4˚ 8˚ 12˚ Hassleholm 16˚ 56˚ Arhus Karlskrona 56˚ Helsingborg Kristianstad

Kalundborg Copenhagen Vejle Lund Germany Malmo Kolding DENMARK Roskilde Ystad International Boundary Esbjerg Slagelse Koge Bornholm State (Land) Boundary Odense Korsor Naestved Trelleborg (DENMARK) National Capital Ronne State (Land) Capital Sonderborg Rivers Baltic Sea Flensburg Rugen 50 100 Kilometers Rodbyhavn Gedser 0 SCHLESWIG- Sassnitz Kiel Bay Puttgarden HOLSTEIN 0 50 100 Miles 4˚ Mecklenburger Pomeranian Kiel Bucht Stralsund Bay Kiel Canal Rostock Lübeck Swinoujscie North Sea HAMBURG MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN Bremerhaven Wilmhelmshaven Hamburg Schwerin Emden Szczecin BREMEN Elbe Groningen Havel Oldenburg Bremen Wittenberge POLAND Oder Gorzow BRANDENBURG NETHERLANDS Wielkopolski GERMANY Warta Ems NIEDERSACHSEN Berlin ellan Amsterdam itt dk Potsdam M an Hannover a Frankfurt Osnabrück l BERLIN 62˚ Utrecht Enschede Wes Braunschweig 52˚ Arnhem er Magdeburg Rotterdam Bielefeld Spree Zielona Münster Oder Maas Rhine SACHSEN Gora ANHALT Dessau Cottbus

Eindhoven Göttingen Elbe Neisse Duisburg Dortmund Halle Antwerpen Essen Leipzig Düsseldorf SACHSEN Gorlitz Kassel NORDRHEIN-WESTFALEN Dresden Jelenia Gora Brussels Cologne Eisenach Erfurt Maastricht Bad Siegen Jena Hersfeld Decin Aachen Werra THURINGEN Gera Chemnitz Bonn Fulda Zwickau Liege Usti nad Labem 16˚ Meuse HESSEN Charleroi BELGIUM Hradec Kralove Koblenz Frankfurt Hof Am Main Prague Wiesbaden Main Cheb Mainz Bamberg CZECH LUX. Moselle RHEINLAND- Würzburg Luxembourg Trier Rhein-Main- REPUBLIC PFALZ Donau-Kanal Plzen Mannheim Meuse SAARLAND Vitava Nürnberg Saarbrücken Heidelberg Metz Ceske Rhine Karlsruhe Heilbronn Regensberg Budejovice

Nancy Stuttgart Danube BAYERN Passau Strasbourg Isar

FRANCE Neckar Ulm Linz Canal de Rhone BADEN- Danube au Rhin WURTTEMBERG Augsburg Inn 48˚ München 48˚ AUSTRIA Freiburg Mulhouse Salzburg Konstanz Lech Garmisch- Bodensee Partenkirchen Saone Dijon Doubs Basel Liezen Zurich Salzach Besancon Aare SWITZERLAND8˚ Innsbruck12˚

How To Germany Digital 2 Fall/Winter 2019/20 he editors and publisher of How To Germany www.howtogermany.com and Digital Edition the How To Germany digital T Volume VII• Issue 2 magazine have made every reasonable Fall/Winter 2019/20 effort to be factually accurate. No responsibility is assumed for editorial or clerical errors. Every attempt has been made to ensure the information contained herein is valid at the time of publication. How To Germany reserves the right to make changes, corrections and/or improvements at any time and without notice. In addition, How To Germany disclaims any and all liability for damages incurred directly or indirectly as a result of errors, Publisher omissions or discrepancies. Chuck Emerson The information in the magazine and Contributing Writers on the website is provided as a service Cathy Matz-Townsend to the public and is intended merely to Advertising Sales give a general overview of living and Thomas A. Lipton working in Germany. Advertising Design/Production How To Germany does not offer Ryan Schossow legal advice through its website or the Cover Photo: The village of Berchtesgaden near magazine. The information provided the Austrian border at sunrise. The mountain in the on both the website and in the maga- background is the Watzmann, one of Germany’s zine is solely for individual education highest mountains. © istockphoto.com/mthaler and understanding of legal and other issues. Do not act or rely upon any of This digital publication is for all English- the resources and information avail- speaking people who want to know more able on or from the website or maga- about how to live and work in Germany. zine without seeking professional legal A special thanks to all the advertisers. advice relating to your own particular Their support and participation make it situation. possible for this magazine to be made This interactive, digital publication available to you free of charge. and website contain a number of links For information on editorial, distribution to other websites. In providing these and advertising, contact: links, How To Germany does not in any Chuck Emerson Media Services, way endorse the contents of these other Auf der Schorr 10 websites. How To Germany has not 54331 Pellingen, Germany developed or reviewed the contents Tel: +49 (0) 65 88-99 25 65 E-mail: [email protected] of those websites and does not accept Website: www.howtogermany.com any responsibility or liability for the All rights reserved. No part of this magazine contents of these other websites. may be reproduced in whole or in part without the permission of the publisher.

How To Germany Digital 3 Fall/Winter 2019/20 A Message from the Publisher

Leaving home and moving to a foreign country is always a challenge. Whatever the reasons for your reloca- tion – work, school, accompanying a partner or looking for adventure or a better opportunity – when you arrive at your destination you will be face to face with many important tasks and decisions that will require your full attention. It is almost inevitable that you will have to enlist some sort of help to integrate and assimilate into your new life abroad. Fortunately, there are now many places to find that assis- tance. How To Germany has been a source of information for over 21 years. We operate a website and now we are in the eighth year of digital publications. We continue to provide authoritative, comprehensive and up to date information on just about every aspect of living, working and studying in Germany. We do this using all the available media platforms. If you need information about getting residence and work permits before leaving your home country, information about what to do in the first days and weeks after arrival in country or information that will make your continuing time in Germany pleasant and productive, How To Germany can help. The publisher and writers are all long time expatriates. The experts we call on for editorial assistance and expertise are providers that specialize in products and services for the expat community. As a pioneer in the expat publishing market we take pride in the fact that we been able to help countless people as they adjust to life in Germany. We have fielded thou- sands of questions about every topic imaginable. And we have answered every inquiry. If we don’t know the specific answer to any of the questions we get, we can most certainly provide the information on where to get the answer. We hope you enjoy this digital edition and find it useful. Don’t forget to sign up for our newslettter to get the continuing updates. And, if you have any questions about life in Germany, by all means ask us.

Chuck Emerson Publisher – How To Germany

How To Germany Digital 4 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Table Of Contents

Map of Germany ...... 2 Masthead/Disclaimer ...... 3 Message from the Publisher ...... 4 Germany: Basic Facts ...... 6 Residence Permits, Work Permission ...... 7 The EU Blue Card in Germany ...... 10 Housing: What You Need to Know ...... 12 Rental Furniture in Germany ...... 15 Furnished Apartments for Temporary Rental in Munich ...... 18 The Workplace ...... 21 Finding Work in Germany ...... 22 Social Security and Employee Benefits ...... 23 The German School System ...... 25 International Schools in Germany ...... 28 Higher Education ...... 41 Language Schools ...... 43 Children’s Allowance - Kindergeld ...... 44 Telephone/Internet Services ...... 46 Banks & Banking ...... 50 Health Care in Germany ...... 53 Health Insurance in Germany ...... 57 German Legal System ...... 64 Taxes in Germany ...... 68 Retirement/Pension Plans-Basic Facts ...... 73 Buying a House in Germany ...... 75 Driving in Germany ...... 80 Road Signs ...... 85 The German Post Office ...... 87 Television & Radio ...... 89 Pets in Germany ...... 92 Shopping in Germany ...... 96 German Holidays - 2020 ...... 98 Traveling by Train ...... 99 Rothenburg ob der Tauber ...... 101 Index of Advertisers, Website Articles ...... 106

How To Germany Digital 5 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Germany: Basic Facts

Population: 80,4159,622 (July 2020 est.) Size: 357,022 sq km (slightly smaller than Montana) Bordering countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland Coastline: 2,389 km • Forests and woodland cover 31% of the country Climate: temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers; occasional warm, mountain (foehn) wind Lowest point: Neuendorf bei Wilster (-3.54m) • Highest point: Zugspitze (2,963 m) Life expectancy at birth: 78.7 for males, 83.6 for females (2020 estimate) Religions: Protestant 25.5%, Roman Catholic 27.7%, Muslim 5.1%, unaffiliated or other 41.7% (2018 est.) Government type: federal republic • National capital: Berlin • Voting Age: 18 States: Baden-Württemberg, Bayern, Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Niedersachsen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Saarland, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, Thüringen Political parties: Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Christian Social Union (CSU), Free Democratic Party (FDP), Social Democratic Party (SPD), Alliance 90/Greens, Left Party (Die Linke) Currency: 1 euro (€) = 100 cents Internet country code: .de • Internet users: 73.365 million (2016 est.) • Broadband subscribers: 33.217 million (2017 est.) Telephones: Land lines - 44.4 million, Mobile phone subscribers- 106 million (2017 est.) Railways: 43,468 km of track Highways and roads: 644,480 km (12,800 km Autobahn) Waterways: 7,467 km • Airports (large and small, paved and unpaved): 539 Source: CIA Fact Book

Number of residents in Germany from English-speaking nations as of 31 December 2018, not including members of the military: Canada...... 18,135 USA...... 119,645 Australia/New Zealand...... 17,795 Great Britain...... 106,155 Ireland...... 16,065 India...... 124.095 South Africa...... 6,110 Pakistan...... 73,975 Source: Statistisches Bundesamt in Wiesbaden.

How To Germany Digital 6 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Residence Permits

You’re not truly living in Germany until the paperwork’s done. Here’s a quick primer on what you may need.

ll foreigners from outside the EU for a residence permit at the embassy or who wish to remain in Germany consulate in your country. Afor longer than three months must The rules for what you need to get a obtain a residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel), residence permit may vary somewhat of which there are now two types. You from place to place and according to your can apply for a residence permit at the status. You will certainly need following: local Foreigners Office (Ausländerbehörde) • a valid passport, if you are in Germany on a valid visa. (It’s • a couple of “biometric” photos important to know that a visa is not really • proof that you have a place to live a residence permit. Visas are normally • proof of health insurance and issued for a limited period of time, for a • proof that you can support yourself very specific purpose, and normally have Other things you may need include: strict conditions regarding the length of • proof that you have a critical skill stay as well as the number of times you • proof that you are married can leave and re-enter Germany over the • proof that you have independent means life of the visa.) or a pension Citizens from some countries • a health certificate (including the USA, Canada, Australia, • a certificate of good conduct Japan, Israel, New Zealand and Switzer- If you decide that you are going to land) are allowed entry into Germany stay in Germany for a longer period without a visa and may apply for a resi- you must have a registration certificate dence permit while in the country. If you (Meldeschein) to prove that you have don’t come from any of these countries a a residence. You get it at the Registry visa can be issued by a German embassy Office (Einwohnermeldeamt) that is or consulate in your country of residence. responsible for your community or It may also be possible to directly apply your city neighborhood. (You may have

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How To Germany Digital 7 Fall/Winter 2019/20 to call ahead to get an appointment at foreigners. Germans, too, must keep the the local registration office or get an police posted when they move. appointment online.) The two types of residence permits Registering is a simple matter of are limited (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) and going there and filling out a form. unlimited (Niederlassungserlaubnis). The They will probably want to see a valid Niederlassungserlaubnis can normally passport or identification card so have only be applied for after several years of them with you. There is no charge for continuous residence or if certain special this registration. requirements are met. The limited permit A new regulation passed in 2015 carries an expiration date. You may be requires that you also have a written allowed to apply for an extension of that confirmation from your landlord or permit when the expiry date nears. property owner that you actually live Perhaps you are joining a family at the address you are registering. This member who is already here. Perhaps form is called a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung you want to study here. Or perhaps you and has to be filled out and signed by qualify for asylum. Such persons usually the landlord or property owner of your get a residence permit unless there is residence. Every time you change your a good reason not to grant it, such as residence within Germany, whether you a criminal record or no visible means move next door or across the country, of support. you must report this to the registry Or perhaps you want to work here. offices at both the old and new place of This makes things more complicated. residence. This isn’t an action directed at If you come from a non-EU country,

How To Germany Digital 8 Fall/Winter 2019/20 you will need a residence permit that für Migration und Flüchtlinge these gives you the right to work in Germany. adhesive labels have been replaced by Competition for many jobs can be tough an electronic residence permit (eAT) in in Germany, so the permission to work credit card format. may be difficult to get in certain circum- The new cards have a chip on it that stances. Much depends on whether or includes biometric features – a photo- not a job can be filled by a German, EU graph and two fingerprints - as well citizen or others that have earned “prefer- as other information. A photograph is ential treatment”. If you’ve been offered a displayed on the card as well. The addi- job by a German company, it can prob- tional information on the chip can, in ably help you in getting the necessary many cases, be used as an electronic permission. For those interested in being identity document as well as a qualified self-employed, it is still possible to get a electronic signature. residence permit provided that you meet This is an EU requirement in an certain criteria. effort to standardize residence permits People from EU countries have the status throughout the member countries. It is of Germans when it comes to working and also intended to “strengthen the bond don’t need special permission. between the document and the docu- If you are a highly qualified profes- ment’s holder.” Furthermore, “all resi- sional or have a critical skill your chances dents of non-member states (including of getting a permission to work are infants and children) shall be issued their greatly enhanced. You may very well get own electronic residence permits.” a residence permit and a well paying job. The practical implications of Germany’s immigration laws are geared this new requirement means that to making a move to the country attrac- family members will have to submit tive to the highly qualified. “biometric” photos and those over the Even if they don’t have critical skills age of 6 will have to visit the Auslän- there are certain cases under which a derbehörde to be fingerprinted before a non-EU citizen is allowed to seek work. residence permit is issued. Family members of persons with critical Those who currently have the residence skills can also seek work even if they permits in their passports do not have to don’t share those critical skills. This is a get the new card right away. Their resi- measure aimed at attracting those sought dence permits will remain valid until 30 after employees. April 2021. If the passport expires before The Foreigner’s Office (Ausländer- that date the new card will be issued upon behörde) coordinates with the local renewal of the residence permit. branch of the Labor Office (Bundesa- gentur für Arbeit) to determine whether or not the permission to work is granted. Permission to work may be granted for a particular job only, not employment in general. Starting on September 1, 2011 German residence permits were no longer put in passports in the form of a “sticker”. According to the Bundesamt

How To Germany Digital 9 Fall/Winter 2019/20 The EU Blue Card

A residence/work permit for highly skilled non-EU citizens and fewer re- strictions on foreign students studying at German universities.

European Union Directive from 2009 set terms and conditions Ato allow certain highly qualified and skilled citizens of non-EU countries to more easily obtain residence/work permits in certain EU member countries. In August 2012 the German government finalized legislation that put this directive into practice. The primary feature of the new law is the introduction of a new type of residence permit commonly referred to as the EU Blue Card. The legisla- tion is designed to make emigration to photo: istockphoto.com/delectus Germany more appealing to qualified foreign citizens in order to fill the ever- is €41,808 (2019) per year. This pertains to growing number of jobs that require engineers, qualified communications and highly skilled workers. technology experts, medical doctors and The law also eases various restrictions certain other fields. on foreign students who want to stay and • To hasten the process for qualified appli- work in Germany after completing their cants there will be no “priority reviews”. university studies. This means that the time-consuming Important information on the new procedure of checking whether there are legislation has been posted on the qualified Germans or non-Germans that German Federal Government website may be first in line for certain positions and other non-official websites. Here may be waived. are some of the main points according to those sites. • The Blue Card may initially be valid for up to four years. (If a work contract EU Blue Card for Germany is shorter than four years the validity • To qualify for the Blue Card an appli- period may be shorter than four years.) cant must have a university or college de- gree and an employment contract with a • An application for unlimited residence German company that pays a salary of at permit (Aufenthaltstitel) may be applied for least €53,600 (2019) per year. after three years. If a Blue Card holder has sufficient knowledge of the German language • For certain occupations that suffer from (Level B1) he or she may apply for the shortages of skilled labor the salary level unlimited residence permit after two years.

