In Germany, marriage are considered legal unions, and essentially legally binding contracts between 2 persons. The union is protected under the German Constitution. Persons getting married in Germany only need to appear physically at a Standesamt for a civil ceremony. Witnesses are not required in this case and a religious ceremony is optional.

The VAT number in Germany is used to identify you when making payments to the VAT department in Germany (Finanzamt). The VAT number is referred to with different names, but they all mean the same: Umsatzsteuernummer, Umsatzsteuer-Identifikationsnummer or USt-IdNr.

International schools in Germany are known for their commitment to high-quality education. Many expats choose to enrol their children at an international school to ensure they don’t miss out on anything while they are abroad.

Every country is a little bit different and many things may perhaps be strange during the first weeks or months in Germany. Although most things can be figured out by yourself, the help of migration advisory services in Germany can greatly reduce the time for you to settle in and integrate into German society.

Download Siemens-Betriebskrankenkasse (SBK) brochure for a professional and complete overview of the health insurance services they provide in Germany. Filled with additional information for expats moving to Germany, it provides a good overview of the German healthcare.

In Germany, the health insurance system is based on the principle of social insurance. Insurance coverage is based on and operated with a dual system consisting of statutory health insurance (SHI/GKV), in German referred to as Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, and private health insurance (PHI/PKV) referred to as Private Krankenversicherung.

Do you work or study in Germany and would like to find out more about the German health insurance system?The German health system is very comprehensive and supports you in the event of illness. Everyone who works or studies in Germany contributes to the health system with their membership in a health insurance – and is thus insured in the event of illness.

Discover the best health insurance options for self-employed and freelancers in Germany. Navigate the complexities of GKV and PKV with expert guidance.