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What’s the best way for expecting families to relocate to Germany?
- Feb 11
- 12 min read
Blog Summary: |
Expecting a baby and relocating to Germany can feel overwhelming, especially when visas, insurance and family benefits all overlap. This guide walks expecting families and expat parents through each step: clarifying your visa route and timeline, choosing the right health insurance (GKV vs PKV), setting up income protection, life cover and liability insurance, and securing key benefits such as Kindergeld, Elterngeld and Kita support. |
You will also find practical guidance on family reunification, daycare and school enrolment, plus how to build a long‑term financial plan in Germany that integrates savings, protection and cross‑border considerations. LeX‑Wealth focuses on essential insurances and holistic wealth planning for international families, while The Eltern Hub supports you on bureaucracy, benefits, childcare and everyday life, so your move is both administratively sound and emotionally manageable. |
Disclaimer: This content is for informational and educational purposes only. Please consult a qualified financial adviser or book a free consultation call with LeX-Wealth for personalized advice tailored to your situation.
Relocating to Germany can feel intimidating, especially when children are involved. When you do not yet know the path, the paperwork and decisions can seem overwhelming, but understanding the key steps gives you clarity and a plan you can follow with intention. Each stage you complete on visas, insurance and family benefits helps you move, settle and start laying the foundations for long‑term financial security in Germany.
This guide is just as relevant if you are already living in Germany as an expat couple and planning to have children here, because the same decisions on health insurance, protection and benefits will shape your options later. LeX‑Wealth provides expert, independent financial guidance so you can choose essential insurances with confidence and build a long‑term wealth plan that fits your family’s life in Germany. The Eltern Hub supports your journey with practical, family‑focused guidance on navigating German bureaucracy, accessing benefits and finding daycare or school options for your children.
Table of Contents
Step 1 – Clarify Your Family’s Status and Timeline
Before looking at forms and policies, clarify three basics: your current country of residence, visa route, and expected arrival or due date. Different combinations – for example, one partner moving first and the other joining later, or a baby due shortly after arrival – change how you approach registration, insurance and benefits.
Key questions to answer early:
Are you moving under an employment visa, EU Blue Card, student visa, or family reunification?
Will you arrive pregnant, with a newborn, or with older children already in school?
Is one partner self‑employed, freelancing, or not yet working in Germany?
Having these answers allows both The Eltern Hub and LeX‑Wealth to tailor their advice, from which offices you need to visit first, to how you structure health insurance and income protection. It also clarifies which financial services and support are most relevant to your situation, particularly around healthcare, income protection and junior savings.
Step 2 – Secure Health Insurance for Every Family Member
Health Insurance for Expat Families in Germany (GKV vs PKV)
Germany has a great healthcare system, and health insurance is mandatory for every resident, so it is required for your visa to be approved. For expat families, navigating the dual public (GKV) and private (PKV) system can be challenging, and your personal circumstances - income, family size, health needs - determine the best fit for optimal coverage at the most cost-effective price.
Public Health Insurance (GKV):
Contributions based on income level (mandatory for salaried employees earning under ~€77,400/year)
Covers most medical needs: GP visits, hospital stays, basic dental
Dependents (spouse, children) included at no extra cost
Private Health Insurance (PKV):
Premiums based on age, health status, and chosen coverage
Faster access to specialists and private clinics
Often more cost-effective for high earners, freelancers, and health-conscious families seeking boosted coverage
Some families assume private is always more expensive, but it can often save money for certain income levels, professions, and family setups. The right option depends on your specific circumstances, which is why personal guidance is so important - without it, you may overpay, end up in an inflexible contract, or struggle with visa approval and coverage for pre‑existing conditions. LeX-Wealth works independently across top healthcare insurance providers to recommend what’s genuinely best for your family’s circumstances and financial goals.
For expecting families, this ties directly to birth options, paediatric care, and cost predictability. Professional advice ensures your policy supports residency, family needs, and long-term plans without strain.
Pregnancy, Birth and Early Care
Germany’s system offers strong support for pregnancy and early childhood, but access depends on insurance status and navigation skills. Expecting parents must consider maternity care, hospital/birth centre choices, midwife (Hebamme) availability, and child health checks (U-Untersuchungen) in the first years.
For expats, challenges lie in coordination: booking amid language barriers, confirming coverage, and insuring newborns from day one. The Eltern Hub’s practical guidance on hospitals, birth registration, and early appointments is invaluable here.
Step 3 – Build Your Family’s Protection Layer (Income, Life, Liability)
Income Protection – Safeguarding Cash Flow if You Cannot Work
Income protection insurance in Germany (Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung) is rarely the first policy expats hear about, but for working parents it is often the most critical. If illness, injury or burnout stops you from working, state support can be limited – typically a small disability pension after at least five years of contributions to the German system, often covering only a fraction of your previous income.
For families relying on a main earner, this gap can quickly affect rent, childcare, and everyday costs. Tailored income protection creates a stable, predictable stream if you cannot work, acting as a life raft in rough seas. Key benefits include coverage for physical and mental health issues and payments in euros to your German or international account. LeX‑Wealth’s income protection service is designed specifically for expat professionals and parents, ensuring policy terms, benefit levels and disability definitions match your profession and family life.
Term Life Insurance – Protecting Those Who Depend on You
Good financial planning means preparing for all eventualities, ensuring your family and children are always protected no matter what lies ahead. Term life insurance answers a straightforward question: if something happens to you, can your partner and children maintain their home and standard of living? In Germany, many households have mortgages or long-term commitments that become impossible to maintain without steady income.
If you work with a qualified advisor, they can help structure your policy so that any payout is efficient and tax‑optimised. LeX‑Wealth helps families determine the right level and duration of cover, then compares insurers through its term life insurance service, aligning protection with your actual obligations rather than rule-of-thumb multiples.
Personal Liability – The Quiet Essential for Families
In Germany, personal liability insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung) is not strictly mandatory, but it is culturally standard and strongly recommended for parents. Everyday accidents - children scratching a neighbour’s car, a spill on a friend’s furniture, or a mishap in a rented apartment - can lead to surprisingly high claims.
Policies are inexpensive compared to potential losses (typically €4-7 per month with up to €50 million coverage) and signal reliability to landlords, especially for furnished rentals. While not a standalone LeX‑Wealth product, it fits naturally into a broader protection review alongside health, income and life cover. LeX‑Wealth partners with trusted providers to ensure clients get reliable, English-friendly policies as part of a smooth relocation process.
Step 4 – Accessing Key Family Benefits (Kindergeld, Elterngeld, Kita Support)
How to Get Kindergeld as an Expat Family
Kindergeld is the German child benefit – a monthly payment of €259 per child to ease family costs of raising a family. Eligibility typically depends on residence, registration and your child’s status, not citizenship.
For expats, timing and paperwork are the main hurdles. You typically need:
Proof of registration (Anmeldung) for the family
Child’s birth certificate (with apostille/translation if abroad)
Residence permits, tax IDs and German bank account
Familienkasse application forms
The Eltern Hub provides parent-friendly checklists and supports completing all necessary documentation. Reach out to The Eltern Hub team to get started today.
Once approved, LeX-Wealth can help channel Kindergeld into junior saving plans or tax-efficient savings for education costs.
Elterngeld and Parental Leave
Elterngeld (parental allowance) supports parents taking time off post-birth, calculated as a percentage of prior German income (with a minimum of 300 euros for Basiselterngeld and 150 euros for Elterngeld Plus for unemployed or new German residents). Major city applications take 8-12 weeks to process, so apply early.
Avoid common mistakes
Many expat couples miss optimal use due to eligibility confusion, parent splitting, or part-time work rules. The Eltern Hub helps structure applications, while LeX-Wealth integrates reduced income, benefits and childcare into broader financial planning and savings strategies.
Kita and Daycare Subsidies
All families qualify for subsidized childcare, but access varies by state/city. Some require a Kita-Gutschein upfront; popular areas need 9-12 month applications.
Non-international Kitas often expect German communication from parents. The Eltern Hub explains local rules and deadlines. Financially, knowing costs/subsidies helps forecast budgets and room for tax-efficient savings or junior investments.
Step 5 – Family Reunification and School/Daycare Enrolment
Applying for Family Reunification
If one parent moves to Germany ahead of the family, or if a partner and children join later, family reunification rules apply. These typically require demonstrating sufficient income, suitable housing, and valid health insurance for all family members, alongside marriage or birth certificates and proof of legal residence.
Processing times vary by consulate and city, and missing documents or inconsistent insurance can delay visas. This is an area where The Eltern Hub’s familiarity with consular expectations and city offices is particularly valuable, while LeX‑Wealth ensures that the financial aspects, such as income proof, insurance documentation, and long‑term affordability, are robust and well‑presented.
Enrolling Children in School or Kita
For younger children, the main focus is daycare (Kita) and then transition to kindergarten; for older children, it is understanding Germany’s school types and local catchment rules. Requirements often include registration certificates, immunisation records and sometimes proof of language support arrangements.
Because education paths can influence where you choose to live, this decision ties back into your broader cost‑of‑living and saving plan. LeX‑Wealth can factor likely education‑related expenses into long‑term junior saving plans and investment strategies, helping you stay ahead of future costs instead of reacting to them. The Eltern Hub can help you understand local school structures and expectations while navigating the German system.
Building Long‑Term Financial Freedom in Germany
Relocation decisions often feel urgent, but their impact is long‑lasting. Once basic protections and benefits are in place, parents can turn towards building financial freedom: clearing high‑interest debt, establishing emergency reserves, and investing for education and retirement in a German and cross‑border context.
The goal is to create a strong financial foundation right where you are: one that supports your family’s goals today and adapts seamlessly to the future.
LeX‑Wealth supports expats with holistic long‑term wealth planning. Through tailored healthcare insurance, tax‑efficient savings and other financial solutions, we help integrate every part of your financial life - income, savings, protection and investments - into a stable, adaptable plan that keeps your future secure, wherever life takes you.
How LeX‑Wealth and The Eltern Hub Support Your Move
Relocating to Germany as an expecting family is not just an administrative project; it is a life transition that blends culture, emotion and long‑term planning.
LeX‑Wealth provides essential insurances and longer-term support, focusing on your family’s financial architecture: from insurances and benefits to savings, investments and retirement, always with an emphasis on protecting, preserving and growing your wealth in a way that suits an international life. Explore more about our expat tailored approach, learn about the team and philosophy, and learn more from similar guides on the blog.
The Eltern Hub works alongside this, providing community, practical guidance and hands‑on support to help international parents understand local norms, benefits and childcare systems, making Germany feel more like home.
Book a free consultation with LeX‑Wealth to start building your family’s protection and wealth plan in Germany today.
Connect with The Eltern Hub for personalised support with relocation, benefits, daycare, and school options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the first steps for expecting expat parents planning a move to Germany?
The first steps are to clarify your visa route, who will move when, and whether you are arriving pregnant, with children, or planning to start a family later. This determines how you approach health insurance, benefits applications and family reunification.
From there, you can begin securing compliant health insurance for every family member, planning your registration (Anmeldung), and mapping key deadlines for Kindergeld, Elterngeld and daycare applications, ideally with support from The Eltern Hub and LeX‑Wealth.
Is public or private health insurance better for expat families in Germany?
Neither system is “better” in all cases; public (GKV) can be more straightforward and family‑friendly for many salaried employees, while private (PKV) can be attractive for higher earners, freelancers or those wanting more flexible coverage. Contributions in GKV are income‑based and often include non‑earning dependants, whereas PKV premiums depend on age, health and chosen benefits.
Because switching from private back to public is very difficult, expat parents are usually better off comparing both systems with an independent advisor like LeX‑Wealth, who understands visa requirements, family needs and long‑term cost implications.
When should expecting parents start planning their finances for a move to Germany?
