A Complete Guide to Settling in Berlin, Germany

Population: around 3.8 million

Popular neighborhoods: Mitte, Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, Kreuzberg, Prenzlauer Berg, Neukölln

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment (“Warmmiete”): 1,600 EUR

Top industries: IT and communication, music, biotech, construction, ecommerce, retail, hotel, medical engineering

Number of expats: Around 23% of the population, drawn from 170 countries

Germany’s capital city, Berlin, has long been an attractive destination for young professionals, in particular those in the creative industries. It’s a vibrant metropolis with a high quality of life, where history meets high-tech, and startup culture is thriving. 

Here at Remitly, we can help you not only with transferring money, but with the nuts and bolts of settling in a new country. We’ve put together some helpful hints and tips to make your move to Berlin as smooth as possible.

Table of Contents

Introducing Berlin

History

Though it’s an old city—the first recorded mention of Berlin dates to 1237–most of us know Berlin through its more recent history. After World War II the city was split into sectors under the administration of the Soviet Union (“East Berlin”) and the USA, France and Great Britain (“West Berlin”). When the Berlin Wall came down in 1989 and Germany was reunified, the city was once again reunited and became the official German capital in 1991. 

Facts about Berlin

Did you know that Berlin is nine times bigger than Paris and has more bridges than Venice? It also has the largest open-air art gallery in the world, on the site of the former Berlin Wall, and the most visited zoo in Europe! It’s a young city: 56% of the population of Berlin is under the age of 45.

Although the bear has become a symbol of Berlin and features on the city’s coat of arms, the story that the name “Berlin” originates from “Bärlein” (“little bear”) appears to be nothing more than an urban myth.

Living in Berlin

As Berlin is such an attractive destination for lots of people from all over the world, finding accommodation can be tricky. Most people in Germany rent their homes: homeownership is far less common than in the USA or UK, and in Berlin only 17% of residents are homeowners. 

While this means there’s increased competition for rental properties, the good news is that rentals are usually long-term and relatively secure. If your German isn’t up to navigating the complexities of rental contracts, here’s a quick guide to the vocabulary you’ll need.

Renting in Berlin

Most apartments in Germany are let unfurnished, so you’ll need to factor in the cost of buying your own furniture. It can also come as a surprise to foreigners that kitchen fittings are frequently not included, unless the advertisement specifically states that the property has a fitted kitchen (“Einbauküche”).  

Make sure to check whether the rent includes heating costs (“Warmmiete” or “warm rent”) or not (“Kaltmiete” or “cold rent”). You may also see the term “Gesamtmiete” (“total rent”) which includes both heating and building utility costs (“Nebenkosten”). Consider taking out liability insurance, which isn’t compulsory but protects you against being sued for accidentally damaging someone else’s property. Here’s a step-by-step guide to what liability insurance is and why you might need it.

How to find accommodation in Berlin

The main sites for finding accommodation are ImmobilienScout24, Immonet and Immowelt, all of which advertise properties both for rent and for sale. It’s worth checking these sites regularly and creating alerts for the kind of properties you’re interested in, as the housing market in Berlin is fiercely competitive and properties can be snapped up quickly.

Shared accommodation (“Wohngemeinschaft” or “WG”) is also popular among students and young professionals in Berlin. The online portal WG-Gesucht is the main forum for finding shared houses and apartments.

The huge demand for rental properties in Berlin has unfortunately led to some unscrupulous individuals taking advantage of the situation. Here are some useful tips on how to protect yourself from common housing scams.

For a thorough overview we recommend this guide on how to find an apartment in Berlin.

Registering when you move to Berlin

If you’re going to live in Germany for more than three months, you must register your address with the authorities. This is known as “Anmeldung” and is required by law. Without registering, you can’t get a registration certificate (“Meldebestätigung”) which you’ll often need to prove your address or open a bank account, get a tax ID or use government services. You’ll also need to register your address if you’re applying for a residence permit.

To register, you need to go to the local municipal office (“Bürgeramt”). You can find your local Bürgeramt here. However, there are often long waiting times for appointments, so book one as soon as possible. German bureaucracy is complex, so consider enlisting the help of a native German speaker!

To register, you first need a tenancy confirmation (“Wohnungsgeberbestätigung”) from your landlord. You will typically receive this after you sign the lease. However, some short-term accommodation providers, such as AirBNBs or serviced apartments, won’t provide you with this document. If you’re in this situation and you intend to stay in Berlin for more than three months, look around for a permanent (“unbefristet”) rental contract.

