Surinder Singh country-specific guide

Surinder Singh

country-specific guide

Updated November 2014

ContentsIntroduction..............................................................................................................................................................7

Country mentors.......................................................................................................................................................8

Contributors..............................................................................................................................................................9

Related reading.......................................................................................................................................................10

Quick tips...............................................................................................................................................................11

Belgium..................................................................................................................................................................12

Applying for Belgian Residence Card...........................................................................................12

Applying for a UK Family Permit.................................................................................................13

Taxes and National Insurance........................................................................................................13

Travelling to Belgium from the UK..............................................................................................13

Transport in Belgium.....................................................................................................................13

Shopping........................................................................................................................................14

Eating out/social activities.............................................................................................................15

Popular towns and cities................................................................................................................15

Czech Republic......................................................................................................................................................16

Navigating the System...................................................................................................................16

Entry to the Czech Republic..........................................................................................................16

Registration....................................................................................................................................16

Applying for Czech Residence Card.............................................................................................17


Banks.............................................................................................................................................18

Czech Language.............................................................................................................................18

Accommodation.............................................................................................................................19

Working.........................................................................................................................................20

Getting Around Prague..................................................................................................................21

Mobile Phones...............................................................................................................................21

Shopping........................................................................................................................................22

Useful links....................................................................................................................................23

Denmark.................................................................................................................................................................24

Travel to Denmark.........................................................................................................................24

Registration....................................................................................................................................24

Banks.............................................................................................................................................24

2www.britcits.com [email protected] @BritCits

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.britcits.com/

Transport........................................................................................................................................25

Telephone.......................................................................................................................................25

Shopping........................................................................................................................................26

Eating out.......................................................................................................................................26

Language........................................................................................................................................26

News in English.............................................................................................................................26

Medical services............................................................................................................................26

Attitude towards foreigners...........................................................................................................26

Germany.................................................................................................................................................................27

Before Arriving in Germany..........................................................................................................27

Entering the country.......................................................................................................................27

Registering your presence..............................................................................................................27

Applying for a German Residence Card........................................................................................27


Temporary accommodation...........................................................................................................28

Longer-term accommodation.........................................................................................................28

Jobs................................................................................................................................................29

Paying taxes...................................................................................................................................29

Internet...........................................................................................................................................30

Bank...............................................................................................................................................30

Language........................................................................................................................................30

Mobile phone.................................................................................................................................31

Health insurance............................................................................................................................31

Registering with doctors and dentists............................................................................................31

Children and schools......................................................................................................................32

Shopping........................................................................................................................................32

Getting involved in the community...............................................................................................32

Travel to and within Germany.......................................................................................................32

Public Transport.............................................................................................................................33

Peculiar to Germany......................................................................................................................33

About Germany..............................................................................................................................33

City: Dusseldorf.............................................................................................................................34

Greece.....................................................................................................................................................................35

Applying for a Greek Family permit.............................................................................................35




Applying for a Greek Residence Card...........................................................................................35

Applying for a UK Family permit.................................................................................................35

Tax.................................................................................................................................................35

Rentals...........................................................................................................................................36

Jobs................................................................................................................................................36

Bank account..................................................................................................................................37

Mobile phones................................................................................................................................37

International calls, photocopying and TV......................................................................................37

Groceries........................................................................................................................................37

Newspapers....................................................................................................................................38

Schools...........................................................................................................................................38

Transport........................................................................................................................................38

Hospitals and medicines................................................................................................................38

Religion..........................................................................................................................................38

Word of caution..............................................................................................................................39

Useful contacts as recommended by members..............................................................................39

Summary........................................................................................................................................39

Reviews..........................................................................................................................................39

Hungary..................................................................................................................................................................40

Ireland.....................................................................................................................................................................41

Applying for an Irish Family Permit..............................................................................................41

Applying for an Irish Residence Card...........................................................................................41


Travel between UK and Ireland.....................................................................................................42

Citizen’s Advice Bureau................................................................................................................42

PPS number....................................................................................................................................42

Jobs................................................................................................................................................42

Banks.............................................................................................................................................43

Travel.............................................................................................................................................43

Accommodation.............................................................................................................................43

Utilities...........................................................................................................................................44

Mobile phone.................................................................................................................................44

Library...........................................................................................................................................44

Religion..........................................................................................................................................44




Supermarkets.................................................................................................................................45

Doctors...........................................................................................................................................45

Summary........................................................................................................................................45

Reviews..........................................................................................................................................45

Malta.......................................................................................................................................................................46

Applying for a Maltese Family Permit..........................................................................................46

Applying for a Maltese Residence Card........................................................................................46


Social Security Number.................................................................................................................47

Language........................................................................................................................................47

Rentals...........................................................................................................................................48

Areas..............................................................................................................................................48

Jobs................................................................................................................................................48

Salaries...........................................................................................................................................49

Banks.............................................................................................................................................49

Credit cards....................................................................................................................................49

Phones and internet........................................................................................................................49

Supermarkets.................................................................................................................................50

Library...........................................................................................................................................50

Bus Fares........................................................................................................................................50

Healthcare......................................................................................................................................50

Support groups...............................................................................................................................50

Cost of living.................................................................................................................................51

Reviews..........................................................................................................................................51

Netherlands.............................................................................................................................................................52

Registration at Gemeente (Town Hall)..........................................................................................52

Applying for a Dutch Residence Card...........................................................................................52

Applying for a BSN/SOFi number (Citizen Service Number)......................................................53

Health insurance............................................................................................................................53

Housing..........................................................................................................................................53

Banks.............................................................................................................................................53

Public transport..............................................................................................................................54

Bikes..............................................................................................................................................54

Mobile phones................................................................................................................................54




Shopping........................................................................................................................................54

Library...........................................................................................................................................55

Internet cafes, printing, copying, scanning....................................................................................55

Useful links....................................................................................................................................55

Summary........................................................................................................................................55

Poland.....................................................................................................................................................................56

Applying for a Polish Residence Card...........................................................................................56

Rent................................................................................................................................................56

Mobile phones................................................................................................................................56

Transport........................................................................................................................................56

Supermarkets.................................................................................................................................56

Cost of living.................................................................................................................................57

Summary........................................................................................................................................57




IntroductionFree movement rights afforded by European regulations are a saviour for British citizens with non-EEA family members who find Home Office’s interference grossly disruptive. Surinder Singh is an extension of these rights whereby Brits move to another Member State with their non-EEA family, to then live together in the UK, under EEA regulations rather than UK immigration rules.

If followed in accordance with regulations and Home Office interpretation of the regulations, the Surinder Singh route can be favourable, incurring negligible visa and legal fees, no language tests to pass, nil financial requirements, and no intrusive five year probationary period. Non-EEA family members also have recourse to public funds. This is in stark contrast to those falling under UK immigration rules.

Despite the obvious advantages, exercise of free movement rights, even where the intention may be to return to the UK, is not a decision made lightly. Relocating is expensive and inconvenient, especially when there are kids, elderly or disabled involved. Where someone has a secure job in the UK, albeit one paying less than £18,600, the decision is even more difficult and uncertain for the family’s financial security, with added concern over obtaining work in another country, finding housing, managing school admissions and going through all that again on return to the UK. Surinder Singh is also not an option for residents and refugees, nor does it help citizens unable to leave the UK because of financial or family obligations.

So while it provides hope for some families, Surinder Singh is by no means a permanent solution for divisive domestic family immigration rules.

BritCits will therefore continue to campaign for fair family immigration rules in the UK. However, alongside the campaigning our aim is to help at least some families who whilst being unfortunate to be impacted by UK’s immigration rules, are lucky enough to be able to use Surinder Singh.

Some who started the process with the intention to use Surinder Singh to return to the UK fell in love with their adopted home and now have no intention to return. While most of you will be itching to start your life in the UK as a family, I urge you to treat living in another country as a fun adventure – make the most of the new culture, language, environment you find yourself in, even if it is just a means to an end. Leave your adopted home with fond memories.




I hope this guide providing practical tips and an overview of the process, makes exercising free movement rights smoother by allowing readers to benefit from the experience of others who have already made the journey, and the sharing of things they wish someone had told them.

Beware that limited resources mean we are unable to assess the veracity of all points in this guide, particularly as it spans several countries. The bulk stems from member experience and research, so make the most of someone else’s time, efforts and lessons but don’t let it limit you and certainly don’t rely on it blindly where the repercussions could be serious for you. Onus is on readers to undertake checks; no two people’s experience is identical; a favourable experience for one may not be so for another. When in doubt, listen to your gut feeling.

This guide may touch on a some people’s experience of the regulations – however immigration law is dynamic and every family’s situation and understanding of the law is different. If legal advice is needed, I recommend seeking this from an immigration specialist who is an expert in free movement. There are very few lawyers familiar with the nuances of Surinder Singh and Home Office operation, so choose advisors wisely.

Finally, my sincere thanks to our members for selflessly sharing their knowledge and experience in this guide, thus better enabling us to teach the world to Singh.

Sonel Founding Trustee, BritCits

Country mentorsIf you have specific questions about how things work in a country, please contact the appropriate country mentor as below.

country name contact details notes

Czech Republic Lori [email protected] Prague

Germany Dani [email protected]

Greece Alla [email protected]

Hungary Ying [email protected] Budapest

Ireland Alice [email protected] For help with flat and job hunting,





and general help getting settled in

Ireland - Limerick Cimberley [email protected] Residing now in UK.

Ireland – Dublin Iain [email protected]

Ireland - Dublin Shariff [email protected] In Dublin from Nov 2014.

Ireland Sean [email protected]

Ireland – Waterford Jessica [email protected] Waterford and Wexford areas.

Malta David [email protected]

Malta Dee [email protected]

Poland Jonathan &

Alesia

[email protected] Happy to help by email or show around people in Krakow.

Spain Maggie [email protected] Particularly for Costa Blanca region.








ContributorsThis guide is based on the experiences and research of:

Alla Angie DWBenjamin BCarolinaDani RDee THGeorge Jonathan WKim PNLindsey Lori WNatalie GSarah WSonelSonia SSteven HTracey R

Graphics & Design by David Bloor http://www.imaginationink.co.uk

Compiled and Edited by Sonel

This is a live document which will be updated as more members share their experience.

If you have any suggestions, comments or contributions, please do send them to us for inclusions in future versions of the guide.




http://www.imaginationink.co.uk/

Related reading

A guide to your rights as an EU citizen http://ec.europa.eu/justice/policies/citizenship/docs/guide_free_movement_low.pdf

Surinder Singh guide for Newbies – by David Bloorhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/238175497/Surinder-Singh-for-Newbies-Exte-David-B

BritCits FAQ – covering UK immigration rules and EU routehttp://www.scribd.com/doc/231038768/BritCits-FAQ

Local meetup groups, including those organised by in-country mentors.www.meetup.com/BritCits

Lawyer’s perspective Surinder Singh immigration route – by Colin Yeohttp://www.freemovement.org.uk/surinder-singh-immigration-route/

EU investigates Home Office interpretation of Surinder Singh – by Colin Yeohttp://www.freemovement.org.uk/eu-to-investigate-uk-interpretation-of-surinder-singh/

Surinder Singh e-book (£) – by Colin Yeohttp://www.freemovement.org.uk/new-surinder-singh-ebook/

Facebook Support GroupsEEA visa, EU Free Movement https://www.facebook.com/groups/650212281695959/

EU FREE MOVEMENT DIRECTIVE/2004/38/C https://www.facebook.com/groups/477537505627291/

Surinder Singh Route, EU Free Movement https://www.facebook.com/groups/alison48amanda48/

SS Ireland Starting Up Help Group – Facebook support grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/253332494839477/

After Surinder Singh – what next? https://www.facebook.com/groups/194997047373035/


http://ec.europa.eu/justice/policies/citizenship/docs/guide_free_movement_low.pdf



https://www.facebook.com/groups/194997047373035/


https://www.facebook.com/groups/alison48amanda48/



http://www.freemovement.org.uk/new-surinder-singh-ebook/

http://www.freemovement.org.uk/eu-to-investigate-uk-interpretation-of-surinder-singh/

http://www.freemovement.org.uk/surinder-singh-immigration-route/

http://www.meetup.com/BritCits

http://www.scribd.com/doc/231038768/BritCits-FAQ

http://www.scribd.com/doc/238175497/Surinder-Singh-for-Newbies-Exte-David-B

Quick tips

Before you leave the UK

Check what the required documents are for a Residence Card application in the country you will first be exercising free movement rights in. There may be some things you need to take with you from the UK e.g. a police report. Also check requirements regarding translating, notarising/apostilling of documents.

