What companies usually pay for
- Almost always: visa and fast-track fees, the flight, and help with temporary housing.
- Often: one to three months of a furnished flat, translations, and a lump-sum relocation allowance.
- Sometimes: shipping, a relocation agency, family flights, and the first rent deposit as a loan.
Tax-free relocation reimbursement
For a work-related move, the employer can reimburse costs tax-free up to what the employee could otherwise deduct (§3 No. 16 Income Tax Act). The lump sums for other moving expenses change regularly; check the current Federal Ministry of Finance letter before paying a flat amount.
Relocation agency or do it yourself?
Agency packages typically range from about €1,500 to €5,000 for flat search, Anmeldung and bank appointments, and much more for full corporate packages. For one person moving to a city with an Indian community, this calculator, the onboarding timeline and the first 30 days checklist cover most of what an agency does.
Sources: IHK Regensburg: recognition and visa · City of Munich: accelerated skilled-worker procedure · ZAB statement of comparability · §551 BGB (rent deposit limit) · §3 No. 16 EStG (tax-free relocation reimbursement). Market prices for agencies are typical ranges, not quotes.