Germany offers a clear pathway for US citizens to retire abroad. We support you throughout your relocation from access to health insurance, residency permit applications & an apartment for you and your family.
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Disclaimer: Expats In Wonderland GmbH do not offer legal advice as defined in the out-of-court legal services act (Rechtsdienstleistungsgesetz, RDG). For any legal advice we are proud to partner with a trusted German law firm.
While working purposes provide clear statutory pathways to residency in Germany, the information relating to retirement is somewhat opaque. As a US citizen, this plays in your favour, as provided you can sustain yourself into retirement without being reliant on state benefits, and can afford to pay private health insurance (often cheaper than your existing US policy), it's likely your dream of relocation to Germany can be made a reality.
With more US citizens moving abroad than ever, we've supported hundred of applicants move to Germany for their retirement from the USA over the past decade of operation. Our team work in close partnership with skilled immigration lawyers, international tax accountants, and we ourselves are licensed health insurance specialists. Together we provide a 360 degree relocation solution, backed by years of experience and successful cases.
In all cases, relocation to Germany for the purpose of retirement should start with a call, so book a free appointment to discuss your move. This way we plan your move to avoid unexpected taxation, clarity on your pension, access to health insurance, and housing upon arrival.
Technically there is no residency permit for retirement in Germany, but rather a broader category of permit for other purposes. As a US citizen, we support you in your application to settle for the purpose of spending your golden years in a stable and safe hub in the heart of Europe.
Many US citizens have some German heritage, and wish to explore their pathway to citizenship through descent. This is a process carried out by our partnered immigration lawyer, and we offer administrative support to them for your application. It all starts with a legal assessment after our referral to them, followed by an application if you have eligbility.
If you are moving to Germany for the purpose of retirement, you will highly likely need to have private health insurance from a compliant German provider. We are licensed insurance brokers, and can provide detailed policy options and advise on your pathway to long term health insurance throughout your retirement in Germany.
US citizens widely misunderstand the dual taxation agreement with Germany. Rather than discover later with a nasty shock, taxation can be clearly controlled and planned for often by making small adjustments to investment structures prior to relocation. Working with us for your relocation includes our referral to an exceptional partner for tax planning specialised in expats as well as complex matters. Note that tax advice itself is provided by our partnered firm, and not included in the price of our relocation package.
We routinely support US families in their relocation to Germany. Having a spouse or child move with you can open up opportunitites for mixing permit types in advantageous ways, for access to health insurance and deeper integration into German society. We support with family reunification processes for spouses, children and even elderly parents in some circumstances. US citizens don't need to worry about relocating without their nearest and dearest.
If you are not yet of retirement age, but are a US citizen with high net worth, then it can be possible to apply for a residency permit for the purpose of living off capital gains from investments and other income. Together with our legal partners we guide you through the application process, attend appointments with you inperson, support with health insurance and much more, to help you settle in to early retirment making the move from the USA to Germany.
Our network of partners is the backbone of our business, and close collaboration with specialist immigration lawyers, general legal practitioners, tax attorneys and accountants, ensure that you have a professional and experienced team behind your relocation.
Following legal consultation or the guidelines of the immigration authorities for procedural cases, we unpack the finer details of your application.
Health insurance access is complex and time consuming. All paperwork tends to be in German, and it's not uncommon for retirees to be rejected from private providers due to pre-existing conditions. We guide you through the labyrinth of options to help you secure a long term policy.
Generally, applicants for retirement prefer to land in Berlin and undergo their application here. For local appointments we go with your in person to the immigration office, and can provide ad hoc life admin support for other appointments in the city.
With over a decade of experience, we've encountered all aspects of relocation for US citizens moving to Germany for retirement. With hundreds of individuals and families successfully relocated for retirement we're proud to offer the most comprehensive and detail oriented support for your move.
Book your consultation meeting today and get your relocation underway now.
