Relocation to Germany
Relocation to Germany: Multicultural and Multifaceted
Welcome to the largest and most diverse economy in Europe! Germany is a popular corporate relocation destination because of the strength and depth of its industries and the country’s global mindset. From medical technology to industrial manufacturing, many companies are headquartered here or have German-based operations. Because of the multitude of nationalities represented in Germany’s expatriate population, our nearly 100 Destination Consultants here speak several languages to accommodate globally mobile professionals and their families, whether they’re coming from Chicago or Chengdu. The ability to bridge communication between expatriates and local landlords and officials is essential in Germany due to the complex immigration laws and competitive home search process.
In Germany, housing demand severely outweighs supply, and landlords are usually the point of contact for viewing a property. Landlords in Germany are often firm on price, move-in dates, and other terms and conditions, with little room for negotiation. Additionally, there is little to no flexibility for showing properties in person, as the landlords hold to a strict schedule. Many landlords only speak German, and all property negotiations and contracts will happen in the local language. This is where the role of a Dwellworks Destination Consultant is essential. Our tenured relationships with landlords mean we are invited to view listings as soon as, or even before, they come online. This also means our Consultants are relentless in researching for properties – often looking at 50 or more to confirm a few, quality showings. Time is always of the essence when home finding here, whether in Frankfurt, Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, or in smaller cities and more remote locations. Our Consultants simplify and streamline a complex process and align with immigration and visa requirements to ensure successful and timely coordination of services for your employees moving to Germany.
Area Orientation: Every employee wants to know more about the place they are moving to, whether it’s previewing neighborhood rental options, calculating commute times, or understanding the available community activities and hot spots. Our Destination Consultants always start the service experience with “How can I help?” and then put their local expertise to work with information, exploration, and guidance that aligns with your employee’s priorities.
Rental Home Finding Assistance: Our Consultants are experts in matching property solutions to employee budgets, requirements, and expectations, and are also a resource for understanding local leasing practices and landlord processes. After sourcing suitable housing, scheduling viewing appointments, and discussing the advantages and disadvantages of possible options, our Consultants help employees submit rental applications to give them the best chance of being selected as the preferred tenant.
Settling-in Services: Our Destination Consultants guide the employee through the full settling-in process, including support with key services like social insurance registration, banking services introductions, driver’s license application, and health care guidance. If the family has children, we also assist with school explanations, registration, and tours.
Departure services: Clients authorize this service when they are looking for end-of-assignment support for their employees. Our Destination Consultants advise on rental property termination, final property inspections, and the steps employees should follow to ensure a successful refund of their security deposit.
We check-in with the employee throughout their destination services experience via system-generated Pulse Checks to ensure we are meeting their expectations – and can quickly course-correct if needed. It is important to us that we provide exceptional service at all times. Visit our Destination Services page to learn about our end-to-end solutions and support.
Our Immigration Service Offerings in Germany
Dwellworks recognizes the essential step of approved immigration status to live and work in Germany for citizens from outside the EU. That is why we offer immigration assistance that can be authorized along with any Destination Services program supporting a move to Germany. Your employee’s relocation can be streamlined and simplified by coordinating these two services through a single, expert supplier. The visa and immigration process usually begins with the employee being guided through initial paperwork and permit signing by one of our in-house Destination Services Program Managers, who then assigns a Destination Consultant who will accompany the employee to appointments and act as a translator with German officials.
Working with Dwellworks to handle immigration needs for Germany is a cost-saving and time-saving measure for companies and builds trust and confidence for your employees. Because our Program Managers and Consultants are subject matter experts in each step of the work permit and residency status process, clients seldom need to hire additional and more expensive legal representation for these administrative services. While we do not offer legal advice, our Dwellworks Germany team has a dedicated team of experienced Program Managers who have managed the visa and immigration process successfully for thousands of employees from companies all over the world.
Here are the essential immigration services that our team delivers for our clients:
Assistance compiling employment letters and immigration documents
Assistance with applying for a work visa
Registration at the place of residence / application for a tax ID number
Application of residence permit or residence confirmation (eAT=Electronic Residence Permit in German)
Application for work permit
Arrangement of / accompaniment to appointments with officials and follow-ups
Possible changes of tax class depending on status (single, couples, families)
De-registration at time of departure
Research for specific needs and questions for translations, documentation, apostilles
Courtesy reminders to alert clients on work / residence permit validity dates
Happy Customers
We are proud to earn the respect and admiration of the employees we assist. Here is some of our favourite feedback received from satisfied employees:
Our Local Experts Cover All of Germany
Dwellworks pairs each relocating employee with an empathetic and experienced Destination Consultant who lives in or near the employee’s new city and knows everything there is to know about that destination location – or knows where to find the answer. Our local experts are also well-versed in the nuances of the relocation process; many of them have been through the moving experience themselves.
Using our online service platform called myDwellworks®, our local Consultant connects with the employee long before their arrival in Canada to establish a relationship, understand the employee’s priorities, and begin conducting personalized research. Consultants are familiar with neighborhood differences, school district boundaries, and the local cost of living to aid your employees in securing a rental home that meets their needs.
Consultants are also the go-to for any other assistance or recommendations needed by your employees. Whether it’s identifying the closest bank, understanding the healthcare system, finding a market for fresh produce, or getting recommendations for nearby restaurants, parks, or youth sports leagues, Dwellworks Destination Consultants will have the answer.
With Consultants in Frankfurt, Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, and more, we cover all major corporate hub locations. We can also assist in less traditional relocation markets. With knowledge of local laws, schools, and housing prices covering every province, Dwellworks virtual Consultants can assist with moves to any location in Germany.
So, whether the move is to the heart of Germany or near the North Sea, our Consultants can provide area overviews and introductions, assist in the housing search, coordinate settling-in services, and offer access to other helpful guides through our myDwellworks® platform – with the continued guarantee of that personal touch.
Technology Supports Every Move
Whether employees are looking for local trusted guidance pre-arrival, tips throughout their program, or neighborhood info and local favorites 3 months later, look no further than myDwellworks®.
Our easy-to-use online resource offers insights for successfully navigating a new location, from learning about neighborhoods, to viewing housing styles, to ‘How To’ guides for completing important tasks – all available 24/7.
myDwellworks® is also a convenient communication platform for the employee and their Destination Consultant to send and retrieve messages, ask questions, and share and comment on properties.
And the best part? Flexibility to access the portal on a computer, tablet, or mobile phone with content not only available in 100+ languages but also for a full year after program initiation!
Other Dwellworks Services Available in Germany
Intercultural Training
Dwellworks offers an array of Intercultural Training solutions which can be delivered pre-arrival or once settled in.
This vital service offers cultural tips and training to help employees and families acclimate faster to their new culture and feel more comfortable in their new location. Click below to learn more about Intercultural Training.
.png?sfvrsn=31af8d39_1)
Temporary Accommodations
Have employees traveling for business, on a short-term assignment, or needing an interim housing solution prior to their final move?
We have you covered with convenient, fully furnished temporary accommodations solutions to meet all these needs and more. Click below to check out Dwellworks Living and our corporate housing solutions.
Become a Destination Consultant in Germany
Are you an expert in getting to know your city? Do you love helping others learn how to move successfully to your town? Are you great at property research and developing relationships with local landlords and property managers? Become a Destination Consultant! Our Consultants are the face of our company and the reason why relocation experiences with Dwellworks are so successful.
We are always looking for new local experts across Germany to add to our team. The role of Destination Consultant is great for those looking for part-time work while providing a valuable service. To learn more about becoming a Consultant, click the button below:
.png?sfvrsn=e1f8d968_1)