Relocating to Frankfurt for ECB employees

What do I need to do before leaving my home country?

Take care of What do I need to do before leaving my home country? by:

giving notice to your current rental home

selling your home or

finding a tenant for the duration of your absence.

Cancel all your insurances and subscriptions you no longer need

Provide forwarding addresses where needed and set up mail forwarding

In some cases, you may wish to keep your bank account open while you are abroad. Arrange a meeting with your bank to discuss your options

Ensure you and all travelling family members have a passport which is valid for at least one year after you arrive in your new country. This will help you not to worry about a renewal until after you have completed the visa process.

Make a copy/scan of all important documents

Divide your possessions into three piles:

What to bring with you to temporary housing

What to ship to your new permanent home with your moving company

What to keep in your home country in storage or at family/friends’ home

Cancel your utilities

If you are planning to exchange large amounts of currency, make sure you do your research and are finding a cost-effective solution. International bank transfers and currency exchange at your local bank can be expensive

If you are bringing your pets, please speak to your vet well in advance to prepare them for departure. Together you can make sure that they are provided with all certifications, vaccinations and, if necessary, quarantine arrangements that they need to be able to enter Germany. This process may take 2-3 months, depending on the pet you have. It can be a daunting process, and there are pet relocation specialists available who can assist you with the process.

If you have any chronic illnesses for which you need continuous treatment and medication, please speak to your doctor about providing your medical record to ensure seamless treatment.

What do I need to do upon arriving in Frankfurt?

Registration with local authorities

One of the first things you must do within the first two weeks of arrival is register yourself with the local authorities at the “Bürgeramt”. To register, you need to make an appointment online. You’ll then receive a registration certificate which will enable you to open a bank account, obtain a tax number, register your children for Kindergarten and/or school, etc.

Your landlord will provide you with a landlord certificate of residence (called “Wohnungsgeberbestätigung” – or short “WGB”) when you move in. Please note that all residents must be listed on the “WGB” and must also be registered, including small children. Please ensure the names match those on your passport.

You will have to bring the WGB and your passport to the registration appointment. There are several Bürgeramt locations across Frankfurt for you to choose from. Here is a link to a list and map to all offices. If you hover over the location, you will see the address.

Tax ID general information

During your first registration, the clerk will initiate correspondence with the tax office and a tax ID will be generated and sent to you by post mail within 4 weeks of your registration. The tax ID is issued once in a lifetime in Germany. Even if you should leave Germany and then return to the country at a later stage, the tax ID number will stay the same. 

As an ECB employee you are not subjected to any taxes in Germany.

Bank account

A German bank account is necessary for your employer to pay your salary. It also helps you save money by having a German IBAN when paying your German bills. There are a variety of banks with branches you can visit, as well as some online banks you may wish to consider. To open a bank account at a branch, you will have to make an appointment and bring the following documents:

Passport

Registration certificate

Tax ID

Some banks will provide you with the option to have your online banking in English. Please also note that, unlike in some other countries, certain banks will ask you to pay a monthly or yearly service fee for each account, each debit and credit card. Please check the applicable fees beforehand with the bank of your choice.

Banks will also charge you for bank statements sent to you by mail and over-the-counter services, such as a transfer. You can avoid these charges by requesting electronic bank statements and using online banking facilities to send money and pay bills.

If you have a valid EU driving license, you are not required to change it to a German one. If you do not have an EU driving license and wish to drive in Germany, you are required to convert your license to a German license within 6 months of arrival.

Car registration

If you would like to register your vehicle imported from another EU country, you must go to the registration administration office “KFZ Zulassungstelle” and provide:

Electronic proof of insurance (eVB)

Passport and registration confirmation

Current car registration document / Vehicle registration certificate part I ("Fahrzeugschein")

Vehicle registration certificate part II ("Fahrzeugbrief") only in case of change of name

Current license plate

Valid car inspection report (TÜV)

The Frankfurt car registration administration office is located at:

Am Römerhof 19

60486 Frankfurt am Main

City of Frankfurt am Main

The direct phone number regarding importing vehicles is +49 69 212 42367. To make an appointment click here.

Other Useful Information

Hospitals & Doctors

Frankfurt has a good selection of doctors, nurses and other medical staff that speak English. Depending on your native language, you may also find doctors that speak your mother tongue.

You usually select a “Hausarzt” (General Practitioner) who will coordinate your medical needs and refer you to specialists. Once you have settled in, you should look for a suitable “Hausarzt” and register with them so that you can book an appointment when needed.

