Finding Affordable Health Insurance in Germany to Work, Study, and Live

Germany boasts a highly praised and well rounded health insurance system that is essentially comprised of three different parts. There is the Public Health Insurance System (GKV), the Private (PKV) and the Expat Health Insurance System. To qualify for either of the three options, you have to meet certain requirements. These can be anything from your visa status,  your job situation, as well as the amount of money you earn.

Regardless, health insurance is absolutely mandatory for all residents of Germany. 

Figuring out your best option is an important task! We’ve put together an article highlighting some of the best insurance options within Germany.

Public Health Insurance

If you are a regular employee earning under €62,550 per year, a student under the age of 30, or an EU citizen that is a freelancer/self-employed then we strongly recommend TK as your health insurance provider.

TK is regularly awarded as the No. 1 healthcare provider in Germany and it is clear why.

A quick, online sign-up process can get you insured within two days. All service and documentation is performed completely in English. And most importantly, it meets all the requirements for a Work Visa, EU Blue Card and the Student Visa.

Students benefit from a reduced price and can expect to pay roughly around €105 euros per month depending on their age. Employees can expect the standard 14.6% of their salary, with half paid by the employer.

Use our sign-up link and get insured today!

For those looking for an alternative, check out Barmers as an equally high-quality provider in Public Health Insurance.

Private Health Insurance

For employees earning a high salary and for freelancers failing to qualify for Public Health Insurance, Private Health Insurance is also a great option to consider.

Ottonova doubles as a private health insurance provider, meeting all the requirements for a Freenlance Visa and providing full support in English 24/7.

Feather’s also has a brokerage service where they play matchmaker with you and a trusted Private Health provider.

In both cases, the cost will be dependent on your overall risk profile in respect to your health. Factors such as how old you are or any existing health conditions.

Expat Health Insurance

Those just recently moved to Germany as a Job Seeker, a Working-Holidayer, Non-EU Citizens who are freelancers/self-employed, MiniJob employees, and German-Language school students do not qualify for the Public Health Insurance system. This leaves Expat Health Insurance as the best option.

Feather’s is an extremely affordable option that meets all visa requirements while providing a high standard of medical care. Everything is also done in English, making it the perfect choice! The monthly fee comes out to just about €70 a month.

Other up-to-standard options to consider are Ottonova and Foyers.

Need Help?

Choosing a suitable insurance provider in Germany is an important choice! It can be overwhelming at times, so feel free to contact us with any questions or consultation needed.

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Berlin’s most desirable neighborhoods to live in

Ah, to live in Berlin. The capital of Germany is a bustling metropolis welcoming any and all who dare to call her home. Known for an open mentality, a top-notch nightlife scene, and home to a thriving start-up atmosphere, Berlin is an enticing choice to settle down in.

One of the key steps in doing so? Finding a place to live. The housing shortage in Berlin combined with the intricacies of German bureaucracy can make house hunting a headache. In an attempt to alleviate some of the stress, GLOBALS Homes features some of the best apartments in the city.

Choosing just where to live in Berlin is an important choice! The charm of Berlin is the different worlds that can be found depending on the neighborhood you happen to be in. Read on as we highlight three of Berlin’s most desirable neighborhoods – and the apartments that will let you call them home!

Lichtenberg

Just East of Mitte lies the quiet district of Lichtenberg. At first glance it can seem far removed from the vibrant and historic center of Berlin but don’t let that fool you!

In just 15 minutes you can arrive at Alexanderplatz. Strolling through this quiet suburb, its free from the broken glass and hipsters that crowd Kreuzberg and Neukölln’s busy streets.

Within 20 minutes from the Lichtenburg S+U station you can travel back in time and visit the historic former Stasi Headquarters, or travel to Vietnam and step inside the Dong Xuan Center, an Asian market with over 150 stalls. You can also visit one of East Berlin’s most famous attractions, Tierpark, a large zoo where animals have free roam and gives residents an amazing green space in the center of the district. Lichtenberg is a trending gem in Berlin, get here fast!

