UK help and services in Germany

Services if you're visiting, studying, working or living in Germany. Includes information about trading with and doing business in the UK and Germany, and your rights after the UK’s exit from the EU.

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Emergency help for British nationals

Get help if you're the victim of crime, you've been arrested, or are affected by a crisis abroad.

1. British Consulate General Dusseldorf

   The British Consulate-General in Düsseldorf represents the UK government in North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Hessen and Saarland.

2. British Consulate General Munich

   The British Consulate-General in Munich represents the UK government in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.

3. British Embassy Berlin

   The British Embassy Berlin maintains and develops relations between the UK and Germany.

4. Compensation for victims of terrorist attacks abroad

   Compensation for terrorist attacks abroad - eligibility, acts of terrorism covered, application form, helpline

5. Compensation if you're a victim of crime abroad

   If you're a UK resident and have been injured because of a violent crime abroad, you can usually apply for compensation

6. Germany: in prison abroad

   Information on the German legal and prison systems for British prisoners, their family and friends.

7. Get help if you're a victim of crime abroad

   Contact the nearest British embassy, high commission, consulate or the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London to get help if you're the victim of crime abroad

8. Help if you're arrested abroad

   Find out what the Foreign and Commonwealth Office can do to help if you or someone you know is arrested abroad.

9. Information for victims of rape and sexual assault in Germany

   Information for British nationals who are victims of rape and sexual assault in Germany.

10. Rape and sexual assault abroad: returning to the UK

    Information for British nationals affected by rape or sexual assault abroad, including how to access medical treatment and legal advice in the UK.

11. What to do if you’re affected by a crisis overseas

    Advice for British nationals affected by crises abroad, including terrorist attacks, natural disasters and major political unrest, and information on what help the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) can provide.

Transition period

Latest information and guidance on the UK exiting the EU.

1. Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (settled and pre-settled status)

   The EU Settlement Scheme for EU citizens and their families to remain in the UK after it leaves the EU ('Brexit'): who's eligible, how to apply, how much it costs.

2. Buying things from Europe from 1 January 2021

   Changes to how your consumer rights work when you buy from EU countries after 1 January 2021.

3. Healthcare for UK nationals visiting the EU

   How to get state healthcare when you’re on holiday or travelling to a country in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.

4. Living in Europe

   Information for UK nationals living in the EU, EEA EFTA, Switzerland and Ireland, including guidance on residency, healthcare and the Withdrawal Agreement.

5. Passport rules for travel to Europe from 1 January 2021

   Advice for British passport holders from January 2021.

6. Pet travel to Europe from 1 January 2021

   How to prepare for travel with your pet to any EU country from 1 January 2021.

7. Visit Europe from 1 January 2021

   How to prepare for travel to Europe from 1 January 2021.

Passports and emergency travel documents

Includes how to cancel a lost passport, renew a passport and apply for an emergency travel document.

1. Apply for or renew a British passport if you're visiting the UK

   You can apply for or renew a British passport while you're visiting the UK - as long as you expect to be in the UK for long enough

2. Cancel a lost or stolen passport

   What you need to do if your passport has been lost or stolen and you need to travel urgently - emergency travel document and replacement passport.

3. Get an emergency travel document

   Apply for an emergency travel document if you're outside the UK and have not got a valid British passport - apply online, how to apply, fee, timings

4. Overseas British passport applications

   Renew, replace or apply for an adult or child British passport if you’re living abroad or working overseas - forms, prices, how long it takes

Travelling to Germany

Includes travel advice and how to get married abroad.

1. Apply for a European Health Insurance Card

   Apply for or renew your free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) online.

2. Germany travel advice

   Latest travel advice for Germany, including how to stay safe during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and information on returning to the UK.

3. Getting married abroad

   Requirements, paperwork and processes for weddings and civil partnerships overseas - registration, restrictions, fees

4. Healthcare for UK nationals visiting the EU

   How to get state healthcare when you’re on holiday or travelling to a country in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.

5. Reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad

   How to minimise your risk and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack.

Coming to the UK

Get a visa to study, work or visit the UK.

1. Check if you need a UK visa

   You may need a visa to come to the UK to visit, study or work.

2. Contact UK Visas and Immigration about your application

   How to contact UK visas and immigration (UKVI) from inside and outside the UK.

3. Germany: pet travel to the UK

   Information for German nationals travelling to the UK with pets.

4. Get your visa, immigration or citizenship documents back

   Get your documents returned if you've made a UK visa, immigration or citizenship application but need them back urgently

Living in Germany

Guidance on your rights after the UK’s exit from the EU, accessing healthcare, getting a document legalised, English-speaking lawyers, how to vote abroad.

1. Apply for a European Health Insurance Card

   Apply for or renew your free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) online.

2. Germany travel advice

   Latest travel advice for Germany, including how to stay safe during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and information on returning to the UK.

3. Germany: doctors

   List of English-speaking medical facilities and practitioners for British nationals in Germany.

4. Germany: lawyers

   List of English-speaking lawyers and notaries for British nationals in Germany.