How To Germany Digital 10 Fall/Winter 2019/20 • Family members of a Blue Card hold- studying. (This is an increase from 90 full er are allowed an unrestricted right to days and 180 half-days.) work in Germany. Spouses do not have • Graduates of German Universities will to speak German to join the Blue Card be allowed to stay in Germany for 18 holder in the country. months to find a job in their specialty. Graduates of vocational schools will be • Moving from one EU country to allowed 12 months to find a job in their another or leaving the country for an specialty. Both groups of graduates will extended period of time is possible, but be allowed to work without restriction there may be restrictions depending on during these time periods. each country’s laws and interpretation of the EU directive. (For example, Blue As mentioned, these are the most Card holders that get their Blue Card important parts of the new legislation. from Germany must stay in Germany There are other provisions. Anyone for eighteen months before moving to interested in more information about another country. the Blue Card and student restrictions should contact the local authorities if Easing of restrictions on non-EU they are currently in Germany. If living university students and graduates outside of Germany a person may make an application for a Blue Card at the • Non-EU students at German universi- nearest German Embassy or Consulate ties will now be allowed to work for 120 in their country of residence. full days or 240 half-days a year while The RelocaTion SpecialiST There are specialists in moving and of adjustment for the new arrivals’ rapid relocation nowadays; people set up to relieve integration in a new environment. employees of the problems of acclimation The moving and relocation industry has and acculturation. They offer a wide range evolved and many companies have formed of services and are continually increasing the cooperative relationships and partnerships breadth and depth of their services. with other firms within Germany, Europe Large and small companies, as well as and worldwide. Many of the international individuals moving to foreign countries, seek relocation companies have added offices out the services of these specialists. around the world to meet the demands of a The most common responsibilities taken growing market. on by relocation specialists include finding housing and schools; address registration; When it’s time to go home again, the residence permit assistance; help with work relocation specialists go into reverse. They permits and banking connections, and book your flight, engage the movers, cancel arranging for utilities and phone service. your lease, arrange for the renovation that In addition to these basics, other services is called for in many German leases, and offered can involve help in getting driver’s much more. licenses, insurance, career counseling for Relocating without help is an invitation to spouses, vocational training, language and frustration and lost productivity. Check out cultural training and finding doctors and the various companies and sign on with one dentists. that will fit your needs. It will be well worth Their job includes everything and anything the effort. that enhances or accelerates the period

How To Germany Digital 11 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Housing: What You Need to Know

In Germany, the quest for domestic bliss begins with finding the right house or apartment. But it doesn’t end there.

t’s important to know German dealing with notice periods, renovations practices and terminology when you required or actions in the event of non- Iset out to find a house or apartment payment of rent, but these things are still here. If you want two bedrooms with a covered because of the law. living room and dining room, you will actually be looking for a vier Zimmer (four- An agreement to rent an apartment room) home in Germany. Bathrooms, or house for a fixed term can’t be termi- WCs (literally, water closets), kitchens nated early except under extraordinary and halls aren’t included in the number circumstances. A transfer is usually not of rooms. Furnished apartments are rare, an extraordinary circumstance. and will cost a great deal more than an unfurnished place. Your payment to the landlord, which is usually made monthly, is in two parts: Unfurnished apartments here are just the rent, which cannot be changed for the that: completely unfurnished. They don’t duration of the lease; and the Umlagen have built-in cabinets, closets or even - or Nebenkosten - which can. The latter lighting fixtures. You’ll often have to buy can include such things as a share of the everything, perhaps even the proverbial landlord’s property tax, heat, stairwell kitchen sink! Stoves, refrigerators, kitchen cleaning, trash collection and water. If the cabinets, wardrobes, bookshelves, tables, price of one of these is raised during the beds, chairs, curtains, curtain rods, lights period covered by the lease, your Umlagen and everything else are your problem. can be increased accordingly. You gener- ally pay separately for your electricity and It’s advisable to employ the services of gas, though these can be included in the a lawyer or legal advisor before signing Umlagen. And you might also pay sepa- a lease. Even if you speak excellent rately for some of the things we mentioned German, the lease may be too long and as being in the Umlagen, especially heat. too couched in legalese for a layman to comprehend. It might even contain a A few other matters concerning living pitfall like an annual rent increase. in German rented quarters:

On the other hand, you may be respon- • It’s a good idea to have an inventory sible for some things that aren’t spelled of anything that is in your new place and out in the lease. The main parts of a land- any deficiencies that are seen should be lord-tenant relationship are codified in a noted. This is simply protection for you law. There may be nothing in the lease and your landlord.

How To Germany Digital 12 Fall/Winter 2019/20 • Avoid loud noises between 1 p.m. and they will even haul away an abandoned 3 p.m. and from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday car by appointment. through Saturday and all day Sunday. • Wash and dry laundry only in the • Most cities now require that trash be areas or rooms provided by the landlord. separated in a number of ways. There will usually be separate receptacles (mainly • Leave cars, bicycles, baby carriages, on the landlord’s property but sometimes etc., only in areas provided by the land- community ones on a nearby sidewalk) - lord. The cleaning of rugs, blankets and one for metal and plastic, one for paper, the like should be done only in desig- one each for green, brown and white glass, nated areas. and one for all else. If you want to get rid of something such as a piece of furniture • Obtain the landlord’s written permis- that’s too big for the trash containers, you sion if you wish to keep a pet. can call the sanitation office and request its removal. This will usually be done on • Close entrance doors from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. a Sperrmüll (large trash) day. In most cities if more than one family lives in the building. ApArtment/House rentAl terms

Finding apartments in Germany these means only a tub, and a WC is a room days is normally done by searching the with a toilet but no bathing facilities. The internet or through newspaper words Erdgeschoss (EG), Obergeschoss ads. Even if you speak good (OG) and Dachgeschoss (DG) tell you German, the terms used to how high up in the building describe house and apartment you’ll be; respectively rentals may throw you for a “ground floor”, “upper floor” loop. This is especially true and “attic floor” with abbreviations used in Kaution (Ka, Kt and Kaut) newspaper ads. What if you is the “security deposit” that saw an ad in a newspaper you must lay down over and offering an “80QM 3Zi above your rent. This is usually BJ 96 DG BAD WC” followed by a number, which tells apartment? It might not you what the security deposit is be as unfathomable as in euros. Gepflegt (Gepfl) means you think. “well cared for” and Ruhig (Ruh) Here are some key words, their means “quiet”. Nebenkosten (NK) abbreviations and what they mean: means “incidental expenditures” that Quadratmeter (QM or M2) – this is may not be included in your rent; such accompanied by a number and tells as trash collection, stairwell cleaning you how big the apartment is in square and water. If you happen to be looking meters. Zimmer (Zi) accompanied by a for a fully furnished apartment, keep number tells you how many rooms the an eye peeled for the term Möbliert place has. (Möbl), and if you are looking for such The term Baujahr (BJ) followed by a comfortable amenities as central heating, number means year built. The terms Water a balcony, a garden or a garage look Closet (WC), Bath (Bad) and Dusche (Du) for Zentralheizung (ZH), Balkon (Balk), tell you about the sanitary facilities. Bath Garten (Gart) or Garage (Gge).

How To Germany Digital 13 Fall/Winter 2019/20 • Close and lock all doors and back to this is that a good place may windows in your apartment during well be snapped up before your call periods of extended absence. gets through. There also may be a language problem. • Install satellite dishes and television A third method, the oldest and some- or radio antennas only with the permis- times best, is finding a place through word sion of the landlord and in compliance of mouth. Your friends and colleagues with local laws. often know of places in their own area, or one being vacated by a departing • Inform the landlord immediately coworker. Networking is useful in your of any damage to heating, gas, water or professional life, and no less so when electrical lines. trying to find a place to live in Germany.

• Find out from the rental agreement You may also be interested in finding who is responsible for the cleaning of a place through any number of dedicated halls, stairways, front walk, etc. It could real estate websites. You may even find be you! some that have information and list- ings in English. Most of the real estate • Never grill, barbecue or make an websites allow you to browse listings open fire on a balcony. selected by price, location, size and other criteria. Most listings have many photo- • Never pour or shake anything from graphs that allow you the opportunity to windows or balconies. Make sure flow- take a “virtual tour”. erpots or boxes on windows or balconies are secure and that watering them doesn’t As we’ve said, deposits usually are two create a nuisance to neighbors below. to three months’ rent, which is in addi- tion to your first month’s rent. However, There are several approaches to finding the deposit will be returned with interest a place to live in Germany. The first and when you leave, provided your quarters probably quickest is through an Immobil- are in good order. This usually means a ienhändler, a real estate agent. renovation, and it is sometimes required that this be the work of a professional. Laws are changing regarding the the payment of fees to real estate agents. Previously the person who was moving into a rental property was responsible for paying the (sometimes substantial) fees to the real estate agent. Now those fees are the responsibility of the prop- erty owner. This is a new change and its effects are difficult to predict for the agents and property owners. Be sure to check how the agent’s fees are to be paid before signing any agreement.

Another method of finding a place is through the newspaper. The draw-

How To Germany Digital 14 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Rental Furniture

The Smart Alternative for Expats Moving to Germany

he furniture rental market in with many employers being unwilling to Germany is growing. Once cover such expenses. The major question Tconsidered a niche market in is; what can you do to make the process Germany, the number of customers less painful and expensive? taking advantage of this service is on the Furnished rental apartments are few upswing. Much of this increase is due and far between in German cities - even to the increasing number of working such large ones as Hamburg, Stuttgart, expatriates arriving in Germany for Munich, Heidelberg, Berlin or Frankfurt. assignments that last anywhere from a These apartments become almost non- few months to a few years. Furniture existent if you are relocating to a smaller rental has long been successful in town. Even if you are lucky enough countries such as the U.S., and experts to locate such an apartment, you will agree that this success has influenced usually discover that the furnishings and the popularity of furniture rental in appliances are old and shoddy. Land- other countries. lords in Germany are not very coopera- Daniel Ishikawa, owner of Frankfurt tive about replacing these items, prefer- based Furniture Leasing Corporation ring to hang on to their money and wait says that although there are a limited for a willing tenant. number of furniture rental businesses in Germans, as a rule, have never really Germany, major change is in the offing, been interested in renting household and this concept is rapidly gaining popu- items for their own homes, preferring the larity with consumers. lesser cost in the long run of ownership. In countries like the U.S., where furni- They have also traditionally enjoyed a ture rental is popular, people who move great deal of job stability, remaining in the away from home for the first time, as same jobs and locations for many years. well as those who move frequently Changing jobs has never been a common because of their jobs, find rental to be an occurrence for Germans, and so they efficient way to furnish their temporary have had no real need for such services as homes. Renting furniture also offers the furniture rental. Today, however, this atti- convenience of avoiding the hassle and tude is slowly changing among Germans. expense of moving a complete household The rental furniture business in on a regular basis. For people who must Germany has been a small niche market relocate to a different country, such as catering almost entirely to the expat Germany, it makes good economic sense. community. The expats are predomi- When you move abroad, it could take nantly North Americans used to the weeks or months for your household availability of furniture rental services. goods to arrive, and the cost of moving They found the lack of the service in can be expensive. It might also require Germany to be frustrating and incon- living in a hotel until your belongings venient. Purchasing furniture was and arrive. This could be cost prohibitive, has been their only recourse for a very

How To Germany Digital 15 Fall/Winter 2019/20 long time. The problem with purchasing of accommodations are available specifi- furniture is that the process of actually cally for these employees, the majority taking delivery could take as long as chooses rental apartments over the alter- it would for a container to arrive from natives because they find it to be far easier home. Since many expats are on tempo- to maintain a comfortable household for rary assignment in Germany, this leads their families. to the further problem of disposing of There are generally two choices of the furniture they purchased when their apartment accommodations, furnished temporary stays ended. For a long time, or unfurnished. There are very few even if expats desired to rent furniture, it furnished apartments, and they tend to was almost impossible to do so locally. be quite expensive. Unfurnished apart- ments are more plentiful and far less Current Demand for Furniture Rental costly. This has created a great demand These days, furniture rental services for furniture rental services, as opposed are increasingly in demand for foreign to far more expensive purchased furni- expats arriving in Germany to work ture. The cost of renting an unfurnished on temporary assignments. Expats apartment and the necessary furniture constitute the majority of the consumers can cost less per month than the rental of using furniture rental services. In reality, a furnished apartment, and the furniture Germany’s furniture rental demand can be returned at the end of the tempo- originated with expats, and has since rary assignment. developed to cater to their needs. Ishikawa has said, “Our studies have Today, changes in the operating struc- shown that renting an unfurnished tures of many German companies are apartment and furniture can save our requiring German employees to take customers up to 35% versus renting a short assignments in a variety of loca- furnished apartment. The argument for tions, sometimes for only one or two unfurnished apartments becomes even years. German employees, who would more compelling when you take into once never have thought of such a thing account the fact that our customers get to as temporary relocation being possible, choose from a wide variety of brand new are now required to be far more flex- furniture items.” ible about their work than ever before. According to Ishikawa, German cities Some industries require staff members such as Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Munich to changeflc3pdf.pdf location 1 10/15/2012 every 4:12:16 two PM to three and Berlin are common destinations for years. While a variety of different types temporary assignments in finance, IT,

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How To Germany Digital 16 Fall/Winter 2019/20 and consulting - “Here I see a high degree normally have locations in larger cities in of influx, especially from India.” Germany, can deliver Germany-wide and Once upon a time, prior to the economic offer a variety of packages and pricing. and financial crises of recent years, many Furniture Leasing Corporation offers companies provided generous living and furniture and appliance rental packages moving allowances for their employees, that begin at only €200 per month under often paying for the whole family to live a 24-month lease. All delivery, assembly in a hotel for weeks, until the employee’s and pick-up charges are included in the shipping container could arrive from the cost of the lease. They can provide their home country. In order to cut expenses, services to consumers located anywhere many Human Resource departments in Germany. They also offer four-week now allot only enough money for inex- rental packages. These packages include pensive unfurnished apartments, and necessary items for the short term that furniture rental services. can see a family through until the arrival of their own furniture. Relief for Expats Expats today are relieved that furniture Furniture Rental While You Wait rental services are now more widely Many expats entering Germany on available in Germany. T. Mukherjee, who a work assignment may end up in a is an IT company consultant says, “When hotel for weeks as they wait for their I moved to Germany from India on a 12 furniture to arrive in country. This can be month assignment near Heidelberg, we expensive. A reasonable alternative for were looking for furnished apartments expats who are waiting for their personal – in vain. That is when I Googled belongings to arrive is to go ahead and rental furniture and found this to be rent an unfurnished apartment, and use an interesting alternative for me and rental furniture until their own arrives. my family.” Mr. Mukherjee, like many Even German employees today are expats from all over the globe, was moving more and more within Germany able to immediately settle into a home due to their job requirements. Job for his family in Germany. The current stability is not what it once was, and availability of furniture rental services changing locations and even employers has made the transition to Germany is now a far more common occurrence. much more pleasant and convenient for In some cases, these changes of location expats, when compared to only a short can continue through the length of their time ago. careers. Therefore, German employees are requiring more affordable housing Furniture Rental Companies in options in the form of unfurnished apart- Germany ments, and more of them are taking With the expanding availability of advantage of rental services to furnish furniture rental, Germany is now one of their living spaces. the easiest countries for expats to settle in to, and it makes moving in and out of the country far more convenient than ever before. Presently, there are a limited number of companies in the furniture rental market in Germany. These companies

