Not chaotic, not disastrous. Just heavier than you expected.

You might wake up feeling off.

Your child, who was so excited for this move, now refuses school.

Small tasks that used to take five minutes suddenly take an hour.

And you wonder:

“Am I the only one struggling this much?”

The good news is no, you’re not.

You’re just in the first 90 days of settling in. And honestly? That period matters more than most families realise.

The First 30 Days: Functional but Fading

The first month runs on adrenaline. Seriously.

You’re solving problems, learning systems, getting everyone where they need to be. You might even feel capable. Like this is easy.

But underneath, you’re starting to feel a rising sense of overwhelm.

Every interaction requires more mental energy than normal. Decisions feel harder. Your children are adjusting to new rules, sounds, and expectations. 

It’s a lot.

In my first months of living in Germany, I was always exhausted and I couldn’t understand why. I felt like I hadn’t done enough to be this tired.

Looking back though, I can fully appreciate that every day I was competing in the mental gymnastics Olympics, just to get my ‘normal day’ done.

So, what can you actually do?

• Keep routines simple: pick one wake-up, breakfast, and bedtime rhythm. That’s enough.
  
• Sleep matters more than anything else: Forget exploring or socializing for now.You’ll have plenty of time for that later.
  
• Track small wins: even finishing basic errands count. They’re harder now, so give yourself credit.
  
• It’s okay to be tired. Really. You’re doing a lot.

Days 30–60: The Emotional Dip

And then the adrenaline fades.

Suddenly, everything feels heavier. Slower. Harder.

Your child starts complaining about school. They cry over small things. They cling more than usual.

These are some of the most underestimated aspects of moving abroad with kids.

You might start to feel homesick. Maybe irritable. It might be now that the biggest questionof all sneaks into your mind: Was this the right decision? 

My first 30 daysin Germany were so adrenaline-fuelled, exciting and new that I didn’t give myself any time to really consider the new life we’d started, what we’d left behind, and how I felt about it all. 

The work started after the second month, even though I wasn’t ready for it. Prepare yourself. It’s coming for you, too. 

What helps:

• Check in with your kids: Make just a few minutes a day 10 to ask “How are you feeling today?”. You might start to see a pattern developing.
  
• Give yourself mini breaks: Even 5 minutes just to breathe in silence and bring your heart rate down can be enough to make this transition easier to bare.
  
• Name your feelings without judgement: Are you homesick, tired, frustrated? They’re all normal and need no further explanation. You feel how you feel.

Days 60–90: Building Stability

Around month three, things might finally start to feel familiar.

You know the local supermarket and the best local products. Your kids recognise some friendly faces. Family routines start to feel like, well, routines again.

Your confidence as a parent, as a professional, as you? Slowly coming back.

If you’re one of the lucky ones who never lost their confidence in the face of all of this change, let me know your secrets, ok?

I’m still rebuilding myself, bit by bit, since our big transition five years ago. It’s happened for me in small steps, but the more I rebuild, the more I grow, slowly developing a new me. A better me.”

Practical things you can do now:

• Stick to predictable routines: meals, homework, bedtime.
  
• Celebrate small wins: a full school week done, a new friend made, one errand completed.
  
• Explore slowly: One new place or one new social connection per week. That’s enough.
  

Focus on What Really Matters in the First 90 Days

Most families try to do too much:

• Make new friends right away
  
• Explore everything
  
• Prove the move was the right decision
  
• Settle in overnight

Instead? Focus on stability:

• Sleep & routine > exploration
  
• Connection at home > performance outside
  
• Fewer commitments > overextending
  
• Predictability > spontaneity
  

Goal: keep your head above water. That’s it. Everything else can wait.

A Quiet but Important Reminder

Ninety days won’t make you feel fully at home.

But it will stretch you. Challenge you. Make you feel outside your comfort zone.

You’re working double time to support your kids emotionally while trying to hold onto yourself. That’s a lot.

It’s not weakness. It’s adjustment. Transitions are uncomfortable before they become stable.

And yes. Having support helps. Even a little guidance, a trusted voice, or someone who’s done it before can change everything.

You’re not behind, you’re adjusting.

Next Step for Extra Support

If you want practical guidance for your first month as a family abroad, grab my FREE Expat Starter Kit.

It’s designed to help families survive, stabilize, and thrive during those critical first weeks abroad.

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The post Why the First 90 Days After an International Move Aren’t Easy appeared first on Professional Support for Families Relocating to Germany.

The rumours are true: moving to Germany includes a lot of bureaucracy. 

One of the first things you’ll have to manage after arriving is to register your address in Germany (Anmeldung). 

This is more than just a formality.

Your Anmeldung will allow you to open a bank account, arrange your tax ID and apply for a residency visa at the Ausländerbehörde. 

Interesting? Not really. Necessary? Absolutely! 

The Expat Start Guide offers practical tips for navigating your first 90 days abroad.

I remember trying to book an appointment with the Ausländerbehörde and learning that I had to register my address first. Heart thumping and palms sweating, I was overcome with confusion.

How do I do that? I wondered, as panic set in. 

At the appointment, I can honestly say that I was nearly having a panic attack.

Speaking no German and not understanding the formality of the situation, I just felt like I did everything wrong.

But I got it done and after this win, I felt like I could take on anything. 

Whether you’re planning your move or you’ve just arrived and are wondering “What the heck is an Anmeldung?”, consider this your go-to resource for registering your address in Germany.

Read my best tips for conquering German bureaucracy. 

What is Address Registration (Anmeldung)?

All residents of Germany, whether local or foreign, must officially register their address in Germany within 14 days of moving to a new address.

Why is this important as an expat?

The Anmeldung is the official proof of your residential address in Germany. It’s needed for nearly all of the “set-up” things you’ll need to do when you first arrive.

