How can I live in Germany if I am from a member state of the EU?
What do I have to keep in mind?

As a citizen of the European Union you have many possibilities to enter Germany and to reside here long term. The EU's basic principles are designed for freedom of movement between member countries of the EU in order to benefit in the areas of free trade, free money and the freedom to science.

• Traveling within the EU is permitted without any problems for EU citizens. EU citizens identify themselves by their identification card (in Germany the “Personalausweis”). A valid identity document must be presentable at all times.

• Studying at colleges or universities within the EU is allowed for all citizens of the European Union when they meet the conditions and have a place at a University in the destination country. The universities themselves will help with arranging testing and matriculation. There are also Welcome Center in many cities which like to give you information. There are also many student exchange programs.

• Working as part of a regular employment relationship is possible for European citizens throughout the EU. However, you must have an employment contract before you settle permanently in Germany.

• For German citizens there are many social supports. You will only have a right to social benefits as an EU citizen, if you have worked in Germany before in a job with social insurances.

• Seasonal work is permitted only for people from countries of the European Union. This is only possible if the work is officially approved and controlled by the employment office. Should this not be the case you might be working illegally in so-called "black economy". You can recognize illegal work because it is not registered with the authorities. Both the employer and the employee is obliged to register with the authorities. If that does not happen that is considered a crime and both parties may be persecuted for that.