ADYD Germany

Practical arrival guidance

Moving to Germany

A simple arrival roadmap for Americans who want to get organized without trying to figure out every German system on day one.

BEFORE YOU FLY

Build one arrival file.

Keep the documents and contacts you may need during your first weeks in one place: passport, employment or assignment documents, temporary lodging details, sponsor or employer contacts, insurance information, pet or school records where relevant, and copies of important U.S. documents.

Military, DoD civilian, contractor, visa, registration, and SOFA requirements can differ by status. Use your official sponsor, employer, legal office, housing office, or German authority for status-specific requirements.

01

Before departure

  • Confirm official travel and status requirements
  • Arrange temporary lodging
  • Estimate move-in cash needs
  • Prepare housing priorities and budget
  • Plan phone/data access for arrival
02

First 72 hours

  • Check in with the organization responsible for your arrival
  • Confirm local transportation
  • Get reliable mobile connectivity
  • Organize appointments and housing tasks
  • Identify urgent family, school, pet, or medical needs
03

First two weeks

  • Start your appropriate housing pathway
  • Set up practical payment/banking access as needed
  • Arrange internet and utilities after housing is secured
  • Build a short list of English-friendly local providers
  • Track German letters, deadlines, and appointments
04

Once settled

  • Keep a local service network
  • Save recurring contract and renewal dates
  • Plan move-out requirements early
  • Use ADYD when you need a provider or local coordination

NEED A HAND?

Tell us what part of the move is slowing you down.

Get relocation help

Important

ADYD Germany is a private commercial service of ADYD Ventures OÜ and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an official service of the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, U.S. Army, or any German government authority.

ADYD does not provide legal, tax, insurance, financial, or real-estate brokerage advice through this site. Regulated services are handled by appropriately licensed independent professionals or partners.