Your free Berlin starter pack

Once you’ve moved to Berlin, there’s some essential information you’ll need to know if you want to get along with the bureaucrats. We’ve summarised some of the most important tips here.

Get in touch

  • Church tax

    If you put no religion on your Anmeldung form, beware the tax office (Finanzamt) might exchange information with other countries. If they find out you were ever a member of the church, they can write to you to ask when you left; if you never officially quit, you can get a bill backdated several years.

    You have to go to court and appear before a judge to quit the church – sorted.berlin can help.

    Money transfers

    Once you get your new bank account, don’t make international transfers directly from your foreign bank, as it’s expensive, slow amd may not work.

    Instead, you can use an intermediary such as Wise or Revolut, which have lower fees and will likely be faster.

    If you want, Revolut can even be used as your main bank account, because it offers a German account number.

    Finding a doctor

    Your health insurer can help finding a doctor who speaks your language. Select opening hours, specialisms, and language spoken on your insurance company’s website, Doctolib or ArztDirect.

    To find a specialist sexual health clinic in your area, check HIVandMore.

    Prescriptions (Rezepte) cost between 5€ and 10€ at the pharmacy, but you can get some or all of that back by using the bonus scheme at online pharmacy DocMorris.

Insurance

Germans love insurance; most have both household and public liability insurance. Here’s a few more suggestions to keep you protected if the worst happens.

Figuring out which insurance policies you actually need in Germany can feel overwhelming. This recommendation tool from insurance broker Feather simplifies the process by asking a few questions about your life and circumstances, then giving you personalised advice on the coverage that makes sense for you. Feather’s service is free of charge for you.

Here are some other examples:

Household insurance  View insurance site »

  • Protects your personal belongings inside your home against theft, fire, water damage and natural disasters.

Public liability insurance View insurance site »

  • Protects you financially when you accidentally damage other people’s property or cause injury. For instance, if you lose your apartment keys and the landlord needs to replace all the locks, this insurance would cover the cost. Typically costs around €4 per month.

Health insurance View insurance site »

    • Health insurance is mandatory in Germany. You’ll need to choose between three types: public, private, or expat insurance. Each tier has different costs, eligibility criteria, and coverage levels. This comparison tool offers a useful comparison of the 3 tiers.

Expat health insurance View insurance site »

  • ​Temporary, flexible insurance option designed for people moving to Germany without a job lined up. It satisfies the health insurance requirement for entry visas, starting at €72 per month with no long-term commitment. Note that pre-existing medical conditions aren't covered, so this works best if you're in good health.

Dental insurance View insurance site »

  • Public health insurance in Germany covers basic dental care and check-ups, but you’ll pay out of pocket for services like professional cleaning, high-quality fillings, and tooth replacements. Supplemental dental insurance gives you access to these better treatments without the high costs.

Legal insurance View insurance site »

  • Provides coverage for legal fees when disputes arise, and includes free access to lawyer consultations as part of your membership.

Life insurance View insurance site »

  • Provides financial support to your loved ones after your death. The payout can help a partner, child, or other dependent who relies on your income.

Bicycle insurance View insurance site »

  • While household insurance typically only covers bike theft from your apartment or garage, dedicated bicycle insurance protects your bike against theft and damage wherever you are, including when it’s locked up at night.

Dog liability insurance View insurance site »

  • Covers damages your dog might cause to other people or their property. Starting at just €5.58 per month, this insurance is legally required for dog owners in many parts of Germany and throughout Europe. Feather's policy meets all local legal requirements.

Disability insurance View insurance site »

  • Provides income replacement if you become unable to work due to long-term illness, injury or burnout.
  • The renters’ union

    If you rent an apartment, it’s highly recommended to join the Berliner Mieterverein or a similar renters’ union. They can advise and help you if you ever have legal questions about your tenancy. You can join when you first need to use them (about 100€ per year), but if you do that, you’ll only have access to advice; they won’t pay for a lawyer for you. You have to join in advance if you want access to lawyers and the option of going to court. You will need to go with a German speaker to any meetings.

