What must I do upon arrival in Berlin?

Hello

I am a UK citizen with a contract of employment. I come to Berlin in July. What will I need to do on arrival? Someone has told me that I will need to register with the police...where do I do this? Do they speak English?

Also how do I register my UK car that I am bringing over. Can anyone tell me how to insure it/what the regulations are? Do I need a licence for my radio in the car? Is it covered by my TV licence?

Any advice much appreciated.

regards

Fibi

You've been a member here since the beginning of April, have you not learned to use the search function in that time? These are really, really simple questions, the answers to which are littered throughout this forum. Finding those answers will provide an additional wealth of information.

You don't have to register with the police, but with the city administration. (This is not a police-run country.) As for whether they speak English, maybe, maybe not. Depends on who will be working there that day. I suppose if you want to be sure, bring a friend who can translate for you.
The radio is covered by the TV license (GEZ fees), but I can't help you with the insurance.

You can drive with your UK insurance for quite a while. I don't know how long. Check with your UK insurers. I went to the trouble of registering my UK car in Germany and it's quite a hassle, you have to get new number plates and everything.

Fibi, I think you might find this site useful www.meldebox.de/Umzug-Berlin/

In particular, click on 'Einwohnermeldeamt' (registration of address office) in the box on the top right headed 'Ummelden Berlin'. This has a list of all the offices in Berlin where you can register.

Also there is a book called "Culture Shock" which you might like to order on Amazon. It tells you all this stuff among other things. Think of it like a Haynes manual for living in Germany. It does however neglect to mention that many Germans find it culturally acceptable to blow their noses next / in front of you constantly, but that is probably not worth mentioning... Doh!

1) Register with the local authorities (see other replies and search for 'register' or 'registration' on TT)
2) Sometimes they speak English
3) UK car registration & insurance - again, check the search function
4) Car radio licence - yes you need one, yes it's covered by the TV license.

1. Bring your own towel and make sure you lay it on the deck chair early.
2. Be prepared to consume vast quantities of high quality bier at very reasonable prices.
3. Learn to say, "Lass mich in Ruhe"
4. Something about Anmel-dung, but I wouldn't take it seriously.

I found the registration process easy, with no german, then. The people were nice and helpful in my case (and have been everytime I go there).

A cautious person like me would take certain papers. Passport of course. Something to something that shows your German home address (rent agreement etc) because of course then they just enter the details without you having to spell / say them. I am not employed but I imagine that your contract might be useful.

I'd read all the stuff on the German embassy site about needing to have healthcare and "means" (from UK btw). So I took the health insurance papers and bank statements etc but nobody's ever asked about these. The only thing they were interested in is if I had my own address (ie. name on letterbox etc).

You can drive a UK car in Germany for up to one year.
(I checked the law a few weeks ago - more generous than the EU norm)
It must be insured. (sometimes a problem - try Stuart Collins).
It must be taxed in the UK.
If the MOT runs out in this time it is sensible to make sure your vehicle
is 100% OK in the safety areas.
Drive back to the UK at the end of each year and get your car MOT'ed
and taxed and you can live for years in D with a UK car (as I did).
Car radios need to be registered with the GEZ (forms in banks), but it is a bit
hit and miss. The wroth of god does not descend on you if you
do not bother.
You need to register when you have a permanent address with the local authority
and flash your passport to get a "Freizugigkeitsbescheinigung" - which is just a simple
letter saying you are an EU citizen with passport no. ?.
You only need to replace this when you get a new passport.
If leaving Germany permanently it is sensible to "deregister".
That's it - not a great problem.

be aware that there are not many insurers in the uk that will insure you after 90 days abroad.

Stuart Collins, a broker in Swansea insured my UK car in Germany for years...