Read the German Federal Ministry for Family Affairs’ guidance on family benefits for UK nationals (in German). If there is no signed Withdrawal Agreement: The UK becomes a “third country” from the date of Exit and your UK driving licence would become invalid (see “No deal scenario” below, under “Further explanation”). Drivers are required to obtain a valid German after that time. As a resident in Germany, you must register with a health insurer (Krankenkasse) to access healthcare. For more information read our guidance on healthcare when travelling in Europe and advice on foreign travel insurance. Contact the relevant Higher Education provider in Germany to check what fees you may have to pay. You are the capitan of the rural road and your captain's patents are the class C driving licences. However, it is necessary to pass a written and practical test. You also need to report your residence to your local Foreigners Authority. If you drive on the roads in Germany you must have a valid driving licence (Führerschein), and you have to carry your licence on all journeys. You may need to get your professional qualification recognised if you want to work in a profession that is regulated in Germany. If you were living in Germany before 1 January 2021, you can use your UK photocard licence to drive in Germany until 30 June 2021, provided that it remains valid in the UK. a car licence must be renewed at age 70 or at 3 years after the holder becomes resident, whichever is the later. Please note: If you are requesting a new residence document (Aufenthaltsdokument-GB), you will need a valid UK passport. See the ‘attend a citizen outreach meeting’ section, Brexit update: Send us your Brexit questions during our Facebook Q&A (21 October) and register for citizens outreach meeting in Munich (24 October). This could mean applying for a visa or work permit. Health insurance is compulsory in Germany. Brexit Update: New event: Facebook Q&A, 6 August 1-2pm. Support available includes: Across Germany, two organisations are providing this practical support: SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity, are covering Bremen, Hamburg, Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia, while the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) covers all other federal states. Licence and documentation. Different rules apply to nationals of those countries. If your qualification was officially recognised by the relevant regulator in Germany before 1 January 2021, make sure you understand the terms of your recognition decision by checking with that regulator. You must tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad. So, in theory, the licences of those Brits who have been resident for longer than six months at that point would become invalid from the date of Exit, . The European driving licence is a driving licence which replaced the various driving licence styles formerly in use in the member states of the European Economic Area (EEA). You will not be required to take a test to exchange your licence. Additional information added to the visas and residency, healthcare, working in Germany, pensions, German benefits and returning to the UK sections. – To apply, contact your “Führerscheinstelle” at your local Kreisverwaltung. Swapping your existing license. Even if your licence was issued in a non-EU/EEC/designated nation, you are nevertheless permitted to drive in the United Kingdom for one year. If you’re a citizen from an EU or EEA country you can drive in Germany using your own national driving license for the duration of the validity of the license. In their recent Facebook Q&A session, the British Embassy stated that “the local driving licensing authority will be responsible for determining when exactly the 6-month period for the exchange of driving licences starts, i.e. Visa and residency section updated to include new information on residence documents: click the link ‘obtain a new residence document’. Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on, amongst other things, tax, access to services and bringing family members. If you move to another EU country and your driving licence expires, you will have to renew it there if that is where you have your normal residence. January 15, 2019 at 5:50 am. Reply. All overseas renters require a passport as well as a driver's license; Germany: All drivers must present a valid non-expired driver's license at the time of rental. The Embassy has stated that in a no-deal scenario, British citizens would have to take the German driving test if exchanging their license after the Brexit date. If you spend longer than 6 months of the year in Germany with your UK-registered car, you must register your vehicle with the German authorities. If you live in the UK or another EU or EFTA country and regularly commuted to work in Germany before 1 January 2021, you must apply for a new frontier worker document (Aufenthaltsdokument für Grenzgänger-GB), at the local Foreigners Authority for your workplace. Kathleen Parker says. Working section updated with information on frontier workers. The three-year element relates to someone who came to live in the UK at say the age of 68, they could drive until they were 71 on their EU licence because it is the longer of the two periods i.e. EU Exit update: New information on residency and travel after EU Exit, EU Exit update: Updated information on heathcare and residency, EU Exit update: New information event for UK nationals in Düsseldorf, 28 March. Further information on driving licences in the EU: https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/vehicles/driving-licence/driving-licence-recognition-validity/index_en.htm. Especially in view of the uncertainty