A Developer’s Guide to Relocating to Berlin
At Kloeckner-i (KCI), we are building a diverse, multi-cultural team and this is a quick guide for developers relocating to Berlin.
Job Search
First things first, the relocation process proceeds far more smoothly if you already have a job offer. Not to worry though as Berlin has a booming tech scene with lots of opportunities. There are plenty of job portals such as berlinstartupjobs.com; however, I strongly recommend to go through a recruitment platform like Honeypot.
They are especially geared towards developers and can help you with every step of the process when relocating. Check out their cool relocation infographic or their startup map for Berlin. Alternatively, MoBerries provides a similar service.
Lastly, our awesome team at KCI is always expanding. If you’ve got what it takes to revolutionize the steel industry then take a look at our current open positions.
Getting your visa
The process of getting a visa is completely dependent on your country of origin (EU citizens are exempt from visas). Please make sure to consult with your local embassy ahead of time as some countries take longer than others. There are several ways to help speed up the process though, including:
- Having a job offer before applying
- Qualifying for a highly skilled visa [Blue card: 1, 2]
- Having a permit pre-approval form [article]
When applying for a visa, there can be a lot of variables to take into consideration (e.g., requirements for family members). Therefore, it’s advisable to have a look through the registration services list on Berlin’s official service portal.
Transport
Berlin has an aged but impressive transport network made up of trams, buses and trains (both underground and surface) which make it easy to move around the city. Not to mention there are plenty of bicycle paths to follow during the warmer months. If you are flying into the city, it’s better to arrive at Tegel (TXL) airport as it’s closer to the heart of the city than Schönefeld (SXF). This is important as it affects the type and cost of the transport ticket you will have to buy.
Berlin has 3 main transport zones, A, B and C which affect the price of the tickets needed to commute. Fortunately, any single transport ticket can be used on any combination of a tram, bus or train provided it is valid for the zone and direction you are traveling. Tickets can be bought for each individual trip, however, there are also monthly and yearly tickets which can prove cheaper in the long run. More information can be found here [1].
Hint: Always remember to validate your ticket before your trip.
Accommodation
Renting an apartment can be quite a challenge as spaces are limited and rental fees have increased considerably over the past few years. Some companies offer temporary accommodation for new hires while you search for your own place. Make sure to enquire about this during the interview stage.
To begin, you should start by looking for an apartment as soon as you can. To increase your chances of success, you will need several documents that can only be obtained in Germany. Two main requirements are (1) having a bank account, and (2) having a Schufa statement. You can read more about the process here [1].
As always, you have several options. The simplest and cheapest rental option for newcomers is renting a shared apartment (Wohngemeinschaft) from sites like wg-gesucht. These have the advantage of living with a local which can greatly improve the integration process. Also, the requirements for shared apartments can be more relaxed (e.g., no need for a Schufa statement) since you will probably be subletting the apartment from one of the tenants and not the landowner.
Alternatively, it’s possible to rent your own space; however, these tend to be harder as you will be dealing directly with agents and landowners. They tend to prefer communication in German and might require all your paperwork to be in order. There are plenty of sites listing private spaces. One of the most popular is immobilienscout24.
Now that you’re here
- Complete City Registration (Anmeldung) — This is one of the most important things to do upon arrival. By law you are required to register yourself with your city within 14 days of arrival.
- Open a bank account — Berlin offers several traditional banks as well as online-only banks such as N26.
- Get busy mingling — You really have to put yourself out there in order to connect with other Berliners. The easiest way is to attend meetup events with like-minded people.
Pets
If you wish to move with a pet, you might need to get several certifications and vaccinations as well as pay tax in some cases. More info [1] [2].
Health Insurance (Krankenversicherung)
There are a few terms you should be familiar with:
- Private/Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung => Private/Government Health Insurance
- Freiwilligen Versicherung => Voluntary Health Insurance
- Haftpflichtversicherung => Liability insurance (highly recommended)
- Hausratversicherung => Household insurance
Liability insurance is the cheapest and is highly recommended. Government health insurance is statutory. It is also often handled by your employer and automatically deducted from your salary; though, you will still have to choose a provider. Some of the biggest in Germany are:
· Techniker Krankenkasse (TK)
· Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse (AOK)
· Betriebskrankenkasse (BKK)
· Innungskrankenkasse (IKK)
· Landwirtschaftliche Krankenkasse (LKK)
Language
As Berlin is a multicultural city, it’s possible to get by speaking English alone. However, in order to truly unlock the riches of the city, you should learn to speak German. Not to mention most legal processes (and documents) are conducted in German. A lot of startups provide German classes for their employees (including us!), but as always you have multiple options including:
Odd Bits
- Power outlets — Check if your laptop is compatible with the voltage rating and outlet type
- Tilt and turn windows — possibly the best thing since sliced bread
- Separate trash like a pro
- Sunday shut down — Most businesses, including grocery stores, don’t operate on Sundays. It’s important to plan ahead of time
- Discounted shopping — Visit the designer outlet stores and save big
Berlin is a fantastic city especially for millennials with so much diversity and great quality of life. But don’t take my word for it, there are plenty of sites full of tips and tricks to help you feel right at home including awesome-berlin, settle-in-berlin and the-local
Disclaimer
This is not a legal guide. Neither Kloeckner.i or the author is to be held responsible for the information provided in this article.