5. Germany: residency

   Information for UK nationals on applying for residency status in Germany.

6. Germany: translators and interpreters

   List of translators and interpreters for British nationals in Germany.

7. Germany: useful information / Häufige Fragen

   Guidance on common enquiries in English and German

8. Get your document legalised

   Use the online service to get a UK document legalised

9. Healthcare for UK nationals living in Germany

   How to get state healthcare if you live, work or study in Germany.

10. Living in Europe

    Information for UK nationals living in the EU, EEA EFTA, Switzerland and Ireland, including guidance on residency, healthcare and the Withdrawal Agreement.

11. Living in Germany

    Official information for UK nationals moving to and living in Germany, including guidance on residency, healthcare, driving and the Withdrawal Agreement.

12. Support for British nationals abroad: A guide

    This guide highlights some of the main ways you can help yourself stay safe abroad and what help the FCO can provide.

13. UK benefits if you're going or living abroad

    Find out what benefits you might be able to receive while you're abroad and how to export them from the UK or claim them while abroad

14. Voting if you move or live abroad

    How to vote if you move or live abroad, including eligibility and registration

Tax, benefits, pensions and working abroad

Includes how to pay tax, claim State Pension and get tax credits abroad.

1. Claiming benefits if you live, move or travel abroad

   Benefits you can claim if you go abroad and countries with social security arrangements with the UK

2. Moving or retiring abroad

   What you need to know if you move or retire abroad - tax, pensions, voting and contacting your local council

3. National Insurance if you go abroad

   Contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to find out if you need to pay National Insurance when you work abroad

4. State Pension if you retire abroad

   How to claim State Pension if you're overseas - payment, tax, change of circumstances - contact the International Pension Centre

5. Tax credits if you leave or move to the UK

   Tax credits if you live abroad, go travelling, are a cross-border worker or subject to immigration control

6. Tax on foreign income

   Find out whether you need to pay UK tax on foreign income - residence and ‘non-dom’ status, tax returns, claiming relief if you’re taxed twice (including certificates of residence)

7. Tax on your UK income if you live abroad

   Find out whether you need to pay tax on your UK income while you're living abroad - non-resident landlord scheme, tax returns, claiming relief if you’re taxed twice, personal allowance of tax-free income, form R43

8. Work in an EU country

   UK citizens can work in any European Economic Area country and Switzerland without a work permit - where you can work, your rights, protection for posted workers and National Insurance payments.

Birth, death and marriage abroad

Includes how to get married, list of funeral directors and how to register a birth abroad.

1. Family tracing, public records and finding people in the UK

   How to trace family and people in the UK and how to access public records.

2. Germany bereavement: death abroad

   Information to help the family and friends of British nationals who have died in Germany.

3. Germany: funeral directors

   List of English-speaking funeral directors for British nationals in Germany.

4. Getting married abroad

   Requirements, paperwork and processes for weddings and civil partnerships overseas - registration, restrictions, fees

5. Register a birth abroad

   Parents must register the birth in the country where the child was born - find out if you can also register the birth in the UK

6. Surrogacy overseas

   Information for British nationals who are considering entering into surrogacy arrangements in foreign countries.

7. What to do after someone dies

   The steps you must take when someone dies - register a death, report a death with Tell Us Once, coroners, funerals and death abroad

8. What to do when someone dies: step by step

   Check what to do after a death - how to register the death, notify government departments and manage financial issues.

News and events

Find out about the UK government's diplomatic, security and development work in Germany.

1. Germany and the UK

   Updates, news and events from the UK government in Germany

Trade and invest

Includes investing and setting up a business in the UK and doing business in Germany.

1. Department for International Trade Germany

   DIT provides trade and investment services and practical support. We help UK companies succeed in Germany, and German companies set up and invest in the UK.

2. Overseas Business Risk - Germany

   See below for information on key security and political risks which UK businesses may face when operating in Germany.

3. Set up a business

   What you need to do to start a business: choose a legal structure, see if you need licences and insurance, learn about reliefs and benefits

4. UK Science & Innovation Network in Germany

   Science and innovation underpin the economies of both Germany and the UK. Encouraging work between the two countries therefore produces benefits for both.

5. UK Science and Innovation Network Country Snapshot – Germany

   An introductory brief from the UK Science and Innovation Network which covers the local Science and Innovation landscape, UK priorities and successes in Germany.

British embassy or high commission

Includes contact details, opening hours and consular fees and local services.

1. British Consulate General Dusseldorf

   The British Consulate-General in Düsseldorf represents the UK government in North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Hessen and Saarland.

2. British Consulate General Munich

   The British Consulate-General in Munich represents the UK government in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.

3. British Embassy Berlin

   The British Embassy Berlin maintains and develops relations between the UK and Germany.

4. Germany: consular fees

   List of fees for consular services in Germany.

5. Germany: notarial and documentary services guide

   How someone in Germany can get documents legalised, witnessed or certified, take an oath of British citizenship and obtain informative notes.