ONBOARDING AT BBIS

P&C front office team: Corinna Pfaff and Christiane Rock

E-mail address: support.people@bbis.de

After the job offer has been accepted, the front office will invite you to video call. During this call, the Front Office will introduce you to the entire onboarding process and ask you to provide some documents. The pre-boarding process begins with the submission of your initial documents and the return of your digital signature on the contract. This will be followed by individual video calls with one of the front office staff members to guide you through the next steps.

Pre-Boarding

• BBIS People & Culture team offers preliminary consultation on salary and contract topics including the School Fees Reduction Programme.
• BBIS People & Cultureteam takes care of the application for the teacher's licence at the local school authority. BBIS People & Culture Team advises you and supports you in applying for residence and work titles in the country of origin and locally.
• BBIS People & Culture team will support you in making a decision on the choice of health insurance company and the application for health insurance.

Onboarding / before arrival in Berlin

• Through our relocation agency, BBIS People & Culture Team will ensure that you find a furnished apartment for the first six months and get registered in Berlin and Brandenburg.
• BBIS People & Culture team coordinates BBIS travel office and ensures that flights, hotel and taxi pick-up from the airport are booked.
• BBIS People & Culture team takes care of additional main contractual and legal administrative matters after arrival in Berlin (for instance apply for the local police check, recommend a doctor for antibodies test in case of missing proof of measles).

Onboarding / after arrival in Berlin

• BBIS People & Culture team will invite you to an Welcome Day shortly after your arrival in Berlin. There, your documents will be reviewed and checked, further appointments regarding your residence and work permit will be coordinated, and issues relevant to moving in will be clarified. You will also receive your work equipment, your e-mail account and your access card
• BBIS People & Culture Team provides tips and tricks on how to successfully settle in Germany.

1. Checking your personnel data and contract preparation

Please upload the following document to your account:

• valid passport
• current police-check
• scans of University degree (Bachelor/Master/PhD/ or German Degree), teaching certificate or British PGCE (please do not submit transcripts)
• measles proof (2 shots needs to be documented)
• current bank account information
• current residence permit and work title
• confirmation of current health insurance
• police check from each employment
• digital biometric photo

If you move with your family / spouse / partner, please upload the following documents:

• passports of all family members
• digital biometric photos of each person
• birth certificates of your children (for children without passport)
• a notarized marriage certificate or an additional confirmation of the authenticity of the document in accordance with the Hague Apostille Convention

We have to hold a works council hearing before we can send out the contract. This internal process could take up to 10 days.

2. Mailing of original contracts and original qualification certificates

Before we prepare the contract we will check the scans of your qualifications so that a reliable contract preparation is guaranteed.

After you have signed the contract and uploaded it to your digital personnel file, please print it out twice without the digital signature and sign both contracts in the original (blue pen) in the "Employee" signature field. Please do not forget to indicate the date.

Please send those documents by e-mail:

• original signed contract in duplicate
• original qualification certificates (Bachelor/Master of Arts/Science/Education)

Address: BBIS Berlin Brandenburg International School GmbH, People & Culture Department, Schopfheimer Allee 10, 14532 Kleinmachnow

The fees for postal delivery are covered by the relocation allowance which will be transferred to your current account in the course of May. For European transfers, it can take up to three days for the money to be in the account, for international transfers it can take up to approximately 10 days.

3. Application of teacher licence

Our colleagues in the back office are responsible for applying for a teaching permit from the education authority in Brandenburg. All relevant documents have already been requested under 01.

4. Application of visa and/or residence and work permit

The BBIS People & Culture team advises and supports you in applying for visas and/or residence and work permits in your country of origin and locally. We will guide you through this process and provide you with the relevant forms step by step.

5. Membership – Application German Health Insurance

In Germany, health insurance is compulsory. BBIS is legally obliged to contribute to the cost for your health insurance. You are free to choose your statutory health insurance yourself.

As the Foreigners' Registration Office requires proof of membership of a German health insurance, you must decide quickly which insurance company you would like to be insured with during your time in Germany.

