany: When a root canal is covered On a back tooth, the Krankenkasse pays for a root canal only if it keeps a row of teeth complete or saves existing dentures. Where a top-up plan steps in. Foto: AaronAmat / iStock GKV vs. PKV: Why the choice is rarely free Whether you may pick private cover at all depends on income, job and age – long before premiums and benefits come into play. Where you realistically fit in. Foto: Thicha Satapitanon / iStock Private Health Insurance Costs: Salary Doesn’t Set the Price Same job, same salary, very different quotes: in German private health insurance, your age at entry, your health and the benefits you choose set the premium. Foto: Khanchit Khirisutchalual / iStock Private Health Insurance Eligibility: Does Your Bonus Count? Only regular, guaranteed pay decides whether you earn enough to go private as an employee – overtime and one-off payments usually stay out of the sum. Foto: PeopleImages / iStock Private Health Insurance: The Choice With a Deadline Employees decide when their first job starts or their pay crosses the line, students soon after enrolling – and going private is hard to undo. Foto: SARINYAPINNGAM / iStock Switching Back to GKV: Why a Pay Cut May Not Count Short-time work can push your pay far below the threshold and still leave you in private insurance. Which income changes really open the way back. Public insurance for freelancers: What counts as income As a voluntary member, your Krankenkasse looks beyond your freelance profit – rent, dividends and foreign income can count towards your contributions too. Foto: Unaihuiziphotography / iStock Public student health insurance: The step before enrollment Even with private cover or an EHIC, you need a Krankenkasse to enroll – the university only accepts the fund's digital status notice, not a paper certificate. Foto: Chinnapong / iStock Registering with a Krankenkasse: Covered from day one Public cover applies from the start of your membership, with no waiting period – and the insurance certificate proves it until your health card arrives. Foto: demaerre / iStock Wahltarife: What you trade for a Krankenkasse bonus Optional tariffs can bind you to your Krankenkasse for years – yet leaving Germany for good ends the commitment without a penalty. When they suit expats. Foto: gorodenkoff / iStock Krankenkasse comparison: What the rankings actually rate Every Krankenkasse owes you the same core treatment by law. Rankings of top funds therefore rate extras and service – not the medical care itself. Foto: Chinnapong / iStock Switching from GKV to PKV: Check next year's threshold The income limit for going private rises every January. Earn only just above it, and the next increase can make public insurance compulsory for you again. Foto: Halfpoint / iStock Supplementary health insurance: Private perks, public cover Staying with a Krankenkasse doesn't rule out private-patient treatment: targeted top-up policies add it exactly where public cover stops, one area at a time. Foto: gorodenkoff / iStock Hospital cash benefit: A daily payout, not income protection Hospital cash pays a fixed sum for every day on the ward, whatever the bill – which is why it doesn't replace sickness allowance if illness stops your income. Foto: Chinnapong / iStock Outpatient top-up: Seeing specialists as a private patient You can book appointments as a private patient and keep your public insurance – if you opt into cost reimbursement with your Krankenkasse before treatment. Foto: simpson33 / iStock Glasses and contact lenses: Where public cover stops Your Krankenkasse pays for the eye exam, but adults buy their glasses themselves unless vision is severely impaired. How a vision top-up shares the cost. Freelancer health insurance: Why your history decides Whether a Krankenkasse takes you as a freelancer depends less on income than on your insurance history – arriving self-employed usually means private cover. Foto: Chainarong Prasertthai / iStock Statutory health insurance benefits: The co-payment ceiling Co-payments in public insurance have a yearly ceiling tied to household income – reach it, and you can apply to pay none for the rest of the year. Gothaer: Upgrade One Area Without Changing Your Plan With Gothaer, a single benefit area such as hospital comfort or dental can be strengthened through an extra tariff component, while the core plan stays. Hallesche: Temporary Expat Cover That Can Become Permanent Hallesche’s Hi.Germany plan is built for a fixed-term stay. If Germany turns into home, you can move into one of the insurer’s