What to Expect When Moving to Germany from the US
Are you considering moving to Germany soon? Germany is truly a unique yet exhilarating place to live, known for over 300 styles of bread, breathtaking castles and cathedrals, thrilling festivals, Christmas traditions, and more.
Check out this helpful guide, which includes information about Germany’s cost of living, the ins and outs of moving, and what to expect once you arrive. This knowledge should leave you confident and excited about your upcoming move!
The Cost of Living in Germany
There is good news if you are moving to Germany from the US! Germany’s overall cost of living is approximately 23% lower than the United States.
Often, people are most curious about the cost of rent and utilities when considering a move. While housing costs vary depending on location, you can expect to pay $650-$950 for a one-bedroom apartment in Germany, which is approximately 45% lower than in the US. Utilities for the same apartment should be around $250 per month. You can expect to pay more if you rent or buy a larger home.
Gasoline is quite spendy in Germany, coming in at over $8 per gallon. However, a three-course restaurant meal is typically about 20% cheaper in Germany than in the United States. You can expect to save money when you visit the market for groceries – a one-pound bag of rice and one pound of oranges cost only about $1 each.
You will, however, pay more for clothing: A pair of jeans costs about 80% more in Germany than in the US. But no worries – you can make up for this extra expense in childcare, as it usually runs about 67% cheaper than in the United States.
Mortgage interest rates are much better in Germany, averaging less than 2%. It is important to note that you may not earn as much money in Germany – salaries are about 21% less than in the US.
What is Needed to Move to Germany from the US?
Passport
First, you will need a passport as you prepare to fly to Germany, which is standard for all international travel. Make sure you apply for your passport well ahead of time and check its expiration date.
Make Plans for Moving
As your move grows closer, you will need to plan to have your household items and vehicles shipped to your new home. Shipping across the ocean is an economical choice, as air freight is typically 12-16 times more expensive than sea transport.
There are many things to consider when moving to Germany, including packing and wrapping, enclosed storage, customs clearance, pickup and delivery, and more. That’s why using a reputable transport company, such as Schumacher Cargo Logistics, is essential.
Legal Entry Into Germany
You are not required to have a visa to enter Germany from the US. If you plan to stay in the country longer than 90 days, you WILL need a Residence Permit, which requires a passport. When applying for this permit, you must state why you want to move to Germany. Valid reasons include employment, education, and family reunions.
You will need a few things when preparing to apply for your Residence Permit:
- Completed application (two if you are applying while still in the US)
- Legal Passport
- Two photos that meet the country’s photo requirements
- Confirmation that your new address is legally registered
- Financial proof (bank statements, tax documents) that you can provide for yourself
- Letter from employer proving you have a job or offer of employment
- Proof that you have valid health insurance coverage
- Receipts for required fees
- Any other documents that are requested
After five years of residing in Germany, you can apply for a Permanent Residence Visa.
Interesting Local Culture in Germany
“Germany has become a country that many people abroad associate with hope.” – Angela Merkel
Germany, known for its beautifully rich history, is the 7th happiest country in the world… and it’s easy to see why! Within the borders of this forested, hilly country, you’ll find a wide range of fascinating customs, religions, and traditions.
One thing that the German people are known for is their regard for time and punctuality. Typically, they respect structure and privacy, and they value their family and community. In Germany, you will find a large population of writers, intellectuals, and business people who, for the most part, are logical and reasonable.
You’ll quickly notice that Germany is known for its high-quality beer – there are over 7,000 varieties of brew in Germany! They also love delicious, hearty food, including sausage, bread, cabbage, and potatoes.
Traditions of many famous German composers, including Johann Sebastian Bach and Ludwig van Beethoven, can be seen throughout the country today. German Oom-Pah tunes are popular as well, which is a folky, brass band type of music. Additionally, you will notice exquisite architecture throughout the country, from Gothic to Baroque to Renaissance.