Apply for a UK EHIC for yourself and your non-EEA family member. See this from NHSBAhttps://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/nhs_bsa_ehic_regulation_140871#incoming-560830

Make a conservative estimate of the funds you will need, allowing for the time taken to find a job, deposit, rent, food, travel etc.

Check your UK mobile network’s roaming charges – turn off roaming if necessary.

General tips

Eat and shop where locals do for products which are likely fresher and cheaper. McDonalds generally has free Wi-Fi, as do many cafes and libraries. Use this rather than

3G/roaming. Do your research and choose where to exercise free movement rights to suit your skills and

preferences. Try and learn at least the basics of the language beforehand.




https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/nhs_bsa_ehic_regulation_140871#incoming-560830

BelgiumBelgium is a small country sandwiched between France and Netherlands. The two main languages spoken are Dutch and French and the majority of Belgians also speak English, particularly in the main towns and cities. Not being able to speak Dutch or French is not a reason to avoid exercising treaty rights in Belgium. There are many jobs available where speaking only English is sufficient.

Contrary to popular belief it is far from “boring”. It’s a beautiful country, full of character - and waffles, chocolate and beer! Oh and Waffles - hot from the street vendors drizzled in chocolate and cream - so good. Another fine delicacy is frites covered in samurai sauce - very addictive.

Immigration processBoth the British and non-EEA citizen must register with the authorities. Both can register together or individually, however if the EU family member is in Belgium first then they must register themselves if the intention is to reside in Belgium.

Below is the process as if all family members are registering together. The process will need to otherwise be adapted.

Applying for Belgian Residence Card

All towns and cities in Belgium have Administration Offices with a Migration Counter which is the first port of call. Many, such as Gent, have a few of these in the town centre and also in the suburbs. Once a local office has been located, the applicants will need to go there to register and mention wanting a non-EEA family member to reside with you. Required documents:

Passports for sponsor and applicant Evidence of relationship Proof of address e.g. tenancy agreement Employment contract if available.

Staff take a copy of the documents but may ask for some documents to be translated and apostilled/certified. It may be a good idea to have this done before you setting off to Belgium.

Local police check all addresses. Don’t be alarmed - this happens to everyone, including Belgian citizens. The police will establish who is living in the property, and that it is suitable for your family. The visit should only take 10 minutes or so, and the police tend to be friendly and informal. Once the police are satisfied, they will write to the local Commune to say so.

The next step is receipt of a letter from the Commune inviting you to return to complete the registration. The EU Citizen will be expected to pay for an ID card which is compulsory, and they will also receive a Registration Certificate once they have satisfied the authorities they are exercising treaty rights.

The non-EEA family member will be asked to provide 4 passport photographs.

A temporary Residence Card, known as ‘Orange Card’ is then issued proving right to work. The non-EEA citizen is then asked to return a few months later to collect their five year year Article 10 Residence Card, which is conditional on the EU family member exercising treaty rights.

The above is based on personal experience. However, each Commune may have their own way of doing things e.g. some may run on an appointment-only system.




Applying for a UK Family Permit

As with any EU country your first port of call for this application is https://www.gov.uk/family-permit

Once the online application is submitted, on the appointment date, applicants will need to go to the office in Brussels for submission of documents and biometrics.

The address for this is:UK Visa Application Centre Regus Brussels South Station 5th Floor South Centre TitaniumPlace Marcel Broodthaers 8/Box 51060 Brussels

It should not be too difficult to find - it is close to the Gare de Midi Zuidstation (Metro Station)

Taxes and National Insurance

Employers may sort this out for you. However for further information, check out:http://www.justlanded.com/english/Belgium/Belgium-Guide/Money/Income-tax-liabilityhttps://www.gov.uk/living-in-belgium

Travelling to Belgium from the UK

By Air: Antwerp, Brussels and Charleroi - also consider flying to Holland if flights are a lot cheaper and then using train or Euroline bus to travel to Belgium.

By Train: Eurostar - there is a terminal in Brussels - and from here the rest of Belgium is very accessible - Belgium has a very good and inexpensive train network.

By Ferry: Both Ostend and Zeebrugge are ferry ports and are both served from the UK

By Coach: Eurolines run services to Belgium daily - this is a cheap way to get here and the coaches stop in most major towns and cities in Belgium.

By Road: With its close proximity to Calais - driving to Belgium is pretty straightforward using either ferry or Eurotunnel.

Transport in Belgium

Public transport in Belgium is second to none and very reasonable. The train system is very good and affordable. Very easy to not only travel between major towns and cities in Belgium itself but also Holland and France are easy to travel to on the train.

If you like cycling then Belgium is most definitely for you - so easy to get around with cycle lanes everywhere. Police can and do fine for jaywalking though so be careful and beware of tram lines – look both ways as it is not unknown for people to get run over!


https://www.gov.uk/living-in-belgium

http://www.justlanded.com/english/Belgium/Belgium-Guide/Money/Income-tax-liability



https://www.gov.uk/family-permit

Bank Accounts

The main Belgian banks are ING, BNP Paribas Fortis and KBC. All the major banks offer their services in French, Dutch and English.

Opening a Bank Account

To open a current or checking account (compte à vue/zichtrekening), you need either a passport or a Belgian ID Card as proof of identity, together with proof of residence. Once the account is opened the bank will end a Bancontact/Mister Cash debit card with the PIN arriving separately. It may be possible to ask for picking up of these at the bank for more secure delivery.

Belfius: www.belfius.beBNP Paribas Fortis: www.bnpparibasfortis.beING: www.ing.beKBC Bank: www.kbc.be

For more info, see http://www.expatica.com/be/finance_business/banking/guide-to-belgian-banking-1462_8291.html

Shopping

Groceries As well as Aldi and Lidl, there are several supermarkets in Belgium, other than Carrefour and Match:

COLRUYT: Think Bookers or Costco but open to the general public as well as Traders. Few branches but quality products.

MAKRO: Similar to Costco but open to traders / those with their own companies e.g. self-employed.

DELHAIZE: Think Sainsburys, Tesco.

You should find all your familiar grocery items in any of these supermarkets as well as some unfamiliar ones. Beer and wine are good value.

As well as supermarkets Belgium also has Day and Night Shops. Similar to corner shops in the UK – and handy for emergency purchases (but like corner shops, pricier). These also sell alcohol and tobacco products.

As denoted by the name, Day Shops open from early morning to early evening and when they shut the Night Shops open, usually until around 4am. Day shops are not allowed to open in the evening and Night Shops cannot open during daytime hours.

Sunday markets are also a great source of local produce, like cheese and meat products as well as fruit and vegetables.

High Street

There are many familiar names on the High Street - H&M, New Look, C and A to name a few. Prices are similar to the UK. Also look out for Antique Markets and Flower Markets - usually found in the town or city’s main square.




http://www.expatica.com/be/finance_business/banking/guide-to-belgian-banking-1462_8291.html

http://www.kbc.be/

http://www.ing.be/

http://www.bnpparibasfortis.be/

http://www.belfius.be/

Eating out/social activities

Belgium, the same as most of Europe, has all the usual suspects, McDonalds, Burger King, KFC, Pizza Hut etc. Prices in these places are on a par with the UK. Belgium also has many bars and restaurants and prices vary depending on your particular tastes and the quality you are after. 7Bars on the other hand offer much more than those in the UK – after all, Belgium is famous for beer ! Whilst not always cheap, it is always cheerful.

Most towns and cities have a main square (or a few in some) which have cafes/bars – great spots to people watch from.

Popular towns and cities

BrusselsCapital City and headquarters of the European Union.

Brussels is not a huge city and it is pretty easy to get around - with buses, trams and the metro. As with most EU countries - more expensive than other places but not overly so.

Mainly French speaking.

GentAgain, not a huge city and very easy to navigate - with its trams and buses. Also has two train stations - which offer easy access to other parts of Belgium - for those days out. Bruges for example, is very easy to travel to from here - both on bus and train.

As well as good public transport Gent has very good cycle lanes and bikes everywhere.

Gent boasts many restaurants and has a famous bar down by the canal in the city centre that sells hundreds of beers; a great place to while away a few hours. Mainly Dutch speaking.

BruggesA small and truly beautiful town. Easy to get around on foot or bicycle - it is also served by a large Train Station - and so easy to travel to other Belgium towns and cities from here. It is full of good restaurants and this is the place is you love

chocolate.

OstendCoastal town with nice beaches, shops and restaurants. Again pretty small town so all local landmarks are walkable.

Like all major cities/towns in Belgium, it has a main train station.




Czech Republic Navigating the System

Very few government offices in Czech Republic have English-speaking personnel. This includes the Foreign Police! Top tip: There are numerous services and freelancers (google “Expat services Czech Republic”) who deal extensively with this issue for expats, arranging everything. While there will be a charge for this, it is completely worth it as they arrange all the paperwork, submission of documents, translations (if necessary) and will go with you to act as translator where necessary. Using this service can save a lot of stress for Surinder Singhers, and even for those on a tight budget, this may prove to be money well-spent.

If expat services are used, ensure you undertake cost comparisons and go by recommendations if possible.

An excellent Facebook group for all things Czech Republic is CrowdSauce CZ, a group of highly experienced and knowledgeable migrants in Czech Republic. This is also a great place to find referrals for freelancers to help you, who are likely less expensive than businesses set up for the same purpose. https://www.facebook.com/groups/crowdsauce

Entry to the Czech Republic

Check if you are from a country which requires a visa/permit before entry into Czech Republic, here: http://www.mzv.cz/jnp/en/information_for_aliens/short_stay_visa/list_of_states_whose_citizens_are_exempt/index.html

A non-visa national doesn’t need a visa to enter Czech Republic and could purchase a one-way ticket if travelling with or joining your EU family member (but beware airlines may be stricter).

It may be worth having evidence of relationship in case immigration officers are the border stop you (and ensure all important documents are in your hand-carry, not check-in baggage.)

If you are from a country which requires you to have a visa, the non-EEA family member will need to apply for a Schengen visa/ family permit at the Czech embassy in their home country before travelling. You may enter on a one-way ticket if you are travelling with or joining your EU spouse.

Registration

Non-EEA family members are required to register their presence in Czech Republic with the Foreign Police within 3 days of arrival. If the 3 days deadline is missed don’t panic – one member who missed this deadline registered in the first three months and was fined 500Kc. However best follow the rules to minimise hassle! http://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/article/third-country-nationals-entering-the-czech-

republic.aspx However, Residence Card application must be within 90 days for which registration with Foreign Police is essential.

If you’re staying at a hotel, they should do this for you – but check. If you have arranged to stay in private housing on arrival, you will need to do it yourself.




http://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/article/third-country-nationals-entering-the-czech-republic.aspx

http://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/article/third-country-nationals-entering-the-czech-republic.aspx

http://www.mzv.cz/jnp/en/information_for_aliens/short_stay_visa/list_of_states_whose_citizens_are_exempt/index.html

https://www.facebook.com/groups/crowdsauce

The Foreign Police must be notified of your address changes, as well. So for example, if you find a flat after staying in a hotel for a while, you must let them know within 10 days. Same goes if you change flats or any other circumstances when you change your address.




Applying for Czech Residence Card

Ministry of Interior’s website gives information relevant to family members of EU citizens. http://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/article/eu-citizens-and-their-family-members.aspx

Required documents: Passport Marriage certificate for spouse applications (Apostilled and translated into Czech). Document showing employment –employment contract or Zivnostensky Listek registration Photo (non-EEA citizen) Proof of accommodation (Czech version of lease agreement). Proof of health insurance - EHIC card for the EU citizen; the non-EEA should purchase a

foreigner’s health policy for at least 6 months. There are several providers (google “Foreigner’s health insurance Czech Republic.”) Expat services managing documentation can help arrange this.

Applicants will then need to go to Ministry of Interior office with jurisdiction over residence district. http://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/article/contacts.aspx

There are normally two entrances at these offices. Always use the EU door. You can phone ahead and make an appointment (have a Czech speaker help you). Or show up, take a number and wait (longest reported wait is 90 minutes).

There’s a long form for the sponsor and applicant to fill out. If all the documentation is in order, a paper booklet for temporary residency will be issued on the spot to the EU citizen, which looks like the picture on the left.

The non-EEA citizen’s residency card process takes longer. S/he is initially issued with a Certificate of Application, which should be retained with the passport and kept on you at all times.

As part of the residence card issuing process, Foreign Police will visit the applicant. Ensure you are living at the address on your application and be prepared to answer some questions. The police tend to be polite and stay for

no more than 10 minutes. However, do not be surprised if they show up at 6am – this is not unusual!