of whether there will be a Withdrawal Agreement or not. for a driving licence of category C, C1, D, D1 or E. If you are planning to study in Germany, make sure you meet all visa requirements before you arrive. One step at a time For those who only have to take the tests, “You generally have to allow two months for the whole process,” says Christine Timmer, who runs an English-language Fahrschule in Munich. For more information on how pension entitlements are calculated, read the German Pensions’ Authority’s guidance (in German). EU Exit update: addition to Working In Germany section - information concerning working as a civil servant (Beamte/r). All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0, except where otherwise stated, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Education and professional qualifications, report your residence to your local Foreigners Authority by 30 June 2021, attend one of our citizen outreach meetings, your rights will be protected by the Withdrawal Agreement, register at your local registration office, German Federal Interior Ministry residence FAQs, guidance on residency permits for third country nationals, guidance on accessing healthcare in Germany, German Association of Statutory Health Insurers, guidance on healthcare when travelling in Europe, general information about health insurance for students, FAQs from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, how to apply for a visa and any other necessary documents, German criminal record check (Führungszeugnis), guidance on residence in Germany for information from your local Foreigners Authority, German government’s FAQs on Bafög funding, request recognition of your qualifications, recognition of professional qualifications, paying income tax in Germany (from the European Union), guidance on banking, insurance and financial services changes, pensions from working abroad, if you’ve worked in other, guidance on pension and retirement changes, request proof of the time you’ve worked in the, German Federal Ministry for Family Affairs’ guidance on family benefits for, driving licences and vehicle registration in Germany, local vehicle registration office (Zulassungsstelle), guidance on car registration rules and taxes in Germany, English-speaking funeral directors in Germany, notarial and documentary services for Germany, travelling to Northern Ireland with your pet, contact your nearest British embassy or consulate, Germany: notarial and documentary services guide, Healthcare for UK nationals living in Germany, Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance and support, Transparency and freedom of information releases, answering questions about residence applications, such as the documents you need and how the application process works, guiding you through the process, if necessary, support if you experience language barriers or difficulty accessing online information and services, receiving some other ‘exportable benefits’, a frontier worker who lives in Germany and commutes to work in the, take out health insurance for the duration of their study, read the European Commission’s guidance on, your German pension, if you’ve worked in Germany. (in English) from the German Federal Ministry of Transport on driving licences (See links below, If the UK leaves without a deal, then overnight o, the UK would become a “third country”. Updated Information in view of a change in German registration law as of 1 November 2015. instructions for witnessing UK state pension life certificates updated. We use some essential cookies to make this website work. Any person who first obtains a driving licence in a less powerful vehicle category is granted easier access to the next higher driving licence category (example: any person who first gains two years of experience in Category A1 – light motorcycles not exceeding 11 kW – only has to pass a practical test, but not a theory test, to obtain a Category A2 licence – motorcycles up to 35 kW. Read our guidance on residence in Germany for information from your local Foreigners Authority. Age Requirement. Check the entry requirements for Germany. whether in the case of a no-deal Brexit there will be a grace period at your place of residence or not. One of those rules is that third-country nationals have to exchange their driving licence for a German one within six months of arrival. If you are planning to stay in Germany for more than 3 months, you must register at your local registration office within 14 days of arrival. The regulations about the validity of category C, C1, CE, C1E, D, D1, DE and D1E (buses and trucks) driving licences equally apply to the corresponding EU/EEA driving licence. If you have not yet applied for a residence document, you should carry evidence that you are resident in Germany. Complete revision of guidance to ensure it's up to date and accurate. They may include pensioners, disabled people, people living in remote areas or people who have mobility difficulties. EU Exit update: updated information on access to healthcare, EU exit update - updated information on pensions and driving, EU Exit update: New information added about residency in Germany for UK nationals. Therefore, please consult your local Bürgeramt.”, The nationals of some third countries are required to take a test (theory and/or practical) before they can exchange their driving licences for a German, one. Your British driver's licence is valid in Germany, and there's no limit on the amount of time you are allowed to drive here, but if you move here to live and It's your main place of residence, you will have to change your licence to a German one. There has been some concern among the British community in Germany about UK driving licences and when/if to exchange for a German driving licence. The nationals of some third countries are required to take a test (theory and/or practical) before they can exchange their driving licences for a German one. There has been some concern among the British community in Germany about UK driving licences and when/if to exchange for a German driving licence. A good and authoritative source regarding driving licences in Germany is the English-language web page of the German transport ministry: www.bmvi.de/SharedDocs/EN/Articles/StV/validity-foreign-driving-licences-in-germany.html?nn=12830, “Fact sheet for holders of foreign driving licences from EU and EEA states on driving licence provisions in the Federal Republic of Germany”, www.bmvi.de/SharedDocs/EN/Documents/LA/fact-sheet-foreign-driving-licences.pdf?