Prepare well and have a plan B ready
Once you have arrived in Germany, how WELL you arrive depends on many factors.
Have you prepared for the worst-case scenario right from the start? Did you go bankrupt abroad, etc.?
Let's look at the most blatant case. You come back to Germany with no money, perhaps with debts. You don't have a permanent residence and are, so to speak, naked. Your family has no place to stay, and if they do, it doesn't necessarily count as a permanent residence.
If it is your parents' house, moving in with your parents is approved as a permanent residence. If you move in with a family member in a rented apartment, you must inform the landlord and obtain permission accordingly. If you simply move in without signing such a contract or without the landlord's permission, it is not a legally valid residential address.
This is noticeable, for example, when opening a new account, (mobile) telephone contract and other things. Without a fixed, legally valid residential address, this will not work.
In the end, my tip is to go to Caritas, they help with such things as a registration address. This address is only a postal address and of course not a residential address. If you are registered there, the next step is to go to the JobCenter where you can apply for citizen's allowance. Don't forget that if you don't have a permanent address, you will be classed as homeless.
From this point of view, you've reached the bottom. That doesn't mean you're at the bottom. If all doors remain closed, it's bad, but if you have a car, for example, you can keep it and it will only count towards the citizen's allowance if its current value exceeds €15,000. The car could be your temporary "house". Once the citizen's allowance has been approved, you start looking for accommodation. There are financial limits on support for apartments on the open market. Caritas will usually provide you with a list of these financial limits. Bear in mind that you can search in the district where you are registered. Usually the limit is around 480 to 530 euros gross rent, i.e. including ancillary costs for one person and an apartment size of 45 square meters. The search for social housing has been a matter of luck for some time now.
The search on the open market is difficult because landlords usually prefer tenants with creditworthiness, although the money from the office comes regularly, 80% of landlords are skeptical in this regard. The search can take time ... With 10 applications, there are at most 2 that want you as a tenant.
A bit of a mistake ... because a tenant with a job and a good credit rating can lose his job or go bankrupt. An apartment that is paid for by the job center ... the rent is sure to come in regularly and is secure. Important: the job center must give its okay to this apartment, only then will you get the rent paid.
If you are lucky and get an apartment, you can slowly rebuild your life. Opening a new bank account is possible with the Caritas registration address, and a mobile phone contract or prepaid card is safe with your real home address.
If you have a permanent home, things are much easier. Remember to insure yourself when you emigrate. Emigration is not cheap, it offers opportunities, possibilities but also, if things go wrong, losses. Losses that might ruin you. So always remember to have a plan B for the worst-case scenario.
For all those who are thinking about emigrating ... remember what I said
Although I am back here in Germany, I have and had a plan B.
But even if Portugal went more or less completely wrong, it won't stop me from going to France in a few months. Better prepared and this time completely sure that it will work. This time I have support.
For you emigrants and returnees ... all the best on your way.
Add comment
Comments