For German citizens, living in the United Kingdom is no longer straightforward. Since Brexit, the right to live, work, and access services is no longer automatic and depends on immigration status, visas, and compliance with UK rules. At the same time, cultural differences—often subtle—shape everyday life far more than many Germans expect.
This article is written specifically for Germans and focuses on:
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the legal right to live and work in the UK
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how these rights affect daily life
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the most important cultural differences between Germany and the UK
1. Right to Live in the UK After Brexit
German citizens no longer have freedom of movement in the UK.
Germans Who Moved Before Brexit
If you arrived in the UK before 31 December 2020 and applied successfully, you will usually hold:
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Pre-Settled Status (temporary right to remain)
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or Settled Status (permanent right to remain)
These statuses allow you to:
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live and work in the UK
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access healthcare
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travel in and out of the country (within limits)
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access certain benefits under specific conditions
Germans Moving After Brexit
If you move to the UK today, you must hold a valid visa, such as:
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Skilled Worker visa
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Family visa
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Student visa
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Global Talent visa
Your right to stay is:
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time-limited
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often tied to an employer or sponsor
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dependent on income thresholds and compliance
📌 Key difference from Germany:
Residence rights are far more conditional and closely monitored.
2. Right to Work: Actively Checked
In the UK, the right to work is not assumed.
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Employers must carry out formal right-to-work checks
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Changing jobs often requires new verification
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Landlords must also perform “right to rent” checks
Losing a job can be serious:
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some visas allow only a short grace period
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failure to secure new sponsorship may require leaving the UK
For many Germans, this level of legal dependency on employment is unfamiliar.
3. Healthcare Access: Entitlement vs Reality
Legal residents have access to the National Health Service, but the system works very differently from Germany’s.
What You Are Entitled To
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GP (general practitioner) services
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hospital treatment
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emergency care
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maternity services
Most visa holders pay an Immigration Health Surcharge in advance.
Cultural Differences in Healthcare
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GPs act as strict gatekeepers
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limited preventive care
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longer waiting times for specialists
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fewer choices of doctors
Many Germans perceive the NHS as offering less patient autonomy, despite being free at the point of use.
4. Housing Rights & Rental Culture
Tenant protections in the UK are weaker than in Germany.
Common Differences
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short rental contracts (6–12 months)
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easier eviction processes
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regular rent increases
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limited long-term security
Additionally:
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immigration status affects rental eligibility
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landlords must verify legal residence digitally
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housing is treated more as a market commodity
5. Key Cultural Differences in Everyday Life
Directness vs Politeness
German communication tends to be:
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direct
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factual
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efficiency-driven
British communication is usually:
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indirect
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polite
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conflict-avoidant
What Germans consider clarity may be perceived in the UK as:
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rude
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pushy
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confrontational
Conversely, British politeness often feels to Germans:
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vague
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inefficient
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non-committal
Conclusion
Living in the UK as a German citizen today means:
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navigating conditional residency rights
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adapting to a more flexible but less protective system
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understanding cultural norms that prioritise politeness over directness
Those who succeed are usually not those who compare systems constantly—but those who learn how and why the UK works differently.