Relocating to Germany as an expecting family: A practical guide for expats

Relocating to Germany can be daunting, especially when you’re a family expecting a child. From health insurance and income protection to government benefits and childcare planning, the decisions you make have an extra layer of complexity and responsibility.

This guide by LeX-Wealth breaks down the four essential steps to help families relocate to Germany with confidence, stability, and a clear financial plan.

Step 1: Clarify your family status and timeline

Key questions to answer early:

• Which residence permit applies (employment visa, EU Blue Card, self-employment, or family reunification)?
• What is the timing? Will you arrive pregnant, with a newborn, or with children already in school?
• Is one partner self-employed, unemployed, or transitioning roles?

These factors directly affect access to benefits, income, and which health insurance is best suited to your family. Clarifying this upfront will help to minimise unexpected challenges and costly corrections down the line. 

Step 2: Secure the right health insurance for your family

Health insurance is mandatory in Germany and required for residence permits. Generally, you have a choice between public health insurance and private health insurance:

Public health insurance (GKV)

• Contributions are income-based
• Dependents (spouse and children) are typically included at no extra cost
• Standardised access to maternity and paediatric care 

Private health insurance (PKV)

• Premiums depend on age, health, and coverage level
• Often more cost-effective for higher earners and freelancers
• Faster specialist access and expanded maternity options 

Families and expecting parents should ensure their policy supports pregnancy care and newborn cover from day one.

Public or private health insurance?

Deciding whether public or private is best should be done on a case-by-case basis. It is recommended that you contact a qualified advisor for tailored options based on your family and financial situation. 

Step 3: Protect your family’s income and financial stability

If something happens to you, can your family maintain their home and standard of living? Income protection is often overlooked, but it is a critical policy to safeguard your family.

If you are prevented from working, the state support in Germany is limited and often insufficient for families, only covering a fraction of your previous income.

Key protection considerations include:

• Income protection insurance to replace earnings if illness or injury prevents you from working
• Term life insurance to secure housing and family stability if a primary earner passes away
• Personal liability insurance is a widely expected standard for families in Germany 

Together, these protections are inexpensive compared with the potential losses a family could face and help ensure essential expenses and childcare costs remain manageable even during unexpected changes in family income. 

Step 4: Access family benefits and plan for childcare

Don’t forget to see if you qualify for family benefits:

• Kindergeld: €259 per child per month, eligibility is based on residence and registration.
• Elterngeld: Parental allowance linked to your income, with minimum thresholds for new residents.
• Kita and daycare subsidies: Available to all families, but access varies by region and can require applications nine to 12 months in advance. 

Plan ahead with LeX-Wealth

Although Germany offers generous family support, many expat families miss out on optimal benefits due to a misunderstanding of eligibility, parent-splitting rules, or part-time income structures.

For a smooth relocation process, plan ahead and seek professional advice from LeX-Wealth and their trusted partners to ensure you have access to reliable family support.

Planning beyond your move with LeX-Wealth

LeX-Wealth helps expats with holistic financial planning: from healthcare insurance, tax‑efficient savings and other financial solutions to long-term security and wealth building. Wherever life takes you, a stable financial framework will help you adapt as careers, locations and family situations evolve.

For more information, read the detailed guide for families wondering “What’s the Best Way for Families to Relocate to Germany?”

Book a free consultation call with LeX-Wealth to structure your family’s financial plan before or after relocating to Germany.