FAQs about living in Germany as an expat 🤔
Lately we have been receiving quite a lot of questions about moving to Germany, so we've decided to put together a small guide of tips and tricks for living in this beautiful country as a foreigner. Angelica spent 6 months working in Hamburg and 7 months in Frankfurt and, during this time, managed to visit a large number of other cities in Germany. Are you thinking of moving there? Then you'd better keep reading:
Do I need to speak German?
When Angelica moved to Germany, she already spoke German which was a massive advantage. Of course Germans in general do speak English, but to get around the country and feel more welcomed, it is best to have some basic language skills (at least learn how to say hi, please, and thank you!). This quite a tough language with complicated grammar rules and it can be very difficult to grasp. Normally, companies would offer complimentary language courses to foreign employees. Otherwise, language schools which offer German language courses are not hard to find in any city.
What are the best places to live in?
It is hard to pick one as they are all very different and this also depends on the type of job you are looking for. and many other factors Munich and Frankfurt are on top of the list in terms of job opportunities, Frankfurt is a hub for many international companies which makes it relatively easier for expats who don't speak the language. In terms of culture and entertainment, Hamburg and Berlin are probably the best choices. Both cities are largely multicultural and offer great leisure opportunities such as open-airs, vintage markets and a vibrant nightlife. Moreover, Berlin is home to a growing number of start-ups. It really depends on what you are looking for!
What did you find most surprising about the local culture and habits?
Moving to Germany does not normally represent a cultural shock for Europeans, however, there are a few aspects of the local culture that can be quite surprising for a foreigner. First of all, Germany's relationship with beer: this is the home of almost 1,300 breweries producing three quarters of European beer. Germany's love for beer becomes evident and extreme in festivals such as Oktoberfest and Fruhlingsfest. Wheat beer is also part of the traditional Bavarian breakfast!
One thing that can be shocking for someone who is not used to it, is how direct German people can be! Especially coming from a polite country such as Britain, this aspect of their behaviour can often take some getting used to. Especially in the workplace, German people would often say what they think and get straight to the point without trying to sugarcoat it. It is essential not feel offended or insulted as this is simply part of their culture. On the positive side, this mentality is probably one of the roots of German efficiency as it allows projects to move forward quickly.
How hard is it to find a job?
Angelica got offered an internship in Hamburg before moving to Germany and had to find a second one before this contract expired. The timeframe from the start of the search to the second job offer was only 3 weeks! In Germany, internships are common and are considered an intergral part of the learning process and, for this reason, there are always plenty on offer. If it's an internship (Praktikum) you're after, the best website for job search is definitely http://www.meinpraktikum.de/ (it is all in German so you might need a bit of Google-translating if you don't speak it).
Investigate a German SIM card for your mobile (called a handy). If you're going to be making a lot of calls within Germany, it will be much cheaper. Before settling on one, visit a few providers to figure out what the best deal for you is.
5. Check out the area
Familiarise yourself with the area and the local facilities, and discover opening times of local shops. Most shops close on a Sunday, apart from local bakeries. Out-of-hours you can buy basic foods from shops in railway stations, fuel stations and street kiosks.
6. Find out how to get around
Work out how long it takes you from your home to the bus or tram stop or anywhere else you'll be going on a regular basis. There are no barriers to check tickets before jumping on the train which can make it tempting not to get a ticket every now and then, but it's important to know there is a system in place and getting fined is never nice.
Germans love cycling! With dedicated bike lanes you can cycle quickly and safely to your destination. You can cycle on all roads, except the autobahns. Most towns and cities have a bike hire, often near the main transport station. Registration for a StadtRAD in Hamburg costs €5 and they are always free to use for the first 30 minutes.
Do I need to speak German?
When Angelica moved to Germany, she already spoke German which was a massive advantage. Of course Germans in general do speak English, but to get around the country and feel more welcomed, it is best to have some basic language skills (at least learn how to say hi, please, and thank you!). This quite a tough language with complicated grammar rules and it can be very difficult to grasp. Normally, companies would offer complimentary language courses to foreign employees. Otherwise, language schools which offer German language courses are not hard to find in any city.
What are the best places to live in?
It is hard to pick one as they are all very different and this also depends on the type of job you are looking for. and many other factors Munich and Frankfurt are on top of the list in terms of job opportunities, Frankfurt is a hub for many international companies which makes it relatively easier for expats who don't speak the language. In terms of culture and entertainment, Hamburg and Berlin are probably the best choices. Both cities are largely multicultural and offer great leisure opportunities such as open-airs, vintage markets and a vibrant nightlife. Moreover, Berlin is home to a growing number of start-ups. It really depends on what you are looking for!
