Requirement for Working/Living in Germany.

[getting-to-germany]

Hi,

I'm looking to move to Germany with my partner. I live in the UK (I'm British) and my partner is German. We would like to ideally move to Bayern of South Germany, though can be flexible.

I'm having trouble understanding some of the routes to be able to work in Germany. I know that if I get offered a job by a company then the ball is rolling so to speak and things kind of flow from there. But at the moment I don't have an offer and was looking at trying the Blue Card route.

My understanding was that if I got a Blue Card then I would effectively be able to work for any employer in Gemrnay, would anyone be able to confirm if that's correct? Sorry if there is an obvious answer to this, I find I'm going around in circles trying to understand things? I work in Tech as a Product Manager by the way, though my recent contract has just finished.

My understanding is that even if we were married then this wouldn't help move to Germany, as this would make no difference. Would anyone know if this is the case?

I have tried to understand this stuff, but seem to end up chasing my tail so to speak, with little making concrete sense. If any of you could help give some clarity on the above I'd really appreciate it.

Many thanks,
James.

[LeonG]

If you were married, it opens up the option of a family visa, see https://uk.diplo.de/uk-en/02/visa/joini ... se-2448194

Germany doesn't have common law so the only option for a straight couple is to be married while a gay couple would have an option of registered partnership. Being married would allow you to file taxes jointly and would also allow you to be under the same health insurance if one of you is not working.

[Robinson100]

... and would also allow you to be under the same health insurance if one of you is not working.

- whatever you do, don´t forget that you are legally required to have health insurance here!

Coming from the UK myself, it may seem a strange idea to have to have it, but there is no concept like the NHS here. Everybody is required to have health insurance.

[LeonG]

- whatever you do, don´t forget that you are legally required to have health insurance here!

Coming from the UK myself, it may seem a strange idea to have to have it, but there is no concept like the NHS here. Everybody is required to have health insurance.

So true. From the time you register at a German address, you need health insurance. If you arrive here with a job and work permit, blue card or whatever, your employer will take care of it. If you are married and your German spouse has a job immediately, your spouse's employer will take care of it and you can be on the same insurance as family. If neither of you has a job, you have to talk to one of the health care about buying insurance.

[Alberto]

And you should learn about private vs public health insurance. Very different from the UK, where if you have private health insurance this is something on top of the NHS, which you always have not matter what. Here in Germany public or private health insurance are always either/or, each with pro/cons.

[getting-to-germany]

Hi guys. For some reason I didn't receive any notifications for your replies so I assumed nothing was happening, only to double check and find your responses. Thank you everyone, really appreciate your feedback, will have to look into things a bit more, esp[ecially around health insurance. Thanks again!:)

[Fraufruit]

I'm glad you found this site useful. Do stick around. I'm sure you can advise others and join in the fun.

[yesterday]

And you should learn about private vs public health insurance. Very different from the UK, where if you have private health insurance this is something on top of the NHS, which you always have not matter what. Here in Germany public or private health insurance are always either/or, each with pro/cons.

While there is a split between private and public health insurance, there is the 3rd way a bit like in the UK

I known people, who take the public health system and also buy private top ups for say teeth or eyes, or anything that that are bothered about, which can be done here or in the UK.

True the UK, has no replace all option for private