If there are any red flags putting under question, say, genuineness of relationship, you may be required to attend an interview. Sponsor and applicant are interviewed separately with the interviews lasting a total of about three hours. Note: if you don’t speak Czech, you will need to provide a translator at your own expense!

The Residence Card should be issued within about 60 days of the police visit/interview. Application status can be checked online by searching for the number on the Certificate of Application in the Excel database at the website below. If the number is located, it suggests approval. http://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/article/immigration.aspx

This is communicated via a registered letter, with instructions on next steps. The applicant will need to take this letter, passport and proof of health insurance to Ministry of Interior, who will then issue the Residence Card, resembling a mini-passport, as per the picture on the right.

The authorities will also stamp the applicant’s passport indicating “Family Member of EU Citizen”, state a Residence Card has been issued, and fill in the issue and expiry dates.





Applications for a Family permit need to be submitted online via the Visa4UK website. https://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk

Once the application is submitted online, applicant should register with the local Teleperformance office (the link to Teleperformance is provided at the end of the application process) which collects the documents in Prague, for submission to the UKVI office in Warsaw.

The Teleperformance Office in Prague is open once a week on Wednesdays during “high season” and once every two weeks on Wednesday otherwise. It is located at: Regus – Prague City CentrePraha City Center. Klimentska 46 100 02

The layout of the building is a bit confusing. There is a lobby entrance around the side, which at first glance, looks like a post office annex. There are elevators to the left, behind the turnstiles.

Attendees are issued with a visitor’s pass following check in at the reception desk (to the left as you enter) on providing the appointment confirmation letter, which then gives them access to the lift to the Teleperformance office on the second floor.

Be prepared to wait for hours beyond the appointment time as Teleperformance is notorious for delays. When you are eventually seen by an English-speaking staff member, applicants will be required to provide biometrics.

There is known tracking information via the Czech Teleperformance site. However applicants may receive an email from DHL once their documents are dispatched from Warsaw.

Banks

Opening an account is an easy process for EU citizens; only required document is a passport. Non-EEA family members will need two forms of ID. Foreign driving licenses may be accepted as well as the passport.

However, due to FATCA (new IRS regulations requiring banks to report any income earned to the IRS), American citizens may find it difficult being added as a fully joint member on an account. To minimise hassle, ‘user’ may be a preferred status rather than a joint account holder.

Users receive a debit card in their name and can use the account as normal, but are not listed as account holders although they do receive a contract of issuance for evidential purposes.

Czech Language

It is useful and respectful to learn some Czech to facilitate functioning day-to-day. There is no shortage of Czech language schools (see CrowdSauce CZ on Facebook for recommendations.) Private tutors are also available at a reasonable price and will come to a place of your convenience.

Knowing simple Czech for things like greetings, numbers, and basic verbs will make the Czech experience more favourable, although don’t be too hard on yourself if you find it difficult as Czech is not an easy language to learn. However even if you bumble through with incorrect grammar, the effort alone is much appreciated by the locals.




https://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/

“Ensure sponsor and applicant are listed on tenancy to satisfy Ministry of Interior that all are living at same address. “

AccommodationThere are two ways to go about looking for a flat: private landlords or through a real estate agency.

Private landlordsPrivate landlords are abundant. A great place to find rentals is on Expats.cz (informative expats website, covering all aspects of living in Czech Republic). The classifieds section is a great place to find rentals and other useful things. http://www.expats.cz/prague/czech-classified-server/property/flats-to-rent/

Flats in the Czech Republic are described a bit differently than you may be used to. A studio with a kitchenette is listed as 1+kk (1 room with a kitchen corner) A 1-br with a kitchenette is listed as 2+kk (2 rooms with a kitchen corner) A 1-br with a separate kitchen is listed as 2 + 1 (2 rooms + kitchen)….

Renting from a private landlord will save on the real estate commission fee, generally one month’s rent. Downside is if you get a dodgy landlord, your experience could be very unpleasant.

Generally, up-front costs to get into a flat include a deposit of 1 month’s rent (do not pay more than one month’s deposit); the first month’s rent paid in advance; and a deposit toward utilities (this varies, but is usually 3000-5000 Kc). There is no application or credit check process. You find a place you like, sign the lease, and hand over the money. Very simple!

Rental prices in Prague are fairly reasonable. For a large studio or small 1 bedroom, expect to pay at least 12,500Kc/month (including utilities). Very nice 2 bedrooms can be 17,500 – 22,000Kc. The further out you are from the central districts, the cheaper it will be; but be sure to consider public transport options and convenience of shopping.

Most apartment rental costs in Prague include utilities – electricity, gas, water, garbage, Internet (and frequently, TV). Top tip: Ensure rental agreement sets out which utilities are included, and the amount per month going toward them. Since it’s unlikely you will have separate utility bills in your own names, this is important when considering center of life points.

Generally, at the end of the lease, what you have been paying for utilities is adjusted for actual usage. You may have to pay an overage (if your actual use has gone over the estimated use), and you are legally entitled to a refund if your usage suggests a lower amount than what you have already paid.

However refunds can be difficult to obtain, especially from a dodgy landlord. Security deposits are also notoriously not paid back without much fuss.

Two lease agreements will be provided–in Czech and English. Some collate the two in the same agreement. However only the Czech version is signed as that is legally binding.

Real estate agencies

There are several real estate agencies in Prague, catering especially to expats, with English-speaking agents. Some recommended ones: http://www.homesweethome.cz/ http://www. homeforyou .cz/ http://www.ores.com/ http://www.happyhouserentals.com/en/

Many real estate agencies have “add-on” services to help expats navigate the residency process, paperwork, governmental offices, etc. Check their fees. Remember, if you use a real estate agency, you will likely pay a standard one month rent as commission for their services.




http://www.happyhouserentals.com/en/

http://www.ores.com/

http://www.homeforyou.cz/

http://www.homesweethome.cz/

http://www.expats.cz/prague/czech-classified-server/property/flats-to-rent/

Working

Employed by an EmployerIf you are employed by an employer, they should give you a contract or letter of engagement.

Unfortunately, if you don’t speak Czech, traditional employment opportunities are limited. ESL is the most popular option for English speakers, with plenty of schools to choose from.

For those with experience in the IT or financial sectors, there may be opportunities as well.

Top tip: British citizen should undertake a “fact-finding” mission in Czech Republic beforehand, for a week or so, to scope things out in person. Just showing up and “winging it” if you are looking for a job could be difficult. Check out: http://www.prague.fm/3569/find-prague-job-internet/

Employers should also provide details of health insurance.

Self-EmploymentBefore leaving the UK: Obtain a UK Police Certificate to indicate you are of good character. These are available through

ACRO Criminal Records Office and take about 10 working days to be issued. http://www.acro.police.uk/police_certificates.asp

Have the Police Certificate legalised (apostilled). This is done by post and takes about 7-10 days. https://www.gov.uk/get-document-legalised

Once in Czech Republic: Register for a trade license (Zivnostensky listek) for which you will need the UK Police

Certificate. This is done at the Zivno office local to your residential district. A great explanation of the Zivno process is available at: http://www.expats.cz/prague/article/prague-business/doing-business-through-trade-licence/

Register with the Financial Office1 in your residential district, where you will be assigned a Tax ID number for filing of income tax at the end of the year. Note: Czech Republic uses the calendar year as their tax year and taxes are due the following March. The flat tax rate for self-employed individuals is 15%.

Financial Office will sign you up for monthly health & social contributions, dependent on income.

It is up to individuals how they pay these contributions, although a standing order auto-payment, set up through the Czech bank account’s Internet banking may be the most hassle-free.

A week or so after registering, you will also receive a Czech-issued EHIC health card, which allows access to health care under the social system. The Czech public health insurer is VZP. Note, UK EHIC is valid for use if needed before you receive the Czech issued card.

If you don’t have one already, make sure to get one before leaving the UK. http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/EHIC/Pages/about-the-ehic.aspx

1 Before registering for tax you will need a Czech bank account.




https://www.gov.uk/get-document-legalised

http://www.acro.police.uk/police_certificates.asp

http://www.prague.fm/3569/find-prague-job-internet/

“I bought a Pay-as-you-Go phone and service from Vodafone CZ, which has proved to be perfectly adequate and very reasonably priced.”

Getting Around Prague

When you first arrive, pick up a metro and tram map from a tourist information office (there is one in Prague airport). These are very useful until you become familiar with the city. http://www.praguewelcome.cz/en/visit/tourist-services/tourist-information-centres/

The website for the Department of Transportation (in English) is very useful, especially the journey planner. http://www.dpp.cz/en/

Public transport in Prague is excellent. It is completely connected via metro, tram and buses and one transport ticket covers everything.

You can buy single tickets (a 30-min validity ticket is 24Kc) from the yellow vending machines at metro entrances or ticket booths. The ticket will need to be validated at the yellow box with an arrow on it (unmissable) upon entry, and the 30-minute journey starts from then.

Alternatively, a monthly pass may be more convenient. This is a paper pass available from a selection of offices. http://www.dpp.cz/en/list-of-info-centres/

Ensure you have a valid ticket or pass at all times. Checks are undertaken frequently and penalties for fare-dodging are high.

Mobile Phones

All major European mobile phone providers are present in Czech Republic. Their stores in the center and all have English-speaking staff.

Whichever provider you choose, it is important to get a local number as soon as possible as this will be useful for phoning/texting landlords.

Paying for the phone using the top-up service through a local bank account (rather than paying cash) may also provide useful documentary evidence for COL purposes which could be useful for those who wish to evidence COL, especially in the absence of utility bills.




Shopping

Prague is a modern, metropolitan European city, so there is no shortage of shopping opportunities.

The main shopping district is in the centre, along Wenceslas Square (accessible by metro at both Museum and Mustek stations). Major brand stores such as IKEA, Marks & Spencer, Debenhams, are dotted throughout the city, as well as large shopping centres usually in locations accessible by public transport. The biggest ones are Novy Smichov at Andel, Flora in Zizkov, Palladium at Namesti Republiky, Metropole Zlicin, Eden located in Prague 10, and Arkady Pankrac.

Grocery storesThere are two major chain grocery stores here: British-owned Tesco and Czech-owned Albert. Albert is a smaller, neighborhood store, easily accessible by public transport and on foot.

Other than the multi-storey Tesco downtown at Narodni Trida, most large Tescos are in outlying districts more convenient for those who are driving.

Lidl and Kaufland have a presence in outer residential areas, whilst Potravinys in central residential areas has a selection of all sorts of basics from milk and bread, to alcohol and high-quality produce.

Depending on the neighborhood, there may be other medium-sized grocery stores for purchase of day-to-day necessities, although larger stores will provide a wider variety.

Additionally, there are several large shopping centers scattered around Prague. All of them have a grocery store in them, and some of the larger metro stations also have one. Essentially, there is likely to be a grocery store, small or large, within 10 minutes walk of your home. Top tip: Take your own shopping bag with you as generally stores do not provide a bag, or will charge you for one even if they do.

British & American foodsYou will occasionally find some British foods in Tesco, especially at holiday time. The Candy Store (formerly known as Robertson’s) is a British deli with a several branches around Prague, stocking dry goods imported from UK and USA as well as fresh meats – English bacon, sausages, black pudding, etc. Great for those feeling a bit homesick! http://www.candy-store.cz/

ElectronicsThere are two major specialist electronics stores in Prague: Datart (physical stores throughout Prague) and Alza.cz (online store). Alza is generally less expensive and have an English version of their website as well. They provide same-day (if ordered early enough) or next-day delivery to your home via their website ordering.

Food DeliveryDame Jidlo (translated as “Give Me Food”) is a food home delivery service which via their website (in English) connects users to around 200 restaurants around Prague. https://www.damejidlo.cz/en/ Menus are listed for each restaurant and delivery is within 60 minutes of the order placement. It’s no longer a choice between only pizza and Chinese!

Most delivery drivers speak English, so transaction is painless and stress-free. There’s never a shortage of places to go if you want to go out to eat, but when you don’t want to cook or go out, this is brilliant.

