General Guide

First steps upon arrival in Görlitz

Welcome to Görlitz! As a new resident of Görlitz, you are required to register with the Residents' Registration Office within two weeks and provide a valid address. This also applies to any accompanying family members. Registration must be done in person; it cannot be done by proxy.

to register

Apartment search

Our municipal housing company, Kommwohnen GmbH, can help you find an apartment in Görlitz. They are more than just landlords. The staff at Kommwohnen are particularly friendly and supportive of newcomers to our city, offering assistance in several languages.

Click here to go to Kommwohnen.

Besides Kommwohnen, there are many other real estate providers in Görlitz.

Overview of available housing and land, as well as average rents and land prices in Zgorzelec. Living in Zgorzelec

Relocation

Moving should be well-prepared. Here are the most important steps as a reminder:

Register with the energy and water supplier
Registering for telephone, internet and (cable) television
Sign up for television and radio
Affix your name to the mailbox and doorbell (if not done by the landlord):
Hire a moving company
parking restrictions for the move Apply for

Insurance

Well covered in an emergency: In Germany, there are many types of insurance, some of which are even legally required, such as health insurance. Besides the mandatory insurances, there are some contracts that are highly recommended because they protect against major financial risks. Often, these are very inexpensive and provide significant relief in an emergency.

Personal liability insurance

Personal liability insurance is one of the most important types of insurance. It can protect you from potentially ruinous costs, for example, if someone is injured due to your negligence. Personal liability insurance is therefore essential for everyone. However, not everyone needs their own policy: many people are covered under their parents' or partner's family plan.

Home contents insurance

If water damage destroys your apartment, your home contents insurance will replace clothes, furniture, and valuables. It's particularly useful if you have expensive furnishings or if you can't replace your most important belongings with your savings.

Travel to Görlitz/Be mobile

Wondering how to get to Görlitz or how to get around within Görlitz? Germany is known worldwide as a car-loving nation. But you can also easily travel by plane, bus, train, or bicycle. A well-developed network of airports, roads, railways, and cycle paths ensures this.

The nearest airport is Dresden Airport (DRS), approximately 90 km from Görlitz. Other nearby airports include:

Berlin Airport (200 km)

Halle-Leipzig Airport (230 km)

Prague Airport (180 km)

Wrocław Airport (180 km)

You can rent both bicycles and cars locally. Alternatively, you can use buses or trams to get around Görlitz.

Driving licence: Citizens of the European Union, Liechtenstein, Norway and Iceland do not need to have their driving licence converted. Their driving licence is valid to the same extent as in their respective home country.

Getting around in Görlitz

visa

Citizens of EU member states, as well as those from Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland, can generally enter Germany without a visa. Due to the freedom of movement for workers, they can work in Germany without restrictions.

Nationals of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, or the USA can enter Germany without a visa. However, they must apply for a residence permit for employment in advance to be allowed to work in Germany. The local immigration office in the district or city is the contact point. Nationals of all other countries must apply for a visa at their competent German diplomatic mission (German embassy in their home country) before entering Germany.

Recognition of foreign professional qualifications

An overview of information resources regarding the recognition of your profession in Germany can be found here:

Learn more

Business activity

Anyone wishing to start an independent business, a branch office, or a dependent branch must notify the relevant authority. A business is defined as any activity that is not considered socially unacceptable, is aimed at generating profit, and is intended to be permanent.

Another criterion: The activity is carried out in one's own name and for one's own account. Whether a profit is actually made is irrelevant. Specifically excluded from commercial activities are freelance professions (doctors, lawyers, or tax advisors) and other activities requiring a university degree or a degree from a university of applied sciences. Also excluded are primary production (for example, agriculture and forestry), scientific business consulting, and the management of one's own assets.

The purpose of business registration is to enable the responsible authority to fulfill its regulatory and supervisory duties. Registration is also important for statistical surveys. Some business activities require a permit. Others are subject to monitoring and are subject to special conditions.