__blob=publicationFile, “Fact sheet for holders of foreign driving licences from states outside the European Union and the European Economic Area on driving licence provisions in the Federal Republic of Germany”, www.bmvi.de/SharedDocs/EN/Documents/LA/driving-licence-provisions-fact-sheet.pdf?__blob=publicationFile. Driving licences issued in EU and EEA countries are accepted. Driving Licence. Lessons are not mandatory, but could be useful in ensuring you pass first time. If you were living in Germany before 1 January 2021, you should obtain a new residence document (Aufenthaltsdokument-GB). Find out how to access healthcare as a posted worker. If you have any concerns about whether you might be affected, contact your provider or seek independent financial advice. This situation is explained on the BMVI’s Mobility after Brexit page (under the question “Will it be necessary to make any adjustment’s to my driving license?”). Drivers under the age of 18 may only drive tractor vehicles up to 40 km/h (with trailer). For fire or medical emergencies dial the European emergency number on 112 or German police on 110. Your rights under the Withdrawal Agreement will not be affected if you do not meet the deadline. If you have a pet passport issued by Germany or another EU member state, you can use it to travel with your pet to Great Britain and elsewhere in the EU. Plus information on travelling with pets in Europe in pet section. Read the Money and Pension Service guidance on pension and retirement changes for more information on cross-border pensions. The UK government website below confirms that you may continue to drive on your UK driving licence until the end of Transition. See the ‘attend one of our citizens outreach meetings’ section, Brexit update: healthcare section updated to reflect transitional arrangements announcement, Brexit update: Register for citizens outreach meetings in Frankfurt (10 October) and Hamburg (15 October). But like any other country it has its unique rules and conventions when it comes to driving. Reply. Read our guidance on entitlement to UK benefits and pensions while you are living in Germany. Hi I have bahraini driving licence can I exchange to Germany driving licence thanks. ... Hi i had a uk driving licence but today i lost it,can i apply for exchange it to german one here,because i am living in berlin now. An International Driving Permit is a translation of your national driving license. It’s taking longer than usual to process applications because of coronavirus (COVID-19). The Embassy has stated that in a no-deal scenario, British citizens would have to take the German driving test if exchanging their license after the Brexit date. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information. Countries in the EU or EEA. To rent a car in Germany you must be at least 18 years old (age may vary by car category). You should carry your residence document (Aufenthaltsdokument-GB), as well as your valid passport when you travel. Ask your employer’s HR department for more information. You may not need an IDP but as they are easy to obtain, it might be a good idea to get one anyway.Let's learn more about them. Your bank or finance provider should contact you if they need to make any changes to your product or the way they provide it. You may be able to vote in some UK elections. If you are planning to come to Germany to work, you may need a visa. Existing double taxation arrangements for UK nationals living in Germany have not changed. You can find an English-speaking doctor in Germany. To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. Check with your local Foreigners Authority if they have a minimum passport validity requirement. US citizens may drive in Germany with their US driving licence for up to 6 months on a US licence. UK nationals who were resident in Germany before 1 January 2021, and need help to complete their residence application or registration, can get support from organisations funded by the UK Nationals Support Fund. This situation is explained on the, A good and authoritative source regarding driving lic, ences in Germany is the English-language web page of the German, 2019 UK in DE naturalisation numbers released, Latest: Residency in Germany after transition, S1 Healthcare holders need new EHIC cards, Withdrawal Agreement and Transition for UK citizens in Germany, Driving in Germany after Brexit Transition, British & EU citizens’ groups across Europe. You will then need to apply for a provisional UK licence, then sit and pass the DVSA driving test in order to continue driving. That’s why it’s so easy to buy a driving license on our website. UK license holders who have a paper license only will also need an official photo for identification when driving in Germany. You should speak to your vet before you travel to get the necessary pet travel documents and ensure you’re