Germany has a number of strict residency requirements. For those visiting on tourist visas who are not citizens of the European Union, the maximum time in which one can stay is 90 days. Those planning to stay longer must secure a work or student visa, or another legal exemption.
Health insurance in Germany can be quite expensive for foreigners. If possible, purchase your health insurance in the United States or else see if you are eligible to receive it through your school or job.
If possible, secure living and working arrangements before coming to Germany. Do not simply plan on arriving and finding permanent residential accommodations and careers. Good jobs for foreigners are few and far between, with work visas especially difficult to attain.
Within a few days of securing permanent lodging in Germany, you must register at the local city hall. In German, this process is referred to as "anmeldung". You will be asked to provide your address, as well as proof that you are eligible to live in the country.
While in the larger cities, such as Berlin and Munich, most Germans can be counted on to know a good deal of English, this is not true of many of the smaller towns, particularly in Bavaria. Learn as much German as possible to facilitate socializing or at least carry a guidebook.
Germans have a reputation for being polite, but slightly aloof toward expatriates. This is true, but it doesn't mean that it's impossible to make friends with Germans. However, if you have German colleagues, do not expect to socialize with them outside of the office, as this is done far less frequently in German than in the U.S. and the U.K..
Germany operates on a different current of electricity that the U.S., meaning that all devices must be fitted with adapters. Factoring in the cost of shipping, it may simply end up being cheaper to buy new, German appliances. Also, be aware that most televisions purchased in the U.S. will not receive German channels.
According to Jayne Cravens, an American nonprofit professional who lived in Germany from 2001 to 2009, walking is a German custom. Cravens suggests that new arrivals walk every day as a way of getting to know their city and their neighbors--especially on Sunday, the most important walking day of the week.
