Do You Really Need an Agency to Move to Germany?

By: Simon Heinrich – Last updated: 07/2026 

Most people planning a move to Germany get told at some point that they should work with an agency. That raises a fair question: is it actually necessary?

The answer depends on several factors, your country of origin, your visa type, and the specific requirements of local authorities. This guide will help you assess that for yourself, objectively.

A word about this website first: we deliberately don’t partner with agencies, and we don’t sell expensive consulting packages. PrepareforGermany is funded exclusively through recommendations on our detailed guide pages. Our goal here isn’t to sell you anything, it’s to give you the knowledge you need so you never pay for something that’s actually free or easy to handle yourself in Germany.

This guide is part of our Fair Living cluster, our collection of independent guides for living in Germany without overpriced contracts or middlemen.

1. What you can handle completely on your own

There’s a set of tasks tied to starting life in Germany that you can fully manage yourself with some patience and the right information. Handling these steps yourself doesn’t just save money, it also keeps you in full control of your data and decisions.

  • Opening a blocked account: If your visa (for an apprenticeship or a degree program, for example) requires a blocked account, you can set this up online. Major German providers have fully digitized the process. Doing it yourself means you pick the provider that fits you best, not the one paying an agency the highest commission.
  • Getting health insurance: Registering with a statutory health insurer is always free. Providers mainly differ in service quality (like support in your native language). You don’t need anyone charging you a fee to handle this for you.
  • Opening a current account: Many German banks now let you open an account via app from abroad once your identity is verified.
  • Getting a SIM card in your own name: This sounds minor, but it’s a major independence factor. Many German online services tie themselves tightly to your phone number for security reasons. If the SIM is registered to an agency, you’ll run into roadblocks in everyday life.
  • Housing: Some agencies arrange accommodation, which can be convenient for the first few weeks. But always ask yourself: on what terms? If housing, insurance, and your contract are all bundled together, it becomes much harder to change jobs or living situations later on.

2. The visa process: where it can get complicated

The visa application is, for many people, the main reason to book an agency. In theory, the process is transparent: apply at the embassy, wait, receive your visa.

In practice, things look different in some countries of origin. People report real obstacles there:

  • It’s nearly impossible to get a regular appointment at the embassy online
  • Extremely long wait times with no feedback at all
  • The reality of corruption: in some regions, local networks have formed around appointment slots; paying a local agency sometimes gets you access to appointments that seem blocked for private individuals

If you live in a country where the system is effectively blocked without an agency, going that route is a legitimate, pragmatic decision. But keep this in mind: it’s only for the transition. Once you’re in Germany, German rules apply to you.

3. Don't let yourself be pressured

No matter how difficult the process is in your home country, the most important tool for making a good decision is time and a clear head.

Golden rule: legitimate partners give you time. If an agency pressures you to sign contracts immediately, or claims an offer is only valid “today,” that’s a warning sign. Never make decisions out of fear of missing out. Research independently first.

4. If you do choose an agency: the checklist

If you go the agency route, clarify these points beforehand:

  • Services: What exactly is included? Which steps will you still need to do yourself?
  • Costs: Is there a fixed, itemized breakdown? Could hidden fees show up later?
  • Blocked account and insurance: Are you being pushed toward specific providers? If so, ask why. You have the right to choose.

5. An important point: you're not obligated to stay

There’s one thing agencies almost never say out loud: you’re not bound to the agency’s solutions once you’re in Germany.

  • Before arrival: You’re free to choose your own blocked account or insurance provider.
  • After arrival: Once you’re on German soil, the same laws and rights apply to you as to anyone else, regardless of how you entered. You can switch health insurers, move your current account to a better bank, or find your own apartment. You don’t need the agency for any of that, and you owe them nothing beyond fulfilling your contractual obligations.

Clarity beats expensive promises

However you organize your start, knowledge is your best defense against overpriced offers.

  • If you’re handling everything yourself: Our roadmap guides you step by step through the entire process.
  • If you need an agency to get in: Much of our roadmap is still useful for you. Even if an agency handles certain contracts on your behalf, there are almost always areas you can control from the start. Use the roadmap to know what things actually cost in Germany, and to prepare for switching to your own solutions once you have the freedom to do so.

More from this guide

These are some of the most common contract traps you’ll come across in Germany. We’ve gathered more independent guides for a fair start and everyday life in Germany in our Fair Living cluster: