GERMANY || PUTTING LIFE DAY
This guide explains the main administrative problems British nationals who move to Germany can consider before or shortly after their arrival in Germany for details on what the consulates can and can not see the information on the British Embassy also recommend you to follow us on Twitter for consular ukingermany ads or important information affecting British nationals in Germany in crisis, we update you on Twitter.
If you are a British citizen or British subject with right of residence in the UK, you do not need a visa to enter Germany Other British nationals should confirm the current entry requirements with their nearest embassy 'Germany.
A valid British passport should take place at the entrance and exit of Germany as a visitor There is no requirement of minimum validity of passport, but you must ensure that your passport is valid for the duration of your visit.
You do not have to carry your passport with you in Germany, but you should have access to it if the authorities ask to see it.
It is compulsory to register at your local Einwohnermeldeamt registrar within 14 days of your arrival if you are staying in Germany for more than 3 months Please note that in some places the Einwohnermeldeamt is known Kreisverwaltungsreferat KVR or Bürgerbüro please be aware the change of law on the German registration from 1 November 2015, more information is available at the federal Ministry of the interior.
If you do not speak German, it would be advisable to take someone who is with you when you go along the Einwohnermeldeamt, you will need your British passport, proof of your contract address, etc., and may be wedding divorce certificates the required documents may differ region to another you must also pay a fee you should check with your local registry office that they need.
Make sure your name is on the PO Box where you live by not having your name on the post box could result after not being delivered.
If you move to another city in Germany, you must register your new address to the local Einwohnermeldeamt If you leave Germany, you must deregister.
The European Health Insurance Card in the UK EHIC is valid for tourists and temporary visitors who need to use the state health system while in another EU country if you are not normally resident in the UK, and therefore not entitled to an EHIC UK issued the German authorities may decide to treat you as a private patient.
If you are resident in the UK, you must ask your EHIC before traveling to other EU Member States A UK EHIC is normally valid for three to five years, but if you cease to be a resident of UK, you must return your EHIC immediately the Ministry of Health.
If you are a retired British state living in Germany and registered health with an S1 form the healthcare application covering the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom is responsible for the issuance of your EHIC to use on a temporary stay in the UK and a third EU country for more information, the team overseas phone Health on 44 0191218 1999.
When you view your EHIC, you will receive treatment under the same conditions and at the same cost as the insured in Germany.
The EHIC does not cover your costs if you travel for the express purpose of obtaining medical treatment If this is the case, you must ask the S2 form your NHS Trust.
In Germany, you do not automatically get a social security card when you start working you must first sign up with a Medicare Health Insurance Company German Krankenkasse is normally organized by the employer of a person, but you may have to contact a Krankenkasse yourself if your employer does not do this for you if you are self-employed you have to do it yourself.
German health insurance and the social security system is administered by several companies There are two different types of insurance Medicare German health Gesetzliche Krankenkasse or state is the most common private Krankenkasse is a private health insurance.
Whether publicly or privately insured, your employer will pay about half the cost and the rest will be taken from your monthly salary You and your employer must make contributions to your social security and health insurance by Krankenkasse Amounts you have to pay are fixed by the German government for state health care is currently about 15 of your monthly salary.
If you earn more than the 4350 gross salary threshold per month, you can choose to let the state have health insurance and private health insurance while employed in Germany.
You are free to choose the one that best suits your needs Once you are a member of a payment you will receive your Krankenkasse Sozialversicherungsnummer Social Security number and a health insurance card.
When you visit a doctor, you need to show your health insurance card if you prescribe drugs, you might need to send your prescription to Krankenkasse reimbursement The amount you will be refunded depends on the health services provided You should check your Krankenkasse to see which services are covered by your insurance.
Please note that there are special rules on health insurance if you are posted to Germany by your company For more information, please contact your company's human resources department in Germany .
Please also know that when you join a Krankenkasse, they might charge you back the date you registered in Germany.
Major health insurance companies to which you can subscribe are.
