English finance guides · Germany
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For life in Germany.
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ETFs for beginners in Germany
Compare index coverage, fund documents, broker access and the full cost before choosing an ETF.
Read the guideTransfer money to and from Germany
Transfer money to or from Germany: compare fees and exchange rates, understand SEPA and instant payments, and check reporting rules for larger transfers.
Read the guideWohngeld in Germany: a practical guide
Understand Wohngeld in Germany: eligible households, income and rent checks, student and residence rules, application documents and the official calculator.
Read the guideAnmeldung in Germany: register your address
Register your address in Germany: understand the Anmeldung deadline, Wohnungsgeberbestätigung, required documents, online options and the next financial steps.
Read the guideIncome tax in Germany: the 2026 guide
Understand German income tax in 2026: the €12,348 allowance, progressive rates, taxable income, payroll withholding and when a tax return matters.
Read the guideCost of living in Germany: build your budget
Plan the cost of living in Germany with household spending data, rent and utility checks, 2026 transport costs and a practical monthly budget example.
Read the guideElterngeld in Germany: plan the first months
Understand Elterngeld in Germany: 2026 eligibility, Basiselterngeld and ElterngeldPlus, life months, income limits, documents and application timing.
Read the guideKindergeld in Germany: the 2026 guide
Understand Kindergeld in Germany in 2026: €259 per eligible child, residence rules, documents, applications, back payments and the tax allowance check.
Read the guideChurch tax in Germany, explained
Understand church tax in Germany: the 8% and 9% rates, the tax base, payroll records, investment income, deductions and the official church-exit process.
Read the guideN26 vs Revolut in Germany
Compare N26 and Revolut Standard in Germany: card costs, ATM limits, currency fees, cash deposits, account access and deposit protection. Checked October 2026.
Read the guideBlocked accounts in Germany
Understand German blocked accounts, check the official student funding example and separate blocked funds from provider fees with a simple budget tool.
Read the guideSCHUFA: choose the document you need
Understand the difference between a free SCHUFA data copy and a sharing certificate, find official request routes and learn what to check before sharing.
Read the guideCar insurance in Germany
Understand motor liability, Teilkasko, Vollkasko, eVB and foreign claims history, then use a practical checklist to compare quotes.
Read the guideDental insurance in Germany
Understand supplementary dental insurance in Germany, statutory subsidies, treatment plans, waiting periods and the policy limits behind reimbursement claims.
Read the guideThe German pension system, explained
Understand your German pension record, pension information, qualifying periods and cross-border questions before planning around a projected retirement income.
Read the guideGerman tax classes, explained
Understand German tax classes I to VI, the difference between withholding and final income tax, and the class IV factor method.
Read the guideGerman tax ID and tax numbers
German tax ID and tax numbers, understand the registration process and use official sources to request notification if the number is missing.
Read the guideYour first German tax return
Prepare your German tax return with an English guide to filing obligations, 2025 deadlines, ELSTER, documents and an interactive preparation checklist.
Read the guideCompare bank accounts in Germany
Compare three German current accounts by fees, opening requirements, English-language access, cards, cash and deposit protection. No ranking.
Read the guideCompare credit cards in Germany
Compare selected credit and charge cards in Germany by repayment, interest, access, foreign-use fees, cash, English support and travel conditions.
Read the guideHow to open a bank account in Germany
Learn how to open a bank account in Germany, which documents expats may need, how Anmeldung and tax residence matter, and when a basic account may help.
Read the guideSavings accounts in Germany
Compare selected savings accounts in Germany by current rate, access, eligibility, tax handling and deposit protection, with checked interest examples.
Read the guideHealth insurance in Germany
Understand health insurance in Germany: GKV, PKV, eligibility, family cover, 2026 costs, incoming insurance and long-term switching risks.
Read the guideIncome protection in Germany
Understand income protection in Germany: occupational disability cover, statutory benefits, sick pay, exclusions and contract checks for expats.
Read the guideLegal expenses insurance in Germany
Understand legal insurance in Germany, also called legal expenses insurance or Rechtsschutzversicherung: modules, waiting periods, exclusions and coverage decisions.
Read the guidePersonal liability insurance in Germany
Understand personal liability insurance in Germany: legal basics, typical cover, exclusions, key clauses and a practical checklist for international residents.
Read the guideTravel insurance in Germany
Understand travel health, cancellation and curtailment cover in Germany, EHIC limits, repatriation, trip duration, territory and exclusions.
Read the guideCompare brokers in Germany
Compare Trade Republic, Scalable Capital and Interactive Brokers in Germany by fees, ETF plans, tax handling, English access, custody and relocation rules.
Read the guideCommon investing mistakes in Germany
Understand common investing mistakes around cash buffers, diversification, costs, tax assumptions and moving between countries, with practical checks.
Read the guideInvesting in Germany as an expat
Start investing in Germany with a clear framework for goals, liquidity, risk, costs, tax questions and the possibility of moving again.
Read the guideUnderstand investment fees in Germany
Understand the layers of investment fees in Germany, including product, platform, trading, custody and currency-conversion costs, before comparing offers.
Read the guideLeaving Germany with investments
Moving away from Germany? Check broker access, tax reporting, account servicing and the questions to resolve before relocating with investments.
Read the guidePortfolio concentration and hidden overlap
Check how funds, sectors, countries and employer exposure can overlap in a portfolio. Follow a practical framework for understanding concentration.
Read the guideRisk tolerance and capacity for loss
Separate how you feel about investment losses from what your finances can absorb. Understand the difference with practical questions and examples.
Read the guideTrade Republic vs Scalable Capital
Compare Trade Republic and Scalable Capital in Germany by fees, ETF plans, tax handling, English access, cash custody, transfers and relocation.
Read the guideGerman pension refunds: what to check
Learn when a German pension refund may be possible, how the 24-month rule and voluntary insurance work, and what rights can be lost.
Read the guidePrivate pension or investment account?
Compare a private pension and a flexible investment account in Germany by access, costs, income, portability and the purpose each arrangement serves.
Read the guideCapital gains tax in Germany
Understand capital gains tax in Germany: the 25% rate, solidarity surcharge, allowance, loss offsets, ETF exemptions and worked examples for expats.
Read the guideETF taxes in Germany
Understand ETF tax in Germany: distributions, accumulating funds, the 2026 Vorabpauschale, partial exemptions, brokers and worked expat examples.
Read the guideThe Freistellungsauftrag, explained
Understand Germany’s Freistellungsauftrag in English: €1,000/€2,000 saver allowance, tax ID, allocation, changes, ETFs, foreign brokers and corrections.
Read the guideMinijobs in Germany: the 2026 rules
Understand the 2026 German minijob limit, pension deductions, health insurance, multiple jobs and employment rights before accepting an offer.
Read the guideHousehold insurance in Germany
Understand German home contents insurance: covered events, replacement value, underinsurance, flood extensions and practical checks for renters.
Read the guideLife insurance in Germany
Understand term life insurance in Germany, the difference from savings policies, policy roles, application questions and checks for international households.
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Created by Fabian Beining, founder of Finanz2Go. Read our editorial policy and commercial disclosures.