If you have a chronic diagnosis, you may want to bring medical records and hand them over to your doctor to ensure seamless treatment.

Here some useful links:

If you are looking  for a pharmacy  in your neighborhood

General Practitioner  in your neighborhood

Please remember you can also request support from the ECB Medical Center. They will assist with a list of recommended doctors, medical examinations, and even second opinion relating to the ECB health insurance.

Insurances

Below is a brief survey on different types of insurances you might need when living in Germany.

Third Party Liability Insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung)

This is one of the most important private insurances and we highly recommend it. It offers coverage in case you (or one of your family members) cause unintentional damage to a third party, either physical, material or financial.

Home Content /Household Goods Insurance (Hausratversicherung)

This insurance covers items in your home such as furniture, carpet, clothes etc., against fire, water, theft, vandalism, robbery through break-ins, storm or hail. It also covers items in your garden shed or garage. Although it is not required by law in Germany, it is usually recommended. Some landlords also demand it before leasing their property.

Make sure to include special high value items such as bicycles, art, cameras, sports equipment etc.

Car Insurances

An unlimited third-party liability insurance policy is compulsory for all cars/motorized vehicles in Germany. In addition, you can set-up partial and fully comprehensive insurance depending on age and value of your vehicle.

Legal Protection Insurance (Rechtsschutzversicherung)

It covers any legal fees for you up to a certain limit. Countersuits shall be covered as long as there is a reasonable chance of winning. Legal insurance can be purchased for different purposes, such as for the entire family, the job, traffic infractions or the lease of your home.

For Pet Owners

Dog liability insurance (Hundehaftpflichtversicherung): This type of insurance is strongly recommended. In some cities or regions, it is even compulsory for some dog breeds. If you have a cat, it might also be a good idea.

Pet Health Insurance (Tierkrankenversicherung): It has become quite common to set-up a pet health insurance which may cover only required surgeries or all vet visits and vaccination.

Schools & Kindergarten

Any child from the age of three has the legal right to attend Kindergarten, followed by entering primary school at the age of 6. Your employer, the ECB, offers childcare services and access to the European School. To get more details, please get in touch with your ECB HR contact.

Childcare Benefits (Kindergeld)

Once you have registered, you can apply for “Kindergeld” (per child) and set it up to be paid directly into your bank account. Please liaise with your HR contact to obtain more information.

Pets

Germany is a very dog-friendly country. You will often find them accompanying their human family members to the shop and to restaurants.

To bring your pet from abroad, please ensure they meet all health requirements to be permitted to enter Germany. Your local vet at home can help you with this.

Once they arrive in Germany, please note that you are required to register your dog and pay dog tax. For Frankfurt, the dog tax is €102 per year and €900 per year for dogs categorized as ‘dangerous’.

For more information regarding the classification of a dangerous dog and how to pay the dog tax, please click here.

What to do in Frankfurt

Restaurants

Frankfurt is a busy city with many popular restaurants where you can eat dishes from all over the world. Whether you want to eat a nutritious breakfast, have a tasty lunch with friends, or take your date to enjoy a sophisticated meal, there are restaurants everywhere you cannot miss out on. Guten Appetit!

Best Restaurants in Frankfurt

Shopping

Shops and departments stores in Frankfurt are generally open from:

Monday to Saturday, 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Most supermarkets are open from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm.

All shops and stores are closed on Sundays and public holidays.

For further information on shopping in Frankfurt, please visit:

Shopping in Frankfurt

Skyline Plaza

Best Shopping Streets in Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a modern, multi-cultural city with many venues that attract well known performers of the artworld. You will find international bands, orchestras and singers performing at the Festhalle or at the Deutsche Bank arena, which is also the home of Frankfurt’s premier league soccer team, Eintracht Frankfurt.

Frankfurt is also home to a professional ice hockey team Frankfurter Löwen who play at the Eissporthalle. You can also go there if you want to go ice skating.

At the Alte Oper, you will find all the famous plays and operas.

For a rainy day, we highly recommend the Senckenberg Museum which is the Natural History Museum

The Staedel Museum contains some very important art collections and the Schirn Gallery is full of amazing modern art pieces.

Germans love festivals, and the people of Frankfurt are no different. Here are the biggest annual festivals in Frankfurt:

Museumsuferfest

Millions of people travel to the Museumsuferfest on the last weekend in August every year to celebrate the arts and culture along the banks of the River Main with lots of food and drink and amazing fireworks

Apfelweinfest

Apfelwein is the local drink of choice, it is wine made out of apples. Naturally, there is a festival to showcase local growers and producers.