In any case, BBIS offers an English-language advisory service via its cooperation partner (a health insurance company), which begins with the application for membership.

6. Mediation to the relocation agency

BBIS will provide your contact details to a relocation agency, which will help you find a furnished apartment for the first six months. They will also take care of your registration in the federal states of Berlin and Brandenburg.

In order to make initial contact with you, the agency requires the following information from you:

• e-mail address
• work start
• preferred residential area
• number of family members
• type of pets and number

7. Advice if you would like to enrol your child/children at BBIS

We will share some of your personnel data and documents with “Admissions Office” and “Executive Office” so that they can get in touch with you regarding the enrollment of your child/children at BBIS.

The Admissions Office will take care of the enrollment, the Executive Office will explain the application process necessary for you to be accepted into the BBIS School Fees Reduction Programme.

8. Travel planning and booking, preparation for relocation

BBIS P&C Team coordinates the BBIS travel office that will handle your flight bookings, hotel accommodation and taxi pick-up from the airport.

9. Arrival management

You will meet the BBIS P&C Team shortly after your arrival in Berlin.

• Invitation to P&C Welcome Day (clarify organisational and contractual matters) at BBIS
• Your documents will be reviewed and checked and filed.
• You will get your work equipment, email account and access card.
• Further appointments regarding residence title and work title will be coordinated.
• Follow-up appointments with the relocation agency will be fixed.

In order to guarantee you a good schedule, we are dependent on your cooperation. Please note the following deadlines, which start after you have uploaded your digitally signed contract.

Please return the scan of the contract with digital signature within 3 days

Please send us two copies of the signed original contract together with the original certificates (Master, Bachelor) by e-mail immediately right after sending the digital signature within 2 weeks after digital signature so that the conclusion of the contract is valid

Please decide within 4 weeks after contract signature about which statutory health insurance you would like to conclude for you and your family.

Pre-consultation with relocation agency: The relocation agency will give advice and help you to identify your preferred place of residence: Berlin or the surrounding area. Please decide on your preferred place of residence within 6 weeks, as this will determine where we can place the application procedures for the residence permit.

June will be the most important month for you to make a final decision on your choice of furnished apartment so that the relocation agency can conclude contracts with landlords promptly.

Please complete all forms with regard to the visa application processes and the like within 5 days or quicker.

Please follow the advice of the BBIS Travel Office and return the travel questionnaire within two days so that they can arrange everything for your trip.

In Germany, health insurance is compulsory. BBIS is legally obliged to contribute to the cost for your health insurance.

A distinction is made between statutory and private health insurance. These are two different systems and you cannot switch between them freely.

Most employees in Germany have statutory health insurance. As a person with statutory health insurance, you can choose the health insurance provider from a wide range of insurances that suits you best.

Here is where you can find a list of statutory health insurance providers: Krankenkassenliste - GKV-Spitzenverband

The following link provides a general introduction form an expat explaining the criteria for the choice of a health insurance in a good way: https://allaboutberlin.com/guides/german-health-insurance

IMPORTANT: Please choose your German Health Insurance within four weeks of signing the contract digitally so that the application can be processed quickly. Confirmation of your membership for you and your family will be required for further applications to German authorities.

However, through our cooperation partner, BBIS offers an English-language consultancy service starting with the application for membership.

If you would like to choose our cooperation partner, please let us know as soon as possible (or within 4 weeks as aforementioned).

BBIS People & Culture Team will assist you at each step in sending the appropriate pre-filled forms so that the appropriate documents can be sent to the respective federal office.

1. Application D-Visum (German Embassy in the country of origin)

We ask all employees from third countries (non-European countries) to apply for a D visa in their country of origin. The advantage of this is that you can work to the permitted extent immediately after entering the country, even if you do not yet have a residence permit or EU Blue Card. In addition, presenting the D visa shortens the application procedure at the immigration office.

The Front Office will assist you in completing and sending the appropriate forms so that you can forward them along with any other requirements your embassy may have. Before we start the process, we will meet online in a one-on-one meeting to clarify your personal needs in this process.