standard private tariffs. HUK-Coburg: Private Health Cover, Kept Compact HUK-Coburg is known above all for car insurance. In private health it keeps things simple, with core tariffs whose differences are easy to follow. INTER: A Premium Refund That Grows Over Claim-Free Years At INTER, the reward for a year without claims is not fixed: the longer you stay claim-free, the more monthly premiums you get back. AXA: What Happens to Your Cover if You Leave Germany Planning to move on from Germany to another EU country? With AXA, your private health cover stays in place, even after a permanent move. Foto: Shutter2U / iStock Dental insurance in Germany: When a top-up pays off A simple molar filling won't tip the decision – since the amalgam ban, the Krankenkasse covers a standard alternative. Where a dental top-up earns its premium. List German Private Health Insurance ProvidersFoto: Jelena Danilovic / iStock Private Health Insurers in Germany: The Official Register Germany’s register of private health insurers even includes one that only covers Catholic priests. Which of them you can actually join – and in English. Müchener Verein Private Health Insurance Münchener Verein: The Insurer Founded for Craftsmen Münchener Verein was set up to serve craftsmen and small businesses, and it is still owned by its members rather than by outside shareholders. ottonova: From Premium Economy to First Class Pro+ Even the entry plan at ottonova includes hospital treatment by a head physician. Moving up a class adds direct access to specialists and better rooms. Foto: Deagreez / iStock Private health insurance for children: The newborn window Register your newborn with your private insurer in time, and the child is covered without health questions – even with a serious condition from birth. Foto: Moon Safari / iStock Private health insurance for freelancers: Beyond expat cover Expat cover is made for the transition phase. Once your freelance business is established, long-term private insurance with aging provisions is built to last. Foto: SeventyFour / iStock Private student health insurance: A choice for your degree Opting out of the public student scheme holds for your entire course of studies – yet a later degree opens a fresh window. Who can go private, and when. Foto: stockfour / iStock Supplementary vs. GKV dental cover: Professional cleanings As a standard benefit, the Krankenkasse pays for professional cleaning only within gum treatment. A dental top-up can cover regular cleanings – often in full. Foto: Choreograph (Konstantin Yuganov) / iStock Public family insurance: What happens when it ends When free family cover ends, your Krankenkasse can carry you on as a paying member automatically. Answer its letters quickly to avoid backdated contributions. SDK Private Health Insurance SDK: Private Cover That Grows With Your Life Married, had a baby or switched to self-employment? SDK’s modular tariffs let you upgrade your cover at such moments without a new health assessment. Signal Iduna: When Healthy Habits Pay Off Selected Signal Iduna tariffs pay health and behavior bonuses for preventive, health-conscious living – on top of refunds in years without claims. Public Health Insurance: What Really Differs Between Funds Whichever Krankenkasse you choose, core benefits are set by law and largely identical. What differs is the extra contribution and a few added services. Foto: Jacob Wackerhausen / iStock Statutory insurance contributions: Threshold vs. ceiling The income limit that makes public insurance compulsory is not the one that caps your contributions – mixing them up skews every cost estimate. Statutory Health Insurance in GermanyFoto: nensuria / iStock Statutory health insurance: Why no fund can refuse you A Krankenkasse must accept every eligible applicant, regardless of age or health – even with a serious illness. Who has to join, and who may choose. Foto: RossHelen / iStock Travel health insurance: Getting home after an emergency Your health card gives access to public healthcare in the EU, but not to medical transport home. Why residents add a low-cost travel policy before trips abroad. Dental Insurance Foto: gpointstudio / iStock Dental insurance providers: Why the tariff matters more Established insurer or app-based provider? The service model shapes how you apply and claim – the tariff conditions decide what you actually get back. Foto: nicoletaionescu / iStock Dental insurance without waiting period: What day one covers A no-wait dental plan can pay for new dental needs from the start. What still