EXPAT GUIDE BERLIN: EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR YOUR MOVE TO GERMANY'S CAPITAL
Berlin is one of Europe's most international cities: over 3.6 million residents, a thriving tech sector, world-class culture and a cost of living that remains well below Munich, London or Paris. FARAWAYHOME has been helping expats settle in Berlin since 2012 with over 800 verified furnished apartments across all districts, all-inclusive, commission-free and available from one month.
This guide covers the essentials: housing, registration, banking, healthcare, schools, transport and neighbourhoods. Each section links to a detailed resource page where you can go deeper.
QUICK LINKS
All Berlin Apartments · Neighbourhoods · Furnished Apartments · Serviced Apartments · Corporate Housing · Luxury Apartments · Co-Working · Relocation Agencies · International Schools · Luxury Real Estate · Luxury Apartments for Sale
YOUR FIRST 30 DAYS: THE BUREAUCRATIC CHAIN
Every step in Germany's bureaucracy depends on the one before it. A furnished apartment is the first link in this chain.
Week 1. Arrive, move into your furnished apartment, settle in. Everything is set up: furniture, kitchen, Wi-Fi, heating.
Week 2. Complete your Anmeldung (address registration) at the local Bürgeramt. You need the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung from your landlord, your passport and the Anmeldeformular. All professional landlords on FARAWAYHOME supply this as standard.
Weeks 3 to 4. Open a German bank account (N26 or bunq work from abroad, traditional banks require in-person visits). Apply for your tax ID (Steuer-ID). Register for health insurance. If applicable, complete residence permit formalities at the Ausländerbehörde.
Months 2 to 6. Your SCHUFA credit history starts building. After three to six months, you have the documentation German landlords require for an unfurnished lease, if you decide to transition at all.
⇒ Read the full Expat & Relocation Guide
HOUSING IN BERLIN
FARAWAYHOME lists over 800 verified furnished apartments across all Berlin districts. All prices are all-inclusive: electricity, heating, water, Wi-Fi and broadcasting fee included. No commission, no hidden costs. Studios start at 1,150 €/month.
| Housing type | Best for | Price from |
|---|---|---|
| Furnished Apartments | 1 to 24 months, expats, families, professionals | 1,150 €/month |
| Serviced Apartments | 1 week to 6 months, hotel-style service | 1,800 €/month |
| Corporate Housing | Company relocations, centralised billing | 1,150 €/month |
| Luxury Apartments | Executives, diplomats, premium living | 3,000 €/month |
COST OF LIVING
Berlin is approximately 30 to 40% cheaper than Munich, 40 to 50% cheaper than London and 35 to 45% cheaper than Paris. Key monthly costs for a single person: rent (1,250 to 1,500 € for a central 1-bed warm), groceries (200 to 350 €), DeutschlandTicket (63 €, covers all local/regional transport Germany-wide), utilities and internet (250 to 350 € for an 85 m² flat, included in FARAWAYHOME rents), health insurance (200 to 700 € depending on public/private).
⇒ Full cost breakdown with budget calculator
NEIGHBOURHOODS
Berlin is a city of Kieze. Where you live defines your commute, your lifestyle and your daily experience. Here are the most popular districts for expats:
Mitte. Political and cultural centre. Government, embassies, Museum Island. Studios from 1,500 €.
Charlottenburg. West Berlin's elegant address. Kurfürstendamm, international schools, established infrastructure.
Prenzlauer Berg. Family-friendly, Gründerzeit charm, organic markets, playgrounds everywhere.
Kreuzberg. Creative hub. Tech scene (Zalando, Delivery Hero), Markthalle Neun, multicultural.
Friedrichshain. Young, dynamic, Mediaspree tech hub. Good value.
Schöneberg. Kiez flair, Winterfeldtmarkt, LGBTQ+ community, central.
Grunewald / Zehlendorf / Dahlem. Green southwest. Villas, international schools, lakes, privacy.
Tiergarten. Diplomatic quarter, Hauptbahnhof, maximum mobility.
⇒ Full neighbourhood guide with profiles
HEALTHCARE AND INSURANCE
Health insurance is mandatory in Germany. Public insurance (GKV) is required for employees earning under 69,300 €/year, contributions approximately 14.6% of gross salary split with employer. Popular providers: TK, AOK, Barmer. Private insurance (PKV) available above 69,300 €, for freelancers and civil servants. Use Doctolib or Jameda to find English-speaking doctors. Major hospitals: Charité and Vivantes.
Emergency numbers. 112 (ambulance/fire), 110 (police), 116 117 (non-emergency medical hotline).
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS
Berlin offers a strong selection of international and bilingual schools: John F. Kennedy School (German-American, partly state-funded), Berlin Metropolitan School (IB), Berlin International School (IB), Berlin Cosmopolitan School (German-English, state-funded), Berlin British School (UK curriculum). Private tuition: 5,000 to 20,000+ €/year. State-funded Europaschulen are free but competitive. Kita (daycare) is free in Berlin since 2018.
⇒ Full schools and kindergartens guide
TRANSPORT
Berlin has 10 U-Bahn lines, 16 S-Bahn lines, 22 tram lines and over 150 bus routes. The DeutschlandTicket (63 €/month) covers all local and regional transport across Germany. BER Airport is connected via FEX (30 min to Hauptbahnhof) and S-Bahn. Most residents do not need a car.
WORKING IN BERLIN
Key industries: technology (Zalando, Delivery Hero, Auto1), life sciences (Adlershof, Campus Berlin-Buch), media and creative, public sector. Job platforms: LinkedIn, StepStone, Indeed Germany, Berlin Startup Jobs. Berlin has one of Europe's largest freelancer communities with abundant co-working spaces from 69 €/month.
RELOCATION SUPPORT
Need help with the move? Our relocation agency services cover apartment search, Bürgeramt registration, insurance setup, bank account, Blue Card and residence permits. Packages from 800 €. Available in Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich and Hamburg.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
DO I NEED TO SPEAK GERMAN?
You can get by in English in central Berlin, especially in tech. German is essential for bureaucracy, rental contracts and building social connections. Government forms are in German only.
WHAT IS THE ANMELDUNG?
Mandatory address registration within 14 days of moving in. Required for bank accounts, tax ID, residence permits, phone contracts and school enrolment. Book at any Bürgeramt via service.berlin.de.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO FIND A PERMANENT APARTMENT?
Typically 1 to 3 months. Most expats use a furnished apartment as a landing pad during the search.
IS BERLIN SAFE?
Generally very safe by international standards. Low violent crime. Common-sense precautions on public transport and at tourist sites. Bike theft is common.
BERLIN VS. MUNICH?
Berlin: 30 to 40% lower rents, more international, vibrant culture. Munich: higher salaries, Alps proximity, economic powerhouse. Choice depends on industry and lifestyle.
CAN I BRING MY PET?
Yes. EU pets need passport, microchip and rabies vaccination. Dog tax in Berlin: 120 €/year. Berlin is very dog-friendly.
BEST AREAS FOR FAMILIES?
Prenzlauer Berg, Charlottenburg, Steglitz-Zehlendorf and Pankow. Good schools, parks and family-oriented atmosphere.
READY TO START YOUR BERLIN CHAPTER?
FARAWAYHOME has helped thousands of expats find their first home in Berlin. Browse furnished apartments, serviced apartments and corporate housing across every Berlin neighbourhood.
⇒ Explore Berlin apartments on FARAWAYHOME