Pre-arrival guide: start off right in
Rhineland-Palatinate!

If you’re looking to move to Rhineland-Palatinate from another country, there’s one thing above all others you need to know: How much do you get for your money here? Grocery prices, restaurant bills, and housing costs can often seem higher than you might be used to. In an international comparison, prices in Germany are higher than in many other countries.  

However, Rhineland-Palatinate is more than just beautiful. It also often has lower costs than other regions in Germany. The average base rent, for example, is below the national average. By preparing a thorough budget, you can plan your new start solidly.

Your actual cost of living when you are here will depend strongly on your personal expectations and on where and how you live – whether that is in the city or in the country, by yourself or with a family. While housing in cities such as Mainz or Trier is somewhat more expensive, you will often pay significantly less in smaller towns or rural regions such as the Eifel, the Hunsrück, or Western Palatinate.

Tip: You want to know how much rent normally costs in your destination region? The Rhineland-Palatinate service portal can tell you the office responsible for rent indexes or housing cost information for many towns and cities. Simply enter the postcode or town/city you’re interested in in the search bar.

Having a German bank account helps you manage your initial funds securely, pay things like rent and deposits on time, and receive your salary. Some direct banks offer online bank accounts which you can open from abroad. They verify your identity via a video call and frequently accept documents in other languages, although the exact requirements vary for international customers.  

It is usually easiest to open a bank account right after you arrive. Many banks in Rhineland-Palatinate provide in-person support for international skilled workers when they open an account. There are also numerous types of bank accounts, one of which is the basis account. It is important that you can be contacted via a postal mailing address (if necessary at a family member’s, friend’s, or advice center’s address) and that you have all the necessary documents: your passport, residence permit (as soon as you get it), and evidence of your apprenticeship or job.  

Tip: You can find more information on the subject of banking and payment methods in Germany at make-it-in-germany.com, the German federal government’s information portal.

If you are bringing cash when entering the country, it is important to note that you can bring only up to €10,000 without needing to declare it at customs. Amounts greater than this will need to be declared. .

How to open an account successfully

For the initial period after your arrival, it might make sense to book a hostel, hotel, or similar temporary accommodation available at short notice. You should arrange this before you arrive in Germany. In many of Rhineland-Palatinate’s cities and regions, there are furnished, temporary rooms and apartments available which you can rent online for periods such as a month or longer. Some landlords offer flexible lease terms for international skilled workers, too. 

There are many organizations in Rhineland-Palatinate which provide targeted help when you are searching for housing. Ask your employer, university, apprenticeship provider, or the Welcome Center Rhineland-Palatinate for support. 

Important: If you are renting an apartment from abroad, make sure the provider is genuine. Use real estate websites with verified advertisements. Refuse offers where all the communication is done via messenger services or where large prepayments are demanded. Never pay upfront if you have not received a written lease agreement! If possible, ask a person you trust to view the apartment or show you a video of it. 

Once you’ve arrived, you can look for another apartment or house yourself that you would like long-term. This will allow you to get an idea of the surrounding area in person, compare offers better, and contact potential landlords directly.

An international move is no small step, but it can be achieved successfully with the right plan. Before embarking on your move, you need to decide on the transportation solution that suits you. Driving a furniture truck across Europe would be the easiest option, whereas overseas moves are a more complex undertaking and almost always call for an international moving company. Booking space in a sea freight shipping container may be worthwhile if you are bringing large volumes of things such as furniture or household appliances. Air freight is usually faster for smaller volumes or important documents. Think carefully about what you really want to take with you and what you can easily and cost-effectively replace once you’re in Germany. 

Read up on the customs regulations at an early stage. In many cases, when you are moving house, you can import your personal household effects into Germany without paying duty, provided that you have lived outside the EU for at least the 12 preceding months and you are bringing the objects with you to keep using personally. Check German customs restrictions. Objects banned from importation include weapons, certain food items, and plants, among other things.

Specialized moving companies can perform many tasks for you if desired, from packing to customs clearance as well as delivery. International moves start at around €1,500 for smaller shipments, for example, depending on the company and route. However, if relocating from overseas, the costs may be closer to €10,000. These are typical estimates international moving companies name as a general guide.

The documents that will be important depend on your individual situation: for example, if you are coming to Germany for a job contract, apprenticeship, or higher educational studies, if you are immigrating using the fast-track procedure for skilled workers, if you already hold a visa, or if you don’t even need a visa. 

Generally you will need evidence of your career background, education and training diplomas, and birth and marriage certificates. If you are bringing children with you, you will need additional documents. Remember your passport, too, which must be valid. 

Even if many of your documents have already been verified, for example as part of a visa application, it can be helpful to bring certified translations of key original documents with you, for purposes such as leases, banking, or your first few government office appointments in Rhineland-Palatinate, for example. This way, you will avoid delays later on. If you’re uncertain about what applies in your case, ask for information from your local German consulate or embassy, your employer, or the Welcome Center Rhineland-Palatinate. 

Have German translations of official documents prepared so that local authorities accept them. These translations often need to be completed by translators who are certified in Germany. Some government offices also accept documents that are written in English. Make sure that you have digital versions of important documents as well and, ideally, that they are well protected and accessible at all times. 

