Living in Germany

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This helpguide withsets livingout inessential Germany

Helpinformation fromfor theBritish Germancitizens government 

For any questions about moving to or living in Germany,Germany. youRead mayabout behow ableour toconsulates getin helpBerlin, fromDusseldorf the:  and Munich can help.

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Read givegeneral personalisedguidance advice on moving to, living or retiring in Germany.abroad.

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  Help

  If fromyou thewere UKliving government  

  in Germany before 1 January 2021

  ReadSome theparts travelof advicethis forguide Germanyonly toapply understandif theyou riskshave youbeen mayliving facein ifGermany yousince livebefore 1 January 2021. You should read these in oraddition visitto Germany.the Thisrest includesof the latestguidance informationin on:  each section.

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  Readpage ourfor detailed guidance onabout moving,citizens’ livingrights orunder retiringthe abroad.  Withdrawal Agreement.

  Visas and residency

  GetYou helpmust fromtell the UK government abroad,offices includingthat indeal anwith emergency.

  Visas,your residencybenefits, pension and citizenship 

  Maketax sureif you meetare moving or retiring abroad.

  Check the entry requirements for Germany beforeand youread travel.  

  Visasthe German government’s guidance on residency permits and residencehow permits  

  to enter and leave Germany.

  CheckIf whichyou visaintend to stay in Germany for more than 90 days or residenceto permitwork there and you needdo tonot livealso inhold Germany.  

  Youan canEU getcitizenship, you need a visa or residence permitpermit.

  You to:  can either:

  • study 

  • work 

  • live apply withfor familya invisa Germany 

    before you travel, or

  • volunteer 

  • doenter research 

  ForGermany morewithout information: 

  • reada thevisa Germanand government’sapply informationwhen you arrive for UKa nationalsresidence andpermit theirfrom familiesyour local Foreigners Authority ‘Ausländerbehörde’ 

  • read visa(in informationGerman). fromUse the Federalside Foreignbar Office  

  • contacton the Germanmap Missionsto inenter theeither Unitedyour Kingdom 

    postcode, location or address. Check with your local Foreigners Authority whether you can book an appointment online before you travel.

  Registering

  You ascannot awork resident 

  Onceuntil you arrive,have youthe correct residence permit.

  You must also register at your residencelocal inregistration Germanyoffice (‘Anmeldung’)(in German) ‘anmelden’ within 14 days.days Youof canarrival. doThe thisoffice athas thedifferent localnames registrationlocally officesuch (‘Bürgeramt’)as in‘Einwohnermeldeamt’, your‘Kreisverwaltungsreferat’ state. (KVR), ‘Bürgerbüro’ or ‘Bürgeramt’.

  If you didmove nothome applyin forGermany, ayou visamust orregister residencewithin permit14 beforedays leavingof themoving UK,at you’llthe alsoregistration needoffice to(Einwohnermeldeamt) makeresponsible anfor appointmentyour atnew youraddress. localYou Foreigners’should Authorityalso (‘Ausländerbehörde’)de-register within‘abmelden’ 90if daysyou ofleave arriving.  Germany.

  Applying for German citizenship

  If you moveare homeresident in Germany, you mustmay alsobe registereligible yourto newapply addressfor withinGerman 14citizenship days(in (‘Ummeldung’). German).

  IfThe youUK havehas anyno problemsrestrictions oron questionsdual aboutnationality. registeringGermany youronly residency,allows contact:  dual nationality in exceptional cases.

  • If you got German nationality before 1 January 2021, keep your localnaturalisation Foreigners’document Authorityas (‘Ausländerbehörde’) 

  • evidence for future benefit claims in the GermanUK. FederalSee benefits and Foreignpensions Office  

  • anfor English-speakingUK lawyernationals in Germanythe EEA and Switzerland   for further information.

