Expat Guide-Helpful Resources
So you’re an expat or interested in becoming an expat…that’s exciting! Expat life is unlike any other-full of amazing experiences but also with plenty of hurdles to manage along the way. If you want to make your path a little easier, I’ve compiled a list of resources and services that can help, particularly if you’re an expat in Germany.
You’ll definitely want to save this post to refer back to as you start the process of moving abroad. There’s so much stress involved with an international move, if there are ways to make it easier, it’s worthwhile to take advantage!
This post may contain affiliate links. Affiliate links are no extra charge to you, but I may earn a small commission if you chose to make a purchase. See disclosures for more details.
German Health Insurance for Expats
Finding health insurance coverage is one of the most important things you need to do as an expat. Often times it is also a visa requirement. For expats planning to move to Germany, Barmer is the best expat health insurance with an easy online system (in English!) for getting covered. They can also cover expats before they arrive to Germany who already have a work contract. This will make the visa process much easier. Get all the details on coverage and how it works.
Furnished Apartments in Germany for Expats
Finding a place to live can be a huge undertaking. Shipping all your goods and furniture is very costly. You can avoid that expense and headache by choosing a furnished rental. Wunderflats is a platform that will make it easier to live in Germany with furnished apartments in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Leipzig, Nuremberg, Stuttgart, Essen, Dresden, Bremen and Paris!
Apartments are verified, you can sign contracts online, and they have a customer support team to help walk you through the process.
Taxes for US Expats Abroad
Navigating one country’s tax rules is hard enough, when you add in another country, it’s enough to make your head spin! Let My Expat Taxes help you cut through the confusion and get your taxes filed correctly.
They offer a range of services and support from free webinars, tax planning calls, to full service filing. Take a look at the website to find the right amount of support for filing expat taxes anywhere in the world.
Custom Multilingual Books for Expat Kids
Don’t forget about your mini-Expats! It is so important to involve kids in the process of moving and find ways to support them in the journey. These customizable books are great for introducing and supporting dual-languages. You pick the language the book comes in, add your child’s name, even customize the characters to resemble them.
The books are made in Europe but ship worldwide. We got the book about 100 Words in Turkish and English for our youngest in preparation for our upcoming move. We also got the “Where’s …?” European version because we thought that would resonate the most with our kids who have spent most of their childhoods in Europe. Use the code: LINDSEY15 to get 15% off your order.
Third Culture Kid Support
If you’re unfamiliar with the term Third Culture Kid, it refers to a child who grows up outside of their parent’s home culture. They are in the grey area between what their parent’s home culture is and the culture of where they live. It is a unique way to grow up and presents its own challenges. Enter Kaleidoscope, a support network for TCKs!
Recently my daughter joined one of their TCK clubs-Art It Out, which is a weekly club for kids all over the globe to do activities based in art that explore their emotions and experiences as Third Culture Kids. I love that the club leaders grew up as TCKs themselves because its truly a special connection. I did not grow up this way, so in some ways I can’t relate to how it feels to be a kid in this lifestyle.
My daughter really enjoyed the group leaders and the activities they did each week. There are also other clubs for other interests: Game Club, Brain Club, Teen Club, and TCK 101 for getting connected with what it means to be a TCK.
If you’d like to try out a club, you can save 20% by using this code: abroadwife20%off
Read Next: Expats to Follow on Instagram & Expat Owned Businesses
If you found this list helpful, let me know below. If you know of another support service for expats that should be included here, I want to hear about it! Leave me a comment or email me!