  • TV tax

    Every household in Germany has to pay the TV tax (more formally known as the broadcasting fee (Rundfunkbeitrag), or GEZ), even if they don’t have a TV or any intention of getting one.

    You must go to the TV tax website to tell them you’re in Germany, and again every time you move. It costs about 18€ per month, and if you don’t pay, they’ll find you and send a bill plus late fees for all the months you missed.

Paperwork and bureaucracy

Germans are only very slowly taking on the idea of paperless bureaucracy, and you’ll receive more letters than you may have done back home. Don’t throw anything away, because you might need it later – and sometimes only the original is accepted! 

In particular, any QR codes which the bank or insurance company sends you to set up online banking or their mobile app are reusable. You’ll be asked to scan the code again if you get a new device, so make sure you keep that one safe.​

Don’t forget to update your WhatsApp when you get your new number, so you don’t lose contact with your friends. See their FAQ for how to do this.

Public transit

Berlin is well served by public transport day and night and low crime. There’s a great guide to how to get around Berlin by public transport here. If you use a lot of public transport, you should consider a monthly ticket. Most people ignore the high price Berlin-only ticket, and instead choose the DeutschlandTicket, which offers free unlimited travel anywhere in the country on nearly all local and regional transport for just 63€.

If you get a local single ticket using the tickets app, remember it’s not valid for the first 30 seconds. That’s to stop people only buying it when they see an inspector. So get it before you get on the train, and remember there’s usually no mobile network in U-Bahn stations.

Google or Apple Maps are also good ways of navigating. ​Taxis and private hire cars are plentiful in the central areas, less so the further outside the centre you go. Bolt, Uber or FreeNow all work in Berlin.

Free Anmeldung form filler

Everyone must register (anmelden) with the local authority where they live, when they first move to Germany and whenever they move. The application form is only in German, but we’ve made a form filler which will ask you all the questions and provide a PDF, ready to print, sign and bring with to the appointment.

Get in touch

Send us a WhatsApp

Use the link below or scan this code on your phone to message us in WhatsApp

Message us on WhatsApp →

Book a quick video call

Make an appointment directly in our calendar to chat with us

Book a call now →
Proud to be in Berlin!

We’re a queer owned and run company and have lots of experience helping other members of the LGBTQI+ community moving to or living in Berlin.

See how we can help →

Use our contact form

About us

When Elliot moved to Berlin in 2012, he didn’t know where to start. He made mistakes which meant everything was more difficult than it should have been.

Since then, he’s gone from almost zero German language skills to being able to speak the language of bureaucracy. He understands how German bureaucracy works – and more importantly, how it doesn’t. The quicker you get the admin sorted, the quicker you can enjoy life in Berlin!

He created sorted.berlin to help others reach the goal faster and more easily.

Your free Berlin starter pack

Once you’ve moved to Berlin, there’s some essential information you’ll need to know if you want to get along with the bureaucrats. We’ve summarised some of the most important tips here.

Get in touch

  • Church tax

    If you put no religion on your Anmeldung form, beware the tax office (Finanzamt) might exchange information with other countries. If they find out you were ever a member of the church, they can write to you to ask when you left; if you never officially quit, you can get a bill backdated several years.

    You have to go to court and appear before a judge to quit the church – sorted.berlin can help.

    Money transfers

    Once you get your new bank account, don’t make international transfers directly from your foreign bank, as it’s expensive, slow amd may not work.

    Instead, you can use an intermediary such as Wise or Revolut, which have lower fees and will likely be faster.

    If you want, Revolut can even be used as your main bank account, because it offers a German account number.

    Finding a doctor

    Your health insurer can help finding a doctor who speaks your language. Select opening hours, specialisms, and language spoken on your insurance company’s website, Doctolib or ArztDirect.

    To find a specialist sexual health clinic in your area, check HIVandMore.

    Prescriptions (Rezepte) cost between 5€ and 10€ at the pharmacy, but you can get some or all of that back by using the bonus scheme at online pharmacy DocMorris.

Insurance

Germans love insurance; most have both household and public liability insurance. Here’s a few more suggestions to keep you protected if the worst happens.

