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The biggest challenges of moving to Germany

In 2017 the number of expats living in Germany reached a record high. And with its cosmopolitan climate, affordable living costs, and vibrant culture scene, it’s no surprise people from all over the world are flocking to Deutschland.

Published: 30 October 2017 11:39 CET
The biggest challenges of moving to Germany
Photo: sborisov/Depositphotos

Of course, moving to a new country isn’t without its challenges.

Adapting to life abroad can be daunting, especially if you don’t know what to expect. Simple things are a mystery — like knowing whether or not shops are open on Sunday (in Germany, they aren’t), or if dickmilch is edible (in Germany, it is).

We’ve put our heads together with our friends at BDAE, an international health insurance provider specialising in cover for expats in Germany, to come up with five things to be aware of before you step off the plane.

Find out about BDAE’s health insurance packages for expats in Germany

1. Finding somewhere to live

We’re not going to sugarcoat it — finding somewhere to live in Germany can be, ahem, interesting.

It may be that you decide to flatshare (wohngemeinschaft), which often means going to an open viewing where you have to impress the existing tenant/s. Although these “castings” can be (more than just a little) frustrating, if you do eventually make the cut, things become pretty straightforward after that as there’s a pre-existing contract. All you need to do is hand over your deposit.

If you decide to get your own place, you need to get your head around the rental market, know which documents are required, and ingratiate yourself with the property manager (hausverwaltung).

The housing market is competitive in the big cities, so if there’s an open viewing you need to act fast. If you get lucky and land an apartment, remember to take your contract to a tenants’ association (Mieterverein) so they can help you make sure everything looks savoury before you sign.

2. Registering with the local authorities

Bürgeramt. It’s not without reason that the German word meaning “citizen’s office” sends expats living in Germany into a cold sweat.

If you’re planning to stay in Germany for three months or more, you’re required by law to register your address with the local authorities. Sounds simple enough, right?

Er, not quite.

We might be living in the digital age, but registration (anmeldung) still has to be done in person. Unless you have several hours to spare waiting to see an administrator at your local Bürgeramt, you’re advised to book an appointment ahead of time.

But be warned, you may end up waiting a few weeks for an appointment, especially in Berlin.

Remember to take along your ID, your tenancy or sublet contract, and don’t forget a letter from your landlord (wohnungsgeberbestätigung) confirming you’ve moved in. You’ll also have to fill in the Anmeldung bei einer Meldebehörde form you’ll find at the entrance to the Bürgeramt or online.

3. Navigating the healthcare system

If you have a job lined up, a percentage will be taken from your monthly wages and you can access Germany’s state-run healthcare system. But if you’re studying, freelancing, or simply in Germany for fun, you’re required to have suitable health insurance if you want to remain in the country.

That’s because to get your residence permit, which you apply for at your local foreigners’ registration office (Ausländeramt), you’ll be asked to show evidence of your health insurance and a certificate of health (Gesundheitszeugnis für Aufenthaltserlaubnis) issued by a doctor in Germany. Without these documents, your permit will be denied.

Besides the whole permit palaver, if you’re living abroad it’s always a good idea to have private health insurance. Knowing you’re covered if the unexpected happens can give you peace of mind in a country where you’re unfamiliar with the healthcare system. Particularly in Germany, where without appropriate cover treatment can be very expensive.

BDAE offers several health insurance packages specifically for foreigners in Germany. Click here to find one which suits your situation.

4. Language barrier

“German is a really easy language to learn,” said no-one ever.

Lots of expats find that learning German is one of their biggest hurdles when it comes to truly integrating into the country.

Sure, it can be perceived as complex — not an unfair assessment for a language which lays claim to a 79-letter word (Donau­dampfschiffahrts­elektrizitäten­hauptbetriebswerk­bauunterbeamten­gesellschaft — in English it means “Association for subordinate officials of the head office management of the Danube steamboat electrical services”). But if you do want to make Germany your home (and make some actual German friends) you really should learn the language.

Of course, many Germans do speak English, particularly in the big cities; however, it’s always appreciated if you make the effort to pick up the local lingo.

There are lots of apps which can help you get to grips with the basics, or you could sign up for some lessons at a language school. Once you feel confident enough to test what you’ve learned you can always find a Meetup group to practice with, and make some new friends while you’re at it.

5. Cultural differences

No two countries are the same, and what may be acceptable in your country could be an unforgivable faux-pas in others. Germany is no exception.