Where to live in Berlin

Berlin is a big city with a variety of different neighborhoods. A few areas stand out as being especially popular with expats in Berlin:

• Mitte The name itself means “center” and as you’d expect, this is the heart of the city. Museums, bars, restaurants and trendy shops are on your doorstep. It couldn’t be more convenient—but you’ll also pay a premium for living here.
• Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf These neighboring leafy suburbs have long been popular with English-speaking expats. This area is particularly popular with families as it has a low crime rate and highly ranked international schools. 
• Kreuzberg If you want to explore Berlin’s “alternative” scene, this is the place for you. Colorful street art, vibrant nightlife and international food markets make this an ideal choice for younger people.
• Prenzlauer Berg A lively, gentrified neighborhood popular with artists and media types.
• Neukölln For those on a tighter budget but with a love of the bohemian lifestyle, Neukölln is a good choice. It’s a lively, multicultural area which encapsulates the trendy vibe of Berlin.

If you’re happy to live further from the center, suburbs such as Spandau, Wedding and Zehlendorf offer more affordable options. 

Getting around Berlin

Berlin has an excellent public transport system. With a network of buses, trams, underground trains (“U-Bahn”) and local trains (“S-Bahn”), you can get around the city with ease. Cycling is extremely popular in Berlin, and you can also rent e-scooters from several providers. 

If you’re planning to travel further afield and explore other German cities such as Munich or Hamburg, the Deutschland-Ticket gives you unlimited train travel throughout Germany for only 49 EUR a month. However, it’s not valid on high-speed trains (ICE or IC/EC) or on services run by other providers such as FlixTrain. 

If you want to drive in Berlin, you’ll need a driving license issued in Germany or another EU country. You’re only allowed to drive with a license from a non-EU country for six months, after which you’ll have to convert your driving license to a German one. Here’s a useful introduction to driving in Germany.

Essential services and amenities in Berlin

Berlin’s official website has a useful Service Portal that features a chatbot which is available in English.

Healthcare in Berlin

All German residents must have health insurance. There are two kinds of health insurance: public and private. If you are on a low income (currently less than 69,300 EUR) you can only choose public health insurance; otherwise you can choose either. If you’re a freelancer working in the arts, you can join the Künstlersozialkasse, which pays half of your public pension insurance as well as half of your health insurance. For more information about health insurance in Germany and how it works, check out this guide on how to choose German health insurance.

Berlin is a center of excellence for healthcare: it has more than 80 hospitals, both public and private, a number of specialist clinics and the largest academic teaching hospital in Europe.

Your first contact with the healthcare system will be your GP (“Hausarzt”). You won’t need to register with a specific practice, as most GPs will see any patient. However, if you’re not a native German speaker, communicating with healthcare professionals can be difficult. Here’s a guide to finding English-speaking medical professionals in Berlin. 

Schools in Berlin

The Senate Administration for Education, Youth and Family (“Senatsverwaltung für Bildung, Jugend und Familie”) is responsible for the public education system in Berlin. The city has a wide choice of schools, including a number of international schools, both public and private. 

Here’s a comprehensive guide to the school system in Berlin for newcomers. 

Supermarkets and shopping in Berlin

You may already be familiar with German supermarket chains Aldi and Lidl, but Berlin has a range of supermarkets to suit every budget, as well as independent shops. The biggest supermarket chain in Germany is Edeka, where you’ll find a wide range of products including many international products. Rewe is another large supermarket chain, which is slightly more expensive but also offers online shopping and home delivery.

Organic food is big in Germany: you’ll find a wide range in Denns BioMarkt and Alnatura, as well as in many smaller health food shops (“Reformhaus”). Germans are very environmentally conscious, so wherever you shop, you’ll need to remember your reusable cloth bags! 

Although digital payments are gaining popularity in Germany, many smaller shops still only take cash, so be sure to find out the location of your nearest ATM (“Geldautomat” or “Bankomat”). 

Registering for utilities in Berlin

The utilities market in Germany is deregulated, so you can choose your gas and electricity supplier. If you want an environmentally friendly option, some providers, such as berlinStrom, offer an “eco-tariff.”

To find out which providers are available in your local area and compare prices, you can use a price comparison tool such as Preisvergleich. This useful site also allows you to compare internet, cable TV and mobile phone tariffs, insurance policies, credit providers and banks, as well as shopping sites.

Water is provided at the local level, so your provider in Berlin will be Berliner Wasserbetriebe. 