Figuring out which insurance policies you actually need in Germany can feel overwhelming. This recommendation tool from insurance broker Feather simplifies the process by asking a few questions about your life and circumstances, then giving you personalised advice on the coverage that makes sense for you. Feather’s service is free of charge for you.

Here are some other examples:

Household insurance  View insurance site »

  • Protects your personal belongings inside your home against theft, fire, water damage and natural disasters.

Public liability insurance View insurance site »

  • Protects you financially when you accidentally damage other people’s property or cause injury. For instance, if you lose your apartment keys and the landlord needs to replace all the locks, this insurance would cover the cost. Typically costs around €4 per month.

Health insurance View insurance site »

    • Health insurance is mandatory in Germany. You’ll need to choose between three types: public, private, or expat insurance. Each tier has different costs, eligibility criteria, and coverage levels. This comparison tool offers a useful comparison of the 3 tiers.

Expat health insurance View insurance site »

  • ​Temporary, flexible insurance option designed for people moving to Germany without a job lined up. It satisfies the health insurance requirement for entry visas, starting at €72 per month with no long-term commitment. Note that pre-existing medical conditions aren't covered, so this works best if you're in good health.

Dental insurance View insurance site »

  • Public health insurance in Germany covers basic dental care and check-ups, but you’ll pay out of pocket for services like professional cleaning, high-quality fillings, and tooth replacements. Supplemental dental insurance gives you access to these better treatments without the high costs.

Legal insurance View insurance site »

  • Provides coverage for legal fees when disputes arise, and includes free access to lawyer consultations as part of your membership.

Life insurance View insurance site »

  • Provides financial support to your loved ones after your death. The payout can help a partner, child, or other dependent who relies on your income.

Bicycle insurance View insurance site »

  • While household insurance typically only covers bike theft from your apartment or garage, dedicated bicycle insurance protects your bike against theft and damage wherever you are, including when it’s locked up at night.

Dog liability insurance View insurance site »

  • Covers damages your dog might cause to other people or their property. Starting at just €5.58 per month, this insurance is legally required for dog owners in many parts of Germany and throughout Europe. Feather's policy meets all local legal requirements.

Disability insurance View insurance site »

  • Provides income replacement if you become unable to work due to long-term illness, injury or burnout.
  • The renters’ union

    If you rent an apartment, it’s highly recommended to join the Berliner Mieterverein or a similar renters’ union. They can advise and help you if you ever have legal questions about your tenancy. You can join when you first need to use them (about 100€ per year), but if you do that, you’ll only have access to advice; they won’t pay for a lawyer for you. You have to join in advance if you want access to lawyers and the option of going to court. You will need to go with a German speaker to any meetings.

  • TV tax

    Every household in Germany has to pay the TV tax (more formally known as the broadcasting fee (Rundfunkbeitrag), or GEZ), even if they don’t have a TV or any intention of getting one.

    You must go to the TV tax website to tell them you’re in Germany, and again every time you move. It costs about 18€ per month, and if you don’t pay, they’ll find you and send a bill plus late fees for all the months you missed.

Paperwork and bureaucracy

Germans are only very slowly taking on the idea of paperless bureaucracy, and you’ll receive more letters than you may have done back home. Don’t throw anything away, because you might need it later – and sometimes only the original is accepted! 

In particular, any QR codes which the bank or insurance company sends you to set up online banking or their mobile app are reusable. You’ll be asked to scan the code again if you get a new device, so make sure you keep that one safe.​

Don’t forget to update your WhatsApp when you get your new number, so you don’t lose contact with your friends. See their FAQ for how to do this.

Public transit

Berlin is well served by public transport day and night and low crime. There’s a great guide to how to get around Berlin by public transport here. If you use a lot of public transport, you should consider a monthly ticket. Most people ignore the high price Berlin-only ticket, and instead choose the DeutschlandTicket, which offers free unlimited travel anywhere in the country on nearly all local and regional transport for just 63€.

If you get a local single ticket using the tickets app, remember it’s not valid for the first 30 seconds. That’s to stop people only buying it when they see an inspector. So get it before you get on the train, and remember there’s usually no mobile network in U-Bahn stations.