Register your business

Further information on starting a business

learn German

Learning German is one of the most important steps you can take to prepare for life in Germany. It will help you settle in more quickly and make new friends. For certain purposes, such as work or studies, you may even be required to demonstrate a certain level of German proficiency. The Görlitz district regularly updates a list of language courses and educational institutions in the district. You can find this list here:

Learn more

Further information on the topic of German language skills

Family reunification

Have you found an interesting job in the European city of Görlitz and feel at home in the region? Now you and your family would like to live and work in Görlitz long-term, because it offers not only suitable jobs for everyone, but also a great environment for young families. Here you can find out about the regulations for family reunification in Germany. The Free State of Saxony provides an overview of the most important information on family reunification. You can also find information on family reunification at the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.

To help family members settle in and feel comfortable in their new surroundings, contact with locals or other immigrants is important. This could include neighbors, colleagues, friends of the children's parents, club members, or members of the local church community.

Information on family reunification

childcare

The European city of Görlitz-Zgorzelec and its surrounding area are a paradise for children. Here, there's plenty of space and opportunities to explore and discover. While mom and dad are at work, little ones experience new adventures every day with their friends at daycare. Besides the fun, children's education is also a priority. Görlitz-Zgorzelec offers numerous facilities, both private and public, with diverse educational approaches. Some even have the option of attending German-Polish daycare centers.

Anyone looking for a daycare place can find an overview and lots of information in different languages on the City of Görlitz's service page

for daycare facilities

Overview of daycare centers in Görlitz

Overview of childcare in Zgorzelec

Learning in the European city of Görlitz-Zgorzelec

In the European city of Görlitz-Zgorzelec and its surrounding area, families will find excellent educational opportunities for their children. Görlitz has twelve primary schools, three special needs schools, five secondary schools, and two grammar schools. Apprentices learn at the vocational training center near the train station or at one of five private vocational schools. Our future IT specialists, social workers, and cultural managers study at the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, located across the Neisse River from Zgorzelec. In addition, there are continuing education opportunities at the adult education center, the city library, museums, and numerous private educational providers.

Learning in Görlitz

Document authentication

Official authentication is only carried out in cases where the original was issued by an authority within the meaning of Section 1 (1) No. 1 of the Administrative Procedure Act (VwVfG) or where the authentication is to be submitted to an authority.

You can have copies/transcripts of certificates, documents and signatures certified at the residents' registration office.

We require the original(s) and copy(ies) of the documents (you can also have copies made by us for a fee)

If you bring copies, there must be enough space on the back for certification, approximately half an A4 page. Each document must be photographed separately.

Learn more

Finding a connection

The European city of Görlitz-Zgorzelec and its surrounding area are pleasantly quiet compared to major cities. You don't spend half the day stuck in traffic. And you can get around without constantly bumping into other people. Yet you're not lonely here. There are an incredible number of clubs and initiatives: whether for sports, culture, or hobbies. Whether highly organized or more relaxed. Whether in a clubhouse or a garden allotment – there's something for everyone. In Görlitz alone, there are around 450 clubs. It's a comforting feeling not to be alone and to be working together with like-minded people.

Here you can get an overview of Görlitz.

Associations and initiatives

Zgorzelec also has a large number of clubs and initiatives that can help you get connected quickly.

Overview of club life in Zgorzelec

We speak English

Want to easily meet new people in this European city? Numerous Facebook groups offer opportunities to connect. The "English Speakers in Görlitz" group is also always happy to welcome new members. Both the Facebook and WhatsApp groups are used to announce regular meetings, share events, and answer each other's questions.

Health

health insurance

Every German citizen must have either statutory or private health insurance. This is mandated by law. For most people, statutory health insurance is the more sensible option. Private health insurance premiums often increase significantly with age. Therefore, you should only opt for private insurance if you are absolutely certain you can afford it in the long term. Those without health insurance will only receive treatment in emergencies.

Further information on the topic of health insurance

doctor's visit

In Germany, you can choose which doctor you want to see. In case of illness, your family doctor is usually your first point of contact. If necessary, they will refer you to a specialist or a hospital. The search function of the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians of Saxony allows you to find a doctor who is suitable for your needs and your foreign language skills.

Do you need medical help, but your doctor's office is currently closed? Then you can call the nationwide number 116 117 for the on-call medical service. In case of an emergency, call 112. Find

a doctor

Case Management of the Görlitz Municipal Hospital

Money and Shopping

Anyone who wants to live in Germany long-term needs a bank account – for example, to rent an apartment or receive their salary.

Banks in Görlitz