For more information about moving to Germany and planning your health, visit the NHS website.
For more information on the German health insurance, please visit the Deutsche Sozialversicherung website.
For more information on the German social security system, please visit the website Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and download the publication at the bottom of the page.
If you go to Germany to study as part of your degree in the UK, your card in the UK EHIC will cover you for the duration of your course if you are going to study in Germany and your course is not part of a degree in the UK for example, postgraduate studies, your EHIC will be valid for 12 months to more information about healthcare in Germany while studying, please visit the study abroad as part of a course site recognized in the UK.
Germany has a good education for all ages For more information on the school system in Germany, please visit the section of the website of the German Embassy on enrollment For a list of schools international in Germany, please refer to the list of DIA We are not responsible for any inaccuracies in this document.
Tuition fees are much lower than in the UK, if all universities charge Many German universities offer a wide range of programs in English.
Importing your vehicle registered in the UK UK Germany.
If you spend more than 12 months of the year in Germany with your car registered in the United Kingdom, German law says you must register your vehicle with the German authorities The time starts when you enter Germany You will produce documentation complete for your car and your last MOT certificate It may also be necessary for you to spend some lights such as fog at the other side of the car for more information on the complete process, visit your local Zulassungsstelle .
Vehicles registered in the UK being driven in Germany must comply with all UK requirements for road tax, MOT and third party insurance covering the full period of time the vehicle is used in Germany to the limit of 12 months.
Once the car is registered in Germany, it must pass the German TÜV technical inspection required called.
It is necessary not to exchange your UK driving license for a German driving license for more information on the validity of your driving license in Germany, visit the Federal Ministry website information of Transportation in English.
If you need proof of your right to drive you need to request a right to the DVLA certificate.
For general regulations on driving in Germany, visit the Federal Ministry of Transport website.
There is a requirement in Germany you have tires that match the time you drive through, for example, there is a requirement to have Winterreifen winter tires if you drive on ice, snow, slush , gel or any other type of winter weather all-season tires, sometimes labeled MS tires are allowed during the winter If you are in an accident, not winter tires, you will be fined and it is very unlikely that your insurance will cover you.
It is also a requirement that you have anti-freeze in your wiper system at all times.
For more information about the type of tires available, and any other obligations, visit the website of the German Embassy.
More information can be found in German on the ADAC site or in English on the AA website.
German insurance regulations differ from those of the United Kingdom It is important to carefully check what cover your policy provides.
You must take with you these documents if you are stopped by the police.
High visibility vest also mandatory in countries around Germany.
Your identity document passport and namely those of your passengers; This is a German general obligation.
If you receive a fine of traffic while driving in Germany for example speeding car tailgating you hurt may be requested to pay on the spot be completely sure of the identity of the person before giving money.
For more official information on fines in Germany, see the list of the site of the Federal Ministry fines for Transport website.
If you have received a life certificate of the UK Pension service, it is important that you respond as quickly as possible if your benefit can be stopped, you will need to be signed by a witness and return as indicated on the form.
Check the list of people who can testify to a life certificate This is now the same as the list of people who can countersign a passport photo while they do not need to live in the UK, or have a British passport or Irish.
UK benefits you need to ask before leaving the UK.
United Kingdom The benefits you can apply after leaving the UK.
The following benefits are for people who are ordinarily resident in the UK and in any case they are not available in Germany.
Remember, if you receive benefits, it is an offense not to tell the Department of Labor DWP pension if your circumstances change, for example.
You will live or have lived in Germany.
You get married, or if you separate, divorce or widowed.
You start working, increase your income or your savings.
If you do not tell the DWP could mean the prosecution, imprisonment and even confiscation of your house and property.
Work and pay contributions in Germany entitles you to a number of German Social Security Benefits include unemployment benefits and permanent and temporary disability benefits noted that the payment of contributions as an independent worker entitles you unemployment benefits in Germany.
