Before your arrival

  • Visa-Navigator

    The Visa Navigator of the Federal Foreign Office is a digital guidance tool that helps international skilled workers identify the appropriate visa for a stay in Germany. Based on a few questions about nationality, purpose of stay, and intended duration, users receive an initial assessment of the required visa category as well as further information on the application process. The tool is intended for preparation and orientation prior to submitting an application.

    Important: You can only apply for your visa at the German embassy responsible for you in your home country. The HR team will be happy to assist you with the application process.

    If you need information about bringing your family members to join you, you can find helpful guidance on the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees at the following link. Please clarify any relevant questions either before your arrival with the respective German embassy abroad in your home country, or after your move with the Berlin Immigration Office.

  • Recognition of Foreign Higher Education Degrees

    If you obtained your university degree abroad, you will generally need a proof of the evaluation or recognition of your qualification to support your application in Germany. This is particularly relevant for salary classification. You can get an initial orientation via the Anabin database: https://anabin.kmk.org/db/hochschulabschluesse

    In certain cases, an individual statement of comparability is also required. This is issued by the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB). The ZAB is Germany’s central authority for the evaluation of foreign higher education qualifications and, upon application, provides an individual statement of comparability.

    To submit the application: https://zab.kmk.org/en/statement-comparability/application

  • Vaccination Requirement

    In healthcare facilities, measles vaccination is mandatory for employees born after 1970. Before employment, the future employer Charité must be provided with proof of sufficient immunity (or a medical contraindication); otherwise, employment is not possible. You must submit documentation of two measles vaccinations, a positive antibody test, or a medical certificate confirming a contraindication to vaccination. If you choose to undergo a laboratory test, this must be carried out in Germany.

    If you have vaccination records from your home country, please bring all relevant documentation with you. The Occupational Health Centre at Charité will review the completeness of your records.

  • Living in Berlin

    Apartments in Berlin and the surrounding area are in high demand, so we recommend that you start your search for accommodation/apartment as soon as possible. We will be happy to support you in finding a suitable apartment. Please contact us early so that we can advise you in the best possible way with our contacts and recommendations. 

    To rent an apartment, you usually have to meet the following requirements: 

    - As a rule, a rental deposit (2-3 months' cold rent) is required by the landlord. 

    - Proof of income or guarantee BGB § 765 – 778 https://www.buergerliches-gesetzbuch.info/bgb/241.html

    A surety bond is a written agreement in which a person agrees to pay a tenant's tenants or obligations if that person is unable to do so. Often used when a tenant cannot present a Schufa certificate. 

    - Schufa certificate (proof of creditworthiness): You can obtain this certificate if you have been living in Germany for some time or have German citizenship. 

    If you have any questions about this, please feel free to contact us. 

    The Schufa certificate is Germany's most important information about the creditworthiness and financial reliability of a person. 

    Key Points: 

    1. Only the person himself can request the Schufa certificate.
    2. Landlords, banks and other institutions can only access it with the express consent of the person.
    3. This certificate is required for renting an apartment, but international newcomers often do not yet have a certificate. In such cases, alternative proof of financial reliability (employment contract, proof of income, savings or references) will be accepted.
    4. Confirmation of freedom from rent debt.  (A confirmation of freedom from rent debt is a voluntary certificate from the previous landlord that all rents have been paid properly and that there are no rent arrears) 

    Please note: Since apartments are currently in high demand, there are unfortunately also many dubious offers that want to enrich themselves from the ignorance of prospective tenants. Therefore, do not transfer money for a deposit or the like if you have not yet visited the apartment or have not yet signed a contract. If you are unsure, please feel free to ask us, we will support you.