How To Germany Digital 17 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Furnished Apartments for Temporary Rental in Munich Home is Where the Job Is

• Not only corporations arrange housing for employees • Labor market changes housing market: furnished temporary rental apartments gaining popularity with expats and project employees • New Munich residents increasingly start off with temporary rentals

orty years at the same company in tion of the project and it is usually less the same place – that is a thing of than two years, it is usually not worth Fthe past: Flexibility, globalization, it for project workers to invest a lot of and mobility are changing not only the money into their own furniture. In addi- working world, but also increasingly the tion, they often lack the time. Hotels are housing market. “Especially in large cit- too impersonal for a lot of people and ies like Berlin, Hamburg, or Munich fur- often too expensive for freelancers. “At nished apartments for temporary rental the same time, a comfortable home is have become a known entity for certain indispensable for commuting employees, professions. This is especially true when especially because of the flexibility and hotels, boarding houses, or serviced mobility required in other aspects of their apartments are out of the question,” says lives. Furnished homes offer privacy, Norbert Verbücheln, managing director allowing the tenants to relax and prevent of Mr. Lodge. them from feeling even more uprooted.” The mostly cosmopolitan tenants Professional accommodation providers moving into furnished temporary rentals have recognized this and offer furnished can be divided into three general groups: apartments that are available on short Hamburg today, Munich in five notice and with flexible rental periods. months – Project employees Mr. Lodge, for example, is the market Whether seasonal workers or project leader in Munich with 3,000 brokered employees, each year thousands of furnished temporary rental apartments. employees move to Munich for the dura- tion of a project. They usually don’t give Labor market without geographical up their primary residence. Munich is, if borders – More than 10,000 expats at all, a temporary secondary residence. appreciate Munich “Whether controllers, consultants, engi- Many international companies consider neers, or IT experts: they live where the international experience a minimum project takes place,” says Verbücheln. requirement for good positioning in Since it is difficult to predict the dura- the workplace. According to a study by

How To Germany Digital 18 Fall/Winter 2019/20 eurostat, every third person now moves Welcome to Munich! – New Munich within the EU each year for professional residents reasons. The percentage of foreign Munich is not only popular with employees has been rising continuously foreigners, but has also been popular in recent years. According to the for years with graduates and young current micro census 2015, the share professionals: Renowned universities has exceeded 15 percent. Many of them and a strong labor market with top are highly qualified expatriates. More companies attract an average of 27,500 than 10,000 English-speaking expats, new residents per year. However, living mainly from the USA and England, are space is becoming increasingly scarce. estimated to live in Munich. They often Several studies show that until 2030, tens change their workplace at the request of thousands of apartments are missing of their employer - and relocate to in Munich. „In the long run, the real Bavaria’s capital. estate market won’t relax, as the demand exceeds the available and newly created 17 international schools, 70 bilingual supply,” says Verbücheln. childcare facilities According to him, apartment hunting Munich is one of the most international is especially difficult for those new to cities in Germany and has, according to Munich. Particularly during the three- its own data, a lively expat scene that to six-month probationary period, many values the well-developed infrastructure. new residents can’t or don’t want to One thing that sets expats apart is commit to a fixed lease. In addition, that many of them bring their entire many landlords prefer to rent to people families with them. According to the with permanent positions. Another city administration, they can find problem for many new Munich residents: 17 international schools and over 70 They aren’t familiar with the city yet and bilingual childcare facilities in Munich – don’t know in which area they want to a perfect infrastructure for their families. live. Verbücheln knows that “For many According to Mr. Lodge, many expats people, furnished rentals are the first rent larger apartments or houses. “This step to their own apartment – without a is usually arranged by the employer permanent commitment”. who brought the expert to Munich,” says Verbücheln. Article contributed by Mr. Lodge Demand is especially high in Munich, About Mr. Lodge: Apartments in Munich: since many companies like BMW, With over 3,000 apartments and houses successfully bro- Siemens, Allianz, or Linde are located kered each year, and over 20 years’ experience, Mr. Lodge there. In addition to numerous interna- is the leading provider of furnished temporary rentals in Munich and surrounding areas. Whether you’re a project tional companies, the city is also home employee, young professional, expat, or manager seeking to over 100 consular representations an apartment or house, our team of over 70 multilingual with changing staff. “However, it’s not experts will make sure that you find a suitable furnished only the big companies that arrange property quickly, with no complications. For this purpose, furnished apartments or houses for Mr. Lodge is able to use approximately 200 accommoda- their employees. Many smaller and tion offers available on short notice. All apartments come fully equipped with individual furnishings and have flex- medium-sized businesses have also ible rental periods. These range from a few months to sev- recognized the importance of this service eral years. In addition, Mr. Lodge is active in real estate in the competition for skilled workers,” sales and helps owners to optimally position their property explains Verbücheln. on the market. Further information: www.mrlodge.com

How To Germany Digital 19 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Furnished rental instead of endless apartment-hunting Barkeeper Charles Schuhmann, soccer star Philipp Lahm, and corporate consultant Sabine Müller have one thing in common: They love Munich. They are not alone. Since Munich is one of the most livable cities in the world and its economy is booming, more than 25,000 people want to move to the Bavarian metropolis each year. The housing market is correspondingly tense. This is why for over 20 years Mr. Lodge has been helping new Munich residents find an apartment on short notice. The idea: furnished apartments for temporary rental that offer more privacy than a hotel. We spoke to managing director Norbert Verbücheln about the basic idea of Mr. Lodge

Who rents through they have found another apartment. studio apartments to houses. Our of- Mr. Lodge? Others spend years in the fully fur- fers include many unique apartments N. V.: A wide range of nished apartments. that meet the most diverse needs. people. Many peop- le come to Munich Where are these furnished apart- Is furnished rental the housing form from abroad for their ments located? of the future? jobs and choose us N. V.: Our properties are mostly N. V.: Indeed, due to lifestyle ch- because we offer them the kind of centrally located. Whether it’s Lehel, anges, the demand for furnished flexibility they need in a new city. Schwabing, Maxvorstadt, Isarvorstadt, accommodation has grown in recent Our multilingual team in particular or Glockenbachviertel: Mr. Lodge years. In general, people are more is a big plus for international clients. apartments are located where many mobile and don’t spend their en- Freelancers and companies with pro- people want to live. tire lives in the same place. Howe- ject employees in Munich also like to ver, those looking to settle down use our service. How does it differ from a hotel? long-term still search for traditio- N. V.: Furnished apartments offer many nal unfurnished apartments. Our For how long can an apartment be advantages compared to hotels. They concept is geared to temporary rented through Mr. Lodge? feel more personal and not as ano- use and thus towards a specific N. V.: That depends on how long so- nymous. They are more spacious and clientele. That is what makes our work meone wants to rent it. Some only offer privacy. At Mr. Lodge we have so special and we are always happy rent through us for a few months some 200 temporary rental offers when our customers feel completely until their project work is finished or available on short notice, ranging from at ease in their temporary home.

Furnished Apartments in Munich Move in immediately | High quality interior | Flexible rental arrangements

The market leader for furnished Apartments in Munich www.mrlodge.com The Workplace

f you work for a German firm you’ll be to give four weeks notice, up to either the subject not only to German taxes but first or 15th of a month. Ialso to premiums for various health, The usual German workweek these unemployment and retirement plans. days varies between 38 and 42 hours, (See the separate articles on benefits, and some employers shut up shop health insurance and retirement.) These early on Friday afternoons. The law can take a bite out of your take-home pay. requires a minimum of 20 working days If you don’t intend to work in Germany of vacation annually, but some compa- the rest of your life, it may be possible nies give much more than that, some- to be exempted from payments to the times as much as 30 working days. In retirement insurance (Rentenversicherung) some companies employees may earn or to collect some of the money you have increasing days of vacation from year contributed when you leave if certain to year. Unpaid leave is also permitted conditions are met. under certain circumstances. On the positive side, you might get a Paid sick leave is six weeks, during housing subsidy (Wohngeld) to help with which you will continue to receive your your rent and a child subsidy (Kindergeld) full salary. After that time, health insur- to help with the raising of your children. ance pays 70% of your last salary until Often a company may subsidize the cost you either return to work or have to retire of getting to and from work, and perhaps because of your health. pay all or part of the cost of your lunch. German law is generous when it Many companies have an employee comes to maternity and paternity leave. canteen where low cost lunches and Mothers are allowed six weeks leave at other food items are sold. full pay prior to the child’s birth and eight If hired, an employee must usually weeks at full pay afterward. In the case expect a probationary period of three to of a multiple birth, 12 weeks paid leave six months, during which time he or she is allowed. The mother or father is then can be dismissed with two weeks’ notice. allowed up to three years of unpaid leave Once you have successfully weathered to stay at home with the child. Recently, this probation it becomes increasingly the German government initiated a difficult for the company to dismiss you. program that allows direct subsidies to It must convince the unions and/or labor new parents (Elterngeld). It is funded by court that the reasons are very good, and the federal tax system. It is not a perma- in any case must give a proper notice. nent subsidy and is limited to the first 12 If the employee is of relatively recent or 14 months following the child's birth. hire, the notice period will be four weeks. The amount of the Elterngeld is based on The notice period may lengthen progres- the after taxes income of the parent dedi- sively for those who have been with the cated to caring for the newborn. employer for longer periods, and can Salaries are generally deposited be seven months for a person who has directly into your bank account around been employed 20 or more years. If an the 25th of each month. employee resigns, the law requires him

How To Germany Digital 21 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Finding a Job in Germany Germany has tens of thousands of jobs available in many sectors

ermany has a relatively healthy tion in English on their website - www. economy compared to many other arbeitsagentur.de. They even have Gcountries. Currently, IT specialists, International Placement Services offices engineers and scientists are in particular throughout Germany to assist foreigners. demand. There is also a demand for Another option is work with one or doctors and healthcare personnel as more the many temporary employment well as experts in other service sectors agencies in Germany. These compa- that include the hotel and gastronomy nies are playing an increasingly impor- industries and the construction industry. tant role in supplying workers to many This doesn’t mean that other sectors aren’t companies throughout Germany. hiring. There are thousands of vacancies If a company is interested in you, in academics, trades, administration and then you may be required to fill out a job other areas. application and submit a resumé (C.V.). If you want to work in Germany, and German resumés are customarily very think you will be allowed to, there are detailed and include a complete educa- a number of steps you can take either tion and work experience summary. It’s before or after entering the country. If also a good idea to include copies of you are in Germany the search is natu- citations, letters of recommendation and rally less strenuous because you can other documents you think will impress network more easily. However, whether the potential employer; and a recent here or not, the process is about the photograph. same. The most popular option is The next step is most likely an checking out the numerous websites interview. Prospective employers are that can be searched for jobs. Another permitted under the law to ask ques- option is checking the help wanted ads tions as to an applicant’s health and in the newspapers. criminal record, if any, but they may not For executives and specialists with ask a woman whether she is pregnant. sought-after skills, probably the best way Employment interviews are formal in to start your job search is with an executive Germany. Dress accordingly. search firm(Personalberatung) . The service Though knowledge of English is often is usually at no cost for those candidates a “plus” in today’s German labor market, who are searching for a position. a reasonable knowledge of German is A third option is the Bundesagentur für also often necessary for a supervisory, Arbeit. It has extensive listings of vacan- clerical or sales job. cies, which you can examine without charge even regardless of your current status. They have very good informa-

How To Germany Digital 22 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Social Security and Employee Benefits in Germany

Expatriates can take advantage of the generous German social security system while living here and even, in some cases, when they return home.

ermany has an elaborate social and unemployment insurance are € security system that sees to it that 80,400 in the former West Germany and € Gits citizens live comfortably even 73,800 in the former East Germany. The if they're sick, disabled, unemployed or charges are 18.6% for pension insurance retired. Expatriates can also participate in and 2.5% for unemployment insurance. the system to a large degree. People with jobs must, as a rule, make Health insurance payments to four parts of the system, About 85% of the German population for health insurance, long-range nursing is insured under the Gesetzliche care, pensions and unemployment. The Krankenversicherung (GKV), the German total payments will usually come to about version of a national health insurance 40% of gross income, but the employer system. It covers such things as hospital pays almost half of the cost, meaning stays, dental care, routine doctor visits, that the employee is out of pocket only drugs, eyeglasses, immunizations and about 20% of his income . Other pillars of x-rays. It also compensates persons for the social security program are company loss of income due to illness. Employed persons making more than accident insurance, paid for completely € € by the employer, and social indemnity, 5,063 monthly ( 60,750 per year) have which the state handles. the option of either remaining in the The premiums depend on income. statutory health insurance plan or taking The greater it is the more must be out private insurance. The employer still paid, up to a certain limit. In 2019, the may, with certain limitations, pay up to premium is about 14.6% of gross income half the premiums of the private insur- for the national health insurance, the ance plan. Self-employed persons can, exact amount depending on the insuring under certain circumstances, also be company. Premiums are paid on income insured under the statutory plan, or they up to €54,450 per year (€4,538) monthly). may take out private insurance regard- For long-range nursing care insurance less of their income. the payment is 3.05% or 3.3% on monthly Persons in both the statutory and income up to €4,538 (€54,450 per year). private health plans are automatically The monthly premium can reach a enrolled in the long-range nursing insur- maximum of about € 150/month. The ance (Pflegeversicherung) plan, covering 2019 yearly income limits for pension health costs resulting from old age or

How To Germany Digital 23 Fall/Winter 2019/20 disability. (For more information, read age and length of employment. After that our article on Health Insurance. ) state assistance kicks in. With the state assistance the unemployed person gets a Pension insurance monthly sum plus allowances for housing This statutory old age insurance fund and certain other things. But they only get ensures that employees can maintain an this money if they need it. They may get appropriate standard of living when they less, or none at all, if they have indepen- retire. Payments are generally made from dent means or if their spouse works. around age 65, and the maximum payout currently amounts to some 67% of average Accident insurance net income during the insured's working The statutory accident insurance system life. (The retirement age is to be gradually offers protection and assistance in the increased to 67 over the next 15 years.) event of mishaps at work, or on the way Pensions are determined by the number to and from work. And it provides the of years worked as well as the amount same for your children at school or on the earned. It is not unusual for persons to way to or from school. It also covers any receive retirement payments from two job-incurred illnesses. Payments cover or more countries. When expatriates the costs of treatment and recuperation, return to their homeland any German pensions in the event of invalidity and pension entitlement can be sent to them funeral costs in the event of death. The there. Under certain circumstances employer pays the premiums on this one expatriates returning home may also in their entirety. be able to file a claim to recover their share of contributions that were made Social indemnity to the retirement system. This normally This benefit is for persons whose applies to non-EU citizens whose time in adverse condition is considered the Germany was less then five years. (For responsibility of the community, and is more information read our article on the paid by the state. Those covered include German Retirement System.) disabled war veterans, war widows and orphans, soldiers with service-incurred Unemployment Insurance health problems and the victims of Unemployment benefits can be received violent crime. by persons who have paid their Some exceptions to these insur- premiums for at least one year during ance plans may be made in the case of the past five years. They must register foreigners. For example, if you know with the Labor Office (Bundesagentur für you are only working temporarily in Arbeit) and be available to its placement Germany you may be able to get a service, agreeing to accept a job found special health insurance plan with favor- for them if it is consistent with their able premiums. You could possibly also training and experience. And they bring your health or long-term nursing must check regularly with the Labor insurance coverage with you from your Office. If they do this they will receive homeland, and be partially or entirely a percentage of their most recent net freed from these obligations in Germany. income. The exact payment depends on You may also be able to continue to the individual’s circumstances. receive any retirement payments that are These payments will continue for six due you in Germany even if you return months to two years, depending on your to your home country.

How To Germany Digital 24 Fall/Winter 2019/20 The Education System

he German education system is out of a Gymnasium, for example, must different in many ways from the enroll in a Realschule or Hauptschule until Tones in other countries, but it nine years have been completed. Students produces high-performing students. are required to study at minimum one The overwhelming majority of German foreign language for at least five years. students attend public schools. However, there are also many private schools. The Hauptschule German education system, including the The Hauptschule (grades 5-9) teaches universities, is available to the children the same subjects as the Realschule and of bona fide expatriates. The catch, of Gymnasium, but at a slower pace and with course, is that the language of instruction some vocational-oriented courses. It leads in the public schools is German, which to part-time enrollment in a vocational is usually all right for school beginners school combined with apprenticeship but becomes more and more of a training until the age of 18. problem as the children get older. (There are a number of private international Realschule schools that offer instruction in English.) The Realschule (grades 5-10 in most states) Although education is a function of the leads to part-time vocational schools federal states, and there are differences and higher vocational schools. It is now from state to state, some generalizations possible for students with high academic are possible. achievement at the Realschule to switch to Children aged three to six, may attend a Gymnasium on graduation. kindergarten. After that, school is compul- sory for nine or ten years. From grades Gymnasium 1 through 4 children attend elementary The Gymnasium leads to a diploma called school (Grundschule), where the subjects the Abitur and prepares students for taught are the same for all. Then, after the university study or for a dual academic 4th grade, they are separated according and vocational credential. The most to their academic ability and the wishes common education tracks offered by of their families, and attend one of three the standard Gymnasium are classical different kinds of schools: Hauptschule, language, modern language, and Realschule or Gymnasium. Grundschule mathematics and natural science. In teachers recommend their students to a recent years many States have changed particular school based on such things the curriculum so students can get the as academic achievement, self-confi- “Abi” at the end of the 12th grade. Other dence and ability to work independently. States are making the transition but may However, in most states, parents have the still require a 13th grade. final say as to which school their child attends following the fourth grade. Gesamtschule No matter what kind of school a student The Gesamtschule, or comprehensive attends, he/she must complete at least nine school, is only found in some of the states. years of education. A student dropping It takes the place of the Hauptschule,

How To Germany Digital 25 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Realschule and Gymnasium. It enrolls Special Needs students students of all ability levels in the 5th There are different schools for students through the 10th grades and for those with special needs called Sonderschule who want to do Abitur to 12th grade. or Förderschule. Depending on the Students who satisfactorily complete individual’s needs and a school’s the Gesamtschule through the 9th grade availability, a student can attend one of the receive the Hauptschule certificate, special schools. These schools are staffed while those who satisfactorily complete with specially trained teachers. Some schooling through the 10th grade receive special needs students are integrated into the Realschule certificate and those who a Hauptschule or Gesamtschule. finish grade 12 or 13 and pass the exams get the Abitur. Private Schools There are a number of different types Berufsschule of private schools in Germany. These Beyond the Hauptschule and Realschule schools usually charge tuition and may lies the Berufsschule, combining part-time offer courses leading to the German academic study and apprenticeship. The Abitur as well as other diplomas and successful completion of an apprenticeship certificates at the conclusion of studies. program leads to certification in a The Internat are German boarding particular trade or field of work. These schools. Most offer the Abitur and may schools differ from the other ones offer additional specialized courses in mentioned in that control rests not with different subjects or pursuits. There are the local and regional school authorities, sports Internat, music Internat as well as but with the federal government, industry Internat that specialize in other areas. and the trade unions. The several dozen International Schools in Germany normally offer courses The School Day in English leading to an IBO or other German students at public schools diploma or certificate that allows students normally attend school in the morning. to continue on to college or university. Classes normally start between 7:30 and There are many Parochial schools (Prot- 8:15 a.m. and can end between 12 noon estant and Catholic) that offer the stan- and 1:30 p.m. Class periods are normally dard German Abitur. 45 minutes long with a short break in between. There is no provision for Home Schooling serving lunch. Home schooling is illegal in Germany. The law requiring students to attend public The School Year schools or approved private schools has The school year consists of two semesters been upheld despite challenges to it. and normally starts around the middle to end of August. There are longer breaks Higher Education at Christmas and in the summer. Shorter There are several types of university-level breaks are at Easter and in Fall. There schools. The classical universities, in the is no school on public holidays. The tradition of Alexander von Humboldt, Christmas break is usually 2 weeks and provide a broad general education and the summer break is about 6 weeks. The students usually attend them from four exact dates of the various vacations and to six years. The Technical Universities breaks are set by the individual Länder. (Technische Hochschulen) are more

How To Germany Digital 26 Fall/Winter 2019/20 aimed at training students for specific private schools that offer various degree careers and are usually attended for programs in a variety of subjects. Some of four years. There are also Hochschulen these schools offer instruction in English. for art and music. There are also many (See the article on Higher Education.) GRADE AGE 19

13 (in some, but not all Länder) University and 18 college preparatory 12 Berufsschule Berufsfachschule Fach- classes in 17 (Apprenticeship - (Vocational ober- Gymnasium and 11 combines work and Training) schule some 16 classes) Gesamtschulen

10 Vocational Training 15 (Second Phase) (full or part-time classes) Secondary School Hauptschule students usually graduate after 9 years. 16 Realschule students graduate after 10 years. 10 (Some schools 15 have a 10th year) 9 14 Hauptschule Realschule Gymnasium Gesamtschule Comprehensive 8 School 13 (may combine 7 elements of 12 other 3 schools) 6 11 (First Phase) Secondary School Orientation Stage 5 10

4 9

3 8 Grundschule 2 Primary/Elementary School 7 School

1 6 Primary/Elementary 5

4 Kindergarten 3 Pre-school

How To Germany Digital 27 © How To Germany - www.hotogermany.comFall/Winter 2019/20 International Schools in Germany There are compelling reasons why you might choose to send your children to one of Germany’s many fine international schools.

any expatriates are educating international schools, bilingual schools their children at Germany’s may offer education from Kindergarten Minternational schools, and an through primary school (and in some education at such a school has numerous cases pre-school). There are also some advantages. that offer bilingual instruction through There is, of course, instruction in secondary school. English. And, since the student body is The costs vary from school to school usually quite international, they expose Preschool and elementary school grades the young people to a variety of cultures. may cost 30 to 50 percent less. Addi- They also do a good job of introducing tional costs could include transporta- the students to current technology and tion, lunches, class trips and extracur- normally offer a varied program of sports ricular activities. and extracurricular activities. Most of the Following is a selection of some of the schools normally have small class sizes. International Schools by German State: Most of the schools are day schools, but there are a number of them that offer Bavaria (Bayern) boarding options. Bavarian International School Physical plants and facilities are usually BELIEVE. INSPIRE. SUCCEED. quite modern, clean and comfortable, with new equipment. And the curricula Inspiring Global Citizens among international schools is uniform, First class Munich Address: Bavarian allowing ease of transfer. They usually International School educating 1,200 are accredited by the New England Asso- students from 56 nations under the motto ciation of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) “Believe. Inspire. Succeed.” and the European Council of Interna- 1,200 students from 56 nations study tional Schools (ECIS) and normally offer at the Bavarian International School the International Baccalaureate. They between their two campuses. One campus may also offer the American high school is located in the village of Haimhausen diploma, British A Levels and, some- and the other campus is in the city center times, the German Abitur. of Munich. The motto, “Believe. Inspire. In recent years there has been an Succeed”, shapes the pedagogically rich increase in the number of bilingual and holistic education the students, aged schools in Germany. These can an alter- 3 through to 18, receive from this IB native to an international school. Lessons World School. Intercultural competence, are normally taught in German and collaborative and inspirational learning, one other language. Like many of the respect and social responsibility; this

How To Germany Digital 28 Fall/Winter 2019/20 is what characterises the spirit of this languages. Merely 25% of the students are accredited IB World School. German natives, meaning the remaining 170 teachers from 29 nations provide 75% come from international families. BIS students with an exceptional teacher- Students and parents alike regard student ratio that allows teachers to iden- the multitude of extracurricular activi- tify and accommodate the individual ties on offer as an exceptional feature needs and strengths of each child. The of BIS. These activities include approxi- tangible proof of this successful approach mately 40 sports offerings over the two is seen each year in BIS students’ IB campuses, as well as CAS (Creativity, Diploma scores. In 2019 the average Activity, Service), the Model United score was 34.3 points; well above the Nations debate team, the Eco-School worldwide average of 29.7. Bavarian project, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Interna- International School strives for state-of- tional Award, a mix of fitness, scouting the-art school standards by investing in and expeditions. The social engagement, interactive whiteboards and Apple TV’s, interdisciplinary collaboration and the iPads (1:1 programme for Grades 4-6), exploring of new horizons plays a partic- MacBooks (1:1 programme for Grades ularly significant role in an educational 7-12), science and technology laborato- environment, according to Dr. Sorenson. ries, art and design studios, sports halls, theater spaces, an auditorium and an An IB World School extensive extra-curricular programme. BIS is one of only two schools in Germany authorised by the International A Personalised Focus Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) to offer “We provide our students with the all four IB programmes: the Primary intellectual, intercultural, social, Years Programme (PYP), the Middle emotional and, most importantly, with Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma the critical perspectives they will need Programme (DP) and the Career-related as adults in a global, technological Programme (CP). The IB Diploma is world. Our students will be able to recognised by the best universities in solve the challenges of the future and Germany and the world. make the world a better place,” says Dr. Chrissie Sorenson, Head of School at BIS, The Future Through Innovation Germany’s third largest international Development, innovation and the future school. “Each child’s individual all drive the curriculum and teachings development is placed at the very at BIS. Specifically at the Haimhausen centre of the educational focus at BIS.” campus, the management team set a goal Internationalism and diversity is truly to build a state-of-the art “Creativity & the DNA of this school. The language of Innovation Centre” (CIC). Serving as instruction is English, however German the modern heart of the Haimhausen language classes are offered from Grade campus, the CIC will be designed to 1 onwards for all proficiency levels. support the teaching and learning in the Starting in Grade 6, French, Spanish, “STEAM” disciplines: “S” for Science, Japanese, Mandarin and the optional “T” for Technology, “E” for Engineering, “Mother-Tongue Programme” allows “A” for Arts and “M” for Mathematics. students to maintain and develop BIS has launched a fundraising and literacy in their native language. Mother- sponsorship initiative to achieve their tongue learning is currently offered in 17 grand vision. The goals are the building

How To Germany Digital 29 Fall/Winter 2019/20 of the CIC, further development of the non-profit entity. Students are admit- city campus and last but not least, the ted irrespective of nationality, race, or fostering of excellence (e.g. financial aid creed, and the school accommodates programme, school awards etc). The students with physical and learning Creativity & Innovation Centre (CIC) disabilities. will allow students to experiment, learn The BBIS campus is located in the village and create. “If there is one big headline of Kleinmachnow, bordering the south- to describe everything that we do at the west of Berlin, on 356,000 square metres of Bavarian International School, then it’s forested land (known as the Seeberg) on the ‘Shaping the Future’,” concludes Dr. shore of the Teltow Canal and the Mach- Chrissie Sorenson. nower See. The site is very quiet, far away To find out more visit our website at from traffic and congestion, and is criss- www.bis-school.com. crossed with peaceful foot and bicycle paths. Founded in 1990, BBIS is fully autho- Berlin rized by the International Baccalau- Berlin Brandenburg International reate (IB) organization in Geneva, Swit- School (BBIS) zerland (www.ibo.org) to teach all four BBIS Berlin Brandenburg International IB programmes covering the 3 to 19-age School is a coeducational English-lan- range. The school is also fully accred- guage day and boarding school serving ited by the Council of International the internationally-minded community Schools (CIS) and the Middle States of Germany’s capital region and be- Association of Colleges and Schools yond. The school is a limited-liability, (MSA).

EDUCATING OUR FUTURE GLOBAL CITIZENS Ages 3–19 years Four International Baccalaureate programmes offered in English Co-ed day & boarding school 1:7 teacher/student ratio Over 60 different nationalities State-of-the-art sports facilities 356,000 m2 green campus near Berlin

Schopfheimer Allee 10, 14532 Kleinmachnow Tel.: +49 (0)33203 8036 – 0 Please contact us: [email protected], www.bbis.de

How To Germany Digital 30 Fall/Winter 2019/20 BBIS teachers are certified, experienced is not a first language. BBIS has a student- professionals from all over the world, but teacher ratio of 7:1. As a learning commu- mostly from the United States of America, nity, the school attaches great value to the United Kingdom, and Germany. The interaction and cooperation between staff, director of the school, Peter Kotrc, is students, parents, administration, and originally from Austria and joined BBIS wider community. in 2012. He was previously the head of The BBIS Boarding School is located other international schools. directly on the school campus and offers From Early Childhood to grade 12, accommodation for 80 international BBIS BBIS is truly an international school with students from grades 9 through 12. It is the about 700 students representing over 60 first international, all English-language IB different nationalities. Many students Boarding School in Germany. come from diplomatic families; others For more details please visit www. come from families posted overseas by bbis.de. international companies. The school has less than 30% of students from the Hesse (Hessen) local area. In grades 11 and 12, students accadis International School Bad have the opportunity to earn either the Homburg (ISB) IB Diploma, a qualification recognized At accadis ISB, you will find a bilingual by top universities throughout the learning environment allowing children world, or follow the IB Career-Related to reach their full social, emotional and Programme for those students who are academic potential. Located in a newly interested in more practically related constructed school building just north of coursework. BBIS views education as Frankfurt, accadis International School more than the acquisition of knowl- Bad Homburg offers international edu- edge: Equally important to learning and cation from Preschool to Secondary living in a complex world are the skills School . With a strong emphasis on pro- gained through the process of inquiry, moting intercultural understanding, ac- discovery, application, and creativity. cadis ISB takes pride in being the only The school’s commitment to academic educational institution in Germany pro- excellence is matched by a belief in viding high quality programs from pre- educating the whole person. school to university. BBIS offers excellent facilities that accadis ISB is just a short walk from include a new full-size artificial-turf accadis Hochschule, where university sports field with a six-lane running track students can choose from a variety of and a new multi-functional sports hall. management programs. Internationality, Also provided is an extensive extracur- scientific principles, practice-orientation ricular programme for students of all and personal development have been the ages. In addition, students participate in cornerstones of accadis’ success in higher a range of field trips designed to enhance education for over 35 years. the curriculum. Both institutions are non-profit organ- Classes are small, usually with fewer isations in private ownership of a Bad than 20 students, which enables the Homburg based family dedicated to high teachers to know each student well and quality education. address their individual needs. Specific Preparing young minds for a successful support is provided for students with life in a globalized world has been the special needs and those for whom English focus of accadis education since its very

