Moving to Germany from Romania

Tax Obligations and the German-Romanian Treaty

Once you establish residence in Germany, you become a German tax resident and are subject to German income tax on your worldwide income ^[1]. Germany's progressive income tax starts at 14% and rises to 45% for top earners, plus the solidarity surcharge (Solidaritatszuschlag) of 5.5% on the tax amount for incomes above the exemption threshold ^[2].

German-Romanian Double Taxation Agreement.

The treaty, following the OECD Model Convention, prevents double taxation on employment income, pensions, dividends, and interest ^[3]. Employment income is generally taxed only in the country where the work is performed. If you retain Romanian-source income (rental property from an apartment in Bucharest or Cluj, dividends from Romanian companies), the treaty determines which country has primary taxing rights and provides credits or exemptions in the other.

Church tax (Kirchensteuer).

When you register your address, you declare your religious affiliation. If you register as Catholic or Protestant, you pay church tax as a percentage of your income tax, with the rate varying by state ^[2]. Romanian Orthodox is not subject to German church tax since it is not one of the collecting denominations. Register as "konfessionslos" if you want to avoid any possibility of incorrect classification.

Romanian tax exit.

Once you establish German tax residency, you generally cease being a Romanian tax resident. File a final Romanian tax declaration for the departure year. Romania has one of the lowest income tax rates in the EU, so the transition to Germany's progressive system is a noticeable increase. If you retain Romanian rental property or other Romanian-source income, Romania may still tax it under the treaty provisions ^[3].

Social security coordination.

EU Regulation 883/2004 coordinates social security between member states ^[4]. You pay into Germany's system (Rentenversicherung, unemployment insurance, health insurance, long-term care insurance) through payroll deductions. Romanian CAS/CASS contributions stop once you begin German employment. Your Romanian contribution history is aggregated with German contributions when calculating future pension entitlements under the EU coordination rules.

Self-employment.

Self-employed individuals register with the local Finanzamt and pay income tax quarterly through advance payments (Vorauszahlungen) ^[5]. As an EU citizen, you can freely establish a business in Germany. Self-employed persons must arrange their own health insurance and are not automatically enrolled in the state pension system.

Registration and Residence Rights

As a Romanian citizen and EU national, you have the right to live and work in Germany under EU freedom of movement (Freizugigkeit) without a work permit or residence visa ^[1]. Romania's earlier labor market restrictions within the EU have been fully lifted. You can enter Germany with your Romanian passport or carte de identitate and begin working immediately.

Anmeldung (address registration).

Within 14 days of moving into your apartment, register your address at the local Burgeramt (citizens' office) ^[2]. Bring your passport or Romanian ID card, rental contract, and Wohnungsgeberbestatigung (landlord confirmation form). You receive a Meldebescheinigung (registration certificate), which is required for opening a bank account, enrolling in health insurance, receiving your tax ID, and getting a phone contract.

Tax identification number (Steuerliche Identifikationsnummer).

After your Anmeldung, the BZSt automatically mails your 11-digit tax ID to your registered address ^[3]. This takes several weeks. Your employer needs this number for payroll. Without it, you are taxed at the highest rate (Steuerklasse 6) until it arrives.

No residence permit required.

EU citizens do not need a residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) in Germany ^[2]. The previous requirement for a Freizugigkeitsbescheinigung was abolished. Your Anmeldung confirmation is sufficient proof of legal residence ^[2].

Permanent residence (Daueraufenthalt-EU).

After 5 years of continuous legal residence, you can apply for a permanent residence certificate ^[1]. This is optional for EU citizens (you already have indefinite residence rights), but provides useful documentation for mortgage applications and administrative processes ^[1].

Family members.

Your EU family members have the same freedom of movement rights. Non-EU family members can join you in Germany through family reunification with simplified requirements compared to third-country nationals without an EU citizen sponsor ^[2].

Health Insurance Transition

Health insurance is mandatory in Germany. Every resident must be covered, and proof of insurance is required before your employer can process your first paycheck.

Public health insurance (GKV).

Employees earning below the Versicherungspflichtgrenze (approximately EUR 69,300/year in 2026) must enroll in public insurance. Premiums are approximately 14.6% of gross salary, split equally between you and your employer, plus a Zusatzbeitrag of 1-2% depending on the insurer. Major public insurers include TK, AOK, Barmer, and DAK.