  Extending

  Visas orand replacingresidency yourif visayou orwere residenceliving permit  

  in Germany before 1 January 2021

  VisitIf theyou Federalhave Portallived orin contactGermany yoursince localbefore Foreigners’1 AuthorityJanuary (‘Ausländerbehörde’)2021, foryou informationand onyour howfamily to:  

  • extendmembers yourhave visarights orunder residencythe permit Withdrawal Agreement.

  • replaceYou should request a lost,new damagedresidence ordocument stolenAufenthaltsdokument-GB visawhich orshows residencythat permit  

  Permanentyou residency  

  Youhave maythese berights. ableIt also shows your right to applyenter forGermany permanentand residencyexempts you from the EU’s forthcoming Entry/Exit System (EES), European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and visa requirements. We strongly urge all UK nationals who were lawfully resident in Germany.  

  ToGermany findbefore out1 January 2021 – if you’rethey eligiblehave andnot howalready done so – to apply,apply readfor the German“UK government’sresidence guidancedocument” on(Aufenthaltsdokument-GB) settlingto inbe Germany.  exempt from EES registration and avoid disruption at the border.

  Citizenship  

  GermanyThe recognisesdeadline dualfor citizenshiprequesting with the UK.Aufenthaltsdokument-GB Thiswas means30 thatJune you2021. doYou will not have to givepay upa (renounce)fine if you request it after this date and your Britishrights citizenshipunder tothe becomeWithdrawal aAgreement Germanwill citizen.  not be affected.

  ToIf findyour outrequest ifis you’rerefused, eligibleread foryour Germanletter citizenship,carefully readand make sure you follow its instructions within the Germandeadline government’syou guidanceare ongiven. requirementsYou forcan naturalisationget advice from an English-speaking lawyer.  .

  IfYour younon-EU gotfamily Germanmembers citizenshipwho beforealready 1have Januarya 2021,residence you’llcard needor permanent residence card had to showexchange yourit Germanfor naturalisationan certificate‘Aufenthaltsdokument-GB’ asby evidence31 forDecember future2021.

  Your benefitclose claimsfamily inmembers thecontinue UK.to Readbe ourable guidanceto onjoin benefitsyou and pensionssettle forin UKGermany nationalsat any time in the EEAfuture. andRead Switzerlandmore forinformation moreon information. who this includes in the Living in Europe guidance.

  Help

  They withmust visa,travel residencyto Germany and citizenshipthen applications 

  Therequest Britisha Embassyresidence indocument Berlinas cannotyour helpfamily withmember within 3 months of arrival. Nationals of certain non-EU countries need a visa before travel. The German visa,authorities residencyshould orissue citizenshipfamily applications.  reunion visas free of charge.

  For anymore questionsinformation orabout issues,your contactrights the:  

  • Federalunder Officethe forWithdrawal MigrationAgreement andin Refugees 

  • Germany, read German Federal ForeignInterior OfficeMinistry residence FAQs 

  • German Embassyand inour Londonresidence documentation guidance.

  

  ResidencyPassports ifand youtravel

  You movedcan toapply Germanyfor beforeor 1renew Januaryyour 2021 British passport from Germany.

  IfCheck youthe movedGermany totravel Germanyadvice beforefor 1passport Januaryvalidity 2021,requirements.

  Always carry your passport and haveresidence beencard legallywhen livingtravelling therewithin sincethe then,Schengen area. If you andhave yourcitizenship familyof membersan haveEU rightsor underEuropean theFree WithdrawalTrade Agreement.  

  ResidencyAssociation documents(EFTA) ifcountry, youin movedaddition to British citizenship, you should enter and leave Germany beforeusing 1your JanuaryEU 2021  

  or EFTA passport.

  If you werestay resident in Germany beforewith 1a JanuaryGerman 2021,residence makepermit sureor youlong havestay thevisa, UKthis residencetime documentdoes (‘Aufenthaltsdokument-GB’).not Thecount Aufenthaltsdokument-GBtowards showsyour that90-day youvisa-free havelimit rightsfor under the WithdrawalSchengen Agreement.  area.

