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Dr. Schlemann unabhängige Finanzberatung GmbH & Co. KG is providing independent financial advice for expatriates and other international clients on selected matters in: Deutsch (DE) – unabhängige Finanzberatung, English (EN UK/US) – independent financial advice, Français (FR) – conseil financier indépendant and Español (ES) – asesoría financiera independiente.

Key Facts in a Nutshell

Our core competence is providing our clients with solutions in the following areas:

As native Bavarians, Berndt Schlemann and Patrick Mini are happy to advise clients from Bavaria in their native language (BY), too🙂. Several more detailed links on this page are so far only available in German (DE-German, EN-English). Please give us a call (+49 221 688040) or contact us via email if you have a question or would like a webmeeting for individual advice.

What we do, we do really well. What we don’t do well, we don’t do!

Dr. B. Schlemann

Important: We do not advise on social security issues, tax issues or on purchasing Real Estate beyond financing & insurance. Regulatory aspects prevent us from advising permanent residents of Switzerland and limit us advising US-Citizens or non-EU citizens, see Limitations of our advice to non-EU citizens.

Update: Independent Financial Advice for Expatriates

German newspapers like Die Welt, Bild and Handelsblatt (see press/media) regularly rank us among Germany’s best financial advisors, continously being on positions 1 and 2 in Cologne. The main reason for this success story are 3.900 extremely positive evaluations from our clients, for which we are very grateful! For details see Dr. Schlemann unabhängige Finanzberatung: Beste Finanzberater Deutschlands (DE).

Dr. Schlemann supported me in the very difficult choice of health insurance. I have particulary appreciated his expertise on identifying the best proposal for me based on the requirements I gave him, and his clarity in explaining a system very much different from the one in my Country. He speaks fluent english and that facilitated a lot the consultancy. After being very satisfied on this consultancy I asked help also on Pension and Investments and was again able to proposed me very interesting solution which I could not have discovered by myself. In trust him being single point of contact for all insurance, Pension and Investment matters. Furhtermore he is very responsive and ready to answer to any question. I definetly reccomend Dr. Schlemann especially to expatriate without specific knowledge of German System

Original review on Google from Alessando Casati).

Unsere Kunden empfehlen unsere Beratung in über 3.900 Bewertungen. Machen Sie sich den Weg zur Lösung Ihres Anliegens nicht unnötig schwer.

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Are you struggling with the German Finance System?

No wonder, even German natives have trouble understanding the highly complex structures, rules and regulations of the German social security system, insurance schemes and the general finance system in Germany. For clients and expats with a different background in finance, culture and language, understanding a foreign finance system can be even more of a challenge.

Hence, it is common practice in Germany to seek expert financial advice (Finanzberatung). For such independent financial advice for expatriates and other international clients, you would ideally find an advisor who is

Fortunately, there is help: An independent financial advisor (unabhängiger Finanzberater) working as an independent insurance and investment broker is under German law required to only seek the best interest of its clients (see Versicherungsmakler DE).

Prominent independent financial advisors in the German market are Dr. Berndt Schlemann and Patrick Mini with numerous testimonials of satisfied clients (DE).

Este año me mudé a Alemania desde España y he tenido la oportunidad de ver lo diferente que son muchas cosas en este país. El sistema de seguros médicos es verdaderamente un laberinto, nada que ver a lo que tenemos en España. Mi marido encontró al Dr. Schlemann por internet. El no vivir en la misma ciudad no fue un problema. Por teléfono y videoconferencia, Tomó el tiempo para entender nuestra situación y así poder ayudarnos mejor a elegir un seguro médico para mi. Se nota los años que tiene de experiencia, y enseguida se ganó nuestra confianza. No sólo entiende muy bien todas las funciones y aspectos (tan complicados) del seguro privado en Alemania, sino que además pudo explicármelo en términos sencillos. Habla inglés y un poco de español. Incluso nos ayudó a preparar todos los documentos para poder estar asegurada en cuestión de dias. Estamos muy satisfechos con sus servicios, y lo recomendaríamos sin dudarlo.

Original review on Google from Marta Becerril).

Through many years of work for international companies like KPMG, Bayer, Ford and Mazda, Dr. Schlemann was able to develop a profound and sound understanding of the situation, the needs and the challenges associated with working and living in another country (see Vorstellung Berndt Schlemann DE).

