Germany Life in the country

The housing market in Germany is very competitive. Up to 20-30 people can apply for one apartment in large cities. To increase your chances, you should prepare in advance.

Online platforms

• Immobilienscout24 is a leading platform for renting apartments
• WG-Gesucht - for renting rooms, accommodation
• eBay Kleinanzeigen - private ads directly from the owners

In some cases, you can find offers in Facebook groups of Ukrainians in Germany - especially in small towns or when settling through “friends and family”.

What you need to prepare

• A copy of your passport or ID card
• Proof of income or employment contract
• SCHUFA - certificate of financial reputation (can be ordered online)
• Anmeldung - confirmation of registration (if you already have one)
• Sometimes - a motivation letter (Wohnungsbewerbung), a short description of yourself

Pay attention to the details of the ad:

• “ohne Küche” - an apartment without a kitchen set
• “möbliert” - furnished apartment
• “Kaltmiete” - rent without utilities
• “Warmmiete” - rent with utilities

If you are not sure how to draw up a contract correctly or do not understand the terms and conditions, it is better to seek legal advice: ➡️ Legal assistance in renting and registering housing

Food prices in Germany vary by store type and region. In general, food costs in the country are moderate - especially compared to Scandinavian or Western European countries.

Average food costs:

• Single person - 250-350 euros/month
• Couple - 600-700 euros per month
• Family with a child - from 800 euros per month

Where to buy:

• Discounters: Lidl, Aldi, Penny, Netto - the lowest prices
• Middle segment: Rewe, Edeka
• Biomarkets: Alnatura, Denn's - more expensive, but with eco-friendly products

Many supermarkets have discount shelves for products with a shelf life of up to 1-2 days. The discount can reach 30-50%.

Examples of prices (for 2026):

• Bread - 2.5 €.
• A liter of milk - €1.3
• Chicken (1 kg) - 9-11 €.
• Eggs (10 pcs.) - 2.8 €
• Pasta - 1-1,5 €
• Potatoes (5 kg) - 3-5 €
• Household chemicals (cleaning and hygiene products): 30-50 € per month for one person.

Germany has one of the most developed transportation systems in Europe. There are city, regional, and long-distance transportation services, as well as high-speed ICE trains. For Ukrainians, it is convenient to use both public transportation and a private car - but each option has its own characteristics and costs.

Read more about the rules for entering Germany by car, car rental and road requirements inthe section “Getting to Germany by car”.

Public transportation

Most cities have a unified ticketing system for buses, trams, subways, and suburban trains (S-Bahn, U-Bahn).

It is convenient to use the Deutschlandticket, which is a subscription that allows unlimited use of public transport throughout Germany (except for ICE high-speed trains). The cost is 58 euros per month.

Prices for single trips:

1) Bus/tram in the city - 2.80-3.50 €.

2) Ticket for 24 hours - 6-9 € depending on the region

Tickets can be purchased from vending machines at bus stops, via mobile apps (DB Navigator, BVG, RMV, depending on the region) or at station ticket offices.

Owning a car

Driving a car in Germany is convenient, especially in rural areas or for traveling between cities. But there are nuances.

The main expenses:

1) Gasoline - 1.90-2.20 €/l

2) Parking in the city - 1-3 €/hour, in big cities - more expensive

3) Car insurance is mandatory. To register and use a car in Germany, you need civil liability insurance (Kfz-Haftpflichtversicherung), which covers damages to third parties in the event of an accident

4) In many cities there are ecological zones (Umweltzonen ) - to enter, you need a green sticker (Umweltplakette), which can be ordered online or at a service station

If you use a car with Ukrainian registration, you must have an international Green Card insurance policy. You can apply for a Green Card on the Visit Ukraine website at this link.

The German banking system is considered reliable but bureaucratic. It is possible to open an account for a foreigner, especially if you choose online banks or prepare for the procedure in advance.

Which banks to choose?