Mitte

Mitte means “center” or “middle” in German and you can bet that if you live in Mitte you can reach anywhere in Berlin’s city limits very easily. Not only are you well connected with transit, but the multiple bars, restaurants and cafes are not just there for the tourists.

Grab a craft beer around Torstrasse, visit the Berlin Wall Memorial or catch a show at Babylon Berlin or the Volksbühne and discover that thriving Mitte is the heartbeat of the city and one of the best districts to live in.

Schöneberg

Discover all the colours of Berlin within one district. Famous since the 1920s for its vibrant LGBTQ+ scene, Schöneberg really has something for everyone.

You can browse the latest trends at the famous KaDeWe (Kaufhaus Des Westens), one of the largest department stores in Europe. For nature lovers there is the protected biological park Schöneberger Südgelände, a nature reclaimed WWII rail yard and just in the district limits is Templehofer Field, the airport-turned-public-park, where you can catch the best sunsets in the city.

What kind of financial help is Germany providing for businesses during lockdown?

The self-proclaimed “Lockdown Light” during the month of November in an attempt to curb the rise of Covid cases has brought a halt to a large number of businesses throughout Germany. In an attempt to compensate for the economic damage, Merkel and company have designed a relief package depending on the nature of your business. It can be overwhelming to sift through the qualifications and criteria – read on for a simple overview of what is available for you and your business, with a focus on companies based in Berlin.

If you are a small or medium-sized business

The 10 billion euro program allows for those directly affected by the lockdown to claim up to 75% of their November 2019 turnover. Those remaining open but can prove that 80% of their revenues come from the businesses that are shut down will also qualify for financial aid. There is a cap of 1 million euros to be claimed per business.

If you are a start-up/venture capital firm (in Berlin!)

Those based out of Berlin since March 11th, 2020 or earlier may qualify for significant funding from the IBB. If the company has potential for high growth in the technological or creative scene then the different loan options to be used towards investment or running costs could be of a huge help. The help could come in the form of anywhere from 200,000 – 800,000 euros. Find out more on the website.

If you are self-employed

Self-employed individuals are subject to the same compensation as those of small and medium sized firms. However, if there was little turnover in November 2019, the self-employed are given the option of using their average weekly turnover in 2019 instead as a comparison mark.

Useful Links

In such difficult times finding the available resources to stay afloat can be the real difference maker. We are attaching various articles and links below that can prove as useful to many out there:

• Government FAQ page
• Artists and Self-Employed
• Bridge Aid Funding

“Germany Rocks” by Elon Musk

“Germany Rocks!”

That is what Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, declared during his visit to the construction site of Tesla’s first GIGA factory in Germany. Located some 30 km from the city centre of Berlin, the company aims for it to be fully operational by summer 2021 and start manufacturing about 500,000 vehicles. This major project would create around 12,000 jobs domestically, thereby stimulating the nation’s economy and global reach. 

Tesla’s latest factory will be the company’s most advanced manufacturing site with an incredibly modern design and the latest engineering features. Musk is also set to making Germany’s first Tesla GIGA factory an attractive and fun workplace, which also includes organizing rave parties. 

How to get a work visa in Germany

As March 2020, the new Skilled Immigration Act came to effect to improve and facilitate the arrival of international labor into the German market. The laws for qualified professionals with university degrees are now more flexible. More importantly, expanded to workers with vocational non-academic training.

To help you pursue your dream career, here you will find a complete guide of how to get a work visa in Germany.

To start: what makes a qualified professional?

Is considered in this category, any candidate with a tertiary education degree (concluded within the country or abroad) or with vocational training of at least two years of length. In both cases, you will need to obtain official recognition of your professional qualification, before applying for the work visa.

This procedure is mandatory for regulated professions, such as engineer, teacher, lawyer, doctor, nurse and other health related occupations. In this case, a written permission to exercise your profession can also be asked by the German mission abroad. The recognition prerequisite does not apply to non-regulated careers. Such as chefs, artists, managers and athletes; but is encouraged to assist employers in the moment of hiring. Same rule applies for candidates who have completed their professional training or higher education in Germany.