How To Germany Digital 31 Fall/Winter 2019/20 beginning. With 450 pupils from 47 support for individual students or small different nations, it provides a personal groups and thorough preparation for the atmosphere and plans to slowly expand Cambridge IGCSE at the end of Grade towards a maximum of 550 students. 10 and the International Baccalaureate The accadis Preschool provides a Diploma at the end of Grade 12. The child-centered bilingual learning envi- goal is to help each student reach his ronment, where children are immersed or her individual potential. Addition- in two languages, German and English, ally, international students can find on a day-to-day basis. There are two friends among local families and become teachers in every group – an English- immersed in the German culture while speaking and a German-speaking one. German students enjoy an internation- All activities are conducted in both ally oriented school life. languages using the Immersion Method. Our educators are both local and Children are aged 2 to 5. international professionals as well as In accadis ISB Elementary School University professors teaching at accadis our 5 year old Primary Class students Hochschle. Please contact the Admis- already receive extensive early learning sions Office for more information at: support in all areas of the child’s devel- www.accadis-isb.com. opment. This includes intensive training of pre-reading skills (sounds in words, Frankfurt International School syllables, rhyming etc.) in German. The Frankfurt International School Written language acquisition in English (FIS), founded in 1961, is one of the has already begun at this level and is largest international schools in Europe, continued through Grade 1. with a student population of over 1,800 The accadis Elementary School meets the from more than 60 countries. It employs curricular requirements of the State of Hesse nearly 300 well-qualified and experienced and is a state-approved “Ersatzschule”, yet faculty and staff from 20 different coun- the language of instruction is a balance tries. The school is organized into four between German and English. The overall school divisions: the Primary Division effect is that of genuine bilingualism, age 3 to Grade 1, the Elementary Division offering transferability both to international Grades 2-5, and the Upper School Grades and to German schools. 6-12, all of which are in Oberursel. FIS The accadis ISB Secondary School operates another division in Wiesbaden offers differentiated instruction, learning for students age 3 to Grade 8.

accadis ISB is a bilingual school that provides children from age 2 to Secondary School with a first-rate education. Bilingual instruction in English and German Nurturing and caring learning environment Cambridge IGCSE at the end of Grade 10 International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in Grades 11 and 12 [email protected] | +49 6172 9841-41 | www.accadis-isb.com accadis ISB The Movie Norsk-Data-Straße 5 | 61352 Bad Homburg Cambridge International School

How To Germany Digital 32 Fall/Winter 2019/20 FIS is accredited by the New England primary school students. High school Association of Schools & Colleges and is students benefit from a dynamic 1-1 a founding member of the International laptop learning program. The excellent Baccalaureate Organization (IB). FIS is facilities include three outdoor athletic known for its excellent college placements fields, separate divisional buildings as and exceptional IB exam results. It takes well as a Science, Design - Technology, an inquiry-based approach to learning and Performing Arts Center. The recently utilizing the Primary Years Program and opened Stroth Center for Learning and the IB Diploma Program. English is the Athletics provides an outstanding addi- language of instruction, but German is tion to the campus. mandatory. English as a Second Language Further strengths of the school are the is taught as well as Dutch, Swedish, Japa- deep commitment to the family as an nese, Korean, Spanish and French. integral part of the school community FIS is committed to educating the and its exceptional leadership. The latter whole child. Therefore it offers a well- has been recognized through two inter- rounded curriculum with strong national educational awards given to the academics, athletics, performing arts and Head of School and the Wiesbaden prin- visual arts programs as well as a broad cipal in the current school year. range of extra-curricular activities, clubs The website is at www.fis.edu. and service projects. The school oper- ates an advanced information technology International School Frankfurt support system and also carries an inven- Rhein-Main tory of devices for use by elementary and International School Frankfurt Rhein-

• Education in English for students age 3 - Grade 12 • Excellent exam results and college placements • Highly qualified faculty and cutting-edge facilities • Offerings in seven languages • Technology focus with 1 to 1 laptop program • Extensive programs in athletics and the arts • Leadership and service learning programs • Family-oriented school • Charter IB School since 1968 Frankfurt International School A World of Opportunities

Oberursel Campus: An der Waldlust 15, 61440 Oberursel t: +49 (0)6171 2024-0 Wiesbaden Campus: Rudolph-Dietz-Str. 14, 65207 Wiesbaden t: +49 (0)6127 9940-0 [email protected] www.fis.edu

How To Germany Digital 33 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Main (ISF) has been successfully educating ingly on both school and external exams. students for more than 20 years. It was ISF offers: founded in 1995 by the city of Frankfurt, the • First Language – English, German, Ko- state of Hesse, and several multinational rean, Japanese corporations. ISF offers world-class educa- • Second Language – English, German, tion to students from age 3 up to Grade 12. French, Spanish It is very conveniently located within close • An international curriculum walking distance of local railway stations • Proven teaching methods and offers a school bus service. The multi- • Continuous assessment purpose campus features: • Ongoing academic support (when needed) • Theatre • Regular feedback to parents • Indoor swimming pool In addition to an excellent academic • Tennis courts program, ISF offers students the oppor- • State-of-the-art artificial sports field tunity to explore and develop their and running track talents. The ISF Sportverein (Sports • Modern music and art facilities Club) and the SABIS Student Life • Interactive whiteboards Organisation® (SLO®) offers students • Excellent computing rooms many extra-curricular sports and • Specialist science laboratories activities. Student Life also teaches As a well-established international ISF students to be active members and school, ISF prepares its students for a contributors to their school as well as number of international external exami- to their community, developing leader- nations and qualifications: ship skills and encouraging teamwork. • International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Before and after-school adult supervi- • US Advanced Placement (AP) exams sion of students is available as part of • High School Diploma ISF’s Extended Daycare Program for • International General Certificate of students up to Grade 6. Education (IGCSE) ISF is a member of: A member of the global SABIS® • Accreditation International – accred- Network, ISF implements the SABIS® ited member Educational System, a system of educa- • Middle States Association of Colleges tion that focuses on the core subjects of and Schools – accredited member English, math and world languages. ISF • National Council for Private School Ac- students consistently perform outstand- creditation – accredited member

How To Germany Digital 34 Fall/Winter 2019/20 • European Council of International contributes, everyone reflects, everyone Schools (ECIS) – regular member grows”, teachers ensure that every • Council of International Schools (CIS) – student is supported and encouraged regular member to participate, to explore and to develop ISF is also: as a person. Behaviour management • a Cambridge Examination Centre is consistent and professional, always • an International Baccalaureate Organi- ensuring that behaviour has conse- zation (IBO) World School. quences without ever devaluing any • an Advanced Placement authorized student as a person. test center The vigorous IB programme and the ISF offers children an education high expectations of Strothoff Inter- that will prepare them for success in a national School are rounded up by an changing world. For more information, extensive range of more than 60 high visit www.isf-sabis.net. quality after school activities. As of January 2018, enrolment Strothoff International School stands at 350 and is growing slowly Strothoff International School is a small, but steadily. The school’s development private school with a strong reputation in plan foresees a new campus with at least the Frankfurt region, offering the Interna- double this capacity. Just under half of tional Baccalaureate curricula from Early the student body is German. The rest Years to the Diploma Programme. The come from about 40 different nationali- quality of the school may be illustrated ties, including a sizeable Indian commu- by the following brief overview of its first nity. The faculty is very professional and nine years of operation: • 2009 Foundation year • 2011 International Baccalaureate Di- ploma Programme authorisation • 2012 International Baccalaureate Pri- mary Years authorisation • 2014 International Baccalaureate Mid- dle Years authorisation • 2017 Council of International Schools accreditation • 2017 New England Association of Schools and Colleges accreditation IB School and Kindergarten English is the main language of for children from 3 – 18 years instruction, but German is manda- What makes us special? tory for all students as well, either as a • Small class sizes mother tongue course or as a language acquisition course at one of six different • Only IB school in the Rhein-Main area to offer all three IB programmes levels. An intensive English as an Addi- tional Language programme helps some • Shuttle bus service students develop and consolidate the language proficiency needed. Technology as well as blended learning is incorpo- Frankfurter Straße 160 – 166 · 63303 Dreieich rated into the curriculum. Phone: 0 61 03 / 80 22-500 In line with our motto “Everyone www.strothoff-international-school.de

How To Germany Digital 35 Fall/Winter 2019/20 very diverse. The five largest nationalities ciation of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) to represented on the faculty are US (22%) ensure quality and high standards. followed by British (15%), German (12%), Our large, green campus is located in Australian (8%) and South African (7%). a quiet, but central area of Hannover. The The rest of the faculty come from 18 other city centre is a mere 500 meters away and nationalities spanning all continents. our students can conveniently reach ISHR To Learn more about Strothoff Interna- via tram, bus or subway. For parents who tional School visit our website: https:// drop off and pick up their children by car, www.strothoff-international-school.com. there are ample parking opportunities just across from the campus. Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony) Our spacious buildings are fitted with International School Hannover Region modern appliances and information tech- (ISHR) nology. All classrooms are equipped with The International School Hannover either smart boards or projector/white Region provides a first class international board combinations. In grades 6 to 10 the school education to currently more than 560 1-to-1 laptop programme, for which every students (aged 3 to grade 12) from over 50 student brings his/her own MacBook, different countries. We follow the fully cer- enhances learning and helps prepare our tified PYP, MYP and DP programmes of the students for their future careers. International Baccalaureate Organization Small classes and individual support and are regularly audited and accredited ensure that our students achieve their by the European Council of International potential and become open-minded, Schools (ECIS) and the New England Asso- compassionate world citizens.

Educating World Citizens.

- From Kindergarten (age 3) to Grade 12. - A caring, international community. - High academic expectations. - Small classes. - International Baccalaureate Diploma examinations. - Large variety of after-school activities. - Well-equipped campus in the centre of the city.

INQUIRERS · THINKERS · COMMUNICATORS · RISK-TAKERS KNOWLEDGEABLE · PRINCIPLED · CARING · OPEN-MINDED WELL-BALANCED · REFLECTIVE

International School Hannover Region · Bruchmeisterallee 6 · 30169 Hannover Tel. 0511 270416-50 · Fax 0511 270416-51 · [email protected] · www.is-hr.de

How To Germany Digital 36 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Two full-size sports halls and extensive of Düsseldorf is a not-for-profit, indepen- outside areas enable us to offer a compre- dent, co-educational day school located hensive extra-curricular programme, in the heart of the international commu- which many of our students enthusiasti- nity of historic Kaiserswerth. Due to our cally take part in. non-profit status, all our income is invest- Right from its start back in 1996 to ed back into the school for the benefit of the present day, ISHR has benefitted our students. from the support of many different The school enrolls over 1,000 students branches of industry and associations (Reception to grade 12) from 55 nations in the Hannover Region. ISHR is seen and has a faculty and staff of 250 from as an important factor for the economic 24 countries. As an International Bacca- and social development of the area. laureate World School, ISD offers 56 IB Frequently companies show their appre- courses. ciation by sponsoring classroom instal- Our school has a proud 50-year lations and equipment. history of supporting young people to Further information can be found at pursue their dreams and ambitions, in www.is-hr.de and +49 (0) 511 270 416 50. all walks of life, and in all corners of North Rhine-Westphalia the globe. We deliver an outstanding education that prepares our students (Nordrhein-Westfalen) to be successful and inspires them to International School of Düsseldorf e.V. make a difference; an education that Founded in 1968, the International School will equip them with the skills and apti-

What’s in our school bag? Over 50 years of experience.

Our proven methods bring out the best in students aged 3-18: · Teaching that fosters unique talents so students grow into their dreams · Self-directed study for the confidence to solve problems their way · A world-class education to take students wherever they want to go

Schedule a personalised tour at: admissions@ isdedu.de. www.isdedu.de

www.isdedu.de IB World School

How To Germany Digital 37 Fall/Winter 2019/20 tudes to tackle the global challenges School Stuttgart, Thuringia International they will face. School Weimar and the John F. Kennedy In our rapidly changing world - a School in Berlin. world that is digitally connected and in There are two other websites that can which all knowledge is available within be visited for information on interna- seconds - we imagine that our students tional schools in Germany: The Euro- will need the passion and courage to pean Council on International Schools go on learning throughout life and the at www.ecis.org and The Association creativity to dream of a better world. of German International Schools at At ISD, we are committed to providing www.agis-schools.org. every student with the individual support they need to flourish, to discover pleasure in learning, to become autono- mous and intrinsically motivated, and, ultimately, to become architects of their own futures. In addition to being authorized by the IB Organization, ISD is also accredited by the Council of International Schools and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Instruction is in English but the German language is a requirement, starting in Preparatory. Other languages taught are French, Spanish and Japanese. There also is a large after school Mother Tongue programme. We inspire our students to be confi- dent, creative and critical thinkers. We work together to challenge and support our students to be successful and respon- sible in an evolving world. We are an international community of learners. For more information and full details, please visit www.isdedu.de.

Other International Schools Some other (but not all) international schools in Germany include the Berlin International School, Berlin Metropolitan School, Independent Bonn International School, International School of Bremen, Dresden International School, Heidelberg International School, Leipzig Internation- al School, Metropolitan School Frankfurt, ISR International Schule am Rhein in Ne- uss, Schule Schloss Salem, International

How To Germany Digital 38 Fall/Winter 2019/20 German School VacationS by State - 2020 Winter - Winter Ostern/Früjahr Ostern/Früjahr Ostern - Easter 6 - 17 April 2 - 13 March Früjahr - Spring Himmelfahrt/Pfingsten Himmelfahrt/Pfingsten Himmelfahrt - Ascension 8 & 22 May 18 - 22 May Day Sommer Sommer 25 June - 7 August 25 June – 5 August Pfingsten - Whit Sunday Herbst Herbst Sommer - Summer 12 - 24 October 5 - 16 October Herbst - Fall Weihnachten (Christmas) Weihnachten Weihnachten - Christmas 21 December - 2 January 21 December – 4 January

Baden-Württemberg Brandenburg Hessen (Hesse) Winter - n/a Winter Winter - n/a Ostern/Früjahr 3 - 8 February Ostern/Früjahr 6 - 18 April Ostern/Früjahr 6 - 18 April Himmelfahrt/Pfingsten 6 - 17 April Himmelfahrt/Pfingsten 2 - 13 June Himmelfahrt/Pfingsten n/a Sommer n/a Sommer 30 July - 12 Sept. Sommer 6 July – 14 August Herbst 25 June – 8 August Herbst 26 - 30 October, 31 Oct. Herbst 5 - 17 October Weihnachten 12 - 24 October Weihnachten 23 December - 9 January Weihnachten 21 December - 9 January 21 December - 2 January Bayern (Bavaria) Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Winter Bremen (Mecklenburg-Vorpommerania) 24 - 28 Frebruary Winter Winter 10 - 21 February Ostern/Früjahr 3 -4 February 6 - 18 April Ostern/Früjahr Ostern/Früjahr 6 - 15 April Himmelfahrt/Pfingsten 28 March - 14 April 2 - 6 June Himmelfahrt/Pfingsten Himmelfahrt/Pfingsten 22 May, 29 May - 2 June Sommer 22 May, 5 June 27 July - 7 September Sommer Sommer 22 June - 1 August Herbst 16 July – 26 August 31 October - 6 November Herbst Herbst 18 November 12 - 24 October 5 - 10 October, 2 November, 3 November Weihnachten Weihnachten 23 December - 9 January 23 December - 8 January Weihnachten 21 December - 2 January Berlin Hamburg Winter Winter 31 Janaury 3 - 8 February

How To Germany Digital 39 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Niedersachsen (Lower Saarland Schleswig-Holstein Saxony) Winter Winter Winter 17 - 25 February n/a 03 - 04 February Ostern/Früjahr Ostern/Früjahr Ostern/Früjahr 14 - 24 April 30 March - 17 April 30 March - 14 April Himmelfahrt/Pfingsten Himmelfahrt/Pfingsten Himmelfahrt/Pfingsten n/a 22 May 22 May, 2 June Sommer Sommer Sommer 6 July – 14 August 29 June - 8 August 16 July - 26 August Herbst Herbst Herbst 12 - 23 October 5 - 17 October 12 - 23 October Weihnachten Weihnachten Weihnachten 21 - 31 December 21 December - 6 January 23 December - 8 January Sachsen (Saxony) Thüringen (Thuringia) Nordrhein-Westfalen Winter Winter (North Rhine-Westphalia) 10 - 22 February 10 - 14 February Winter - n/a Ostern/Früjahr Ostern/Früjahr Ostern/Früjahr 10 - 18 April 6 - 18 April 6 - 18 April Himmelfahrt/Pfingsten Himmelfahrt/Pfingsten Himmelfahrt/Pfingsten 22 May 22 May 2 June Sommer Sommer Sommer 20 July - 28 August 20 July – 29 August 29 June - 11 August Herbst Herbst Herbst 19 - 3 October 17 - 30 October 12 - 24 October Weihnachten Weihnachten Weihnachten 23 December - 2 January 23 December - 2 January 23 December - 6 January Sachsen-Anhalt Rheinland-Pfalz (Saxony-Anhalt) (Rhineland-Palatinate) Winter Winter 10 - 14 February 17 - 21 February Ostern/Früjahr Ostern/Früjahr 6 - 11 Aptil 9 - 17 April Himmelfahrt/Pfingsten Himmelfahrt/Pfingsten 18 - 30 May n/a Sommer Sommer 16 July - 26 August 6 July - 14 August Herbst Herbst 19 - 24 October 12 - 23 October Weihnachten Weihnachten 21 December - 5 January 21 - 31 December

How To Germany Digital 40 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Higher Education

There are many and varied higher education opportunities in Germany

n Germany there are a hundreds of in- students usually attend them from stitutions that allow the opportunity three to six years. Advanced studies Ifor advanced degrees and other types in law, medicine, dentistry and other of professional and vocational certifica- professions that require government tion. There are state run universities and licensing are done at universities. A colleges, private universities and col- university that has a technological leges and cooperative universities as well orientation is known as Technische as other schools offering a full range of Universität (TU, technical university). course studies through full time and part For decades a master’s level degree time participation. And, as in most of the was the first degree available at a univer- rest of the world, it is possible to pursue sity. This was known as a “one-tier” degrees through online courses. integrated long program. Recent higher State run schools are open to all education reforms have introduced two- nationalities as long as the student meets level programs and students can now the entrance requirements, can get the earn a bachelor’s degree in three or four proper visa or residence permit and have years and a master’s degree in five or the necessary German language skills. six years. The one-tier year program is Private schools have their own set of still available in certain disciplines. The requirements and are open to all. There bachelor’s and master’s degrees were are dozens of private universities and introduced to avoid the drastic rates of other schools that offer course instruc- non-completers (which in some univer- tion in English leading to degrees or sity subjects were as high as 75%) as well other certification. as to conform with degree programs in other countries. State run schools in Germany Getting admitted to a German state In Germany, there are more than 300 State university can be a trying process. run schools. There are over 100 Univer- Many programs are restricted regarding sität (Universities), more than 165 Fach- numbers of new students and start only hochschulen (Universities of Applied Sci- once per year. Acceptance of foreign ence) and over 50 colleges of art, music credentials is difficult and credit transfers and film. While there are many universi- rarely happen without losses. ties and Fachhochschulen that offer cer- tain degree programs taught in English - Universities of Applied Sciences the vast majority of programs are taught (Fachhochschulen) in German. These institutions generally offer a four- year course of study that leads to creden- Universities (Universität) tials at the bachelor’s level and a Diplom The classical universities, in the (FH) degree. There are more practice-ori- tradition of Alexander von Humboldt, ented programs. Emphasis is on technol- provide a broad general education and ogy, business, social science and design.

How To Germany Digital 41 Fall/Winter 2019/20 More and more Fachhochschulen also of- euros a semester. Some of these schools fer master’s programs for those students work closely with industry. There are sev- eligible for further study. The Fachhoch- eral so-called “business schools”. Many schulen do not offer Doctorates nor are of these institutions have German state there medical or law schools. However, licenses, which allow them to offer one or qualified graduates may go apply to oth- two year programs leading to vocational er schools to pursue a Doctorate or other degrees below the bachelor’s level. In co- professional studies. operation with British universities these “business schools” sometimes offer ad- Colleges of Art, Music and Film ditional programs that lead to British cre- (Kunst, Musik und Filmhochschule) dentials (in German) or master’s level. These schools are of equivalent status to universities. The 53 state colleges of art, Degree Courses in English music and film admit students who suc- Higher education in an international cessfully complete an entrance exami- setting leading to either a Bachelor or nation. Germany’s 23 music colleges Masters degree (and even a Doctorate in are popular with foreign students, who some cases) with English as the language comprise over one-third of the student of instruction is offered by several insti- body at these schools. Although the en- tutions. Printed brochures describing the trance requirements for these schools state higher education sector are avail- are quite stringent, the education and able from the DAAD (German Academic training are very high quality. Exchange Service) explaining the differ- ent levels of higher education studies. State/Private Cooperation Additional information at the web-site There are over three dozen Universities of www.daad.de/en/. Some information Cooperative Education in Germany (BA about private universities can be found – Berufsakademie) While they are not tech- at www.private-hochschulen.net (in Ger- nically regarded as state institutions of man only) higher education, some of their qualifica- Perhaps one of the best online resources tions are recognized as comparable with for an overview of higher education is of those of universities of applied sciences www.hochschulekompass.de. This link and many programs may lead to a Bach- will take you through all the higher elor’s degree. These institutions normally education institutions, study opportuni- integrate vocational training and theoreti- ties at both undergraduate and graduate cal studies. They offer specialized educa- levels, and international cooperation tion in different businesses, technology agreements of German higher educa- and the social sciences. Study at a Beruf- tion schools. sakademie is often dependent on having a Another great resource for information trainee contract with an employer. Grad- on studying in Germany is the website uates job prospects are quite good. www.studienwahl.de, a German site that is sponsored by the German Provincial Private Colleges (Private Hochschulen) Commission for Educational Planning There are dozens of private schools in and the Research Promotion and the Germany offering a wide degree of cours- Federal Employment Agency. The site is es leading to various degrees and certi- completely translated into English and fication. These schools normally charge will walk you through every aspect of tuition that can range from 1,800 to 4,700 studying in Germany.

How To Germany Digital 42 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Language Schools

n expatriate living or working in For total beginners semi-intensive Germany probably will do better courses are best, especially if they are Aif he or she is reasonably proficient in the country where the language is in the language, whether it involves spoken. But they need a good introduc- business related activities or merely tion as to how the huge "classroom" (the dealing with the immediate environment. country they are in!) is best used. A certificate of proficiency in a language Instruction is usually by native can also be beneficial to a career. speakers and the "total immersion" Many institutions in Germany system, under which only German is offer courses in "German as a Foreign spoken in class, is generally employed. Language" (Deutsch als Fremdsprache). Teaching devices used include speaking, reading, role playing, dialogue, trans- Adult Education Centers lations, grammatical exercises and Most cities have these Volkshochschulen, telephoning. and many of them offer language courses Instruction can be either one-to-one for foreigners. Instruction is usually in or in groups. The former has definite the evening for a very small fee. advantages. In one-to-one the trainer can focus on that individual and his or her Universities specific linguistic needs and interests. No More than sixty of them, from the Alps compromises need be made with other to the North Sea, offer language studies, participants. Those who tend to learn plus cultural and literature courses. more quickly are not held back by others, and slower learners don't find themselves Commercial Schools being left behind. These usually cost more than the However, it is only partially true that government sponsored and non-profit one-to-one training is superior to group courses, but have the advantage of training. There are certain areas, such as carrying out instruction at the company negotiations, that are better approached headquarters or wherever else the client in a small group. Spontaneous communi- wishes. And, they can be a friend in other cation is also more difficult to organize in aspects of life. one-to-one lessons. Working adults, retirees and profes- Outside of school there are several sionals constitute a majority of the things a student can do to keep improving foreigners studying German in Germany. his or her German. Among the hints for Courses are offered in a variety of those who are serious about the language: different locations, providing a cultural watch German TV, and do lots of reading, as well as a linguistic experience. especially things like children's books. Courses can be flexible as to time. You Sometimes it's necessary to force can totally immerse yourself in a course oneself to speak German. There are full time. The ideal length for full-day too many Germans about who want to intensive courses is thought to be two improve their English by practicing it weeks. Alternately you can take courses in on you. the afternoon or evening or on weekends.

How To Germany Digital 43 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Children’s Allowance Kindergeld in Germany Germany offers a variety of children allowances and benefits. Kindergeld is probably the most well known of these.

axpaying expatriate residents of unrestricted income tax payment obliga- Germany are, like Germans, enti- tions or other requirements. You can find Ttled to Kindergeld if they have chil- out about the exact requirements from dren. This is an allowance (also called a the German authorities. Child Benefit) from the German govern- In most cases it is the parents who are ment to help defray some of the cost of entitled to the money, not the children, raising children. It can run from €194 to though an exception can be made in €225 per child per month, and is usually the case of orphans, or parents made by a fund transfer into a German whose whereabouts bank account. are unknown. Just about any Since 2016 an taxpayer living application for in Germany with Kindergeld has children can get the had to include Kindergeld, whether the child’s Tax employed, self ID number employed or inde- (steuerliche Identi- pendent. You get it fikationsnummer). as a rule until the chil- The new applica- dren turn 18, though tion forms have it can continue until been changed they are 25 if they are accordingly. still in school or meet This number other requirements for is normally an extension. In 2020 the issued by benefit continues to be the Federal Tax €204 per month for each Office (Bundeszentralamt für of the first two children, Steueren – BZSt) shortly after a child is €210 for the third child and €235 for born and registered at the local Registry each subsequent one. Office (Einwohnermeldeamt) in Germany. Adopted and foster children qualify In the case of immigrant children, the you for the Kindergeld, as do children of number is assigned when the child is your spouse and your grandchildren if registered at the Einwohnermeldeamt. they live in your household. Some people Although the Federal Tax Office has living abroad may also be eligible for been automatically issuing a Tax ID Kindergeld if they meet certain German number to children since 2008, they are

How To Germany Digital 44 Fall/Winter 2019/20 just now requiring the Family Benefits An oral application, as with a phone Office (Familienkasse) to have the number call, or an application by e-mail is not on record for anyone who collects possible. benefits. Other things you may need to submit A child’s Tax ID number can be found include: on a taxpayer’s Withholding Tax Card • Birth Certificate - original birth certifi- (Lohnsteuerkarte) or on the income tax cate of your child, translations of them if summary (Einkommensteuerbescheid) sent they are not in German by the local tax authorities (Finanzamt) • Your passport after they review and approve the yearly • Proof of residence permit tax declaration. • Proof of residency registration (Haus- A child’s Tax ID number has to be haltbescheinigung) submitted and put on record at the Be sure to report it if you are getting Family Benefits Office by all beneficia- child support money from another ries. This also includes a Tax ID number country. for children who were born before 2008 Once your employment ends or you and who may not yet have been issued or your children leave Germany, you Tax ID number. The authorities will be must notify the agency that pays you contacting beneficiaries to inform them Kindergeld to stop the payments. Failure of this new development. It is possible to make such notification will give rise to get the required Tax ID number by to claims for repayment of any amounts contacting the local tax office. Failure to improperly received. comply may result in having to pay back For more information on Kindergeld in benefits. English you can visit the website of the You apply for Kindergeld at the Family Labor Office (Agentur für Arbeit). Benefits Office (Familiekassen) of the Click here to download an English local Labor Office (Agentur für Arbeit), language brochure in pdf format from with written forms that must be signed. the Agentur für Arbeit. Another party can make the application if you grant them power of attorney. You can download English language pdf copies of the various application forms from the How To Germany website www.howtogermany.com/pages/ kindergeld.html: The applications include: • Basic Application Kindergeld • Appendix for child living in Germany • Kindergeld Other Country Appendix - for at least one child or one parent liv- ing or employed or receiving benefits in another country; also if one parent is a member of the NATO armed forces sta- tioned in Germany You can also download these forms in English and other languages directly from the Labor Office website at this link

How To Germany Digital 45 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Telephone/Internet Services

Once your housing situation in Germany is finalized, the first thing to do is to get the phone ringing and your Internet access established.

ou’ll discover that there is a wide be aware of the terms and conditions of selection of telephone, Internet and your service agreement. Many German Ymobile phone options available, phone and Internet plans are only avail- but you may also find that most German able with an initial 2-year minimum carriers are best equipped at serving their contract, and also require that you cancel native, German-speaking population, months in advance in order to avoid leaving somewhat of a gap in the area an automatic (and binding) contract of English-language support. To break extension. through the language barrier, you may Public telephones are widely available want to consider contacting a provider or however most of them are no longer coin agent that offers service in English. operated; you will need a phone card. German telephone service is Mobile The cards are available in various denom- Internet connectivity is widely available inations at post offices, filling stations, through dedicated stores located in most supermarkets, and most newsstands. towns and cities throughout the country. In addition to the Deutsche Telekom Phone services: Analog or ISDN stores, there are many other providers There are two general types of phone that have retail locations that can help service in you with land-lines, internet access and Germany: a mobile phones. These include Vodafone, “standard” analog O2, E-plus and others. Your bills, corre- phone service, and spondence and customer care will ISDN (Integrated normally be in German. It’s important to Services Digital Network). Each The country code for Germany is 49. When type of phone

dialing a German number from abroad, photo:istockphoto.com/digitalr drop the initial 0 from the local area code. service has similar The emergency telephone numbers in tariffs that allow Germany are 110 for police and 112 for you to choose the best plan for your type ambulance and fire. of use. Discounted and flat rate domes- Directory service can be had, in English, tic and international calling plans are by calling 11837 for domestic calls and normally available. Features such as 11834 for foreign calls. These calls cost caller-ID, call forwarding and voice-mail a minimum of 50 cents, and are charged are standard features with most carriers. according to the amount of time you are DSL is possible with either an analog or on the line. So, be careful when using this service. It could get expensive. ISDN line enabling you to surf the web and use the phone at the same time

How To Germany Digital 46 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Analog service, make sure that you know the With an analog phone connection you complete address. It is very useful to get one line and number; a standard the activation process if you provide the 56K dial-up modem is used to access the name and telephone number of your web. Analog telephones, answering and home’s previous tenant when possible. fax machines from other countries can Do request a fully itemized bill at the normally be used when coupled with a time of sign-up, as this is not always the compatible German TAE (telephone jack) default for many German service provid- adapter. It is illegal to use most North ers. Activation times can vary, taking American cordless telephone products in between 5 to 14 business days. Your Germany because of the radio signal used telephone number and date of activation by those devices. If you buy a cordless will be confirmed in writing. In some phone in Germany you’ll be assured that cases a technician may require access to it complies with local radio-frequency your home to activate your telephone regulations and electrical safety guide- and additional installation charges may lines. It is often best to buy a cordless apply. If you have several German TAE phone in Germany to be assured that it telephone outlets in your house, do not complies with radio-frequency regula- be surprised if only the single primary- tions and electrical safety guidelines. outlet is activated. The internal wiring of your home is not part of the standard ISDN German service agreement and you ISDN phone service utilizes digital may incur extra charges if requesting network technology to add more “additional installation.” It is best to features and flexibility with two digital work with the property owner or have a phone lines and a total of three differ- private installer customize your home’s ent telephone numbers. This allows wiring. Take the time to fully assess your two separate phone conversations at requirements, and the costs, beforehand. the same time, which may be ideal for To cut down on costs more, and more larger households or a home office that telephone companies are now offer the needs a dedicated line and number. On opportunity for customers to get their the other hand, the basic monthly fee is monthly bills via email as pdf files. Many typically higher, and ISDN telephones still send phone bills through the mail. and modems are somewhat more costly (In fact, some of the companies may than their analog counterparts. charge you extra to get paper copies of Before selecting either analog or ISDN, the bill by mail.) Payment is typically due you may want to first check with the within seven business days of the date of homeowner to find out how the house or issuance. Cash payments can usually be apartment is wired and if there are any made at any German post office or bank special requirements that could lead to - a nominal fee for the Überwiesung (bank additional costs. Many German homes transfer) may apply. The default and only have only one telephone outlet. preferred payment method is to have Cordless telephones or routers may be your monthly bills automatically debited the best solution, offering the greatest directly from your bank account through flexibility in nearly any housing situation. a Lastschriftverfahren.