Tesco also has supermarket delivery, again with an English website. http://nakup.itesco.cz/en-GB/




Useful linksBelow is a list of additional websites Surinder Singhers in Czech Republic may find useful.

http://www.soudpreklad.cz/index-en.html Irena Novakova – certified translator. Recommended by Lori.

https://www.facebook.com/HairTales Recommended English-speaking hairdresser (men & women).

https://www.facebook.com/groups/167875120075514/ Prague Pets, if interested in adopting a pet.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/105535079555187/ Group for knitters, cross-stitchers, crocheters.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/learningczechinprague/ Learning Czech in Prague - meetups for conversation exchange, as well as classes and private tutors

https://www.facebook.com/groups/EWinP/ Expat Women in Prague – group for women only

https://www.facebook.com/groups/303819423017426/ Prague Buy/Sell/Trade – very active group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/211696932270702/ Buying and Selling in Prague – very active group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/prague.language.cafe/ Prague Language Café – for learning Czech

https://www.facebook.com/groups/PragueSA/ Prague Student Accommodation – don’t let the name fool you. Plenty of “regular” flats listed here, too.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/EventsInPrague/ Events in Prague – lots of fun events.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/FRYDAY.PRAGUE/ Fryday Prague – professional networkers group – great for self-employed people to network with other professionals.

http://www.expats.cz/articles/ Expats.cz article directory. Loads of useful information!!

http://thriftshop.cz/ Prague Thrift Store – good second-hand shop with several branches.

http://www.textilehouse.net/o-nas/?lang=en Textile House – EXCELLENT second-hand clothing store.

http://www.radio.cz/en Radio Prague – for Czech-specific news in English

http://www.en.domavcr.cz/ General advice for living in Czech Republic

http://www.ceskaposta.cz/index Czech Post

http://www.young.co.cz/welcome.html English-speaking doctors who accept VZP public insurance.

http://www.americandentist.cz/ American Dentist in Prague – private dental care. Recommended but does not accept VZP insurance. If you have a difficult dental issue, it may be worth the cost for you.

Check CrowdSauce CZ Facebook group for recommendations on other doctors/dentists.




Denmark

Travel to Denmark

By air: From London Stansted, London City and Manchester Airports you can go to Billund Airport (BLL) in Western Denmark. Flight time is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

From London Heathrow, London Stansted, London Gatwick, Aberdeen, Birmingham and Manchester Airports, you can go to Copenhagen Kastrup Airport (CPH). Flight time is approximately 2 hours. By ferry:There used to be a ferry line from Harwich to Esbjerg, but the service ceased on 1 August 2014. There are currently no non-stop ferry lines between the two countries. By car:The only option by car will be to take the Eurotunnel and then navigate the motorways through France, Benelux and Germany to the Danish border.

Registration

Everyone who wishes to settle in Denmark needs a “personnummer” (social security number). This can be obtained by going to the “Rådhus” (town hall) in the local “kommune” (municipal). Registration is in the “Borgerservice” (citizen’s service) department. If you bring your car from the UK, this will need to be registered within 14 days of arrival, where the British registration plates will be replaced with Danish ones. You do get to decide whether you wish the registration plates to be with or without the EU flag. If registration is not completed within 14 days, there is a fine of 2500 kroner (£264) payable in cash to the police if they stop you. Denmark is divided into 5 political regions. Each region has a “Statsforvaltning” (State Administration Office). In Statsforvaltningen, the EU citizen must ask for a “registreringsbevis” (registration certificate) and the non-EEA citizen applies for a “opholdskort” (Residence Card) using application form OD1.

Processing time is approximately 14 days from the day the application is submitted.

Banks

The biggest banks in Denmark are Danske Bank, Nordea, Sydbank, Arbejdernes Landsbank, Nykredit Bank and Alm Brand Bank.

They are all usually open Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm (Thursdays usually open to 530pm). Service is usually based on a queue system so you would need to take a number as soon as you enter.




Transport

The roads system is quite good in Denmark.

There are motorways in all parts of the country with good roads connecting main cities to each other. Generally speed limits are 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h in the country and 110 to 130 km/h on motorways.

The public transport is also very good in most places. In areas with a low population, the infrastructure is poor. In the main cities though, the bus and train systems are very good.

In Copenhagen, the services are brilliant. A-buses cross the city on specific routes every 3-4 minutes. Other buses run according to a timetable.

S-train is every 20 minutes on each route (each route has its own colour and alphabetic letter) and is comparable to London’s tube system.

The Copenhagen Metro system is partially underground, running from Copenhagen City to Western Amager Island and Copenhagen Kastrup Airport. It is quite frequent, at 4-6 minutes. One is able to travel on the same ticket on a connected trip and combine train, bus and Metros within the validity hours of the ticket. All main cities have buses which run at least every 15-20 minutes. Out-of-town buses are usually a different colour than the local ones with an hourly frequency.

In Jutland (western part of the country) you can also find X-buses, which travel longer distances and connect various cities together with very few stops in between. The bus is blue, with a huge X on the side, and the route number always has three digits beginning with 9, e.g. 918X. e.g. express All public transport can be planned using the app “Rejseplanen” (or www.rejseplanen.dk). Tickets are available for purchase using the app or from the machines at train stations.

Telephone

Four major companies run the telephone network: TDC, Telia, Telenor and “3”. A large number of other companies use their networks.

It is possible to buy pre-paid calling cards (taletidskort), but it might be more expensive than a contract (subscription). Rates depends on the “package” purchased and network used.

Prices in the main four do not differ much because of the high level of competition. For instance a package of 5 hours local calls, 2 GB data, unlimited text, unlimited MMS and unlimited Facebook is 149 kroner per month (approximately £16). Smartphones can be included as part of the contract in the same way as they are in the UK.

Beware though that sometimes it is cheaper to buy a phone and sim card separately than as a package. So do your research!

Pre-paid calling cards specifically for calling abroad are available at post offices and of ethnic shops. Or you can – of course – use all the free/cheap services online.




http://www.rejseplanen.dk/

Shopping

Most cities and larger towns have a supermarket within walking distance. The most common grocery stores are Bilka, føtex and Kvickly selling food, flowers, bicycles, textiles, toys and a lot more.

In other supermarkets like MENY, fakta, Netto, Lidl, Aldi, Min Købmand the main focus is on food.

All prices include VAT at 25% Eating out

There are a broad variety of restaurants across the country, with a lot of pizza bars. Whilst few restaurants cater British culinary delights there are lots of Scottish bars!

Language

Most people in Denmark speak English. So it is possible to shop, bank and liaise with public authorities in English. If the person you are engaged with does not speak English, he/she will quickly find someone who can. However, even though most people do speak English, you may need to go to a language school. If it is a requirement, you do not need to pay a fee to the school. If learning the language is optional, then it will be fee-paying with costs dependent on the nature of the lessons.

News in English

In hotels, there is cable TV in every room with BBC News and CNN. The Copenhagen Post reports in local news in English in their online newspaper.

Medical services

Most supermarkets and drugstores sell common over-the-counter medicines for which neither a prescription nor ID is required.

If you have a Danish personnummer, all visits and treatments with doctors and hospitals is free (funded by taxes). If you do not have a Danish personnummer, health insurance is required.

Emergency phone number is 112, for the police, ambulance or fire department. If it is not an emergency but you need the police, the number to dial is 114.

Attitude towards foreigners

The immigration debate is raging quite loudly in Denmark, and generally has a negative tone to it. A survey shortly before the European Parliament election in May 2014 showed around 70% of Danes are against or partly against immigration to Denmark, mainly because they believe foreigners are “stealing” local jobs and ruining the welfare system.

This view is proven incorrect when figures are analysed; Denmark benefits from free movement and jobs worked by migrants are often those which Danes don’t want to undertake themselves e.g. cleaners, maids etc.




Germany

Before Arriving in Germany

British citizens do not need a visa to enter Germany. Requirements for non-EEA family depends on their nationality. http://www.london.diplo.de/Vertretung/london/en/07/03__Visa/011__Need__Visa.html

Visa nationals may apply for a Schengen visa in their home country before travelling. Exercise caution when buying one-way tickets though as although evidence of onward travel is not required under EEA law, some airlines don’t allow boarding without a return ticket.

Entering the country

Carry evidence of your relationship in your hand luggage and be prepared to show this to immigration officials, if requested. It is likely that non-visa nationals will be ushered through, no questions asked.

Registering your presence

German law requires all arrivals (including British citizens) to register at the local Einwohnermeldeamt (sometimes called Burgerburo or Burgeramt). This should be done within 7 days of entering the country, even if the applicants are only in temporary accommodation.

Hotels usually do this for you, but if you have made private arrangements, you will need to handle this yourself. Once permanent accommodation is found, this address will need to be registered. http://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Residence_registration.

Local branch can be found by entering the postcode here http://www.meldebox.de/Einwohnermeldeamt/ or do a google search on ‘Einwohnermeldeamt’ and your city.

Registration is quick and relatively straightforward, but the earlier in the day you go, the shorter the waiting time is likely to be.

Ask the receptionist (likely will speak English) where you need to go once you are in the building. Bring your rental contract with you and register your whole family as living at your new address.

During registration you will be asked for your religion. If you give one, you will be registered to pay church tax which will automatically be deducted from your salary. You are entitled to give no religion, meaning you will not be eligible for paying church tax. However, not paying church tax means you are not allowed to use the services of your local church for events such as weddings, christenings, funerals and technically also for weekly services.

You should check the requirements for other religions

Applying for a German Residence Card

After registering the family’s presence at the Einwohnermeldeamt go to the EU Citizen’s Service, part of the Auslanderamt (in the same building) with the non-EEA family members and take:

Passports for sponsor and applicants Evidence of relationship – the basis for which treaty rights are being exercised Birth certificates (for any children) Employment contract




Tip: look for housing which is commission free: Provisionsfrei

Payslip (if available) Registration certificate (as issued by the Einwohnermeldeamt) Passport photo of all non-EEA individuals. Amount for the Residence Card, €28.80 at time of writing this.

There is queue system; take a ticket from the automatic machine and wait your turn. (The longest reported wait is 20 minutes).

If there is someone from the residence card service available, they may deal with your application on the spot. If not, then they will give you an appointment to come back at a future date along with a letter telling you which items you need to bring (essentially those listed above).

There seems to be no problem with providing your documents in English. You may need to get these translated if they are in another language however.

The appointment with the registration service itself should only take about 15 or 20 minutes. Non-EEA family members will have their fingerprints taken and the staff member will take copies of all the documents. After 2 to 3 weeks applicants should receive a letter indicating the card is ready for collection, subject to making an appointment and bringing in the relevant passports.

The issuing official will double-check the data on the card and passport and providing there are no discrepancies will issue you with the card.

A German-issued Residence Card is currently one of the few which the UK accepts for visa nationals, in place of a UK Family Permit.


Non-EEA individuals who don’t possess a German Residence Card at the time they wish to enter the UK (for a visit or longer-term), will need to apply for a Family Permit from the UK embassy if they are visa nationals. German documents will need to be translated into English in order to satisfy UK requirements so these costs should be factored in.

Temporary accommodation

You will probably need temporary accommodation in Germany while you are searching for somewhere more permanent to live. For cheaper alternatives to hotels see http://www.bed-and-breakfast.de/index_en.asp and https://www.airbnb.com/s/Germany. If things are really tight you could also try the Couchsurfing community. Many of its members go out of their way to help others in need https://www.couchsurfing.org/.

Longer-term accommodation

Most Germans rent unfurnished apartments. Furnished apartments are limited, but they are also not in high demand, so it is possible to secure one. It may be possible to buy a previous tenant’s furniture,

which could then potentially be sold on to the next tenant.

If intending on staying in Germany for months rather than years, it is probably not worth going through a letting agency as they tend to charge a commission for finding and securing an apartment, equivalent to around two to three months rent.




Deposits (“Kaution”) tend to be quite high, at three or four months rent, but are refundable and possible to negotiate this down to a lower amount.

Rental contracts usually include some (sometimes all) utilities and service charges, with the exception of gas and electricity. Listings for apartments show two prices: kalt and warm. Warm is the actual price paid each month including the extra charges. Prices vary significantly from city to city.

The following provide useful further information, and a good glossary of German rental terms. http://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Apartment_rental http://www.howtogermany.com/pages/housing.html http://blog.mygermanexpert.com/2013/02/Apartment-listing-for-Germany.html

All tenants will need to be named on the rental contract as evidence of residency and co-habitation.

Rental property websites (all in German)http://www.null-provision.de/http://www.kalaydo.de/immobilien/mietwohnungen/?COMMISSION_FREE=1http://www.wohnungsboerse.net/http://www.immowelt.de/provisionsfrei/wohnungen.aspxhttp://www.immonet.de/wohnung-provisionsfrei-mieten.htmlhttp://kleinanzeigen.ebay.de/anzeigen/s-wohnung-mieten/wohnung-provisionsfrei/k0c203 An alternative is flat-sharing (“ein WG”). Increasing numbers are living in WGs due to high rents. http://www.wg-gesucht.de/wohnung_mieten_ohne_provision.html

Gas and electricity

Gas and electricity need to be registered for. http://germany.angloinfo.com/housing/setting-up-home/gas-electricity/.

