Marzahn-Hellersdorf Relocation Guide
Non-EU arrivals: book your Ausländerbehörde (ABH) appointment IMMEDIATELY after Anmeldung — wait times in major cities are 3-6 months. Your visa may only be valid for 90 days post-arrival. Anmeldung must be done within 14 days, but in practice book your appointment as soon as you sign your lease.
✈ Pre-Arrival (from your home country)
Official German visa portal since Feb 2025 — online application for national visas (study, work, family reunification, Opportunity Card). Replaces the old waitlist system. Start 3-6 months before your move.
Required before visa application. Get confirmation letter for embassy appointment.
Berlin housing market is extremely competitive. Start months early. WG-Gesucht for shared flats. Homelike/Wunderflats for furnished.
Required for student/jobseeker visas. Check current amount on the official website. Expatrio or Coracle.
Only Beeidigte Übersetzer accepted. Berlin court interpreter directory.
Check if your country is in the Hague Apostille Convention. If not, full legalisation needed.
Secure your job contract or university Zulassungsbescheid before applying for visa.
Free German government database of foreign universities and degrees. Check if your university has H+ status and whether your degree is directly recognized. Do this BEFORE paying for ZAB evaluation. Site is German-only — use browser translation.
🎓 Student Track — Applying to a German University? (click to expand 6 optional steps)
Free database - check if your high school diploma gives you Direct admission or Conditional admission (requires Studienkolleg). Do this FIRST before any other student step.
Central application portal used by most German universities for international students. First application costs EUR 75.
1-year preparatory program ending with the Feststellungspruefung (FSP). Only needed if DAAD says your diploma is conditional. Public Studienkollegs are free.
Pass TestAS with a strong score to skip Studienkolleg at some universities. Each institution sets its own rules - always check the target university admissions page. Test costs EUR 160 and takes one day. Available in German or English.
Calendar of DSH German language exam dates across all German universities. Only needed for German-taught programs (not English-taught).
Official grid to understand the difference between A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2 language levels. German-taught programs typically require B2-C1.
👪 Family Track — Have or Expecting Children? (click to expand 4 optional steps)
Use the nationwide doctor search and filter by Kinderarzt. Waiting lists can be long in cities - register during pregnancy if possible.
Mandatory pediatric checkups U1-U9 + J1 from birth to age 13. Covered by public health insurance. Kinderuntersuchungsheft (yellow book) required - ask Hausarzt or hospital.
Protected employment 6 weeks before and 8 weeks after birth (12 for twins/preterm). Employer pays full net salary. Notify employer as early as possible.
Civil marriage in Germany is done at the Standesamt (city registry office). Foreign documents need apostille + certified translation. Book 2-3 months ahead. Religious ceremony has no legal effect.
🏡 After Arrival (in Germany)
Often has SAME-WEEK slots when inner-city is booked 4+ weeks out.
Nationwide public transport subscription for all local and regional trips — U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams, buses, RB/RE trains throughout Germany. Cancel monthly by the 10th. Students often get discounted versions via Semesterticket. NOT valid on ICE/IC/EC long-distance trains.
Compare German Girokonto options (free, with/without Girocard, online vs branch). Important: many Germans still require a Girocard for rent/recurring payments — check that your chosen bank offers one.
Central LEA/ABH for all Bezirke. Extremely long wait times — book immediately after arrival.
Steuer-ID arrives by post. Each Bezirk has its own Finanzamt.
Public health insurance (GKV) is mandatory for most employees and students. Compare Krankenkassen on check24 — rates are similar by law, but service, app, and extra benefits vary. Private (PKV) may be an option for high earners/freelancers.
Essential for renting in Berlin. Most landlords and WG rooms require proof.
Critical in Berlin — landlords almost always require Bonitätsauskunft for flat applications.
Mandatory per household. WG: only one person per flat pays. Check rundfunkbeitrag.de for current fee.
After Anmeldung, your address is assigned a default Grundversorger (basic provider) at higher rates. Switching is free, fast, and done online. Compare rates on check24 — switching is worthwhile.
Only relevant if your flat has gas heating or gas cooking. Same logic as Strom: switching from the Grundversorger saves money. Many flats are now electric-only.
Typical contract: 24 months, 16-50 Mbit/s. Installation can take 2-6 weeks (Deutsche Telekom is fastest). Mobile hotspot as bridge. Check fiber (Glasfaser) availability at your address.
Check Anabin (P8) first. ZAB Statement of Comparability only if needed — €200, 3-4 months. Senatsverwaltung for regulated professions.
Central Fahrerlaubnisbehörde in Puttkamerstraße. Non-EU valid 6 months. Book early.
Kita-Gutschein system. Apply at Jugendamt in your Bezirk. Free from age 1.
Huge number of providers in Berlin. VHS Berlin offers affordable options.
Free government-funded counselling for adults 28+. BAMF-funded counsellors help with everything on this roadmap — German courses, job recognition, housing, health, family. Often speak your native language. Find the nearest office via BAMF-NAvI.
Compare German mobile plans (Tarif) and SIM-only deals. Major networks: Telekom (best coverage), Vodafone, O2. Watch for 24-month contracts vs monthly cancellable (monatlich kündbar). Many foreigners overpay with expensive contracts - check24 makes comparison easy.
Nationwide doctor search operated by the public health insurance system (KBV). Filter by specialty, language, and whether they accept new patients. Tel 116117 is the national medical hotline (free, 24/7, non-emergency). For emergencies call 112.
Dog tax (Hundesteuer) is mandatory in all cities - register dog at your local Stadtkasse within 14 days of getting it or moving. Rate varies per city (EUR 50-150/year, more for listed breeds). TASSO microchip registration is free and strongly recommended for lost-pet recovery.
Only needed if moving within Germany. Forward post from old address for 6/12/24 months. Costs from EUR 30.90 (6 mo). Apply 2-3 weeks before move. Also prompts automatic update at some insurers and authorities.