Your Relocation and Immigration Guide
Services provided by relocation agencies
Our services are designed for international expats, skilled professionals, executives, and their families. We also support companies and private individuals who require expert assistance when settling in Germany – whether for a short-term assignment or a permanent move.
While a moving company focuses on the logistics of transporting furniture and boxes, a relocation agency manages the logistics of your new life. We provide professional guidance through your apartment search and lease negotiations, attend appointments with local authorities with you, and handle residence permits, health insurance, and your overall integration into everyday life.
The duration depends on the specific scope of support required. While finding a suitable apartment may take only a few weeks, a comprehensive relocation package – including visa processing and family support – typically spans several months to ensure a smooth transition.
Many employers cover relocation expenses in full or in part, as it allows their new specialists to focus entirely on their professional start while we manage the move and all administrative formalities. We recommend speaking with your HR department regarding corporate sponsorship – we would be delighted to provide a consultation and discuss the best options for you.
Information about Taunus Relocation Services
We provide professional support for specialists and executives moving to the Rhine-Main region. We take care of everything beyond the physical move that is essential for a successful fresh start: immigration/visas, apartment searches, registration, work permits, schooling, and insurance.
After your arrival and commencement of work, we assist with applications for:
- Blue Card
- Extensions of residence permits
- Settlement permits
- Naturalisation
In short: We do not just help you move; we help you arrive and build a life in Germany.
It is very straightforward: The process is tailored to your needs, but we usually begin with an initial consultation to clarify your requirements. Following this, we handle:
- Planning (Immigration/VISA, apartment search, appointments, documentation)
- Organisation (Address registration, insurance, bank accounts, visas, etc.)
- Integration (Schools, childcare, leisure)
You decide whether you would like to book a complete package or individual services.
Our focus is on the entire Rhine-Main region, which includes the cities of Frankfurt, Wiesbaden, Mainz, Giessen, Fulda, and Darmstadt – as well as the family orientated Vordertaunus area with the charming towns of Bad Homburg, Königstein, Kronberg, and Oberursel.
The costs depend on the scope of the services. We offer both complete packages and individually tailored solutions – transparently and without hidden fees. Contact us today for a non-binding quote tailored to your specific needs.
Housing and Accommodation I Property Search
We handle the research, communication with estate agents and landlords, scheduling of appointments, and viewings (either together with you or via video call). Furthermore, we review lease agreements and support you during the official handover of the property.
If time is short or if you would prefer to explore the new area before committing to a long-term lease, we also assist in finding temporary accommodation, such as hotels or furnished apartments.
We visit the shortlisted properties on behalf of our clients. During these visits, we record videos which we provide to the client afterwards. Whenever possible, we provede comprehensive video tours via WhatsApp video call or FaceTime to provide a live viewing experience.
To rent an apartment, financial guarantees must be presented to the landlord in addition to personal data. The following are customary:
- Copy of passport
- Current address (including abroad)
- German employment contract or secondment letter
- If possible, the last three payslips
- Completed form: “Selbstauskunft” (Self-disclosure form – usually provided by the landlord or estate agent)
Sometimes, the following are additionally required:
- “Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung” (Certificate of rent paid in full) issued by the previous landlord or bank statements proving the last rent payments to the current landlord
- If possible: SCHUFA report or other credit rating information
As a rule, the handover of keys takes place together with the property inspection. By this time, the first month’s rent and the security deposit must have been transferred to the landlord´s bank account. The deposit amount is calculated as three times the net monthly rent and serves as a rent security for the landlord.
Only very few landlords agree to a bank guarantee. They prefer a transfer of the deposit, amounting to three months’ “cold rent” (base rent), to a dedicated rent deposit account.
A distinction is made between “Kaltmiete” (cold rent) and “Warmmiete” (warm rent), which are paid monthly to the landlord. The “Kaltmiete” is the pure rent for the apartment – i.e., the cost for the use of the rooms excluding service charges.
The “Warmmiete” consists of the “Kaltmiete” plus the “Nebenkosten” (service charges, such as heating, water, waste disposal, building cleaning, and property tax).
Additionally, further ancillary costs payable to other providers are to be expected. These include costs for electricity, radio/TV licence fees (Rundfunkgebühren), personal liability insurance, and internet.
Visa and Immigration
- Sufficient living space must be available (typically 10 to 12 m² per person).
- Proof of secure financial subsistence is required.
- All family members must have health insurance. Children and spouses are often covered via the employee’s statutory health insurance (family insurance).
- If applicable, proof of A1 German language skills (not required for Blue Card holders).
The German diplomatic mission abroad issues a Category D visa for entry with a Blue Card, which is generally valid for between three and twelve months. Like all entry visas, the Category D visa must be converted into a residence permit – in this case, the Blue Card – after arrival. This requires an application to the competent local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde). Please note that the application for the Blue Card should only be submitted three months before the Category D visa expires. Due to high workloads, immigration offices usually do not process applications earlier, as the Category D visa remains valid and the case is therefore not considered an emergency.
Citizens of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the United States of America. They can enter Germany without a visa and apply for a residence permit for the purpose of employment within 90 days of arrival.
PLEASE NOTE: Employment may not be commenced without a residence permit that explicitly allows work. The German immigration authorities, where the application must be submitted, currently require at least six weeks – and usually three months – to issue the permit. Therefore, we recommend applying for a work visa at the German diplomatic mission in your home country before departure. With this visa, you are permitted to work from your very first day in Germany.
Persons from so-called “third countries” (countries outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland) generally require a visa or residence permit to enter and work in Germany.
EU Blue Card, international secondments, Mobile ICT Card, Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) for specialists with completed vocational training, employment of nursing assistants, international students and graduates of German universities, apprenticeship searches, and recognition partnerships.
Important: You do not lose your residence permit immediately. The Blue Card remains valid for the time being. Please check how long you have held the Blue Card in Germany.
- Blue Card held for less than 2 years: You must inform the immigration office immediately. The authorities can revoke the Blue Card, but they are not required to do so. Generally, you will be granted a grace period to find a new position (usually 3 months, sometimes longer).
- Blue Card held for more than 2 years: The Blue Card usually remains valid as long as your subsistence is secured (e.g., through savings or Unemployment Benefit I). You must still inform the authorities, but revocation is very unlikely if you are actively seeking new employment.
In both cases, you should notify the immigration office immediately and register as unemployed with the Federal Employment Agency (within 3 days after receiving the termination letter). You should also collect evidence of your job search (emails or applications).