Google or Apple Maps are also good ways of navigating. ​Taxis and private hire cars are plentiful in the central areas, less so the further outside the centre you go. Bolt, Uber or FreeNow all work in Berlin.

Free Anmeldung form filler

Everyone must register (anmelden) with the local authority where they live, when they first move to Germany and whenever they move. The application form is only in German, but we’ve made a form filler which will ask you all the questions and provide a PDF, ready to print, sign and bring with to the appointment.

Get in touch

Send us a WhatsApp

Use the link below or scan this code on your phone to message us in WhatsApp

Message us on WhatsApp →

Book a quick video call

Make an appointment directly in our calendar to chat with us

Book a call now →
Proud to be in Berlin!

We’re a queer owned and run company and have lots of experience helping other members of the LGBTQI+ community moving to or living in Berlin.

See how we can help →

Use our contact form

About us

When Elliot moved to Berlin in 2012, he didn’t know where to start. He made mistakes which meant everything was more difficult than it should have been.

Since then, he’s gone from almost zero German language skills to being able to speak the language of bureaucracy. He understands how German bureaucracy works – and more importantly, how it doesn’t. The quicker you get the admin sorted, the quicker you can enjoy life in Berlin!

He created sorted.berlin to help others reach the goal faster and more easily.

sorted.berlin logo

Your free Berlin starter pack

Once you’ve moved to Berlin, there’s some essential information you’ll need to know if you want to get along with the bureaucrats. We’ve summarised some of the most important tips here.

Get in touch

  • Church tax

    If you put no religion on your Anmeldung form, beware the tax office (Finanzamt) might exchange information with other countries. If they find out you were ever a member of the church, they can write to you to ask when you left; if you never officially quit, you can get a bill backdated several years.

    You have to go to court and appear before a judge to quit the church – sorted.berlin can help.

    Money transfers

    Once you get your new bank account, don’t make international transfers directly from your foreign bank, as it’s expensive, slow amd may not work.

    Instead, you can use an intermediary such as Wise or Revolut, which have lower fees and will likely be faster.

    If you want, Revolut can even be used as your main bank account, because it offers a German account number.

    Finding a doctor

    Your health insurer can help finding a doctor who speaks your language. Select opening hours, specialisms, and language spoken on your insurance company’s website, Doctolib or ArztDirect.

    To find a specialist sexual health clinic in your area, check HIVandMore.

    Prescriptions (Rezepte) cost between 5€ and 10€ at the pharmacy, but you can get some or all of that back by using the bonus scheme at online pharmacy DocMorris.

Insurance

Germans love insurance; most have both household and public liability insurance. Here’s a few more suggestions to keep you protected if the worst happens.

Figuring out which insurance policies you actually need in Germany can feel overwhelming. This recommendation tool from insurance broker Feather simplifies the process by asking a few questions about your life and circumstances, then giving you personalised advice on the coverage that makes sense for you. Feather’s service is free of charge for you.

You can also Ask an Expert to ask questions and get personalised advice from an insurance professional at Feather.

Here are some other examples:

Health insurance View insurance site »

    • Health insurance is mandatory in Germany. You’ll need to choose between three types: public, private, or expat insurance. Each tier has different costs, eligibility criteria, and coverage levels. This comparison tool offers a useful comparison of the 3 tiers.

Household insurance  View insurance site »

  • Protects your personal belongings inside your home against theft, fire, water damage and natural disasters.

Public liability insurance View insurance site »

  • Protects you financially when you accidentally damage other people’s property or cause injury. For instance, if you lose your apartment keys and the landlord needs to replace all the locks, this insurance would cover the cost. Typically costs around €4 per month.

Expat health insurance View insurance site »

  • ​Temporary, flexible insurance option designed for people moving to Germany without a job lined up. It satisfies the health insurance requirement for entry visas, starting at €72 per month with no long-term commitment. Note that pre-existing medical conditions aren't covered, so this works best if you're in good health.

Dental insurance View insurance site »

  • Public health insurance in Germany covers basic dental care and check-ups, but you’ll have to pay for things like professional cleaning, high-quality fillings and tooth replacements. Supplemental dental insurance gives you access to these better treatments without the high costs.