Jobs

Germany has one of the largest and strongest economies in the EU. It is worth searching for a job in Germany before arrival, but jobs can also be found once here. EU citizens are entitled to use the services of the local job centre (Arbeitsagentur).

http://jobboerse.arbeitsagentur.de/vamJB/startseite.html?m=1&aa=1 - change the language to English at the top of the page (Sprache andern)http://www.arbeitsagentur.de/web/content/EN/index.htm https://ec.europa.eu/eures/page/homepage?lang=enhttp://www.toytowngermany.com/jobs/ www.tefl.com - English teaching jobs for those with a CELTA qualification.

Paying taxes

Married couples share tax allowance; default tax code is 4-4. If only the British citizen is working the tax code should be changed to be 3 for them and 5 for the non-EU partner, thereby adding the partner’s tax allowance to the British citizens, dramatically decreasing the income tax paid.

Tax codes are changed by downloading a form and taking it to the local (not necessarily nearest) tax office. http://www.howtogermany.com/pages/germantaxes.html

Income tax in Germany is higher than the UK. Those earning over around €450 a month must pay Sozialenkosten (similar to national insurance) in addition to income tax.




Internet

It initially seems impossible to get short-term internet in Germany as contracts are routinely for 24 months. However, some providers allow terminating a contract early for those moving outside their service area.

Top tip: Get this assurance from them in writing before singing any contracts. In NRW and Hessen you can use Unity Media, though their customer service reputation isn’t that good. Alternatively, some may prefer using a dongle or standard data plan via one of the mobile phone providers.

Bank

Opening a bank account in Germany is easier and quicker than in UK. However, research is needed in choosing an account and bank suited to individual circumstances.

There are three types of banks in Germany: private, cooperative and public. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banking_in_Germany

Some banks require a minimum deposit each month to avoid monthly fees. For example, Commerzbank requires €1200 each month for the fee-free option.

Other banks (e.g. Volksbank) charge for individual services such as standing orders/direct debit, money transfer etc. The upside is that these banks are not run for corporate profit and are run in the interests of their members. Banks frequently charge up to €5 Euros for withdrawals using a debit card (EC/Maestro) issued by a different bank.

Some banks have networks (e.g. Deutschebank, Commerzbank and Postbank) for fee-free withdrawal.

Once you have made your decision go along to the local branch and make an appointment to open a Girokonto. Joint accounts are recommended between sponsor and applicant as further evidence of dependency and residency.

Documents needed include passports, registration certificate (from Einwohnermeldeamt) and a residence card if this has been issued.

http://www.expatica.com/de/finance_business/banking/Opening-bank-account-in-Germany_10000.html http://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Banking_in_Germany

Language

Whilst speaking the local language helps, it’s not essential for day-to-day living, as most Germans (particularly younger ones) speak English at least to a conversational level. Additionally, most shops, doctor’s practices, and offices will tend to have someone who is only too glad to practice their English with you.

Many public officials speak English, but it might be worth taking along a German-speaking friend to help if possible. Certain jobs, such as English teaching positions generally do not require German language ability. However, most jobs will require speaking some German.

Please note that many of the websites listed in this section are only available in German. The English version has been listed where possible, but in other cases you may need to use Google Translate.




There are many free German online resources that may help the integration and make for a smoother time in Germany: http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/german/ BBC Learn Germanhttp://www.dw.de/deutsch-lernen/kursfinder/s-13211 - Find a free Deutsche Welle course.https://www.duolingo.com/ - Very popular game-style learninghttp://www.memrise.com/ - Up and coming game-style learning

An intensive course at one of the big language schools help with a quicker pick up of the language however these tend to be quite expensive. The cheapest courses are usually run by the local Volkshochschule http://www.vhs.de/. A course providing a certificate may be beneficial in evidencing the integration requirement.

Another option is using a private tutor for one-to-one lessons, often for a lower price than a language school.

There are regular language exchange meetings (Sprachenabend) in many cities with Germans eager to practise their English and willing to speak to you in German. You can search for these on Facebook or http://www.meetup.com/.

There is also the possibility of finding a language exchange partner (Tandem Partner). http://www.erstenachhilfe.de/ is a popular site for finding language exchange partners. Be aware that you have to pay a monthly fee to send messages the site although profile set up and receiving messages is free.

Experience shows English speakers are in high demand as tandem partners.

Another way to improve language skills is to watch German TV and read German books. Public service brochures and language books often have information in German and English, so reading that is also a good way to test your language skills.

Mobile phone

Most mobile phone contracts are for 24 months in Germany, so pay-as-you-go may be preferred with the option of booking monthly options for a certain level of texts/minutes and data. Prices vary so shop around.

The three main network providers are T-mobile, Vodafone and E-plus/02 (in the process of merging).

Aldi’s sim card offers a bookable option costing €7.99 a month, which includes a combination of 300 texts/minutes and 300 MB of data. Other companies such as Ortel offer cheap rates for overseas calls.

Health insurance

For those who are employed, the employer should help register their employee, and partner and children for health insurance. The biggest public provider is AOK, although there is a choice of several. Once working, non-EEA partner and children are covered by this health insurance.

Registering with doctors and dentists

Registration is with a local GP/dentist. Allgemeinefacharzt or Hausarzt for doctors, or Zahnarzt for dentist. Ratings and reviews are at http://www.jameda.de/ with 1 (good) and 6 (bad). Ensure the doctor/dentist accept public health insurance (Kassenpatienten) http://www.med-kolleg.de/index_e.html offers a searchable database of doctors in English.




To make an appointment, (“ein Termin”) the assistant will need the patient’s name and preferred appointment time. Ensure the health insurance card is presented at the appointment – and if necessary, obtain a temporary paper card from the health insurer while waiting for a permanent card to arrive.

In Germany, it is sometimes possible to get an appointment directly with a specialist without getting a referral from the GP first though do check that you don’t end up having to foot the bill for the consultation, or being refused after arrival.

More informationhttp://www.howtogermany.com/pages/doctors.html - includes some helpful German phraseshttp://www.expatica.com/de/health_fitness/healthcare/Your-guide-to-navigating-the-German-health-care-system_14841.html http://germany.usembassy.gov/acs/lists/ - English-speaking doctors (Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich only).

Children and schoolsYou must send any children (aged 6-18) to school in Germany. This is mandated by law as homeschooling is not a legal option.

Shopping

Food in Germany ranges from the cheap (Aldi, Lidl, Netto) to regular supermarkets (Rewe, Edeka, Kaisers, Real) all the way to the more expensive organic ones. Many areas have regular local farmers markets.

Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free food is readily available in the cities. Two of the large drugstore chains (Rossman and DM) sell a range of fairly cheap organic and gluten-free products.

Germans are fans of flea markets (trodelmarkt, flohmarkt) with leaflets for upcoming flea markets readily available.

Shops are all shut on Sundays with the exception of bakeries, generally open for three hours between 7am and 11am selling a limited range. If desperate, supermarkets at the local airport may be open. For example, Dusseldorf airport has a Rewe which is open on Sundays.

Getting involved in the community

Taking an active role in the community makes for a more satisfactory time (and may also help with the COL requirements). Germany has a long and proud tradition of festivals and events, at the local and national levels, throughout the year. They are especially fun for children!

There are lots of groups and clubs on facebook and www.meetup.com (search by local area) which are a great way to meet locals and other migrants to Germany and locals.

Travel to and within Germany

Ryanair, Easyjet, Flybe fly to many German cities. However, before booking be sure to check which city you are actually flying to. Ryanair may state a flight is to Dusseldorf, but it actually takes passengers to Weeze, close to the Dutch border and 60km away from Dusseldorf.

Germanwings is the no-frills arm of Lufthansa, Germany’s national airline. Deutsche Bahn often has special offers for travel both within Germany and abroad http://www.bahn.de/p_en/view/index.shtml.




Eurostar can also be taken to a number of different German cities. http://www.eurostar.com/uk-en/travel-information/connections-information/travel-germany#.VERMsSmwJcY.

Coach companies also offer routes connecting many German cities and going further afield https://www.flixbus.de/ and http://meinfernbus.de/.

Public Transport

Public transport is organised regionally in Germany and thus varies from city to city. The larger the city, the greater the number of transport options.

Cities generally have extensive bus and tram (Strassenbahn) networks, as well as underground trains (U-Bahn) and commuter trains (S-Bahn). Cities are connected via regional trains and the more expensive intercity (IC) and (ICE) trains.

Every city is run by a transport cooperative meaning fares and tickets are coordinated. A single ticket (Fahrkarte, Fahrschein, or Fahrausweis) will usually be valid for at least 90 minutes allowing unlimited transfers within that time frame. Tickets can be bought on the buses and trams, however train tickets must be bought before boarding. The language at ticket machines on the platform can be changed to English.

Tickets must be validated (entwerten), unless they are pre-stamped. Failure to stamp/validate the ticket could result in a €40 fine. Tickets must be validated via one of the (usually orange) machines before getting on (in the case of S-Bahn and regional trains) and as soon as you get on, in (in the case of trams and buses).

A monthly ticket may be a more financially viable option for those expecting to use public transport frequently. The tickets available differ from city to city and are available from the nearest transport customer service office or the travel centre (Reisezentrum) at any main train station.

http://www.gettingaroundgermany.info/stadt.shtmlhttp://www.studying-in-germany.org/a-foreigners-guide-to-public-transport-in-germany/http://www.lonelyplanet.com/germany/transport/getting-around

Peculiar to Germany

Pedestrian crossings : It is an offence for a pedestrian to cross on red in Germany. The police have been known to issue on-the-spot fines to offenders. You will see Germans cross roads on red, but the overwhelming majority do respect the law.

TV Licences : TV licences are mandatory for every household, even in the absence of a TV. At the time of writing, the TV licence fee was €17.99 a month.

Personal Liability Insurance : It is standard for Germans to have personal liability insurance. There is no legal requirement for this, but most Germans (generally risk-averse) find the idea of not having such insurance baffling. PLI can be arranged through the bank.

Public transport: Public transport is generally barrier-free. This can make it very tempting to travel without buying a ticket however ticket inspectors roam local trams, trains and buses and do issue fines to those without a valid ticket.

About Germany

Germany offers a good standard of living, with generally clean and efficient public services. Most Germans are decent and law-abiding, although perhaps not generally as open and forthcoming as




some other Europeans. The reputation Germans have as being sticklers for rules is probably not undeserved. If you do something “wrong” don’t be surprised if you get publicly “told off” by a little old lady. However, this has an upside! German public officials also seem to stick to the rules, making the process of obtaining a a visa for Germany and a residence card smoother compared with the UK.

Germans are generally friendly and helpful, particularly once you know them. There is also quite an active expat community in most of the bigger German cities. See http://www.toytowngermany.com/.

Tip: Take it one step at a time and focus on the important things first, allowing you to get into the swing of things, and hopefully feel settled and able to enjoy your time in Germany.

City: Dusseldorf

Dusseldorf, on the river Rhine, is the capital of North Rhein Westphalia. It is a bustling and prosperous economic centre with a population of nearly 600,000. The city is famous for trade fairs, carnival, designer shops and supposedly having the “longest bar in Europe”. Some multinationals (Vodafone, Metro) have their German headquarters in Dusseldorf, and there are consequently quite a large number of migrants living here. With economic success comes reasonable job prospects, but higher living costs than many other German cities.

Dusseldorf is a very liveable city, with lots of parks and interesting sites. The politics of the area is pretty conservative and this does detract from its potential vibrancy somewhat.




http://www.toytowngermany.com/

GreeceApplying for a Greek Family permit TBC

Applying for a Greek Residence Card

Residence Cards for EU citizenGet your employer to fill in a document obtained by the Aliens Police.

Then arrive at the Aliens Police station as early as 6am

Documents you will need include: Employment contract or €4000 deposited into a Greek bank account to prove you have the means

to support yourself Document referred to above filled in by your employer Passport 2 passport photographs Valid Health Insurance (Can be E111 card) House Contract (with tax stamp by the municipality) Top tip: Take three copies of each document.

You will fill in a form and wait around for 3-4 hours, following which you receive the Residence Card which needs to be taken down the street to the main office for lamination and copying, then brought back to the Aliens Policestation.

Non–EEA Residence cardTBC

Applying for a UK Family permit

The family permit application is made online, followed by an appointment at the teleppeformance contact centre in Athens. The EU citizen is not allowed in the building with the applicant.

Take a copy of all documents with you; staff will check the original against the copy before returning it to you, except for the non-EEA passport which is retained for the FP stamp. Biometrics will be taken. The application is sent to Warsaw for processing and indicative timescales are about 15 working days for return of the passport with the FP stamp.

Tax

AFM – for tax purposes equivalent to NI numberOnce you have an address, go to Eforia (local tax office) to obtain AFM (af em mee). Documents needed: Tenancy agreement Passport Birth CertificateTop Tip: Take three copies of each of the above along with the original document.

AMKA - Social Security numberSimple to obtain from KEP office. You will need to take your passport to obtain an AMKA.




Rentals

Athens is a very safe city, apart from lots of poverty you should not feel unsafe in any area that you live in. Usual sensible precautions apply especially when traveling on the metro or train system. Use common sense. Best areas to live in are in the center and Kissoff, Alkali and coastal regions like Voulagmeni and Glyfada. Living in the center has its benefits and Victoria, Kypsili, Acropoli, Syntagma and Koloniki are all decent places to live.

Temporary places to liveAthens Backpackers offer studio apartments or shared rooms at fair prices for short term rentals. They also have a bar that a lot of migrants go to, so is a good place to get advice and help from others going through the same experiences. The staff are also very cool.

The fish cafe sells fish and chips for €5. http://www.backpackers.gr/

Airbnb is also a good website for short-term rentals, allowing you to live with a local person/family.

Long term rentalsFind an area you wish to live in and walk the streets looking in windows for a red sign saying

ενοικίαση. Usually, there will be some indication as to what floor the vacancy is on, how many

rooms it has, and if it’s furnished it may say επιπλωμένο. There are some websites which target migrants for rentals – they’re pricier but they are in English so represent an easier way to seek a place.

http://www.expatriates.com/classifieds/ath/http://athens.craigslist.gr/

The website www.xe.gr has a comprehensive list of all properties for rent in the selected area, but you will need the assistance of someone who speaks Greek to navigate the website.

Ensure your landlord takes the tenancy contract to the Municipality office and has it stamped, otherwise it will not be valid.

Jobs

There are many teaching/nanny positions, but you can also find work in hostels in the summer months. Check out the nanny website on Facebook and find a job in Athens is also a good source for positions.

Beware though as Greeks may try to avoid paying tax for you, especially where payment is in cash form, which can be problematic in showing legitimate work. One member overcame this by keeping regular receipts and depositing the earnings yourself into her Greek bank account, to ensure there was a trail of evidence.

Teleperformance tend to take on staff who speak different languages.

Some websites will list jobs in English, including www.kariera.gr




http://www.kariera.gr/

http://www.xe.gr/

http://athens.craigslist.gr/

http://www.expatriates.com/classifieds/ath/

http://www.backpackers.gr/

Bank account

Documents needed: Copy of tenancy agreement Passport and Residence card (if obtained) AFM Work Contract

If you have not paid tax you must obtain a tax document from the same office you took your AFM to, stating that you have nil income for the relevant financial year.

Mobile phones

Free sim cards are available from most places, offering deals at very low prices. The main mobile networks are Wind, Vodaphone, Germanos; there is also Frog and other low cost networks which are great as calls to others on the same network are often free, for a low monthly charge of €1.

Contract phones offer packages which may include free calls to UK. Vodaphone offers an all-in-one package. Networks have shops on the high street and speak English. Documents needed: Tenancy agreement Passport AFM

International calls, photocopying and TV

Some packages include free UK calls. For calls to outside Europe, best deals will usually be from stores owned by migrants from that region; you go in and use their phone and they calculate the cost. These stores also offer internet access for as low as 50¢ an hour.

There are printing companies in almost every area which print for as little as 5¢ a sheet. If you take your USB stick they are happy to print directly from that too. Their English will likely be better than your Greek!

Don’t bother getting TV channels as they’re useless!

Groceries

AB is expensive, akin to Sainsbury’s or Waitrose, so best reserved for special occasions. Carrefour tends to have good deals. Lidl is the cheapest and a good option for those on a budget.

Most areas host a farmers market, Laiki, one day a week where you can buy seasonal fruits, salad and vegetables for a low price. Top tip: Bargains to be had towards end of day (from 3pm) when vendors keen to sell all produce.

On Athinas Street in central Athens there is a local meat and fish market. It can be a bit overwhelming as it’s quite graphic, but is cheap e.g. a chicken is €2. Pick stalls which look fresh. Most of them speak English but it’s not hard to make simple requests e.g. to order a kilo of mince, just point to mince and say ‘ena killo’! An amazing thing to do on Saturday mornings as a weekly treat.

Around Athinas Street, you can find spices, local cheese suppliers, sausages and fruit and vegetables – but fruits and veggies here are not of the same standard as at the weekly street markets.


“My husband used to call Africa and was able to speak to his family there for 20 mins for just €1. Very cheap and simple!”



Newspapers

Sunday newspapers have vouchers for supermarkets. Thema for example has two editions, one which is just €2, and a more expensive one which also includes additional items like DVD’s etc.

Schools

St Katherine is a private (expensive) British school. Not many schools offer a British curriculum. Byron College and Athens College (American school) are also private and expensive. Schooling in Greece is not generally up to a good standard so it is worth considering home schooling as there are lots of native English teachers offering to home-teach at reasonable prices. Most kindergartens and preschool nurseries are in the northern suburbs. Barbara Boden is quite popular.

Transport

A monthly ticket for the Bus, Tram and Trolly was €20, or €45 to also include the metro. Transport is expectedly busy at peak times, but very efficient and regular. See www.oasa.gr for guides and transport routes.

KTEL is a long-distance bus company and you can get almost anywhere in Greece using their services. www.ktelbus.gr

Hospitals and medicines

If you fall ill, the best thing to do is to call 112 for a list of emergency hospitals offering treatment. If it’s an emergency they will also send an ambulance. However, ambulances are not particularly quick so it can often be faster to get a taxi to the hospital.

Process in hospitals is similar to A&E in UK; they will also deal with non-emergencies. You will need an E111 card though, which should allow for free treatments for the most part.

Pharmacies offer a consultative service. You describe the symptoms and they will try and diagnose it. Basic medicine like Paracetamol is cheap but if you are on regular medication check it’s availability in Greece else stock up from the UK. For example, Codeine is not available in Greece.

Contraception is expensive, so you may want to stock up on this from the UK as well. They don’t seem to offer contraceptive injections or implants yet and many shops don’t sell tampons. The general attitude towards sex is quite conservative.

Religion

Greece is predominately Greek orthodox but there are churches offering Christian/Catholic services. St Paul’s Anglican Church in the Plaka hosts a weekly Sunday service at 10:30am and Wednesday communion at 10am. This is a great place to meet other Brits and make new friends.

There is also a Catholic church in the Syntagma area and a Mormon church in the Plaka central areas. There don’t seem to be any mosques or synagogues in Athens but there are underground temples and venues where people meet on a regular basis. Just ask around for info on these.

Migrant groups in each area hold their own church/religious festivals and sermons with groups from around the world, including Poland, Russia, Iran, Iraq, various African countries.




http://www.ktelbus.gr/

http://www.oasa.gr/

Word of caution

Athens can be a difficult place to live especially if you look different. There have been reported incidents of foreigners (Brits and their family) experiencing bigotry and insensitivity. Ensure you carry ID with you at all times, and if of non-white appearance, possibly your passport as well.

The police carry out random spot checks on foreign nationals and if you are not in receipt of the correct documents they will imprison you for a number of hours whilst they undertake the checks.

Having said that, most places in the world have issues and Greek people for the most part are very thoughtful, caring, generous and helpful. The food is amazing, the weather glorious – it almost never rains!

Useful contacts as recommended by members

Notary service: Dimitri Kontopoulos Tel: 2103641801 located in Koloniki

Immigration Lawyer: Christos 6944242553 located in Academias

Translation services: Vasil Pappa 210 5223016 located in Omonia

Summary

The Good The Bad

Not expensive Bureaucracy

Food Job situation

Weather Language

Reviews

“I would not recommend Greece unless you have family, friends or certain skills to get a job as there are no jobs and all the young people are leaving the country.

The bureaucracy here is unimaginable. Even though I hired a lawyer it is still taking me two months to submit documents for my mother’s Residence Card, as the Greek authorities do not consider a birth certificate sufficient to prove a parent-child relationship. Mum had to go to the Russian embassy to obtain a letter to confirm our relationship.

Translating of documents takes lots of time, and at times it appears that when all of Greece is not on holiday, departments randomly make up their own rules – be it the police or banks with different branches choosing to implement procedures to suit the branch manager.

Speaking Greek and having family and friends – any contacts – is a massive help. Use of an accountant seems mandatory but they are not expensive.”




Hungary




Ireland

Applying for an Irish Family Permit

If the non-EEA family member is from a visa waiver country they may not need a visa/family permit (aka short stay C visa) to enter Ireland. However be prepared to answer questions at the port, and ensure you know your rights. Be polite but firm.

If the non-EEA family member is not from a visa-waiver country, they will need to apply to the Irish embassy in their own country. Documents needed include:

Non-EEA applicant’s passport Copy of EEA national’s passport (sponsor) Evidence of relationship e.g. birth certificate or marriage certificate with translations if required Evidence of accommodation for first few nights in Ireland e.g. hotel booking or tenancy if already

sorted out Flight itinerary Cover letter

The application can be started online and applicant has 30 days to submit the documents and the signed summary page to the nearest Irish embassy or application centre.

Purpose of trip should be marked as “Join or accompany EEA national”. Responses to most of the other questions may be denoted as ‘N/A under European Directive”.

You do not need to answer questions relating to employment at this stage.

Applying for an Irish Residence Card

http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/EU%20Treaty%20Rights

Required documents:

Evidence of relationship between sponsor and applicant - birth certificate, marriage certificate. Statutory declaration could be accepted where an original birth certificate to show parental relationship between sponsor and applicant is not available.

Passports of sponsor and applicant 2 passport size photos each, for sponsor and applicant. Beware of the very specific requirements

for photos. Tenancy agreement which includes names of everyone involved Contract of employment Evidence of dependency of applicants who are not partners / children on the sponsor. Financial is

normally the easiest one to evidence. Letter from the Private Residential Tenancies Board confirming registration of tenancy. Two recent payslips (self-employed will need to submit receipts, invoices, bank statements and tax

registration forms). Most recent P60 or a tax credit certificate

Not all the documents are required at the initial application stage; if there’s something missing the authorities will write in requesting this. However the application is likely to be processed more quickly if there are no missing documents.




http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/EU%20Treaty%20Rights

About four weeks after sending the application, sponsor and applicant will be asked to submit biometrics, following which the applicant will be issued with an identity card allowing stay for six months while the RC is processed. Recommend getting to the Immigration Service as early as possible because it’s an extremely long wait otherwise.


The first step is filling out the online form – it is possible to start filling in the form and then continuing it on another day – just remember to save it. Once submitted, the applicant will need to register on the teleperformance site, pay for the return service and make an appointment. Ensure you print confirmation of the booking time and return service for your records.

At the appointment, biometrics will be taken.

Travel between UK and Ireland

UK and Ireland are part of the Common Travel Area http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Travel_Area

Members are able to travel between these countries using their driving licence, as long as this shows place of birth as UK or elsewhere in the EU. Airlines may have more stringent requirements than immigration though!

Citizen’s Advice Bureau

Citizen’s Advice Bureau has lots of branches, including on O’Connell St - main street in Dublin.

CAB helps look over visa application forms to see if filled in correctly, advise on courses, including free English classes and welfare benefits which could take ages to sort out but tend to be backdated.

PPS number

PPS is the equivalent of National Insurance. Obtaining a PPS number is simple. Documents required: Passport Proof of address (tenancy agreement, “Certificate of Balance” from bank, utility bill). Birth certificate may be needed for minor children.

You receive your PPS number by post within a few days. PPS number is needed in order to work and claim benefits (known as social welfare in Ireland).

Jobs

Check out online portals, sign up with agencies, walk around as many advertise in shop windows, ask people you live with, look at job boards in libraries, Citizen’s Advice Bureau, community centres. Be prepared to do anything and part-time work (usually a minimum of 12 hours) is fine for the Surinder Singh route. Relief work may be easier to obtain albeit on a zero-hours contract.

Ensure you have an updated CV with you, along with any certificates you may be relying on to find a job. Top tip: ensure you have copies of all important documents in your email for easy access.




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Travel_Area

Banks

Permanent TSB is recommended, although members may wish to look into Allied Irish Bank and Bank of Ireland too. KBC has also been used by some members although it does not have many branches scattered around. Transferwise may be useful for transferring money to and from Ireland.

Travel

In Dublin, day and ‘journey’ passes are available. For example, 30-day pass allows for 30 days travel, and the 30 days do not have to be consecutive. The ‘journey’ passes allow for ten trips, although any travel, including in different buses within the same 90 minute period counts as the same trip.

Holders of an Irish student card benefit from cheaper travel as well as fee-less banking. Banks in Ireland otherwise tend to charge for things taken for granted in the UK, like using an ATM.

