Relocating to Frankfurt for ECB employees

Take care of your current living situation 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

Ensure seamless medical coverage

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.