Checklist You Need Before Leaving Germany

Whether you’re moving back home or heading to a new country, leaving Germany is a process that requires careful planning to avoid ongoing bills, legal complications, or lingering taxes. This guide offers you an 11-step to-do list to follow in the last three months before your departure, ensuring that the transition is as smooth as possible.

Step 1: Give Your Notices on Time

As you begin planning your move, the first thing to do is to give notice to relevant parties. In most cases, this should be done three months in advance (but check your contracts for specific notice periods). Make sure to notify:

• • Your Employer: If you’re an employee on an unlimited work contract, you’ll need to submit a formal resignation letter to HR.
  • The Finanzamt: Freelancers and self-employed individuals need to deregister their businesses with the tax authorities.
  • Your University: Students leaving before completing their studies should also deregister.
  • Your Landlord: A typical rental contract in Germany requires a three-month notice period, which should be sent via postal mail.

You can download a termination template to help you write your notice.

Step 2: Cancel Service Provider Contracts

Go through all your service provider contracts and cancel them in advance, keeping in mind the different notice periods. This includes:

• • Electricity: Submit the meter reading on your move-out day to avoid overcharges.
  • Internet & Mobile Phone: If your contract is older than 24 months, you can cancel online with one month’s notice. Proof of leaving the country may be required.
  • Insurance: Most German insurances, like health and liability, will require formal cancellations via letter.
  • Gym & Memberships: Cancel memberships and subscriptions, like gyms or social clubs, ahead of time. You may need to submit your deregistration confirmation for early cancellation.

Step 3: Deregister Children from School or Kita

If you have school-aged children, you’ll need to deregister them from school and provide the reason for leaving. For younger children in a Kita, refer to your contract for notice periods. If you receive Kindergeld, notify the Familienkasse to avoid being fined for receiving benefits abroad.

Step 4: Deregister Your Address (Abmeldung)

Just as registering your address (Anmeldung) was essential upon arrival in Germany, deregistering (Abmeldung) is a crucial step when you leave. You can deregister up to seven days before your departure and must do so within two weeks after leaving. Depending on the city, you may be able to do this via email, post, or in person. Receiving the deregistration confirmation is important as it helps terminate many contracts early.

Step 5: Deregister from Radio Tax (Rundfunkbeitrag)

Be sure to inform the Beitragsservice that you’re no longer a resident in Germany. This can be done through an online form to avoid future charges.

Step 6: Claim a Pension Refund (if eligible)

If you’ve worked in Germany and contributed to the pension fund, you may be entitled to a refund, depending on your nationality and where you’re moving next. Check Germany’s agreements with your new country for details.

Step 7: Reclaim Your Foreign Driving License

If you exchanged your foreign driver’s license for a German one, you may be able to reclaim your original license by contacting your local Zulassungsbehörde.

Step 8: Sell or Deregister Your Car

If you own a car, you’ll need to deregister it at the Straßenverkehrsamt or sell it through platforms like wirkaufendeinauto.de. You may also want to obtain a driving record from your insurance for future use.

Step 9: Forward Your Mail

Set up mail forwarding (Nachsendeauftrag) with Deutsche Post for 6-12 months. This will ensure you receive important documents, such as final bills or bank correspondence, after you’ve left Germany.

Step 10: Plan Your Move-Out

• • Furniture: Decide whether to take your furniture with you, sell it, or give it away. If selling, consider using platforms like ebay Kleinanzeigen or Facebook Marketplace.
  • Apartment Handover: Schedule a final walkthrough with your landlord. Document the condition of the apartment and ensure everything is in order to get your deposit back.

Step 11: File Your Tax Declaration After Leaving

You’re still obligated to file a tax return for the year you leave Germany. Even after moving abroad, you can submit it and potentially get a refund.

Leaving Germany with Unpaid Bills?

Leaving with unpaid debts can lead to financial and legal troubles. Private creditors may pursue you abroad, and statutory creditors (like health insurance or radio tax) may impose penalties. Ensure all bills are paid before you go to avoid future complications.

What Happens to Your Residence Permit?

You don’t need to return your residence permit upon deregistration. It will automatically expire six months after your departure. However, if you hold an EU Blue Card, it will expire after 12 months. Permanent residence holders may also see their permits expire after 12 months of absence.

Leaving Germany isn’t just about packing up your belongings — it requires careful coordination. Following this 11-step guide will help you wrap things up properly and avoid complications down the line. By ensuring all your obligations are met, from giving timely notices to canceling contracts and paying final bills, you can leave Germany smoothly and without any lingering responsibilities.

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