Here are just a few examples:

• No Anmeldung = no appointment at the Ausländerbehörde. 
  
• If you’re from outside of the EU, you’ll need it for any visa application you make.
  
• Need a bank account? Most banks require proof of German residence.
  
• If you have a job lined up, you will need a Tax ID and they’re only issued after you’ve registered your residence. 
  
• You’d like a phone contract? Not possible without Anmeldung. 
  
• Children cannot be registered at childcare or school before being registered in the city. 

Besides all of those reasons, it is the law.

As a new member of the German community, following the rules is necessary. Always. 

When and Where to Register

You have 14 days to register your address in Germany with the local Bürgerburo (Citizen’s Office) or Rathaus (Town Hall).

If you live in any of the following states, you can register completely online!

• Berlin 
• Bremen
• Hamburg
• Schleswig-Holstein

Read more information about this service. 

Unfortunately, this service is only available in German.

If you’re not yet up to managing these sort of tasks in German, Google Translate will get you through it. 

Some cities in the following states also allow online registration:

• Baden-Württemberg
• Bayern
• Hessen
• Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
• Niedersachsen
• Nordrhein-Westfalen
• Rheinland-Pfalz 
• Sachsen-Anhalt

If, like me, you live in a state that insists on in-person appointments to register your address in Germany, then you’ll likely need to make an appointment in advance. 

How to find Your Local Bürgerbüro

The easiest way to find out if where and how you should register your address in Germany is a quick online search:

Bürgerbüro + your city

This should give you answers right away.

Many government websites do have an English version, so language barriers shouldn’t be a problem.

If not, let Google Translate work its magic.

Need more help? Here’s a link to the government of each German state. From here you should be able to find everything you need.

Documents Needed for Anmeldung

To register your address in Germany, you’ll need the following:

✅ Valid passport

This is the key identity document for you in Germany until you have your residence permit. Remember to bring the passport of every member of your family that you will be registering.

✅ Wohnungsgeberbestätigung 

Confirmation of your current residential address and your authority to live there from the landlord. All members of your family must be listed on this document. 

✅ Rental contract

While some bureaucrats will want to copy the entire rental agreement, they are typically interested in the following sections: 

• The front page, including the address, the start date of occupancy and the names of all family members living there. 
  
• The size of the apartment of house (yes, there are rules about how many people can reside in properties of a particular size) 

✅ Completed registration form (Anmeldeformular) 

You’ll find the necessary document available for download from your city’s website. Be sure to complete it before your appointment. 

✅ Marriage certificate & birth certificates 

If registering other family members, be sure to bring the required identity documents for each and every family member. You can register your partner on their behalf too, as long as you have the right documents. 

Sometimes the requirements to register your address can change. 

Please check which documents are required by your city to ensure you have everything you need before your appointment. 

TIP: German bureaucracy is paper-based. Take all documents in original and a copy to speed up your process.

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Step-by-Step Registration Process

1. Book an Appointment (if required)
   
   • Check your local Bürgerburo’s website for availability.
     
   • Walk-in appointments may be possible in smaller towns.

2. Prepare your documents before the appointment.
   
   • Complete the form.
     
   • Have your original documents neatly organized and easy to access 

TIP: Have your documents sorted neatly in a document wallet. Keep them in the order they appear on the Anmeldformular.

There’s nothing worse for your anxiety in a silent office than flicking through papers unable to find what you need!

3. Attend Your Appointment
   
   • Arrive 15 minutes before your appointment time. 
     
   • Follow any check-in procedures (some Bürgerburo’s have clerks welcoming you and others have scannable QR codes on arrival).
     
   • If you don’t yet speak German fluently, bring a trusted German-speaking friend to assist you. 
     
   • Ask questions if you’re unsure about anything and be sure you understand what you’re signing. 

4. Receive Your Anmeldebestätigung
   
   • You’ll receive your registration confirmation at the end of your appointment (yes, it’s paper).
     
   • This is a vital certificate for starting your new life in Germany. 
     
   • KEEP IT SAFE.

What to Expect at Your Appointment

To register your address in Germany, you’ll most likely need to personally attend an appointment. 

I remember my feelings on my way to the first appointment: overcome with worry that I’d be late.

My old friend Anxiety visited to remind me that I might have filled in the form incorrectly or forgotten a vital document. 

So, let’s paint a picture for you about how these appointments normally run, just to set your mind at rest. 

Getting there

It sounds simple, but be sure to note down which Bürgerburo you will be visiting. 

In my city of Dresden for example, there are 6 offices. Nothing could be worse than being at the wrong office for your appointment. 

Leave yourself plenty of time to arrive, ensuring you arrive 15 minutes early. 

Don’t forget to have your QR code or any other appointment details, such as the office number, available to show staff on arrival. 

Checking-in

To ensure that appointments are as timely as possible, there is a check-in process to follow. By checking in, staff know you’re there and ready to go. 

This system is super German but it means that normally, you’re seen on time. 

You’ll be greeted with one of two check-in processes:

1. QR Code: If booking appointments online was possible, then you may have received a QR code. This can be scanned on arrival to check-in.
   
2. Staff check-in: Some offices have staff who will check the day’s appointment list and your ID before allowing you to enter the building.  

Generally, after check-in, you will be given an appointment number. The numbers will be shown on the screen and advise which office or desk you should approach. 

Move quickly! The bureaucrats are impatient. 

The Waiting Room 

The Wartebereich (waiting area) can vary in its quality significantly between offices. Some are sundrenched with indoor plants, while others are fluoro-lit spaces with rows of uncomfortable seats. 

In this area, remaining quiet is of utmost importance. Germany is a quiet nation, so talking on your mobile phone in the waiting area, for example, is not acceptable. 

Keep your eyes on the screen and be sure not to miss your appointment number. 

