Essential information about living in Berlin

 
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​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.
Church tax

If you put no religion on your Anmeldung form but were baptised in your home country, beware the tax office (Finanzamt) can and does exchange information with other countries, especially Catholic countries. If they found out you were ever a member of the church, they can write to you to ask when you left; if you never left, then you can get a bill up to 4 years backdated. More information on the excellent All About Berlin website. You can leave the church by going to a court in Berlin and requesting a document from them.
Insurance

Germans love insurance; most have both household and public liability insurance.

Household insurance (Hausratversicherung) View site »
  • Covers the items that you own in your flat from theft, fire or disaster.

Public liability insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung) View site »
  • This covers you in case you cause damage to someone's person or property. For example, a friend of mine, when she first arrived in Berlin, crashed her bike into the side of a car. She got a bill for 2000€ to fix the car, which the insurance would have paid, if she'd had it. Another example is if you lose your house front door key. The owner might say that you have to pay to replace the lock and give everyone a new key; again, the insurance would pay for this. Only €4 per month. .

Public health insurance View site »
  • There are many options for public health insurance, and they’re almost all the same price – please click here to see an overview and to book (in English).

Private health insurance View site »
  • Health coverage for self employed people, or anyone earning over 65,000€ per year.
  • Provider: Hallesche

Expat health insurance View site »
  • ​Lightweight, flexible coverage that’s meant for those moving to Germany without employment.
  • Pre-existing conditions are not covered, so only choose this if you are healthy
  • Coverage fulfils the health insurance requirement for the visa. Starts at 72€ per month and can be cancelled anytime. 

Dental insurance View site »
  • When it comes to dental treatments, public insurance generally covers the bare minimum – while patients are entitled to dental check-ups, you generally need to pay out of pocket for things like professional cleaning, high-quality fillings and tooth replacement. With supplemental dental insurance, you’ll have access to better treatments at any time.

Legal insurance View site »
  • Covers legal fees in case of disputes. Free lawyer consultation is included with the membership.

Life insurance View site »
  • Life insurance covers those you care about in the event of your death. This can be a partner, a child or a relative that is financially dependent on you.

Bicycle insurance View site »
  • The household contents insurance usually only insures your bike against burglary from your apartment, house or garage. This bike insurance protects your bike against theft and damage without a "night time clause" and local restrictions.

Job insurance View site »
  • Coverage for financial obligations in case you are not able to work due to illness, accident, burnout or other reasons.
  • Policies are available from 50€ per month.

Dog liability insurance View site »
  • From only €5.58/month, dog liability insurance pays for damage that your dog might cause to third parties or their belongings. 

Disability insurance View site »
  • Disability insurance acts as an income buffer if you’re no longer able to work. The most common reasons for the unexpected loss of employment we see are illness, accidents, and even burnout.
Finally, many people who rent here are members of the Berliner Mieterverein. This is a type of union, which 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, even if they don’t have a TV or any intention of getting one. When you registered, your details are shared with the licensing office (GEZ), and you’ll get a letter from them asking you to register. Even if you don’t, you still have to pay. Please look out for the letter.
Public transport

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. The DeutschlandTicket offers free travel anywhere in the country (except on long distance express trains) for 49€ flat. More information here, or check with your employer.

Google or Apple Maps are perfectly good ways of navigating. ​
Money transfers

Once you get your new bank account, it’s not ideal to make international transfers directly into it, as it’s expensive and many will not accept non-€ payments. For this, you can use an intermediary such as Wise or Revolut, which has lower fees and will likely be faster.
Finding a doctor

Most health insurers have a facility on their website to assist with finding a doctor who speaks your language. You can select opening hours, specialisms, and language spoken. You can Google [your health insurer] arztsuche or Ärzteführer. For a regular family doctor, look for a Hausarzt or Allgemeinmedizin.

You don't have to register at a particular doctor, which means if you don't get along, or feel like a change, you can just go somewhere else. Prescriptions cost between 5€ and 10€. The cost is set by law, so you don't need to shop around.​
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 barcodes which the bank sends you to set up online banking or their mobile app are not single use. You’ll be asked to scan the code again if you get a new device, so make sure you keep that one safe.​
How to update your WhatsApp number
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Finally, if you have WhatsApp, you can switch your number in the app, so that your contacts and chats will be automatically informed, rather than you having to tell everyone. See their FAQ for information.

Please note that links provided should not be taken as recommendations, because only authorised brokers can provide recommendations; we have had good service from these companies before, but of course other companies and providers are available.