Leaving Germany for U.K.
#1
Just Joined
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 3
Leaving Germany for U.K.
Hallo .... l'm 59 divorced with two great kids well studied..... l feel l want to return home Chester ..... living here on my own is just too stressful and l find the german mentality exhausting..... Has anybody got any experience of returning from back to the U.K. ....... l have been away for 30 years and l have had enough .... any tips ..... would be appreciated
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2010
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 9,651
Re: Leaving Germany for U.K.
Loads of examples of people returning to the UK on this forum. Reading them would be of benefit to you.
#3
Re: Leaving Germany for U.K.
We returned from Australia, just booked a flight and came home.
The only hassles you might have are opening a bank account if you don't still have a UK account, but there are ways round it. Renting a place is easy as long as you either have a job or funds.
The only hassles you might have are opening a bank account if you don't still have a UK account, but there are ways round it. Renting a place is easy as long as you either have a job or funds.
#4
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,114
Re: Leaving Germany for U.K.
Hallo .... l'm 59 divorced with two great kids well studied..... l feel l want to return home Chester ..... living here on my own is just too stressful and l find the german mentality exhausting..... Has anybody got any experience of returning from back to the U.K. ....... l have been away for 30 years and l have had enough .... any tips ..... would be appreciated
https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports
Will she also think about getting German citizenship before returning to the UK. Given the likelihood of a 'hard' Brexit in two years time, having another form of EU nationality is a good idea.
#5
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,848
Re: Leaving Germany for U.K.
Hallo .... l'm 59 divorced with two great kids well studied..... l feel l want to return home Chester ..... living here on my own is just too stressful and l find the german mentality exhausting..... Has anybody got any experience of returning from back to the U.K. ....... l have been away for 30 years and l have had enough .... any tips ..... would be appreciated
I recently left Switzerland (the German speaking part) last Summer; the country is incredibly beautiful but even the Germans find the Swiss to be uptight! Even going to the Okihoff with the recycling was a pain....rules are rules and woe betide if you have mistakenly placed the wrong item in the incorrect container. Miserable lot, they were
#6
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 3
Re: Leaving Germany for U.K.
I'm not sure how old your kids are, but will they be moving to the UK with you? If they are under 18 years old you may need their father's permission to leave Germany....best to check this out!
I recently left Switzerland (the German speaking part) last Summer; the country is incredibly beautiful but even the Germans find the Swiss to be uptight! Even going to the Okihoff with the recycling was a pain....rules are rules and woe betide if you have mistakenly placed the wrong item in the incorrect container. Miserable lot, they were
I recently left Switzerland (the German speaking part) last Summer; the country is incredibly beautiful but even the Germans find the Swiss to be uptight! Even going to the Okihoff with the recycling was a pain....rules are rules and woe betide if you have mistakenly placed the wrong item in the incorrect container. Miserable lot, they were
#7
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,114
Re: Leaving Germany for U.K.
Yes you are right it's awful when you try and work with people who are forever trying to boss each other around . They are negative and stressful.... my kids are established here .... l have waited until they have grown up ..... l need to come home to save my sanity..... l have a 91 year old mother who doesn't understand, she lives alone and unfortunately it's not possible to live with her ..... what are my options? I've been out the country now for 30 years 😐
#8
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2010
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 9,651
Re: Leaving Germany for U.K.
Yes you are right it's awful when you try and work with people who are forever trying to boss each other around . They are negative and stressful.... my kids are established here .... l have waited until they have grown up ..... l need to come home to save my sanity..... l have a 91 year old mother who doesn't understand, she lives alone and unfortunately it's not possible to live with her ..... what are my options? I've been out the country now for 30 years 😐
You are in Germany and could be in the UK within a couple of hours. If you have not even visited the UK for 30 years then do so before you move permanently.
You will need to find accommodation and have monetary resources to support yourself until such time as you find work (if you intend to work).
Don't expect to get any benefits until such time as you have been assessed for such. You will be eligible for the NHS from day one.
#9
Re: Leaving Germany for U.K.
My cousin just returned to Glasgow after living in Berlin for 10 years, he said that the situation there has come to a head and he just simply does not feel safe there anymore - certainly not the place it was when he first moved there.
Fortunately for him he kept his UK bank account active, maintained his British passport and moved back with his mum when he returned. So it was really just hopping on a train back to the UK (he hates flying) and finding some work.
Whatever you choose to do all the best, hope it works out well for you
#10
Re: Leaving Germany for U.K.
I agree. Don't take any chances. Make sure you have German citizenship. Your children are already British citizens.
#11
Re: Leaving Germany for U.K.
