My Journey to Emigrate to Germany: A Low-Cost Experience 🇩🇪

Relocating to a different country can be daunting, especially when you’re doing it on a budget. In this blog, I’ll share my personal journey of moving to Germany, aiming to provide insights for anyone considering a similar path. This blog focuses on practical advice rather than working with expensive migration agencies or discouraging comments about staying put.

Understanding My Situation

Before sharing my migration story, let me introduce you to my background:

• I hold a bachelor’s degree with no overseas experience.
• I am proficient in English (CET-6) but have zero knowledge of German initially.
• With almost 12 years of experience in auditing and finance, I’m a registered accountant.
• I’ve lived in Beijing for 11 years, possess my own house, enjoy a stable economic situation, and have a fulfilling family life.

Motivation for Moving to Germany

My desire to migrate was driven by several key factors:

• I have an adventurous spirit and despise monotony; I yearn to explore the world beyond familiar surroundings.
• Having struggled for so long without securing a household registration in Beijing, I wanted to provide a better environment for my child. Eye health is crucial, and I believe vision should be prioritized over academic performance.
• My husband’s business venture didn’t pan out, and he faced challenges in the job market without a Beijing household registration. I felt it was essential for us to seek better opportunities abroad.

Steps on My Migration Journey

Choosing the Right Path

Like many, I initially lacked direction. I only had my good friend and their family in Germany for guidance, along with online resources. The typical options I found included work visas, family reunification, and the Blue Card. Initially, I leaned towards the Blue Card but later realized its costly implications:

• The Blue Card requires a minimum salary of €48,000 for non-shortage occupations.
• The application costs can range from tens of thousands to millions, not considering your living expenses over two years.
• With the investments required, I could have devoted myself to learning German instead—an essential skill for employment.

Learning German

I decided to focus on learning the language while figuring out my migration route. Here’s a breakdown of my language learning journey:

• Starting from May 2023, I committed to intensive language studies, completing the Goethe A1 and A2 levels in 8 months.
• In four months, I finished the B1 and B2 levels at the Rhein Institute and successfully passed my B1 exam in September 2024.

This effort laid the groundwork for my subsequent application opportunities. To maintain a successful study routine, I would rise at 5 AM to practice before heading to work. The enthusiasm for nurturing my own growth was unmatched! 🥰

Securing a Pathway

With the Germany Opportunity Card program opening in July, I prepared my application materials on my own. I submitted my application in November and was pleasantly surprised to receive approval within a week! I planned my entry for January, allowing two months for work transition. Although my boss was surprised by my decision, he fully supported this career move.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, relocating to Germany has been a thrilling yet challenging journey. By focusing on practical steps and self-education, I’ve successfully paved a low-cost path to this new chapter of life. If you’re also considering moving abroad, I hope my experience offers you valuable insights! 🌍✈️