Retiring to Germany as a U.S. citizen

Why would you say that? Was it because you saw a lot of graffiti? In Europe they tend to look at it as art, not an indication of entering a ghetto

If I was you, I would rather retire in switzerland.

The quality of life makes Germany look like a ghetto.

And the taxes are much lower...

Just wanted to report on our recent experiences in the Stuttgart area--Denkendorf, to the east. Husband and I are retired school teachers (he a university professor), financially secure with more than adequate pensions and a healthy savings account, excellent health insurance from the US covering us here, no criminal or problematic history, and so forth--in other words what one would consider affluent 'model citizens'. We wanted to spend three years here, living on the local economy near our son and only grandchild (US Army family) who live nearby.
We arrived on Sept. 29, 2006, and are still awaiting our temporary residence permits--we made it clear that we didn't want a permanent visa. Our realtor (from whom we've rented a very nice apartment) phoned the authorities (he's friends with the local mayor) and it appears that we're being turned down. He evidently spoke with the office that now has our file but they didn't/wouldn't explain the rationale. Previously they had requested two letters in German from us about whether we had a home to return to in the US (we do) and also about an 'ending' date for our residency here. Our realtor helped us with those.
We don't know the reason but suspect it is because of the apparently tightening worldwide immigration situation after 9/11. We applied through the San Francisco consulate last Summer, they kept everything for 90 days, then returned our packet (keeping the $100+ fee) telling us our health insurance letter wasn't good enough--it didn't specify the maximum amount of coverage. We corrected that, came over to apply here at the advice of a German consular employee, but haven't gotten much better response here in Germany. The Rathaus employees are all very nice, smiling, and assure me that everything is 'in order' and that it should only be a matter of days. However, things don't bode well at the moment. It's very frustrating as we basically are just spending money on the local economy and aren't a drain, as far as I can tell, on their systems.
We love it here although it is expensive for us, compared to Oregon. However, we are enjoying the closeness to the outdoors, all of the walking, friendly people, etc--especially the wonderful bakeries. We use public transport and don't own a car--have been learning German.
However, we may be in Mexico, instead, in a few months. Wish us well! We haven't given up yet and would appreciate any advice.

ETA just blew up parking gargage at Madrid airport. It affected air traffic yesterday but not today, our ryanair flight landed 20 mins early.

Europe as a whole holds a lot of appeal to Americans and Canadians, so I can understand why'd you would want to live here. And yes the cost of living is generally higher and (currently) the dollar is weaker but if your carefull you can live quite comfortable. Gas (petrol) may be 6 bucks a gallon but you can easily live without a car. With Ryanair and Squessyjet you can jet all over europe for a pitance. Only real negative is having to learn a new language every country you live in. But if you move near a big city than you'll always find english speaking expats.

Europe consists of 26 countries so if you can't get a visa for Germany I'm sure you can find someone somewhere that will want you

I'd make the move I'm sure you find like the rest of us you'd never go back.

What happened to the rest of them?

I don't know why everyone is so down on this guy.

He is going to be retired, and he has money. There is no reason he can't just rent an apartment for a year and see how it goes. If he changes his mind, he can just move somewhere else. Hardly anyone has given him advice on what is actually important, the visa needed to be able to stay here for a year (or whatever time period).

We are also considering retirement in Germany after living for several years in Missouri. I'm British, my husband is retired USAF and we have lived there as civilians before. We are weighing up all the pros and cons, but are strongly tilting towards Germany. I just hope to clear up a few points from your original post since there seems to be a lot of negative input and not a lot of positive.

First of all, there is a good expat community in various locations in Germany but I would recommend getting at least some basics of the language under your belt. We lived (and hope to live again) in a small village in the Hunsruck, and the fact that I spoke German helped us to really integrate with the local people. They were incredibly friendly anyway, but understanding them helped. My husband worked on government contract to a USAF base, so didn't use German all that much, but he is currently working his way through the lessons on the BBC's site. Very basic but a good foundation. Test your level then take what you need. You can find it here, for free:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/german/

You said you served in the army but didn't say if you are entitled to Tricare. If you are, then healthcare can technically be had on US military installations, but they are often over-worked and retirees go to the end of every line. Some retirees use a combination of US and German services, seeing German doctors (and having notes copied to US records) then get their prescriptions filled on base. We are covered up to 75% and are still trying to work out what to do about the other 25%, so if anyone can recommend a good health insurance provider, I'd love to hear about it.

As for residency permits, I am not terribly sure since I am hoping my EU status will qualify us. Still researching that. Otherwise, I think it is conditional upon income.

Anyway, I wish you luck with it. We too love the lifestyle over there and have found that although Germans tend to take longer to consider a person a friend, once they make friends, you are friends for life. I can testify to that since I still have friends from decades ago!