Ideally, expecting parents should start financial planning 6-12 months before the move, or as soon as a relocation becomes likely. That gives enough time to sort out health insurance for the visa, review existing life and income protection cover, and plan for a period of reduced income around birth and parental leave.
Early planning also allows you to set up emergency savings, understand likely childcare costs, and begin using tax‑efficient savings or junior plans once you are settled in Germany, rather than reacting later under time pressure.
Can I get Kindergeld if I just moved to Germany?
In many cases, yes—once you and your child are officially registered (Anmeldung), you hold a valid residence permit, and you have a German bank account and tax ID, you can apply for Kindergeld. Non‑EU nationals may require additional approval, and processing times can vary.
Once benefits start, you can explore with LeX‑Wealth whether allocating a portion of Kindergeld to a junior saving plan makes sense for your family. The Eltern Hub provides detailed guidance and can flag common stumbling blocks, like missing apostilles or translations.
Do my children need health insurance immediately?
Yes. Your visa and residence permit will generally not be approved without proof of adequate health insurance for every family member, including newborns and children joining later. This is why health coverage is one of the first topics you should address, ideally before you arrive.
LeX‑Wealth’s healthcare insurance guidance helps you avoid policies that satisfy short‑term visa needs but create long‑term cost or coverage problems, particularly when switching between temporary and long‑term plans.
How early should I look for daycare in Germany?
In many German cities, especially Berlin, Hamburg or Munich, it is wise to start application processes 9–12 months before you actually need a Kita place. Some municipalities require you to secure a Kita voucher in advance, and waiting lists in popular areas can be long.
Treating childcare access as a core part of your relocation plan allows LeX‑Wealth to build more accurate income and savings projections around your expected return to work. The Eltern Hub frequently sees families underestimate this timeline, leading to stress and unplanned career breaks.
Can my partner join me later and still receive family benefits?
Often yes, provided they obtain a residence permit, register their address, and the family meets basic eligibility criteria for benefits such as Kindergeld or Elterngeld. The precise rules depend on your residence status, income, and where you are registered.
Coordinating move dates, benefit applications and insurance start dates can reduce gaps in coverage or income. This coordination is where the combination of LeX‑Wealth’s financial planning and The Eltern Hub’s relocation support creates a more stable journey.
How can I combine German family benefits with long‑term savings for my children?
Benefits such as Kindergeld and, for some families, Elterngeld can help cover everyday costs, but a portion can also be directed into long‑term savings for education and future milestones. Many expat parents choose to use regular savings plans or investment‑based junior accounts to grow these funds over time.
LeX‑Wealth can help you design a structure where part of your monthly cash flow, including benefits, goes into tax‑efficient savings or junior plans, while The Eltern Hub ensures your benefit applications and documentation are complete and on time.
Do I need to speak German to navigate the system?
Not necessarily, but many government offices, schools and Kitas communicate primarily in German, which can slow down or complicate applications if you are unprepared.
Families often benefit from translation support, bilingual contacts, and simplified explanations of key documents. LeX‑Wealth provides English‑language advice and documentation across its services, removing language as a barrier to sound financial decisions.
What if my child was born outside Germany?
You will generally need official birth certificates with apostilles and certified German translations to access benefits, enrol in daycare or school, and complete certain registrations. Missing or incomplete documents are one of the most common sources of delay for international families.
Collecting and legalising these documents before the move, where possible, is a simple but powerful way to keep your relocation on smooth waters. LeX‑Wealth uses your family profile to anticipate financial needs that may arise from any delays, while The Eltern Hub can advise on which papers are critical.
What support is available if I feel overwhelmed by German bureaucracy as a parent?
If you feel overwhelmed by forms, deadlines and German‑only communication, you are not alone - many international families report the same. The Eltern Hub offers community, translations and step‑by‑step support for navigating offices, benefits and childcare systems.
On the financial side, LeX‑Wealth provides English‑language advice on health insurance, income protection, life cover and long‑term savings, helping you make confident decisions without needing to decode every policy alone.
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