About us

The relocation software built for operational excellence

relokate is a Berlin-based global mobility platform built for companies hiring international talent to Germany — from Series A startups to enterprise corporations. We combine technology-driven processes with immigration experts and independent partner attorneys to handle the entire visa and relocation process.

Why I started relokate

After more than ten years in HR, I'd helped relocate dozens of employees to Germany. Every single time, the process was the same: scattered emails, unclear timelines, expensive lawyers, and a candidate waiting to start.

The tools available were either enterprise-only platforms with no human touch, or traditional agencies with no technology. Companies needed something better: one partner, one platform, and real expertise in German immigration law — backed by attorneys when things get stuck.

I founded relokate in 2020 to solve exactly that. Today, we've handled over 1,500 relocations for companies from Volkswagen and Marquardt to KoRo and HomeToGo. Our approach: technology-driven operational excellence combined with the human touch. No ping-pong between consultants. One platform, one point of contact, and your hire arrives ready to work.

Katharina Hilgers

Founder & Managing Director, relokate HR GmbH

1,500+

Successful relocations

5.0

Star rating

2020

Founded in Berlin

100+

Nationalities supported

Our core team

Every relokate client works with a dedicated team combining global mobility expertise, immigration law knowledge, and operational precision — supported by our network of independent partner attorneys and institutional partners.

Katharina Hilgers

Founder & Managing Director

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Over a decade of experience in HR, People Operations, and global mobility. Founded relokate in 2020 after seeing firsthand how complex and fragmented the relocation process was for companies hiring internationally. Previously led international hiring at high-growth companies, managing relocations across 30+ nationalities. Today, Katharina combines strategic HR expertise with technology to make global hiring to Germany simple, compliant, and human.

Hanna Kovacs

Product Manager, Global Mobility

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Professional experience across the US, Hungary, and Germany in product management and operations. Deep expertise in German immigration law and the regulatory landscape for skilled worker migration. At relokate, Hanna Kovacs owns the product roadmap, drives platform automation, and develops the compliance frameworks and immigration content that HR teams rely on — from visa eligibility logic to country-specific process guides.

Skylar Strange

Global Mobility Specialist

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Background in operations, process design, and agile project management (AgilePM® Practitioner). Currently pursuing her degree at ESCP Business School. At relokate, Skylar Strange manages the end-to-end immigration process for clients — coordinating between partner attorneys, the Business Immigration Service (BIS), and the Ausländerbehörde to ensure HR compliance and on-time visa delivery. Bilingual in English and German.

Christina Hertle

Operations & Client Experience Coordinator

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Christina Hertle ensures operational excellence across every relocation case. From document management and authority coordination to client scheduling and case tracking, she keeps the process running smoothly behind the scenes. Her structured approach to operations means nothing falls through the cracks — every deadline, document, and appointment is accounted for.

Beyond the core team

Every relocation case is backed by our network of independent immigration attorneys specialising in German employment law, our institutional partnership with the Business Immigration Service (BIS) at Berlin's LEA, and specialist partners for housing, insurance, and integration services. Your dedicated Relocation Partner coordinates the full network on your behalf.

Backed by immigration independent partner attorneys

Every visa case at relokate is backed by qualified immigration attorneys specialising in German employment law. When authorities stall, we don't wait — we escalate with a formal inaction letter (Untätigkeitsschreiben), and if needed, our partner attorneys take over directly from the case. No expensive handover, no starting from scratch.

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Legal review on every case

Every visa application is reviewed by a licensed immigration lawyer before submission.

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German immigration law specialists

Our partners specialise in AufenthG, BeschV, and the Skilled Immigration Act — not general practice.

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Edge case expertise

Dual nationality, prior visa history, regulated professions, degree recognition disputes — our lawyers have seen it all.

Partners & network

relokate works with institutional partners and specialist providers to deliver the best possible relocation experience.

Institutional partner

Business Immigration Service (BIS) Berlin

relokate is a registered partner of Berlin's Business Immigration Service — a joint initiative of the Berlin immigration authority (LEA), IHK Berlin, and Berlin Partner. The BIS handles work permits, ICT Cards, and expedited skilled worker procedures for companies employing foreign workers in Berlin.

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Co-funded by the EU

European Union

relokate is co-funded by the European Union to strengthen international labour mobility and talent integration across Germany. This funding supports our mission to make cross-border hiring accessible for companies of all sizes.

Insurance partner

Feather

Feather simplifies insurance for people relocating to Germany. As our insurance partner, they provide straightforward health insurance and liability coverage options for relocating employees — removing the complexity of researching and purchasing German insurance policies.