About this guide
What you can expect from Germany Decoded.
Germany Decoded is a practical reference for people living in Germany or preparing to arrive. We publish guides in English and Arabic, and only link to a guide when it is available in both languages.
Each guide explains a national rule and links to the official text. Fees, waiting times and procedures can depend on the city or Bundesland (federal state); where they do, we say so rather than invent a number. When we name a city, it is an example.
The site cannot replace your registration office (Meldebehörde), immigration office (Ausländerbehörde), tax office (Finanzamt), health insurer or another responsible authority. It is not a law firm, tax adviser or doctor. See the disclaimer on each guide for the limits of this information.
There is no account, and your progress is not saved. The language switch opens the same page in the other language. The site does not save a language preference, and the main homepage opens in English.