At OleRRelo Moving & Storage, we know that moving can be an overwhelming experience. But if you’re moving to another country, the stress can multiply. That’s why we go the extra mile to ease the experience of our international movers. One of the ways we like to help is by providing guides and tips for our customers on the various cities we help families relocate to. Today, we’ll take a look at Berlin.
Berlin is a very cosmopolitan city. Of its 3.5 million inhabitants, roughly one in six were born in a different country. This gives the capital its unique multicultural identity. No matter where you are in the city, you’ll find diverse art scenes, museums full of Berlin’s complex history, and more restaurants you could hope to visit in a lifetime. Despite its rising cost of living, Berlin is still relatively cheap compared to other European capitals.
Germany has one of the oldest universal healthcare systems in the world. Everyone is required by law to have health insurance and there are both public and private options. If you’re a salaried worker, most likely you’ll be registered for public health insurance. However, if you’re self-employed, a civil servant, or earn over a minimum (about 5,000 euros), you’re eligible for private insurance. This allows you access to particular doctors and shorter wait times for non-emergency procedures.
One of the most important things you’ll need to do when moving to Berlin is open a German bank account. You’ll be required to present details of you bank account when signing for various contracts such as lease agreements, cell phones, and internet service providers. One helpful tool is the N26 Mobile Bank, which will allow you to create an account without needing to know a word of German!
If you’re moving with your family, particularly with young children, you’ll want to get a headstart on applying for daycare. In Germany, Kitas, or daycares, are free to attend but food and activities such as sports may cost extra, though not much compared to American daycare. The drawback, however, is availability. Waiting lists for kitas can be months, if not years long, so you definitely want to begin the process before you move. Here’s a guide to help your search.
Berlin is a fantastic place to live. From its multicultural setting to infamous nightlife, you’ll never run out of exciting and different things to experience. And OleRRelo can help get your belongings there without a hitch.
