Moving to Bonn from the UK

Bonn might not be the first German city that comes to mind when Brits think about relocating, but it deserves a closer look. As the former West German capital, current UN city, and headquarters of Deutsche Post, DHL, and Telekom, it offers serious career opportunities in a city that’s compact, liveable, and far less overwhelming than Berlin or Munich. Plus, it’s Beethoven’s birthplace — and the Rhine running through the centre doesn’t hurt either.

Here’s the practical reality of making the move from the UK to Bonn after Brexit.

Visa and Right to Work

This is the big change since Brexit. UK citizens no longer have automatic EU freedom of movement. You can enter Germany visa-free for up to 90 days, but to live and work, you need a residence permit.

The most common routes:

• EU Blue Card — For skilled workers with a recognised university degree and a job offer above a certain salary threshold (roughly €45,300 in 2026, lower for shortage occupations). This is the most straightforward path for professionals
• Work residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) — For employment that doesn’t meet Blue Card criteria. Requires a concrete job offer and usually employer sponsorship
• Job Seeker Visa — Allows you to stay for up to six months to find work. You can’t work on this visa, but it gives you time to interview and secure an offer

Start the process from the UK if possible. Contact the German embassy in London for the initial visa, then switch to a residence permit at the Ausländerbehörde in Bonn once you’ve completed your Anmeldung.

The First Weeks: Anmeldung and Bureaucracy

Your immediate priority after arriving is the Anmeldung — registering your address at the Bürgerdienste within 14 days of moving in. You’ll need your passport, Mietvertrag (rental contract), and Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord confirmation).

The Anmeldung triggers your entry into the German system. Within a few weeks, you’ll receive your Steuer-ID (tax number) by post. You’ll need this for employment, banking, and almost everything else.

Book your Bürgerdienste appointment online at bonn.de before you arrive — slots can fill up, especially at the central Stadthaus.

Health Insurance

Health insurance is mandatory in Germany. As an employed person, you’ll typically join the public system (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung). Major providers include:

• TK (Techniker Krankenkasse) — Popular with expats, good English-language support and app
• AOK Rheinland/Hamburg — The local option with offices in Bonn
• Barmer — Another large provider with solid coverage

Your employer handles enrollment and deductions. The cost is roughly 14.6% of your gross salary (split evenly between you and your employer) plus a small provider-specific supplement.

If you’re self-employed or earning above the threshold (around €69,300 in 2026), you can opt for private insurance. This can be cheaper when you’re young and healthy but gets expensive as you age — think carefully before going private.

Your UK-issued EHIC/GHIC does not cover you as a resident. It’s only for temporary visits.

Building Your SCHUFA

SCHUFA is Germany’s credit scoring system, and you’ll start with essentially no history. This matters because landlords, phone companies, and sometimes banks check your SCHUFA before doing business with you.

To start building a record:

• Open a German bank account as soon as possible. N26 and DKB are popular with expats and have English-language apps. Sparkasse KölnBonn is the local savings bank with branches everywhere
• Get a German phone contract (not just a prepaid SIM) — even a basic one helps
• Pay all bills on time, consistently

For your first apartment, you may need to explain that you don’t have SCHUFA history yet and offer alternative proof of financial reliability (UK bank statements, employment contract).

Driving Licence

You can drive on your UK licence for six months after registering your address. After that, you need a German Führerschein. Unlike some EU countries, the UK licence doesn’t convert automatically post-Brexit. You’ll need to pass both the theory test (available in English) and a practical driving test.

Budget €1,500-2,500 for the process through a Fahrschule (driving school). Many expats find this frustrating — if you don’t absolutely need a car in Bonn, consider skipping it. The city is very manageable by bike and public transport.

Banking

Open a German bank account early. Your options:

• N26 — Fully digital, English-language app, quick to set up. Good for getting started
• DKB — Online bank with free current account and good conditions. Slight learning curve as the interface is mostly German
• Sparkasse KölnBonn — Traditional bank with local branches. Useful for anything that requires in-person banking. Monthly fees apply (around €5-10)
• Commerzbank or Deutsche Bank — Larger banks with English support, but higher fees

You’ll need your passport and Anmeldung confirmation to open most accounts. N26 can be opened with just a passport via video identification.

Bonn’s International Community

One of Bonn’s underrated strengths is its international community. The UN Campus in Bad Godesberg employs thousands of international staff. Deutsche Post/DHL and Telekom bring in expats from around the world. This means:

• English is widely understood in professional settings
• International schools exist for families (the Bonn International School in Bad Godesberg)
• Expat meetup groups are active and welcoming
• International grocery shops and restaurants are easy to find

The InterNations community in Bonn is active, and there are several British and anglophone social groups. You won’t struggle to meet people, especially if you’re based near the UN quarter or the city centre.

What Catches UK Newcomers Off Guard

A few things Brits consistently find surprising:

Sunday closures. Almost everything is closed on Sundays — supermarkets, shops, DIY stores. Plan your weekly shop for Saturday or use the small Rewe To Go at the Hauptbahnhof in emergencies.

Cash culture. Germany is more cash-reliant than the UK. Card acceptance has improved significantly, but always carry some euros. Some bakeries, market stalls, and smaller restaurants remain cash-only.

Recycling complexity. Germany’s recycling system (Pfand, Gelber Sack, Biotonne, Restmüll, Papier, Glas sorted by colour) is thorough. Your neighbours will notice if you get it wrong.

Quiet hours (Ruhezeiten). Keep noise down between 22:00 and 06:00, and all day on Sundays. This is taken seriously — don’t run your washing machine on a Sunday afternoon.

The Finanzamt. You’ll need to file a German tax return (Steuererklärung). Consider using a Steuerberater (tax advisor) or software like WISO Steuer or SteuerGo for your first year. As a UK citizen, check if the UK-Germany double taxation agreement affects your situation.

Bonn is a genuinely comfortable city to land in as a British expat. It’s compact enough to feel manageable, international enough that English gets you through most situations, and affordable enough that your salary goes further than in Cologne or Düsseldorf. The Rhine, the hills, and the surprisingly good restaurant scene are a bonus.