If you worked in Germany, but says you are not entitled to German social security benefits that you have not paid enough national insurance contributions, you must make sure you report the contributions you have made the UK They can be used to make up straight as if they were paid in Germany Check also that, as with any claim, you apply in writing.
For more information on Social Security, please visit the website Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and download the publication in English at the bottom of the page.
You are eligible for unemployment benefits in Germany if you've been out there working and paying contributions Ask for information at your local employment office work.
You must also specify periods of previous contributions in the UK, you can prove previous periods of contribution to the UK by completing a statement of CA3916 and application of national insurance contributions HM Revenue Customs to help requests unemployment benefits.
There are two types of 1 unemployment benefits unemployment benefits is available for those who worked in Germany for 12 months in the same job you have to register for this benefit at least 3 months before completing your work in only this do you need to register the first day of unemployment.
Unemployment benefit 2 otherwise known as Hartz IV This advantage is to provide a livelihood You can apply at any time as long as you meet certain conditions.
For more information on the application for the equivalent of a disability benefit, contact your local doctor to the local procedure You might have to pass certain tests to qualify in some regions in Germany, you must contact your administrative district Office Landratsamt or Versorgungsamt Pension Office.
You may qualify for a Schwerbehindertenausweis For more information about this, please visit Sozialverband VdK website.
You must also specify periods of previous contributions in the UK can prove previous periods of contribution to the UK by completing a CA3916 and a request for reporting of national contributions assurance HM Revenue Customs to help requests sickness benefits.
The state pension changed in April 2010 more are now eligible for a full basic pension Learn about the most important changes and what they mean to you.
For when you reach the age of state pension, use the calculator retirement age.
If you live but have not worked in Germany, you must claim your state pension in the UK by contacting the International Center for Pension CPI UK telephone 7777 44 0191218.
Please contact the International Center for Pension more information on getting your pension in Germany.
There are three types of German private pension plans, the contributions of the state and the board of the company are deducted from your monthly salary Currently, the contribution rate is 19 May similar to health insurance, you will pay half the rate on May 19, and your employer pays the other half.
If you want to ask a German pension when you left Germany, but still intend to live in Europe, visit your local pension office where they will tell you that you are able to claim when leaving the Germany.
For more information on the German pension system, visit the website German Pension Fund There is an English version simply hover over international top of the page.
For more information on the life, work and claiming pensions in Europe, please consult the document in English on the website Deutsche Rentenversicherungs.
Moving to Germany once in receipt of a state pension in the UK.
If you move to Germany from the UK, you must inform the CPI changes to your circumstances This will avoid any problems with your pension payments will also help you get the right of access to health care in Germany.
UK pension credit are not payable in Germany If you decide to move to Germany, you must constantly inform the office that pays your benefits before you leave.
You can also think to pay voluntary contributions to supplement your pension rights in both countries for more information on the payment of voluntary contributions to the United Kingdom, contact HM Customs revenues For Germany, contact the company that provides cover your health social security.
Britain has concluded a double taxation agreement with Germany to ensure that people do not pay tax on the same income in both countries In accordance with German and international law, all nationals and non residents Germany -nationaux as are required to declare assets or groups of assets held outside Germany assets may include bank accounts, securities, rights, insurance, annuities, property, etc. The statement is a separate exercise for the annual tax return.
Severe penalties for false statements, incomplete or late can be engaged and the law also means that criminal charges may be brought in the case of non-compliance with requirements and potential penalties are in line with standard international tax practice.
Taxation is a complex issue and it is highly recommended that professional advice is sought.
Arriving in Germany, it is important that you get a tax card on Lohnsteuerkarte income that your tax number Steuernummer This can be obtained at your local Standesamt they will give you a tax classification depending on your family situation your employer will need this.
This information is provided as a general guide and is based on information provided to the embassy by the competent local authorities and may be subject to change at any time, without notice or the FCO and the British Embassy will not be responsible to any inaccuracies in the information British citizens who wish to obtain further information should contact the relevant local authorities.
Living in Germany, live, Germany, Federal Ministry visit.