Brits in Berlin

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The inner move

A move abroad changes more than your postcode. Katharina Bergauer (innsicht) supports individuals, couples and families before the move and until everyone feels at home. Online, in English or German.

Katharina Bergauer

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Get to grips with the language where you live, keep the kids' English sharp or prep for an exam. Live online lessons with qualified teachers since 1991: English and the main world languages, 1:1 or in small groups, for adults, kids and household staff.

Cambridge School of English Online

Cambridge School of English sp. z o.o.Warsaw, Poland · online since 1991

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Guides for life in Berlin

Cost of living in Berlin: how it really compares with London and the UK average

Berlin is no longer the bargain it was, but next to London it still looks kind. Here's what rent, the U-Bahn, the weekly shop and a night out cost in euros and pounds.

Anmeldung in Berlin: how Brits register an address (and why everything waits for it)

In Berlin, almost nothing happens until you've registered your address. Here's how the Anmeldung works for Brits, what to bring to the Bürgeramt and when your tax ID turns up.

The Aufenthaltsdokument-GB: your Brexit residence card in Germany, explained

If you lived in Germany before 2021, a small card protects your right to stay. Here's what the Aufenthaltsdokument-GB covers, how to keep it and what newcomers need instead.

Sundays, quiet hours and house rules: living politely next to Berliners

Hoovering on a Sunday? Bottles in the bin? Here's the guide to Berlin's quiet hours, closed Sundays, the Pfand and the house rules your neighbours expect.

Learning German in Berlin: why it's worth it, even if work is in English

Your office may run in English, but your landlord, the Bürgeramt and the school gate don't. Here's why German pays off in Berlin, what's required and how to learn it.

German taxes for Brits: leaving the UK system, the treaty and your State Pension

Move to Berlin and Germany taxes your worldwide income. Here's how German tax works, how the UK–Germany treaty splits the bill, and where your State Pension is taxed.

Banking in Germany as a Brit: opening an account, SCHUFA and your UK money

Your landlord wants a German account, your bank wants an address, and everyone wants a SCHUFA. Here's how Brits open an account in Berlin and keep their UK money working.

Freelancing in Berlin: Freiberufler or Gewerbe, your tax number and the Künstlersozialkasse

Berlin runs on freelancers, but the paperwork is very German. Here's how to tell Freiberufler from Gewerbe, get a tax number, handle VAT and use the Künstlersozialkasse.

German tax classes, church tax and your Steuer-ID: the payslip puzzle explained

Your German payslip depends on a tax class, a tax ID and a box you ticked about religion. Here's how the classes work for couples, how church tax works and how to file.

Home

Renting in Berlin: how Brits find a flat, sign safely and keep the deposit

Berlin flat-hunting is a contact sport. Here's where Brits live, what the paperwork looks like, the tenant protections on your side and the scams to dodge.

Home

Buying a flat in Berlin: the notary, Grunderwerbsteuer and what it really costs

No gazumping, no conveyancing chains, but a notary, a 6% transfer tax and a land register. Here's how buying a Berlin flat works, step by step.

Moving and visas

Moving to Berlin as a Brit: the residence routes that actually work

Brexit ended the easy move, but Germany still lets Brits arrive first and apply for residence later. Here are the routes that work for Berlin and the first jobs once you land.

Moving and visas

German residence permits for Brits: Blue Card, freelancer or Chancenkarte?

Three permits do most of the heavy lifting for Brits moving to Berlin. Here's what each asks for in 2026, what it costs and how to get through the immigration office.

Moving and visas

German citizenship for Brits: keep your British passport and add a German one

Since June 2024 Germany lets you keep your British passport when you naturalise. Here's who qualifies, what the test asks and how the Berlin application works.

Health

Healthcare in Berlin: the Krankenkasse, the S1 and finding an English-speaking doctor

There's no NHS in Germany: everyone needs health insurance. Here's how British residents in Berlin get covered, what it costs and how to find a doctor who speaks English.

Schools and study

Schools in Berlin: British, international and free state options for Brits

Berlin has a proper British school, several international ones and free bilingual state schools that teach in English. Here's what each costs and how to get a place.

Schools and study

Kita places in Berlin: how the free Kita-Gutschein works for British parents

Childcare in Berlin is free from age 1, which feels like a miracle after London nursery fees. The catch is getting the voucher and then finding a Kita with a space.