compliant with the EU Pet Travel Regulations. Read the German government’s guidance on residency permits for third country nationals. Sam says. You may have to use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens when queuing. See the ‘attend a citizen outreach meeting’ section. The old license was then returned to Swansea and, as they put it, destroyed. If you are staying for longer than six months, but less than 12, it may be possible to have the validity of your licence extended to cover your entire stay in Germany. If you hold a valid domestic driving licence, you may drive a vehicle in Germany until this licence expires. If your foreign driving licence is about to expire or i… If you move home in Germany, you must register again at the local registration office for your new address. You can apply for or renew your British passport from Germany. EU Exit update: New information in "Passports and travel after the UK leaves the EU" concerning travel and short stays within the EU and UK passport validity. EU Exit update: 2 Information events for UK nationals in Berlin on Tuesday 30 April 2019. It should be noted that the period of validity of the UK driving license is 10 years. Use this tool to find out how to exchange your non-British driving licence for a British licence. You should check that you are correctly registered and should get a new residence document by 30 June 2021 to evidence your rights. The old "paper" UK driving license was only valid for three months, at which time you had to change it for a German license. You will be eligible for the same tuition fees as German nationals, as long as you were legally resident in Germany before 1 January 2021. Whether UK banks can provide services to customers living in the EEA is a matter of local law and regulation. These driving licences are valid in Germany for 5 years, beginning with the date of issue of the foreign driving licence. See more details in the, your health insurance provider (Krankenkasse). German licence holders residing in the UK will be able to exchange their licence without the need for a re-test. For more information, read the German Federal Interior Ministry residence FAQs. Yes, from 1 January 2021 you may still drive in the United Kingdom on your Dutch driving licence, regardless of whether you are in the UK on holiday or you live there. If you have a registered S1 form and were living in Germany before 1 January 2021, your rights to access healthcare will stay the same if you are either: Read our guidance on how to get an S1 Form and ensure you are correctly registered for healthcare. For those who live in a village or a small remote city without proper access to public transport, in particular, obtaining a driving licence … This could include an address registration certificate (Meldebestätigung), tenancy agreement, or a utility bill in your name, dating from 2020. Visitors must be aged 18 or over and hold a full, valid driving licence to legally drive in Germany. You may be entitled to German benefits. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone. December 24, 2020, 4 pm: The information on this page will possibly be updated in accordance with the partnership between the EU and the UK. If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you need to respond as soon as possible – your payments may be suspended if you don’t. When loaded, the trailer may not weigh more than the empty bus. The EU law has also lead to growing numbers of drivers signing up for driving schools: If you complete your lorry driving licence by September 10, 2009, you can work as a commercial driver without a basic qualification. Read the German government’s guidance on how to apply for a visa and any other necessary documents. Those holding a license issued in a Non-Latin-Letter Alphabet must also present a valid International Drivers Permit. Many years ago I had an English friend here who didn't do this, he kept his old licence … Passports and travel section updated on carrying proof of residence when travelling. if your driving licence contains annotations or codes about your physical fitness. Healthcare section updated on how to apply for a new UK EHIC as a student or S1 holder. Check the rules of the country you’re travelling to for any additional restrictions or requirements before you travel. If you have arrived in Germany and intend to stay longer than 90 days or to work, you will need a residence permit. How to obtain a new driving licence. Brexit update: includes further details on passport validity, healthcare rights and State Pension uprating if the UK leaves the EU with a deal. Send your questions about double taxation to the relevant tax authority. If you live in Germany and were regularly commuting to work in another EU or EFTA country, before January 2021 you may need a permit to show you are a frontier worker. International Driving Permits (1926, 1949, 1968) How to Get an International Driving Permit in Germany? UK driving licences are valid in the EU until 31 December 2020. The U. S. Embassy, supported by the American Chamber of Commerce in Germany , continues to actively press all U.S. states to reach an agreement on the reciprocal recognition of driver’s licenses with Germany, essentially a waiver of testing requirements. Definitive information should be obtained from the German authorities. If your UK employer has sent you to Germany temporarily, your access to healthcare is different. New citizens outreach event for UK nationals in Cologne on 13 February 2019. You must file an annual declaration of assets that are held outside Germany, alongside your annual tax return. Two-stage driving licence in category T The minimum age for Category T is 16 years. To