Packing up your life and relocating to a new country seems like a daunting endeavour, yet many face the challenge when an unmissable job opportunity comes their way from overseas. One of our candidate success stories here at Sigmar recently moved to Berlin to work for Marley Spoon. Originally from Brazil, Nathan spent two years working in Dublin before making the leap to Berlin. We asked him a couple of questions to get an insight into how the relocation process was for him and his personal experience of living in Berlin.
How did you find the visa process?
“The company that hired me provided a relocation partner for handling all the paperwork, so the process was as smooth as it could be. From Dublin, I had to schedule an appointment at the German Embassy. They usually have slots available 1 or 2 months in the future, so waiting was the hardest part”.
“When I arrived in Berlin, I had to go to the Foreign Office twice - once to get my proof of residence and then again to get my work permit. My relocation agent accompanied me both times, which helped a lot”.
Was it difficult to organise your health insurance?
“Health insurance was handled by my company. I didn’t have to worry about it at all."
How did you find setting up a bank account?
“One of my colleagues recommended that I should set up an online bank account with N26, rather than a traditional bank. It was super simple, and I had a functional German bank account within a few days”.
What was the most challenging part of moving to Berlin?
“The most challenging part was finding an apartment. I had to live in a temporary apartment for the first two months which was quite expensive. Rent prices were higher than I expected, averaging around €800+ per month”.
Would you recommend making the move to Berlin to other internationals?
“Definitely! It's a mind opening experience, culturally rich and intense. You have everything you can imagine, and the city is beautiful. It's a place that makes you not want to stay at home on Sundays - this was new to me”.
How would you describe moving to Berlin overall?
“I felt that I was lucky because the transition was unbelievably easy. I'm having the best work experience I’ve ever had. The environment and the people are really something that have dictated my experience here. I would say that maybe it is the best place to live as an international: the city is very diverse, and I have already met people from about 30 countries in one month. Also, you can get a beer in a pub for just €3.”
Overall, it is safe to say that Nathan had a very positive experience relocating to Berlin receiving a lot of help from the company who hired him. Making the move can seem intimidating at the start but, with help from the right people, it can be a life changing decision.
Posted by Adam Dunne on 24 January 2019
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