Germany

From Trans World Express

Germany is one of the more LGBTQ+ friendly countries in the world (see LGBT Equality Index), offering a high standard of living, robust legal protections, and comprehensive healthcare for transgender individuals. Overall, Germany provides a relatively safe and inclusive environment for trans people. This might be under threat by the rise of fascism though.

Why Germany?

Even though the German economy has stopped growing for a while now, it is still one of the strongest in the world. Public services are good, especially public transportation (it used to be better, but compared to many other countries, it's still good). In recent years, the country has made significant progress in LGBTQ+ rights, including:

  • Legal gender recognition: Germany recently passed the Self-Determination Act, making it easier for trans and non-binary people to change their legal name and gender marker by a simple act of declaration.
  • Anti-discrimination laws: The General Equal Treatment Act protects individuals from discrimination based on gender identity in employment, housing, and public services.
  • Public healthcare coverage: Gender-affirming healthcare, including hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and some surgeries, is covered by Germany’s statutory health insurance.
  • LGBTQ+ rights and community: Many major German cities have vibrant LGBTQ+ scenes, including Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg, and Munich, with Pride events and dedicated queer spaces.

Why not Germany?

Recent political developments have seen a rise of the far right. BIPoC people will encounter racism, especially in but not limited to areas outside the big cities. Germany is noticeably less multi-cultural than the USA. The AfD, essentially the new Nazi party, has become the second strongest party in the country. The CDU, the traditional German conservative party, has picked up on the far right talking points, and is currently leading the polls. Elections are upcoming on February 23rd 2025, and depending on the outcome, we might see a deterioration of rights, including:

  • Rollback of the Self-Determination Act: Trans rights have become a talking point in the election, and both AfD and CDU have attacked the Self-Determination Act with the usual TERF rhethoric. Depending on how the government coalition will form, they might introduce gatekeeping like mandatory therapy, lengthy and expensive medical reports again.
  • Loss of coverage for surgeries: A recent court case declared gender-affirming surgeries to be a "new form of treatment", for which explicit legal grounds need to be established in order for health insurance to cover it. Trans people already in the process are grandfathered in, but new patients are already reporting getting their applications for surgery denied. The government would need to step in and add a clause to the law, but of course a right-wing government would just stall that.
  • Risk to public safety for trans and BIPoC people: Already, there are some areas in which people are attacked in public spaces for looking queer or non-white. This might become worse if the right win the election.

Access to trans health care

In Germany, it is compulsory to take out health insurance. A distinction is made between statutory (public) and private health insurance. These are two different systems and you cannot switch between them freely. Both pay for Hormone replacement therapy (HRT). You can get HRT from either endocrinologists or ob/gyns, the latter often being easier to work with. You do need an official diagnosis in most cases (a liability thing), so if you have paperwork with an ICD-10 diagnosis of F64.0, bring that with you, it will make your life easier. If you don't, the usual way to get one is through sessions with a specialized therapists. There are some who will help you out after a single online session, names are available from your local trans peers.

Getting access to surgery has been difficult, but has become especially difficult after a recent court case. Details are out there, for now, don't count on getting any.

DIY hormone therapy is accessible, sellers exist that ship from within the EU (and thus without any customs interfering).

Immigration policy

U.S. citizens can enter Germany visa-free for 90 days, but need a visa or residence permit for longer stays. The routes are:

Permanent residency is possible after 4 years, and naturalization (citizenship) after 3-5 years, depending on integration level.

Permanent Residence Permit

You will be eligible for a German permanent residence permit if you are:

  • A resident for at least three years.
  • Capable of covering your living expenses without public assistance.
  • A contributor to the statutory pension insurance fund for at least 48 months (mandatory or voluntary).
  • Employed in a job that is related to your academic degree or vocational training.
  • Working at least 20 hours per week.
  • Fluent in German with at least B1 level.
  • Able to accommodate yourself and your family members adequately.

