Over 830,000 Romanians officially live in Germany, making them the second-largest EU migrant group after Poles. The right to live and work is guaranteed by EU law — no visa, no work permit, no employer sponsorship. But the legal right is just the starting point. Germany's bureaucratic system can be overwhelming, and many Romanians arrive unprepared for the registration requirements, tax complexity, and insurance obligations. This guide walks you through every practical step.
First 14 Days: The Anmeldung
The Anmeldung (address registration) is your first and most critical bureaucratic step. German law requires everyone — including EU citizens — to register their address within 14 days of moving. Without it, you cannot open a bank account, get a tax number, start employment, or register for health insurance.
What you need: Romanian passport or carte de identitate (ID card), rental contract (Mietvertrag), and a Wohnungsgeber-bestätigung (landlord confirmation of move-in — your landlord must sign this). Book an appointment at your local Bürgeramt online. In major cities (Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt), wait times for appointments can be 2-6 weeks, so book BEFORE you arrive.
What you receive: A Meldebestätigung (registration certificate). Guard this document. You'll need it for everything.
Tax Number and Banking
After Anmeldung, two things happen automatically: the Finanzamt sends you a Steuer-Identifikationsnummer (Steuer-ID) by post within 2-4 weeks, and you can open a German bank account (Girokonto). Your employer needs the Steuer-ID before your first payslip; without it, you'll be taxed at the maximum Steuerklasse 6 rate (approximately 42%).
Tax classes for Romanians: Single = Steuerklasse 1. Married with spouse in Germany = Steuerklasse 3 or 4 (depending on which partner earns more). Married with spouse still in Romania = typically Steuerklasse 1 (you can apply for Steuerklasse 3 if your Romanian spouse earns below the German Grundfreibetrag of EUR 11,604).
If your Steuer-ID doesn't arrive within 4 weeks, visit or call the Finanzamt directly. Don't wait — every payslip without it means maximum tax withholding. You can get the Steuer-ID reissued faster in person. Also: N26 and Revolut accept Meldebestätigung for account opening and are much faster than traditional German banks (Sparkasse, Commerzbank), which can take 2-3 weeks.
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Get Your Free Verdict →Health Insurance: GKV vs PKV
Health insurance is mandatory in Germany. No exceptions. You choose between public (GKV) or private (PKV):
| Feature | GKV (Public) | PKV (Private) |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | All employees | Salary above EUR 69,300/yr or self-employed |
| Cost | ~15.5% of gross (split with employer) | EUR 300-600/mo (age-based) |
| Family coverage | Free for non-working spouse + children | Each person pays separately |
| Returning to GKV | — | Very difficult after age 55 |
| Doctor access | Standard | Faster appointments, more specialists |
Recommendation for most Romanians: Start with GKV. It covers your family for free, is income-based (so cheaper when you're starting out), and you can always switch to PKV later if your salary crosses the threshold. Switching from PKV back to GKV is extremely difficult, especially after 55.
Qualification Recognition
Non-regulated professions (IT, business, marketing, sales, design): No formal recognition needed. Your Romanian degree is valid. Employers assess qualifications directly.
Regulated professions require formal recognition through the relevant German authority:
Doctors: Apply for Approbation through the Landesärztekammer. Requirements: translated and apostilled Romanian medical degree, B2-C1 German language certificate, Fachsprachprüfung (medical German exam). Cost: EUR 200-600. Timeline: 3-12 months. Many Romanian doctors work with a Berufserlaubnis (temporary licence) while waiting for full Approbation.
Engineers: The title "Ingenieur" is protected in most German states. Apply through the Ingenieurkammer. Romanian engineering degrees from ARACIS-accredited universities are generally recognised. Processing: 2-4 months.
Nurses: Apply for Anerkennung through the local health authority. Romanian nursing qualifications are well-recognised under EU Directive 2005/36/EC. German B2 language certificate required. Processing: 2-6 months.
Use the anabin database (anabin.kmk.org) to check if your Romanian university and degree are listed. If your degree shows "H+" status, it's equivalent to a German degree.
For salary data, see the Romania vs Germany cost of living comparison and the Germany overview.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Romanians need a visa to work in Germany?
No. As EU citizens, Romanians have full freedom of movement since 2014. No visa, no work permit, no employer sponsorship needed. Register your address (Anmeldung) within 14 days, get a Steuer-ID, and choose health insurance. That's it.
What is the Anmeldung and how do I do it?
Anmeldung is mandatory address registration at the Bürgeramt within 14 days. Bring your ID, rental contract, and landlord confirmation form. Book the appointment online before arriving — major cities have 2-6 week wait times. You receive a Meldebestätigung needed for banking, employment, and insurance.
How does health insurance work for Romanians in Germany?
Choose GKV (public: ~15.5% of salary, free family coverage) or PKV (private: age-based premiums, separate family payments). Most Romanians should start with GKV for the free family coverage and income-based pricing. PKV is only available above EUR 69,300/year salary.
Are Romanian qualifications recognised in Germany?
Non-regulated professions (IT, business): no recognition needed. Regulated professions (doctors, nurses, engineers): formal recognition required through German authorities. Romanian degrees from ARACIS-accredited universities are generally well-recognised. Check anabin.kmk.org for your specific university and degree.
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