Guides & Resources

Cost of living in Germany for international students

Understand monthly expenses, rent, insurance and how much you really need to live in Germany as a student.

Germany student visa requirements explained

Everything you need to know about applying for a German student visa, including documents, blocked accounts, and processing times.

How to register your address in Berlin (Anmeldung)

Step-by-step guide to completing your Anmeldung in Berlin. Bürgeramt appointments, documents, and tips for getting a slot.

Cost of living in Berlin in 2026: a realistic monthly breakdown

What it actually costs to live in Berlin in 2026, real rent figures by district, the hidden Nebenkosten trap, and honest monthly budgets for students and professionals.

German blocked account (Sperrkonto) 2026: the complete guide

Everything about the German blocked account for 2026, the exact €11,904 amount, provider comparison, how to open one, and the mistakes that get visas rejected.

How to open a German bank account in 2026

Which German banks accept new arrivals without an Anmeldung or Schufa history, what documents you need, and the order to do it in.

Best SIM cards for expats in Germany in 2026

Prepaid German SIMs need no Anmeldung and no Schufa. What each network actually costs, the speed caps nobody mentions, and why you pay 13 times a year.

Best health insurance in Germany for expats

Which German health insurance actually fits your situation, what each type costs in 2026, and the choice that is difficult to reverse.

Renting an apartment in Germany as a newcomer

How the German rental market actually works, why Schufa blocks newcomers, and the realistic routes to finding somewhere to live.

German tax ID (Steuer-ID): how to get one and why it matters

What the German Steuer-ID is, how long it takes to arrive, what to do if it does not, and how it differs from the other tax numbers.

Moving to Berlin: a checklist that runs in the right order

Every step of moving to Berlin, sequenced so you are never blocked waiting on something you should have started earlier.

Student health insurance in Germany: what it costs in 2026

Public vs private student health insurance in Germany, real 2026 premiums, the under-30 rule, and the one decision you cannot reverse.

Opening a German bank account without Schufa

Which German banks accept you with no credit history, your legal right to a basic account, and what you genuinely cannot get until Schufa builds.

Living in Berlin as an expat: the honest 2026 guide

Neighbourhoods, bureaucracy, language, and daily life in Berlin for newcomers. A practical, honest guide to actually settling in.

How we choose which providers to list

The criteria every provider on Arrivon must meet, and why some listings earn us nothing at all.

Long-stay health insurance: why travel cover stops at 90 days

The difference between travel medical insurance and international health insurance, and the three things to confirm before you buy either.

Proof of funds: what authorities actually accept

Why app-only bank statements get rejected, which accounts issue the stamped letter, and how proof-of-funds rules differ by country.

Documents you need before you move abroad

Which documents need apostille or certified translation, how long each takes, and why starting late is the most common relocation delay.