Your Appointment

You will either approach a desk in an open-plan office or be sent to an office for your appointment.  

Both have one thing in common: the bureaucrat will interact very little with you and will offer little to no explanation about the process. 

These interactions were such a cultural difference for me that have taken years to get used to take some time to overcome but it is your right to know what you put your name to. 

I remember feeling so uncomfortable breaking the silence with questions, or taking my time to read over everything with Google Translate before signing. 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, here are my top tips for overcoming expat overwhelm. 

Registering Children and Partners 

Every resident of Germany must register their address with the Bürgerburo. 

If you have children, they must also be registered. Typically, don’t need to attend the appointment with you. 

To register them to your address, you will need:

• to include each child on your Anmeldformular
  
• present their identity documents at your appointment.
  

Your children will also be listed on your rental agreement.

Last Things to Consider

Moving to Germany is synonymous with getting up close and personal with German bureaucracy. Registering your address is just the first of many steps in starting your new life here. 

Being organised and prepared will make the process much smoother.

You don’t need any extra stress as you juggle the competing demands of settling into a new country, supporting your family and bureaucratic chores.

Managing bureaucracy in a new country, system and language can be overwhelming.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Check in with friends, colleagues, expat-facebook groups or me for guidance. 

Your new life is waiting for you, so let’s get it started! 

Download my FREE Expat Family Starter Kit.

The post How to Register Your Address in Germany: Step-by-Step Guide appeared first on Professional Support for Families Relocating to Germany.

If navigating bureaucracy is your idea of hell, you’ve found the right place!

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After living in Germany for four years, I’m a master at beating bureaucracy and surfing wave after wave of pointless paperwork. 

Let’s dive into how to get your foreign-born baby an Australian passport overseas. 

Jump ahead if you just need to renew an Australian Passport overseas. 

Can my baby born overseas get an Australian Passport? 

In a nutshell, yes. If they are already a citizen of Australia. 

Passports are physical evidence of our citizenship. They signal where we’re from and which government is responsible for us (both in times of good and bad) while travelling. 

A passport entitles you to enter other countries and participate in life in that country according to strict rules. We know these typically as visas. 

Without a passport, there’s no visa. And without a visa, there’s no accessing foreign countries. 

BUT. 

Without citizenship, there is no passport. 

Please don’t confuse citizenship and passports as being the same thing. They’re not. 

Your baby first needs to receive Australian citizenship. Then you can apply for an Australian passport on your baby’s behalf. 

How do I know if my baby is an Australian citizen?

If your baby was born in Australia to Australian parents, then your baby is an Australian citizen. Very easy. Thank you very much. 

On the other hand, of your baby was born overseas (as I imagine is the case or why else would you want to apply for an Australian passport overseas?), you need to apply to the Australian Government for Australian citizenship. 

Another layer of bureaucracy? You better believe it. 

If you haven’t done this, check out my guide to applying for Australian citizenship for your foreign-born baby.

When Australian citizenship is granted to your tiny person, you’ll receive one of these pretty certificates. Keep it safe. You’ll need it for the passport application. 

How to Apply for Baby’s First Australian Passport 

It’s time to pull out your paperwork and get the application process started. 

What’s a bureaucratic process without paperwork? 

Answer: A day well spent. Alas, this is a bureaucratic process, so let’s go. 

Australian bureaucracy is pretty straightforward. The entire application document is completed online.

At every stage of the process, the online system will give you handy explanations and tips to ensure you get it right the first time. 

But in the end, you still have to print it out and have it physically signed by both parents and a guarantor. 

You even get a mini craft project: glueing two photos of your beautiful baby onto the form. 

Step 1: Proof of Identity paperwork

Have your identity documents with you before you try to tackle the application forms. This will save you a lot of bother later on. 

Here’s a list of what you can expect to need:

• Birth certificate of your child.
  
• Proof of your child’s Australian citizenship. 
  
• Proof of your identity (birth certificate or passport). 
  
• Evidence of parent’s Australian citizenship (Birth Certificate, Passport or Certificate of Australian citizenship).
  
• Proof of any name changes for you or your child (including if you changed your name when you were married). 
  
• Evidence of your current address (Identity card in the country you’re currently residing in). 
  
• If relevant, any legal arrangements relating to your child’s care. 
  
• Other documents may be required depending on your child’s situation. 

If these documents were not granted in Australia, don’t forget that they must be translated to be accepted. 

Step 2: Find a Guarantor

Tara, what the heck is a Guarantor? 

I  know! It’s just bureaucracy-speak for a person who confirms your child’s identity.

This person has to be:

• An Australian citizen,
  
• Not related to your child in any way through birth or marriage,
  
• Not sharing an address with your child and
  
• Have known your child for at least 12 months (if your baby is less than 12 months old, then the guarantor must have known them since birth). 

It can be tough to find someone who meets these criteria while living abroad! 

If you absolutely don’t have any Australian friend or acquaintance in your new home, then you’ll need someone who is:

• of any nationality
  
• has known your child for at least 12 months (or their entire life if they’re under one year old)
  
• practices in one of the professions listed by your nearest Embassy.

If you’re in this camp, consider approaching your child’s paediatrician to confirm your child’s identity. Medical doctors are always trusted professionals and will likely have known your child since birth. 

What does a guarantor do?

The guarantor is a trusted, not-related-to-the-child adult who confirms that the child in the photo is really the child named on the application form.

The guarantor will need to be named on the passport application form, including identity and contact information. Your guarantor will have to sign both:

• The application form (once you’ve printed it out) and
  
• the back of the child’s photo.  

Given that you have to name the guarantor in the application forms, it’s best to ask them to be your guarantor before you start the process. 

It just speeds up things a little bit for you. 

Do I really need a guarantor for my passport application abroad?

Yes. You really do. 

I know it can be tough to find someone that meets these requirements when you’re living abroad. 

