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Americans in Berlin

Everything you need to move to, rent in and enjoy Berlin as an American, and how it fits with your US taxes, money and paperwork.

Official US

Embassy

U.S. Embassy Berlin – Consular Services

Passports, citizenship and emergency help for U.S. citizens in Germany

Clayallee 170, 14191 Berlin

Website · Map · +49 30 83050

Your community group

ExpatStateside Germany: Americans in Germany

Free group for Americans in Germany: questions, tips, meetups, Thanksgiving and the Super Bowl.

Opening soon

Vote from BerlinRegister and request your ballot with one form, the FPCA. Send a new one every January.

How to vote

Berlin Partners

Global partner · online

The emotional move

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

Book a first conversation

Katharina Bergauer

innsichtEintragungsnummer: 17784

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Guides for life in Berlin

Basics

Cost of living in Berlin vs Chicago: where your money goes further

Berlin is no longer cheap, but it still beats Chicago on transit and often on rent. Here's how rent, groceries, health care and getting around compare, in euros and dollars.

Basics

Anmeldung in Berlin: the 14-day rule, the landlord form and the letters that follow

In Berlin, almost everything starts with the Anmeldung. Here's how to book the Bürgeramt, what to bring and which letters land in your mailbox afterward.

Basics

The Rundfunkbeitrag and German mail: the letters you can't ignore

No TV? You still pay. Here's how Germany's EUR 18.36 broadcasting fee works, who's exempt, and how to read official letters, deadlines and the one-month objection window.

Money and work

German taxes for Americans: how the Finanzamt and the IRS fit together

Move to Berlin and Germany taxes your worldwide income, while the IRS still taxes you as a citizen. Here's how residency, rates, the treaty, credits and Social Security fit together.

Money and work

Banking in Germany as an American: FATCA forms, the Girokonto and your right to a basic account

German banks do open accounts for Americans. Expect a FATCA form, bring your passport and Anmeldung, and know that the law gives you a right to a basic account.

Money and work

German tax ID and tax classes: Steuer-ID, Steuerklassen and church tax for Americans

Your German paycheck depends on two things: an 11-digit tax ID and a tax class. Here's how both work, plus when to file and how church tax sneaks in.

Money and work

Schufa explained: Germany's credit score and why your FICO doesn't count

Your 800 FICO means nothing to a Berlin landlord. Here's how Schufa works, how to get your free data copy, what landlords really want and how to build a German record fast.

Home

Renting in Berlin: what Americans need to know before they sign

Berlin's rental market is tight, and the rules are nothing like back home. Here's what rent really costs, how the rent brake and deposits work, and how to spot a scam.

Moving and visas

Moving to Berlin as an American: the residence permits that actually work

Americans can fly to Berlin without a visa and apply for a residence permit after they land. Here are the routes that work and how to get through the immigration office.

Moving and visas

Germany's freelance visa: how Americans get a Berlin freelancer permit

Americans can land in Berlin visa-free and apply for a freelance permit here. Here's what the immigration office asks for, from letters of intent to pension proof.

Moving and visas

The EU Blue Card in Germany: 2026 salary thresholds and the fast track to settlement

With a job offer paying €50,700 or more in 2026, Americans can get an EU Blue Card and permanent residence in as little as 21 months. Here's how it works.

Health

Healthcare in Berlin: public vs private insurance, finding a Hausarzt and booking a Termin

Health insurance is mandatory in Germany. Here's how public GKV and private PKV compare in 2026, how to find a family doctor in Berlin and when to call 116117.

Schools and study

Schools in Berlin: local schools, bilingual Europa-Schulen, the JFK School and the road to US colleges

Berlin's public schools are free, and some teach in English and German. Here's how primary school, the grade 7 switch, the JFK School and US college plans fit together.

Schools and study

Learning German in Berlin: integration courses, the VHS and the B1 you'll need

Berlin runs on English until it doesn't. Here's how integration courses and the Volkshochschule work, what they cost in 2026, and why B1 is the level your future in Germany hangs on.

Schools and study

Kita in Berlin: free daycare, the Gutschein and the hunt for a spot

Berlin daycare is free, which still feels unreal to American parents. Getting a spot is the hard part. Here's how the Kita-Gutschein works and how to find a place.

Getting around

Driving in Germany on a US license, and getting around Berlin without a car

Your US license works in Germany for six months after you move. Whether you need a test to swap it depends on your state. Most Berliners skip the car anyway.

Community

American life in Berlin: Thanksgiving, football and the embassy by the Gate

Berlin has a deep American history and a lively American crowd today. Here's how to celebrate Thanksgiving and the Fourth, catch football and find your people.

Community

Berlin's house rules: quiet hours, closed Sundays and the bottle deposit

Stores closed on Sunday, neighbors who care about 10 p.m., and a bottle deposit that pays for your coffee. Here are Berlin's everyday rules, written and unwritten.

Going out

American food in Berlin: bagels, barbecue, NFL bars and how to find a Thanksgiving turkey

Berlin has real bagels, Texas-style brisket and bars that open for Sunday Night Football. Here's where to find them, plus how to land a whole turkey for Thanksgiving.

Going out

Nightlife in Berlin: club doors, camera stickers and no last call

Berlin has no official closing time, clubs that run from Friday to Monday and doors that turn away almost anyone. Here's how a night out actually works.

America in Berlin

The embassy or consulate, business groups, clubs, sport, schools, churches and a taste of home. Checked 2026-11; tell us if something has changed.

