News
… and other aspects from our everyday relocation business: about short-term accommodation and flathunting, search for daycare in a kindergarten and schools, visa and residence permits and integration in Germany.
Start Relocation takes over the service for Expath customers
The new year brought a surprise for clients of Berlin-based relocation company Expath: Expath’s operational business was taken over by Startcon on 1 February 2025.
Navigating Germany’s housing scene: Temporary vs. permanent residences
Finding an apartment in Germany is tough. Moving to a new city and especially country can be both thrilling and daunting, especially when it comes to finding the right place to call home. In Germany, in general, individuals face the choice between temporary and permanent residences. Each option caters to specific needs and presents its own set of...
What is the “Niederlassungserlaubnis”?
The Niederlassungs-Erlaubnis (“settlement allowance“) is a settlement permit for an unlimited period of time, which gives the holder unrestricted access to the labour market. For employers, it can be an advantage to support this one-time procedure. We will tell you about the requirements for acquiring this residence permit, what in our experience...
Fachkräfte-Einwanderungs-Gesetz – A new law for easier immigration to Germany
Attracting international talent has become crucial for the growth and success of Germany’s economy. The German government now offers a more easeful approach to the whole aspect of relocation. Read here everything you need to know about the new Skilled Immigration Act (Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz).
Health insurance for international employees in Germany
International employees worry about the health coverage in their new home. Your responsibility as a company towards them holds clear communication about different options. The health insurance certainly is an attractive feature for top international talents to come to Germany.
The Blue Card: Everything you need to know
The Blue Card is a successful permit to attract the best professional talent, which offers significant advantages for their integration into German life. We tell you here what this permit is about, the criteria for obtaining it according to the two different types of the card, which are the most significant advantages, and how we at Startcon can...
We are now member of the European Relocation Association
We proudly announce that Startcon GmbH is now an official member of the European Relocation Association (EuRA) and joined the ranks of Europe’s leading relocation agencies. The company started 15 years ago and is now a thriving and successful business – thanks also to the hard work and great effort of our appreciated team!
The German school and education system
The German education system is quite different from the wide-spread British and American education system or even others in the world. It starts with optional pre-school education (German for “Kindergarten” is actually “Kita”) and then continues with with three different types of school, depending on level of education. Afterwards, students may choose to go further and attend university, which offers higher education.
You did not get the Blue Card – Now what?
In the end, the Blue Card is also “just” a work permit and has a good alternative. In case you are worried you will not qualify for the Blue Card, let me reassure you: Life is also good in Germany with a normal work title.
New regulations for foreign doctors – preparatory course for the specialist language examination at the Medical Association
Die Bedingungen für die Zulassung ausländischer Ärzte an Deutschen Krankenhäusern haben sich verändert. Für Approbation und Berufserlaubnis werden in vielen Bundesländern fachsprachliche Prüfungen von den Ärztekammern abgenommen.
Themenübersicht:
Start Relocation takes over the service for Expath customers
The new year brought a surprise for clients of Berlin-based relocation company Expath: Expath’s operational business was taken over by Startcon on 1 February 2025. Expath Managing Director Tia Hardy Robinson informed her customers at the start of the year that Expath...
Navigating Germany’s housing scene: Temporary vs. permanent residences
Finding an apartment in Germany is tough. Moving to a new city and especially country can be both thrilling and daunting, especially when it comes to finding the right place to call home. In Germany, in general, individuals face the choice between temporary and...
What is the “Niederlassungserlaubnis”?
The Niederlassungs-Erlaubnis (“settlement allowance“) is a settlement permit for an unlimited period of time, which gives the holder unrestricted access to the labour market. For employers, it can be an advantage to support this one-time procedure. We will tell you...
Fachkräfte-Einwanderungs-Gesetz – A new law for easier immigration to Germany
Attracting international talent has become crucial for the growth and success of Germany’s economy. However, navigating the complexities of immigration laws and regulations can be daunting. Luckily, the German government offers a more easeful approach to the whole...
Health insurance for international employees in Germany
In today’s competitive business landscape, startups are increasingly recognizing the value of sourcing international talents to drive innovation and fuel their growth. Hiring employees from different countries brings diverse perspectives, skills, and experiences to...
The Blue Card: Everything you need to know
The Blue Card is a successful permit to attract the best professional talent, which offers significant advantages for their integration into German life. We tell you here what this permit is about, the criteria for obtaining it according to the two different types of...
We are now member of the European Relocation Association
We proudly announce that Startcon GmbH is now an official member of the European Relocation Association (EuRA) and joined the ranks of Europe’s leading relocation agencies. The company with founder and CEO Miriam started 15 years ago and is now a thriving and...
The German school and education system
The German education system is quite different from the wide-spread British and American education system or even others in the world. It starts with optional pre-school education (1- to 6-year-olds) and then continues with the compulsory public school system of...
You did not get the Blue Card – Now what?
The word Blue Card seems to have a magic connotation these days. Appointments seem to get fixed faster, documents examined within days and the visa issued at a speed rate. It is true that the EU Blue Card is a prestigious title that, if possible, you should try to...
New regulations for foreign doctors – preparatory course for the specialist language examination at the Medical Association
More and more hospitals are employing doctors from abroad. The conditions for the authorisation of foreign doctors in Germany have now changed. In many federal states, specialist language examinations are conducted by the medical associations to obtain a licence to...