Details That Make a Difference Mobile phones When registering for your telephone If you are going to be here in Germany

How To Germany Digital 47 Fall/Winter 2019/20 for more than just a visit, look into There is very little if any investment or German mobile phone service sooner start-up cost. All you need to get online rather than later - international roaming is an active telephone line, a 56K modem through your home carrier can be expen- which is still a standard built-in on even sive. This is especially true if you have the newest computers, and an Internet any sort of data plan in addition to the access account. Your Internet account regular calling and SMS services. Mobile consists of a username, password, and Internet connectivity is widely available a telephone number as issued by your and Germany has many mobile phone Internet service provider (ISP). Dial-up providers that offer a wide array of in Germany is metered on a time basis - a devices that are available both prepaid dial-up flat rate is not usually available. (pay-as-you-go) and with annual plans. Plans are available with a monthly fee With the increasing and widespread that normally includes a defined amount use of Smart Phones and SIM card capable of minutes or hours every month, unused tablets, many providers are offering flat time is usually not carried over. There rates for data, calls and text messaging. are also plans without monthly fees but There are dozens, if not hundreds, of the per-minute price is typically a little different permutations of plans. It pays to higher. Dial-up over an ISDN phone shop around and it is important to make line is somewhat faster than with a stan- sure that all of the details are examined dard phone line, but requires the use of a closely to make sure there are no hidden compatible ISDN modem. charges in the plan you may choose. Inbound mobile calls while in Broadband Germany are free of charge. As a result, If you know that dial-up is not for you, calling a mobile phone may more expen- then one of several high-speed DSL plans sive than a land line since the caller pays can be considered with download speeds for the cost of the connection. In Germany of between 6,000 and 50,000 Kbps being it is against the law to use a mobile phone the most common and readily available while driving, so be sure to use some sort in most areas. Germany’s DSL network of ‘hands-free’ device. is under constant improvement and expansion, however there are still some Internet places where DSL may not be technically Solutions feasible. On the other hand, there are an Dial-up increasing number of carriers that are Believe it or building infrastructure that allow DSL not, it is connections of 16,000 to 200,000 Kbps. still possi- Many of them offer fiber-optic connec-

photo:istockphoto.com/duboost ble to get tions. Often times telephoning is avail- old-fashioned Dial-up or “narrowband” able through VOIP with these types of Internet connectivity. It is extremely slow connections. If broadband connectivity is and inefficient, although it may still be an essential part of your work or private a viable solution for very light or infre- life, check the availability before buying quent users. While Germany is right up or renting a home. at the top with the availablity of high Unlike dial-up, DSL is normally avail- speed connections, there are still areas of able with a flat rate. Therefore you can the country - especially in small villages leave the service “always-on” as the and rural areas - that aren’t covered. separate connection leaves the phone line

How To Germany Digital 48 Fall/Winter 2019/20 free for calls. Required hardware includes Pre-selecting an alternate carrier and a compatible DSL modem or router. A using calling cards may not be possible. separate DSL activation charge normally Package deals with free hardware and also applies. However many companies activation can save you money but most nowadays do offer package deals with require a two-year minimum contract activation and hardware discounts but and early cancellation fees may apply. normally only in combination with a Before signing on the dotted line, check service contract of 1-2 years in duration. the terms and conditions and find out the costs for early cancellation. Look for Internet on the Go plans that are flexible and find out if there Internet access does not have to be is any English technical support. restricted to your home. Germany has Given the constantly changing nature Internet cafes and thousands of wireless of the telecommunications marketplace, Internet “hotspots” - many of them free- pinning down and recommending the of-charge. Aside from airport terminals, exact Internet or data plan for every type hotspots are also available at hotels, gas of user at any given time is not possible. To stations, bars and restaurants. Locations establish your phone and Internet connec- are always subject to change, so do a web tion here in Germany, first try to define search to find a current list of locations your household’s phone and Internet near you. WLAN enabled laptops budgetary requirements, and then look for a service that is easy to use and compat- ible with your particular needs. photo:istockphoto.com/NickS and mobile phones can be used in the hotspots. An popular method of being connected on the go is through the use of USB sticks sold by various providers. These sticks allow the user to connect to the Internet using any number of mobile services. Rates and speeds vary according to the provider and the users location.

Other Important Details Choosing the right telephone service provider and Internet plan is impor- tant. Many of the Internet “bargains” that you see advertised may have some major drawbacks if you read the German “fine print.” Some providers bundle flat rate DSL and in-country calling.

How To Germany Digital 49 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Banks and Banking

Banking in Germany isn’t all that different from back home — but there are a few twists.

xpatriates staying in Germany for an extended period will probably need Ea German bank connection. Setting up an account is a fairly straightforward operation, much the same as at home. All you need are your passport and money for the initial deposit. You may also be asked to show proof of a German address. If you bring cash, your account is opened immediately. If you are transfer- Berlin, Germany - branch of the local Sparkasse ring funds from your home bank, it may photo: istockphoto.com/MichaelJay take some time for the amount to be cred- ited to your account. be used like a cash card. It can be used to The most common account is called a pay small sums in parking garages and at Giro account. It is similar to a checking certain stores and other outlets. account or current account. Various The card can also be used to get account banks offer various services for differing statements from terminals in most banks fees with a Giro account. Students may as well as to execute some basic transac- apply for an exemption from bank fees tions in special terminals in many banks. Savings accounts that normally offer a better interest rate are also available. Credit Cards Credit cards are becoming more and The EC Card more accepted in Germany. There are Once you have opened an account the many International Geldautomat which bank will issue you a card commonly will accept them for cash advances, referred to as an “EC-Karte”, which and they are accepted at boutiques, is very valuable for transactions. You department stores, hotels, airports and can use it to get cash around the clock many restaurants. They can be used from the automatic teller machines at Telekom shops and other telephone (Geldautomat), and it is commonly stores to purchase equipment. They accepted for payments at supermarkets, are also accepted by the Bahn for the gas stations, ticket offices, department purchase of train tickets. Be sure to check stores and other retail outlets. Payment is to see if credit cards are accepted in shops made with either a signature or with the or restaurants. four-digit PIN number assigned to your card. In addition to the magnetic strip Online Banking on the back of the card an EC Card may German banks are into online banking. have a “chip” on the front. This “chip” With most of them now you can check can be loaded with up to €200 of cash to your balance or order a fund transfer

How To Germany Digital 50 Fall/Winter 2019/20 In addition to getting cash from a Geldautomat you can also “charge” the embedded chip on your EC Card as well as put credits on to a prepaid mobile phone.

Types of Banks There are four different types of banks in Germany: public sector commercial banks (Private Geschäftsbanken), savings banks (Sparkassen), credit cooperatives (Kreditgenossenschaften) and the Postbank. The distinctions between these are of little The signboard of an EC ATM (Geldautomat) on a bank interest to most depositors. The rules for building in Saarlouis. photo: istockphoto.com/mm88 a standard checking account (Girokonto) from your computer. PIN numbers are are generally identical. issued for home banking and automatic teller machines. TAN numbers used in Making Payments making online transfers are now sent to There are several ways of making an account holder via a mobile phone payments in Germany. SMS or are generated by a device used to A transfer (Überweisung) is used to scan a bar code on your computer. transfer money from one account to another. You fill in a paper transfer form Automatic Teller Machines (Überweisungsformular) and hand it in or (Geldautomat) complete the form online and use a TAN Geldautomat are found in just about every number to complete the transaction. bank as well as in other locations – stores, A standing order (Dauerauftrag) is train stations, shopping centers, malls used if you have regularly recurring and on various streets and commercial payments of a set sum, such as rent, pedestrian zones. Their locations are insurance premiums, television fees and normally easily recognizable by a large the like This sum is deducted automati- EC sign. cally from your account on an agreed The Geldautomat are interconnected date and transferred to the account of and you can get cash from just about any the recipient. The necessary forms can be one you find in Germany and its neigh- filled out online or at the bank. boring countries. And the use of them in Direct debit (Lastschrift): This is a many, but not all cases, could be free if practical method if you have recurring you go to a bank of the same name and/ payments that vary in size, such as the or type as your own. Withdrawing money telephone, gas and electric bills. You give from a Geldautomat of a different bank the recipient a direct debit authorization than your own may cost extra. Some- (Einzugsermächtigung) that authorizes it times the extra charges are a percentage to deduct the respective amounts from of the amount withdrawn and sometimes your account. Of course, you can always a flat fee is charged. The costs can range cancel the authorization and stop the from €1.00 to €10.00. The affiliated bank direct debit. As a safeguard against abuse is normally shown on the machine itself you also have the unrestricted right for 90 or even on the screen. days to recall any sum that was deducted

How To Germany Digital 51 Fall/Winter 2019/20 in this manner. You can recall it even if it stocks, bonds, insurance, travelers checks was proper, though this would give it the and precious metals, take advantage of status of an unpaid bill. portfolio and asset management, take out a mortgage, buy real estate and make Other Bank Services electronic transfers around the globe. You can establish a line of credit Several large German banks operate (Dispositionskredit) at a German bank, “International Desks,” designed to cater usually two or three times your monthly to all the banking needs of English- pay. Once you have done this you may speaking and other expatriates in overdraw your account to the agreed Germany. They are a good source for amount, but be warned that these information on the services and goods overdrafts may cost you some heavy that are offered. interest, sometimes ranging from 11% to As a rule German banks are open 18% per annum. weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on German banks are universal. In Thursdays to 5:30 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. Some contrast to Anglo-American banks, they smaller branches shut at lunchtime. Most offer the consumer a very wide range of allow access to the Geldautomat and the financial services beyond deposit taking statement printers in their foyer around and lending. At just about any of them the clock. you can exchange currencies, purchase

The evoluTion of The eC Card

Originally introduced in the late 1960’s, the EC Card was first known as the EuroCheque card. It was a check guarantee card accepted by many European countries. It guaranteed that checks written up to a certain amount would be honored by the card-holders bank. As Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) became more prevalent in Europe throughout the late 70’s and early 80’s the EC card was modified for use in those machines. It was gradually widely accepted as a method of direct debit POS (point of sale) payment by many stores, shops and restaurants equipped with the proper “card readers”. In the mid 90’s the card was on its way to being an accepted world-wide debit card because of integration into the Maestro debit card system established by Master Card. Shortly after the introduction of the Euro, paper Eurocheques were eliminated along with the name Eurocheque. The cards were (and still are) referred to as EC Cards. But the meaning of EC has changed to “Electronic Cash”. Logos on an EC Card indicate the types of services the card enables. The Maestro, Cirrus, V Pay and EC (electronic cash) logos indicate that the card can be used to withdraw money from your account at different ATMs in Germany and other European countries (and worldwide) and may be used to purchase goods at various stores. The “girocard” logo indicates that the card can be used in the German ATM network. The “GeldKarte” logo is found on cards with chips that can be loaded with money and used as cash cards. If you bank at a Sparkasse, you may find the EUFISERV logo on your card. This indicates that you can use the card at ATMs in affiliated savings banks in several European countries. Stores, shops and other retail services usually display the logos of the payment services they will accept.

How To Germany Digital 52 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Health Care In Germany

German medical care is excellent, but there are may be a few things about insurance, doctors and hospital stays that you might not expect.

he expatriate in hospitalization. These Germany can clinics are usually Tusually rely on staffed by highly good health care. By skilled doctors who all objective standards often speak English. the German system Some of the differ- does its job well. The ences between medical infant mortality rate care in Germany and is lower and life ex- other countries (partic- pectancy is high. ularly the USA) are the The system, however, had been some- styles in which doctors interact with what costly and a few years ago the Berlin patients. In the USA there is a "Patients government agreed on reforms that have Bill of Rights" that doctors and hospitals the patients pay a bit more for their drugs must follow if they are to be approved and doctor and dentist visits. by the American Medical Association. Under these rules patients must be Doctors advised of treatment, prognosis, alter- Choosing a doctor in Germany can be native treatments, diagnosis and risks. an intimidating process because of the German doctors have no such rules and language difference, but it doesn't need to may not be accustomed to discussing be. The decision is of course as important these things unless you specifically ask. as was choosing your doctor back home So it's a good idea to come prepared to and can be approached in some of the ask questions. same ways. You can refer to online or To help with the question asking you print “yellow pages” (Gelbe Seiten) in may want to bring a supportive person which doctors can be found by specialty. who speaks German or a seasoned Or, often the best way, ask a colleague colleague. And an English-German or friend. The best references can be by dictionary can be your best friend. It's word of mouth. There are also several helpful to practice questions and answers websites that list doctors by specialty or ahead of time. location. One such website has an English language search page: www.med-kolleg. Office Hours de. Click on DocSearch on the upper left. It's common for doctors here to have a Other good sources are the univer- private practice and be on a hospital staff. sity clinics (Kliniken) in major cities that That's why office hours (Sprechstunden) provide outpatient services in addition to may be more limited. Doctors in private

How To Germany Digital 53 Fall/Winter 2019/20 practice usually have office hours is not available, there will probably be a Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. recorded message giving the telephone and then from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., except number of an emergency doctor. Wednesday afternoons when most • calling the Notdienst (110 nationwide) doctors' offices are closed. Although, you or Ärtzlicher Notdienst for the name of a may have an appointment many doctors doctor in your area. serve patients on a first come, first serve • going directly to the hospital or basis and you may wait a long time to be emergency room. seen. A Hausarzt (generally equivalent • calling your local police or hospital. to a General Practitioner or Primary • checking your local paper (either the Care Physician) usually has an "open print edition or online). door" policy but an appointment is still To find the emergency doctor in recommended. Your Hausarzt may also your area thumb through your local be able to recommend a specialist if you paper looking for the heading Notdienst require one. Kalender (emergency calendar) or Notdi- enste (Most, but not all, papers have this Making an Appointment information in their online editions.) In When making an appointment either by this section you will find the telephone telephone or in person, the first person numbers of after hour Ärzte (doctors), you will speak to is the Arzthelfer or Zahnärzte (dentists), Augenärzte (eye doctors assistant. He or she may not doctors), Tierärzte (veterinarians) speak English but won't ask many Apotheke (Pharmacies), Krankentransporte questions about why you want to see the (ambulance service), and Feuerwehr (fire doctor. Usually you need only to request department). Some papers also list Alco- a day and time for an appointment. If it holics Anonymous meetings, AIDS help, is for an extraordinary reason you may therapists and taxi service. But this varies want to specify the reason for your visit. greatly depending on where you live. Otherwise, you can give your medical Using this section of the newspaper history to the doctor. can be an invaluable resource. However, Some helpful phrases: because information varies depending Ich möchte einen Termin machen. I would on where you live, and because it is in like to make an appointment, and German, it may be difficult to pick up Es ist dringend. Haben Sie keinen fruheren or go online and use, especially in an Termin? It is urgent. Don't you have an urgent situation. A strong recommenda- earlier appointment? tion is to become familiar with your local If you wish to speak to a doctor on the newspaper information by reviewing it phone before or after your visit, you will in language lessons or with the help of a normally be charged a fee. German-speaking friend. By doing this you will know right where to turn in Outside Normal Office Hours many situations. When you have an urgent medical situation during evenings, weekends Hospitals in Germany and holidays, there is always a doctor Sometimes it may be necessary for you available. These doctors provide after- to be hospitalized while in Germany. hours medical assistance. There are a number of different You can find an emergency doctor by: types of hospitals in Germany. A • calling your own doctor. If he or she Universitätsklinikum (often referred to as a