And I know that even if you do have someone who fits the bill, sometimes it can be a bit awkward asking them for their passport details. 

But the rules are clear: no guarantor, no passport application.

Step 3: Passport photo of your Australian  Baby

Again, in favour of having everything ready to go once you hit print on your application form, I recommend getting the passport photos of your cutie patootie first. 

Finding a service to complete this task for you should be easy enough. Getting your baby or toddler to cooperate with the process is another matter! 

Check the complete guide for Australian passport photos before submitting your application. 

The two things we struggled with the most in getting these photos done with our little ones were:

• having our infant’s eyes open and looking at the camera,
  
• convincing our toddler to stop smiling and to close her mouth,
  
• getting either of them to sit still for the photographer. 

It might take a few attempts and probably (most definitely) also a little bit of patience. 

Can I just take the passport photo myself? 

The Australian Passport Office recommends only using a professional photographer for passport photos. 

However. 

When I applied for my youngest’s first passport here in Germany, the professional photo was rejected. Why? Because she had a wide, open-mouthed smile on her face. 

Super cute but not passport appropriate. 

For the second photo, we took a dozen photos of her at home and uploaded them to a passport photo checking site online. It automatically removed the background and checked the quality of the photo against the passport requirements. 

IT WAS ACCEPTED. 

To be clear, I am not suggesting that you should ignore the official advice. It’s just me sharing a short cut I took when I was under pressure to email an updated photo for my daughter’s passport application (I desperately wanted to avoid a second trip to Berlin!).  

Here are the Australian Passport Office’s official photo requirements.

Step 4: Online Portal setup 

Now that you have a neat bundle of paper sitting next to you, you’re going to set up an online account with the Australian Passport Office.

Here, you can manage and complete the passport application for your baby. You can also use this account to manage your own passport renewals down the line.

You are required to set-up multi-factor security, so be prepared to receive verification codes to your primary email, your mobile phone and a secondary email address as well. 

Once you’re all done, your screen should look like this: 

Step 4: Complete the online application  

Select “Start renewal/ passport application” to get started.

On the first page, select that you will be lodging the application “Overseas” and that the application is for a “Child”. Press “Next”. 

Read through the instructions on this page and select “Accept” at the bottom. You will then see that the application form fields automatically populate on the left-hand side. 

Now, continue to fill-in the fields until you’re finished. 

Remember that you can always save your application and return to it later if you need to.

Step 5: Print, sign & book an appointment 

You’re done!

Print out all of the pages in regular black and white. 

Make sure both parents sign in the right places and have your guarantor sign the back of the photograph. 

As we’re applying for a child’s passport, you will have to lodge this application in person at your nearest Australian Consulate or Embassy. 

Annoying, I know, but it’s just this once. All renewal applications can be completed by post. 

Check the website of your nearest Australian embassy or consulate to make an appointment. 

Read my top tips to overcome homesickness as a parent living abroad.

Lodgement Costs

Some Embassies and Consulates will charge for their time for in-person applications. Bonkers given that you have to lodge the application in person, but there you go. Bureaucracy. 

It will vary between locations, but here in Berlin there’s a lodgement fee for a single application but is free to lodge more than one at a time.

Why?!

I don’t know. But to save myself the fee, I elected to lodge a passport renewal application for my older daughter at the same time. 

Yes, I still had to pay for the applications (of course!), but I avoided the additional fee for the Bureaucrats time.

That clerk position seems like a plum job. I want in!

How to Renew your child‘s Australian passport overseas 

If your Australian child needs a new passport because the expiry date is rapidly approaching, you will not have to personally attend an Australian Embassy or Consulate. 

Like applying for a new Australian passport for a foreign-born child, you will need to complete the application form online, print it off, have it signed and glue the photo of your child to it. 

The only difference is that you can apply by post rather than in person. 

So, to renew your child’s Australian passport overseas, follow the handy dandy 5-steps above. 

How much does it cost? 

Applying for an Australian passport overseas for your foreign-born baby will set you back $288 (that’s Australian dollars).

The cost is the same to renew your child’s Australian passport overseas. 

Additional fees may be charged in the following circumstances:

• Replacing a lost passport
  
• Requiring express processing and delivery
  
• Additional lodgement fees (dependent on your nearest Consulate or Embassy). 

These costs do not include:

• The price of passport photos
  
• Translation costs (if required)
  
• Transport to and from the Australian Consulate or Embassy to apply in person, or
  
• Postal costs when applying by mail.

Before lodging your application, please check the up-to-date prices with the Australian Passport Office. 

How long does it take? 

The Australian Passport Office advises that all applications for Australian Passports overseas are typically completed within 6 weeks. 

My experience was, surprisingly, even faster than that.

The renewed passport for my eldest was delivered to our door step within three weeks. 

The new passport for my foreign-born baby took a little longer because the photo we’d submitted was rejected. 

Once a new photo was submitted, the passport was delivered to us in a little more than two weeks. 

What if I’m travelling?

Express processing options are available for an additional fee. 

When completing the application form, include your planned travel date to ensure timely processing. 

However, we are dealing with a government agency. Despite their best efforts, sometimes they’re unable to stick to their expected time frames. 

Be as organised as possible! 

Get your application in nice and early to avoid any stress before your travel. 

How long is the passport valid? 

Children’s passports are valid for five years. 

For anyone over the age of 16, passports are valid for 10 years. 

Does my foreign-born baby need an Australian Passport? 

Technically, no. If your family plan to stay in your new country of residence and never cross it’s national borders, your baby will probably be fine without an Australian Passport. 

But. 

Anytime you plan to travel with your baby, then they will always need a valid passport. 

If your child is a citizen of more than one country, then maybe they will have a passport only from the other country. That’s ok. 

