Brits who have moved to Germany - tell me about it?
July 22, 2020 5:46 AM Subscribe
I am planning a move to Germany with my EU soon-to-be-spouse. As a British citizen and with Brexit looming, I am a bit anxious about it and could do with hearing from other Brits who have moved in the past year or so about their experiences.
My EU-citizen fiance is in advanced discussions about a new job in Germany which would require moving there, and I am more than happy to up sticks and follow him if this all pans out. I have lived there briefly before, and was fairly fluent at the language once upon a time so it's not that big a leap with the help of some immersion classes. He has lived there before, so knows everything you need to know about moving there as a EU citizen.
The complicating factor is stupid Brexit, as we have just a few months to move and establish residency in Germany before the 31st of December, but another six months to register with the Germany government to keep my current EU citizen rights.
I would love to hear from Brits who've recently moved to Germany about their experiences of navigating the whole process! And if you have any tips for finding work once I am there, as someone in a non-tech career that trades on my English skills, in the time of COVID.
My EU-citizen fiance is in advanced discussions about a new job in Germany which would require moving there, and I am more than happy to up sticks and follow him if this all pans out. I have lived there briefly before, and was fairly fluent at the language once upon a time so it's not that big a leap with the help of some immersion classes. He has lived there before, so knows everything you need to know about moving there as a EU citizen.
The complicating factor is stupid Brexit, as we have just a few months to move and establish residency in Germany before the 31st of December, but another six months to register with the Germany government to keep my current EU citizen rights.
I would love to hear from Brits who've recently moved to Germany about their experiences of navigating the whole process! And if you have any tips for finding work once I am there, as someone in a non-tech career that trades on my English skills, in the time of COVID.
Response by poster: Scorbet - oh good point, this would be Munich, but with a small possibility of Berlin.
posted by ozgirlabroad at 6:16 AM on July 22, 2020
posted by ozgirlabroad at 6:16 AM on July 22, 2020
Best answer: Berlin does seem to have an online registration in place (possibly a pre-registration?), but Munich is still waiting for guidance - though they expect that you can start arranging appointments from October 1st. But from looking around a bit, it seems that no-one actually knows what documentation will be required or exactly what type of document you will receive. So I don't really think that anyone will be able to help with their experience of that part of the process!
posted by scorbet at 6:43 AM on July 22, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by scorbet at 6:43 AM on July 22, 2020 [1 favorite]
Keep in mind that there are two distinct paths to take here:
1) Moving to Germany as a British citizen. I don't know the details of this but here in neighboring Netherlands you have to apply for a temporary residence card after showing how you are exercising your EU rights here (basically you have a job or have lots of money) Note that just residing here is not sufficient to guarantee your right to stay here.
2) Moving to Germany as an EU spouse. This is different because your EU rights are derived from your EU spouse and it is they that have to show they are exercising their EU rights. If successful you are issued also with a residence card.
Just a consideration as the paths are different and path 2) does not expire at the end of 2020.
posted by vacapinta at 6:59 AM on July 22, 2020 [1 favorite]
1) Moving to Germany as a British citizen. I don't know the details of this but here in neighboring Netherlands you have to apply for a temporary residence card after showing how you are exercising your EU rights here (basically you have a job or have lots of money) Note that just residing here is not sufficient to guarantee your right to stay here.
2) Moving to Germany as an EU spouse. This is different because your EU rights are derived from your EU spouse and it is they that have to show they are exercising their EU rights. If successful you are issued also with a residence card.
Just a consideration as the paths are different and path 2) does not expire at the end of 2020.
posted by vacapinta at 6:59 AM on July 22, 2020 [1 favorite]
I'm not a Brit, but I do live in Munich. In case you haven't found it, the City of Munich website has info here regarding Brexit.
As for work, my wife (not in tech) has come across a fair amount of jobs teaching English.
Good luck with the move, and Willkommen in München!
posted by Bucket o' Heads at 7:10 AM on July 22, 2020 [1 favorite]
As for work, my wife (not in tech) has come across a fair amount of jobs teaching English.
Good luck with the move, and Willkommen in München!
posted by Bucket o' Heads at 7:10 AM on July 22, 2020 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by scorbet at 6:13 AM on July 22, 2020 [1 favorite]