I am more than a little confused.
€12k moving package is pretty awesome.
Yes, it's unfortunate you couldn't just use the cash to lay down a deposit on a flat - but seems somewhat reasonable if they're serious about it being to cover "moving expenses", rather than an under the table tax-free-slush fund. If you used it to cover 2 months deposit, then when you left and reclaimed that money, it's not really a "moving expense" is it? Maybe they could have made it a loan?
Still, even then say you arrive mid-month, and they don't get the payroll sorted until the end of the next full month - that's only €4.5k at €100 a night for a room for 45 days, leaving €7.5 of your relocation. Pay another €6k for another 2 months hotel, banking salary for a deposit (10k less tax and expenses)...
..and seriously, it seems remarkably fair.
Only real issue seems to be the healthcare one..and as you were moving EU to EU, there's the EHIC card which should cover you as a visitor...
..still, can't help having this story out there...
Biting the hand that feeds IT