  UnderIf theyou newvisit digitalother Entry/ExitSchengen Systemarea (EES),countries you’lloutside needGermany, anmake Aufenthaltsdokument-GBsure whenyou enteringdo ornot leavingexceed Germany.the Ifvisa-free you90 havedays one,in youany will180-day notperiod. This applies even if you have toa registerGerman withresidence thepermit. EESYou whenare entering,responsible leavingfor orcounting travellinghow withinlong the Schengenyou area.stay Withoutunder it,the Schengen visa waiver, and you maymust becomply wronglywith identifiedits asconditions. overstayingYou inshould thecarry Schengenyour arearesidence andpermit deniedin entryaddition to Germanyyour orvalid otherUK Schengen countries.  passport.

  If

  Different rules apply if you doare nottravelling haveto other EU and Schengen countries as a residenceresident document 

  of Germany. Check each country’s travel advice page for information on entry requirements.

  If you were living in Germany before 1 January 2021,2021

  In butOctober do2025 notthe haveEuropean aUnion residence(EU) document,plans youto mustintroduce registera fornew residency.digital You’llEntry/Exit needSystem to(EES) submitthat evidencewill toaffect provenon-EU citizens, thatincluding youBritish metnationals, theentering residencyan EU country criteriafor ata theshort time. 

  Ifstay. yourThe applicationexact isdate successful,that you’llEES getwill abe biometricintroduced residencehas documentnot calledyet anbeen Aufenthaltsdokument-GB.  

  Ifconfirmed. yourThe applicationscheme iswill unsuccessful,register youtravellers mayvia bean ableautomated tosystem appeal.in Considerthe gettingport legalor adviceairport fromwhen anthey English-speakingarrive lawyer in Germany. 

  ForGermany. moreIt informationwill onreplace howthe tocurrent applymanual orstamping appeal:  

  • contactof yourpassports localat Foreigners’the Authority (‘Ausländerbehörde’) border.

  • readAll UK nationals thelawfully Germanresident government’sin informationGermany forbefore UK1 nationalsJanuary and2021 theirshould familyensure members  

  • readthey have obtained the Brexit“UK residence informationdocument” (Aufenthaltsdokument-GB) from the German Missionsimmigration inauthorities theand Unitedthat Kingdom

  Renewingthey yourcarry residencyit documentwhen iftravelling. youIf movednot, tothey Germanymay beforeface 1difficulties Januarywhen 2021  

  You’llentering needor toexiting renewGermany yourand residencyother documentcountries everyin 5the orSchengen 10Zone. years.  

  ContactThe yourBritish localEmbassy Foreigners’in AuthorityGermany (‘Ausländerbehörde’)cannot forhelp informationyou onenter howGermany toif renewyou yourdo residencynot document.  hold the correct documents.

  Bringing

  You familymust membersproactively toshow Germanyyour residence document, or other evidence of residence status, if you movedare thereasked beforeto 1show Januaryyour 2021 

  Thepassport Germanat government’sborder informationcontrol. forIf UKyou nationalshave andapplied theirfor, familybut membersnot explains:  

  • whichyet familyreceived, membersyour canAufenthaltsdokument-GB, joinshow youyour in‘Fiktionsbescheinigung’ Germany  

  • howcertificate. andIf whenyou theycannot shouldprove applythat foryou theirare residencea document

  Passportsresident andin travel  

  ReadGermany, ouryou guidancemay onbe moving,asked livingadditional orquestions retiringat abroad.the Thisborder coversto howenter to:  the EU.

  • applyYour forpassport amay Britishbe passportstamped fromon abroad 

  • travelentry urgentlyand withoutexit. yourThis Britishwill passport 

  Alwaysnot carryaffect your passportrights andin residencethe documentcountry whenor entering,countries leavingwhere oryou travellinglive withinor the Schengenwork. area. If you’rea askedpassport tois showstamped, yourthe passportstamp atis borderconsidered control,null makeand surevoid when you alsocan show yourevidence residenceof documentlawful orresidence. otherRead evidenceEU ofguidance residencefor status.UK Yournationals passporton mayentering beand stampedleaving ifthe youSchengen do not.  area.