obtain a British driving licence, … If you have a valid driving licence from your own country, you can drive in the UK for up 12 months. An International Driving Permit is not a suitable alternative to exchanging your licence. You will need to tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad. Check each country’s travel advice page for information on entry requirements. In order for code 96 to be entered into the Category B driving licence, only a driver training, but no test, is required. Combination of driving license class D1 and trailer. From 1 January 2021 contact the relevant national administration to find out about the new rules. See the ‘attend a citizen outreach meeting’ section for details about our virtual info evening, with live Q&A session, on 28 September, Passports and travel section updated to include information on passport validity and entry requirements when travelling to other European countries from January 2021. Total costs (without driving lessons) may average as much as EUR 425 for license holders from states with no reciprocal agreement with Germany. The driving age in German is 18 years (for cars), which means younger drivers who have a license in their home country will not be able to drive in Germany. For event details and registration instructions see "EU Exit updates" and click on "attend one of our citizens outreach meetings". Periods of time authorised by a visa or permit will not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit. If you, or someone you know, are having difficulty completing residence paperwork or have any questions, contact the organisation that covers the region where you, or they, live. if you intend to be staying here – and driving – after the Exit date. You may also be asked to provide it to your local finance authority. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. See the ‘attend one of our citizens outreach meetings’ section, Brexit update: Register for citizens outreach meetings in Berlin (30 September) and Dusseldorf (1 October). Find out if you need to pay National Insurance in the UK or social security contributions in Germany. Driving in Germany. Foreign driving licenses must be accompanied by a legalized translation in Bulgarian or an international driver’s license/permit (IDL/IDP). Your local Bürgeramt can advise you where you can go to exchange your licence. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. Check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad and how to claim them. If you have applied but not yet received your document, carry your certificate of application (Fiktionsbescheinigung). Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details. In short there are two scenarios: 1. We’ll send you a link to a feedback form. If you are resident in Germany, you may be able to apply for German citizenship (in German). Read our guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK. Brexit update: Pensions section updated to include further details on State Pension uprating. i have a UK license ..now we are post brexit - do i need to take the driving practical and theory test in spain? IDP Sample When you move to Germany, you should exchange your UK driving licence for a German one within 6 months. To apply for a German driving license, you’ll need to visit your local vehicle licence office, or in German: Führerscheinstelle. Your ability to drive in the UK on your foreign driving licence depends on two main factors: the length of your stay, and the country where your licence was issued. Licenses from EU member states are accepted. EU exit update: New information in residency and visa section on draft withdrawal agreement in principle between the UK and EU. If you live in Germany and intend to drive here after the end of Transition, then you need to exchange your UK driving licence for a German one as soon as possible. From 1 January 2021 contact the relevant national administration to find out about the new rules. Citizens who can prove that they are staying for less than a year in Germany may drive for 364 days with their US driving licence, but must declare this at the local driver's registration office. You are able to choose your health insurer (in German) and in some cases you can choose private health insurance (private Krankenversicherung) instead of the standard statutory health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung). Having a driving licence can be very useful. You can use your German licence in the UK for short visits without the need for additional documentation. You must comply with this, if you hold a driving licence of these categories. If you were living in Germany before 1 January 2021, you may be eligible for a new UK-issued EHIC if you’re: An EHIC is not a replacement for comprehensive travel insurance. See the ‘attend one of our citizens outreach meetings’ section. You will never need to exchange it for a German license, nor do you need to provide a translated copy. Read the Money and Pension Service guidance on banking, insurance and financial services changes for more information on cross-border banking. Usually this will be at your local Rathaus (city hall), or Bürgeramt (municipal citizens’ office), but you can of course look up the exact location online for your town or city. As a non-EEA national, different border checks will apply when travelling to other EU or Schengen area countries. You must have at least 6 months left on an adult or child passport to travel to most countries in Europe (not including Ireland). Users with disabilities can fax on 112 or 100 to access the emergency services. With its incredible road network and breathtaking scenery, Germany is a natural choice for a road trip.