2. Registration at Resident Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt) – handled via relocation agency service

There everybody (EU-Citizen or citizen from Third Country) moving to a city needs to register personally. Before doing this, you must have proof of a German home address.

The relocation agency will guide you through this process. Your appointment will be arranged by the relocation agency.

Required documents are:

• Registration form (Anmeldeformular) – Form A
• Landlord‘s confirmation of lease (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung) – Form B
• Lease contract of your apartment or house (Mietvertrag)
• Passports of all family members
• We recommend taking your birth and marriage certificates (Personenstandsurkunde)
• Power of attorney – for family members not registering personally

You will receive this

• A certificate of registration (Meldebescheinigung)

Next step

• Please upload it to your digital personnel file

3. Application to the local immigration office (Landesamt für Einwanderung)

The People & Culture Team will submit your application online to the local immigration office. Please assist us by providing all required documents. Once pre-approved, you need to go in person to the immigration office.

Required documents

• Application for a residence permit (Antrag Aufenthaltstitel) – Form C
• Employment relationship application (Antrag Erlaubnis einer Beschäftigung) – Form D
• Declaration occupational status (Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis) - Form E
• Certificate of registration (Meldebescheinigung) from the 2nd step
• Certificate of employment issued by BBIS
• Power of attorney for BBIS
• Your work contract with BBIS
• ANABIN excerpt (https://anabin.kmk.org/anabin.html) or your national diplomas
• Health insurance policy (including family members)
• Passports of all family members
• Biometric photos of each person
• Birth certificates of your children
• Marriage certificate

Next step

• The immigration office will contact us and propose a date for your appointment. You and your family members need to go there personally. Fees will be reimbursed by BBIS. Please keep the original receipts or payment confirmation and apply for reimbursement at the HR Office.

Through our relocation agency, the P&C Team will assist you in finding a furnished apartment for the first six months and get registered in the federal states of Berlin and Brandenburg.

Documents can be uploaded via our onboarding tool in Personio:

• Fact sheet
• Information sheet
• BBIS Relocation Policy

In Berlin-Mitte a furnished one-room apartment (about 30 square metres) costs about 1,300 EUR (warm) per month. Compared to Berlin, rent for furnished apartments near the school (in Brandenburg) can cost a little less and usually offer a little more space.

Additionally, it is advisable to take out the following insurances (this is often required in rental contracts).

Household contents insurance
This insurance covers all items inside your house or flat. For example, household contents insurance pays if furniture and clothing are stolen or damaged by fire, storm or water. The cost of household insurance depends on the size of your home, among other things.

Liability insurance
This insurance pays if you damage or destroy another person's belongings. For example, if you break a vase or spill coffee on a friend's smartphone. Most Germans have that kind of insurance because it is inexpensive and protects you from having to pay for the damage with your own money.

Please find further details on additional insurances here: Additional insurances (make-it-in-germany.com)

Our travel office will take care of your flight bookings, hotel accommodation including breakfast and pick-up from the airport. We will also cover the accommodation costs including breakfast up to 10 days after your arrival in Germany.

BBIS covers flight expenses in economy class from the agreed point of hire. If there is a deviation from the point of hire, the travel office has to ask for special permission.

The costs for travelling by train or car will be covered by the school up to the amount of the flight costs. For travel by car, the basis for calculation is the flat rate per kilometre (0.30 cents per kilometre) for the direct journey from the agreed (or adjusted) rental location to Berlin.

For moving costs you will receive a relocation allowance of 886 EUR gross for net for each person. If you have a partner and children, the contribution increases by 590 EUR gross for net per child/family member. This means that for example a married couple without children can receive a flat rate total of EUR 1,476 EUR (886 EUR plus 590 EUR). You do not have to submit any receipts to BBIS for the expenses incurred as part of this relocation allowance. Expenses within the scope of this lump sum relate to:

• hiring a removal van
• shipments from overseas
• shipping parcels to Berlin
• transportation of parcels to the apartment in Germany
• fees for postal items
• surcharge for accommodation of pets at Hotel Ginn
• etc.