Many traditional Christian holidays are observed in Germany, like Christmas and Easter. Another German “holiday” known worldwide is Oktoberfest, which is a 16-18-day-long beer festival that first began in 1810.
One thing is for sure… Germany is undoubtedly bursting with a robust, local culture unlike any other in the world!
The life of a digital nomad can be quite appealing to many. The idea of a working vacation sounds nice. Especially as COVID-19 has forced more Americans to work from home. Employers have also realized that working from home does not mean that productivity is compromised. Some employers are expected to continue to allow employees to work remotely. And why not? This would definitely save money on office space.
Digital Nomad Life is an Option for More Workers
So as more and more people start working remotely, the idea of the home office is also changing. For many that work remotely as long as there is an internet connection you can get your job done. While the digital nomad lifestyle is not a new concept, working remotely from another country is becoming a realistic option for more people.
Working Remotely In Another Country
A couple of the great things about being able to work remotely in another country is the change of venue, and getting out and meeting new people. It is great for our brains and our creativity to get out of a normal routine. A really good way to do that is to step out of the home office and work in a new location.
Working Remotely Abroad Long-Term
What if you have been traveling as a digital nomad and are looking for a more long term stay, somewhere you can put some roots down? Or what if you have children in school but would love the opportunity to work remotely in another county? Or what if you have always wanted to experience a new way of life but while you can work remotely, it’s not easy to hop from destination to destination? Perhaps, you can work remotely but really need to have your home office set up? This list is for you.
These are the top 5 countries where digital nomads or remote workers can stay and work in another country long term. This list is in no particular order and will have links to the remote work visas so you can get more information on the programs and the requirements.
Though Germany has a higher cost of living, they have lots of Wi-Fi hotspots and co-working spaces for those days that you need to use an office or need to get out and mix it up with other people.
Some of the requirements for the Freiberufler visa are:
- Have an address in Germany
- Must have health insurance
- Show that you make enough money to support yourself
- Must show there is local economic interest for your services
There is also an Artist visa in Germany, however, this is only good for artists, language teachers, and journalists that plan to live in Berlin.
The German freelance visa will allow you to work remotely in Germany for one year.
Moving Tip: If you are planning to move to Germany, having a good understanding of the German language is going to be very helpful.
This is a new Dubai visa program in 2020. Some of the requirements are:
- Passport with minimum six months validity
- Medical insurance with valid UAE coverage
- Proof of Employment from current employer with a one-year contract validity
- Minimum of $5,000 per month salary
- If the applicant is a company owner: proof of ownership of company for one year or more, with an average monthly income of $5,000 per month
With this remote work visa, you and your family can live in Dubai for at least one year.
Moving Tip: If you are planning to move to Dubai, you will find that 80% of Dubai residents are expats. You will likely find other Americans living and working in Dubai to connect with.
This visa has been available for years to freelance and remote workers. For the Czech Republic long term visa will need to show the following:
- Proof of income
- Have travel medical insurance
- Show proof of where you will be staying
Moving Tip: One of the most appealing things for digital nomads about working long term or moving to the Czech Republic is the low cost of living in Prague.
Spain’s self employment work visa allows you to stay for a year. Spain is a great place for digital nomads with great weather, affordable cost of living, and lots of networking events for remote workers. You will find expat communities in the larger cities in Spain like Barcelona and Madrid. These cities are also know to be great for startups.
Moving Tip: Having a good grasp of the Spanish language will be incredibly helpful when moving to Spain.
The Australian working holiday visa and the work and holiday visa are available to those 18 – 30 years of age that want to work while in Australia to help fund their holiday. If you work online or remotely for a company that is located in the U.S. you can still apply for this visa as long as you do not need a special license or registration to perform your job. Both visas as of this post cost approximately $360 USD.
Moving Tip: When moving to Australia with a working holiday visa there are options to extend your stay with additional visas and completing 3 months of “specified work”. With these extended visas it is possible to stay for up to 3 years.
