Every visa guide tells you what documents to submit. Nobody tells you what to pack. Once you land in Germany, getting certain things sent from India is expensive, slow, or simply not possible. This list covers what experienced expats wish they had brought — and what they had to scramble for later.
Before You Pack
Germany runs on paper. Original documents, apostilles, certified translations — the system asks for them constantly. Getting something sent from India takes 2–6 weeks by registered post. Some documents cannot be replaced at all.
Documents — The Ones People Forget
Your visa documents are sorted — but these are the ones that catch people off guard after they arrive.
Medicines — What You Cannot Get in Germany
German pharmacies are excellent — but they stock German equivalents, not Indian brands. Many common Indian medications are either unavailable, require a prescription, or cost significantly more. Bring a 3–6 month supply of anything you use regularly.
Bring From India
Customs note: You can bring personal medication for up to 90 days without declaration. Carry a doctor’s prescription and the original packaging.
Kitchen & Spices
Indian grocery stores exist in most German cities — but the selection is limited, brands differ, and prices are high. A few things worth bringing in your suitcase the first time:
- Whole spices in sealed packs — kali mirch, elaichi, lavang, tej patta
- Good quality hing (asafoetida) — the German version is weak and expensive
- MTR or similar ready-meal packets for the first week
- A steel pressure cooker if you use one — German ones use a completely different system
- Idli/dosa moulds and a small tadka pan — these are not sold here
Money & Banking Essentials
- Carry €300–500 in cash on arrival — your German bank account takes 1–2 weeks to activate and many places do not accept card
- Inform your Indian bank before leaving — otherwise international transactions get blocked
- Get a Forex card loaded in EUR before departure — better rates than airport exchange
- Download your last 6 months of Indian bank statements as PDF — required for opening a German bank account
Clothing & Practical Items
Germany is cold for most of the year by Indian standards. But beyond warm clothing, there are practical items that are either cheaper in India or simply unavailable in the same form.
- Steel tiffin boxes and dabbas — glass and plastic are the norm here, steel is a specialty item
- Passport-size photos — Germany uses a slightly different size (35x45mm vs Indian 35x35mm). Have both taken before leaving
- A universal travel adapter — India uses Type D plugs, Germany uses Type F. Buy before landing
- Printed emergency contacts — your phone may not work on arrival; have your accommodation address and contacts on paper
One Last Thing
The Thing Most People Forget Last
Get a police clearance certificate (PCC) from your local police station before leaving India. Germany asks for this during residence permit renewal, job applications, and naturalisation. Getting it issued from abroad means sending a notarised request to India — it takes months. Takes one afternoon to get in person.