Reasons in favour of getting an Australian Passport Overseas for your child

1. Australian citizens must enter Australia with an Australian Passport. 

So, if you’re planning a trip to visit home and your little human is an Australian citizen, they need an Australian passport. 

If your family members are dual citizens like mine, the number of passports we need when travelling is a little crazy. We need 7 for the four of us (I’m the only non-dual national among us!). 

2. It may be required by local authorities in your current country of residence.

If your child holds only Australian citizenship, local authorities may require your child to have a passport as proof of identity.

Be sure to carefully check all requirements with the relevant government authority in your city or country of residence. 

3. Your child already has one but it will soon expire

It’s always easier to renew a passport than to start the process all over again. 

If your child already has an Australian passport, then simply renew it when the time comes. 

Reasons against getting an Australian Passport overseas for your child

The cost

Australian passports are expensive. And they need to be renewed every five years for children. 

That’s almost AU $300 every five years. 

Consider if there is any value in getting your child an Australian Passport.

If you’re not planning to travel to Australia and you’re not required to have one by local authorities, it may just be a very expensive book. 

For example, our children hold both German and Australian citizenship. When we travel around Europe, it is better to use their German passports. 

They only need their Australian passports to enter Australia.

That’s why my youngest didn’t have an Australian Passport until she was two years old – right before we return to Australia.

Placating the Passport Process 

So, now you’re ready to bombard this bureaucratic task.

Consider if there’s value in obtaining an Australian Passport overseas for your child. It is an expensive process. 

Have you applied for an Australian Passport overseas for your child? Let me know how it went in the comments. 

The post Australian passport overseas for kids: How to apply appeared first on Professional Support for Families Relocating to Germany.

Maybe it was all the hormones. 

Regardless of the reason, I fell down a rabbit hole of websites, forums and bureaucratic processes, trying to figure out how she could become Australian if she was born overseas. 

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By sharing my experience and the steps I followed, I hope to save you the confusion I went through. 

This post is for you if:

• You are expecting or have had a child born overseas,
• You’re an Australian citizen and
• You would like your child to be an Australian citizen.

Is my baby an Australian citizen if born overseas? 

If, like my littlest, your baby was or will be born overseas, they may be eligible for Australian citizenship.

First, figure out if your baby is eligible for Australian citizenship. If you or your baby’s other parent were Australians when your baby was born, you can apply for Australian Citizenship by Descent.

As I was born and raised in Australia and my partner is a naturalised Australian citizen, our baby was automatically eligible to apply for Australian Citizenship by Descent. 

What is Australian Citizenship by Descent? 

When a baby is born in Australia to Australian parents, Australian citizenship is automatic. Nice and easy. You don’t need to do anything more. 

But in our case, for you and me, the bureaucratic cogs are a little slower to turn because our babies were born overseas. You might be an Australian citizen, but the Australian bureaucracy doesn’t know that you’ve had a baby. 

How can my baby get Australian citizenship by Descent?

Here comes the paperwork!

Step 1: Follow local rules for birth registration

Well before you get onto anything with Australian citizenship, you must ensure your child’s birth is first registered with the local authorities. 

I know this can be daunting if the local bureaucracy is in a foreign language. 

Ask for help from hospital staff, midwives or other community agencies to make sure you follow all of the local birth registration rules. 

Thankfully, my incredible midwife helped me with all of the paperwork, so registering our daughter’s birth was easy (well, as easy as German bureacracy is!) I thank my lucky stars for her! 

Step 2: Prepare your documents

To apply for Citizenship by Descent for your little one, you will need to have the following documents with you:

• Proof of your baby’s registration.
• Birth certificate or passport for you and/ or your partner as evidence of Australian citizenship. 
• Evidence of Australian citizenship for your other children (if applicable) 

You may be required to provide additional documents. 

Don’t forget: translate all documents that are not in English. 

Step 3: Get a passport photo and complete the Identity Declaration

I know. Getting a photo of a baby or toddler that meets the very strict requirements is tough! 

The photo must be:

• less than 6 months old,
• good quality colour, not a photocopy of a photo;
• be of the full face and shoulders, front-on and 
• in front of a plain or light-coloured background. 

The photo then needs to be signed by someone who meets the following:

• Is an Australian citizen, who 
• has known your child for more than a year (or their entire life if they’re less than one year old) 
• who is not related to you by birth or marriage 
• and doesn’t live with you. 

If you don’t know any Australians in your location overseas, this declaration can be signed by someone who:

• has known the baby their entire life who 
• is not related to you by birth or marriage 
• and doesn’t live with you 
• and works in one of the professions listed.

A good person to approach might be the child’s paediatrician because doctors are listed as trusted professionals and will likely have already examined your baby several times since birth. 

Your trusted person will need to sign the identity declaration form and write the following on the back of the passport photo:

This is a true photo of

[insert applicant’s name]

Signature

Step 4: Complete the online application

1. Create an online account with the Australian Immigration Department.
   
   With an online account, you can complete the entire application online. You can save your application to complete later. Once submitted, you can check here for updates. 

2. Once logged in, the first page will display a lot of notifications. Read through or just skip straight to the “Continue” button in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen.
   
3. In the Top Left of your screen, select “New Application”.
   
4. From the list, select “Citizenship” and then, from the drop-down menu, “Citizenship by Descent”.
   
5. Input all of the required information and click “Next” when you’ve completed the current page.
   
   Note: The system will not let you move to the next page if there’s any missing information.
   
6. Upload and attach all required documents, including the photo (both sides!)
   
7. Apply and pay the fee.

Confirmation of your application will arrive by email. It’ll include your application numbers if you need to follow up on anything in the future.

Step 5: Waiting 

And now, like all good bureaucratic things, you have to wait. 

An email will be received as soon as a decision has been made.