What did you find most surprising about the local culture and habits?
Moving to Germany does not normally represent a cultural shock for Europeans, however, there are a few aspects of the local culture that can be quite surprising for a foreigner. First of all, Germany's relationship with beer: this is the home of almost 1,300 breweries producing three quarters of European beer. Germany's love for beer becomes evident and extreme in festivals such as Oktoberfest and Fruhlingsfest. Wheat beer is also part of the traditional Bavarian breakfast!
Let's talk about Germany's motorways (Autobahn). These are famous for having no speed limit, which may sound crazy for expats. On the one side, it takes some time to get used to the idea, but on the other side even here there exist some limitation which make the roads safe. The stretches of Autobahn where it is legal to drive at top speed are actually limited and constantly being reduced. Moreover, even in those sections an advisory limit of 130km/h (81mph) is in operation.
One thing that can be shocking for someone who is not used to it, is how direct German people can be! Especially coming from a polite country such as Britain, this aspect of their behaviour can often take some getting used to. Especially in the workplace, German people would often say what they think and get straight to the point without trying to sugarcoat it. It is essential not feel offended or insulted as this is simply part of their culture. On the positive side, this mentality is probably one of the roots of German efficiency as it allows projects to move forward quickly.
How hard is it to find a job?
Angelica got offered an internship in Hamburg before moving to Germany and had to find a second one before this contract expired. The timeframe from the start of the search to the second job offer was only 3 weeks! In Germany, internships are common and are considered an intergral part of the learning process and, for this reason, there are always plenty on offer. If it's an internship (Praktikum) you're after, the best website for job search is definitely http://www.meinpraktikum.de/ (it is all in German so you might need a bit of Google-translating if you don't speak it).
Having said this, the market for internships is quite competitive as Germans tend to stay in education until they complete a Master degree and then apply for Praktika. Therefore, most job applicants will be highly qualified in terms of education. Another disadvantage for foreigners can of course be the language, even though this depends on the field and position. In international firms English is even more crucial than German, but speaking the local language still gives a big advantage, especially when networking. A great website for expats who only speak English is https://www.expatica.com/de/jobs. Another useful research to be used while learning German is Jobbörse, which is the Federal Employment Agency. They even offer counseling services to support those who are out of work in finding their career path.
If you are after a low paid part-time job that would leave you time to explore the surroundings, you might be interested in a "mini-job". These jobs are mostly popular among students and are paid on average €450. But make sure you know what your rights are!
What were your first week "to dos"?
1. Mandatory registration with the local authorities
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What did you love the most? And what did you hate the most?Probably the best thing about living in Germany is the food. It is just so delicious! Their meats and bread are out of this world. And if you get tired of fatty German food, their supermarkets have an great variety of products (especially the dairy section 😍) which make grocery shopping a fun experience. Plus, they are usually very affordable, being Germany the home of discounters such as Lidl and Aldi!
Another factor that makes Germany a lovely place to be, especially in the summer, is the variety of green areas which push people to get out and socialise. In Hamburg, 16.7% of the urban area given over to forests, recreation and green spaces where concerts and open-air events are regularly being held. Despite the amount of people utilising these spaces to have drinks and barbecues, they are kept constantly clean as empty cans and bottles can be thrown away in bottle disposal units in exchange for a small amount of money (from €0.08 to €0.25). Such a great way to encourage recycling, isn't it?
In terms of downsides, it becomes often clear that most Germans tend to be extremely private in nature. They tend not to talk in depth about topics such as their private life or the money they make, and for this reason it can be harder and slower to build meaningful relationships with them.
Another aspect that can sometimes be unpleasant is the intrinsic inflexibility of Germans. They love their rules and would in general stick to them, even when it might look pointless from a foreigner's perspective. For example, crossing the street as a pedestrian at a red traffic light is frowned upon, even if no car is coming. There is even a government office called Ordnungsamt, which literally translates to “office of order.”!
How did you find accommodation?
Angelica was living in a lovely apartment in the centre of Hamburg and had a 6 months tenancy contract for it. Landlords would normally prefer to meet the tenant in person, although this is not always needed. Fortunately she managed to go to Hamburg before starting the job to view a few apartments which definitely made it easier to find the perfect one. TOP TIP: if you visit a flat, always make sure you ask whether all the furniture you see will remain there! When Angelica visited the flat, there were a TV and a washing machine which were then removed by the owner so she couldn't use them.