limits early claims is the reimbursement scale, which rises over the first years. Foto: Dragos Condrea / iStock Dental insurance waiting periods: When an accident counts Many dental plans waive the waiting period after an accident – but a tooth that breaks because decay had weakened it may be assessed differently. Foto: DjelicS / iStock Dental insurance in Germany: What the public subsidy covers For a ceramic crown or implant, your Krankenkasse pays a fixed subsidy for the standard solution, not a share of what you chose. A top-up fills that gap. Dental Treatment Costs in GermanyFoto: dima_sidelnikov / iStock Dental treatment costs: The plan to read before you agree Before major dental work, your dentist draws up a Heil- und Kostenplan – the document that shows the Krankenkasse subsidy and the share left for you to pay. Foto: AntonioGuillem / iStock Expat Dental Insurance: The Bonus Newcomers Don’t Have Public insurance pays more towards crowns and bridges once you have years of documented check-ups behind you – something most people new to Germany lack. Foto: SeventyFour / iStock Dental coverage in Germany: When a root canal is covered On a back tooth, the Krankenkasse pays for a root canal only if it keeps a row of teeth complete or saves existing dentures. Where a top-up plan steps in. Foto: Shutter2U / iStock Dental insurance in Germany: When a top-up pays off A simple molar filling won't tip the decision – since the amalgam ban, the Krankenkasse covers a standard alternative. Where a dental top-up earns its premium. Foto: stockfour / iStock Supplementary vs. GKV dental cover: Professional cleanings As a standard benefit, the Krankenkasse pays for professional cleaning only within gum treatment. A dental top-up can cover regular cleanings – often in full. Private Health Insurance Allianz: When a Specialist Bills Above the Fee Scale Some private specialists bill above Germany’s standard fee scale. That is where Allianz’s two main tariffs part ways – and why Best can cover the difference. ARAG: Health Insurance With Legal Backing for Patients As one of the big names in legal protection insurance, ARAG builds that strength into its private health cover – for disputes you might face as a patient. Barmenia: Telemedicine Included at No Extra Cost Barmenia’s einsA tariffs come with Medgate telemedicine, and using it does not affect your premium refund after a year without claims. Continentale: Private Cover That Rewards Rare Doctor Visits Instead of one yearly deductible, most Continentale tariffs charge a fixed amount for each medical service – so what you pay follows how often you need care. DA Direkt: When the Dentist Has Already Found Something Most dental policies exclude treatment your dentist has already recommended. DA Direkt’s AKUT-Soforthilfe is built for exactly that situation. Debeka: The Insurer Germany’s Civil Servants Know Many German civil servants have the state pay part of their medical bills through Beihilfe. Debeka’s B-Tarife are designed to cover the rest. DFV: Outpatient Cover That Pays You, Not Just the Doctor Besides covering co-payments, the higher tiers of DFV’s outpatient plan pay a benefit after a diagnosis such as cancer, heart attack or stroke. die Bayerische: The Tariff That Skips the GP Referral Among the einsA tariffs available through die Bayerische, primex lets you go straight to a specialist without the GP-referral rule of the entry-level prima. HanseMerkur: An Insurer With Plans for Young Arrivals Exchange students, au pairs and interns have their own HanseMerkur tariffs for a temporary stay – a separate product from the insurer’s full private plans. DKV: What BME, BMK and PMN Mean on Your Quote A DKV quote may say BestMed Eco or simply BME – same tariff, different label. Knowing the codes makes broker quotes and application forms easier to compare. ERGO: Why Your Private Policy Comes From DKV Take out full private health insurance through ERGO and the contract is issued by DKV, the group’s specialized health insurer – down to the Meine DKV app. R+V: Private Cover From the Volksbank Network R+V’s group covers both sides: next to the private tariffs it includes a public health fund, R+V BKK, whose members get dedicated terms on selected add-ons. UKV Private Health Insurance UKV: The Sparkassen Group’s Private Health Insurer At UKV, outpatient, hospital and dental cover all sit in one core tariff, GesundheitVARIO – dental is part of the plan from the start, not an extra. Feather: Private Health Insurance Handled in English Feather runs application, documents