Wäldchestag

A day that is unique to the Frankfurt calendar. Traditionally in spring, on the Tuesday after Pentecost, the city folk head to the Stadtwald for the festival, with shows, markets and lots of food and drink.

Dippemess

The Dippemess takes place twice a year, around Easter and at the beginning of September. It is a huge fairground with rides for all ages, plenty of food and drink and a market where you can buy things like jewelry and pottery.

Christmas Market

The Frankfurt Christmas Market takes place around the Römerberg for four weeks leading up to Christmas. Many locals head there several times after work to have a Glühwein, eat a Bratwurst and look among the many market stalls for Christmas presents. In addition, many neighborhoods have their own street festivals throughout the year.

We hope you now have the basics for a great start in Frankfurt.

Now that you’re here, please also take a moment to also read through what to expect once you leave Germany. This might be the last thing on your mind as you’re just moving here, but trust us, based on our experience, it helps tremendously.

Once your assignment comes to an end or you might just to move on, here are the main things you need to consider for a smooth departure.

What do I need to know about leaving my apartment?

What contracts to cancel and who to notify

Please read carefully, as all points below are critical for a good departure:

Please remember that in Germany, a cancellation is only binding when it is in writing, so cancel all contracts in writing. Some companies/landlords will accept a letter that is hand-signed and scanned by you, others insist on the original to be sent by mail. Make sure to check this in advance.

Cancel all contracts in due time, including the one for your rental property.

Please ensure that you meet all cancellation deadlines as stipulated in your contracts. When a time limited contract is set-up (12-month, 24-month, etc.) some providers (e.g. Internet, Mobile phone, Gym) may only accept your cancellation once you have actually de-registered from Germany and you can prove this (please see de-registration information below). Starting from the day you are able to prove your de-registration they will charge up to three month as cancellation fee.

If you have rented any equipment, such as a router, please make sure you return it.

Here is a small checklist of providers you may have to cancel or notify a change of address

Internet / TV provider

GEZ – TV/ Radio license

Mobile Phone provider

Bank

Investments / Pension Plan providers

Insurances

Health Insurance

Employer

If you own a car with German plates, KFZ Zulassung (vehicle registration)

Utilities

What contracts to cancel and who to notify

When you leave your current property, make sure that you are aware of your duties regarding renovation. This should be stated in your lease contract.

Required renovation work depends on the status of your property at the time you moved in (check your protocol), the status and the time period you have lived in the property. If you have moved into an unrenovated property, the landlord cannot expect that you return it in a renovated condition. We strongly recommend setting up a pre-inspection appointment with the landlord well in advance to discuss the required steps and to have enough time to finalize the work before the end of the lease period.

To avoid high costs and trouble at the end of the lease, make sure that you report all damages that occur during your stay immediately to your landlord and to your household content/liability insurance. Insurance might refuse to cover any costs if claims have been filed too long after the incident occurred.

If there are any damages, you can either take care of the work yourself or authorize a handyman. You can have an agreement with the landlord that he takes care of it. Make sure that you know the costs before you agree to this. It might be good to get a cost estimate beforehand.

You should remove all your belongings from the property prior to the moving-out inspection.

You are expected to hand the property back cleaned.

During your moving-out inspection, your meter readings will be recorded, and you contact your energy/water suppliers with the final reading and a final invoice. They will usually ask you for a forwarding address.

If you furnished the apartment with a kitchen, you will be required to remove it unless you are able to sell it to the new tenant. Please ensure you plan this well in advance.

After the moving-out inspection, your landlord will tell you if they need to retain some of your deposit for any damages caused. Please note, that your landlord can also retain some of the deposit for settling your annual heating/ water costs. This can take several months, so please be sure to leave a forwarding address / contact details.

How to handle de-registration

If you are leaving Germany to move abroad, then you are required to de-register at the same place where you last registered. You will get a certificate called Abmeldung. You can get your Abmeldung approximately 1 week before moving and up to 2 weeks after moving.

If you are moving out of your property, but within Germany, just like you had to register upon arrival, you must register at your new address within two weeks of moving.

It is also advisable to request a mail forwarding service with Deutsche Post. You can easily request this online here.

Do you have all you need to kick start your new life in Frankfurt? We sure hope so. But if you feel that something is missing, please drop us a line at ECB@packimpex.com and we'll make sure to add it so other ECB employees like yourself can find their way in this amazing city.

On behalf of all of us at Packimpex, we wish you Happy Settling in!