Life in Germany

Independent newcomer guide. Every fact links to its official source. 22 modules, quiz questions, 100+ resources. Updated for 2026. No affiliation with any government.

Life in Germany is your comprehensive guide to starting a new life in Germany. Whether you're moving for work, study, or family, this app provides everything you need to navigate German bureaucracy, culture, and daily life.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER Life in Germany is an INDEPENDENT educational guide. It is NOT an official government application and is NOT affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the Federal Government of Germany, any Bundesland, BAMF, BMI, the Bundesagentur für Arbeit, any Finanzamt, Krankenkasse, or any other authority. We do NOT process visa applications, file forms, contact authorities, or take payments for any government service. Content is informational only and does not constitute legal, tax, immigration, or medical advice. For binding decisions, always use the official sources we link to, or contact the responsible authority or a qualified professional.

WHAT IT DOES Life in Germany translates German bureaucracy and daily-life rules into clear, plain-language explanations — with a direct citation to the underlying official source next to every time-sensitive figure (Kindergeld, minimum wage, Bürgergeld, Deutschlandticket, visa thresholds, etc.). Tap the source label to open the official German government, EU, or statutory institution page in your browser.

22 LEARNING MODULES

• Anmeldung (Registration) — incl. key IDs (Steuer-ID, SV-Nummer, eGK, eAT) and the residence-permit cheat sheet (§18a/b/c, §18g Blue Card, §19c, §20, §20a Chancenkarte, §28/30 family)
• Health Insurance — GKV vs PKV, 2026 thresholds, family insurance
• Broadcasting Fee (Rundfunkbeitrag)
• Church Tax & Kirchenaustritt
• Renting — deposit, broker fees (Bestellerprinzip), Mietpreisbremse, notice period, Nebenkostenabrechnung, Eigenbedarf protections
• Quiet Hours (Ruhezeiten)
• Recycling & Pfand
• Public Transport & Deutschlandticket
• Sunday Shopping
• Public Holidays
• Driving & Licence — Führerscheinklassen, foreign-licence conversion (Anlage 11 FeV), Flensburg points, MPU, Umweltzonen
• German Etiquette
• Banking & SCHUFA (incl. 2026 reformed SCHUFA score)
• Visa & Permits
• Childcare
• Social Benefits — Kindergeld, Elterngeld, Bürgergeld, Kinderzuschlag
• Taxes — Steuerklassen 1–6, deductions, deadlines
• Working — payslip (Lohnabrechnung) explained with all 2026 social-contribution rates, plus Werkstudent / student-job rules
• Phone & Internet
• Cash & Payments
• Emergency & Healthcare — 112, 110, 116117, triage guide, hospital co-pay, Apotheken-Notdienst
• Doing Business / Freelance — Freiberuf vs Gewerbe, Gewerbeanmeldung, Kleinunternehmer §19 UStG, KSK, tax filings

200+ QUIZ QUESTIONS Module-by-module knowledge checks with explanations.

100+ CURATED RESOURCES Hand-picked links to official portals, statutory institutions, and free tools.

OFFICIAL SOURCES REFERENCED We cite directly from these public, non-affiliated sources:

• gesetze-im-internet.de — full legal texts (Federal Ministry of Justice)
• bmas.de — Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs
• bundesregierung.de — Federal Government press service
• arbeitsagentur.de — Bundesagentur für Arbeit
• make-it-in-germany.com — official skilled-worker portal
• bamf.de — Federal Office for Migration and Refugees
• bzst.de — Federal Central Tax Office (Steuer-ID)
• destatis.de — Federal Statistical Office
• rundfunkbeitrag.de, deutschlandticket.de, kbv.de / 116117.de
• gkv-spitzenverband.de, deutsche-rentenversicherung.de
• Plus IHKs, BAföG-Amt, ADAC, KBA, regional Bürgerämter

FEATURES

• 100% free, no subscriptions, no ads
• Privacy-first: no account, no tracking, all data stays on your device
• Works offline for all in-app content
• Bilingual labels (German term + English explanation)
• Light & dark mode

** FOR **

• New arrivals, students, workers, freelancers, and anyone settling in Germany