In addition to key documents, the official recognition of your professional qualifications may be important, too, especially if you wish to work in a regulated profession. It is best to check all this early on.

Health insurance 

For your new start in Rhineland-Palatinate to be secure, smooth, and successful, you will need the right insurance coverage early on. It is particularly important to have valid health insurance. You are required to have health insurance right from the first day of your arrival in Germany. This means you should make absolutely sure that your current insurance is valid here and provides all the benefits that are required by law.  

For your visa application, it is usually sufficient to have travel medical insurance that covers your transition period. It should have a term that ensures valid cover even if your arrival in Germany is delayed. If you already have a job contract or study offer in Germany, you may be able to enroll with a German public healthcare provider (also called “statutory health fund”) beforehand.

Third-party liability insurance 

While it is not legally required to take out personal third-party liability insurance in Germany, it is highly recommended that you do. This covers damages that you cause accidentally, for example, if you have a mishap in your apartment or day-to-day life. Many landlords request to see evidence of third-party liability insurance on signing a lease.  

Gross pay? Net pay? How much is left over at the end? If you have signed a contract for a job in Rhineland-Palatinate, often the document will only show your gross wage or salary. The amount that really ends up in your bank account depends on the German tax system.  

To budget appropriately, it’s important to know what will be deducted from your pay. These deductions include income tax as well as contributions for health insurance, the state pension fund, long-term care insurance, and unemployment insurance. The amounts deducted depend, among other things, on your tax category (Steuerklasse). For example, if you are unmarried, you will usually be assigned tax category I.  

You want to get an initial idea of how much money will end up paid out to you? The Internet has various German gross-to-net income calculators available, and they can take specific effects for the state of Rhineland‑Palatinate in their calculations. You should also check if there is a double taxation treaty between Germany and your country of origin. These treaties prevent you from being taxed in two different countries.

During the first year, many skilled workers can claim certain expenses as tax-deductible job-related expenses. Such expenses include moving costs, language course fees, and document translation fees.

Making new contacts before you have arrived in our state is not just possible, but also a great help. You can ask your first few questions, prepare better, and feel less alone when you get here. People who are active in an international network, such as an NGO, research institution, or global company, can often connect directly with colleagues in Germany.  

Platforms such as LinkedIn and Facebook groups also offer ways for international skilled workers who are moving to Rhineland-Palatinate or already live here to connect. Many higher education institutions also offer online information events or buddy programs for students, which can be an opportunity to get to know other students before you get here.  

You can also start learning German before arriving in Germany! The Goethe Institute offers courses and examinations globally for proof of German proficiency.

Making contacts once you’re here

Local integration courses offer you the possibility of getting to know people who have recently started down the same path as you. You can also find like-minded people and new friends through (sports) clubs and associations, at public events, on art projects, or through volunteer work.

Moving to another country is more than just changing your location. It’s a major restart, and it can be challenging at times. You will have to balance and negotiate both the expectations people have of you and your own expectations of Rhineland-Palatinate itself. Differences are normal, and so are mixed feelings.  

In Germany, being reliable is considered particularly important in everyday life, whether in a professional or private context. There is also often a clearer separation of work and free time than in other countries. Many skilled workers experience some amount of culture shock at the beginning, when their usual routines, forms of interaction, or values don’t quite align with their new environment.  

It helps to spend some time consciously learning about German and Rhineland-Palatinate culture. Talk to people who have already moved here, read personal accounts, or watch videos about everyday life in our beautiful state.

For many people, saying goodbye to their home country is an emotional step. Give yourself time. Stay in contact with friends and family, but also make an effort to build new connections. Even a region as beautiful as Rhineland-Palatinate may not immediately feel like home – but with every day here, it will feel a little bit more like it. Welcome Center Rhineland-Palatinate will guide you through this with helpful tips for your fresh start and an open ear for your questions.

The first few days in Rhineland-Palatinate will be exciting and full of new impressions, but also crucial for a successful start. For a lot of things, this will be your first time organizing them in a new country, from trips to government offices to a SIM card for your phone. The important thing is to set priorities.

Register your residence at the resident registration office or resident service center (Einwohnermeldeamt or Bürgeramt) within two weeks. Book an appointment for this early on. Registering your residence is compulsory in Germany and often a requirement for the next steps you need to take, such as opening a bank account, getting your tax number, or signing up for statutory health insurance.  

Prepare the necessary documents that will need to be submitted at the registration office. These documents are usually the completed and signed registration form (Anmeldeformular) and your valid passport. If you are moving into a rented dwelling, you will also need specific signed verification of this from your landlord (the Wohnungsgeberbescheinigung). Inform yourself beforehand on whether or not a hotel address or the address of other temporary accommodation can be registered as a residence.

During the first few days, you also need practical things like cash, a phone contract, initial household items, and orientation for finding your way around in public transit. If you are bringing children with you, you should look for information about childcare services and school admission at an early stage.  

Tip: If possible, try not to plan to start work directly after you arrive. Allow yourself some time to find your footing, take care of the formalities, and settle in. We look forward to having you here.