Departing

We are sorry you will be leaving but hope you had an enjoyable and successful stay in the Karlsruhe region. 

• It is advisable to start thinking about all you need to get done at least 3 months in advance of departure.
• As with arriving, there are things you just need to do! Many will depend on your new location. If you are moving within Germany, many services can simply be transferred. If you are moving outside of Germany, you will need to cancel many services and this should be done in writing.
• Anything you subscribed to or joined needs to  be cancelled. If you need to break a fixed term contract, read over your contract to see if there is a clause allowing you to do so under special circumstances, just as international relocation. Mention this specifically in your letter to terminate service.
• When terminating a contract, be sure to include the following when applicable:  your name, the date, your old and new address, account number, the reason for termination, the date for termination as well as a bank account number in case you will be getting a refund. Remember to sign the letter! It is recommended to send termination letters per registered mail (Einschreiben) so that you have proof that the company received the termination.
• Download our checkist.

Health insurance

Statutory: If you have state health insurance, your coverage will end with the end of your job and your employer will notify the insurance company.

Private: If you are staying within the EU, you may be able to continue being covered on the same policy — provided you pay the premiums. If you do not want this coverage in your new home, you must cancel in writing.

Make sure you are not without coverage during the interim! You may need to get temporary coverage for yourself &/or family.

It is a good idea to get copies of your health records before leaving. This includes immunizations, dental records, X-rays etc.

Hausratversicherung (Household Insurance)

Cancel in writing.

Haftpflichtversicherung (Personal Liability Insurance)

Cancel in writing.

Car insurance (Kfz Versicherung)

Cancel in writing.

Utilities — Gas, Electric, etc.

Many utilities have on-line services, but be sure to also inform the company in writing of your move and provide a forwarding address. For your own records, read the meters (water, gas, electricity etc.) on departing.

TV/Cable/Telephone/Internet

• Remember to cancel both your landline and mobile telephone connections.
• Cable television, other Pay TV and Internet providers must be notified.
• Rundfunkbeitrag (TV Fee) must be cancelled.

Kindergeld, Elterngeld, Bafög, Arbeitslosengeld

If you received financial government assistance, the proper authorities must be informed of a change of address or an ending of service.

Pension Funds

Those who have made contributions to a pension fund (state and/or private) should inquire about transferring benefits or getting a refund as well as provide a forwarding address. EU citizens can normally transfer benefits between countries — but they cannot get a refund.

Taxes

• Taxes can be very complicated. Before departing, check that the extent of any remaining tax liability is clear by either consulting a tax advisor or visiting the local tax office (Finanzamt).
• Depending on your circumstances and the extent of your stay in Germany, you may want to (have to) file a tax return. It may take several months to confirm whether any refunds or additional payments are due.

Bank account

• You will want to keep your bank account active for a few months after your departure to be sure that final bills can be paid and deposits returned.
• Be sure to cancel any standing orders (Daueraufträge) or specify until which date they are valid. If you have any direct debit authorizations (Einzugsermächtigungen) for your utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water), be sure to cancel these.
• Ask at your bank ahead of time what is required to close your account. In some cases, there will be a fee, especially if you want to transfer the final balance to an account in another country.
• If different from you bank, inform your credit card of an address change or cancel the card in writing.
• If you have other financial products at the bank (mortgage, certificates of deposit, etc.), you will need to discuss how best to proceed with a financial advisor at the bank.
• Depending on your circumstances, it may be helpful to provide power of attorney over your bank account to someone in Germany — of course only to someone you trust completely!

• You must give at least three months notice to cancel your rental agreement — do this in writing!
• At a bare minimum, the apartment must be clean on departure. In some cases, painting or other small repairs need to be taken care of. What needs to be done depends on your contract and length of stay. You can do this yourself or hire a firm.
• Remember to get your deposit back! You will need to keep your German bank account open so that the deposit can be transferred to this account. The landlord has the right to deduct expenses from damage or repair costs to the apartment. The details should be listed in your rental agreement.
• Getting rid of stuff you don't want to take with you is not always easy. You can try to sell it through various Internet platforms, post on bulletin boards at work or school or through the newspaper or donate to charities (although the charities are choosy about what they take). Bulky items (furniture, appliances) cannot be removed as regular waste. Plan ahead and find out when the next "Sperrmüll" will take place. Be especially aware of separating out your junk into recyclables, regular garbage, Sperrmüll and Sondermüll (e.g. chemical cleaners, paint, etc.), which need to be disposed of properly. See Waste Management for more details.
• You will need to set up an appointment with the landlord to return your keys. At this time, he/she will also look over the apartment to check for damage or make sure the renovations are completed as agreed. You should read the utility meters together. Get a signed report with all this information in case there are any issues with the return of your safety deposit. 
• When meeting with the landlord, it is advisable to bring a friend as a witness or you can use the service  Relocation Service move-in because there can be differences in opinion about the extent of needed renovations.

• If you are moving within Germany, you can re-register at your new City Hall (Rathaus). The new City Hall will contact the old City Hall for you.
• If you are leaving Germany, you will need to let the City Hall know by filling out an "Abmeldung" form.  A copy of this form may be necessary to cancel your utilities and other contracts. There is no fee if you do this in a timely manner.
• If you are already in your new home and have forgotten to deregister, you can still do so. Fill out the form, print it, sign it and mail it by regular post along with a copy of the identification you used in Germany. Theoretically, this should be done within two weeks of leaving. Late fees may apply.
• The German postal service offers a post forwarding service so that important documents reach you at your new home. There is a fee.
• Dogs need to be registered. When you depart, you will need to deregister your dog.
• If you are moving within Germany, you will need to re-register your car in your new town. This can only be done after registering your new residence at the new City Hall.
• If you are leaving Germany with your car, you will need to inform the local Vehicle Registration Office (Kraftfahrzeugzulassungsstelle) and your insurance company. You will also need to inform the Customs Office so that the yearly car tax is no longer taken from your account.
• If you exchanged your non-EU driving license for a German one, please remember to arrange for the return of your home country license at the office where it was surrendered.