Introducing “Information about Germany”: Your Go-To Resource for Relocation Insights

Exciting news! We're thrilled to announce the launch of our new website section: “Information about Germany.” We'll give you a peek at the bureaucratic procedures and regulations associated with moving to Germany.

The first topic is about the process of credential evaluation, specifically the ZAB process. In some cases, applicants may need to have their academic credentials evaluated in order to obtain a visa. Recently, there have been changes to the ZAB process, making it possible to apply for credential evaluation online.

Whether you're an individual planning your move to Germany or an HR professional assisting employees with their relocation, our detailed guide on the ZAB process will provide you with the necessary information to navigate this crucial step with ease.

Learn more about the updated ZAB process and how it may impact your relocation plans.

Stay tuned for more valuable insights and resources as we continue to expand our “Information about Germany” section.

An important partner of Wilde relocation that we no longer want to be without. Interview with Christopher Hirsch from Radke Insurances:

Today we would like to introduce you to one of our long-term partners. Christopher Hirsch is your contact for insurances.

1) How long have you been working with Wilde Relocation and how did this collaboration come about?

We have been working with Wilde Relocation on a basis of trust for 11 years. A Wilde Relocation employee at the time asked us if we could answer a few insurance questions for an English-speaking client. This was the start of a long partnership.

2) What services do you offer that help our clients with their relocation process?

We are a Berlin-based multi-agency that can look back on 60 years of company history. This consistency has enabled us to maintain long-standing contacts with insurers and build up a good reputation in the industry. This enables us to offer tailor-made insurance cover at competitive conditions in a market comparison.

3) Do you have any feedback or testimonials from customers who have benefited from our collaboration?

Our customers appreciate the personal contact, the independent advice and the active support in the event of a claim. We often experience gratitude for our reliable service, especially when they don't speak the language of the country.

4) Do you have any useful tips or advice for people planning a move or relocation?

Yes, we are happy to provide advice on all aspects of insurance. The most important insurance is personal liability insurance. This pays out if you culpably cause damage to someone. Loss of keys is also covered. We can also offer our international customers insurance cover for rented and borrowed furniture, which is essential when renting furnished apartments. We also recommend taking out household contents insurance. This protects your own belongings in your home, e.g. in the event of water damage or burglary. Statistically speaking, a new legal protection case occurs every 4 seconds in Germany, so legal protection insurance can provide security. We also provide a lot of advice on private health insurance and pensions.

5) How has the partnership with Wilde Relocation affected your own business?

What began with an initial request to be able to answer an insurance question for an English-speaking customer has evolved over the years into a specialization in international customers with special concepts to cover their individual needs. The 11-year partnership has therefore had a positive impact on our daily work.

6) What do you value most about our collaboration?

What we value most about working together is the personality and professionalism of the Wilde Relocation team. We share common values. The direct contact, high standards of work, fast response times and the interpersonal component make our collaboration particularly valuable and a pleasure for us.

Thank you Christopher for the long-standing collaboration and we look forward to many more years.

How was your exchange with us? A short interview with Lena from Recom Relocation.

What did you hope and wish for from your exchange with Wilde Relocation?

Exchanging ideas, ways of work, processes, and how I can improve as a relocation consultant and how I can improve the processes in my team in Vienna.

What did you partcularly notice about Wilde Relocation?Relocation in Berlin (compared to Vienna)?

It's a different setup, tasks are divided differently among the team in comparison to Vienna, the “in-house team” that works at the HQ in Berlin (Key Account Manager Team, Family Team, Housing Team, Accounting Team) works with email correspondence and video calls with transferees + clients.  The “outbound team” (Consultants responsible for Home Finding, School/Kindergarten Finding + all further administrative tasks ) meets in Berlin & all over in Germany the transferees directly in person.

Were you able to take away any suggestions for Recom?

What I would suggest is:

-       Creating an “action plan” for the year would be a great implementation at Recom.

-       Having regular individual check-ins with each other to make sure there is alignment and tasks are accomplished.

-       Yearly performance review between employee and manager, where employee can understand where they can improve, as well as understanding where the employee's strengths lie and how they can use them better in their tasks.

Did anything particularly surprise or impress you?

What surprised me or impressed me:

-       The company structure and efficiency left a great impression on me.

-       The use of freelancers for apartment search and viewings

How was your contact with the Berlin team? Who did you meet?

-       I met first Antje and Julia, and we went for a lovely Tapas dinner on my first night, which I enjoyed very much. It was a warm welcome and I greatly appreciated it.

-       I greatly admire Karen, who I met on my first day at Wilde, her leadership style, her personality and how she made me feel right at home from the get-go. I enjoyed our conversations about Berlin, and the relocation business.

-       I met the rest of the team throughout my meetings during the week, and everyone was kind and welcoming, and shared with me what they do at Wilde relocation.

Did you feel comfortable? Did you miss anything?

I felt comfortable there from the start. Berlin left a good impression on me, and I was positively shocked with all its diversity, dynamism and how alive the city was. Regarding work, I am not used to staying by the desk the entire day, as we usually accompany our clients to different appointments, I kind of missed being on the road in Berlin, getting to know it better.

Was your stay in Berlin worthwhile?

I can highly recommend the experience to everyone in my team and the relocation industry. I feel this is a great learning opportunity for me, and hopefully our companies.

Do you have a recommendation for other relocation companies planning such an exchange?

Just do it! Don't be afraid of sharing each other's experience, processes, and best practices. I believe I have learnt much from this trip that will greatly help me in my career as a relocation consultant for years to come, and I am looking forward for more intra-industry collaboration.