KMC Handbook · Before You PCS
PCS to Ramstein With a Family: What to Line Up First
Moving overseas with a spouse and kids adds a few steps to your PCS. Here is the order to tackle them, and how families land softly near Ramstein.
A PCS to Germany with a family is very doable, and thousands do it every year. It just has more moving parts than a solo move: sponsorship, medical screening, passports, schools and the household shipment all have to line up. The good news is the path is well worn, and starting early on a few key items keeps the whole move calm.
This guide walks through what to sort before you fly, what the first days look like, and the kid-specific pieces. When you arrive, a furnished TLA Office home gives the whole family a comfortable, connected base with room to spread out while you house-hunt and get the children settled.
Command sponsorship: the key that unlocks everything
For your family to accompany you overseas with full benefits, they need to be command-sponsored on your orders. Command sponsorship is what unlocks accompanied travel, government housing or the housing allowance, DODEA school enrollment, on-base privileges and family medical care. Confirm your family members are listed and command-sponsored before you move, because sorting it out afterward is much harder.
EFMP screening comes first
Before an accompanied OCONUS move, family members are screened through the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP). It is not a hurdle to fear: its job is to confirm that any medical, educational or special needs can be supported at the new location. If a need cannot be met near Ramstein, EFMP flags it early, while there is still time to plan. Start the screening as soon as you have orders, because it can take time to gather records. Ramstein runs its own EFMP office through the medical group.
Passports and documents
Every family member traveling on the move needs the right passport. For an accompanied PCS you typically get no-fee (official) passports for dependents, and many families also apply for regular tourist passports for personal travel in Europe, which is one of the best parts of a tour here. Children need their own passports. Start these early, since processing takes weeks, and keep birth certificates, marriage certificates and shot records together in one folder.
Getting here and the first days
Many families fly to Ramstein on the Patriot Express, the military-contracted “rotator” flight, which lands right at Ramstein. On arrival you begin in-processing, meet your sponsor, and move into temporary lodging or a furnished off-base stay while you look for a permanent home. Our First Week at Ramstein guide covers the arrival checklist in detail.
The kids: school and childcare
Two things to line up early for children:
- School. Most military children attend DODEA schools in the KMC. Gather records and start enrollment early. See our DODEA Schools guide.
- Childcare. Demand is high and waitlists are real, so register as soon as you can. See our Childcare guide for CDC, Family Child Care and CYS options.
Bringing the household
- Household goods (HHG). Your main shipment. German homes are often smaller with no built-in closets, so plan for wardrobes and measure large furniture.
- Unaccompanied baggage (UB). A small express shipment for the essentials you need first, before the main HHG arrives.
- Your car (POV). You can ship a vehicle, but check size and emissions, and remember you will need the USAREUR license. See our USAREUR License guide.
- Pets. Bringing an animal has its own timeline for chips and vaccinations. Start with our Bringing Your Pet to Germany guide.
Landing with the family? TLA Office furnished homes near Ramstein give a family room to breathe while you house-hunt and get the kids into school, with everything included and pets welcome. Andrew handles your booking personally from first message to move-in.
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Frequently asked questions
What is command sponsorship and why does it matter?
Command sponsorship means your family members are officially authorized on your orders to accompany you overseas. It unlocks accompanied travel, housing or the housing allowance, DODEA school enrollment, on-base privileges and family medical care. Confirm it before you move, because it is hard to arrange afterward.
Do family members need EFMP screening for Germany?
Yes. Before an accompanied OCONUS move, family members are screened through the Exceptional Family Member Program to confirm any medical, educational or special needs can be supported near Ramstein. Start it as soon as you have orders.
What passports do we need to PCS to Germany?
Each traveling family member needs a passport. Dependents usually receive no-fee (official) passports for the move, and many families also get regular tourist passports for personal travel in Europe. Children need their own. Apply early, as processing takes weeks.
How do families travel to Ramstein?
Many fly on the Patriot Express, the military-contracted rotator flight that lands at Ramstein. From there you begin in-processing and move into temporary lodging or a furnished off-base home while house-hunting.
When should I enroll my kids in school?
As early as possible. Gather school and medical records before you move and begin DODEA enrollment early. For childcare, register right away, because waitlists are common in the KMC.
Sources: Ramstein Air Base EFMP (ramstein.af.mil) and the official Air Force and Army PCS OCONUS benefit libraries. Entitlements vary by branch and orders, so confirm the specifics with your orders, sponsor and installation in-processing.