Moving to Germany in 2026

Moving to Germany: entry, first 30 days, 3-month budget

Russian citizens need a German national visa to move, obtained at a consulate before the trip on a specific ground: employment, the Blue Card, job search, study, family or freelancing. There is no visa-free entry, and switching from tourist to work status inside the country is usually impossible, so the ground and documents are prepared in advance.

1. First 14 days. Register your address at the citizens' office; without it you cannot open an account or receive a tax number. The lease and the landlord's move-in confirmation are needed at this step.
2. Weeks 2-4. The tax number arrives by post; open a bank account and take out mandatory health insurance.
3. Before the visa expires. Book the foreigners' authority and get the residence permit; in big cities the wait is weeks or months, so book straight away.

Health insurance is mandatory, and its cost depends on income and plan. A family budget is worked out in the chat. Euros are converted at the rate of 6 October 2026, about $1.12 per euro.

Germany in brief

Germany is the European Union's largest economy, with about 83 million people and Berlin as its capital. It is in the European Union, Schengen and the euro area. The language is German; many companies in Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt work in English, but German is needed for bureaucracy, housing and citizenship. Germany has one of Europe's largest Russian-speaking communities.

Germany suits professionals with a contract, IT specialists, doctors and engineers, entrepreneurs and people with German or Jewish roots. It suits those seeking low taxes or quick residence for money less well: the country has no investor programme.

How to get residence in 2026

• EU Blue Card - with a degree and a salary from €50,700 a year, about $56,900, lower for shortage occupations; experienced IT specialists do not need a degree. Details are on the page German work residence permit.
• Skilled worker with a degree or vocational training - a permit under a contract with a German employer; since November 2023 the job need not match your field.
• Opportunity Card - a job-search visa on a points system for education, language, experience and age.
• Freelancing and own business - a 3-month visa and a permit for up to a year, renewable; there is no fixed minimum income, and since July 2025 applicants over 45 must show a pension from €1,612.53 a month or assets from €232,204. Details are on the page German freelancer visa.
• Study and family - student visas and reunification with a relative living in Germany.

We handle the ground, diploma recognition, documents and consulate filing end to end.

Late repatriates and Jewish immigration

Descendants of Germans from the former USSR can move as late repatriates: they must prove German descent and knowledge of German, and apply from their country of residence to the Federal Office of Administration. A separate programme exists for people of Jewish descent from the former USSR: proof of descent, basic German and a positive integration forecast are required, and the Federal Office for Migration decides. Both routes are long and need archive documents, which we check before filing.

Permanent residence and citizenship

Blue Card holders get permanent residence after 21 months with intermediate German or after 27 months with basic German; other skilled workers usually need 3-5 years. Citizenship comes after 5 years in the country; the 3-year fast track was abolished on 30 October 2025, and spouses of German citizens need 3 years of residence with at least 2 years of marriage. Since 27 June 2024 you may keep your previous citizenship. The fee is €255, about $290, per adult. Details are on the page German citizenship.

Taxes

Income tax in 2026 runs on a scale from 0% to 45%, with the first €12,348 a year tax-free. The 5.5% solidarity surcharge on the tax amount applies only to high earners, and church members also pay church tax. Employees pay about 20% of salary in social contributions. Corporate tax is 15% plus trade tax, about 30% together. VAT is 19%. You become resident if you have a home in Germany or after 6 months of stay. Details are on the page taxes in Germany.

Housing and property

The average asking rent in Berlin in 2026 is about €15-16 per square metre excluding utilities; a 60-square-metre flat costs €900-950, about $1,009-1,065, plus heating and building charges. The main difficulty is competition: dozens of applicants come for a good flat, and landlords ask for proof of income and a credit report. Foreigners buy property without restrictions, with a purchase tax of 3.5% to 6.5% depending on the state. We source properties on the page property in Germany.

Business and accounts

A limited liability company is set up through a notary with minimum capital of €25,000, half paid in before registration; a light form with capital from €1 also exists. Banks open accounts after address registration and scrutinise Russian citizens. We help with company registration, a business account and a personal account.

Where to live

• Berlin - IT, start-ups and an international scene, but an acute housing shortage. More in the Berlin guide.
• Munich - high salaries and the most expensive housing in the country.
• Frankfurt - banking and finance, with an airport serving the whole world.
• Hamburg - the port, media and logistics.
• Leipzig and Dresden - the east of the country, with much cheaper housing.

Cost of living

Groceries in Germany are cheaper than in many neighbouring countries, and the main expense is rent, especially in Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Berlin. The eastern states and smaller towns are noticeably more affordable. Health insurance is mandatory: public, with contributions based on income, or private. Schools and state universities are free, and kindergartens are free or inexpensive in many states. A single pass for all local public transport in the country costs 63 euros a month, about $71.

Practicalities

• Registration. Within two weeks of moving in you must register your address, after which your tax ID arrives by post.
• Credit history. Landlords and telecom providers check credit history, so newcomers rely on an employer's letter and a deposit.
• Language. Big cities have plenty of work in English, but authorities, doctors and citizenship require German.
• Shops. Almost all shops are closed on Sundays.
• Transport. A dense rail network; Berlin to Munich by high-speed train takes about 4 hours.

Pros and cons of moving

Pros: the European Union's largest job market, the Blue Card and permanent residence after 21 months, citizenship after 5 years while keeping your passport, free education, strong healthcare and a nationwide monthly transport pass for €63, about $71. Cons: a visa for Russian citizens, slow bureaucracy, a housing shortage in big cities, high taxes and contributions, and German for everyday life.

Moving with children

School in Germany is compulsory and free, taught in German, with preparatory classes for children without the language. Families receive a monthly child benefit for each child. Kindergarten places are scarce in big cities, so apply right after registration. Children are included in residence through family reunification.

Who Germany suits

Germany suits professionals with a contract or an in-demand occupation, entrepreneurs and people with German or Jewish roots who are ready to learn the language and value social security and a path to a European Union passport. Write in the chat and we will choose a ground, check your diploma and work out the moving budget for your family.