Fees for visa application or residence permit applications will be refunded. Please keep those receipts for reimbursement.

The People & Culture Team will invite you to meet shortly after your arrival in Berlin. Your documents will be reviewed and checked, further appointments regarding residence title and work title will be coordinated.

• You will get single invitations to the P&C Welcome Day on your second or third day after your arrival in Germany.
• The P&C Team will identify the outstanding tasks to get you settled at your new home address.
• Our relocation agency will contact you and manage everything with regard to the new apartment and will register you.
• After you find an apartment and get registered at the resident registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt) you will receive a registration form of your new home address called in German 'Meldebescheinigung'. Please upload the registration certificate immediately to your digital file as we need it for the application of the residence and work title.
• Further appointments regarding residence title and work title will be coordinated and confirmed.

IMPORTANT NOTES - please watch out your letter box after having moved into your apartment

Watch out for tax number: When you register at the Resident’s Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt) a social security number and tax identification number automatically will be issued for you. Within a few weeks you will receive two letters with your numbers. Please don't forget to label your letterbox Please upload both letters to your digital personnel file upon receipt.

Please update your health insurance with the new address: For those who were applying for membership under BBIS address please note that you have to update your health insurance with the new address.

Please check whether you need to open a bank account: In general, European bank accounts like n26 and wise are sufficient for your stay in Germany.

BBIS enjoys a good business relationship with Sparkasse which is in the neighbourhood of the school (Rathausmarkt just down in the town hall square, 4 min walk from BBIS). It might be to your advantage to bank with them since everybody speaks English. You can open a bank account within one day provided you can already present your tax identification number.

However, there are many other banks that provide good service. Inquiries to the banks as to their services is never a bad idea – if they can’t give you any information in English, it is probably not the bank for you.

When the pre-boarding process begins, individual video calls with the People & Culture team will take place on demand.

Before your arrival in Germany, the Director, Principals and the Front Office will conduct a video call with all new employees to clarify further questions and present you with the schedule for the inservice days in August.

Health Insurance Benefits (Leistungen der Krankenkasse)

If you fall ill, you are in good hands in Germany. The health insurance provider normally covers the basic costs of urgently needed medical treatment. The basic insurance cover provided by the statutory health insurance providers extends to the following services:

• outpatient medical treatment, for example, in doctors' surgery
• Basic dental care
• Dental replacement (appr. 60 %)
• medication, health remedies or medical aids
• in-patient medical treatment, for example in a hospital
• Hospitalisation costs
• medically necessary rehabilitation measures
• benefits during pregnancy and childbirth

You will find more detailed information in the service description of the health insurance company of your choice. If someone wants to get additional coverage there are always possibilities to add private insurance services by additional payments.

Continued Pay of Salary in the Event of Illness (Lohnfortzahlung im Krankheitsfall) in Germany

Continued payment of wages is governed by the Continued Payment of Wages Act (Entgeltfortzahlungsgesetz, EFZG) and concerns the payment of salaries in the event of illness if certain conditions are met.

An employee who is unable to work due to illness is entitled to continued payment of salary for up to 6 weeks, and if the inability to work on the same disease lasts longer, the health insurance fund steps in with sick pay, which can be paid for up to 78 weeks in a 3-years’ period. The amount of sick pay is 70 percent of gross earnings, but it may not exceed 90 percent of net earnings.

Health Care at BBIS

BBIS offers regular examinations for eyes. Also, BBIS contributes to the cost of workplace glasses.

A specific insurance called Berufsgenossenschaft helps to cover accidents during work including way to and from work (unnecessary detours are not included).

School Fee Reduction Programme at BBIS

Through the BBIS School Fee Reduction Programme, all employees have the chance to enrol their children at the school without incurring school fees. It’s important to note that this incentive is subject to taxation as a non-cash benefit in Germany. To join this programme, you need to apply to determine the non-cash benefit.

To join this programme, you need to apply to determine the non-cash benefit. The Executive Office will contact you to explain the application procedure for the School Fee Reduction Programme. Further information can be found here.