Patrick Mini spent 5 years working as a manager for KPMG (see Vorstellung Patrick Mini DE)

Dr. Berndt Schlemann and Patrick Mini are the right choice if you desire high quality independent financial advice for expatriates on those important topics around Social Security, insurance, pension and financial planning. Advice can be given in German, English, French and Spanish (basic skills in Spanish, all other languages fluent). Additional degrees in law and tax law ensure independent financial advice at the highest and most comprehensive level available on the German market.

When seeking our financial advice for expatriates as a non-EU citizen, please take into account the Limitations of our advice to non-EU citizens described below.

Independent Financial Advice to Expatriates

These are some of the most important fields for independent financial advice to expatriates and other international clients:

Private Health Insurance (Private Krankenversicherung)

In Germany, only employees with annual gross earnings above an income threshold of 69.300 EUR (as of 2024), civil servants and self-employed persons have the privilege to opt for private health insurance. Health insurance being among the most complex German insurance matters, independent financial advice is particularly valuable in this field, including

For details see: „Beratung private Krankenversicherung“ (DE).

Since I started working in Germany and needed to take a health insurance I contacted Dr. Schlemann who gave all the information and consultation needed in order to find the most suitable option for me. At the end of the consultation I was able to define that the private health insurance was the best option and could register with a recommended provider that represents savings of about 100 euro per month compared to the public health insurance. Dr. Schlemann was open to ask all my questions and answer my inquiries on time. I can recommend him as a reliable finance advisor.

Original review on Google from Diana Carolina Rojas

On the website of TK, a German public health insurance company, you will finde some usual general information on the German social security system (EN).

How private health insurance covers pregnancy and parental leave is described on our page Private health insurance and familiy (DE), further details to be found in this publication FAQ private health insurance, pregnancy and parental leave (DE).

Un compañero de trabajo me recomendó al Dr. Schlemann para que me ayudara a encontrar y contratar un seguro médico. En ese momento, yo no disponía de mucho tiempo ni información sobre las diferentes opciones. Él me presentó todas las opciones de forma rápida y fácil y en menos de una semana tenía el seguro médico contratado. Dr. Schelmann es una persona totalmente recomendable. Muy educado, amable y eficiente.

Original review on Google from Anna Robles.

Tax effects and a smart may to maximise tax deductibility of private health insurance are described on our page Tax optimization – prepayment of health insurance premiums (DE). Bottom line: tax-wise there is no real disadvantage of private health insurance vs. public health insurance, besides the fact that you get a refund based on your tax declaration instead of direct deductibility from your monthly salary.

Your preparations for receiving financial advice for expats on private health insurance

In order to have a meaningful consultation, kindly send us well in advance of our appointment the following three documents:

  1. The carefully prepared Applicant Questionnaire Health Insurance (EN) or Interessentenfragebogen PKV (DE). The health questions refer to treatments and complaints in the last 3 years (out-patient) and the last 5-10 years for operations (in-patient) and psychotherapy (may vary per insurance provider).
  2. The carefully prepared Supplement Health Details (partially EN), referring to the respective number of the questionnaire above for details on pre-existing medical conditions (in particular all doctor’s visits in the respective period) with all required details. Approximate dates (“ca.”) are often sufficient. For details on more substantial diseases please use the additional medical questionnaires (DE) as appropriate. Please add additional medical or examination findings, reports or certificates.
  3. The completed and signed (digitally is sufficient) Data Protection Declaration (DE) to allow us to process your health data in compliance with German and European data protection regulations.

Occupational disability insurance (Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung DE)

For details see: „Beratung Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung“ (DE).

I can highly recommend Dr. Schlemann’s independent financial advice services. I was advised regarding private pension provision options. I was impressed by Sabastian’s diligence, evidence-based consultation style and importantly his professional knowledge and competency. Dr. Schlemann himself advised me on private health insurance options in Germany. Being an expat this seemed as a very daunting task. But only until I got in touch with Dr. Schlemann. I can only compliment Dr. Schlemann for his very professional yet personal approach – I felt listened to and truly understood and can feel confident about the suggested insurance options. Thank you!

Original review on Google from Juste S.