Official US

Embassy

U.S. Embassy Berlin – Consular Services

Passports, citizenship and emergency help for U.S. citizens in Germany

Clayallee 170, 14191 Berlin

Website · Map · +49 30 83050 · Facebook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn · YouTube

Fulbright

German-American Fulbright Commission

Runs Fulbright exchanges between Germany and the United States

Charlottenstr. 65, 10117 Berlin

Website · Map · +49 30 2844430

Business and networking

Chamber

AmCham Germany – Berlin Office

Berlin office of the American Chamber of Commerce in Germany

Charlottenstr. 42, 10117 Berlin

Website · Map · +49 30 21300560 · X · LinkedIn · YouTube

Clubs and associations

Club

American Women's Club of Berlin

Club for American and international women in Berlin with book clubs, German conversation and outings

Berlin

Website · Map · Facebook · Instagram · LinkedIn

Party groups abroad

Listed side by side for information. We are nonpartisan.

Party

Democrats Abroad Berlin

Berlin chapter of Democrats Abroad Germany for U.S. citizens

Berlin

Website · Map

Party

Republicans Overseas Germany

Germany chapter of Republicans Overseas for U.S. citizens

Website · Map · Facebook · Instagram · X

Schools and universities

School

John F. Kennedy School Berlin

Public German-American bilingual school offering the Abitur and the American High School Diploma

Teltower Damm 87-93, 14167 Berlin

Website · Map · +49 30 901896800 · Facebook · Instagram · LinkedIn

School

Berlin Metropolitan School

Private international school, K–12 (ages 3–19); IB PYP and DP, Cambridge IGCSE and a High School Diploma; NEASC and CIS accredited

Linienstraße 122, 10115 Berlin

Website · Map · +49 30 8872 739 0 · info@metropolitanschool.com

School

BBIS Berlin Brandenburg International School

Private IB day and boarding school just outside Berlin, ages 3–19 (PYP, MYP, DP); lists MSA-CESS among its affiliations

Schopfheimer Allee 10, 14532 Kleinmachnow

Website · Map · +49 33203 80360 · office@bbis.de · Facebook · Instagram · LinkedIn · YouTube

University

Bard College Berlin

Liberal arts college; qualifying students earn a German BA and a US BA from Bard College (MSCHE accredited)

Platanenstraße 24, 13156 Berlin

Website · Map · +49 30 43733 0 · admissions@berlin.bard.edu · Facebook · Instagram · X · YouTube

University

Touro University Berlin

Branch campus of Touro University New York (MSCHE accredited); US bachelor's, master's and MBA

Am Rupenhorn 5, 14055 Berlin

Website · Map · +49 30 300 686 14 · admissions@berlin.touro.edu · Facebook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn

Study abroad

NYU Berlin

New York University's Berlin academic center: fall, spring, full-year, summer and January terms, with Humboldt-Universität partnership

Website · Map

Study abroad

CIEE Berlin

CIEE study abroad center in Kreuzberg: semester, summer, January and internship programs

Website · Map · inquire@ciee.org

Advising

EducationUSA – U.S. Mission Germany

Official US government advising on studying in the US, at the US Embassy

Pariser Platz 2, 10117 Berlin

Website · Map · berlin@educationusa.org · Facebook · Instagram

American restaurants and bars

More in our guide: American food, restaurants and bars in Berlin. Listings are not paid.

BBQ

Lino's Barbeque

Texas-style brisket, ribs and sausage in Wedding.

Malplaquetstrasse 43, 13347 Berlin

Website · Map · +49 30 55602977 · Facebook · Instagram

Diner

Route 66

Classic American diner with burgers, sandwiches and milkshakes.

Pariser Str. 44, 10707 Berlin

Website · Map · +49 30 8831602 · Facebook · Instagram · YouTube

Pizza

Magic John's

New York-style slices and Detroit-style square pizza.

Oranienburger Str. 48, 10117 Berlin (also Magic Garage, Heidestr. 52)

Website · Map · Facebook · Instagram

Bagels

Fine Bagels

Hand-rolled and boiled New York-style bagels at a bakery café in Friedrichshain.

Warschauer Str. 74, 10243 Berlin

Website · Map · Facebook · Instagram

Deli

Masha's Bagels & Delicatessen

New York-style bagels, challah, babka and deli food in Alt-Treptow.

Bouchéstr. 15, 12435 Berlin

Website · Map · +49 30 50597960

Bakery

Katie's Blue Cat

Bakery café with American-style cookies, brownies and other baked goods.

Friedelstraße 31, 12047 Berlin

Website · Map · Facebook · Instagram

Sports bar

Belushi's Berlin

Bar in Mitte showing NFL, NBA and other sports on many screens.

Rosa-Luxemburg-Straße 41, 10178 Berlin

Website · Map · +49 30 81453960

Sports bar

Lemke Hackescher Markt

Brewpub that was the official Pittsburgh Steelers fan pub for the 2025 NFL Berlin game.

Dircksenstraße, S-Bahnbogen 143, 10178 Berlin

Website · Map · +49 30 24728727 · hackeschermarkt@lemkeberlin.com

Churches and congregations

Church

American Church in Berlin

English-language ecumenical congregation meeting at Luther Church in Schöneberg

Luther Church, Dennewitzplatz 1, 10783 Berlin

Website · Map · office@americanchurchberlin.de