This is assuming that she even has the desire to return to Germany.
My cousin just returned to Glasgow after living in Berlin for 10 years, he said that the situation there has come to a head and he just simply does not feel safe there anymore - certainly not the place it was when he first moved there.
Fortunately for him he kept his UK bank account active, maintained his British passport and moved back with his mum when he returned. So it was really just hopping on a train back to the UK (he hates flying) and finding some work.
Whatever you choose to do all the best, hope it works out well for you
My cousin just returned to Glasgow after living in Berlin for 10 years, he said that the situation there has come to a head and he just simply does not feel safe there anymore - certainly not the place it was when he first moved there.
Fortunately for him he kept his UK bank account active, maintained his British passport and moved back with his mum when he returned. So it was really just hopping on a train back to the UK (he hates flying) and finding some work.
Whatever you choose to do all the best, hope it works out well for you
#12
Re: Leaving Germany for U.K.
His flat has been broken into twice in the last year, and he of course the real kicker was getting his notice that his contract was ending at his work so he figured it would be better a time than ever to make the move. Just the other day he said has always felt welcome there but that over the last several years the Germans have shifted to more of a protectionist position and he'd have an easier time at home. Between me and everyone else on here he's a bit of an xenophobe, very pro-Brexit, has always had a very hard stance on immigration, not to say that all Brexiteers are xenophobes by any means however.
#13
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 3
Re: Leaving Germany for U.K.
This is assuming that she even has the desire to return to Germany.
My cousin just returned to Glasgow after living in Berlin for 10 years, he said that the situation there has come to a head and he just simply does not feel safe there anymore - certainly not the place it was when he first moved there.
Fortunately for him he kept his UK bank account active, maintained his British passport and moved back with his mum when he returned. So it was really just hopping on a train back to the UK (he hates flying) and finding some work.
Whatever you choose to do all the best, hope it works out well for you
My cousin just returned to Glasgow after living in Berlin for 10 years, he said that the situation there has come to a head and he just simply does not feel safe there anymore - certainly not the place it was when he first moved there.
Fortunately for him he kept his UK bank account active, maintained his British passport and moved back with his mum when he returned. So it was really just hopping on a train back to the UK (he hates flying) and finding some work.
Whatever you choose to do all the best, hope it works out well for you
#14
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2004
Location: Germany
Posts: 33
Re: Leaving Germany for U.K.
I moved back to the UK after over 15 years in Germany and more than 25 years abroad. All up and it was an easy process.
My old National Insurance number was still valid, and it was easy to set everything in motion. Most things are just easier to do in the UK than Germany and even more efficient (My time in Germany showed me that efficiency is really just a stereotype).
That said, there were a few complications. I needed a UK address to get a bank account as all details from my old bank account were lost. But to rent an apartment in my own name, I needed a UK bank account. Catch 22. So I simply shared an apartment and took out the TV license to prove my address (other bills will suffice).
If you still have details of an old UK bank account or have one, this won't be a problem.
Love living back in the UK... Sunday shopping, relaxed and friendly people and contactless payment everywhere. Miss some things from Germany of course - I didn't leave because I don't like it there, but I just felt the UK suits me more for my personality.
My old National Insurance number was still valid, and it was easy to set everything in motion. Most things are just easier to do in the UK than Germany and even more efficient (My time in Germany showed me that efficiency is really just a stereotype).
That said, there were a few complications. I needed a UK address to get a bank account as all details from my old bank account were lost. But to rent an apartment in my own name, I needed a UK bank account. Catch 22. So I simply shared an apartment and took out the TV license to prove my address (other bills will suffice).
If you still have details of an old UK bank account or have one, this won't be a problem.
Love living back in the UK... Sunday shopping, relaxed and friendly people and contactless payment everywhere. Miss some things from Germany of course - I didn't leave because I don't like it there, but I just felt the UK suits me more for my personality.
#15
Re: Leaving Germany for U.K.
Your options are quite simple. Get on a plane and fly home to the UK.
You are in Germany and could be in the UK within a couple of hours. If you have not even visited the UK for 30 years then do so before you move permanently.
You will need to find accommodation and have monetary resources to support yourself until such time as you find work (if you intend to work).
Don't expect to get any benefits until such time as you have been assessed for such. You will be eligible for the NHS from day one.
You are in Germany and could be in the UK within a couple of hours. If you have not even visited the UK for 30 years then do so before you move permanently.
You will need to find accommodation and have monetary resources to support yourself until such time as you find work (if you intend to work).
Don't expect to get any benefits until such time as you have been assessed for such. You will be eligible for the NHS from day one.