Your preparations for receiving financial advice for expats on disability insurance

In order to have a meaningful consultation, kindly send us well in advance of our appointment the following three documents:

  1. The carefully prepared Applicant Questionnaire Disability Insurance (DE). The health questions refer to treatments and complaints in the last 5 years (out-patient) and the last 5-10 years for operations (in-patient) and psychotherapy (may vary per insurance provider).
  2. The carefully prepared Supplement Health Details (partially EN), referring to the respective number of the questionnaire above for details on pre-existing medical conditions (in particular all doctor’s visits in the respective period) with all required details. Approximate dates (“ca.”) are often sufficient. For details on more substantial diseases please use the additional medical questionnaires (DE) as appropriate. Please add additional medical or examination findings, reports or certificates.
  3. The completed and signed (digitally is sufficient) Data Protection Declaration (DE) to allow us to process your health data in compliance with German and European data protection regulations.

Private pension schemes (private Altersvorsorge DE)

For details see: „Beratung private Altersvorsorge“ (DE).

Expert Tip: Depending on your personal situation there can be absolutely legal ways to save taxes on pension premiums while you are in Germany with tax-free pension payments when you retire in another country based on gaps in double taxation treaties! Contact us, if you would like to pursue such options in more detail.

Fast and responsive, simple scheduling of an evening appointment via Skype, professional analysis and targeted recommendations.

Original review on Google from Rene Bretschneider

Financial advice for expatriates: Other insurances?

Real Estate: Financing & Insurance

Investment

For more flexible investments exceeding 50.000 EUR, we are happy to recommend an excellent asset manager (see Vermögensverwaltung – DE), to whom we have successfully entrusted our own funds and those of our clients for many years.

Other recommendations

Other precautions that are necessary / recommendable under German law for cases of sickness, nursing care / long term care and death (Patientenverfügung, Vorsorgevollmacht, Testament etc. (see Vorsorge Krankheit Tod – DE) you should discuss with your public notary.

Fees for Independent Financial Advice for Expatriates

As described in more detail under Kosten (DE), the costs for Dr. Schlemann’s independent financial advice for expatriates as described above are under the German finance system ususally covered by brokerage fees paid be the respective provider (e.g. insurance companies). These fees are already calculated into the premium, hence no additional costs for the client are involved. Full independence from any provider is nevertheless granted by German law (see above).

In special cases, where such a brokerage fee would either not apply or not be sufficient to cover the time balance, an appropriate hourly rate would be agreed beforehand (see Honorarberatung DE). Therefore, clients always have full control over costs incurred for the independent financial advice provided.

Limitations of our advice to non-EU citizens

In our advice we have to respect the laws „Aufenthaltsgesetz im Rahmen des Zuwanderungsgesetzes“ and „Gesetz zur Umsetzung aufenthalts- und asylrechtlicher Richtlinien der Europäischen Union„. We can therefore provide advice to non-EU citizens only if you:

We are not providing financial advice for expatriates for:

Company Offers for Expatriates / Expats

Some international firms are offering insurance-related services in-house through affiliated companies like Ford Versicherungs-Vermittlungs-GmbH (FVV) or Pallas Versicherung AG for Bayer. Others may co-operate with insurance agencies or brokers. The insurance products offered do sometimes benefit from smaller volume discounts in the range of 3% to 5%. The company often receives certain kick-backs on the brokerage fee.

In return, the range of eligible products is in many instances limited, particularly in situations where an insurance company is having a major stake in the agency (like Alte Leipziger owning 40 % of FVV). From my experience, I can usually provide a better price-performance ratio through independent market research than such company offers. If not, I don’t have a problem at all with frankly telling you so.

Financial Advice for Expatriates: feel free to contact us!

This page can only provide preliminary information. Several links with more details are so far only available in German (DE – German, EN – English). So please do not hesitate to contact us via email or give us a call (+49 221 688040) if you are having a question or would like to ask for a Webmeeting (DE) for more thorough independent financial advice.

Dr. Schlemann’s office is located in Cologne Brück, hence easily reachable from Cologne, Bonn or Düsseldorf and NRW in general (see Directions / Anfahrt DE.

A first financial consultation is usually free (see this Voucher Financial Checkup / Gutschein Finanzcheck DE).

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