Settling-In Services – Köln

You can survive without German in major cities, especially Berlin and Frankfurt, but thriving requires at least conversational German. Daily interactions with neighbours, shop assistants, doctors, and government offices happen primarily in German. Career advancement in most companies (even international ones) favours German speakers. For permanent residency, B1 German is required. For citizenship, B1 or higher is mandatory. We recommend starting German classes immediately upon arrival, even if your workplace operates in English.

It depends on your home country. EU and EEA driving licenses are valid indefinitely in Germany with no conversion needed. Licenses from countries with bilateral agreements (including Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Israel, and certain US and Canadian states) can be converted without a driving test, only a vision test and paperwork are required. All other licenses require the full German driving test (theoretical and practical), which can cost 1,500 to 3,000 euros including mandatory driving lessons. You have 6 months from establishing German residence to convert; after that, your foreign license becomes invalid for driving in Germany.

Germany has approximately 170 international schools across the country. Major cities (Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Düsseldorf) each have multiple options following IB (International Baccalaureate), British, American, or French curricula. Annual fees range from 5,000 to 25,000 euros depending on the school. Application timelines vary but applying 6 to 12 months in advance is advisable for popular schools. German public schools (Grundschule for ages 6 to 10, then Gymnasium, Realschule, or Gesamtschule) are free and of generally high quality but teach entirely in German. We research options based on your children's ages, language abilities, and your location.

Germany's internet infrastructure is improving but remains slower than some expats expect. DSL (16 to 250 Mbps) is widely available. Cable internet through Vodafone (up to 1,000 Mbps) is available in many urban areas. Fibre optic (Glasfaser) coverage is expanding but not yet universal. Major providers are Telekom, Vodafone, O2, and 1und1. Contract terms are typically 24 months with 3 months notice for cancellation. Installation wait times can be 2 to 6 weeks. For mobile phones, major networks are Telekom (D1), Vodafone (D2), and O2 (E-Plus). Prepaid SIMs from Aldi Talk, Lidl Connect, or congstar offer affordable data plans without contracts.

Most larger cities have doctors who speak English, though finding them requires knowing where to look. The website jameda.de allows you to filter by language. Your health insurer may provide a doctor finder with language filters. International clinics in Berlin (International Medical Center), Munich (International Medical Group), and Frankfurt cater specifically to English-speaking patients. For emergencies, call 112 (ambulance and fire) or 116 117 (non-emergency medical helpline, which can direct you to English-speaking on-call doctors). We provide a curated list of English-speaking GPs, dentists, and specialists near your home.

The Rundfunkbeitrag (commonly called GEZ after the former collection agency) is a mandatory fee of 18.36 euros per month per household that funds public broadcasting (ARD, ZDF, Deutschlandradio). Every registered household in Germany must pay, regardless of whether you own a TV, radio, or use the services. It is not optional and not tied to citizenship. After your Anmeldung, you will automatically receive a letter from the Beitragsservice. You can set up direct debit for quarterly or annual payment. Exemptions exist for low-income residents receiving social benefits.