  If you have dualrights citizenshipunder withthe an EU orWithdrawal EuropeanAgreement, Freeyou Tradecan Associationenter (EFTA)and country,exit youGermany shouldwith entera andvalid leavepassport. GermanyYou usingdo your EU ornot EFTAneed passport. 

  Europeanany Entry/Exitadditional Systemvalidity (EES) 

  Underon the newpassport digitalbeyond Entry/Exitthe Systemdates on which you are travelling.

  The European Union (EESEU) thereis areexpected newto rulesintroduce forthe entering,EU leavingEntry/Exit orSystem travelling(EES) withinthat the Schengenwill area.affect Non-EUnon-EU nationalscitizens, willincluding needBritish tonationals, haveentering theiran photoEU andcountry fingerprintsfor takena orshort verifiedstay. atThe theexact border.date Thisthat dataEES will be storedintroduced inhas anot digitalbeen recordconfirmed. andThe usedscheme towill monitorregister howtravellers longvia visitorsan haveautomated spentsystem in the Schengenport area.    

  Britishor nationalsairport legallywhen residentthey arrive in Germany,Germany. andIt whowill havereplace athe validcurrent biometricmanual residencestamping document,of dopassports notat needthe toborder. 

  All registerUK withnationals thewho EES.were Thislawfully includesresident Britishin nationalsGermany whobefore have1 anJanuary Aufenthaltsdokument-GB,2021 orwill anotherbe residenceexempt permitfrom orEES long-termregistration, visa.  

  Ifprovided you’rethey livinghave inobtained Germany,the but“UK doresidence notdocument” have(Aufenthaltsdokument-GB). aWe validtherefore biometricstrongly residenceurge permitall orUK long-termnationals visa,who contactwere yourlawfully localresident Foreigners’in AuthorityGermany (‘Ausländerbehörde’)before for1 informationJanuary on2021 how– toif getthey one.

  Forhave morenot informationalready aboutdone howso – to apply for the EES“UK works,residence read:  

  • EUdocument” guidance(Aufenthaltsdokument-GB) onto thebe exempt from EES 

  • guidance onregistration theand EESavoid fordisruption UKat nationalsthe border.

  Healthcare in Germany 

  Read our guidance on moving,accessing livinghealthcare orin retiring abroadGermany. Thisand coversmake howsure to:  

  • planyou are correctly insured for your healthcare circumstances.

  • takeTravel medicineinsurance abroad is not intended to cover healthcare costs if you live overseas.

  Health insurance is compulsory forin residentsGermany. As a resident in Germany.Germany, Youyou must join a German health insurer (‘Krankenkasse’).‘Krankenkasse’. You can often do this through your employer. employer.

  You can choose your health insurer (in German). Inand in some cases,cases you can choose private health insurance ‘private Krankenversicherung’ instead of the standard statutory health insurance.  insurance ‘gesetzliche Krankenversicherung’.

  ToRead find out how to get medical treatment, read guidance on: guidance:

  • healthcareon forsocial UKsecurity nationals living in Germany  

  • English-speakingfor medicalBritish facilitiescitizens andin doctorsGermany forfrom Britishthe nationalsGerman inAssociation Germanyof Statutory Health Insurers 

  • socialon securityhealth ininsurance Germanyfor students

    (in German)

  You should also read the NHS guidance on travelling with medicines.

  Working in Germany Germany

  ReadIf ouryou guidanceare onplanning moving,to livingmove orto retiringGermany abroad.and Thiswork, coversyou workingwill abroad,need includinga documentsvisa youor mayresidence needpermit. fromYou cannot work until you have the UKrelevant government. permit.