Managing your money in Berlin

Opening a bank account

If you’re an EU citizen, it’s fairly simple to open a German bank account. If you’re from a country outside the EU, you’ll need to provide the following documents to open a bank account:

• Proof of ID, such as a passport
• A valid visa or residence permit
• Proof of your address (“Anmeldung”)
• Evidence of your income or employment status
• Proof of your student status (if you’re applying for a student account).

Some banks will also ask for a SCHUFA, an official statement of creditworthiness. 

If you have trouble providing the above, some of the “challenger banks” such as N26 and Monese will allow you to open a German bank account with simply a proof of ID.

Budgeting 

Despite its popularity, Berlin is cheaper than many other European capital cities. The average cost of living in London, for example, is 34% higher than in Berlin, and Paris is 24% higher. There’s more information in our guide to the cost of living in Germany.
And if you’re counting the pennies, here’s a list of things to do in Berlin on a budget.

Paying tax 

If you have taxable income from any source in Germany, you’re legally required to pay taxes, whether you’re a resident or a non-resident. To help you understand your tax obligations, we’ve put together a guide to filing your taxes in Germany

The good news is that you may be eligible for certain tax deductions. Find out what you’re entitled to and how to claim it in our article on tax deductions for immigrants in Germany. 

Social life and community in Berlin

To help you integrate into the city, Berlin has plenty of Meetup groups for all interests. Many expats join the popular InterNations community, which connects newcomers to Berlin from all over the world. 

Berlin is famous for its techno scene, with top nightclubs like Berghain (but beware, it’s notoriously difficult to get in!) and there are plenty of live music venues for all tastes. If classical music is more your thing, head for the world-renowned opera house or the Berlin Philharmonic. For culture enthusiasts, Berlin also has an impressive collection of museums, nearly all of which offer free entry on the first Sunday of the month.

Eating out in Berlin

The city is also a foodie paradise, with several Michelin-starred restaurants and trendy cafés to suit all tastes. If your budget doesn’t stretch that far, why not try the local street food, the world-famous Berlin Currywurst? Although German food tends to be heavily focused on meat, there’s a growing awareness of plant-based alternatives: Berlin also boasts a good selection of vegan restaurants.

Working and studying in Berlin

If you’re a German citizen or a citizen of another EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway, you can legally work in Berlin. If you’re from Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom or the United States, you need a residence permit (“Aufenthaltstitel”) to work, study or freelance in Germany.

If you already have a job offer before moving to Germany, you’ll need to apply for a work visa. 

The work visa isn’t applicable if you’re self-employed, though: if you’re a freelancer, take a look at our guide to how to get a digital nomad visa in Germany. If you don’t already have a job, you’ll need a job seeker visa. This is aimed at people with a recognized university degree and is valid for six months.

For academics and people with related qualifications who want to take up qualified employment in Germany, there’s a special visa known as the EU Blue Card. To obtain the Blue Card, you must already have a job offer in Germany with a gross annual salary of at least 45,300 EUR (as of 2024).

If you want to undertake voluntary work in Berlin, we’ve put together a guide on getting a volunteer visa in Germany.

Finding a job in Berlin

Berlin is an attractive destination for ambitious young professionals and competition for jobs can be fierce. Berlin’s economy is dominated by the service sector, which makes up 84% of all employers in the city. It’s also a hotspot for technology, the automotive industry, healthcare, fintech and the creative industries. The city’s biggest employer is Deutsche Bahn, followed by the Charité hospital. Household names Tesla and Mercedes-Benz are also among the top ten employers, along with the supermarket giants.

For job opportunities, online portals such as LinkedIn and Indeed.com are good places to start, as well as the German government portal Jobsuche, where you can filter results by location, sector and employment type (full-time, part-time, remote etc.). The city of Berlin also has a portal called Talent Berlin. 

While having some knowledge of German will give you a distinct advantage, it’s possible to find a job in Berlin as an English speaker. Check out Berlin Startup Jobs or English Jobs in Berlin.

Studying in Berlin

If you’re planning to study at one of Berlin’s many world-class universities, you can be assured of a high standard of education. Another advantage is that public universities in Germany don’t charge tuition fees, even for foreign students. The German Academic Exchange Service (“Deutscher Akademiker Austauschdienst”) is a good starting point for finding out more about available study programs, scholarships and research opportunities.

Finding accommodation in Berlin as a student can be tough, so your first port of call should be the student accommodation service studierendenWERK. You can search for apartments, shared housing or rooms in a hall of residence.

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