Krakow's Main Market Square at night with the Cloth Hall lit up
Guide Poland → Germany · moving · checked 1 Nov 2026

Moving from Poland to Germany

A plain checklist: what to sort before you go, and your first weeks in Germany.

Photo: Pexels
First, the good news

No visa, inside the EU

Poland and Germany are both in the EU, so you can live and work in Germany without a visa or work permit. A valid ID card or passport is enough.

The key step: register your address (Anmeldung) at the Bürgeramt within 2 weeks of moving in. Almost everything else depends on it: your tax number, bank account, contracts.

Before you go

Your checklist in Poland

  1. A valid ID card or passport.
  2. Documents in one folder: birth and marriage certificates, diplomas, work references, driving licence.
  3. Money for the start: a deposit (at most 3 months' basic rent), the first rent and a few weeks of living costs.
  4. Tell your Polish bank you are moving and keep the app working, so you can pay bills at home.
  5. Set up Polish TV before you go, so it works from day one (how to watch Polish TV in Germany).
A cosy living room in the evening with a TV and warm shelf lights
Day one in Germany

Polish TV, ready from day one

The first weeks abroad are the hardest. The news from home, your series and the kids' cartoons in Polish make the new flat feel like home faster.

How to watch Polish TV in Germany →
Advertisement: almost 400 Polish channels live with VOLTIX →
Photo: Pexels
Your first weeks

Your checklist in Germany

  1. Register your address (Anmeldung) at the Bürgeramt within 2 weeks. Bring your ID and the landlord's form (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung).
  2. Tax ID (Steuer-ID): it comes by post after you register. Your employer needs it.
  3. Health insurance: compulsory in Germany. Choose a Krankenkasse and give the details to your employer.
  4. Bank account: everyone has a right to a basic account (Basiskonto).
  5. Phone: a prepaid SIM needs an ID check.
  6. TV fee (Rundfunkbeitrag): every household pays about €18 a month, even without a TV.
  7. Driving: a Polish licence is valid in Germany; you don't need to swap it.
Quick answers

Questions people ask

Do I need a visa to work in Germany?

No. As an EU citizen you can live and work in Germany without a visa or work permit.

When do I have to register my address in Germany?

Within 2 weeks of moving in, at the local Bürgeramt (Einwohnermeldeamt).

How big is a rent deposit in Germany?

At most 3 months' basic rent (Kaltmiete), and you can pay it in 3 monthly parts.

Do I pay Germany's TV fee if I only watch Polish TV?

Yes. Every household in Germany pays the Rundfunkbeitrag, whatever it watches, even without a TV.

Can I watch Polish TV in Germany?

Yes. Our Polish TV in Germany guide shows every option, from the free TVP Polonia channel to all-in-one subscriptions.

More for Polish people in Germany

Guides for you

Polish TV in GermanyEvery Polish channel, live, and how the official apps compare.The Polish community in GermanyHow many, where people live, Polish Mass and schools, and where people meet online.Moving from Poland to GermanyA plain checklist: before you go and your first weeks.
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