  To workapply infor Germany,a job you may need ato workprovide visaa:

  • UK police certificate
  • German criminal record check ‘Führungszeugnis’ (in German). Order this from your local registration office Einwohnermeldeamt or residenceon permit.the OurFederal Office of Justice’s online portal (in German)

  Read:

  • guidance on travellingworking toor providing services in Germany
  • working in an EU country
  • German government’s guidance on how to apply for worka visa and any other necessary documents
  • FAQs explainsfrom the differentFederal workMinistry visasof Labour and permitsSocial availableAffairs to(in you. YouGerman)
  • information canon alsohow readto contact the visaFederal informationEmployment fromAgency
  • EU theguidance Germanon Missionsworking in thean UnitedEU Kingdomcountry.  

  YouIf doyou not need a work visain orGermany, permiteven if you havework beenfor livinga inUK-based Germanycompany, legallythis sincemay beforeaffect 1where Januaryyou 2021,pay asNational youInsurance-type havecontributions. rightsRead under the WithdrawalNational Agreementinsurance and social security contributions section.  

  As afor Britishmore national,information.

  If you canwere enterliving in Germany asbefore a1 jobseekerJanuary without2021

  You ahave workthe permit.right However,to youwork, cannotunder startthe workingWithdrawal untilAgreement. The easiest way to show you have athis workright permit.  

  Tois applyif foryou ahave job,an youAufenthaltsdokument-GB. mayRead needthe toGerman providegovernment’s a:  

  • UKguidance policefor certificate 

  • Germanemployers criminalof recordUK checknationals (‘Führungszeugnis’)in (inEnglish German)or in German .

  If you live in Germany and were regularly commuting to work in another EU oranother EuropeanEU Freeor Trade Association (EFTA) country before 1 January 2021, read our guidance for frontier workers. 

  Recognition. ofYou qualifications 

  Ifwill youneed wantan toAufenthaltsdokument-GB workand may also need a frontier worker permit in Germany,your youcountry of work.

  Professional qualifications

  You may need to get your foreignprofessional qualificationsqualification recognised.

  Driving if you want to work in Germany 

  Reada ourprofession guidancethat onis moving,regulated livingin andGermany. retiringWhen abroad.doing Thisthis, coversyou howwill to:  

  • drivebe abroadtreated legally 

  • takeas youra UKthird vehiclecountry abroad  

  • getnational. drivingA licencethird letters 

  Localcountry drivingnational authoritiesis (‘Fahrerlaubnisbehörde’)someone providewho informationdoes onnot drivinghave inEU, Germany.  EEA or Swiss nationality.

  ForRead more information read guidance on:  on:

  • drivingrecognition inof theprofessional EUqualifications 

  • roadhow travelto inget Germany,your qualification recognised in safetyGermany

  • German andgovernment securityguidance inon thewhere travelyou advicecan forrequest Germany 

  • roadrecognition rulesof andyour safetyqualifications in Germany  

  DrivingIf you were living in Germany usingbefore a1 foreignJanuary driving licence  2021

  YouIf canthe driverelevant regulator in Germany forofficially uprecognised toyour 6professional monthsqualification usingbefore a1 drivingJanuary licence2021, issuedor in:  

  • theyou UK 

  • Gibraltar 

  • Jersey 

  • Guernsey 

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  Youby cannotthis renewdate, ormake replacesure anyyou ofunderstand thesethe licencesterms ifof youyour livedecision. inRead Germany.  

  Exchangingthe aGerman UK,government’s Jersey,guidance Guernsey,on Islerecognition of Manprofessional orqualifications Gibraltarand get licence  

  Toadvice continuefrom drivingthe afterrelevant 6regulator.

  Studying months,in Germany

  If you mustplan exchangeto yourstudy drivingin licence.Germany, Contactyou yourmust localapply drivingfor authoritythe (‘Fahrerlaubnisbehörde’)correct toresidence findpermit. outContact howyour tolocal doForeigners this. 

  YouAuthority mayAusländerbehörde needto to:  

  • takediscuss anthe eyeoptions test  

  • presentbefore ayou medical certificate  travel.