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) bridge.

Your Romanian EHIC (Cardul european de asigurari sociale de sanatate) covers emergency treatment during temporary stays in Germany. It does not substitute for German health insurance once you establish residence and employment. Use it only for the first days before your German insurer activates coverage.

Coverage comparison with CNAS.

Germany's public system covers doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs (with EUR 5-10 copays), mental health treatment, dental (basic), maternity, and rehabilitation. Non-working spouses and children under 25 are covered free through Familienversicherung. Coverage is comparable to Romania's CNAS system in scope but with significantly shorter wait times for most specialists and procedures, and broader access to advanced diagnostics and treatments.

Private health insurance (PKV).

Available to employees earning above the threshold and self-employed individuals. Premiums are based on age and health status, not income. Private insurance offers shorter wait times and broader coverage, but premiums increase with age and family members need separate policies. For most Romanian employees in Germany, public insurance is the practical choice, especially given the free family coverage.

Transferring medical records.

Bring your medical documentation. Germany does not have a centralized electronic health record system. Your new Hausarzt (general practitioner) starts a fresh file. Bring records of vaccinations (carnet de vaccinari), chronic conditions, ongoing prescriptions, and recent test results. List medications by generic (INN) names since brand names differ between Romania and Germany.

Banking and Financial Setup

Opening a German bank account.

You need a German bank account for salary deposits, rent payments (Uberweisung), and health insurance premiums. Germany runs heavily on SEPA direct debit (Lastschrift) and bank transfers.

Major banks include Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, and Sparkasse. Online banks like N26, ING Germany, and DKB offer English-language interfaces and faster onboarding. N26 can be opened with just your passport or Romanian ID card and a German address, making it a practical first account.

Schufa credit score.

Schufa is Germany's credit bureau. Your Romanian credit history does not transfer. You start with no Schufa record, which is treated as neutral to slightly positive. Build your Schufa profile by opening a bank account, registering a phone contract, and paying all bills on time. Landlords require a Schufa-Auskunft (credit report) for apartment applications. You can request a free annual self-disclosure (Datenkopie) from Schufa.

Cash culture.

Germany is more cash-dependent than you might expect. Many restaurants, bakeries, and smaller shops are cash-only or strongly prefer cash. Always carry cash. Card acceptance has increased but remains unreliable in non-chain establishments. When cards are accepted, it is usually Girocard rather than Visa or Mastercard.

Transferring savings.

For moving savings from Romania to Germany, SEPA transfers within the EU are typically low cost. Romania adopted the euro for SEPA transfers, but since Romania still uses the RON (leu), you will need currency conversion. Wise and Revolut offer better exchange rates for RON-to-EUR conversion than traditional bank wire transfers.

Keeping Romanian accounts.

There is no obligation to close your Romanian bank accounts. Many Romanian expats maintain an account for remaining obligations, property-related payments, or trips home. German tax authorities do not require reporting of EU bank accounts the way the US requires FBAR filing.

Remittances.

Romania is one of the top remittance-receiving countries in the EU. If you send money home to family, services like Wise, Revolut, and Western Union offer different tradeoffs of speed, cost, and convenience. Wise typically has the lowest fees for regular EUR-to-RON transfers.

Moving Logistics

Shipping household goods.

Romania to Germany by road freight takes 2-4 days depending on origin and destination cities. A dedicated van for a full apartment is relatively affordable for an intra-EU move. Companies like Eurosender, Clicktrans, and local Romanian/German moving companies handle cross-border moves. Get at least three written quotes.

Customs and duties.

As an EU citizen moving between EU member states, your personal belongings and household goods are not subject to customs duties or import VAT. No customs declaration is required. This is a major advantage over non-EU movers.

Apartment hunting.

Finding an apartment in major German cities (Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg) is extremely competitive. Vacancy rates are below 2% in popular urban areas. Landlords require extensive documentation: Schufa-Auskunft, proof of income (employment contract or last three pay slips), previous landlord reference (Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung), a copy of your ID, and a personal cover letter. For your first apartment, consider a furnished temporary rental (1-3 months) through Wunderflats or HousingAnywhere. Romanian community networks ("Romani in Germania" Facebook groups, diaspora forums) often have direct rental leads.

