v256.0 · relocation checklist · IN → DE · verified 2026-04
India to Germany — relocation checklist
15-step ordered checklist covering visa, banking, healthcare, housing, taxes, schooling, shipping, and pets. Written for the Indian engineer / IT professional / scientist on EU Blue Card or Skilled Worker visa.
From
To
Total cost
€5,000-18,000 (₹5-18 lakh) — visa, deposits, shipping
Timeline
14-22 weeks pre-arrival, 4-8 weeks post-arrival
Typical profile for this pair
Indian engineer / IT professional / scientist on EU Blue Card or Skilled Worker visa
Step-by-step checklist (15 steps)
Pre-departure (16-22 weeks out)
- Choose visa — EU Blue Card (€45,300 shortage / €58,400 standard from 2024), Skilled Worker, Chancenkarte (since June 2024), Self-Employed
Pre-departure (12-16 weeks out)
- Attested educational certificates — Anabin database verification + ZAB certificate of comparability €200
Pre-departure (10-14 weeks out)
- German visa at VFS Global India — 4-12 week processing
Pre-departure (8-10 weeks out)
- German A1/A2 (optional but helpful); B1 may be required for Chancenkarte/Self-Employed
Pre-departure (6-8 weeks out)
- PCC + MEA apostille
Pre-departure (4-6 weeks out)
- German bank account — N26 accepts remote opening with Indian passport
Pre-departure (2-4 weeks out)
- Ship sea freight Mumbai/Chennai to Hamburg 28-35 days, €3,000-8,000 for 20ft
Pre-departure (1-2 weeks out)
- Pet — EU Pet Passport via USDA-accredited vet; microchip + rabies
Arrival (Week 1)
- Anmeldung at Bürgeramt within 14 days; appointment can take 1-8 weeks (Berlin worst)
Arrival (Week 1-2)
- Steueridentifikationsnummer (Steuer-ID) — mailed within 2-4 weeks after Anmeldung
Arrival (Week 2-3)
- GKV (statutory health) registration — TK, AOK, Barmer, DAK; mandatory ~14.6% gross
Arrival (Week 3-4)
- Aufenthaltstitel (residence permit) at Ausländerbehörde; card mailed 4-6 weeks
Arrival (Month 2)
- Children in Grundschule + Gymnasium (free) or international school (€15-25K/year)
Arrival (Month 3-6)
- Indian ITR partial year; German Steuererklärung due July 31 (Oct 31 via Steuerberater)
Ongoing
- Niederlassungserlaubnis after 33 months on Blue Card, 21 months with B1 German; citizenship 6-8 years
Cost breakdown
| EU Blue Card / Skilled Worker visa | €75-100 |
| ZAB certificate of comparability | €200 |
| German A1/A2 test (optional) | €140-200 |
| First month rent + Kaution (3-month deposit, Berlin 2BR) | €3,500-9,000 |
| Shipping (sea freight 20ft) | €3,000-8,000 |
| Schufa credit report | €29.95 |
⚠ Gotchas + watch-outs
- Anmeldung appointments in Berlin can take 4-8 weeks — book IMMEDIATELY
- GKV mandatory; Krankenkasse choice consequential (TK English-friendly)
- EU Blue Card salary threshold raised 2024 — €45,300 shortage / €58,400 standard
- Schufa credit report chicken-and-egg for new arrivals
- India-Germany DTAA (1995) prevents double taxation
- German language requirements increase for permanent residence (B1 typically)
Official sources
- Germany Federal Foreign Office — https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en
- Make-it-in-Germany — https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/
See also: India profile · Germany profile · all relocation checklists · Germany digital nomad visa · Germany tax residency · Germany banking · Germany healthcare
Last verified 2026-04. Immigration, tax, and banking rules change frequently — verify with official sources before acting.