Documents Required to Apply for a Settlement Permit in Germany

The documents you have to submit at the Landesamt für Einwanderung (formerly called "Ausländerbehörde") for your German permanent residency application are:

  • Passport.
  • Settlement Permit Application Form (Antrag auf Erteilung der Niederlassungserlaubnis).
  • A recent biometric picture. Make sure it follows the German visa picture guidelines.
  • Health insurance certificate. If you are enrolled with statutory insurance, submit a confirmation from your provider. If you are enrolled with private health insurance, submit the insurance policy and proof of paid contributions.
  • German language proficiency certificate.
  • For employed individuals:
    • Employment contract.
    • The current certificate issued by the employer within the previous 14 days.
    • Your salary statements from the previous six months.
    • The pension insurance institution certificate.
  • For self-employed and freelancers:
    • A completed audit report, completed by a tax consultant, auditor or tax agent.
    • Your last tax assessment notice.
    • Any additional documentation requested.
  • For pensioners: Notice of pension entitlement
  • Document of home ownership or a lease agreement. This is to prove you can adequately accommodate yourself and any family members.
  • Proof of address registration. You need a Certificate of Registration proving Germany is your main place of residence.
  • Notice of pension information, issued by the German Pension Fund.
  • Proof you have paid your social security contributions.
  • German university degree or vocational certificate. If you attended university/training in Germany.
  • Marriage Certificate. If you are married to a German national.
  • Your professional license. If you are a highly qualified professional.

The Landesamt für Einwanderung (Ausländerbehörde) could request any additional documents.

Fast-Track Germany Permanent Residence Permit

If you are in one of the following categories, then you become eligible for permanent residency in Germany quicker than in four years’ time:

  • A graduate from a German university or vocational school.
  • A highly qualified professional.
  • EU Blue-Card holder.
  • A self-employed person.
  • A family member of a German citizen.

Residence Permit via German Language Course

If you have about €10,000, it is easy to get a 1-year, non-renewable residency by applying for a Deutschsprachkurs visa. This requires you to enroll for an Intensive German Language Course, with a requirement of completing 18 hours of course time per week.

You must have health insurance throughout your 1 year of residency. German language schools, such as at the Goethe Institute in most cities, offer very reasonably priced health insurance to fulfill the health insurance requirement.

Many German language schools also offer somewhat reasonably-priced housing.

The (approximately) €10,000 needs to be placed into a special "blocked" bank account in a German bank, which allows you to withdraw about €1,000 per month to live off of during your 1-year residency.

An advantage of starting off with this visa is that you can apply for another, longer-term, visa during the year you are learning German.

Citizenship Pathway

There are two main pathways to obtaining German citizenship as an immigrant, each with specific requirements:

Naturalization

  • Standard Residency Requirement: As of June 27, 2024, the required period of legal residency in Germany has been reduced from eight to five years. Applicants must demonstrate B1 proficiency in the German language, pass a citizenship test, declare allegiance to the German Constitution, prove financial self-sufficiency without state assistance, and have no serious criminal convictions. (Note: the new rules in Germany allow for multiple citizenship.)
  • Accelerated Naturalization: The residency requirement can be further reduced to three years for individuals who have shown exceptional integration efforts, such as demonstrating excellent German language skills or engaging in voluntary work with non-profit organizations.

Citizenship by Marriage

Spouses of German Citizens: Spouses and registered same-sex partners of German citizens can apply for naturalization after three years of residence in Germany, provided they have been married or in the registered partnership for at least two years at the time of application.

Languages Spoken

  • German is the official language.
  • English is widely spoken in big cities, universities, and the tech sector.
  • Learning German is beneficial for daily life. Without a certain degree of fluency in German, bureaucracy is often very hard or even impossible to navigate. You may have to ask German speakers you trust for help.
  • In big cities, such as Berlin, it can be reasonably easy to get by with only speaking English. However, you will need frequent help translating with the bureaucratic system, as well as coverage and trans medicine with your health insurance. People's experiences with the immigration office (Landesamt für Einwanderung / Ausländerbehörde) range from mediocre to horrible. Bring someone to translate and get advice from lawyers, especially if you are not white or whitepassing.

Community & Social Support

LGBTQ+ Friendly Cities

Germany is one of the ten most LGBTQ+ friendly countries in Europe, and the situation has even improved in recent years. This is documented by the “Rainbow Map” published annually by the organisation Ilga-Europe.