Hey there,

I hope that his helps. Check out this site. As far as permits and everything. I read in a recent reply that you don't have a problem getting a permit. But, remember you can be in Germany 3 months for every 6 months on your passport alone. Without a permit. So that will give you plenty of time to get your visas and permits in order.

Basic steps:

1.Find apartment or house
2. Need to have a regular house/apartment address ( even when you are not in the country)
3. Register yourself in the local city hall of the town you have your address in. The form you need is Meldebestatigung.
here is an example: http://www.web-amt.de/formserv/forms/Kirch...ervice/71131104
4. Then you can apply for the residency permit. (visa)

the link for the residency permit. the link for the form is:
http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/diplo/en/Wi...ufenthaltDt.pdf

This site below gives more information about the entire process and its in English.
http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/diplo/en/Wi...mmungen.html#t4

The only limitation with the permit information above is that if you decide to work in Germany (although you are retired) you will have to do other paperwork and it takes a bit longer.

As far as insurance. You can use different insurances. Here is a link for the one we use.
http://www.kkh.de/detail.cfm?pageid=131

My husband says that he found a page within that link that said that the medical insurance will cost roughly 100€-150€ a month. That is pretty cheap for good healthcare.

I hope that all of this helps. Good luck.

when i lived in germany i paid 44% tax, but got a lot back every year when doing my "Steuererklaerung"... I would always get about a months net salary back from that. (per year). But all of these comments are based on a normal worker. Situation is totally different for a pensioner.

If you don't mind my asking, why are you living there Darkknight? You don't seem particularly keen on it.

Anyhow, I'm sure Oldtimer will have a fabulous time when he's there. BTW for normal workers the health insurance is somewhere between 12-15% of salary but I don't know what the situation is for pensioners, it would be different.

Best of luck for your move.

I am also planning to possibly retire to Germany. Like Old Tymer, I am trying to get a feel for the cost of living. I have visited many times, but never actually lived there other than spending a summer in Munich.

I would try doing as you suggest. Living there for six months and seeing how I like it, and whether I can afford it. What bothers me is, how do I stay legally for more than ninety days. Likewise how could I find a place to rent for less than a year. Most short term rentals are a lot more expensive.

And for those of you, who make triple digit incomes--most of us retirees do not! So yes we have to figure out our expenses, and the best way is to ask others.

Hmm,
I hope you are still around Munich Mom! You sound like you might be able to help me with my biggest question. HEALTHCARE, or rather put health insurance. I am one of those Americans who has worked jobs which did not provide health insurance. I currently have not had any for quite awhile. I go to the doctor if I need to. I get checked out thoroughly, every couple of years. This last time ( three months ago) I was told " all your bloodwork came back negative, you are a very healthy man". I am 59, and do not take any medication, use mainly herbal supplements if I am feeling low. I eat a healthy diet, and stick to it. And yes I am totally familiar with German food! My family is German. Like the old saying goes, "everything in moderation". I am not a healthnut.

However, I am aware that to live in Germany I must have health insurance. I don't know about Germany, but here you can find reasonably cheap insurance, but it covers very little. Since you are not legally required to purchase insurance here, I never have. I pay as I go. What I need to know is, in Germany what do they require you to have. Total catastropohic coverage, or just simply medical coverage? Likewise here, you can go to an outrageously expensive doctor, or a simple walk in clinic. So I have no idea, without input. I don't expect everyone to do my homework, but it helps to have an idea.

@kenny1948
This is probably a good place to start: Health insurance - Germany.

Thank you much!

I can't see that there'd be a problem with residency because as a pensioner you'd have a fixed income - although the fluctuating exchange rate could cause you personal problems - and you couldn't therefore become a burden to the state. Where you might have a problem would be with provision of health care. If your US insurance has arrangements for Germany when you live here for a longer period it'd be OK. Otherwise, since 1 April 07, Germany insists that all citizens have adequate health insurance. The only temporary exception is certain self-employed people, but they also have to comply by mid 2008. The minimum provision runs at approximately €200 per month, in most cases you could expect to pay upwards of 50% more. Don't under-estimate this issue. If you need further advise come back to me.

Sorry I cannot help you with the health insurance issue OldTymer2008, but I can tell you this. NRW is a great part of Germany to live in. The people are very friendly, there are so many cities within such a short distance (talking about the Ruhrgebiet) and the climate is relatively mild compared to other areas of Germany. I am not a German expert by any stretch of the word, but I did live in Hamburg for 5 years. It's a beautiful city but a far cry from NRW. I guess I basically wanted to reinforce your positive view of the state and let you know I do not think wanting to retire in Germany is all that wrong. Good luck!