and claims in English, while the long-term private plans it sells as an insurance agent are underwritten by the insurer named in the policy documents. Generali: Why the Entry Plan Travels as Far as Comfort Picking Generali’s lower-cost tariff does not shorten the time you are covered on stays abroad – the two levels differ in benefits, not in travel time. Foto: Thicha Satapitanon / iStock Private Health Insurance Costs: Salary Doesn’t Set the Price Same job, same salary, very different quotes: in German private health insurance, your age at entry, your health and the benefits you choose set the premium. Foto: Khanchit Khirisutchalual / iStock Private Health Insurance Eligibility: Does Your Bonus Count? Only regular, guaranteed pay decides whether you earn enough to go private as an employee – overtime and one-off payments usually stay out of the sum. Foto: PeopleImages / iStock Private Health Insurance: The Choice With a Deadline Employees decide when their first job starts or their pay crosses the line, students soon after enrolling – and going private is hard to undo. Foto: SARINYAPINNGAM / iStock Switching Back to GKV: Why a Pay Cut May Not Count Short-time work can push your pay far below the threshold and still leave you in private insurance. Which income changes really open the way back. Gothaer: Upgrade One Area Without Changing Your Plan With Gothaer, a single benefit area such as hospital comfort or dental can be strengthened through an extra tariff component, while the core plan stays. Hallesche: Temporary Expat Cover That Can Become Permanent Hallesche’s Hi.Germany plan is built for a fixed-term stay. If Germany turns into home, you can move into one of the insurer’s standard private tariffs. HUK-Coburg: Private Health Cover, Kept Compact HUK-Coburg is known above all for car insurance. In private health it keeps things simple, with core tariffs whose differences are easy to follow. INTER: A Premium Refund That Grows Over Claim-Free Years At INTER, the reward for a year without claims is not fixed: the longer you stay claim-free, the more monthly premiums you get back. AXA: What Happens to Your Cover if You Leave Germany Planning to move on from Germany to another EU country? With AXA, your private health cover stays in place, even after a permanent move. List German Private Health Insurance ProvidersFoto: Jelena Danilovic / iStock Private Health Insurers in Germany: The Official Register Germany’s register of private health insurers even includes one that only covers Catholic priests. Which of them you can actually join – and in English. Müchener Verein Private Health Insurance Münchener Verein: The Insurer Founded for Craftsmen Münchener Verein was set up to serve craftsmen and small businesses, and it is still owned by its members rather than by outside shareholders. ottonova: From Premium Economy to First Class Pro+ Even the entry plan at ottonova includes hospital treatment by a head physician. Moving up a class adds direct access to specialists and better rooms. SDK Private Health Insurance SDK: Private Cover That Grows With Your Life Married, had a baby or switched to self-employment? SDK’s modular tariffs let you upgrade your cover at such moments without a new health assessment. Signal Iduna: When Healthy Habits Pay Off Selected Signal Iduna tariffs pay health and behavior bonuses for preventive, health-conscious living – on top of refunds in years without claims. Pet Insurance Foto: gorodenkoff / iStock Dog Liability Insurance: When Someone Blames Your Dog If someone makes an unjustified claim against you, a dog liability policy defends you and pays the lawyer and court – one of its most overlooked benefits. Foto: cyano66 / iStock Cat Insurance: The Dental Clause That Outweighs the Premium Tooth resorption is the dental disease insurers single out for cats, and cover for it can begin long after the policy does. Why insuring early matters. Foto: EyeEm Mobile GmbH / iStock Dangerous Dog Breeds: Which Dogs Germany Won't Let In Germany bans the import of certain listed breeds and their crosses; a dog brought in without meeting the exceptions can be confiscated. Check before you move. Foto: shironosov / iStock Dog Health Insurance: When It Pays for Neutering Neutering is usually covered only when a vet documents a medical reason; done purely to prevent puppies, it is yours to pay. What dog health plans reimburse. Foto: LSOphoto / iStock Dog Insurance: Who Pays When Your Dog Damages Your Own Home Dog liability cover pays for harm done to others. If your dog ruins your furniture