At the Anerkennung In Deutschland website, you can find the complete list of regulated and non-regulated professions, as well as the step by step to get your recognition. Your visa application will not be processed if your qualification has not been officially recognised yet. So that should be your priority.

Job Seeker Visa and the saga for a job opportunity

One of the biggest additions brought by the new Skilled Immigration Act is the suspension of priority for EU members. That means that the Federal Employment Agency no longer checks if the position could be occupied first by a German or European citizen; giving equal opportunity for qualified workers. The new law also states that international job opportunities are no longer restricted to occupations experiencing shortage.

If that is not already a big help, the Job Seeker Visa comes to facilitate even more for you to find your dream job. This type of visa, allows qualified professionals to enter the country and stay up to six months to get a full time contract with an employer. All you need is to have your qualification recognized (if it is the case), proof that you can financially support yourself during the period, and present level B1 of knowledge on the German language. With the Job Seeker Visa, you are authorized to work up to 10 hours per week on a trial basis.

Getting your skills developed

In specific cases, the German authorities might conclude that your qualification does not meet the position’s requirements. For that situation, there is the visa for Training and Skill Development. The documentation prerequisite is to present level A2 of knowledge on the German language, and it gives the candidate a residence permit valid for 18 months, extendable for another 4 months. During this period, you will be able to apply for a study or work permit within the country.

How to speed up the process?

If you already found a job opportunity, you can get in touch with your employer to submit a fast-track application. In this procedure, the professional needs to authorize the future employer to send the documentation for the local foreigner’s authority. They will be the ones responsible for obtaining the approval from the Federal Employment Agency. Once you receive the preliminary approval, you can make a visa application appointment at your local mission abroad office. This option costs 411 euros and can take up to six weeks.

Can my family come along?

The visa procedure also covers the candidate’s spouse and minor unmarried children. For the approval, all the applications (including all the members) should be submitted at the same time. The applicant must also provide proof of financial means for the entire family’s living and housing cost, without any support from the German state.

Important to mention: this condition does not extend for the Job Seeker kind of visa.

What are the exceptions?

The visa rules apply differently for members of the EU freedom of movement regime; including all European Union member states, as well as citizens of Iceland, Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein; who can enter the country without a visa and are not required to obtain permission to take up employment. Changes also affect citizens from United States of America, Canada, Israel, Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. In their case, they are allowed to enter Germany without a visa and submit an application for residence within the country.

Especial rules also apply to candidates over 45 years old. If that’s your case, your gross annual salary for the position you’re about to take should be of at least 45,540 euros and you must provide proof of old age pension provisions as well.

Here you are: a complete guide to start your work immigration! And don’t forget; you can always count on us to help you make your international life easier.

For further information, visit the Federal Government portal for foreign skilled workers: www.make-it-in-germany.com

Salute GLOBALS !!

Hello GLOBALS family I am Efe Kart from Turkey! I started to work for Club GLOBALS 3 weeks ago. It will be a pleasure to take part in that team for the following 3 months.

I am a fresh Economics graduate from Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara. Having an Economics background gives you a chance to understand how global mechanisms run. In that sense, 4 years in my Bachelor’s degree was beneficial in order to figure out basic concepts by adopting them into real cases.

However, I believe in the power of practical experiences in life. That’s why I have been always trying to enhance my vision with supportive activities, like internships, projects, abroad adventures. I had various work experiences in fields of human resources, marketing, business development, corporate identity, and sales which provided to strengthen my mental capacity. In addition to that, they were so useful in order to clarify what I love and what I don’t as a field of work. Another positive aspect of those experiences was to know different human characteristics in different work environments. After all, the main result I point to as a moral was learning process shouldn’t be given up anytime.

I completed my Erasmus in Bosnia & Hercegovina 2 years ago. I had a chance to visit 17 countries and 46 cities within 5 months. Being on my way of becoming a global citizen, I feel very satisfied! Tasting different cultures, meeting with new friends, and generating a multicultural network.

