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Families moving to Germany
Raising kids in Germany, from Kita to Abitur.
Germany is a genuinely child-friendly country. Free public childcare and schooling, strong parental leave, predictable benefits. This is the path through the first years as an Indian family, from maternity care to school enrollment.
Read in this order
- FamilyKindergeld, Elterngeld, Kita: parenting benefits for Indians in Germany
Child benefit, parental allowance, daycare rules, and what non-EU parents on work visas actually get.
- FamilyThe German school system for Indian families
Grundschule, Gymnasium, Realschule, international schools, language support, and how to navigate enrollment as a new arrival.
- HealthKrankenversicherung: German health insurance, explained
Public vs private, which provider to choose, what it actually costs, and the rules that catch Indians off guard.
- VisaBlue Card vs Skilled Worker Visa vs Family Reunion: the Indian view
Salary thresholds, PR timelines, spouse work rights, and which residence path fits you.
- HousingApartment hunting in Germany (and the Mietvertrag you sign)
SCHUFA, WBS, Kaltmiete vs Warmmiete, Nebenkosten, Kaution, and what a Bewerbungsmappe actually looks like.
- VisaGerman citizenship for Indians after the 2024 law
Five years to naturalise, three with strong integration, dual citizenship now allowed. What this means for Indians, OCI, and the end of dual passport dreams.
Official resources
Family and benefits
Familienkasse (Child Benefit Office)
Applications and information for Kindergeld (child benefit) and Kinderzuschlag. Part of the Arbeitsagentur.
Visit siteElterngeld (BMFSFJ)
Federal Ministry of Family Affairs portal for Elterngeld and parental leave. Calculators, forms, and eligibility rules.
Visit siteHandbook Germany
Government-funded multilingual guide for newcomers. Practical info on work, residence, family, health, housing, integration. Available in Hindi-adjacent languages.
Visit site
Immigration and residence
Make it in Germany
Federal government portal for qualified professionals. Visa info, job board, skill recognition, living and working guides. Available in English.
Visit siteBAMF. Federal Office for Migration and Refugees
Residence permits, integration courses, asylum, and naturalisation. Official authority for immigration topics.
Visit siteChancenkarte (Opportunity Card)
Official Opportunity Card portal. Points calculator, eligibility check, application steps for the job seeker visa.
Visit siteGerman Missions in India
For applying to Germany from India. Visa appointment booking, categories, and VFS Global partnership info.
Visit siteVFS Global. Germany Visa Applications in India
Official visa application partner. Visa centers in Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi, Pune, and Trivandrum.
Visit siteAnabin (University recognition database)
Official German database for recognising foreign universities and degrees. Essential for Blue Card and Opportunity Card applicants.
Visit siteZAB (Central Office for Foreign Education)
Issues the Statement of Comparability (Zeugnisbewertung) for foreign degrees not listed as H+ in Anabin. Required for many visa paths.
Visit site
Health and insurance
TK (Techniker Krankenkasse)
The largest public health insurer in Germany. English service, solid app, popular with internationals. Sign up online.
Visit siteAOK
Regional public health insurance network (AOK Bayern, AOK Nordost, etc.). Traditional, widely accepted.
Visit siteDoctolib
Doctor and appointment search. Filter by language (Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Punjabi speakers exist in most major cities). Online booking.
Visit siteKV-Terminservicestelle
Official service to find specialist appointments if you cannot get one directly. Call 116 117 or book online.
Visit site