€2,000
Min. monthly salary
€3,800
Avg. monthly salary
€900–1,800
1BR apartment/month
14–45%
Income tax
🛂 Visa & Entry
Main visa route
EU Blue Card / Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz (Skilled Immigration Act)
🏦 Banking
Best bank for newcomers
N26 or Wise — open online without Anmeldung
Requires Anmeldung?
N26/Wise: No. Deutsche Bank/Commerzbank: Yes
Documents needed
Passport + visa + proof of address (Anmeldung)
Open account time
10 min (N26 online) or 1–2 weeks (traditional banks)
📋 First Steps
Register address (Anmeldung)
Required within 2 weeks of moving. Visit local Bürgeramt.
Tax ID (Steuer-ID)
Sent by post after Anmeldung. Takes 2–4 weeks.
Health Insurance
Mandatory. TK, AOK, or Barmer for employees.
SIM card
Aldi Talk, Congstar, or O2. Any EU passport accepted.
💸 Transfers Home
Best service
Wise — best exchange rates
To Russia
Use Wise or Paysend. SWIFT blocked for many banks.
To Ukraine
Wise, Remitly, or Western Union
Average fee (€1,000)
Wise: ~€6. Bank: €25–40
🏠 Housing
1BR Berlin
€1,100–1,600/month
1BR Munich
€1,400–2,200/month
1BR Hamburg
€1,000–1,500/month
Required documents
Passport, last 3 payslips, Schufa credit check
Ready to move to Germany?
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📖 Other Country Guides
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Information is for guidance only and updated quarterly. Laws and banking policies change — always verify with official sources. Last updated: March 2026.