Legal insurance View insurance site »

  • Provides coverage for legal fees when disputes arise, and includes free access to lawyer consultations.

Life insurance View insurance site »

  • Provides financial support to your loved ones after your death. The payout can help a partner, child, or other dependent who relies on your income.

Bicycle insurance View insurance site »

  • While household insurance typically only covers bike theft from your apartment or garage, dedicated bicycle insurance protects your bike against theft and damage wherever you are, including when it’s locked up at night.

Dog liability insurance View insurance site »

  • Covers damages your dog might cause to other people or their property. Starting at just €5.58 per month, this insurance is legally required for dog owners in many parts of Germany and throughout Europe. Feather's policy meets all local legal requirements.

Disability insurance View insurance site »

  • Provides income replacement if you become unable to work due to long-term illness, injury or burnout.
  • The renters’ union

    You have strong legal rights as a renter, and you shouldn’t be afraid to use them! So if you rent an apartment, it’s highly recommended to join the Berliner Mieterverein or a similar renters’ union. They can advise and assist you if you ever have legal questions about your tenancy.

    You can join when you first need to use them, but if you do that, you’ll only have access to advice; they won’t pay for a lawyer for you for you to go to court. So it’s better to join in advance (about 100€ a year).

    You should go with a German speaker to any meetings, even if the lawyer claims to speak English!

  • TV tax

    Every household in Germany has to pay the TV tax (more formally known as the broadcasting fee (Rundfunkbeitrag), or GEZ), even if they don’t have a TV or any intention of getting one.

    You must go to the TV tax website to tell them you’re in Germany, and again every time you move. It costs about 18€ per month, and if you don’t pay, they’ll find you and send a bill plus late fees for all the months you missed.

Paperwork and bureaucracy

Germans are only very slowly taking on the idea of paperless bureaucracy, and you’ll receive more letters than you may have done back home. Don’t throw anything away, because you might need it later – and sometimes only the original is accepted! 

In particular, any QR codes which the bank or insurance company sends you to set up online banking or their mobile app are reusable. You’ll be asked to scan the code again if you get a new device, so make sure you keep that one safe.​

Don’t forget to update your WhatsApp when you get your new number, so you don’t lose contact with your friends. See their FAQ for how to do this.

Public transit

Berlin is well served by public transport day and night and low crime. There’s a great guide to how to get around Berlin by public transport here. If you use a lot of public transport, you should consider a monthly ticket. Most people ignore the high price Berlin-only ticket, and instead choose the DeutschlandTicket, which offers free unlimited travel anywhere in the country on nearly all local and regional transport for just 63€.

If you get a local single ticket using the tickets app, remember it’s not valid for the first 30 seconds. That’s to stop people only buying it when they see an inspector. So get it before you get on the train, and remember there’s usually no mobile network in U-Bahn stations.

Google or Apple Maps are also good ways of navigating. ​Taxis and private hire cars are plentiful in the central areas, less so the further outside the centre you go. Bolt, Uber or FreeNow all work in Berlin.

Free Anmeldung form filler

Everyone must register (anmelden) with the local authority where they live, when they first move to Germany and whenever they move. The application form is only in German, but we’ve made a form filler which will ask you all the questions and provide a PDF, ready to print, sign and bring with to the appointment.

Get in touch

Send us a WhatsApp

Use the link below or scan this code on your phone to message us in WhatsApp

Message us on WhatsApp →

Book a quick video call

Make an appointment directly in our calendar to chat with us

Book a call now →
Proud to be in Berlin!

We’re a queer owned and run company and have lots of experience helping other members of the LGBTQI+ community moving to or living in Berlin.

See how we can help →

Use our contact form

About us

When Elliot moved to Berlin in 2012, he didn’t know where to start. He made mistakes which meant everything was more difficult than it should have been.

Since then, he’s gone from almost zero German language skills to being able to speak the language of bureaucracy. He understands how German bureaucracy works – and more importantly, how it doesn’t. The quicker you get the admin sorted, the quicker you can enjoy life in Berlin!

He created sorted.berlin to help others reach the goal faster and more easily.