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While I agree with you in general, you're just describing the hassle of moving, which has nothing to do with the EU. Requiring a work permit for EU citizens (l

While I agree with you in general, you're just describing the hassle of moving, which has nothing to do with the EU. Requiring a work permit for EU citizens (like the UK did) is a better example of a bureaucracy designed to limit immigration but that doesn't generally fly with the EU.

ben_w 9y ago
A fair criticism. May I add that while people can work in the UK while waiting for their NI number (effectively UK tax code), the German residence/ID system seems to be necessary for everything starting at language courses and going up? https://www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number https://www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number https://www.settle-in-berlin.com/anmeldung/ https://www.settle-in-berlin.com/anmeldung/
- nicbou 9y ago
  That's correct. You need the Meldebescheinigung (given during the Anmeldung) to open a bank account, and you need a bank account to find an apartment, and you need an apartment to do the Anmeldung (it requires a fixed address). It's pure madness. I actually run a blog documenting the (sometimes insane) German bureaucracy. It's not nearly as bad as people think, but things like getting an Ausländerbehörde (immigration office) appointment can be a real pain. Fortunately, it has improved a lot in the last 3 years. The Settle in Berlin article is completely outdated. http://allaboutberlin.com/guides/berlin-auslanderbehorde-same-day-appointment http://allaboutberlin.com/guides/berlin-auslanderbehorde-sam...