or injures a family member, the bill stays with you. Foto: Popsure Deutschland GmbH Feather Pet Insurance: A Real Claim From a Holiday Flat Our reviewer's dog chewed up a mattress in a holiday flat abroad. How the claim went through Feather's app – and what that shows about its dog cover. Foto: FamVeld / iStock GOT Vet Fees: Why One Treatment Can Have Several Prices German vets may not go below the official fee but choose the multiplier, so one treatment can cost more at one clinic than another. What your bill must show. Foto: Getsafe GmbH Getsafe Pet Insurance: Tested by a Dog and Cat Owner In some countries a dog owner must post bail until an incident is settled, and Getsafe's dog liability covers it. What else its dog and cat policies include. Foto: chendongshan / iStock Pet Insurance Costs: What a Cheap Surgery Plan Can Leave Out A surgery-only plan does not automatically pay for the diagnostics, aftercare or clinic stay around an operation. What really drives the price of pet cover. Foto: MartinJGruber / iStock Dog Liability Rules: Where German Law Makes Cover Compulsory Whether your dog must be insured depends on your federal state; your liability for what it does is the same everywhere in Germany. The rules by state. Foto: AndreyPopov / iStock Pet Insurance: Two Policies for Two Very Different Bills Your personal liability policy already covers damage done by your cat, but not by your dog. Which policy pays the vet – and which one the law may require. Pet Insurance Reviews in GermanyFoto: TatyanaGl / iStock Feather vs Getsafe: Which Pet Insurance Fits Your Dog Feather's dog liability stays valid if you move abroad; Getsafe insures every breed, listed dogs included. Which strength counts depends on your dog. More Insurances Foto: How-to-Germany.com Bike Insurance: When Your Contents Policy Is Not Enough Household contents insurance typically covers a bike only against theft from inside your home. When a dedicated bike policy is worth the higher cost. Drone Insurance in GermanyFoto: artursfoto / iStock Drone Insurance: Why Even a Toy Drone Must Be Insured German law requires liability cover for every drone flown outdoors, toy models included. Whether your personal liability policy already does the job. Foto: LSOphoto / iStock Dog Insurance: Who Pays When Your Dog Damages Your Own Home Dog liability cover pays for harm done to others. If your dog ruins your furniture or injures a family member, the bill stays with you. Foto: PeopleImages / iStock Private Health Insurance: The Choice With a Deadline Employees decide when their first job starts or their pay crosses the line, students soon after enrolling – and going private is hard to undo. Foto: AmnajKhetsamtip / iStock Legal Insurance: The Lawyer You Pay Even After Winning At a German labour court, each side pays its own lawyer in the first instance, even the side that wins. Why employment cover matters – and when it begins. Foto: Liudmila Chernetska / iStock Liability Insurance: When Your Child Scratches a Parked Car A child too young to be liable scratches a neighbour's car, and by law nobody may have to pay. Why it matters whether your liability policy pays anyway. Schengen Visa German Opportunity Card ChancenkarteFoto: mirsad sarajlic / iStock Opportunity Card: When You Don't Need Any Points If your degree or vocational qualification is fully recognized in Germany, you can qualify directly as a skilled worker – no points system needed. Foto: Prostock Studio / iStock Blocked Account: Why Not to Send the Exact Amount Send exactly the required sum from abroad and bank charges along the way can leave you short – and even a small gap can delay your confirmation letter. Essential Guide to the Business Visa: Navigate Your Travel NeedsFoto: Vasyl Dolmatov / iStock Germany Business Visa: Applying Without an Appointment If you gave your fingerprints for a Schengen visa in recent years, you may not need a personal appointment – your documents simply go to the embassy. ETIAS — European Travel Information and Authorisation System | For visa-exempt visitors traveling to the Schengen areaFoto: NicoElNino / iStock ETIAS: Why a New Passport Means Applying Again Your ETIAS travel authorisation is linked to the passport you applied with. Once you get a new passport, you will need to apply for a new authorisation too. EU Blue Card How to Apply & Check EligibilityFoto: thumb / iStock EU Blue Card: What Happens If You Lose Your Job You must tell the immigration office right away – but the law protects your Blue Card from revocation for a set period, longer