Ever wondered what relocating to Germany would be like? If you are already living there or thinking about shifting, maybe it stumped you, and you wanted some more information on relocating from Uganda to Germany.
This post will share crucial tips that you must know when shifting from Uganda to Germany, and help you become a better fit for German life.
Quick facts:
- Majority of people moving from Uganda to Germany are returning German citizens after performing their tour of duty to Uganda.
- The German economy has been growing at an average rate of 3% per year since the 1990s, and it continues to grow at this pace.
- The unemployment rate stands at 5%, which means there is always a job available for those who want it.
Before delving into the meat of this article, it is important to note that Germany is a very bureaucratic country. In order to have a smooth moving experience to Germany, you need to follow all of the steps detailed below to the letter, or else you may encounter some thoroughly inconvenient delays along the way.
Here are 8 vital things about the moving journey that you need to know.
1. Certain Conditions Must Always Be Met for the Duty-Free Entry of Household Goods
When relocating from Uganda to Germany, ensure that the items you pack are your personal property and not of a commercial nature. This will help avoid being charged import taxes and duties.
For the duty-free entry of household goods to be possible in Germany from Uganda, certain conditions must be met:
- You must be present when your household goods clear customs.
- You must have used these goods for personal or professional purposes for at least six months in Uganda.
- You cannot sell household goods that have been given duty-free treatment within a year following customs clearance.
- You must import and declare these goods within a year of registering and residence in Germany.
- You must also have resided abroad for a period of at least 12 consecutive months.
People who have lived outside of Germany for less than a year must declare their goods and may even have to pay duties and taxes on goods they bought overseas. However, this one-year requirement may be waived if the person importing is returning for reasons beyond their control.
2. A Botschaftsbescheinigung – Certificate or A Letter of Employment – Is Necessary
Suppose you are a returning German or European Union citizen seeking duty-free entry of your household goods and personal effects. In this case, you must present a Botschaftsbescheinigung certificate from the German consulate in Uganda.
The purpose of this certificate is to confirm the exact period you have lived abroad. The period should be at least 12 consecutive months for each country.
On the other hand, If you are not a citizen of the European Union, you must apply for a residence title (or permit) that authorises you to be gainfully employed in your new country.
It confirms that you are employed, what type of contract exists between you and your employer, and that your terms and conditions are similar to those offered by the German authorities.
Suppose you have already received an offer of employment from a German employer but don’t have this certificate or letter. In that case, you will have to do everything possible to obtain one as soon as possible. Usually, this can be done quickly by sending an email request to the employee’s human resources department at their company headquarters in Germany.
3. A Registration Certificate That is Called Anmeldebestätigung Must Be Obtained
A registration certificate, usually called anmeldebestätigung, must be obtained before you can relocate to Germany.
You may have heard of the Anmeldebestätigung before, but you might not really know what it is or why you need one. Anmeldebestätigung is a very simple A4 registration certificate that mostly proves that you live at a certain address. It’s given to everyone in Germany, whether citizen or ex-pat.
To get this certificate, you must register your official address at the Bürgeramt (citizens’ office).
The Anmeldebestätigung, or “registration certificate,” is your official address in Germany, and you must show it whenever completing administrative tasks in the country or applying for a visa.
To sign up for any contract, you’ll need an Anmeldebestätigung. The Anmeldebestätigung is required when:
- You are enrolling at a university
- You are opening a bank account
- You are taking out health insurance
- You are setting up a cell phone contract
- Applying for a residence permit
The German government requires you to register your address within 14 days of shifting in if you plan to really stay in Germany for more than three months. You still need to register if you’ll stay less than three months and want to take out any contract.
If you want to get a registration certificate, you must first provide the following documents:
- A passport or ID card (driving licence is unacceptable)
- Proof of residence certificate (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung)
- A visa (unless your country is exempt from visa requirements)
If your documents are in order, you will be issued a registration certificate at your local citizens’ office. This is done quickly and without further ado. However, your tax ID (an identification number to pay taxes) is sent separately by post or posted to you.
If you are an expat, getting the registration certificate doesn’t automatically grant you the right to live and work in Germany. If your country is exempt from this requirement, you do not really need to apply for a residence permit unless you have already obtained one elsewhere.
4. You Need a Solid Proof of Residence Certificate (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung)
You will receive this certificate (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung) in German if you’ve shifted to a new place of residence. This has been a requirement since November 1, 2015. This law requires that anyone renting a property in the country must have a Proof of Residence certificate.
The Wohnungsgeberbestätigung or Wohnungsgeberbescheinigung is a simple form filled out and usually signed by your landlord that confirms that you’ve shifted into a new residence.
The government instituted a program called Wohnungsgeberbestätigungen (WGB), or “proof of residence certificates,” as an anti-fraud measure. These certificates are issued by local authorities and require proof of residence before they can be used.
The Wohnungsgeberbestätigung is provided once you’ve signed a rental contract. Make sure to take the completed form with you to your registration appointment in order for you to get your Anmeldebestätigung or registration certificate.
If you’ve shifted into a shared residence (Wohngemeinschaft), you still need to get your current landlord’s signature on the proof of residence certificate (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung). That’s because it’s not enough to ask the lead tenant to fill out the form.
5. Expats Living and Working in Germany Need a Tax ID
Whether they’re German citizens or not, expats in Germany need a unique tax ID to prove their residency. This is called the Steuerliche Identifikationsnummer – IdNr.
The Federal Central Tax Office usually issues both German citizens and expats with tax IDs that they’re supposed to use for their whole life. Even babies receive one in the mail shortly after they are born.