Then, the reduction in school fees is determined by your gross family income and eligible assets, including the income of your spouse/life partner. After deducting the reduction from the full tuition, the new school fee is then taxed as a non-cash benefit through the monthly payroll.

Families with an income exceeding 100,000 EUR do not qualify for a reduced school fee and are thus subject to the maximum tax calculation for non-cash benefits in Germany. In this case, the entire tuition would be taxable.

Once the tax benefit calculation has been confirmed by the Executive Office, please contact: support.people@bbis.de for further advice. The P&C team can give you an initial estimate of the impact on your net salary.

Rental agreements must be concluded in writing. In most cases, the lease agreement specifies the cold rent net for the use of the premises. The cold rent gross also includes additional costs such as water, waste disposal etc. In addition to the other costs mentioned, the warm rent includes the heating costs.

Electricity and phone/internet usually have to be registered separately and are not usually included in the warm rent. The rental agreement specifies exactly which costs are included in the additional costs. You must pay the rent to the landlord or landlady monthly by bank transfer.

In addition, the landlord may require you to pay a deposit of a maximum of three months' cold rent net when you sign the contract. You will get this sum back as soon as you move out, unless you have damaged something in the apartment or have not paid the rent.

On average, households could spend slightly less than half of their net income on rent payments (gross warm rent). For one-person households, the rent burden ratio is even just over 50 percent for a small two-room apartment in Berlin centre (Berlin Mitte).

Deduction from your gross income for the social security system

Germany’s social security system contributes to a sense of security and wellbeing. Employees and employers evenly split regular contributions to the social security system, with deductions being conveniently taken directly from monthly salary. Deductions are made for health insurance, pension insurance, and long-term care insurance.

Pension Insurance

In Germany, pension insurance is the most important pillar of our old-age security system. The pension is paid from the contributions you and BBIS make, and you must have made contributions to the pension insurance scheme for at least five years to receive it. If you leave Germany after five years of paying this insurance, you could get in touch with the German “Rentenversicherungsträger” to see if you are entitled to a refund of the contributions paid.

Long-Term Care Insurance

Long-term care insurance (Pflegeversicherung) was added to Germany’s social security system in 1995 to ensure that everyone is prepared for the eventuality of needing long-term nursing care, whether due to accident, illness or old age.

Unemployment Insurance (Arbeitslosenversicherung) in Germany

In principle, you are entitled to financial assistance if you have been in employment for 12 months subject to compulsory insurance in Germany.

Accident Insurance (Unfallschutz)

You are a member of the statutory accident insurance scheme through your employer (there are no deductions from your gross income). This means that you are covered in the event of an accident at work or on your direct way to work. The employer must be informed of this without delay.

Child Benefit (Kindergeld)

The state family fund pays the parents a fixed amount, which is called child benefit. Child benefit is a monthly payment that all parents receive regardless of their financial situation or income. It is financial support for families, which is granted to them until the children have finished their first professional training. The amount is approximately EUR 250,00 each child (this amount is subject to change every year). You have to apply for it.

Germany also provides additional benefits and allowances such as child benefit, parent allowance, sickness benefit and child sickness benefit. The support, which continues until your children have finished their first professional training, is approximately EUR 250.00 each child (this amount is subject to change every year).

Maternity Leave (Mutterschutz)

Expectant mothers go on maternity leave when they want to give birth (usually six weeks before birth giving and eight weeks after birth giving). During this period, they are protected by the Maternity Protection Act. This means that mothers are not allowed to go to work. During maternity leave, mothers receive various benefits, such as a continued salary payment (called maternity benefit), protection against dismissal, and the right to resume a similar job as before).

Parental Leave (Elternzeit) / Parental Allowance (Elterngeld)

After the birth of a child, mothers and fathers have the right to take a break from work to care for their child and spend time with their family. During this time, the employer may terminate the employment relationship only under exceptional circumstances (e.g. insolvency, closure of the company). After parental leave, parents have the right to resume a similar job as before.

The employer continues to pay remuneration during this time - however, you usually are entitled to a parental allowance paid by the state (roughly 65 % of your last net income, capt. at 1.800 EUR per month.