Trans-Friendly Cities (descending in popularity)

  • Berlin: In most travel guides and online forums, the German capital is considered one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly cities in Europe. Not without reason: the queer identity of the metropolis dates back to the Weimar Republic and is still openly practiced today. In addition to the CSD (Christopher Street Day -- the annual LGBTQ+ pride day), there are numerous other relevant city and park festivals, parades and demonstrations. The cinemas, bars and clubs, especially around Nollendorfplatz in Berlin's Schöneberg district, invite a wide audience to queer events. The so-called Tuntenhaus, an alternative housing project in Prenzlauer Berg, was saved from being sold to an investor thanks to the efforts of the residents and the borough. Queerness can also be found in local public transport: since the end of 2020, trans voice actress Philippa Jarke has been announcing the individual stops.
  • Cologne (Köln): Cologne is the queer center of Germany. The best example: the annual Christopher Street Day (CSD) reliably attracts more than 950,000 people to the North Rhine-Westphalian cathedral city. According to a study commissioned by the city in 2019, 10.6 per cent of Cologne residents identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex, i.e. as part of the LGBTQ+ community. This figure is also significantly higher than the national average (6.9 per cent). Unlike other cities, Cologne does not have a large club culture. The LGBTQ+ community is older and more established here, and queerness has always existed in the city on the Rhine, which is particularly affecting for the many annual CSD visitors.
  • Hamburg: Hamburg also has a lively LGBTQ+ scene. The St. Georg district is known for its queer bars and clubs. The famous Reeperbahn nightlife area is home to the drag queen Olivia Jones, who is known throughout Germany. The FC. St. Pauli, with its stadium right on the Reeperbahn, has welcomed queer people to the club for years and is constantly fighting for more visibility for the LGBTQ+ community in sport. It's no wonder that many queer people feel at home in the northern German Hanseatic city and drop anchor here.
  • Munich: Around 40 years ago, Munich was a metropolis for the LGBTQ+ community. Even the star and singer of the group Queen Freddy Mercury lived in Munich for a few years and was a regular guest in the bars and discos in the then down-at-heel Glockenbach district. The memory of this time can still be felt in some corners of the city and there are still cultural spaces and offers. But Munich's queer-friendliness is coming under significant pressure from conservative forces in Bavaria. Drag shows are being attacked, gender-inclusive language is being banned and former trendy pubs are closing. However, none of this stops the queer community from organizing a CSD, which is always well attended. For the younger generation, however, Stuttgart in southern Germany has become the LGBTQ+ friendly center.
  • Frankfurt: As a major financial hub, Frankfurt is also known for its inclusive atmosphere, with a variety of LGBTQ+ bars, clubs, and events catering to the community.

Support Groups

Bundesverband Trans* e.V.

The Bundesverband Trans* (BVT*) sees itself as an association of individuals, groups, clubs, associations and initiatives at regional, state and national level. The common endeavor is the commitment to gender self-determination and diversity. BVT* is committed to human rights in the sense of respect, recognition, equality, social participation and health of trans* persons and persons not located in the binary gender system.

CSD Deutschland e.V.

CSD Deutschland e.V. sees itself as an umbrella organization of all German Christopher Street Day - organizing associations, initiatives and projects, whose members form a Germany-wide network in which anti-discrimination work for lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transsexuals, transgender, intersexuals and queer people (LSBTIQ*) is a top priority.

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Transidentität und Intersexualität e.V.

The dgti (German Association for Transidentity and Intersexuality) is an association representing transgender, intersex and non-binary people. It is well known for issuing an additional ID document for LGBTQ+ persons, the supplemental ID, which has the correct name, gender and pronouns on it. It has been confirmed by the German Federal Ministry of the Interior and is printed at the Federal Printing Agency of Germany. It is a document to prevent discrimination by authorities and can help to avoid uncertainty in security screening procedures with governmental bodies such as police, border patrol, and more.

Trans-Ident e.V.

Trans-Ident e.V. is a non-profit association that has set itself the goal of supporting and caring for transident people and their relatives as well as being the association of affiliated self-help groups. The association is closely associated to the German Association for Transidentity and Intersexuality (dgti).

Lesben- und Schwulenverband in Deutschland

Federation Queer Diversity in Germany (Lesben- und Schwulenverband in Deutschland) is the biggest LGBT-NGO in Germany.

Jugendnetzwerk Lambda

Jugendnetzwerk Lambda (Youth Network Lambda) is a nationwide youth association for lesbian, gay, bisexual, asexual, trans*, non-binary, inter* and queer youth in Germany. In addition to the generally known offers of youth associations such as national and international youth meetings, camps, youth groups, youth centers and youth education, the offers of the youth network Lambda include in counseling projects.

