From Poland to Berlin: live, work and study as an EU citizen

No visa, no residence permit: your rights under EU free movement, registering in Berlin, work and self-employment, recognition of qualifications, benefits, study, family and how to avoid exploitation. Every statement is tied to an official source. Free, independent, no agency.

New here? Which situation fits me?

A question this page does not answer? Contact us. Free orientation only, no legal advice for individual cases.

Guide

🧭Which situation fits me?A short guide for Polish citizens in Berlin: employee, self-employed, job seeker, student, trainee, not working, family. ⚖️Your rights as an EU citizenWho may stay in Germany under the FreizügG/EU: workers, self-employed, job seekers, students, non-working persons, permanent residence. 🏠Registering your address (Anmeldung)Compulsory within two weeks of moving in: Bürgeramt Berlin, landlord confirmation, tax ID, what the registration is not. 🧾Tax ID and taxesSteuer-ID, tax classes, the Germany-Poland double taxation agreement, commuters (general). 💼Working as an employeeEqual access to jobs, written contract, minimum wage 2026 and 2027, mini and midi jobs, probation and notice periods. 🚚Posted workers from PolandEmployed by a Polish firm and sent to Berlin: A1 certificate, 24 months, minimum wage, where to complain. 🛠️Self-employed and starting a businessTrade registration in Berlin, tax office, freelancers, false self-employment, craft trades. 🛡️Workers' rights and exploitationUnpaid wages, housing tied to the job, agency work, working time; where to get free help in Polish. 🎓Recognising Polish qualificationsDirective 2005/36/EC: automatic recognition, regulated professions, language proof, where to apply in Berlin. 🩺Nurses, doctors and dentistsAutomatic recognition for health professions, professional licence, language test, where to apply. 🏥Social security, health insurance and pensionRegulation 883/2004: where you are insured, EHIC, health fund, adding up insurance periods, ZUS and German pension. 👨‍👩‍👧Kindergeld and social benefitsKindergeld for EU citizens, interaction with Polish 800+, Grundsicherungsgeld exclusions in general terms. 📚Studying in BerlinApplying with a Polish Matura, no blocked account, BAföG for EU citizens, health insurance, residence as a student. 🔧Vocational training (Ausbildung)No permit needed, training pay 2026 and 2027, vocational training allowance, where to apply. 👪Family and childrenPartners and children of Polish citizens, family members from non-EU countries, residence card, Kita and school in Berlin. 📄Documents: Polish papers in GermanyNo apostille inside the EU, multilingual forms, ID card, passport and Polish consular services. 🚗Driving licence and vehiclesPolish licence valid in Germany, no exchange needed, re-registering a car. 🗣️German language and integrationIntegration courses, vocational language courses, VHS Berlin. 🗳️Voting and German citizenshipLocal and European elections for EU citizens, naturalisation after five years, dual citizenship, the three-year route ended. 🏦Money and bankingBasic payment account, SEPA transfers to Poland, what to watch. 🏠HousingRental contract, deposit of up to three months' rent, landlord confirmation, fraud. ✅After arrival: checklist for the first weeksIn what order to do things after you arrive in Berlin. 🤝Find your communityWhere Polish speakers in Berlin get advice, meet people, follow Polish-language news, find work, practise German and find Polish classes for children. ⚠️Scams and warning signsTypical patterns of fake job offers, fee-charging middlemen, tied housing and forced self-employment.