  YouContact should apply for the exchangerelevant beforehigher theeducation 6provider monthsin isGermany over. Applications may take time to process,check andwhat you’llfees needyou yourmay Germanhave licence to drive legally.  pay.

  Disabled drivers 

  YouRead mayguidance beon:

  • continuing ableyour tostudies applyin forthe aEU
  • studying Germanin disabledthe parkingEuropean cardUnion
  • healthcare or an EU parking card for peoplestudents within disabilitiesGermany.

  If Contactyou yourwere localliving drivingin authorityGermany (‘Fahrerlaubnisbehörde’)before to1 findJanuary out how to do this.  

  2021

  IfThe youstudying havein athe UKEuropean Blue BadgeUnion andguidance liveincludes ininformation Germany,if you mustwere returnalready itliving toin theGermany originalbefore UK1 issuingJanuary authority.

  Tax  

  2021. Read ourthe guidanceGerman ongovernment’s moving,FAQs livingon orBAföG retiring abroadfunding. This(in covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.  German)

  Tax

  The UK has a double taxation agreement with Germany so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. countries. Ask the relevant tax authority your questions about double taxation relief.

  You will get an income tax ID number (‘Steueridentifikationsnummer’)‘Steueridentifikationsnummer’ by post from the Federal Central Tax Office after you register your address at yourthe local registration office.office Einwohnermeldeamt. Your employer will need thisyour tax ID number. You may also needbe asked to giveprovide it to your local taxfinance officeauthority (‘Finanzamt’).  ‘Finanzamt’.

  ContactYou yourshould localget taxprofessional officeadvice (inon German)paying fortax anyin questionsGermany. aboutFind doublea taxationtax relief. adviser (in German).

  ConsiderRead gettingguidance professionalon:

  • tax adviceif you leave the UK to live abroad
  • tax on payingyour UK income if you live abroad
  • tax inif Germanyyou (inget German)a pension and live abroad.
  • paying Toincome dotax this:  in Germany

  Read:

  • contact German anfinance English-speakingministry’s lawyerguidance on taxes in Germany 

    (in German)

  • findthe aEU taxfactsheet adviseron inbuying Germanygoods online from UK websites 

  Declaring your assets assets

  You must:  

  • must declare allany assets youheld hold outside Germany 

  • Germany and file an annual declaration of assets, alongside your annual tax return 

  Youreturn. faceThere are severe penalties if you dofail notto do this.this, Contactor aif taxyou advisergive inincorrect Germanyor forincomplete more information.  information.

  National Insurance  

  insurance and social security contributions

  CheckNational Insurance-type contributions (NIC) are called ‘social security contributions’ (SSC) in Germany. Find out if you need to pay National Insurance in the UK or social security contributions in Germany.

  If you plan to move to Germany and work, even if you’reyou goingcontinue working for a UK-based company, you and your employer may need to workpay social security contributions in Germany. These social security contributions would entitle you to certain benefits, such as healthcare, in Germany.

  Read guidance on National Insurance for workers from the EU,UK Gibraltar,working Iceland,in Liechtenstein,the Norway,EEA or Switzerland.

  You can check your UK National Insurance record.

  Pensions Benefits

  Claiming your UK pension benefits

  Read our guidance on moving,entitlement livingto orUK retiringbenefits abroadand pensions. Thiswhile covers:  you are living in Germany.

  • Check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad and how to claim yourthem.

    Many UKincome-related Statebenefits Pension such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.

    German benefits

    Read:

    • where German thegovernment’s UKguide governmenton payssocial ansecurity annualin increaseGermany inand the StateGerman Pension 

      Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs FAQs
    • German Federal Ministry for Family Affairs’ guidance on family benefits for UK nationals (in German)

    Pensions

    YourRead guidance on entitlement to UK Statebenefits Pensionand ispensions calculatedwhile differentlyyou are living in Germany.

    Read State Pension guidance if you’veyou previouslyhave lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and nowyou liveare inclaiming theor EU.  waiting to claim your UK State Pension.