Step 6: Receive the Certificate of Australian Citizenship 

Soon after receiving the email that says your baby is now an Australian citizen, you’ll receive a fancy certificate in the post. 

KEEP THIS IN A SAFE PLACE. 

It proves your baby’s Australian citizenship and will be needed to apply for a passport.

How long does it take to get Australian Citizenship by Descent? 

How long it takes to get an outcome depends on: 

• Your family’s circumstances,
  
• The quality of documents provided: if any are missing, unreadable or not translated, this will add time to your wait for an outcome and
  
• How busy the assessing officers are. 

An application for Australian Citizenship by Descent takes between 71 days and 5 months (at the time of writing). 

When I applied for Australian Citizenship by Descent for my youngest born in Germany back in 2023, we had an outcome within six weeks. Unbelievably fast!

Check the current estimates for application processing.

GET YOUR FREE EXPAT STARTER KIT. FILLED WITH TIPS AND TOOLS, THIS KIT WILL HELP YOU THRIVE FROM YOUR FIRST DAY ABROAD.

How much does Australian Citizenship by Descent cost? 

At the time of writing, applying for one child born overseas to receive Australian Citizenship by Descent costs $360 (AU). 

If you’re applying for more than one child, each additional application will cost $150. 

View updated fees.

Can my baby visit Australia without citizenship? 

Yes. But only if they have another citizenship and a valid passport to travel on. 

For example, my youngest is a dual German-Australian national. Before she received her Australian citizenship, she could enter Australia using her German passport with a tourist visa. Now that she’s an Australian citizen, she must enter the country on her soon-to-arrive Australian passport. 

It’s best to delay your travel plans if your baby is only eligible for Australian citizenship.

In an emergency, contact your nearest consulate for advice about what to do. 

You can contact the Australian Consular Services Team, 24 hours a day from anywhere in the world on +61 2 6261 3305 to seek further information and advice about entering Australia with your baby if they have not yet received Australian citizenship by descent.  

Final Tips

A few final tips about your application for Australian Citizenship for your baby born overseas:

• Get all of your documents organised before starting the online application form. It’ll save you so much time!
  
• Have everything translated before starting your application process. Many translation services are available online, but many will take upwards of a week to complete the job.
  
• Remember, this application process is only for Australian Citizenship by descent and not for an Australian Passport. A passport can only be applied for once Australian Citizenship is confirmed. 
  

• When in doubt, just ask! Contact your local consulate or ask other Aussie expats about their experiences. Or get in touch – I’d be happy to help.
  

And there you have it – the process of gaining Australian Citizenship for your baby born overseas.

It can be frustrating to jump through these hoops if you know your baby is eligible to be an Australian but be patient. It’s well worth the effort! 

Good luck and let me know in the comments how you get on. 

Have you applied for Australian Citizenship for your baby born overseas? Share your experiences below! 

The post Australian Citizenship by Descent: What you need to know appeared first on Professional Support for Families Relocating to Germany.

Am I a Grinch? No. I just really miss my Christmas traditions. 

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I’m a homesick parent abroad, doing my best to give my kids the magic of Christmas but fighting my own battle at the same time.

If you’re feeling homesick as a parent abroad, read on for my 7 Tips to get you moving confidently into your new life. 

So, what is homesickness? 

In short, the feeling of homesickness is the result of stressors related to being away from home. 

Homesickness is typically believed to show itself in any of these four levels:

Emotional: feelings of longing for the familiar or the loss of home. 

Cognitive: being preoccupied or distracted by thoughts of home or people we miss.

Social: withdrawal and avoiding contact with people in your new city. 

Bodily: the loss of weight, for example.

Shirley Fisher, in her landmark study, hypothesised that individuals who have moved from a familiar home environment to a new one experience a period of loss of control. She suggests that for a time after the move, an individual will be helpless as they come to grips with their new surroundings. 

Others have described homesickness is the result of a person’s changing role when they arrive in their new location. It has also been described as the result of interruption that we experience by relocating. 

Despite the anecdotal prevalence of homesickness among foreign families, homesickness is not diagnosable. It is not defined medically as a syndrome or disorder. 

It is, therefore, possible to experience one or more symptom of what we generally regard to be homesickness, which present no real cause. 

Anxiety, depression and overwhelm have been reported to be common experiences of people as they attempt to build their new life in a new environment. 

If you are struggling with any of these things, please seek medical support immediately!

My Tips are for educational purposes only.

It’s interesting to note that the majority of research into homesickness has been conducted on the impact of separation from home on children. Not on adults. 

While some insight from this research can be applied to our experiences as homesick parents abroad, I’m drawing on a combination of this literature, my professional knowledge of parents and my own experience of homesickness. 

Feeling homesick as a parent abroad is different for everyone 

Do not compare your feelings to your partner or other families. 

It is entirely unique. 

Like your family, your experience of moving abroad is unique. Everything that it takes to pack up a life in one place and rebuild it in another will be individual to your family’s circumstances. 

What you miss about home might be different to your partner. 

You might never experience feeling homesick as a parent abroad! 

For me, the feeling of homesickness comes in waves. Sometimes several weeks or months will pass without experiencing any pangs of longing for home.

But then suddenly it comes. 

And I have to admit that the longer I’m away, the less often I suffer from homesickness.   

TO BE CLEAR.

Underscoring every one of my seven tips for you is one thing:

Be kind to yourself.

Whether you’ve moved for work or family reasons, your experience on the other side of this adventure probably won’t be what you expected.

And different does NOT mean bad!

But moving abroad is never a smooth process. Building a new life is never linear. 

So when you’re really in the trenches of feeling homesick as a parent abroad, remember this:

You would never be unkind to your best friend who felt homesick. 

So show yourself the same compassion and take this adventure step-by-step. 

If your child is experiencing homesickness, read my top tips to support them.

My 7 Tips

(and bonus reflection activities)

I’ve created these tips for you to take and use immediately. 