Whether you just want an extended working vacation or you really want to settle in an experience a country these top 5 destinations for working remotely in another country are good place to start.
When it comes tome to actually moving your household goods to a new country Schumacher Cargo Logistics has the best international moving services that will make the transition easier for you.
One of the best things for US students is to take the chance and study abroad for college. Part of the education you receive will be an adventure as well as you dive into a new geography, language, and culture. As an international student entering a new country, you’ll have to pick a school that caters to the needs and abilities of US students while still offering a foreign experience. Read below for some of the best colleges in England for US students that our customers recommend.
Best Universities in England for US Students
University of Oxford
Oxford is arguably one of the most famous colleges in the world. With this notoriety it also is on our list for top colleges in England for US students. It may even be the best colleges in all of Europe.
Founded in 1096, this school has been in operation for over 900 years. Since it’s foundation, over 26000 Americans have graduated from Oxford. This means Americans are the largest amount of graduates outside of the UK.
More Info
Wellington Square
Oxford, OX1 2JD
United Kingdom
Imperial College London
One of the more modern schools in this list, the Imperial College London was founded in 1907 by royal charter. This college focuses on science, engineering, medicine, and business so if you want to study these it may be the right option in England.
With many exchange programs and full degree systems designed for Americans, Imperial College London is a great choice for US students.
More Info
Exhibition Road
London, SW7 2AZ
United Kingdom
University College London
University College London was originally founded in 1826 as London University. Many people going to this school love life near the college. There is always something to do when you have a break from the studies. Many of these schools are located in London, but the University College London might have the best position of the bunch.
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Gower Street
London, WC1E 6BT
United Kingdom
King’s College London
Established by the king himself, King’s College London has one of the largest US student populations in England. With somewhere between one and two thousand US students, they double and sometimes triple the amount of any other school on this list. While we would recommend experiencing as much of a culture as you can, sometimes having a safety net helps the integration in a new country. In that case, King’s College London may be the right choice for you.
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Strand
London, WC2R 2LS
United Kingdom
University of Manchester
Located on the other side of England, the University of Manchester has many offerings to US students as well. One of the main benefits is that this school has the largest student body in England. With so many people, chances are you’ll be able to experience more while you are there.
More Info
Oxford Rd
Manchester, M13 9PL
United Kingdom
Need to Move to One of The Best Colleges in England?
Ready to make one of these universities your destination school and want to bring goods or a vehicle with you? Moving abroad can seem intimidating. Luckily, Schumacher Cargo can help make the move to England a less complicated. So all you will have to worry about is what you’ll experience first!
For help moving to your new school in England, fill our Online Form or call in at (800) 599-0190
There are many great reasons for living in Italy as an American. Ultimately, it offers a great experience to both expats looking for work and to retire. However, there are pros and cons of living in Italy vs USA to look at first. Not all aspects of life will be better than in America and it is worth it to compare the differences.
Check out our article on the pros and cons for differences living in the Italy below!
Living in Italy: Pros and Cons Disclaimer
One disclaimer to start with is that there are differences in living all throughout Italy. Living in Rome, will be different than Milan, Naples, Turin, etc. For this reason, the differences between Italy and USA are broad and may not apply to every area in the country.
Pros of Living in Italy
There are many pros when living in Italy vs the USA. The fact that so many Americans are living there right now should be a testament to that. We’ve listed some of the many things that expats love when living here.
Amazing Food and Wine
The first things expats write to us about is the amazing food in Italy. Where else can you get the most authentic Italian food, than in the country that created it. From real handmade pastas to authentic margarita pizzas, you’ll be sure to have something incredible to eat here.
Culture and History
With it’s long history and great preservation, Italy retains some of the most famous pieces of history in the world. There are some of the greatest buildings still standing such as the Roman Coliseum or the Leaning Tower of Pisa. It is also home to legendary artists like da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Caravaggio. In Italy, you’ll always be able to experience a little bit of the past anywhere you look.
