Berlin—a city with a rich history, a vibrant culture, and countless opportunities for everyone. Moving to Berlin can be a rewarding experience, but it requires serious and deliberate planning. From its housing situation to its job market to all the important social norms, we’ll give you a rundown of everything you need to know about the city.
Things to Know Before Moving to Berlin
With a diverse population, Berlin is a popular destination for expats from all across the world. To help you prepare for your move, we’ll discuss the things you need to know before moving to Berlin in all aspects, economically, culturally, and socially.
Cost of Living
Rent is competitive in Berlin and high deposit fees are the norm when looking for a place to live.
While you’ll likely want a more permanent place eventually, we advise you to seek out temporary housing in your first few months there. This is so you can feel the city out first before committing to a long-term living arrangement.
While some rental sites are in English, many are in German, so learning German would definitely make it easier to find a place!
Rent will be €650-€850 for room, or €1,400-€1,600 for an apartment.
On average, you’ll need around €2,000 a month to live a decently comfortable life in the city.
Getting a Visa to Germany
Whether you’re from the USA or the UK, you’ll need a visa and a residence permit to stay long in the country.
If you’re moving to Germany from the USA, you can directly apply for a visa in Germany. However, you need to first prepare documents like proof of employment and health insurance.
Meanwhile, if you’re moving to Berlin from the UK, you’ll now need a visa to enter the country due to Brexit.
Job Market
If you’re moving to Berlin as someone working in tech or creative industries, you can expect a good amount of work opportunities. However, most jobs will require the ability to speak German.
The country’s healthcare system also grants everyone mandatory health insurance to everyone living in Berlin with a residence permit.
Here are a few salary estimates for different professions, variable on seniority and experience:
Software Developers: €70,000 - €110,000
Graphic Designers: €35,000 - €70,000
Marketer: €40,000 - €60,000
Management Consultant: €60,000 - €80,000
Living in Berlin
Living in Berlin is convenient and eventful. The city is friendly to both bikers and pedestrians and has an efficient, accessible public transportation system.
Each district has its own personality too. For example, Kreuzberg is the city’s artistic center with great nightlife, Prenzlauer has a more relaxed atmosphere, and Lichtenberg has unique concrete architecture.
Cultural Differences
Next, we’ll tell you all about Berlin and its social norms. Here are some cultural things to know before moving to Berlin.
Germans are serious about recycling waste and Sundays, when most establishments are closed, are often very quiet. Be sure to be punctual and efficient with work and other everyday things too.
Learning German
While Berlin is an international city with many English speakers, many jobs will still require at least some level of German fluency.
[Psst! See our guide to German Lessons in Berlin for more on language schools in the capital.]
Because of this, German language lessons are a worthy investment if you plan to stay there for long. It’s not just useful for work, but also for everyday interactions.
Of course, exceptions exist—tech jobs, for example, often don’t require you to learn German.
Social Integration
Living in a new city can be lonely. Fortunately, Berlin offers many opportunities to get integrated with the community and make new friends.
You may want to start joining one of the many expat groups first or enroll in a German language class—these will make it easier for you to attend vibrant local events, or check out its great nightlife spots.
German Bureaucracy
Berlin is rife with bureaucracy. Be prepared for a lot of paperwork and time-consuming processes!
You could be lucky like our student Dina, whose university sorted all of this out for her! Read her story on moving to Berlin.
If you’re moving to Berlin, make sure to get your address registration (Anmeldung) done ASAP. It’s needed for essential services like banking and phone plans.
Conclusion
While moving to Berlin can be quite a challenge, living in Berlin presents you with exciting new opportunities.
Regardless of where you come from, understanding the city’s housing, employment, and cultural scene will help you both adjust to the city and make the most out of your life there.
Thinking about moving to Germany? Try out our German conversations with a 5-day free trial so you can land on your feet and give your German a boost.
