How to Retire in Germany: Visas, Healthcare & More - SmartAsset

Germany has become a popular destination for American retirees due to its reasonable costs, excellent healthcare system and well-kept infrastructure. The weather may not be on the level of Thailand or Portugal, but if you don’t mind some chilly winters, Germany could be the retirement destination you’re looking for. In fact, the country’s housing costs are actually quite favorable in comparison to the U.S. If you want to explore retiring abroad, you may also want to consider working with a financial advisor.

Average Cost to Retire in Germany

As any financial advisor will tell you, one of the most important factors to consider when building a retirement plan is your cost of living. Like any other country, how much money you’ll need to live in Germany will depend on the city you choose.

According to March 2022 data from Numbeo, a website that collects pricing data from around the world, the average monthly budget you’ll need in Germany (excluding rent, but including food, utilities, transportation and recreation) would be the equivalent of around $850. This will be slightly higher in the biggest cities like Munich, Hamburg or Berlin, and it will be lower in smaller cities like Dresden and Hanover. That’s a bit cheaper of a monthly budget than you’d need to live in major U.S. cities like Atlanta or Chicago, both of which call for a little over $1,000.

Rent in Germany is about 37% lower than in the U.S., according to data from Numbeo. Rent in a one-bedroom apartment in the center of the city can cost you as much as $1,480 in a city like Munich and as low as $650 in a city like Leipzig. This wide range in rent prices is similar to the U.S., where a one-bedroom in New York City can easily clear $3,000 a month, and an identical apartment in Albuquerque can go for $1,000.

Healthcare in Germany

Health insurance is mandatory for all permanent residents of Germany. The majority of residents receive publicly financed insurance from one of the country’s Statutory Health Insurance (SHI) insurers, also known as sickness funds. SHI coverage includes preventive services, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, physician services, mental health care, dental care, optometry, physical therapy, prescription drugs, hospice and palliative care. SHI plans typically have copayments of between $6 and $13 for prescription drugs or medical devices. For an inpatient hospital stay, the copayment is typically around $11.50 per day for the first 28 days.

There are more than 100,000 SHI-accredited physicians in Germany working in ambulatory care. Roughly half of these are general practitioners, internists and pediatricians. The other half are specialists. These physicians are typically compensated on a fee-for-service (FFS) basis that follows a uniform fee schedule. Physicians and SHI insurers negotiate to come up with the fee schedule.

Hospitals work slightly differently. Roughly half of hospital beds are in public hospitals; about a third are in private, not-for-profit hospitals; and the rest are in private, for-profit hospitals. The doctors in hospitals are salaried and mostly work only in inpatient care. Unless you’re dealing with highly specialized services or an emergency, you’ll most likely need a referral for inpatient care. For inpatient care, you pay per admission according to a system of diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) that are revised each year.

If your income is above $70,805, you have the option to opt out of SHI coverage and purchase private coverage instead. Only a small percentage of the population in Germany choose this route.

Visas for Retirees in Germany

As an American, you can stay in Germany for up to 90 days without a visa. To stay longer, you’ll need to apply for a temporary residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) during your initial 90 days. This will more than likely require your passport, proof of German address, proof of health insurance and evidence that you can financially support yourself without working. Temporary residence permits last one year, and they’re fairly easy to renew. Once you’ve spent five years in Germany, you can receive a more permanent settlement (Niederlassungserlaubnis). Depending on your specific circumstances, this may require you to demonstrate knowledge of the German language and society.

If you prefer, you can also apply for your temporary residence permit through the German consulate while you’re still in the U.S. This may be the safer plan; while plenty of Americans obtain permits for retirement, receiving one isn’t guaranteed.

Housing in Germany

Even in retirement, home buying isn’t as widespread in Germany as it is in the U.S. According to Statista.com, only 50.4% of German residents owned a home as of 2020, one of the lowest figures in Europe and well below the U.S. rate of 65.8%. If you’re looking to buy a property, you’ll need a mortgage from a German bank. You’ll need to assure the bank that you intend to stay in Germany for the long haul in order to secure approval.

Additionally, you should be ready to pay more than 20% for your down payment, as some banks and sellers view expats as riskier buyers than locals. You’ll also need to pay some extra fees including property sale tax, notary fees, registration fees and estate agents fees. All of these can add up to around 10% of your property’s price.

Because of the complications that come with home buying, you may choose to rent a place in Germany. One thing to know about renting in Germany is that many apartments don’t come equipped with appliances like refrigerators or dishwashers. You’ll likely need to purchase those separately. Air conditioning isn’t essential for summers, but you’ll definitely need heat for the winters. Weather in Germany is similar enough from city to city. You can expect the temperature to peak in the low 70s (Fahrenheit) in the summer and drop to the high 20s in the winter.

Taxes for Retirees in Germany

Exactly how you’ll be taxed once you retire in Germany will come down to a number of factors that are specific to you. However, there are a few broad guidelines that you can plan ahead for.

First, you’ll have to pay some sort of income tax in Germany. As of 2022, for income above $10,985 but below $64,475, you’ll be taxed at a rate of 14%. Above $64,475, you’ll be taxed at a much higher rate of 42%. Any income that surpasses $305,697 will be taxed at a 45% rate. The German tax year is the same as the U.S. tax year: January 1 to December 31. The typical deadline to submit tax returns in Germany is May 31.

You’ll still need to file a U.S. tax return as an expat, even if you don’t end up having to pay any U.S. taxes. It’s unlikely you’ll have much income originating from outside the U.S. in retirement. If you do, however, you can use a few different provisions to reduce your U.S. taxable income. These include the foreign earned income exclusion, the foreign tax credit and the foreign housing exclusion, among others. Due to Article 19 of the U.S. German Tax Treaty, your U.S. Social Security income will have German taxes levied on it, but not U.S. taxes.

If you’d like to forecast your tax burden more specifically, you may want to consult with a tax expert who is familiar with both U.S. and German tax laws.

Bottom Line

If you’re looking to spend your third act abroad, Germany has a lot to offer. You’ll have access to the resources of a developed country without paying an arm and a leg for it. While it may not be replete with pristine beaches or cloudless skies, Germany could be just the right place for you.

Tips for Saving for Retirement

While retirement preparation is extremely important, it can also be confusing and overwhelming. If you’d rather not go it alone, talking to a financial advisor could be a big help. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
There are many different ways to save for retirement. You’ll most likely need to supplement the income you receive from Social Security; the most popular vehicles are an IRA or a 401(k) plan. Whatever you do, start early so you can take advantage of compound interest.