German salary is exempt in Poland (exemption with progression – the MLI convention has not changed this!), and without Polish income, you do not file a PIT at all.
Polish and German periods are summed up (only 5 years in total are needed), one application in the country of residence (ZUS Opole handles PL–DE matters), and as of July 1, 2026, the pension point is worth 42.52 EUR (+4.24%). Traps: the German pension is taxed in Germany (Neubrandenburg – service in Polish), the bank will deduct 9% for NFZ, and the 13th/14th pension may be 'counted' towards German benefits.
Kindergeld of 259 EUR/month is also available for children in Poland – EU priority rules determine whether Germany pays the full amount or a differential supplement over 800+. Step-by-step application to Familienkasse (Steuer-ID, children's PESEL, SED/EESSI exchange), Elterngeld, Kinderzuschlag, and the reformed basic benefit effective from July 1, 2026.
Anmeldung within 14 days (and fines up to 1000 EUR), Steuer-ID arrives by mail, EU citizens do not need residence permits, Polish civil status documents without apostille (multilingual EU forms!), BundID/ELSTER/SCHUFA, Polish consulates (passport 140 EUR) and the latest figures for 2026: minimum wage 13.90 EUR, Deutschlandticket 63 EUR.
Bürgergeld (since 2023, replacing Hartz IV / ALG II) is a German social benefit for working-age individuals (15-67) who are capable of work but have low income.
SCHUFA (Schutzgemeinschaft für allgemeine Kreditsicherung) is the dominant German credit bureau – equivalent to Experian/Equifax, with a score range of 0-100 (the higher, the better), affecting rental housing, mortgages, credit cards, phone contracts, and leasing, with Polish newcomers in Germany often having a zero/null score, complicating various processes.
Buying a car in Germany: new dealer €15k-50k+, used cars mobile.de/AutoScout24 €3k-30k; required: Anmeldung (registration), KFZ-Versicherung (insurance) BEFORE registration, eVB Nummer (electronic insurance confirmation), Personalausweis or passport, Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II (Fahrzeugbrief); registration at Zulassungsstelle within 4 weeks; TÜV/HU (inspection) every 2 years, AU emissions also every 2 years; KFZ-Steuer (road tax) depends on engine and emissions €30-1,000+/year; insurance €300-2,000/year depending; Polish citizens with Polish license must exchange for German Führerschein within 6 months of residency.
Minijob is a popular form of employment in Germany up to 538 EUR/month (2024-25) or 556 EUR/month (2026 increase), where the employee does not pay Lohnsteuer (income tax) or social security contributions except for 3.6% Rentenversicherung (pension, optional opt-out).
Renting an apartment in Germany typically requires a 3-month Kaltmiete (cold rent without utilities) as a Kaution (deposit) plus the first month and a 2.38-month agent's fee (if applicable), along with a required SCHUFA-Auskunft (credit report), proof of income (3x rent), and Mieterselbstauskunft (self-disclosure).
The German annual tax return for employees: who must, who can, how to use the ELSTER or WISO applications, and recover 1,000+ €.
Who can receive Kindergeld, the benefit amount in 2026, required documents, and whether it can be received for a child living in Poland.
The German health insurance system: public (gesetzliche) vs private, how to register, and costs involved.