Moving to Munich: plan beyond your first day at work

Before making commitments such as resigning or booking a move, establish what you and any accompanying family members need to live and work in Germany.

Residence and employment

Use Make it in Germany’s visa and residence information to identify the requirements relevant to your circumstances. Confirm your position with the responsible authority.

Find answers to these questions:

• What permission, if any, do you need to enter, live, and work in Germany?
• Does the proposed employment meet the relevant requirements?
• What documents must your employer provide?
• What must you complete before travelling?
• What arrangements apply to an accompanying partner or children?
• How could the process affect your start date?

Ask the employer which parts of the process they will support. Record the agreed responsibilities and any costs they will cover.

Professional qualifications

Check whether you or your partner need qualification recognition or authorisation to practise a profession.

Use Recognition in Germany to identify the relevant process and authority.

For each person who intends to work, record:

• The profession and intended role.
• Any recognition or authorisation required.
• The responsible authority.
• Required documents and translations.
• Any language requirement.
• Expected costs and processing times.
• Whether the process affects when work can begin.

Resolve questions that could prevent you from starting work before relying on an agreed start date or income.

Calculate the move for the whole household, including any period when only one person is earning.

Estimate monthly costs:

• Rent, utilities, and other housing charges.
• Food and household expenses.
• Transport.
• Childcare or school-related costs.
• Insurance and existing financial commitments.
• German lessons.
• Travel to visit family.
• Savings and an emergency reserve.

Check what each estimate includes to avoid missing or double-counting costs.

Then calculate one-off expenses:

• Rental deposits.
• Temporary accommodation.
• Moving and travel.
• Furniture and household essentials.
• Document, translation, or recognition fees.
• Overlapping housing commitments.

Build three scenarios:

1. Expected: Costs and employment plans develop broadly as anticipated.
2. Less favourable: Housing costs more, or your partner’s job search takes longer.
3. Difficult but plausible: One income continues for an extended period and an unexpected expense arises.

For each scenario, calculate the monthly surplus or shortfall and how long your savings would last.

Agree on what needs to change if the budget becomes difficult. This could include reducing housing costs, adjusting the moving date, or negotiating additional employer support.

Your partner’s career

If your partner intends to work, include their job search in the plan.

Together, identify:

• Roles that match their experience.
• Relevant employers and current vacancies.
• Language or qualification requirements.
• A realistic salary range.
• People who can explain the employment market.
• The next practical job-search action.

Also discuss how you will share household tasks, childcare, and time for language learning. These arrangements affect how much time each person has to work or search for employment.

Define your requirements before comparing neighbourhoods.

For housing, agree on:

• Maximum monthly housing cost.
• Minimum space.
• Maximum commute.
• Access to public transport.
• Proximity to childcare or school.
• Any accessibility or other essential needs.

Compare locations against those requirements. Where possible, test the commute at the time you would normally travel.

If you need temporary accommodation, decide how long you can afford it and who will manage the search for a longer-term home.

Childcare and school

For families, care arrangements can affect working hours, income, and housing choices.

Use the City of Munich’s childcare information and kita finder+ guidance to begin your search. Check individual providers and application requirements directly.

Record:

1. The type of care or schooling needed.
2. The required start date.
3. Suitable locations.
4. Application steps and deadlines.
5. Expected costs.
6. A temporary arrangement if the preferred start date is unavailable.

Include school enquiries where relevant. Make sure the proposed arrangements fit both adults’ working hours and travel time.

Create a checklist for the procedures that apply to your household. Use the responsible organisation’s current instructions to confirm documents and deadlines.

Prepare a secure digital folder and a physical folder containing relevant documents, such as:

• Passports or other identification.
• Employment contracts.
• Visa or residence documents, where applicable.
• Qualification certificates.
• Family certificates, where required.
• Insurance information.
• Required translations.
• Housing documents and landlord confirmation.

The City of Munich’s residence registration page explains the registration process and required documents. Check the applicable deadline before arrival and plan to complete registration promptly after moving into your accommodation.

Prepare for the first weeks by confirming:

• Health insurance arrangements and coverage dates.
• Access to money and essential payments.
• Any remaining residence or employment formalities.
• Childcare or school arrangements.
• Transport to work.
• Appointments you need to book.

Identify tasks that depend on other documents or appointments. Put those dependencies into your plan so that one delay does not leave several tasks stalled.

Set a German-language goal that supports something you need to do.

For example:

I aim to reach level ___ by ___ so that I can ___.

Base the goal on your current ability, work requirements, and available study time.

Record:

• Your current level.
• The level or skills needed for your initial role.
• Likely requirements for future roles.
• Everyday situations you want to manage independently.
• Weekly study time.
• Course costs and an examination date, if relevant.

The Goethe-Institut provides information about German courses, language levels, and examinations.

Build relationships beyond your employer

Before arriving, identify a few professional communities, local groups, or activities you would like to join.

Speak with people who can help you understand:

• How your profession operates locally.
• Where German matters in the workplace.
• Which employers and roles may be relevant.
• What they found difficult when settling in.
• Which practical steps helped them.

After arrival, make time for relationships outside work. If you are moving with a partner, ensure both of you have opportunities to build independent friendships and interests.

Choose activities you can attend regularly. A routine is easier to sustain than a long list of events.

Compare your actual experience with the assumptions behind the move.

Review these six areas:

• Career: Are the responsibilities and opportunities developing as expected?
• Finances: Can the household cover costs and maintain an appropriate reserve?
• Partner and family: Are work, care arrangements, and household responsibilities manageable?
• Language and professional connections: Are you making useful progress?
• Career alternatives: What could you do if the current role changed or ended?
• Daily life: Are your routines, relationships, and living arrangements working?

Mark each area:

• Green: Working adequately.
• Amber: Needs attention or adjustment.
• Red: A significant problem needs action.

For every amber or red area, record a specific action, an owner, and a review date. Address urgent problems when they arise rather than waiting for the next scheduled review.

For example, if childcare costs are substantially above budget, calculate the shortfall and review care arrangements, working hours, and spending.