For example, Germans take rules seriously and feel it’s their social duty to keep each other in check. So don’t be shocked if someone calls out your bad parking, or tells you off for not clearing away your tray in a cafe. They’re not being rude, they’re just upholding their civic responsibility.

And above all remember, if the light is red at a crossing — even if there are no cars for what may be kilometres around — you do not cross. Think of that little red guy illuminated in the traffic light as a policeman or army general, and wait patiently till the friendly green one appears before stepping out into the street.

Find out more about BDAE’s international health insurance for expats in Germany

This article was produced by The Local Client Studio and sponsored by BDAE.

 
For members

HEALTH

How to find available therapists in Germany

It’s no secret that mental health care can be particularly tricky to access in Germany. Here are some helpful tips for anyone who is struggling to book an appointment for therapy.

Published: 23 April 2024 12:55 CEST
How to find available therapists in Germany

The process to find psychotherapy in Germany’s urban centres is arduous – licensed therapists often have impossibly long wait times, and private practices don’t accept public health insurance.

A major reason that public insurance funded mental health care is hard to find in Germany comes down to regulations. Specifically the ‘coverage plan’ (Bedarfsplanung) that basically limits the number of licences available for publicly insured therapists in a region.

Germany’s maddening bureaucracy probably won’t be fixed any time soon. So residents in need of therapy will need to find a way through the system as it is.

So here are a few helpful tips for finding therapists, as well as how publicly insured patients can have private practice therapy costs reimbursed.

Look for therapists enrolled at academies

You’ll probably have a better chance getting an appointment with therapists who are currently in training, because not everyone knows that this option exists.

You can search for “Akademie für Psychotherapie”, to find one in your location. The Berliner Akademie für Psychotherapie, is one in the capital city, for example.

If you arrange an appointment this way, you can expect to be connected with a grad student therapist in training who needs to complete their supervised practice hours. In this case, you would see your therapist as usual, and they will be going through your session with an experienced therapist afterward.

The main advantages to seeking a therapist in training is that it may be cheaper and you can probably more readily find an appointment. A potential disadvantage is that the therapist you’ll be seeing is less experienced. 

But according to a Stockholm University study, student therapists who receive regular feedback from supervisors may be just as effective as licensed therapists at treating patients.

How to get reimbursed for going to a private practice

As mentioned above, therapists covered by public health insurance are few and far between, especially in many urban centres, and therefore regularly come with long wait times. But for those willing to do battle with the bureaucracy, there is an option to have your costs reimbursed for seeing a private practice therapist.

Specifically, public insurance providers are obligated to provide full reimbursement of costs in the event of a “supply emergency”. 

Waiting times of more than three months are considered unreasonable. So generally, patients can claim a supply emergency if they have contacted several therapists, and none of them offered available appointments within that time frame.

But you’ll want to make sure that your process is properly documented so that you won’t be stuck with the out-of-pocket costs.

First, you’ll need to document your need for psychotherapy. To get this, make an appointment for a psychotherapeutic consultation with a practice in your area, and be sure to collect a written recommendation for treatment (a PTV 11 form). 

If you don’t know where to start with this, look to the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (Kassenärztliche Vereinigung) for a database of therapists. You can also call 116 117 or use the 116 117 App.

After you’ve got your PTV 11 certificate, you’ll need to document your futile search for a licensed therapist. To do this, contact at least three to five therapists that have public health insurance approval. Keep a list of the names of therapists you contacted, as well as dates and times of contact and how long the waiting list for treatment is. 

Additionally, you should try to arrange treatment through the aforementioned Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, and receive confirmation if it’s not possible. So you’ll need to call 116 117, or use the 116 117 App again. But this time go through the process to have them try to find you placement with a therapist. This should take a maximum of four weeks, but rarely happens.

Finally, if you have documented all of the above and have still not found a readily available therapist, then you can seek out a private practice. You’ll need to enroll as a self-paying patient initially, but then you can submit an application for an outpatient reimbursement (Kostenerstattungsverfahren) along with the previously collected certificates and proof of your search. Private practice therapists are usually familiar with this process, and may be able to help you with the application as well.

READ ALSO: What are the main reasons internationals in Germany turn to therapy?

Free phone consultations for students

Students in Berlin can also take advantage of a free 50-minute conversation with a therapist through StudierendenWERK.

For students elsewhere, it’s worth checking what kind of mental health support services your school offers. Many German universities offer mental health support to some extent, and if school counsellors can’t provide the care that you need, they may be able to offer helpful information about where such services are available in your area.

READ ALSO: Here’s how you can get mental health help in English in Germany

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