The mini-reflections at the end of each tip have been designed to encourage you to take proactive steps to manage feeling homesick as a parent abroad. 

Take one or take them all. 

No matter what kind of homesickness you’re experiencing, I know that something here will offer you the control you need to have over your own life. 

Now get a pen and paper! It’s time to read and jot down some of your own ideas. 

 1. Give yourself permission to rest  

I know. I know. You have to do it all and you have to do it now. 

“Who’ll get it all done if I take a break?”, I hear you saying.  

But who will get it all done if you break? 

Feeling homesick needs to be treated as any other sickness, with rest, kindness and love. 

Feeling homesick might be a fleeting feeling of longing for something from home. 

Maybe a familiar scent in the air reminds you of your grandmother’s garden. 

But it can also be a significant stress on your body. 

There is evidence to suggest that the feeling of homesickness may be a similar process to that of grief. 

If you’re carrying this burden around without rest, you will burn out.

Don’t forget that this is in addition to everything you’re already carrying: the mental and physical load of parenting and the emotional upheaval of building a life in a foreign country.

But you already know that. 

Your family needs you. 

Most importantly, you deserve to be well. 

Take the pressure off yourself as much as you can. 

Give yourself space to feel what you’re feeling. 

It is ok to miss home, its familiarity and your people. 

You’ll regain your emotional and physical strength and then you can get back in the ring to be the amazing parent you know you are. 

But for now, just rest. 

Activity Time

Using my list below, write down one thing that you can do TODAY to help you rest, relax and reset. 

Here are a few of my favourite ways to rest when I just don’t have time!

• Box breathing: Breathe in through your nose for four seconds, hold it for 4 seconds and breathe out through your mouth for four seconds.
  
• Stretching:  If you don’t have the time or motivation for a full yoga session, come back into your body easily by simply stretching up tall for a few seconds. The more often you can work this into your day, the better. 
  
• Podcasts that have nothing to do with my life: when I can, I love listening to History podcasts about the ancient world. Why? It reminds me that the world will always change. It’s also nice not to think about my own life for a bit.
  

2. Focus on what is in your Control

Sometimes, the feeling of homesickness as a parent abroad can stem from feeling out of control.

In a foreign environment, we can lose our sense of autonomy. 

Maybe you don’t yet speak the local language. 

Perhaps you’re adjusting to changed work opportunities in your new home. 

Or your relationship dynamic has shifted since the move. 

These were the three things that gave me sharp pangs of homesickness nearly daily in the first year of living abroad. 

I felt hopeless and like nothing was within my power. 

We can’t change everything, but we can start by focusing on what’s in our control. 

Activity Time

Write down five things you can do TODAY to change increase your sense of control over your own situation. 

These things might include:

• Completing these reflective exercises.
  
• Sharing my feelings with my partner.
  
• Calling someone from home and sharing your struggles with them.
  
• Speaking with my children onlyin our native language.
  
• Cooking my favourite food from home.
  
• Watch something from home, read a book or listen to a podcast from home.
  
• Start a conversation with another parent at school or childcare.
  
• Join a Facebook group for international families/ mothers/ women/ professionals in your new city.
  
• Investigate local gyms/ yoga studios/ sport teams that interest me. 
  

Commit to doing these five things TODAY.

3. Create Routine  

As a parent, you already know this. 

Routine is everything. 

The household just works when everyone knows what to expect. 

And the science backs this up! 

Our brains need predictability. 

The more routine we have in our lives, the more energy our brains have for devoting to solving life’s problems, being creative or just being. 

But moving house, especially abroad, changes the rhythm of our family for a while. 

Be patient with yourselves as you settle into your new home and new life. 

As soon as you can, set a daily routine for your family. 

The aim is not to be controlling or to cancel any fun or spontaneity. Instead, having a routine will give you more energy, because things will just work. 

Parenting is hard. Juggling work and family is exhausting. 

Living abroad with kids? It is next level! 

Every day requires you to be courageous and humble, while constantly learning.

So, set a routine. Let the daily stuff roll so that you can use your energy conquer every new challenge.

And don’t forget to add rest time to your routines! 

Activity Time

• Write down 10 things that must happen in your home every day. 
  
• Put them in order.
  
• Use this list as a prompt to help you establish routines in your home. 

4. Schedule contact with home

While you’re busy putting together your new routine, don’t forget to include times to contact home. 

Anecdotally, I’ve heard mixed stories about the benefits of contacting home while we’re feeling homesick.

For me, hearing the voice of a loved one always grounds me. I finish our conversation feeling more confident and ready to take on any challenge. 

I feel like me again. 

For others, I’ve heard that contact with home has the exact opposite effect on them. 

You know what’s best for you and your family. 

If being in regular contact with home helps, then do it. 

Sometimes knowing that you’ll see your best friend or closest family member in a few days on a video call might just get you through those tough days in between. 

Like much of living abroad, this might be a case of trial and error. 

Test out different way to communicate, and different times of the day or week to see what serves you and your family. 

Activity Time

• Name the top three emotions you’re experiencing right now. 
  
• Think of the person or people in your life who can best support these feelings. 
  
• Schedule a time to speak with them. Messenger and WhatsApp are convenient, but sometimes a conversation is better.
  

For example:

“I am feeling lost and directionless. My best friend will remind me of my why and what my skills are. I’ll call her next week.” 

5. Connect with the international community in your city

Most cities will have an international community hiding among the locals.

Find them.

This community may include folk from all over the world or it might be people from your home country. 

In my experience, I’ve had the good fortune to experience both: connection with other foreign Mothers from all over the world and those from my home. 

I’ve learnt so much from both about life, parenting and feeling homesick as a parent abroad. 

These people do not need to become your lifelong besties. But they might. 

