Companies sometimes offer their employees a job or promotion in a new location. This could be somewhere else in the country or on another continent entirely!
What does a relocation package involve?
If you are offered a new position abroad, you might also receive a relocation package from your employer. This means that you receive legal, financial and organisational support to make your move.
In a nutshell, a relocation partner in the destination country steps in to work with the employee and their family to ensure a successful transition to their new home. A comprehensive relocation package should ensure that an employee will be able to fully concentrate on their new position and feel supported in their new circumstances.
In Germany, this can include both small and big administrative tasks as well as other things, such as:
Help with visas and residence permits
Entering Germany for a short-term assignment or job is more than simply arriving at the airport. Its regionally-specific bureaucracy, which varies from state to state, can be confusing and time-consuming to navigate, especially if you don’t speak the language.
Relocation companies work with immigration lawyers and contacts within official bodies to coordinate the entire visa application process and ensure that everything is approved on time.
Once you have arrived in Germany, your local contact will be able to assist you with applications and extensions for residence permits, registering with the local authorities, in addition to tying up all loose ends when the time comes for you to leave Germany.
Help with finding a home
Knowing the housing market, different areas of the city, and having a ballpark figure for rental costs and utility bills is key for a successful home search.
On-the-ground relocation partners can help you find a home before you even arrive in Germany, avoiding the stress and cost of having to house-hunt at a later stage. Taking into account your budget and preferences, they will assemble a list of suitable properties and even attend viewings on your behalf.
Once you’ve found a place to live, your relocation agent can also assist with the property handover, supporting you through formalities like lease negotiations, supplying you with a rental contract in English, and helping you to set up your utilities.
Support for your family
Relocation companies don’t just focus on the employee themselves; they also offer support to the employee’s spouse and children. This could include career consulting or coaching sessions for the spouse, or support for finding schools and kindergartens for the little ones.
Getting you settled in your new country
Moving isn’t just about admin - although it can sometimes feel like it! Most relocation companies will also offer orientation packages that focus on helping you to feel at home in your new surroundings.
This might include intercultural training sessions, tours of the local area, activities to help you widen your social circle, and even ongoing support as you continue to adapt to your new environment.
When is working with a relocation company a good idea?
There are many advantages to working with a relocation company. Above all: they have expertise and experience in some of the most fundamental aspects of relocation, such as immigration and visa requirements.
A relocation consultant also understands what issues can arise during a local or international move and is able to provide tailor-made support for each individual client, no matter if they are moving with a family, have specific needs at their new location, or are required to dive straight into work and don’t have the time to spend on all the details.
Having professional support can help you deal with all the unique challenges that relocation brings. A relocation company provides in-depth knowledge and up-to-date information about your destination country, thus giving you great local insight.
IRC Relocation is branching out into private relocation, offering the same benefits to individuals as they do to corporate clients. They can support you and your family through the whole relocation process, from visas and immigration, to the home search and orientation upon arrival. Get in touch to start planning your move.
Ensure a successful relocation with IRC!