Driving.

Your Romanian driver's license is valid indefinitely in Germany as an EU-issued license. No conversion, no test, no additional paperwork. If you want to exchange it for a German license (Umschreibung), the process is administrative only, with no driving test required for EU licenses.

Vehicle import.

If you bring your Romanian-registered car, re-register it with German plates (Zulassungsstelle) within a reasonable period after establishing residency. You need the vehicle's Romanian registration certificate (certificat de inmatriculare), proof of German insurance, a valid TUV inspection (Hauptuntersuchung), and your Anmeldung. Import VAT does not apply for personal vehicles moved within the EU. Ensure the vehicle meets German emissions standards.

Pets.

Dogs and cats need an EU Pet Passport, an ISO-compliant microchip, and a valid rabies vaccination. As an intra-EU move, there is no quarantine and no additional veterinary certificates beyond the EU Pet Passport. Germany requires dog registration and payment of the annual Hundesteuer (dog tax), which varies by municipality.

Cell phone.

German mobile carriers include Telekom, Vodafone, and O2. Budget providers like Aldi Talk, Lidl Connect, and congstar offer affordable prepaid plans. Prepaid SIM cards require identity verification with your passport. Postpaid contracts require a Schufa check and German bank account. Note that EU roaming regulations allow you to use your Romanian SIM temporarily in Germany, but long-term use of a Romanian SIM while residing in Germany violates fair-use roaming policies.

Cultural Adjustment

Language.

German is essential for daily life outside of international workplaces. Government offices (Burgeramt, Finanzamt, Auslanderbehorde) operate in German. Romanian speakers sometimes find German easier than expected for basic vocabulary due to shared Latin-derived words in certain domains, but German grammar (cases, gendered nouns, verb placement) requires dedicated study. Integrationskurse (integration courses) are available and subsidized. Private language schools and online tutoring are widely available.

Directness.

Germans communicate more directly than most Romanians expect. Feedback at work is specific and unvarnished. Customer service is functional, not warm. This is not hostility but a cultural norm that values clarity over indirectness. Most Romanian newcomers adjust within a few months.

Sundays.

Nearly everything is closed on Sundays, legally enforced (Ladenschlussgesetz). Supermarkets, shops, hardware stores. Gas stations and train station shops are exceptions. Plan grocery shopping for Saturday. This is a more rigid enforcement than Romania's Sunday trading patterns.

Recycling (Mulltrennung).

Germany has one of the most rigorous waste sorting systems in Europe. Separate bins for paper, organic waste, packaging (Gelber Sack or Gelbe Tonne), glass (sorted by color), and residual waste. Bottles and cans with a Pfand (deposit) symbol must be returned to supermarket machines. Compliance is taken seriously by neighbors and landlords.

Noise rules (Ruhezeiten).

Quiet hours are typically 10pm to 6am, all day Sundays and public holidays, and often 1pm to 3pm on weekdays (midday rest). No loud music, drilling, or vacuuming during these periods. German noise norms are strictly enforced through neighbor complaints and landlord warnings.

Work-life balance.

The German working week is typically 35-40 hours. Employees get a minimum of 20 vacation days (most contracts offer 25-30), and people use them. Sick days are separate and not deducted from vacation. If you call in sick, your employer pays your full salary for up to 6 weeks, after which health insurance covers 70% of gross salary (Krankengeld). This is a significant improvement over Romanian labor norms for many workers.

Punctuality.

Germans place high value on punctuality in both professional and personal contexts. Arrive on time for meetings, appointments, and social engagements. Being five minutes late to a business meeting is noticed. Trains are expected to run on schedule (though Deutsche Bahn's reputation for delays is a frequent source of domestic frustration).

Romanian community.

Germany has a substantial Romanian diaspora, with estimates exceeding 800,000 residents. Cities like Munich, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, and Berlin have active Romanian communities with churches (both Orthodox and Catholic), cultural associations, grocery stores stocking Romanian products, and social networks. Romanian-language services including doctors, lawyers, and tax advisors are available in larger cities.

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