Travelling within Ireland by coach is reasonably priced. From Limerick to Dublin for example costs €15 one-way using Dublin Coaches, including on-board Wi-Fi.Accommodation

Airbnb is good for temporary accommodation, allowing living with locals who can be a great source of info on jobs, travel and long-term accommodation. Check out the reviews and photos. Given the purpose of those embarking on this route, there is no point being holed up alone in a hotel room.

For longer-term accommodation daft.ie is good, even for house shares. Gumtree.ie may not be bad, but there are a lot of rogues, so do your own due diligence. Note, your landlord is legally required to register the tenancy with the PRTB, and the sooner they do this the better, as it’s cheaper for them and the registration document is required for the Residence Card application.

Dublin:In Dublin, even-numbered postcodes are south of the river and odd-numbered postcodes, north. The airport is north around D9 and about 30 minutes from the city centre by bus. As the numbers get higher, so does (generally) the distance from the city centre.

South is generally nicer, but there are good and bad areas everywhere, so walk around before signing a contract. Things to consider include proximity to work, school, airport, transport, supermarkets.

Rents vary but generally the city centre is more expensive with apartments not as nice. Closer to the airport living in a complex, a 2 bedroom apartment is around €900 a month but tends to be inclusive of things like rubbish collection. In other places, rubbish collection charges would be payable on top. House shares may be worth considering for those on a tight budget.

Limerick:Aviary Estates is a good agency. They accepted a UK work reference for the British citizen and did not mandate one for the foreign family member. PPS number could be added later. Generally contracts are six months with a month’s notice required to terminate.




Utilities

Ensure you budget for utilities such as electricity, gas and internet. There are currently no council tax or water bills, although there have been murmurings of introducing these. Monthly charges for rubbish collection may be payable on top.

UPC seems to be the fastest internet service provider, being fibre optic but if you don’t need stream, then you may prefer Imagine, which includes unlimited calls to UK landlines (for the first 60 minutes). Another advantage of Imagine is that it’s portable, so if you move house, you can take your internet connection with you – even if you go elsewhere in Ireland for say a weekend! However internet quality is not on par with the connection and speed of that in the UK.

Magnet is another internet provider and is a contract-free internet and phone service. There is a €50 connection fee but you can cancel the service at any time. http://www.magnet.ie/

Everything is a 12 month contract which can be a concern for those not expecting to remain in the country for that long. Some companies may however waive the early termination charges for those moving overseas. For things like internet, it may be possible to transfer it to someone else in Ireland – perhaps one of the next batch of BritCits members, as moving the services to another address is usually free. It may also be worth asking your landlord if the rent can be inclusive of things like internet and TV, as the next set of tenants will likely be in need of these things.

Where heaters are electric, there may be on a dual-rate basis with day and night rates; depending on the plan it may be economical to buy the heat at night and then release it slowly during the day. Mobile phone

Lycamobile cards are available in most corner shops. Calls and texts from Lyca Ireland to Lyca Ireland accounts are free, and there are often deals to call other Lycamobile account holders in other countries, including the UK, for very low rates or even free, subject to a minimum top-up. There are also advantages to topping up credit online because of the matching credits.

Tesco mobile has also been found to be inexpensive and with good reception.

3 mobile and eircom also worth looking into.

Library

There is a library in city centre with branches all round Dublin. Easy to join, provides free internet access, reading material, information on courses and often free English classes.

ReligionThere are churches, mosques and Hare Krishna Temple. There is also a Gurdwara in Dublin:

Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar 78 Serpentine Ave, Dublin 4




http://www.magnet.ie/

Supermarkets

There are no big stores like Costco or Makro, though such stores are available across the border in Northern Ireland. No Sainsbury’s or Asda either.

There is however a Tesco and those in Ireland temporarily may wish to use their UK Tesco Clubcard rather than starting a new account in Ireland. Be prepared for paying more for your groceries though with Irish butter more expensive in Ireland than it is in the UK! All food is generally pricier than in the UK, except for maybe potatoes! It may not be a bad idea to stock up on non-perishables from the UK before heading over to Ireland, depending on luggage allowance.

Aldi and Lidl provide an opportunity for prices more comparable with the UK.

Beware, all supermarkets charge for plastic bags, so get used to carrying your own bags to save money and helping the environment. M&S around for those who can’t do without their ready meals.

Small shops around Moore street in central Dublin may be better for fresh produce than supermarkets.

Dunnes and Supervalu tend to have deals and loyalty cards as well. Finding halal food is not too difficult in the big cities like Dublin, Limerick and Cork and in Asian shops.

Limerick not as pricey as Dublin.

Top tip: Tesco points can be converted to British Airways frequent flyer points (called Avios), which are great for travelling between UK and Ireland airports.

Doctors

Registration with the GP is needed for use of GP services. Proof of residence not usually required. This should be free but then most charge around €50 for each consultation (pregnancy consultations are free). Having an EHIC from the UK is a good idea as it allows free treatment in hospitals, although if residing in Ireland then a UK-issued EHIC is not technically valid.

Summary

The Good The Bad

No language barriers Expensive especially Dublin

Beautiful and friendly Rains almost every day!

Proximity to the UK Feels like stepping back in time to UK in the 70s

Reviews

“Dublin is a great city and that it’s English speaking makes navigating and looking for jobs much easier than it would be so in other countries. However it is surprisingly expensive. Make the most of the beautiful landscapes though and ensure you live the city to explore the Irish countryside and coast.”




MaltaGovernment employees in Malta are familiar with their treaty obligations and are helpful and polite. This could be a sign of Malta’s relatively recent inclusion in the group and thus their keenness to not only actually abide by the regulations but also to be seen to be doing so.

Applying for a Maltese Family PermitAn entry visa from any Schengen state is sufficient for entry into Malta, allowing the holder to live there for three months whilst the residence card applications gets underway. It is important to state that the applicant is accompanying or joining the EU citizen (sponsor) who is their partner/parent/child etc.

Applying for a Maltese Residence Card

Take originals and copies with you, but don’t panic if you forget something. The staff may photocopy it for you as well if they’re in a good mood! However, the better prepared you are the quicker you will get out of there.

Documents Required:

Passport (sponsor and applicant) Rental Agreement Work Contract/Self Employment papers (sponsor) Marriage Certificate Passport photo (sponsor and applicant) Form 4A (EU) Residence Card Application CEA Form F Form ID 1A (both) Electronic Identification Registration Form Form ID 2 Image Capture Application Form

All forms can be downloaded from the internet. If you miss one don't worry they will have them there and will tell you which you need to fill in.


Applying for the FP you need to make sure that you arrive at the British embassy at least 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment as otherwise they will not let you in!

The Teleperformance website has a lot of information on the Family Permit application process.http://www.ge2mt.tpcontact.co.uk/

Although the website states payment of a mandatory fee of £59 to use the Visa Application Centre else the appointment will be cancelled, recent amendments to the website specify that those applying for a Family Permit are exempt from this, in accordance with EEA regulations. So you do not need to pay!

One member has documented their experience and more on this can be found in the Annex.

Documents you may wish to consider submitting include some of the following (copies/originals as appropriate):

Family Permit Cover Letter Family Permit Application




Proof of Employment: o Employment contracto Payslips o Bank statemento Tax number certificateo Social Security letter of sponsor and applicant

Proof of Self-Employmento Letter of Registrationo Company registration office certificate / receipt for registration feeo Accounts for three monthso Business bank account statementso Receipts / invoices for serviceo Invoices for purchase of business cards and flyerso Evidence of attendance at committees, meetings, seminarso Sample of business cards / flyerso Business Facebook page or company website

Proof of Residence: o Joint lease/Rent book, or signed letter from landlord stating names of tenants and move-in date.o Letter from landlord confirming rent includes utilities if applicable.o Sponsor and applicant’s Maltese residence cards showing residential addresso Payslip for applicant showing residential address.o Phone and internet agreement showing residential address.

Proof of COL:o Library cardso Store loyalty cards from Carrefour and Smart Storeso Receipts from grocery shoppingo Evidence of Church membership e.g. letter from Pastor

Proof of identity and Relationship:o Passport – applicant o Passport size photos x 2o Passport – sponsor (British) o Marriage certificate – apostilisedo Wedding photos (if married during the Surinder Singh period)

Social Security Number

Obtaining a social security number is reasonably simple, however the non-EEA family member should specify their status as the family member of an EU citizen. Required documents: Passport Evidence of relationship (marriage/birth certificate for spouse/ADR) Employment contract if available Rental agreement

The SSN is issued on the spot. The EU national will receive their Tax Certificate by post after around four weeks. The non-EEA national will need to register with Inland Revenue in order to obtain the tax certificate.

LanguageIn most cases English is sufficient and knowledge of Maltese is not necessary. Russian or Scandinavian languages help in some sectors. Tourist areas may be most popular with English




speakers unless the role is a fronting of house role e.g. receptionist in a local company for which Maltese would likely be essential.

Rentalswww.Maltapark.com is great for rentals, with Facebook also have some ads. You may want to ask people exercising free movement rights if they have rooms to rent as some offer rooms to those at the beginning of the process, whilst longer term accommodation is sought.

If using agents, you will be required to pay first and last month’s rent in advance, plus an agent’s commission which is usually 2-3 weeks rent plus taxes. They’re expensive but do save time.

Top tip: don’t arrive in high season and try to find a place to stay for at least three weeks initially.

Areas

Most areas in Malta are great to live in and buses offer a convenient means of getting around the island. Recommendation is to stay close to the water as it’s nicer with better access to jobs and transport, but further inland is the older part of the island and likely cheaper.

Saint Julians / Slimea are lively areas but expensive as it’s also a tourist area, with rent upwards of €500 a month. St Paul’s is also popular.

Marsaskala is a nice and reasonably lively seaside town with rent upwards of €350 upwards. There are some very nice flats here. However public transport in this area is not great, so if you work in the centre of the island you would be better off with access to a car.

Inland, Hamrun / Birkikara / Santa Venera are crowded, less fashionable and quite busy areas, but cheaper and a good location if you don't have a car. They are within walking distance to Valleta, the capital of Malta, which is nice but too very pricey for rental. May suit those who don’t drive and don’t have children.

Jobs

The website www.maltapark.com is a popular place to look for jobs, along with some Facebook groups specifically for job hunting in Malta. Time of Malta (online and paper version) and Sunday Times are also useful. Recruitment agencies mostly in Slimea and Gzira may also be useful.

ETC is also good for jobseekers https://secure.etc.gov.mt/Jobseeker/JobSearch/JobSearch.aspx Documents needed to register with ETC include: Passport Evidence of relationship e.g. marriage certificate for non-EEA citizens.

These can be scanned into the computer and appended to the application. Members without access to a scanner have used their digital camera / smart phones to take pictures of the documents and uploaded them that way.

However, the best way to get a job in Malta seems to be just going to places in person, checking the shop windows and asking the manager if they are hiring. A lot of places don't advertise and sometimes only realise they could use more help when someone goes in to offer their services.

Popular sectors for English speakers are i-gaming, education, hospitality and tourism, recruitment and finance.




https://secure.etc.gov.mt/Jobseeker/JobSearch/JobSearch.aspx

http://www.maltapark.com/

http://www.Maltapark.com/

Salaries

Salaries are not that great. Casual work likely to pay around €5 per hour and permanent office jobs are in the region of €1,350 per month. Entry level call centre work typically pays around €1,000 per month. Real estate work can pay very well, but it is usually commission only and therefore not stable income.

Banks

There are three big banks in Malta: BOV, HSBC and Banif.

Banif Bank seems to be the one most on the Surinder Singh route opt for. Required documents: Passport or Malta ID Card (residence cards) Rental agreement Tax Certificate €150 deposit (doesn’t have to remain in account for any specified length of time)

Account holder can give non-EEA family members access to the account even where they are not joint-account holders, by way of an access form. http://www.banif.com.mt

HSBC and BOV have more onerous documentary requirements: Passport or Malta ID Card (residence card) Rental agreement Marriage Certificate for non-EEA family member Employment contract References from another bank (they will not accept a letter you bring directly from the UK bank)

currently taking one week to obtain.

HSBC requires new customers to go through Sliema - appointments at point of writing had about a 4-week waiting list with references from UK banks taking about one week to come through.

One couple’s experience of BOV has not been positive, with BOV waiting for information from UK and Canadian banks four months down the line. https://www.bov.com/

Credit cards

It is possible to obtain a prepaid credit card in Malta. Some such providers include:Sparkasse: http://www.sparkasse-bank-malta.com/en/banking-services-card-solutions

Papaya: https://www.papaya.eu/

PaySafe: https://www.paysafecard.com/en-mt/

Phones and internet

There are three major phone companies here: Vodaphone, GO and Melita. For PAYG calls and text (no internet access) is quite cheap and members have found they can get by on a total of €15 a month across two handsets. A Maltese phone number is essential to get jobs.

