Health insurance is mandatory for everyone living in Germany, including foreigners. If you are employed, you are generally enrolled in statutory health insurance (GKV) through your employer — you simply choose a public fund such as TK, AOK, or Barmer and register with them. Higher earners, freelancers, and the self-employed can opt for private health insurance instead. Newcomers on work, student, or job-seeker visas often need proof of coverage before arriving, which is usually arranged through incoming or expat insurance that is converted into a regular German policy once you start working or studying.

Statutory health insurance (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, GKV) is Germany's public health insurance system, run by non-profit sickness funds. It is funded through income-based contributions of around 14.6% of gross salary plus a small supplemental contribution, generally split between employer and employee. It covers doctor visits, hospital treatment, prescriptions, and basic dental care, and family members without their own income, such as a spouse or children, are usually covered free of charge under the same policy.

For statutory health insurance, the cost depends on your income: contributions are a percentage of your gross salary, split with your employer, so an employee on an average full-time salary typically pays roughly €250–€400 per month as their share. Students pay a reduced rate of around €120 per month, and freelancers pay the full contribution themselves. Private insurance premiums depend on your age, health, and coverage level — often cheaper than statutory when you are young, but they rise with age.

It depends on your situation. Private health insurance in Germany is only an option for employees whose gross salary is above a set threshold (revised annually) as well as freelancers, the self-employed, and civil servants. Private plans can offer lower premiums when you are young, shorter waiting times, and extras like private hospital rooms, but premiums increase with age and pre-existing conditions, and switching back to statutory insurance later can be difficult. Statutory insurance is usually the safer choice for families and people on average or lower incomes.

For students under 30 enrolled in a state-recognised university, statutory student health insurance is the cheapest option — all public funds charge the same subsidised rate of roughly €120 per month. Students over 30, PhD candidates, scholarship holders, and those on language or preparatory courses are not eligible for the student rate, so they usually take private or incoming student insurance, which can start from around €30 per month depending on the coverage chosen.

If you are switching between statutory insurers, you generally need to have been with your current fund for at least 18 months and give about two months' notice to the end of the month — your new insurer usually handles most of the paperwork. If you want to move from statutory to private insurance, first confirm that you meet the income threshold or are self-employed, and get advice before cancelling, because returning to the public system later is not always possible. Make sure there is no gap in coverage between the two policies.

Foreigners can legally invest in Germany — you do not need German citizenship. The basics: get your tax ID (steuerliche Identifikationsnummer), open a German bank account and a securities account (Depot) with a bank or broker, and then you can invest in stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, real estate, or fixed-income products. Many expats start with monthly ETF savings plans (Sparpläne). New arrivals and non-residents should also check the tax rules in both Germany and their home country, as some brokers require proof of address registration (Anmeldung).

Open a securities account (Depot) with a German broker or online bank, then buy shares of listed companies — for example DAX members like SAP, Siemens, or Allianz — or diversified ETFs. You can invest a lump sum or set up an automatic monthly savings plan starting from small amounts. Beginners often prefer broad ETFs over individual stocks because they spread risk. Keep in mind that capital gains are taxed in Germany (a flat 25% plus surcharges, with a small annual tax-free allowance per person).

An ETF (exchange-traded fund) is a fund that tracks an index — such as the DAX or the MSCI World — and trades on the stock exchange like a single share. ETFs are extremely popular in Germany because they are low-cost, diversified, and can be bought through an ETF savings plan (Sparplan) with small monthly amounts. For beginners, a globally diversified ETF is the most common starting point, and long-term gains are subject to German capital gains tax with an annual allowance.

Union Investment is one of Germany's largest mutual fund companies and belongs to the cooperative finance group around the Volksbanken and Raiffeisenbanken. It offers equity, bond, and mixed funds, and its funds are frequently included in employer pension schemes and bank savings plans. If you are employed in Germany and spot a Union Investment fund in your payslip deductions or company pension, it is worth checking the fees and performance and comparing them with alternatives before committing.

For long-term investors, it can be. Rents are stable, tenant demand is strong in major cities, and you can use leverage through a mortgage. The tax benefits help too: landlords can deduct costs like interest and maintenance, residential property is depreciated over time (typically 2% per year), and capital gains are tax-free if you hold the property for at least 10 years before selling. The main downsides are high purchase prices, transaction costs of roughly 8–12% including notary and property transfer tax, and ongoing management effort.

Most people file online through ELSTER, the official tax office portal, or use tax apps and software that guide you step by step in English. You can also use a Steuerberater (tax advisor) or a Lohnsteuerhilfeverein (tax help association) for more complex cases. Keep documents such as your Lohnsteuerbescheinigung (year-end salary statement), proof of social security and insurance contributions, and receipts for deductible work-related expenses like commuting or home-office costs.

For people who are required to file, the German tax return deadline is normally 31 July of the following year — for example, the return for the 2024 tax year is due by 31 July 2025. If a tax advisor or tax help association prepares the return, the deadline extends to the end of February of the second year after the tax year. If you are not obliged to file, you can submit a voluntary return for up to four years back, which often results in a refund.

Official ELSTER forms are only available in German, and communication with the German tax office must be in German. However, you have English-friendly options: popular tax apps and software offer guided English-language interfaces that generate the correct German forms, and English-speaking tax advisors or consultants can prepare and submit the return on your behalf. Many expats use an app for simple employee returns and switch to a professional for complex situations like self-employment, rental income, or leaving Germany mid-year.

Often, yes. If you had income in Germany during the year you moved away — salary, freelance work, or rental income — you will usually need to file a return for that year, and leaving the country does not extend the normal deadlines. Filing can also work in your favour: if you leave partway through the year, your income is often lower than the annual tax-free allowances assume, so a return frequently triggers a refund. While settling your taxes, also remember to deregister your address (Abmeldung) and cancel or convert your German health insurance and other contracts.