Our Methodology

1. How We Source Data

Every data point on ExpatNav comes from primary sources:

• Official provider websites — pricing pages, feature descriptions, T&Cs, and FAQ sections.
• Provider help centers — for eligibility details, processing times, and edge cases.
• Direct provider communication — when public information is unclear or outdated.
• Regulatory sources — BaFin, embassy websites, and government publications.

We never rely on press releases, marketing materials, or third-party aggregators.

2. Verification Schedule

• Pricing: Verified quarterly and whenever a provider announces changes.
• Eligibility rules: Verified quarterly. Changes updated within 48 hours.
• Features: Verified quarterly. New features added as providers launch them.
• Community reports: Investigated and resolved within 48 hours.

3. How We Compare

For each service category, we define 8-10 comparison features selected for relevance to international users. Feature types include price (exact EUR amounts), boolean (yes/no), and text (descriptive).

4. Eligibility Filtering

Our core differentiator. Each provider has rules for nationality (EU vs. non-EU), visa type, language requirements, credit check (SCHUFA), and age limits. We never hide ineligible providers — we show them with clear labels.

5. How Rankings Work

• Total cost (40%): 12-month total including all fees. Lower is better.
• Feature coverage (25%): Key features offered.
• User ratings (20%): Average community rating.
• Eligibility breadth (15%): Nationalities and visa types accepted.

Affiliate commission rates are never a factor in rankings. Period.

6. User Reviews

• All reviews moderated before publication.
• IP addresses hashed — we cannot identify reviewers.
• Reviews include nationality and visa type for relevance.
• Providers cannot pay to remove negative reviews.

7. Corrections & Transparency

If you find incorrect data, please report it. We verify and fix errors within 48 hours. For questions about our methodology, email contact@expatnav.com.