After months in Hamburg, she moved to an unfurnished room in Frankfurt and had to buy all the furniture, but managed to resell it through Ebay very easily just before moving back to the UK.
Whether you are looking to rent short- or long-term, the recommendation we'd give is to start by finding a short-term rent (befristet), which would give you the chance to then explore and have time to find a more permanent solution while you're there and get more familiar with the area. It is quite common for Germans to rent out their houses even for a week or 2 when they go on holiday, or to rent out a spare room of their house. For young people like young professionals and students it is common to live in a shared flat (WG) which means they have their own bedrooms but share common areas such as kitchen and also bathrooms. The most popular online resources for finding sublets and temporary furnished apartments in Germany are Tempoflat, WG-Gesucht and Studenten-WG. Immobilienscout24 and Immowelt can turn out to be useful if you are looking for longer-term rent or even if you'd like to buy an apartment. However, they mostly feature unfurnished flats and the websites are entirely in German.
Landlords normally require a security deposit, which shouldn’t exceed the sum of between two to three months’ rent. This is returned shortly after moving out, depending on the state of the property. TOP TIP NR 2: take an inventory of any damages in the apartment before moving in, including taking photos and making written notes, this way you will have evidence to protect you if the landlord claims any damage has been caused while you were renting the place.
Landlords normally require a security deposit, which shouldn’t exceed the sum of between two to three months’ rent. This is returned shortly after moving out, depending on the state of the property. TOP TIP NR 2: take an inventory of any damages in the apartment before moving in, including taking photos and making written notes, this way you will have evidence to protect you if the landlord claims any damage has been caused while you were renting the place.
What were your first week "to dos"?
1. Mandatory registration with the local authorities
Anyone living in Germany for more than 3 months is required to register (anmelden) their address on the population register, as well as deregister (abmelden) if they move. Registering with the local authorities is one of the first things to do after moving to Germany, as by law you have to do this within seven days after moving into a permanent address. To find out where to go to do this, the best thing to do is to insert your postcode here.
2. Open a bank account
If you're going to be paid an employee salary or pay rent on an apartment, you'll typically need to know how to open a German bank account as soon as possible. This can be done either online or by visiting a branch. If you're going to be working and paying tax, then you must also get a lohnsteuerkarte (income tax card) from your local registration office.
3. Arrange your mandatory health insurance
Germany has an excellent healthcare system but you must be covered by health insurance to use it. You'll likely have some form of health insurance already, as you're not allowed to enter Germany without it (Angelica was covered by the University's travel insurance) but if you're staying longer term you are obliged to register for either state health insurance or private health insurance.
2. Open a bank account
If you're going to be paid an employee salary or pay rent on an apartment, you'll typically need to know how to open a German bank account as soon as possible. This can be done either online or by visiting a branch. If you're going to be working and paying tax, then you must also get a lohnsteuerkarte (income tax card) from your local registration office.
3. Arrange your mandatory health insurance
Germany has an excellent healthcare system but you must be covered by health insurance to use it. You'll likely have some form of health insurance already, as you're not allowed to enter Germany without it (Angelica was covered by the University's travel insurance) but if you're staying longer term you are obliged to register for either state health insurance or private health insurance.
There are many German health insurance companies, with the most common being AOK, Techniker Krankenkasse, Barmer GEK, BKK, DAK Gesundheit and KKH, as well as international health insurers.
4. Get a German SIM card
4. Get a German SIM card
Investigate a German SIM card for your mobile (called a handy). If you're going to be making a lot of calls within Germany, it will be much cheaper. Before settling on one, visit a few providers to figure out what the best deal for you is.
5. Check out the area
Familiarise yourself with the area and the local facilities, and discover opening times of local shops. Most shops close on a Sunday, apart from local bakeries. Out-of-hours you can buy basic foods from shops in railway stations, fuel stations and street kiosks.
6. Find out how to get around
Work out how long it takes you from your home to the bus or tram stop or anywhere else you'll be going on a regular basis. There are no barriers to check tickets before jumping on the train which can make it tempting not to get a ticket every now and then, but it's important to know there is a system in place and getting fined is never nice.
Germans love cycling! With dedicated bike lanes you can cycle quickly and safely to your destination. You can cycle on all roads, except the autobahns. Most towns and cities have a bike hire, often near the main transport station. Registration for a StadtRAD in Hamburg costs €5 and they are always free to use for the first 30 minutes.
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