once you've held it a while. The Ultimate Guide to the Freelance Visa: Steps to Apply SuccessfullyFoto: insta_photos / iStock German Freelance Visa: Why Client Letters Carry Weight For many freelance visa applications, letters of intent from German clients are among the strongest evidence – they show real demand for your work in Germany. Navigating the Family Reunion Visa: Your Guide to Joining Loved OnesFoto: Caiaimage/Sam Edwards / iStock Family Reunion Visa: Bringing Parents as a Skilled Worker Parents used to need a hardship case. Under a newer, temporary rule, some skilled workers can bring their parents – and even parents-in-law – to Germany. Foto: franz12 / iStock Language Course Visa: What Comes After the Course Older advice says a language course visa can never turn into another permit. Today, a switch to study, training or skilled work inside Germany may be possible. German D Visa: Who Can Enter First and Apply Later Citizens of a few countries, including the US, UK, Canada and Japan, can enter Germany without a D visa and apply for the residence permit after arrival. Germany Visa Denial: Understanding Causes and How to Overcome ThemFoto: AnnaStills / iStock German Visa Refusal: Reapply or Go to Court? The embassy appeal against a German visa refusal no longer exists – and anyone still waiting for an answer to one can miss the deadline for going to court. Schengen Work Visa Options for ProfessionalsFoto: industryview / iStock German Work Visa: Experience Instead of Formal Recognition Outside regulated professions, a home-country qualification plus relevant experience and a qualifying job offer can open a work visa without German recognition. German Visa Administration: Why Small Gaps Lead to Refusals Many German visa refusals come down to minor inconsistencies or missing evidence rather than real ineligibility – gaps a stronger new application can close. Germany – Passport Requirements for a German Schengen VisaFoto: photobyphotoboy / iStock German Visa Passport: When a Valid One Is Too Old A passport can still be valid and yet too old for a Schengen visa: what counts is also the date it was issued, not only the date it expires. Germany – Photo Requirements for a German Schengen VisaFoto: Photology1971 / iStock German Visa Photos: Paper Prints or Digital Upload? Printed photos are still common at embassies abroad – but at the Ausländerbehörde inside Germany you will usually need a digital photo with a QR code instead. Germany – Visa Application Process | Visa Types, Visa Application Requirements, ProcedureFoto: Ivan-balvan / iStock German Visa Application: Plan for the Appointment Wait Formal processing time is only part of the timeline – waiting for an embassy appointment can take much longer, especially for students, workers and families. Essential Guide to the Airport Transit Visa: What You Need to KnowFoto: travelview / iStock Airport Transit Visa Germany: When It Isn't Enough In Düsseldorf and Hamburg, international transit is only open at certain hours – a layover outside them can mean you need a full Schengen visa instead. Declaration of Commitment | Financial Sponsoring for a Schengen visaFoto: simpson33 / iStock Declaration of Commitment: Only the Original Will Do The embassy accepts only the original document – so if your host's declaration gets lost on its way to you, it cannot be replaced and a new one is needed. Navigate the Schengen visa requirements and application process with ease. Learn essential steps and tips to simplify your travel plans. Read more now!Foto: n_edy / iStock German Schengen Visa: Who Needs One and Who Doesn't Living in another Schengen country? With a valid visa or residence permit from there, you usually need no separate Schengen visa for a short stay in Germany. Germany Short-Stay Visa: Must You Book Before Applying? Your Schengen application needs a travel plan that is plausible and fits your purpose – but confirmed bookings are not always required at the time you apply. Essential Guide to the Germany Spouse Visa: Requirements and ProcessFoto: kzenon / iStock German Spouse Visa: Expect Questions About Your Relationship The embassy may ask how well you know your partner – and your partner in Germany may be asked the same questions at the local immigration office. German Student Visa: Arriving Before Your Admission Letter Still waiting for a university's answer? A student applicant visa lets you prepare in Germany and switch to a regular student visa once you are admitted. Germany – Visa Requirements | Visa Process & Required Documents