    Claiming

    If ayou Germanretire pension 

    in Germany, you can claim:
    • your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. Contact Germanthe International Pension InsuranceCentre (‘Deutschefor Rentenversicherung’)further toinformation
    • your findGerman outpension, whetherif youyou’ve canworked claimin aGermany. See the guide on social security in Germany
    • pensions if you’ve worked in other EU countries

    Read the German Pensions Authority’s guidance on pension entitlement calculations.   (in German).

    YouRead canthe alsoMoney readand thePension GermanService government’sguidance guideon topension socialand securityretirement infor Germany.more information on cross-border pensions.

    Benefits  

    ClaimingLife certificates for UK benefits  State Pensions

    ReadIf ouryou guidanceget ona moving,‘life livingcertificate’ orfrom retiringthe abroadUK Pension Service., Thisyou coversmust howrespond toas claimsoon UKas benefitspossible. abroad,Your includingpayments Childmay Benefit.    be suspended if you do not.

    Money and banking

    YouWhether UK banks can alsoprovide readservices guidanceto customers living in the EEA depends on benefitslocal laws and pensionsregulation. Read forthe UKMoney nationalsand inPension theService EU,guidance EEAon orbanking, Switzerlandinsurance and financial services changes.  for more information on cross-border banking.

    Claiming

    Accommodation Germanand benefits  

    buying property

    YouRead mayour beguidance entitledon tobuying somea Germanproperty benefits.  abroad.

    Driving in Germany

    ToYou findcannot outrenew or replace your UK, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man licence if you’reyou eligiblelive andin howGermany. Read the guidance on what you must do to claim:  drive legally in Germany:

    • readwhat guidanceyou onneed socialto benefitsdrive onin the Sozialplattform websiteEU  

    • usedriving thelicence Germanrules government’sin socialGermany benefitsif finderyou live there 

    • road travel in Germany

    • read guidance from the German government’sTransport guideMinistry tofor socialholders securityof inforeign Germanydriving licences

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    Reada ourvehicle guidanceemissions onsticker: moving,many livingcities orin retiringGermany abroad.have Thislow coversemissions buyingzones

  • German andHighway rentingcode property(in abroad.    
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  ContactThird anparty English-speakingcar lawyerinsurance is compulsory in GermanyGermany. If ifyou you’relive consideringin buyingGermany, propertyyou ormust land.

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  ReadYour ourvehicle guidancemust onpass moving,a livinggeneral orinspection, retiringa abroadTÜV. (MOT equivalent) every 2 years. This coversis howundertaken to:  by TÜV.

  • vote

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  You alsocan cannotexchange voteyour inUK Europeanlicence Parliamentaryfor electionsa unlessGerman youone holdat citizenshipany oftime anafter EUmoving country.

  Studying  

  Ifto Germany. Your local Bürgeramt can tell you planwhere to studyexchange inyour Germany,licence. youYou mustdo applynot forneed to take a studenttheory visaor practical driving test to exchange your licence. You may need to undergo an eye test or residencepresent permit.  a medical certificate, depending on your driving licence category.

  You docannot notuse needan aInternational studentDriving visaPermit (IDP) instead of exchanging your licence.

  Exchanging your licence if you havewere been living in Germany legally since before 1 January 2021,2021

  You asshould you have rightsexchanged underyour theUK Withdrawallicence Agreement.  

  Forfor morea information,German readone guidanceby on:  

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    gettingIf permissionyou tohave takea yourUK childBlue abroad  

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  original UK issuing authority. You can alsoapply readfor thea German government’sdisabled parking card. Contact your Bürgeramt for information on how to do this. Read the EU guidance on financialthe supportEU parking card for familiespeople with disabilities.  .

  SchoolsBringing anda education UK-registered vehicle to Germany

  TheRead Europeanour Commissionguidance provideson informationtaking abouta thevehicle schoolout systemof inthe GermanyUK.  .

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