Moving to Berlin to Learn German? Here’s What You Need to Know
Written by Nomaden Berlin, a market-leading relocation company offering accommodation, address registration (Anmeldung) and relocation services in the German capital. For an overview of Nomaden’s packages and services, check out www.nomadenberlin.com
With the new year on the horizon, you may be wanting a new, fun start in a new, fun city surrounded by new, fun people. If this sounds right up your street, then we think a move to Berlin to learn German is the perfect next step!
But what exactly would a move to the German capital entail? How will you handle German bureaucracy, let alone the language? Will you be able to find a place to live and friends?
Rest assured, with the right resources and support, moving to Berlin to learn German is not only a manageable task but a rewarding experience that you will be banging on about for years to come.
Below, we have covered some of the key things you will want to consider when moving to Berlin to learn German.
Address Registration (Anmeldung)
If you are planning to stay in Berlin for more than two months, then you will need to register at an address, a process that is known as Anmeldung.
Anmeldung is a legal requirement in Germany and an integral part of any relocation to Berlin. You need it in order to:
- Apply for a visa at the immigration office in Berlin
If you are needing to apply for a German Language Visa (see section below) at the immigration office in Berlin, then you first need to be registered at an address in the city. Without an Anmeldung certificate, the immigration office in Berlin will not accept your application.
- Carry out most admin tasks in Germany
An Anmeldung certificate is needed for most administrative tasks in Germany. Notably, you need it in order to get a German tax ID (needed for working in Germany), taking out a phone contract or opening most bank accounts.
Therefore, if you are planning to learn German in Berlin for an extended period, completing your Anmeldung should be one of your top priorities.
If you are struggling to find accommodation in Berlin with Anmeldung, then I recommend checking out Nomaden Berlin’s accommodation packages, which offer 1–3 months of private studio accommodation and an address registration service.
German Language Visa
If you are not an EU or EEA citizen, you will need a suitable visa if you are looking to study German in Berlin for more than 3 months.
Fortunately, there is a German Language Visa designed specifically for this purpose. Depending on where you are from, you can either apply for the visa at the immigration office after arriving in Berlin or at a German embassy or consulate before moving to Berlin:
Citizens of the US, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Israel, South Korea and Japan are permitted to enter Germany without a visa for 90 days. During this period, they can apply for the German Language Visa at the immigration office in Berlin.
If not from one of the countries listed above, you will need to apply for the German Language Visa at your local German embassy or consulate prior to moving to Berlin.
The German Language Visa is issued for up to 12 months and is perfect if you are looking to do a long-term stay in Germany while getting to grips with the language.
To be eligible for the German Language Visa, you need to sign up for intensive courses with a German language school in Berlin – if opting for Kapitel Zwei, they will ensure you have all the necessary documentation for your German Language Visa application.
Language Schools
One of the most important aspects of your German language-learning journey is selecting a language school that works for you.
When it comes to language schools in Berlin, we can think of no place better than Kapitel Zwei. Kapitel Zwei is situated in the very heart of the German capital and combines a wealth of expertise and experience with affordable courses and a supportive atmosphere.
Whether you are a complete newbie or an advanced German speaker, Kapitel Zwei has a course suited to you and can help guide you through your TELC and TestDaF qualifications. As mentioned above, they can also ensure you are signed up for classes that meet the exact requirements for your German Language Visa application.
Admin tasks
When living in Berlin and learning German, it is important that you get set up with a local bank account and take out the right insurances to ensure your day-to-day life goes smoothly.
Having helped a large number of people relocate to Berlin over the past 5 years, here are some of our favourite products and services that you may be interested in:
When living in Germany, you will undoubtedly want free access to your money. For this, we recommend setting up an N26 account, a modern online bank that is popular amongst expats in Berlin. You can sign up for an N26 account here.
It is mandatory that you have travel/expat insurance in order to apply for the German Language Visa and it is also essential that you always have some form of medical cover when living in Germany. For this, we highly recommend signing up for feather’s expat health insurance policy.
When living in Germany, we also recommend that you take out personal liability insurance to cover you for costs involving property damage or personal injury to a third-party. We have further highlighted the importance of personal liability insurance in Germany here. With regards to personal liability insurance, we highly recommend signing up for COYA.
I hope you have found this rundown useful of things you should consider when moving to Berlin to learn German. If you are looking for support with your move to Berlin, you may be interested in Nomaden Berlin’s relocation packages or free resources.
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