for Visa ApplicationsFoto: Kurgenc / iStock German Visa Documents: Whose Checklist to Follow Requirements are largely identical worldwide, yet details differ by country – so research them only on the website of the German embassy responsible for you. Essential Guide to the Guest Scientist Visa: Requirements and BenefitsFoto: Jacob Wackerhausen / iStock Guest Researcher Visa: Which Route Fits a PhD Candidate A salaried post at a German university usually points to the researcher visa – a stipend or a self-funded PhD usually points to a student visa. Essential Guide to the Training Internship Visa in GermanyFoto: lortie / iStock Training Visa Germany: Coming Over to Find a Training Place No training contract yet? Under certain conditions, German embassies issue a visa that lets you search for a vocational training place in Germany itself. Foto: AndreyPopov / iStock Job Seeker Visa Germany: Do German Graduates Need One? If you studied or trained in Germany, you may switch straight to a job-search permit without leaving – no job seeker visa or Opportunity Card needed. Navigating the Medical Treatment Visa: Your Essential GuideFoto: kzenon / iStock Medical Treatment Visa: Can a Relative Come With You? Patients who need care on the trip can bring a companion on a medical visa – the key document is a German doctor's certificate that accompaniment is needed. Germany – Do I Need a Visa? | Visa Obligations and Visa Waivers for Different Visa TypesFoto: pmphoto / iStock Do I Need a Visa? Find out if you need a Schengen visa based on your nationality, travel plans, and visa-free agreements. Check exemptions and special cases. Understanding Germany Visa Fees: A Comprehensive GuideFoto: marpans / iStock German Visa Fees: Who Actually Gets a Waiver Student status alone doesn't waive the fee: the exemption covers short stays in organised programmes, while full-degree national visas are normally charged. The Essential Guide to the Schengen Area: Entry Requirements & TipsFoto: Dmytro Yarmolin / iStock Schengen Area: Why EU and Schengen Aren't the Same Ireland is in the EU but outside Schengen, Switzerland is the reverse – and a German Schengen visa doesn't automatically get you into Ireland. Foto: photobyphotoboy / iStock Schengen Visa Insurance: The Small Print Embassies Check Cover amount alone isn't enough: some German missions reject policies with a deductible, co-pay or reimbursement-only setup – a no-deductible plan is safest. 90/180-day rule | Maximal permitted stay with a Schengen visaFoto: rarrarorro / iStock Schengen Stay Limit: How Your Days Are Really Counted Land late at night and fly out early the next morning – both days still count as full Schengen days toward your limit. Schengen Visa for Cultural, Sports & Religious EventsFoto: frantic00 / iStock Cultural & Sports Event Visa: Can You Perform or Work? Performing on stage, competing in a sports event or shooting a film is covered by this visa – taking up any other work in Germany is not. Essential Guide to Trade Fair Exhibitions Visa for ParticipantsFoto: jotily / iStock Trade Fair Visa Germany: What Your Exhibitor Pass Is Worth Exhibitors who present an official exhibitor pass pay no visa fee. Stand builders, service providers and visitors usually pay the standard Schengen fee. Tools Capital gains tax calculator GermanyFoto: Chainarong Prasertthai / iStock Capital Gains Tax Calculator: Your Net Return After Tax With a foreign broker, German tax on your investment income is often not withheld automatically – it may have to go into your own tax return. Car tax calculator GermanyFoto: Image Source / iStock Car Tax Calculator: Estimate Your Kfz-Steuer Before Buying A plug-in hybrid doesn't share the electric car's tax break: it is usually taxed like a combustion car, by engine size, fuel type and emissions. Foto: nortonrsx / iStock Commuter Allowance: When Your Commute Actually Saves Tax A short commute may bring you no extra tax saving at all – it only counts once your work expenses exceed the flat allowance every employee gets anyway. Company car tax calculator GermanyFoto: pakorn sungkapukdee / iStock Company Car Tax Calculator: Flat Rate or Logbook? A logbook can lower the tax on a company car you rarely drive privately – but it must be complete, timely and credible, or the flat rate may apply instead. Energy cost calculatorFoto: Nando Vidal / iStock Energy Cost Calculator: What Your Appliances Really Cost Your router uses little power, but it runs day and night. Our calculator shows what each appliance really adds to your electricity bill in