1. Online banks (easy option):

• N26 - popular among expats, account opening is completely online
• Vivid Money - user-friendly application, supports multiple currencies
• Revolut - supports SEPA transfers, suitable for short-term stays

2. Classic banks:

• Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, DKB, Sparkasse - personal presence is required, sometimes it is more difficult to open an account without permanent residence

Documents that are usually required:

• Passport or ID card
• Anmeldung - proof of registration (you can do without it if the bank allows it)
• German phone number
• Sometimes - proof of income (rarely for a basic account)

Most banks issue EC cards (Girokarte) or Mastercard/Visa debit cards. The service is usually free of charge at online banks or up to 5 €/month at regular banks.

💡 If you have just arrived and do not yet have a registration, choose banks with “anonymous registration” to a temporary address (for example, in N26 this is possible for some types of visas).

The German telecommunications market is divided between large operators and a number of virtual providers that operate on their networks. It's easy to choose a tariff depending on your needs and budget.

Mobile communication

The most popular operators:

• Telekom (T-Mobile) - best coverage, but more expensive tariff
• Vodafone - optimal balance
• O2 (Telefonica) - cheapest plans, but worse coverage in some regions
• Lebara, AldiTalk, Blau - prepaid tariffs for foreigners, often with international minutes

Cost:

• Contract (Postpaid) - from 15 to 30 €/month for 10-20 GB + minutes
• Prepaid - from 5 to 10 €/month for basic Internet + calls

In most cases, it's cheaper to start with prepaid - no obligations and no documents.

Home Internet

The average cost of home internet (DSL or cable):

- 30-50 €/month for speeds of 50-100 Mbps

- In many cases, a contract for 24 months

Popular providers:

• Vodafone
• Telekom
• O2
• 1&1 Internet

Often, the Internet is arranged by the landlord - ask about it before signing the contract.

Germany has a high-quality public education system that is available to all children who are legally in the country, regardless of citizenship or status. It is possible to enroll a child in a kindergarten or school, but it is worth knowing about the specifics of the system and the documents that may be required.

Kindergartens (Kita)

• For children aged 1 to 6 years
• In large cities, waiting lists can be long, especially for children under 3 years old
• The system may include:

- Kita (full-day kindergarten)

- Tagesmutter (home care - private nannies)

• The cost of daycare depends on the federal state, type of daycare, family income and number of hours

- In Berlin, for example, public kindergartens are free of charge

- In other regions - from 50 to 300 € per month

Additional costs include meals (~25-40 €/month) and sometimes an entrance fee

Schools

• Compulsory education from the age of 6
• Schools are free (public), there are also private and international schools
• Ukrainian children are enrolled in local schools with the same rights as citizens
• Children often attend a short language course or integration class (Willkommensklasse) before starting school

Documents:

• Birth certificate
• Passport
• Proof of address (Anmeldung)
• Medical certificate (sometimes - vaccination)

In most municipalities, there are free clubs, sections, and courses for children and teenagers - contact the Jugendamt or school.

Germany is a country of order. Many things are regulated by law or local rules. Some situations that are perceived as “acceptable” in Ukraine can result in a fine in Germany.

The most common fines:

• Crossing the road at a red light - 5-10 €.
• No ticket in public transportation - 60 €
• Parking in a prohibited place - from 20 €
• Throwing garbage not according to the rules - from 25 to 300 €
• Smoking in public places - up to 100 €.

Many municipalities have strict control over waste sorting.

Language courses

Once you have been granted temporary protection, you are entitled to free integration courses in German funded by the state (BAMF). They include language classes and an introduction to the culture, rights and rules of life in Germany.

There are also:

• Online courses
• Courses from public organizations, churches, universities
• Programs from Volkshochschule (VHS) - with a small fee or free of charge

Leisure and integration

1. In many cities, there are volunteer centers that offer free tours, language clubs, art classes, and sporting events for Ukrainians

2. Many museums, theaters and cinemas have a free day or discounts for migrants

3. Free parks, lakes, bike routes are part of the German lifestyle

Tip: join local Telegram/Facebook groups of Ukrainians - you can find information about current events, assistance, housing, tutors or advice from “locals” there.

Services from Visit Ukraine for Ukrainians in Germany

Living in Germany has its own peculiarities - from bureaucracy to high rents. But with proper preparation and support, adaptation is much easier.

At Visit Ukraine you can:

• Apply for health insurance and a Green Card to Germany online
• Get legal advice
• Buy bus, train or plane tickets
• Find up-to-date information on documents, rules, and adaptation