Easy Home Buying Procedure
For countries like America, Italy offers a reciprocal home buying policy. This means that property is pretty straightforward to buy. Many countries make it much harder for foreigners to buy a home compared to Italy. It becomes much easier to live or retire in Italy if you have a permanent place to stay.
Cons of Living in Italy vs USA
Unfortunately, there are also cons when living in the Italy vs the USA. When living here, many Americans have experiences that are unappealing and detract from the overall experience. We’ve listed some of the many cons expats have told us they experienced while staying here.
Language Barrier for Many Americans
Many people can speak English in the main cities, but generally prefer to speak Italian. This means that when trying to communicate with locals, you may have a hard time. Though there are also many expat communities in Italy if you want to have an English speaking experience.
Expats Still Pay US Taxes
Given that you are an American expat in Italy, you still have to pay income tax to the USA if you make money. You can get rid of your US citizenship and become an Italian citizen, but that is a drastic way to avoid this. Most expats pay the taxes to both countries as many want to return in the future.
Employment Issues
If you are plan on moving here before employment you may have a harder time. Many spouses of expats try to look for work, but struggle to find jobs with the same ease they did in America. People retiring in Italy don’t have to worry about this issue, though it does end up being a big problem for some.
Want to Live in Italy
With the pros and cons of living in Italy, there are definitely reasons to move here. Even though there are downsides, nowhere is perfect. Italy has had a boom in Americans living there for good reason anyways.
If you are moving or thinking about moving, we at Schumacher Cargo Logistics can help you out. With over 40 years of experience, SCL is a premier moving company. From cars to full households, we can ship your goods door to door from the US to anywhere in the country. There are definitely more differences between Italy and the US, but we’ll let you experience the rest while you’re there.
To get started fill out our Online Quote Form or read another of our Italy guides below.
More Italy Guides
Many people wonder when the best times to move are in order to have the best moving experience. Interestingly enough, both the peak moving season and popular times to move are influenced by individual situations. The times that people move are similar because the issues are the same for each of them.
Read below about some of the peak times to move and the reasons they’re popular.
Why Summer is the Peak Moving Season
Once summer comes around, movers get into their peak moving season. This really starts to pick up around may and lasts all the way until the end of September.
Children being out of school is one of the main reasons that summer is such a popular time to move. Since they have just finished the school year, it’s much easier to move with kids. When moving during the summer, kids don’t have to enter a school mid-year and they can start fresh at a new one. This also includes the period where college kids may move to a new city or town to attend their university.
Another reason summer is the most popular time to move is because it is really difficult to move during other seasons. In some areas, dark or snow covered winters make it hard to even move at all.
When choosing a month to move in the peak season, you should start as early as possible. Some companies fill their space up months in advanced and they may be fully booked by the time you want to start.
Popular Days to Move in a Month
As a whole, every month has a similar set of popular days to move. These days are the weekends and the end of the month.
The weekends are generally popular because it is easier to be there if you aren’t at work. For some, they cannot take time off of work to move, and have to use the weekends. This also helps if you have a multi-day situation. You’ll be able to use both days of the weekend rather than have to take multiple days off of work.
A major reason why the days at the end of the month are popular to move is because of ending housing agreements. When renting a place, rent is due at the beginning of the month. This means to not waste rent on an extra month, you need to leave before the month ends. Because of this, most are scheduled at this time making them the most popular days.
The Best Time of Year to Move
Since each person is different, the best time to move depends on your particular situation. If you have kids, the best time to move may be in the summer. Though if that doesn’t bother you, you may want to move any other time since there will be more openings and flexibility for your shipment. To determine your best time of year to move, you can consult with a moving company as soon as possible and they can guide your decision.
The Best Time to Move Internationally with Schumacher
For the most part, domestic moves and international moves share the same peak moving season. We still recommend starting sooner than later as this takes a bit longer than domestic moves. Each particular situation is different so we consult with each person on their move.
Get a quote for your international move and start today before it’s too busy!