Employees who have a German employment contract – whether full-time, part-time, marginal employment, fixed-term or permanent contract, etc. – are entitled to parental leave. The entitlement to parental leave exists until the child reaches the age of three.

Do you want to apply for a child benefit?

Please click here to get an overview: https://www.settle-in-berlin.com/kindergeld-germany-child-benefits-application-guide/

Child benefit is intended to serve as basic support for children living in Germany from the month of birth. The entitlement is generated automatically but requires a written application. Currently the benefit is EUR 250 per child and per month.

Application for a child benefit or child allowance?

Whether parents receive child benefit (a tax deduction) or the child allowance (the amount transferred to the parents) depends on their income level. At the end of the year, the tax office automatically conducts a favourable examination during the income tax assessment.

Information leaflets in English: https://www.kindergeld.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/merkblatt-kindergeld-englisch.pdf

or, the not so human (but very detailed) version provided by the national labour office: https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/datei/kg2-e-merkblattkindergeld_ba014317.pdf

Application form for Kindergeld (in English): https://www.kindergeld.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/kg1-englisch.pdf

Do you want to apply for parental leave?

Please get a first introcudion here: https://www.make-it-in-germany...
For further information, please contact support.hr@bbis.de

Did you have an accident on your way home from school or to the school or at school?

Please report to nurse@bbis.de and to support.hr@bbis.de what has happened and when and at what time so that the nurse can take care of it.

Do you want to apply for compensation for work glasses at BBIS?

If the employee receives a prescription for workplace glasses (computer glasses) from an ophthalmologist of his choice after completing the eye test and is advised to wear special glasses (computer glasses), our company doctor must carry out an appropriate follow-up examination. If this examination confirms that the employee needs computer glasses, BBIS will reimburse the employee for the cost of purchasing such glasses to the extent medically necessary and subject to the conditions set out below (if the initial eye test is carried out directly by our company doctor, a follow-up examination is of course not necessary).

BBIS covers a maximum of 40 EUR for the frame costs, and 200 EUR for both lenses. Reimbursement will be made upon presentation of the corresponding invoices/receipts.

Please note: The glasses are only intended for use on the employee's work computer and may therefore only be used for computer work. BBIS will not cover the cost of glasses that are also suitable for everyday use.

BBIS is and remains the owner of the glasses. The glasses are classified as work equipment and must therefore remain on the company's premises, particularly for insurance reasons.(raus? Mobile work The loss of or damage to the glasses must be reported to BBIS immediately. In such cases, the general liability principles of the employment contract apply.

Have you already updated your telephone / internet contract?

In German: Internetanschluss

Even in urban areas, high speed fibre networks are not very common. The old copper-wire technology (DSL) is widely used. Speeds tend to be slow by European standards. In the Berlin area, stable and fast gigabit internet is available in many areas via the cable TV network. This network is now run by Vodafone Germany (formerly Kabeldeutschland). New fibre networks are being built, but you better check their availability online.

Good to know:

• The copper-wire (DSL) network is mostly owned by Deutsche Telekom
• The cable TV network is owned by Vodafone Germany
• The new fibre networks are often owned by Deutsche Telekom. Several local companies have started their own networks (especially in the Brandenburg province)
• All other providers use the networks of Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Germany and the local fibre providers. They sometimes offer cheaper rates.
• Most contracts run for two years. Leaving Germany entitles you by law to cancel your contract earlier.
• Contracts often have reduced rates for the first 6 to 12 months. After prices automatically go up the standard rates. Always check!

Providers:

• Vodafone cable https://www.vodafone.de/festnetz/kabel-deutschland-angebote.html
• Deutsche Telekom https://www.telekom.de/netz/glasfaser
• DNS Net (Brandenburg only) https://www.dns-net.de/privatkunden
• Search and compare https://www.check24.de/internet/internetanbieter/

Do you still need to update/change your mobile phone contract?