Trans-Kinder-Netz e.V.

The Trans-Kinder-Netz e.V. or TRAKINE e.V. (Trans Children’s Network) is a non-profit organization that provides support and resources for transgender children and their parents, young people, and their families. The organization aims to raise awareness of the needs and rights of transgender children and young people, and to provide them with a safe and supportive environment. They offer a variety of services, including counseling and legal support, as well as resources and information for parents and other caregivers.

TransMann e.V.

Transmann e.V. is a German non-profit organization that provides support and resources for transgender men. The organization aims to provide a safe and supportive environment for transgender men, and to raise awareness of the needs and rights of this community. They provide a range of services and resources, including counseling, legal support, and information on transitioning-related medical care. They also offer opportunities for socializing, networking, and self-empowerment.

Further resources

This is a list of resources and service providers in Germany: https://trans-resources.info/en/resources/europe/germany

Cost of Living

  • Cities like Berlin are more affordable than many U.S. metros, but housing costs are rising.
  • Groceries and public transportation are cheaper, but taxes and social contributions are higher (but you probably get more for your taxes than in the US).

Housing Access & Cost

  • Finding housing can be competitive, especially in major cities.
  • Renting is common, and many apartments are unfurnished.
  • Tenants have strong legal protections, and in cities there often is a tenant's union that can provide legal assistance for a monthly fee.
  • Many people find their first apartments by renting a room in a shared apartment (called a "WG" -- Wohngemeinschaft). Others get their first apartment with a sublet.
  • It is required to register your address (called Anmeldung) once you move into Germany. If you are unable to do so -- often in the case of illegal sublets or WGs -- you cannot get a visa.
  • If you have the money, housing for new immigrants is easier with furnished flats. However, these flats are overpriced and part of the driving force behind gentrification so it's best to find something else if you can.

Internet Access & Cost

  • Germany has good internet coverage but slower speeds in rural areas. In an international ranking of countries by Internet connection speed for data transfer rates, Germany is slightly below the international average (Wikipedia: List of countries by Internet connection speeds).
  • Home broadband costs ~€30–50/month.
  • Mobile plans are affordable, with prepaid and contract options as low as €6.

Law Enforcement ("How bad are the cops?")

  • Police brutality exists, but deadly violence is arguably less common than in the US. 22 people were killed with firearms by German police officers in 2024 (Statista).
  • Racial profiling exists as a problem. A 2017 report by the United Nations’ Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent called racial profiling by police officials "endemic": "Stop and search and controls by police are usually targeted at minority groups including people of African descent. Boys and young men experience day-to-day confrontation with law enforcement with high risk of imprisonment. The repeated denial that racial profiling does not exist in Germany by police authorities and the lack of an independent complaint mechanism at federal and state level fosters impunity." (Statement to the media by the United Nations’ Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent, on the conclusion of its official visit to Germany, 20-27 February 2017)
  • Protests are often safe, but police brutality against protestors and arrests at demonstrations are definitely not unheard of.

Censorship Concerns

  • Free speech is protected by the constitution; Nazi symbols, Holocaust denial, and hate speech are illegal – this is not always enforced.
  • Strong digital privacy laws and platform regulations exist through EU and national law.
  • Official German politics have declared the protection of Jewish life and strong support for Israel a part of the national identity ("Staatsräson") – at least on paper; antisemitism does still exist. During the recent war in Gaza pro-Palestinian activities have faced restrictions that are unacceptable to many US progressives and have been criticized internationally. At the same time, antisemitic hate crimes have also risen in numbers.

Ease of Travel to Other Countries

  • Germany is part of the Schengen Area, allowing visa-free travel to 26 European countries.
  • Trains, budget airlines, and buses make travel cheap and easy.
  • EU residency may allow work rights in other European countries.

Animal Policies

  • Germany is pet-friendly, with strong animal welfare laws.
  • Pets brought into the country must be vaccinated against rabies and chipped. Pet owners must provide a veterinary certificate upon entering the country linking chip identifier and confirmation of vaccination. For more information on how to import your pet to Germany, see Traveling with pets or the German Customs' website
  • Renting with pets can be tricky but not impossible.
  • Pet passports allow easy travel within the EU.
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