GO is a decent internet service provider. The British citizen should be able to open an account with them by showing their passport and a statement from any bank account, including one from the UK! Without evidence of a bank account the cost will be higher and a deposit will be required.

Melita require a deposit up-front for any services if the individual does not hold a Malta identity card.




https://www.paysafecard.com/en-mt/

https://www.papaya.eu/

http://www.sparkasse-bank-malta.com/en/banking-services-card-solutions

https://www.bov.com/

http://www.banif.com.mt/

Supermarkets

The major supermarkets are: Lidl, Smart, More and Park Towers

Library

Getting a library card is super easy in Malta once you are holding a Residence Card.

Bus Fares

Bus fares are very cheap, with a Day Pass costing €1.50, weekly pass €6.50 and a monthly pass €27.00. To get a monthly pass you need to hold a Malta Residence Card

Healthcare

The primary hospital in Malta is Mater Dei, equipped for a large range of health services and surgeries. It is one of the largest medical buildings in Europe and is an acute general teaching hospital offering a full range of hospital services as well as specialist services. Patients are admitted to Mater Dei Hospital either through the emergency department or through a referral by their doctor

There are lots of hospitals to choose from, public and private, with Maltese healthcare considered to be of a very high standard.

Click on the links below to find out about each hospital’s area of expertise and contact details.

Mater Dei Hospital (Msida) St. James Hospital (Sliema)St. Philip's Hospital (Santa Venera) Karin Grech Hospital (Msida)St. Mark's Health Clinic (Msida) Gozo General Hospital (Victoria-Gozo)Da Vinci Hospital (Birkirkara) Sir Paul Boffa Hospital (Floriana)Mount Carmel Hospital (Attard)

There are several public health centres or clinics in Malta. If health issue not serious, it is better to go to a clinic for a quicker consultation. Links below provide more info on the listed centre:

Floriana Health Centre (Floriana) Gzira Health Centre (Gzira)Qormi Health Centre (Qormi) Paola Health Centre (Paola)Cospicua Health Centre (Cospicua) Mosta Health Centre (Mosta)Rabat Health Centre (Rabat) Birkirkara Health Clinic (Birkirkara)Gozo Health Centre (Victoria-Gozo)

Support groups

There are several useful groups on Facebook, including:

Undivided Family in Malta: https://www.facebook.com/groups/AnUndividedFamilyInMaltaThis group was set up by David and Dee Hook, and includes a lot of information about Malta from David and Dee’s experience and other Surinder Singhers. The files section is useful and includes documents required to apply for residence cards. There is information on regular meetups, and plenty of advice available for those unsure about their adopted home.

Free movement Malta https://www.facebook.com/groups/freemovementmalta/This group was set up by a D'Arcy and also has a lot of information and members.

For those not on Facebook, blog on living in Malta could be useful reading: http://anundividedfamilyinmalta.com/




http://anundividedfamilyinmalta.com/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/freemovementmalta/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/AnUndividedFamilyInMalta

Cost of living

Relative to the UK most things are cheaper, including rent, household goods, eating out, groceries from street markets.

Some things however have been found to be more expensive than in the UK such as buying or renting cars, mechanics, petrol, supermarkets, clothes, utilities and mobile phone calls.

Reviews

“Malta as a SS destination? Overall, I'd say it's great. Working conditions are not great, though on the island it’s not too bad. However, finding work is easy. You don't need to speak a language other than English. People are very friendly. Cost of living is not cheap, but a lot lower than the UK and most other European countries. And the bureaucracy is not too bad....”




NetherlandsRegistration at Gemeente (Town Hall)

To register at Gemeente you will have to make an appointment and take with you2: tenancy agreement marriage certificate (Apostilled/legalised + sworn translation) or birth certificate for ADR

applications EU national’s BSN EU national’s passport non-EU spouse’s passport

You will be asked to fill out a registration form. The authorities will take copies of the documents and return the originals immediately. The non-EU family member will receive a letter that has to be stamped by IND and then submitted to Gemeente.

A few days after the appointment EU national will receive a letter confirming their registration. Non-EU spouse will receive confirmation a few days after they submit the IND stamped letter.

Applying for a Dutch Residence Card

IND -> Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst (Immigration and Naturalisation Department)https://ind.nl/

To apply for residency you will have to make an appointment at IND stating that you and your non-EU family member wish to register. A few days after scheduling of the appointment you will receive forms in the post – note these are all in Dutch but the English version can be found online at: https://ind.nl/EN/Documents/5005.pdf and https://ind.nl/EN/Documents/6021.pdf

Documents which will be required at the appointment include:

the forms filled in marriage certificate (Apostilled/legalised + sworn translation) or birth certificate for ADR tenancy agreement EU national’s work contract payslips showing earnings for the last 3 months3** EU national’s insurance EU national’s BSN EU national’s passport non-EU family member’s passport the letter from Gemeente confirming your registration

The authorities will take copies of the documents and return the originals. They may also askyou questions about your relationship to establish if it’s a genuine marriage (e.g. when and how you

2 Each Gemeente may require different documentation. For example, towns within Gemeente Uithoorn require birth certificates for sponsor and applicant. However Gemeente Amsterdam region does not. You should therefore contact the Gemeente in your area and ask what their requirements are. You may be able to register without these documents and submit them at a later stage. It depends very much on the region and person you are dealing with.3 If you do not have 3 months worth of payslips, your residence application may not be accepted. If you worked in Netherlands on a prior occasion, payslips from previous work may be fine, but sight of old work contract and tenancy agreement may be needed.




https://ind.nl/EN/Documents/6021.pdf

https://ind.nl/EN/Documents/5005.pdf

https://ind.nl/

met, your co-habitation history, reasons for marrying, etc). If the application is accepted, biometrics of the non-EU family member are taken.

The EU national passport is stickered, though this is just a formality as not required since 1st January 2014. The non-EU family member’s passport will also be stickered with a validity of 6 months during which they will be able to work. The authorities should also stamp the letter from for Gemeente.

Applying for a BSN/SOFi number (Citizen Service Number)

BSN / SoFi number -> Burgerservicenummer (Citizen Service Number)http://www.government.nl/issues/identification-documents/the-citizen-service-number

BSN for EU national Employer may apply for this Otherwise likely to need to go to Gemeente and register as a resident first.

BSN for non-EU spouse Go to Gemeente to get a letter regarding registration. This should be stamped by IND and returned

to Gemeente. The confirmation letter will include the BSN.

NoteWhen you call Gemeente they will tell you that you have to go to IND first. However, when you call IND they will tell you that you have to go to Gemeente first. You might be able to do either (based on what we were told during our appointments). One family overcame this by registering at Gemeente first, indicating IND told them that was required. Gemeente will then provide a stamped letter which was taken to the IND, which in turn will also stamp it.

Health insurance

Health insurance is compulsory with a 3 month grace period. If not chosen voluntarily, it is assigned to you at a minimum monthly cost of €80.

Housing

Facebook groups for a particular city/town. pararius.com expatica.nl iamexpat.nl

Banks

Debit cards are widely used and essential for things like ov-chipkaart, library, subscriptions, etc as credit cards are not accepted in most places. Normally, there is no minimum transaction amount.

Documents required to open an account are generally the following but may vary for different banks: passport BSN proof of address proof of income (e.g. work contract)

Banks in the Netherlands charge fees for accounts.




http://www.government.nl/issues/identification-documents/the-citizen-service-number

ABN-Amro - speak English and website and cash machines are available in English as well as German and Dutch). They are expat friendly and it is very easy to add a non-EU family member to the account upon presentation of passports and BSNs. https://www.abnamro.nl/en/personal/index.html?pos=vku_english

ING Bank https://www.ing.nl/particulier/?first_visit=true

Rabobank https://www.rabobank.nl/particulieren/servicemenu/english_pages/

SNS http://www.snsbank.nl/particulier/home.html#

Public transportPublic transport is very expensive. An OV-chipkaart is a card that can be topped-up (a bit like Oyster in London) which can be used on trains, buses, trams at much lower rates. The website: www.ov-chipkaart.nl

Train times, routes, prices can be found at: http://www.ns.nl/en/travellers/home and www.9292.nl

There are two types of OV-chipkaarts: Anonymous - blue card obtained in a local shop (currently €7.50). Anyone can use it. Personal - yellow card which can be bought through the OV-chipkaart website. Only the

named person can use it. Able to add extra discounts to it.

BikesBikes are very useful for getting around. There are bicycle paths almost everywhere. Dutch use bikes no matter what the weather however for Brits weather apps Buienradar, Buienalarm may be useful.

You can find decent bikes from €100 Euros. However, on the facebook groups for given town/city you can easily find bikes for even less.

You can also look on www.marktplaats.nl for cheaper second hand purchases.

Bike route planner: www.routeplanner.fietsersbond.nl

Mobile phones

Main ones: Vectone Lebara Lyca

Shopping

Many stores seem not to accept credit cards, with debit cards or cash preferred.

Supermarkets Aldi Lidl Albert Heijn Digros Jumbo Deen




http://www.routeplanner.fietsersbond.nl/

http://www.marktplaats.nl/

http://www.9292.nl/

http://www.ns.nl/en/travellers/home

http://www.ov-chipkaart.nl/

http://www.ov-chipkaart.nl/

http://www.snsbank.nl/particulier/home.html

https://www.rabobank.nl/particulieren/servicemenu/english_pages/

https://www.ing.nl/particulier/?first_visit=true

https://www.abnamro.nl/en/personal/index.html?pos=vku_english

https://www.abnamro.nl/en/personal/index.html?pos=vku_english

C1000

Other stuff Blokker – household things Hema – household things and clothes Etos – Health and beauty products (no pharmacy) Kruidvat – Health and beauty products (no pharmacy) Action – Bric’a’brac Xenos – Bric’a’brac www.marktplaats.nl - like eBay but local to Netherlands

Library

You have to pay for a library card to borrow books, CD’s, DVD’s. The cost depends on age of the member and validity.

Internet cafes, printing, copying, scanning

It is really hard to find an internet café in the Netherlands. If you cannot find one you shouldbe able to print/copy/scan at your local library.

You don’t need to be registered at the library but you do need a Dutch bank card as you have to pay by card for using computers (this may vary across the country). An exception is photocopying for which you will likely need coins.

Also, most Albert Heijn supermarkets have a photocopy machine for use, at a price.

Useful links

Holland vs the Netherlands - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eE_IUPInEucwww.expatica.comwww.newtoholland.nlwww.iamsterdam.com

Summary Pros ConsEveryone speaks English Need Dutch for regular jobs, except international

companies, some agencies, call centres in Amsterdam.

Close to the UK ExpensiveVery good public transport Bureaucracy




http://www.iamsterdam.com/

http://www.newtoholland.nl/

http://www.expatica.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eE_IUPInEuc

Poland

Applying for a Polish Residence Card

You have to go to Urząd Wojewódzki to apply for the Residence Card. Required documents include the originals and a photocopy as below:

For the EU citizen: Passport or other form of ID with a photo Reason for stay in Poland, such as employment or being self-employed. Self-sufficiency can be

evidenced instead of work by showing funds in a bank account, however it is not clear what the minimum balance would need to be.

Application form.

For the non-EEA family member: Passport Sponsor’s Residency Permit 4 photos Evidence of relationship (marriage/birth certificate, translated into Polish). Proof of funds Proof of medical insurance Passport Copy of sponsor and applicant’s photo page from passport Copy of visa (if required) A cover letter explaining why you want to stay in Poland Application form

Rent

Rent can vary depending on the location in Poland. In Krakow for a 2 bedroom flat you would pay around £250 per month.

Mobile phones

Play is the cheapest mobile network. Once the phone is topped up, it allows for calls for about 45 days, following which a further top-up is required, even if the phone still has some credit remaining. A starter sim card can be bought from most shops.

Transport

Transport is fantastic in Krakow. It is always on time, and is clean and cheap. Minute ticket is a ticket for 1 trip and costs 3.60zl. “Polski bus” is cheap way to travel around.

Supermarkets

Biedronka, Lidl and Carrefour are amongst the lower-priced supermarkets. There is also a Tesco.




Cost of living

The essentials of life cost less than £500 a month.

Summary

The Good The Bad

Cheap Language barrier

Transport Bureaucracy

People nice and approachable




Surinder Singh country-specific guide

Documents

Transcript of Surinder Singh country-specific guide