In German: Mobilfunk

In Germany there are three major mobile communication providers with their own network. In urban areas and along major motorways the quality of their service is very similar. In remote areas (and often just beyond the Berlin city border) Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone generally work best. The O2 network tends to be less available. There is a large number of other providers using the network of the three major providers. Their prices often are lower, but the speedier 5G and other options might not be offered.

Good to know

• 5G networks are mostly limited to urban areas. 4G is widely available. In remote areas, only 2G might be available.
• Most phone plans include unlimited calls in Germany and the EU.
• Data plans are among the most expensive in Europe with very limited GB available – do some shopping around.
• Most contracts run for two years. Leaving Germany entitles you by law to cancel your contract earlier.
• Roaming within the European Union (EU) is free of charge by law (data and voice). Note: Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Norway, Iceland and the UK are not members of the EU. Avoid excessive roaming charges by switching off the roaming option on your smartphone.
• Contracts often have reduced rates for the first 6 to 12 months. After prices automatically go up the standard rates. Always check!

Providers:

• Deutsche Telekom https://www.telekom.de/unterwegs/tarife-und-optionen
• Vodafone https://www.vodafone.de/privat/mobilfunk.html
• O2 https://www.o2online.de/mobilfunk/
• Compare prices https://www.verivox.de/handy/mobilfunktarife/

Did you already apply for a television and radio licence (Rundfunkbeitrag)?

The licence fee is a legally prescribed contribution for citizens, regardless of their media use. In other words: even if you do not own a TV or radio set, or even if you do not watch or listen to the public channels – you still must pay the licence fee. For private households, the current fee is 18.36 EUR per month.

How to register: As they have access to the database of the Resident Registration Office (the City office where you registered your home address after your arrival), a letter with a registration form automatically will be sent to you by postal mail within a few weeks.

If you do not receive that letter, you might want to register online at https://www.rundfunkbeitrag.de/buergerinnen_und_buerger/formulare/anmelden/index_ger.html

Things to consider:

Basic information in English https://www.rundfunkbeitrag.de/welcome/englisch/index_ger.html

• The fee only must be paid once per household. When you move in with somebody,
• When you leave the country, do not forget to inform them. This is not done automatically.

Have you already had your foreign driving licence recognized in Germany?

You must exchange your foreign driver’s licence within 6 months after your arrival in Germany. Any time after, you must pass the theoretical and practical exams. This information only applies for licences issued in the EU/EEA, the UK, Australia, Canada and certain States of the USA. A complete list for all other countries can be found here (in German): https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/fev_2010/anlage_11.html

Required documents:

• your driver’s licence & one photocopy of it
• 1 biometric photo
• your passport
• your certificate of registration (Meldebescheinigung)
• the fee is approximately EUR 36 to 50

Where to get it:

Residents of Brandenburg
Fachdienst Fahrerlaubnisbehörde, Am Gutshof 1-7, 14542 Werder
Opening hours: Tuesday 7:30 am. to 3:30 pm, Thursday 9:00 am to 5:30 pm
Link: Website

Residents of Berlin
First, you need to make an online appointment at any of their decentralized locations https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/327537/
You will receive a reservation number with the exact location, date and time
Note: Their website is in German only and getting an appointment can be difficult.

Next steps: Your foreign licence will be taken and stored. You can get it back when leaving Germany. Your new Germans licence will be sent by postal mail.

Do you still need to change your address after moving out of your furnished apartment?

Registration at Resident Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt)

Everybody (EU-Citizen or citizen from Third Country) moving to a city needs to register personally where your new home address is.

Required documents are:

• Registration form (Anmeldeformular) - Form A
• Landlord‘s confirmation of lease (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung) - Form B
• Lease contract of your apartment or house (Mietvertrag)
• Passports of all family members
• We recommend taking your birth and marriage certificates (Personenstandsurkunde)
• Power of attorney – for family members not registering personally

You will receive this

• A certificate of registration (Meldebescheinigung)

Next step: Please upload it to your digital personnel file in Personio.

Do you need to conclude a contract with an energy supplier after moving out of your furnished apartment?

