Preparing to leave Germany
Once you have decided to return and have an approximate moving date, the practical process of leaving Germany begins. Deregistering your address (Abmeldung) is only one part of the process. Employment, housing, health insurance, private contracts, banking, taxes, vehicles, children's school or daycare arrangements and important documents all need to be reviewed and coordinated before departure.
This section is designed for the final months and weeks before leaving Germany. The aim is to help you close important obligations correctly, deliberately keep those that still need to remain active, preserve written evidence and avoid cancelling a bank account, German phone number or digital access too early when you may still need it after moving.
What should you deal with before leaving Germany?
- Leaving Germany permanently – one complete checklist for work, housing, insurance, taxes, pension and documents – a detailed step-by-step guide covering employment, housing and handover, deregistration, health insurance, broadcasting contribution, banking, taxes, vehicles, children, pension documents, post and other matters that should be resolved before a permanent move;
- Planning retirement or leaving Germany – what to check before retirement or moving away – especially useful if your move also requires you to clarify pension records, health insurance, tax matters or other German rights and obligations that may remain important after departure.
Do not treat Abmeldung as an automatic cancellation of every other obligation. Your tenancy, health insurance, energy and internet contracts, broadcasting contribution, insurance policies, vehicle arrangements, bank and tax matters need to be checked separately. Keep written confirmation, final statements and other evidence for important steps, and provide your new address and reliable contact details wherever a German procedure remains open.
If you have not yet made a final decision or set a realistic timeline, return to Planning your return. Once you have left Germany and moved to Croatia, continue with After returning for the next administrative and practical steps.
Continue below to browse guides that can help you complete your departure from Germany in an organised way and avoid leaving important obligations unresolved.