In my experience, connecting with the international community can: 

• Offer emotional and social support when I’m struggling with homesickness;
  
• be a priceless source of local knowledge for everything from where to buy children’s clothes to how the transport system works;
  
• allow you to build a network, socially and professionally;
  
• have family meet-ups or parent groups where your native language is spoken. 

If nothing else, these groups allow you to meet other people who are going through the same thing as you.

Feeling homesick as a parent abroad can be so lonely but you don’t need to do it alone. 

Activity Time

• Search Facebook for local groups and join them. Try searching “International Families in [your city]” and see what you find. 
• Your choice: Introduce yourself to the group or ask a question. Just make a connection!

6. Share your struggles with other Mums

Now that you’ve found other international families, it’s time to open up. 

Yes. It’s hard! And it will take time. 

Living in a foreign country means you have to be brave every day. I get it. I’m living it too.

But here’s the thing:

A worry shared is a worry halved. 

A joy shared is a joy doubled. 

I know you already know this, deep down. 

You also know that other mums get it. 

They understand the pressures of parenting and the juggle of work and family. 

These women also understand the exact challenges that you’re experiencing in your new home. The way locals interact with one another, their approach to parenting, the bureaucracy. They get it because they’ve struggled too. 

So be open. Share your struggles and your wins. 

You don’t have to do this alone. 

Activity Time 

• Name a parent you’ve met in your new home. 
  
• Stop comparing your experience to theirs. They’re just at a different stage of their journey! 
  
• Reach out to them. Make a date for coffee or schedule a play date for your kids.
  

7. Don’t hide it from your Kids 

This one might seem counterintuitive, but hear me out. 

Hiding how we’re feeling is exhausting. 

AND we know that children learn how to manage their big, challenging feelings by watching us do it. 

So. 

What if we could save energy AND model effective management of being homesick? 

Let’s try to normalise the challenge of living away from home. 

In our household, we refer to Germany as our “now home” and Australia as our “other home”. 

At Christmas time, when I feel the most homesick as a parent abroad, my girls know that I miss how we do Christmas in our other home. 

For me, these feelings show themselves as general grumpiness, increased complaining about the weather (grey, dark and cold – the opposite of an Australian Christmas) and an increased need to have things from Australia. 

The kids can see my actions and hear my words. Both of them know something is wrong. 

So I name it for them. 

“I feel homesick.” 

“I’m sorry. I just miss our other home at the moment.”

“Christmas is such an important time for family. I miss our family in our other home.”

It doesn’t have to be complicated. 

These simple statements let them know what’s going on for me. They also learn that it is ok to not be ok sometimes. 

I’ve also given them a vocabulary to name these feelings and describe them when they experience being homesick in the future.

Activity Time

This is the time, if you haven’t already, to reflect on your own experience of being homesick as a parent abroad. 

It is not a time for judgement or comparison. 

• Write down how your homesickness shows itself. Are you snappish, distant or unusually disorganised?
  
• State how this impacts you as a parent. For example, “Being snappish makes me feel guilty for not listening to my kids.”
  
• Write down a one sentence explanation for why you’ve been like this. For example, “I’m sorry I’m grumpy and not listening to you today. I just really miss our other home today and it’s hard for me to concentrate.”
  
• When you’re ready and the opportunity presents itself, use your sentence with your kids.
  

More Tips to Help You Settle In

But they aren’t everything you need. 

These seven tips are what you need to start managing feeling homesick as a parent abroad.

Much of what makes us homesick is the difference in our new home compared to our real home. Navigating these culture shocks will take time, energy and patience. 

Some things to think about later on are:

• Learning the local language If you’re living in a country where your native language is not the everyday language, learning it will rapidly increase your capacity to be self-reliant and reduce your social isolation.
  
• Remain open-minded Different is not bad. It’s just, different. When we’re homesick, it’s easier to focus on the differences but focussing on the similarities will help you better manage your homesickness. 
  
• Parenting looks different Turn all judgement and comparison off! There will be a difference between how you parent your child and how it is typically done in your new home. You’re not doing anything wrong by being different. 
  
• Be curious and respectful It’s ok to ask questions! Ask locals how and why they do things the way they do them. But do it respectfully. And remain respectful when locals ask you about your way of life. They’re just curious, too. 
  

Summary

Feeling homesick as a parent abroad should be taken seriously. It has the potential to have a significantly negative impact on you and your family.

Homesickness can show itself in emotionally, cognitively, socially and physically.

Seek professional support if you are struggling with feelings of anxiety or depression.

This post is not medical advice.

By taking the steps I’ve outlined in this post, you will have regained some clarity and control over your own life. 

Remember, this isn’t a linear process. Adjusting to your new life will take time and there’s nothing wrong with that. 

Come back to these tips anytime and repeat the activities. You might be surprised to find that your answers to the questions change over time, as you adjust to your new life. 

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It is filled with practical tips and advice to start your new life the right way.

RESOURCES 

This topic is so huge that I can’t possibly cover it all! 

If you’re struggling to adjust to your new home, experiencing feelings of overwhelm, anxiety or depression, please seek professional help. 

Online resources include:

• Headspace: an app full of articles and resources. It also has specific support to assist with anxiety and sleep problems. There is a subscription option, offering additional benefits. 
  
• Betterhelp: an app with the option to connect with a professional for mental health support. This is subscription-based but may be an excellent choice if finding talk-therapy in your language is difficult in your current home. 

If you’d like to read more of the studies I referred to earlier: 

• Here is the article I found the most useful to get a handle on the body of research.
  
• You can purchase Shirley Fisher’s groundbreaking book Homesickness, Cognition and Health. 
  

Have you dealt with feeling homesick while parenting abroad? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below!  

The post Parents get homesick too! 7 Tips to overcome homesickness appeared first on Professional Support for Families Relocating to Germany.