In German: Energieanbieter

Germany has the highest electricity prices in Europe. You can choose between a number of national and local energy providers. Prices vary according to the energy mix (e.g. green, coal) you choose. Discounts to new customers are frequently offered. Check the duration of your contract. It is common to have two-year contracts. Of course, when you move out or when you leave the country, you can cancel your contract.

Electricity and gas providers

On this website you can compare prices (in German) https://www.check24.de/strom/stromanbieter/

Would you like to set up a German bank account?

In general, European bank accounts like n26 and wise are sufficient for your stay in Germany.

BBIS enjoys a good business relationship with “Sparkasse '' which is in the neighbourhood of the school (Rathausmarkt just down in the square 4 min walk from BBIS). It might be to your advantage to bank with them since everybody speaks English. You can open a bank account within one day provided you can already present a valid passport, residence permit, registration certificate, tax identification number.

However, there are many other banks that provide good service. Inquiries to the banks as to their services is never a bad idea – if they can’t give you any information in English, it is probably not the bank for you.

Please note that banks may charge different fees, for example for account management or for non-European bank transfers.

Do you need to arrange for a car parking near your apartment?

In German: Anwohnerparkausweis

If you have a car and want to park near your home, you usually need a resident's parking permit (Anwohnerparkausweis), which must be applied for at the relevant citizens’ office.

Apply for a resident parking permit in the district in which the parking space management zone is located and in which you are registered.

You will need the following documents for the resident parking permit:

• Signed application for a resident parking permit,
• Proof of vehicle registration (photocopy of the fully opened front page of the registration certificate part 1)

Do you need to vaccinate your pets?

In German: Haustiere

In Germany, there is no legal requirement for vaccinating dogs. So, when we talk about so-called mandatory vaccinations, it primarily concerns the obligation to protect your dog from highly contagious diseases – and thus, to prevent the infection of other animals. From a medical perspective, nowadays, there are indeed several vaccinations that are essential. These include, above all, vaccinations against distemper, parvovirus, infectious canine hepatitis (ICH), leptospirosis, and rabies.

A list of pet veterinarians can be found here: https://www.berlin.de/adressen/tierarzt/

All dogs must be registered with the city administration. You will receive a batch for your animal (in German: Hundesteuermarke). And yes, there will be a modest dog tax!

Download the two following forms here https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/121494/ and send them in by postal mail. There is an online process, but it is terribly complicated and German only.

• Anmeldung eines Hundes (register a dog)
• SEPA-Lastschriftenmandat (Direct debit authorization form)

You will get the batch by postal mail and the tax will be debited to your bank account once a year.

EU rules make it easy to travel to another EU country (plus Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Northern Ireland) with your dog, cat or ferret. Your pet needs to be

• micro-chipped
• vaccinated against rabies
• have a valid European pet passport

More information in English: https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/carry/animal-plant/index_en.htm

Do you have to care about your children's health?

Free early detection examination (in German: Früherkennungsuntersuchung): Participation in early detection examinations is free of charge if you adhere to the specified timeframes. If you bring your child to an examination late, the health insurance coverage may step-in to cover the fees. For each examination, you should bring the Yellow Child Health Examination Booklet, your child's health insurance card ("health card"), and the vaccination record. You can schedule the individual examination appointments with the medical practice you choose for your child. Download a free PDF-leaflet in English here (select English and the download starts automatically)

Vaccinations normally are covered by your health insurance or entirely free. Download a free PDF-leaflet including a timetable in English here (select English and the download starts automatically)

When travelling abroad: Vaccinations for children (and adults) might be recommended or compulsory. Check here for a full country list (in German) : https://tropeninstitut.de/ihr-reiseziel

Dental bonus programme for children (in German: Bonusheft): If your child ever needs dental replacement, you will receive a higher subsidy if you have regularly attended dental preventive check-ups. The proof is provided by a bonus booklet, in which the date of the dental preventive examination is recorded. Your dentist can give you that booklet.

Bring the booklet to each preventive check-up and have the examinations recorded in it. Regularly means:

• There should be a gap of at least four months between the examinations.
• For children aged twelve and above, one preventive examination per calendar half-year.

For more information please contact your family doctor or use the service of your health insurance.