Germany made simple — updated for 2026
GermanWiki helps expats understand Germany.
Plain-English guides, tools and checklists for health insurance, taxes, housing, pensions, bureaucracy and everyday life in Germany.
Start here
Choose your situation.
Most expats do not need every article. They need the right next step for their current life situation.
I’m moving to Germany
Registration, tax ID, health insurance, bank account and first apartment essentials.
I started a job
Understand public vs private health insurance, salary deductions and mandatory coverage.
I need to understand taxes
Tax classes, deductions, tax returns and how your German salary really works.
I want to plan my future
German pension system, private retirement planning and long-term financial decisions.
Knowledge hubs
Everything important, organized by topic.
Each hub should become a 2026 action guide with short answers, checklists, documents, common mistakes and sources.
Health Insurance
Public vs private insurance, family coverage, students, employees and newcomers.
Housing & Real Estate
Renting, buying property, handover protocols, deposits and mortgage basics.
Pension
German state pension, private pension planning and what happens when you leave Germany.
Legal & Bureaucracy
Contracts, legal insurance, official documents and practical bureaucracy guides.
Internet & Mobile
Contracts, providers, cancellation rules, broadband options and mobile plans.
Tools & templates
Useful Germany resources, not just articles.
Turn GermanWiki into a practical operating system for expats: calculators, checklists, templates and email scripts.
Relocation checklist
A simple step-by-step overview for your first weeks in Germany.
Letters & templates
Ready-to-use English-friendly templates for German admin and contracts.
Insurance decision helper
Guide users toward the right next step for health insurance in Germany.
Expert-backed guidance
Understand Germany before you sign, choose or apply.
GermanWiki should help expats make informed decisions with clear explanations, updated facts and transparent next steps. For personal financial decisions, users can be guided to German Sherpa.
- ✓Plain-English explanations for complex German systems.
- ✓Clear distinction between general information and personal advice.
- ✓Each important guide should show author, reviewer, sources and last updated date.
Need personal advice?
When the decision affects your money, insurance or long-term plans, GermanWiki can guide users to a proper consultation.
Weekly Germany tips
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Germany is complicated. Your next step does not have to be.
Use GermanWiki to understand the system — and get personal help when the decision affects your money, insurance or long-term plans.
Information only. No legal, tax or financial advice unless provided in a separate personal consultation.