Tax IDs are used by everyone from students to business owners, from people who work for themselves to those who work for others. They’re used for everything from filing taxes to paying rent, buying cars or furniture, and even buying a train ticket!
They also serve as proof of your identity the moment you want to open a bank account or apply for credit cards or mortgages,
You’ll also need to provide your tax ID number the first time you register in Germany. This is a unique 11-digit number that’s issued when you register with the Federal Central Tax Office.
If you’ve lost your tax ID or never received it, you can request a new one on the federal tax office’s website:
You can also get a new one if yours has been lost or stolen. Fill out an online form, and they’ll send you a replacement within four weeks!
Since the tax ID is important for paying your salary and calculating the amount of tax you owe, it’s best to keep it safe and protected at all times. So make sure to always carry it with you when going out and don’t leave it anywhere.
6. Expats May Need a Residence Permit, Depending on Certain Factors
If you are a foreigner, you may need a German residence permit to live and work in Germany. The period you plan to spend in Germany determines whether or not you need a residence permit.
If you are an EU/EEA citizen or a permanent resident of Germany, you may be able to live and work in Germany without a visa or residence permit. However, certain conditions may apply. For example, you must register at your local citizens’ office if you plan to stay in Germany for more than three months.
If you’re an expat, you may need a German residence permit, depending on the length of your stay. For example, a short business and leisure stay that is mostly less than 90 days do not usually require a residence permit.
If you are an ex-pat and have been living in Germany for more than 90 days, you must apply for a national visa and convert it into a residence permit. This is true even if your stay is less than 90 days.
Before your residence permit application appointment, there are several steps you must take:
- Register for and obtain German health insurance
- Register at your nearest citizens’ office (Bürgeramt) to obtain a registration certificate
- Open a genuine German bank account to prove you can truly provide for your family or yourself
- Gather all your supporting documents and papers like:
- Your valid passport
- A current biometric picture
- Certificate of registration
- Any proof of insurance for health
- Proof of secure livelihood (for example, bank statements)
- Proof of your true purpose in Germany (like a solid employment contract)
- A completed application form for a temporary residence permit
If you are approved, your residence permit will be issued, and you’ll be required to go and collect it yourself at the foreigners’ office. A PIN code may also be sent in your post so that you might use it to get to collect your permit.
If the application is rejected, you’ll receive a letter explaining the reasons for the rejection. The reason is usually failure to provide the correct documents. The rejection letter will tell you what to do next and provide advice on how to appeal, if applicable.
With a temporary residence permit typically lasting for one year, it’s important to keep track of the expiry dates. The foreigners’ office doesn’t notify you if your permit is due to expire. If you fail to take steps to renew your permit before it expires, you may risk being banned from shifting to Germany in the future.
7. You Need to Be Prepared When House-Hunting
When you’re house-hunting in Germany, it’s important to be prepared.
To rent a property in Germany, you’ll need to fill out various forms and organise all paperwork. Your landlord will be so much interested in finding out if you’re a very trustworthy and reliable candidate to rent their property by having to check your finances and credit history.
Before starting your search, you should also know what type of housing you want. It’s best to get a feel for the market before making offers, which will help save time and money later.
The following are the necessary documents an expat needs for renting in Germany:
- A copy of an ID or a passport
- Their Bank statements for the past three months
- Any three recent payslips to act as proof that you can foot the rent (or proof of adequate savings)
- The Mieterselbstauskunft, a form that gives your prospective landlord extra information about you (date of birth, occupation, number of residents on the property)
- A Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung is a document proving that you do not owe any of your previous landlords any money.
- A copy of your credit report, which shows your prospective landlord your real credit score.
You also may need to provide a letter of introduction explaining what you really do in Germany and the reason why you’re looking for a new apartment. Your prospective landlord might want to take a look at your CV.
8. You Need to Meet Certain Conditions When Importing Your Car
If you live in the European Union and want to bring your car into Germany, it’s pretty straightforward.
Just make sure you follow the rules and make sure you meet all of the conditions related to importation if you plan to import your car from outside the EU; the only thing you have to worry about is paying a 10% import duty and 19% import Value Added tax or import turnover tax (Einfuhrumsatzsteuer).
You will have to also prove that you are relocating to Germany permanently. You can do this by
- Having a job contract for Germany
- A termination letter from your former employer
- A letter from your landlord stating you have sold your home in the origin country.
- You will also need to show documents showing that you’ve been relocated to a site in Germany.
To qualify for duty-free importation,
- Your car must be registered in your name and have a German driver’s licence.
- Your insurance record should be from the country of origin.
- It would help if you arrived in Germany around the same time as your car does.
- You must keep your vehicle for personal use for at least one year after entering Germany.
- Your car must have third-party liability insurance that begins with customs clearance, and its owner must have German police registration (Polizeiliche Certificate of Anmeldebestätigung)
- Only you in your previous country must have used it for at least six months.
- Your vehicle must pass a mandatory inspection for emissions control, roadworthiness, and safety.
Conclusion
With so many questions swirling around your mind when shifting abroad, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the process. However, there are certain things you should know coming in and out of Uganda and Germany. Learning them before you enter the country and starting that way will prevent some problems from arising as you embark on your new chapter abroad.
Be honest about your background and education. Don’t exaggerate or hide anything from the Embassy.
Don’t forget to mention any gaps in your employment history, especially if there were no gaps, but you have taken up another job after leaving Germany.
If you want to work in Germany, mention it clearly in your application form and again on the visa application form when applying for a residence permit.
Therefore, it’s best to involve trusted international movers to help you navigate the intricate process of shifting to Germany. In the meantime, consider sharpening up your German language skills because you’ll be needing them!
