What do new German immigrants need to know?

1. What do new immigrants in Germany need to know?

1. cultural orientation "orientation" refers to understanding culture, language and the place where you will live. This seems obvious, but what surprises me is how many new immigrants fail to do this. You are moving to a country with a new culture and language, which is completely different from your previous habits. At least don't go to German-speaking Europe without some basic preparation.

2. Passports and visas

Of course, you know that you need a passport and a residence visa to stay in Germany for more than 90 days. However, please make sure that your passport and the passports of all family members are valid not only during your work in Germany, but also for at least four months thereafter. If a person's passport expires too early, he needs to renew it before going to Germany or any other European country.

You can't work in Germany without a valid work visa. American and Canadian citizens can stay in Germany for 90 days without a visa (but are not allowed to work). You can apply for a residence/work visa after you arrive in Germany, but you must apply before the expiration of 90 days. Sometimes your German employer will help, but in the end, it's your responsibility.

Step 3: house

In Germany, the cost is higher than that in the United States or Canada, especially in big cities. In order to keep the budget unchanged, you may have to reduce the size or accommodation. It will help if your employer also provides housing subsidies, but please make sure that this is realistic for Germany.

4. Transportation of household goods and cars

This is a very important decision. You need to know some important facts about importing household goods into Germany or any other European country. The Federal Republic of Germany and People's Republic of China (PRC) have special laws and regulations on the import of household goods, including automobiles.

5. Driving in Germany

Do you really need a car? In Germany, this is actually a rational question! But this is also the land of the highway! If you choose to own a car in Germany, can you drive legally? Foreigners who have lived in Germany for one year or less can hold a driver's license from the United States or Canada, but you need a German driver's license at this time.

6. Doctors and prescriptions

Drugs You should take any prescription drugs that you or your family need to take for 90 days. German pharmacies will not prescribe American or Canadian prescriptions unless they first convert to German versions. You should find a local doctor as soon as possible. You can turn to medical prescriptions and your family's medical needs. Please note that some American drugs with similar or identical names in Germany are not always the same drug.

7. Book your flight in advance.

Once you have confirmed your international behavior, please book flights for you and your family. The sooner you do this operation, the better. Airlines charge higher fees for flights booked shortly before departure. Planning ahead can save money. If possible, we should leave enough time for German delivery before the actual work begins.

In order to avoid unnecessary economic losses for citizens, the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the embassies and consulates in Germany reminded most immigrants to abide by the relevant entry regulations of the European Union and Germany.

2. German immigration policy

All those who get a work contract or join the company can apply for a residence permit valid for 4 years or as long as the employment contract. After 4 years, the applicant can apply for a permanent residence permit in Germany, which is generally called a "green card".

The new immigration law guarantees the possibility of working immigrants entering Germany to some extent. Even for applicants who do not have a work contract, there are special regulations. If the applicant can prove that he can afford the expenses during his stay in Germany, and his German is at least B2, then he can apply to enter Germany and find a job without an employer.

For those who want to come to Germany for higher education first, the new law has also greatly relaxed the strict regulations in the past. Not only college students, but also applicants who are now involved in vocational skills training can apply for a German visa. You can apply for permanent residence after working in Germany for two years after graduation. The premise is that the applicant must be under the age of 25.

Applicants for work visas over the age of 45 must prove that they have found a job with a monthly salary of at least 3,685 euros in Germany and have accumulated enough pensions.

The new immigration law has also established a "green channel" for emigrating to Germany in view of the shortage of talents in special industries in Germany in recent years. For example, doctors, IT experts or registered certified nurses do not need to apply for professional qualification certification in Germany. As long as you can prove that you have at least 5 years working experience in related industries, you can apply for German immigration.

For employers in Germany, they must bear the economic responsibilities including repatriation expenses for employees whose contracts expire and refuse to leave Germany voluntarily within one year.

According to the new immigration law, working immigrant applicants have the right to immigrate to Germany with their spouses and children. The premise is that the applicant must prove that he has enough financial ability to bear the living expenses of family members in Germany and provide them with enough living space. In addition, they have no right to apply for social welfare assistance from the German government.

Many social welfare organizations, including Catholic charities, have criticized this provision. They pointed out that new immigrants who are engaged in social welfare or nursing are facing family disintegration because their financial situation cannot meet the above requirements.

3. The welfare and educational advantages of German immigrants

1, welfare introduction

All German citizens, holders of permanent residence cards and work visas and their spouses can enjoy maternity benefits. Babies can get a monthly milk powder subsidy of 200-300 euros. In addition, a series of expenses for pregnant women from pregnancy to postpartum care are borne by insurance companies.

The Federal Child Allowance Act BKGG stipulates that children of German nationality and holders of permanent residence visas and work visas in Germany are entitled to child allowance. Newborns born in Germany are counted from the month of birth, while children of foreign immigrants are counted from the month when they enter Germany. Children's allowance is paid monthly, specifically: 65,438+092 euros for the first child, 65,438+092 euros for the second child, 65,438+098 euros for the third child and 223 euros for the fourth child.

The German government attaches great importance to education. Its public schools are free, and children's education from primary school to middle school is free of tuition. Some school supplies, such as textbooks, were reduced or exempted.

In Germany, the coverage of medical insurance is 100%, the government bears 70%, and the medical expenditure accounts for 1 1% of the gross national product. Almost every resident is a member of a statutory or private medical insurance institution, and this service does not depend on the patient's income.

In Germany, all those who can't help themselves and get help from other channels can get social and economic benefits.

2. Introduction to education

Among the top 65,438+000 universities in TIME, Germany, a powerful country in education, occupies the third place, second only to the United States and Britain. The Nobel Prize has won nearly 100 awards.

German higher education is very popular. There are more than 380 institutions of higher learning, distributed in the federal 165 locations. Colleges and universities offer about 15000 majors, with a total registered population of 2 million.

Attaching importance to education and innovation is regarded as the magic weapon for Germany's relatively stable economy and declining unemployment rate during the European economic crisis. In particular, the elite university project promoted by the German government in recent years has further increased the investment in educational resources.