2 weeks after I started applying for the National Insurance Number (NI) it was the day of my interview today.
Yeeees, that's right, Germany is not the only country where an insurance number is needed. And yeees, you have to go to an interview.
So I went to the appointment at 4 p.m. and after a short waiting period I was called to a desk where a funny man called Jay bombarded me with questions ;) Well, no, it wasn't that bad. I only had to answer some very easy questions (name, address, why I want to work in the UK, nationality...)
After 40 min. my application form was completed, I had to sign it (with the same signature as on your identity card pls - ???? - what else should I write? Minnie Mouse? Jesus?) and then wait again until some staff member finished checking my id card.
Now I have the legal right to work in the UK - wow :)
Anyway, it takes up to 8 weeks before I'll receive my ultimate number and up to 9(!) months before I'll receive my plastic NI card.
Still anyone who thinks there is a lot of bureaucracy in Germany? :)