Germany. VAT Calculator GermanyFoto: AndreyPopov / iStock VAT Calculator: Net to Gross and Back Again On a restaurant bill, the meal and the drinks fall under different VAT rates: food is taxed at the reduced rate, beverages generally stay at the standard one. Hourly wage calculatorFoto: Doucefleur / iStock Hourly Wage Calculator: What Your Salary Pays Per Hour Dividing a monthly salary by your weekly hours is a common mistake that inflates your hourly wage. The right formula uses average monthly working time. Minijob Wage Calculator in GermanyFoto: Vasyl Dolmatov / iStock Minijob Net Pay: Why the Type of Employer Matters The same minijob wage leaves you less in a private household than in a business if you stay in pension insurance. Our calculator shows both. Parental allowance calculator GermanyFoto: ArthurHidden / iStock Parental Allowance Calculator: Plan Your Elterngeld Early For married couples, a tax class switch well before the birth may raise the Elterngeld of the parent taking leave – but only if it is filed in time. 90/180-day rule | Maximal permitted stay with a Schengen visaFoto: rarrarorro / iStock Schengen Stay Limit: How Your Days Are Really Counted Land late at night and fly out early the next morning – both days still count as full Schengen days toward your limit. Student wage tax calculator GermanyFoto: Maksym Belchenko / iStock Werkstudent Pay: Why the Tax Taken Often Comes Back For most working students, the income tax on the payslip is only a loan to the state – a tax return after the year ends usually brings it back. Gross / net tax calculator GermanyFoto: dragana991 / iStock Income Tax Calculator: From Gross Salary to Net Pay Never applied for Kindergeld? The tax office still calculates your tax as if you had received it – so skipping the application can cost you support. Corporation tax calculator GermanyFoto: Daenin Arnee / iStock Trade Tax Calculator: Why Your Business Location Matters Sole proprietors can often credit much of their trade tax against income tax – in towns with a lower Hebesatz, frequently all of it. Traffic Fine Calculator for GermanyFoto: PeopleImages / iStock Traffic Fines in Germany: A Fixed Catalog, Not Your Salary Ordinary German traffic fines do not grow with your income – they are fixed amounts from a national catalog. Our calculator estimates the one for your offense. US-Euro Car Units ConverterFoto: Jinda Noipho / iStock US to Euro Car Units: Reading MPG the German Way In the US a higher fuel-economy figure means a thriftier car, in Germany a lower one. Our converter turns a US listing into the units German papers use. Vacation Days CalculatorFoto: EyeEm Mobile GmbH / iStock Vacation Days in Germany: Comparing Leave Between Job Offers More vacation days on paper is not always more time off – it depends on how many workdays a week the contract assumes. Our calculator puts offers side by side. Days Between Dates CalculatorFoto: Rawf8 / iStock Days Between Dates: Making German Bridge Days Count Take the Friday after a Thursday holiday off and one vacation day becomes a long weekend – which is why German coworkers book these dates so early. Informational Pages Foto: cyano66 / iStock Cost of Living in Germany: The Visa Minimum Isn't a Budget The amount you prove for a visa or blocked account is an official minimum. What one person actually spends on average in Germany is significantly higher. Foto: Lacheev / iStock Dating Sites in Germany: Which Ones Work in English A blunt answer from a German date need not mean disinterest. For many expats, learning that directness is simply the normal style is the biggest adjustment. Foto: Dennis Wegewijs / iStock Federal States of Germany: How Your State Shapes Daily Life Move from Berlin to Brandenburg and your schools, childcare rules and local offices change too – even if you still commute to the same job. Foto: Viktor Kintop / iStock Recycling in Germany: Which Bin Your Packaging Belongs In The Green Dot on packaging only shows that the producer pays into a recovery system. Which bin it goes in depends on the material – and on your city. Foto: Patcharamai Vutipapornkul / iStock Pfand in Germany: Which Store Has to Take Your Bottle A shop can turn away your empty bottle and still follow the rules. What it must accept depends on the containers it sells – and on its size. Foto: Victor Golmer / iStock Radio Tax (Rundfunkbeitrag): Per Home, Not Per Person In a student dorm, the floor plan decides: a room opening onto a shared corridor usually pays on its own, rooms behind one flat door share a single fee.
