ExpatDesk

All guides

Everything you need to settle in

Practical walkthroughs for the admin tasks every expat in Germany faces — or start with a journey path if you are not sure where to begin.

Start here — pick your path

Journey paths

Steps in the right order for your situation.

Just arrived

Your first weeks in Germany

You landed with a visa or EU freedom of movement — now register, insure yourself, and open a bank account before deadlines bite.

  • Anmeldung within 14 days
  • Health insurance before day 90
  • Bank account for salary and rent
View path →

Working here

Employment, tax, and your payslip

Understand what your employer deducts, how tax classes work, and what to do if your job situation changes.

  • Decode your German payslip
  • Compare tax classes and net pay
  • Know your rights if you lose your job
View path →

Staying long-term

Visas, renewal, and building toward permanence

Renew your permit on time, keep pension contributions on track, and prepare for permanent residence — guides for the long game.

  • Renew before your permit expires
  • Track pension years for PR
  • Driving and vehicle registration
View path →

All guides

33 topics — each with checklists and official sources.

Anmeldung

Register your address in Germany — documents, appointments, and city-specific tips.

12 min read →

Health Insurance

Public vs private insurance, what you need as a new arrival, and how to enroll.

11 min read →

Bank Account

Open a German bank account as a foreigner — required documents and best options.

8 min read →

Tax ID

Understand Steuer-ID vs Steuernummer and when you need each one.

6 min read →

Freelancer Registration

Register as self-employed with the Finanzamt — Freiberufler vs Gewerbe, tax setup, and invoicing.

10 min read →

Kindergeld (Child Benefit)

Claim €259/month per child — eligibility for expats, required documents, and Familienkasse application.

9 min read →

Unemployment (ALG I)

Register with the Agentur für Arbeit, claim Arbeitslosengeld I, and protect your residence permit as an expat.

11 min read →

Pension (Rentenversicherung)

Understand your payslip pension deduction — contribution rates, vesting, refunds when leaving Germany, and Elternzeit credits.

10 min read →

German Visa Types

Overview of work, study, family, and job-search visas — match your situation to the right German residence route.

12 min read →

Skilled Worker Visa

§18a and §18b work permits for recognised vocational or academic qualifications — when the EU Blue Card route does not apply.

11 min read →

EU Blue Card

Qualify for Germany's skilled-worker permit — 2026 salary thresholds, embassy steps, job changes, and path to permanent residence.

11 min read →

Student Visa

National visa for university study — admission, blocked account, insurance, enrolment, and student residence permit steps.

12 min read →

Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)

Job-hunt in Germany for up to 12 months without an offer — points system, proof of funds, and switching to a work permit.

11 min read →

Family Reunion Visa

Bring your spouse or children to Germany — A1 German rules, sponsor income, housing proof, and embassy process.

12 min read →

Fiktionsbescheinigung

Temporary permit fiction while your Aufenthaltstitel is processing — travel, work rights, and §81 types explained.

9 min read →

Work Permit Change

Change employers on an EU Blue Card or skilled worker permit — notification rules, 30-day window, and job loss steps.

10 min read →

Permanent Residence

Niederlassungserlaubnis explained — 21/27-month Blue Card route, skilled worker paths, B1 German, and pension requirements.

12 min read →

German Citizenship

Naturalisation after five years — B1 German, Einbürgerungstest, dual citizenship rules since the 2024 reform.

12 min read →

Minijob (Mini-Job)

Side jobs up to €603/month — 2026 limits, pension opt-out, visa work rules, and Minijob vs Midijob explained.

9 min read →

Tax Classes (Steuerklassen)

Classes I–VI explained — monthly withholding for singles, married couples, single parents, and second jobs.

10 min read →

German Payslip

Decode your Lohnabrechnung — Brutto vs Netto, every abbreviation, and how to spot errors on your first payslip.

11 min read →

Visa Extension

Extend your Aufenthaltstitel — timelines, documents, and appointment tips.

12 min read →

Liability Insurance

Why Haftpflichtversicherung is essential, what it covers, and how to get it.

7 min read →

Rundfunkbeitrag (TV Tax)

The mandatory broadcasting fee — who pays, how to register, and how to reduce it.

9 min read →

Driving Licence

Convert or get a German driving licence — rules by country, timeline, and costs.

8 min read →

Blocked Account (Sperrkonto)

Open a blocked account for your German visa — providers, minimum balance, and step-by-step setup.

7 min read →

Schufa Credit Score

Understand your Schufa score, check it for free, and build credit as a new expat.

10 min read →

Apartment Hunting

Find a flat in Germany — Bewerbungsmappe, platforms, Kaution, and Anmeldung steps.

11 min read →

Church Tax (Kirchensteuer)

Understand Germany's church tax — how it gets triggered at Anmeldung, what it costs, and how to opt out (Kirchenaustritt).

8 min read →

Parental Leave (Elternzeit)

Take up to 3 years of job-protected leave and claim Elterngeld — notice periods, documents, and visa impact for expat parents.

10 min read →

Elterngeld (Parental Allowance)

Claim parental allowance in Germany — amounts, Basiselterngeld vs Plus, documents, income caps, and expat eligibility.

11 min read →

Employment Termination (Kündigung)

Notice periods, dismissal protection, Aufhebungsvertrag, and next steps for expats when a job ends in Germany.

11 min read →

Vehicle Registration

Register, import, or re-register a car in Germany — eVB number, TÜV inspection, Zulassungsstelle appointment, and Kfz-Steuer.

10 min read →