In today’s global business world, conventional companies have been giving place to the new dynamic, sustainable and effective startups. Thereby, being in Berlin, continental Europe’s Silicon Valley, for working for social entrepreneurship was one of my dreams and it has an intense meaning to me. Furthermore, I want to create value for humanity and take responsibility in the process of sustainable development for the World. So, joining in Club GLOBALS and AiRelo is a great opportunity to observe expats’ problems and to ease their life extensively.

Consequently, I am very excited to work for Mario, collaborate with my colleagues, and broaden my horizons!!

I wish you a pleasant and productive week dear GLOBALS, take care 

Top 10 Countries that Speak English the Best!

Education First identified the top 10 countries that speak the best in English. The research was conducted on the countries that their main language is not English. Are there any other countries that you would like to add the list? Let us know

8 Things you should know about the Wohnsitz Anmeldung

Moving to Berlin can be stressful when you don’t speak German and need to register your address with the city. Here you will find everything you need to know about the registration “Anmeldung” in Berlin.

Disclaimer: This is a non-exhaustive article. Click here to have the latest governmental information.

Join this year’s Christmas Markets adventures!

It’s THE time of the year again ?. Everybody loves Christmas ? !

In the wintertime, Berlin offers many traditional and modern markets to make the cold season awesome, enjoy the holidays with warm mulled wine and Christmas carols. Christmas isn’t complete without going to the Christmas markets, everyone wants to enjoy the holiday ambiance, the lights, the music, the rides, the food, the people and everyone wants to stand under the mistletoe right ?!

Here are our good options for unique Christmas Markets ? around Berlin:

‘Weihnachtszauber’ at Gendarmenmarkt(Mitte):

21st November till 31st December,

daily 11.00 – 22.00. 24th December 11.00  – 18.00, 31st December 11.00 – 19.00

Info: Very lovely atmosphere, the surrounding of Gendarmenmarkt makes it very historical, nice performances ? on stage. All worth the EUR 1 entrance fee to the stage area. Some services are also available without an entrance fee.

Christmas market at the Gedächtniskirche (Charlottenburg):

26th November 2018 to 06th January 2019, Sunday to Thursday 11.00 -21.00,

Friday & Saturday 11.00 – 22.00,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Xmas Eve 11:00 – 14:00,
25th & 26th of December 13:00 – 21:00,
New Year’s Eve 11:00 – 01:00,
01 January 2019 13:00 – 21:00

Info: This Christmas market in the center of Berlin-West is worth a visit while shopping ? on Berlin’s famous Kurfürstendamm. No entrance fee.

Christmas market in front of Schloss Charlottenburg (Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf):

21st November to 26th December,

 Monday till Thursday 14.00-22.00,
 Friday to Sunday 12.00- 22.00 – closed on the 24th December.

Info: Nicely located in front of the castle. Well known for good food ?  and snacks. No entrance fee.

Christmas market at Potsdamer Platz (Mitte):

2 November 2018 till 6 January 2019, daily 10.00- 22.00, On Xmas Eve 10:00- 14:00!

Info: A perfect Christmas market for fit kids and adults: Aside from doing some shopping, visitors can take a toboggan run or do some ice skating . No entrance fee.

Spandauer Christmas market (Spandau):

23rd November till 23th December, Monday till Thursday 11.00 – 20.00, Friday 11.00 – 22.00, Saturday 11.00 – 22.00, Sunday 11.00 – 20.00.

Info: Lovely located in the streets between small houses and around the church  . Feels like a small village Christmas market. Offers also a Ferris wheel. No entrance fee to the market.

Lucia Christmas market at Kulturbrauerei (Pankow / Prenzlauer Berg ):

21st November till 22th December, Monday till Friday 15.00-22.00, Saturday, Sunday & on Holidays 13.00 – 22.00

Info: Nordic – Scandinavian style Christmas market. More medieval than modern style.

Enjoy your Christmas time and let us know which one is your favorite! ? ?