Getting around

Driving in Germany with a UK licence, and getting around Berlin without one

Your UK licence works in Germany for six months after you move. Here's how to swap it without a test, and why many Brits in Berlin barely drive at all.

Community

British life in Berlin: roasts, the footie, the Legion and where Brits gather

Berlin's British community is spread thin across a big city, but it's there: in Irish pubs on match days, at St George's on a Sunday and on rugby pitches in Zehlendorf.

Going out

British food in Berlin: where to find a roast, a cuppa and a jar of Marmite

Berlin does sausages and beer brilliantly, but a proper roast or a box of Weetabix takes some finding. Here's where homesick Brits actually go.

Going out

Nightlife in Berlin: a Brit's guide to bars, clubs and getting home

Last orders isn't really a thing in Berlin. Here's where to drink, how the clubs work, what a night costs in 2026 and how to get home in one piece.

Britain in Berlin

Free listings we choose and check: the British mission, clubs, party groups, sport, schools, pubs, shops and churches. Every entry checked on its own or an official 2025–2026 page (2026-11); listings are not paid. Tell us on WhatsApp if something has changed.

Official Britain

British Embassy Berlin

The UK's embassy in Germany: consular help, emergency assistance and passport enquiries for British nationals

Wilhelmstraße 70/71, 10117 Berlin

Website · Map · Facebook · Instagram · X

Business and networking

British Chamber of Commerce in Germany (BCCG)

National British-German business association headquartered in Berlin: events, policy work and networking for member companies

Heidestraße 58, 10557 Berlin

Website · Map · +49 30 2067080 · info@bccg.de

Clubs and associations

Royal British Legion

Royal British Legion – Berlin Branch

Berlin branch of the Royal British Legion: Poppy Appeal and remembrance events for veterans and supporters

Party groups abroad

Listed side by side, in alphabetical order. We don't favour any party.

Conservatives Abroad – Berlin

Berlin branch of the Conservative Party's organisation for members abroad, serving members and supporters in Berlin

Website

Labour International – Germany and Switzerland branch

Germany and Switzerland branch of the Labour Party's organisation for members abroad, serving members and supporters in Germany and Switzerland

Website

Lib Dems in Europe

European branch of the Liberal Democrats' organisation for members abroad, serving members and supporters in Europe outside France, including Germany

Website

Schools and universities

School

Berlin Metropolitan School

Private international school in Mitte, ages 3–18: Early Learning Centre, then IGCSE, German MSA and the IB Diploma

School

Berlin British School

Independent school in Charlottenburg offering the National Curriculum of England, IGCSE and the IB Diploma; COBIS-accredited

Dickensweg 17-19, 14055 Berlin

Website · Map · +49 30 35109190 · info@berlinbritishschool.de

University

Arden University Berlin

UK university's Berlin campus: English-taught bachelor's, master's and foundation-year degrees, with several intakes a year

Dessauer Str. 3-5, 10963 Berlin

Our guide to British food, shops and pubs in Berlin

British Council

British Council Germany

British Council in Germany: IELTS (including computer-based tests in Berlin), Aptis and online English courses; office closed to the public

Website · Map · +49 30 22026990 · Facebook · X · YouTube

Pubs and restaurants

Pub

The Lir

Irish pub near S Bellevue showing football and rugby on a big screen in the 'Lir-Arena'; fish and chips, Guinness

Flensburger Str. 7, 10557 Berlin

Website · Map · +49 30 3928502 · Facebook

Pub

Blarney Pub

Kreuzberg Irish pub with sports broadcasts including the Premier League; opens early for big games

Methfesselstr. 4, 10965 Berlin

Fish and chips

Der Fischladen

Fishmonger, restaurant and takeaway in Prenzlauer Berg; fish and chips in newspaper

Schönhauser Allee 128, 10437 Berlin

Website · Map · +49 30 40005612

Sunday roast

St. Bart Pub

Kreuzberg gastropub whose Sunday roast has 'local legend status'; English and German dishes

Graefestraße 71, 10967 Berlin

Website · Map · +49 30 40751175 · info@stbartpub.com · Instagram

Afternoon tea

Bel Etage, Hotel Adlon Kempinski

Traditional afternoon tea at the Adlon by the Brandenburg Gate

Unter den Linden 77, 10117 Berlin