This section will describe the legalities of a private person in Germany – on a general basis.

Applying for German Citizenship (Naturalization in Germany)
Diplomatic Protection
German Prosecution and Extradition
Military Service for Dual Citizen
Special Considerations for Dual or Multiple Citizenship
Child Sick Pay
Health Insurance
Insurances in Germany: Mandatory and Voluntary
Private Liability Insurance
Retirement Pension
Types of Legal Insurances in Germany
Avoiding Double Taxation in Germany - Treaties and Agreements
Avoiding Tax Evasion
Child Benefits in Germany
Church Tax for citizen in Germany
Customs Exemption for Household Goods when Relocating to Germany
Estate Inheritance and Gift Taxes in Germany
Formalities in Taxation in Germany
Income Tax (private)
Numbers in Private Taxation Matters
Personal Deductions - Sonderausgaben
Registering for Taxation
Salary Calculator
Subject to Taxation
Tax Deduction Opportunities
Taxation of Private Persons
Taxes on Capital Interest of Companies under German Law - Legal Consultation
U.S. Expat Taxation in Germany
Uniform Tax Identification Number Being Introduced

Subcategories

  • Citizenship
  • Insurances

    Insurances in Germany

    This section will introduce you to the most important types of insurances for private needs: social security. While some insurances are mandatory (car = Kfz-Haftpflichtversicherung, health = Krankenversicherung, professional liability [for chambered professions, like lawyers / physicians] = Vermögenschadenhaftpflichtversicherung, etc.), most of them are voluntary.

    The wording "social security (= soziale Sicherheit)" is not common in Germany. Germans would more typically mention or speak of Sozialverischerung in day-to-day discussions. In other words, when referring to old-age pensions Germans speak of "Rentenversicherung" or relating to precaution for old-age pensions "Rentenvorsorge".

    People employed in Germany have to contribute to four principal social insurance schemes. The contribution is generally paid half by the employer and half by the employee. This also includes trainees and members of the armed forces and civil service. The exact contributions are:

    1. Rentenversicherung (old-age pension insurance): 18.7%
    2. Arbeitslosenversicherung (unemployment insurance: 3.0%
    3.1. Pflegeversicherung (nursing care insurance:
    true for persons under 23 or if older with kids on the tax card
    2.35%
    3.2. Pflegeversicherung (nursing care insurance:
    for everybody else
    2.6%
    4. Krankenversicherung (health insurance): 14.9%
     
    Fine, with all that. But disregarding the mandatory insurance is there not something that you can recommend that is seriously needed?

    A "must have" is private liability insurance to cover the risk of slipping on a banana peel. It costs a penny's worth and covers millions.
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    Anything else? What about an insurance for legal costs?

    Otherwise, legal insurances are nice to have, if you are somewhat shaky with your nerves when a lawyer is needed or when a matter is to go to court. There all kinds of legal insurances on the market. Be sure that it covers "administrative law (Verwaltungsrechtschutz). Consider that from a legal understanding, immigration law is administrative law.
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  • Taxation

    This section is all about taxation of private persons. You will find here also some information on child and parental benefits. This might sound illogical for you. However, the German lawgiver decided to structure these benefits inside tax law.