1) House
There are lots of nice furnished apartments here. One of my favorite sites is http://www.homeforrent.de/en. The trick to read German website is to use Chrome at all time since it has a button on the top right to translate it instantly. I believe most of the expat is provided with accomodation. I chose an apartment in Offenbach. A decent apartment, but it could be better. Usually you can lock for 6 months before moving to a new contract. Most of the landlords speaks german only.
The EVO charges for utilities should be arranged by your landlord.
2) Local Administrative
Firstly, the local residence registration need to be done asap since your residence permit will be processed by the local public office. As I mentioned in the earlier post, the interim visa only last for 3 months. I could not describe how to do this on a walk-in basis, but I'm lucky enough to get a relocation service assigned by the employer. Eventually, you will be getting the residence card. You could contact my existing agent who is reliable. The charges to arrange directly with her.
Relocation services are important, to have the ease in dealing with local government officers for residence registration but also for other matters which you need a local to arrange for you. It's worth paying the service.
b) Residence registration - will get an instant temporary letter confirmation. After 2 months, the local office will call you for an interview and at this junction your family visa must be there as well.
c) Through the relocation services, they will also help you to register the media license, which is compulsory in Germany, other than you will also need to translate your driving license which is valid for 6 months. After that you have to take a proper driving license.
d) Banking - my agent has proposed Commerzbank, which is an English friendly bank. I've used the system, especially the online banking which is good. Credit card you can apply immediately after getting your 2nd salary slip, but you can open an account instantly with ATM and the foreign transfer facility. I believe the maximum for money transfer abroad will be around €5000 a month.
The ATM card and online banking facility will be completed within a week via mail postage directly to your house. Save the time, take this bank! However, for expat client usually the bank account opening is done via appointment.
https://www.commerzbank.de/portal/en/englisch/english.html
For Commerzbank in Offenbach, please contact Melanie for appointment :
Melanie Benz
Tel : +49 69832001256
Kaiserstr. 74, Offenbach am Main
But the cheapest way to transfer money to Malaysia or anywhere in the world is via World Remit. The registration all done online. Fast service even for money transfer more than RM10k. Easy, no fuss!
Other Credit Cards :
- You also can apply -€0 annual fee Credit Card from Valovis Bank (a partnership with Targo Bank and Citibank) here
- Apply for Prepaid Mastercard from Western Union without having a bank account.
- Credit Card mainly used for Hotel and travelling not at Germany retails.
3) Health and Private Liability Insurance - see my other post
4) Leasing a car and taking the driving license - see my other post
5) Things to do - see my other post