How To Germany Digital 54 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Uniklinik) is a state or school run hospital. Visiting hours are usually from They are found in most major cities. Other about 2 to 8 p.m., and German hospi- hospitals include non-profit institutions tals frown on visits by small children. that may be affiliated with any number You can get away with it, though, as of different groups. And there are also long as other patients aren't disturbed. private clinics and hospitals. German One parent usually can spend the night hospitals are modern, have and use the with a hospitalized child. latest technology and provide top-notch Smoking is, of course, prohibited in medical care. patient rooms. Patient rooms usually Hospitals normally accept all patients have two to four beds, and your room- that have health insurance whether it is mates will always be of the same sex. government insurance or private. Depending on the type of insurance Only a doctor can authorize hospital- coverage you have you may also be ization for a non-emergency condition. assigned a private or semi-private room. Patients should not expect to be treated by the doctor who has been treating them Pharmacies in Germany and who referred them to the hospital. A pharmacy in Germany is called an Germany is becoming increasingly Apotheke. Apotheken are easily identified concerned about the high cost of their by a large, red A on the outside of health care system and, among other their locations. There are thousands of things measures have been introduced Apotheken in Germany and German law to cut the length of hospital stays. Never- requires that an Apotheke be owned and theless, a stay in a German hospital can operated by a pharmacist. An individual be longer than stays in other countries. pharmacist is only allowed to own up Germans are not so concerned with to three locations. Consequently, there privacy as are others. You probably are not any large drugstore chains that won't be issued a gown during examina- are found throughout countries like the tions, and there are usually no curtains USA. In fact, a “drug store” in Germany around the beds. So bring a nightgown or (Drogeriemarkt) sells toiletries and other pajamas and a bathrobe. Nor do German consumer items, but not medicines. hospitals very often issue towels. You are All medications, including non- expected to bring your own. Other items prescription drugs, are kept on shelves it is wise to bring: slippers, soap, toilet behind the counter or in large drawers articles and a washcloth. Don't take too behind the counter or in a back room. much, though, as storage space is tight. There is normally a selection of different Meals and mealtimes at hospitals types of non-medicinal health related conform to what's usual in Germany. products in the pharmacy. Included in That big, hot meal of the day is served at that selection you could expect homeo- midday rather than evening. Breakfasts pathic products. Pharmacists are highly will be rolls or bread with jam, honey, meat trained and will always ask if you under- or cheese, while suppers will generally be stand the dosages regarding prescrip- bread, sausages, cottage cheese and tea. tions. They can also offer advice on non- Supper is usually served early, perhaps prescription medicines, ointments and even at 4:30. You are often given a choice of other products that you can use to treat menus for your meals, and unless you're minor ailments. Most drugs are in pack- on a special diet you may keep your own ages that come in three different sizes food and (non-alcoholic) drink. – N1, N2 and N3. (Small, medium and

How To Germany Digital 55 Fall/Winter 2019/20 large) The actual number of pills pack- state-run or private plans, are normally aged depends on the medication itself. covered for routine procedures such as There is always a paper in the packaging simple fillings and dental hygiene. But that explains in detail what the medi- major dental work, such as crowns and cine is designed to treat, recommended dentures, is only partially covered by the dosages, contra-indications, side effects state plans. Privately insured persons and other important information. may fare better with major dental work. A wide variety of name brand drugs as But they should investigate carefully well as generic drugs are normally kept the type of dental coverage they have on hand. If a medicine you need is not in purchased. German companies usually stock, it can usually be ordered for pick limit the coverage new policyholders up in a few hours or the following day. can receive. They probably will require Apotheken are generally closed a waiting period of eight months before evenings, Saturday afternoons, Sundays they will make any reimbursements at and holidays. (Some may even close all, and after that may restrict their reim- early on Wednesdays.) Apotheken that bursements to 60% to 80% of the total have closed for the day or the weekend cost of major dental work. normally have a list on the door of other Payments to dentists under the state- nearby pharmacies that have remained run plans are being cut in other areas too open to handle any emergencies. as part of a government program to trim expenditures. This could well mean that Going to the Dentist if you have state-run insurance you could There is no need to be concerned about be left holding the bag for more of your the quality of dental care, or any other dentist bill than before. It's a good idea kind of health care, in Germany. The to check with your state-run insurer and Germans are very thorough, and do lots find out what sort of dental coverage it of testing. Treatment is done under strict provides. You might want to purchase regulations. some inexpensive supplemental coverage There is no shortage of dentists in from a private insurer. Germany. There may be some language Anyone faced with major dental work problems but, as with educated Germans should get a detailed cost estimate (Heil- in general, many dentists speak some und Kostenplan) before any work is begun English and it shouldn't be hard to find and submit it to their insurer for prior one who can work with you. Dental emer- approval. You can usually request this gency services are available throughout estimate to be done in English. the country. You'll find a list of the Ask for a "medical risk form", "medical numbers to call at dentists' offices, phar- history form" and the "new patient form" macies, hospitals, police and fire stations to make sure that your dentists knows and in the daily newspapers. Dental about any health problems, medication work can be covered by health insur- you may be taking and allergies. ance, but things may get a bit compli- cated here so it pays to investigate. There are two basic kinds of health insurance in Germany, and both have provisions for covering some, but seldom all, of the costs of dental care. Insured persons, whether under the

How To Germany Digital 56 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Health Insurance Options in Germany

ermany has a reputation for having ance providers (Gesetzliche Krankenversi- Gone of the best health care systems cherung or GKV). in the world, providing its residents The introduction of the Gesundheits- with comprehensive health insurance fonds which is a monstrous collection and coverage. Approximately 85% of the distribution fund for all monies paid into population are mandatory or voluntary the GKV went into effect as of January members of the public health scheme 1, 2009. The consequences were felt by while the rest have private health in- all: the present 110 Krankenkassen claim surance. The health insurance reform that the amounts being distributed per of 2007 now requires everyone living in head are not enough to cover costs and Germany to be insured for at least hos- a number of the Kassen have already pital and out-patient medical treatment. registered for bankruptcy or merged This must also include coverage for with other Kassen. Their members are, pregnancy and a number of prescribed of course, being allowed to change to medical check-ups. another Kasse. The costs of the German health care As is a tradition in Germany, system are immense and constantly two reforms came into law rising due to demographics as well as simultaneously on January 1, 2019. medical cost inflation. Recent govern- The first one involves reducing health ment reforms have attempted to make insurance premiums for employees: hospitals more competitive and thereby GKV-Versichertenentlastungsgesetz (GKV- reduce costs for the state health insur- VEG) which will help them save a few

www.insure-invest.de +49 (0) 6723-6033518

How To Germany Digital 57 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Euros each year because the employer order to filter out the most suitable plan will now be forced again to pay 50% of while living in Germany. the total health insurance premium, a Health insurance is not a commodity turnaround from the previous reform but rather is a vital financial support in which limited the amount employers times of illness or after an accident. had to subsidize. The Krankenkassen are Some health insurance policies offer still allowed to demand a supplemental less coverage than others and the scope payment from their members to meet and quality of their terms and conditions their costs and as the median declared are of utmost importance. percentage amount is approximately 0.9% in 2019 this means that the total is Government Health Insurance System 15.5% of gross salary with the majority (GKV) of Kassen. Most German residents (approx. 70 The second reform – Pflegepersonal- million people) are members of the Stärkungsgesetz (PpSG) involves the government health system. If your gross long term nursing care insurance (Pflege- salary is less than 60,750 Euros per year, pflichtversicherung) which is turning into or 5,063 Euros per month in 2019 then a nightmare of much higher cost due membership in the GKV is mandatory. to necessary improvements in the pay The government health insurance scheme and in the number of nursing care staff is administered by 110 Krankenkassen and which is long overdue. The effect is an they charge the same basic rate of 14.6 increase of 0.5% (max. cost 150 € per % plus a possible median supplemental month) compared to 2018 (max. cost rate of 0.9% of your eligible gross salary 123€ per month). with a cap set at a maximum monthly Further reforms can be expected in an income of 4,538 Euros (2019 figures). If attempt to fund the system as a whole and you earn more than this, you do not pay in the future these will probably mean that a higher insurance premium. Assuming the premiums will continue to increase a maximum monthly health insurance and benefits will be further rationed. premium of 720 Euros as an employee You have three options for health earning at or above the threshold and you insurance while living in Germany; are therefore a voluntary member, your the government-regulated public health own contribution will be approximately insurance system (GKV), private health 360 Euros with your employer paying insurance from a German or international the other 360 Euros. The general insurance company (PKV) or a combina- minimum period of membership with tion of the two. You can opt for full private any particular Krankenkasse is 18 months. health insurance plans if your income is You can switch government health fund above a certain threshold amount or if providers by giving two months’ notice you are self-employed. Finding the best after 18 months membership or if a service provider for state health insur- supplemental premium is increased. ance or finding the most suitable coverage The medical benefits offered include from a private health insurer while still at in-patient (hospital) care as a ward a competitive rate is not always easy but patient with the doctor on duty at your is well worth the effort. nearest hospital, out-patient care with As people have different requirements registered doctors (Kassenarzte) and basic or expectations from health insurance, it dental care. Please note that there is no is important to understand the system in coverage for private doctors or surgeons,

How To Germany Digital 58 Fall/Winter 2019/20 a private room in hospital, alternative/ of your gross salary (maximum approxi- homeopathic medical care, dental subsi- mately 150 Euros per month) of which dies beyond the very basics, and vision your employer pays only up to 69 Euros. products for adults or any medical bene- THIS MAKES A MAXIMUM TOTAL fits outside of Europe. Your non¬working OF APPROXIMATELY 870 Euros per dependents living at your address in month if you are earning 4,538 Euros or Germany are presently insured at no more as an employee. Your employer additional cost and simply need to be contributes approximately 429 Euros. registered with the same Krankenkasse as Your dependent spouse and children yourself as the paying member. residing in Germany are included in your If you choose to join the German membership at no additional cost. government system, you can register with If you would like insurance coverage any of the 110 Krankenkassen which are to supplement the government system non-profit associations administrating benefits, you can purchase a policy from the government health scheme. Some (for any private health insurance company, instance AOK, TK, SBK, BEK, DAK) are German or international; for instance if very large and have millions of members you would like access to and reimburse- while others (often called BKKs) might ment of costs for a private doctor and a have just a few thousand members. This private room in hospital, homeopathy does not mean that the benefits are very and other alternative treatment or higher different, as all health insurance funds dental reimbursements. Emergency must stick to the government regulations evacuation from places outside Germany on the minimum benefits they offer. The included with a private travel insurance premiums may also vary somewhat due policy should also be considered as these to changing regulations and it would also are not paid for by the state health insur- be optimal to research which voluntary ance plan and it would be very costly to supplemental programs the Krankenkasse have to pay for such benefits out of pocket. offers in order to be able to participate Public health insurance funds some- in, for instance, a no-claims bonus, free times offer supplemental insurance plans checkups or discounts on supplemental from a particular provider, offering a health plans. Tip: Make sure you ask group rebate. Such tied plans are not about the possibility of communicating always ideal as you normally have a in the English language to make your life wider choice of benefits on the private easier, though only a limited number of health insurance market. Kassen actually offer this service and have English speaking staff. Private Health Insurance (PKV) You and your dependents must also Private health plans cover a wider choice become members of the government long- of medical and dental treatment and term nursing care scheme (Pflegepflichtver- generally provide broad geographical sicherung). This covers some of the cost coverage. By having private health of meeting personal nursing needs, such insurance you are considered a private as the feeding and bathing of those who patient and can expect a higher level become substantially disabled. Due to of service from the medical profession. major reforms of the nursing care system The hospitals and doctors depend to in 2017 and 2019 there has been a further a certain extent on private patients to increase of the cost. The cost is either supplement their incomes and therefore 3.05% (or 3.3% if you have no children) welcome them. A private patient can

How To Germany Digital 59 Fall/Winter 2019/20 also request and will often get, doctors tional expatriate health insurers will who speak their native language. The provide a German language certificate private medical insurance market is recognized by all visa authorities in served by about 40 German insurance Germany, though there are a very few companies, and there are premium/ exceptions. Whether or not this will benefit combinations available to suit change depends on whether Germany most budgets. Per person cost of full fully recognizes European directives medical insurance is based on the level of for cross-border selling of health insur- benefits chosen, as well as on entry age ance for non-Germans seeking a resi- and any pre-existing medical conditions. dence permit. A major portion (up to 80%) of private Be careful to avoid limited-term poli- medical insurance premiums has also cies with no requirement for medical been tax deductible from German income underwriting. These policies very rarely taxes since 2010. offer a permanent extension and do not The government insurance premium cover pre-existing conditions. If you covers you and all your non-working decide to stay longer than the limited dependents, whereas the private medical contractual term (anywhere from one insurance premium is generally paid for to five years) and the health insurance each person covered. You can reduce the contract expires, it could be both difficult monthly cost of your private insurance and much more expensive to get new by agreeing to a deductible (also known health coverage at that point. In addition, as an excess or franchise). German even though you may have purchased private health insurance companies are such a plan from a German health insur- not allowed to cancel your policy if you ance company before or upon your submit claims and are also required to arrival in Germany, it may not be recog- put 10% of your premiums aside as a nized by the visa authorities and you will provision towards keeping the cost stable be forced to purchase a permanent health when you retire. insurance plan in order to be permitted to If you are considering purchasing stay. Penalty fees may apply. an expatriate health insurance as a substitute for the government scheme, Additional information for employees this could potentially become quite You may choose a private health stressful because most of the foreign insurance (Private Krankenversicherung or insurance companies are not regis- PKV) instead of the government health tered with the “BaFin” to do business plan if your gross salary is higher than in Germany. Even those that are regis- 60,750 Euros per year (2019 figures). Self- tered, find that their health insurance employed persons, German civil servants plans do not meet the standards set in and those persons working part-time and the new reforms. The crux is that the earning less than 450 Euros per month German government insists that there are also eligible. may be no set upper limits on reim- If you are presently in the German bursement levels and there may be public scheme and begin to earn more no annual out-of-pocket deductibles than 60,750 Euros per year, you can higher than 5,000 Euros. Other issues change to private health insurance with involve how the insurance premiums two months’ notice because you are are calculated. The present situa- no longer a mandatory member of the tion is that none of the major interna- German public scheme (GKV) or you

How To Germany Digital 60 Fall/Winter 2019/20 remain in the public system with the insurer before the cut-off date of April status of a voluntary member, paying the 1, 2007, you should check to make sure maximum premium. your coverage is suitable for living in If upon arrival in Germany you wish Germany. You will probably need to to be privately insured, you will need to prove that your insurance is still in force inform your company’s human resources and provide some certification in the department promptly to avoid possible German language to the visa authorities. confusion; otherwise, you may find If you would like to keep the non- yourself automatically registered in the German insurance, please note that government system. It is your decision you must in any event still pay into the and your employer is not allowed to government long-term nursing care restrict your freedom of choice among scheme (Pflegepflichtversicherung) and the various Krankenkassen or private may also wish to purchase supplemental health insurance providers. sick pay insurance. This may be difficult If you purchase a private medical to find as German insurers are not partic- insurance plan from a German health ularly keen on insuring self-employed insurance company that provides a certif- foreigners. icate recognized by the German govern- German private health insurance ment (Paragraph 257 SGB V Arbeitge- companies are forced to accept all appli- berbescheinigung) you may take advan- cants, irrespective of their health situa- tage of the same employer subsidies as a tion, in their “Basistarif “ which became government plan member. This translates available from January 1, 2009. In to approximately 350 Euros per month other words, if you have a serious pre- of employer subsidy towards the cost of existing medical condition and cannot your private health insurance policy and be accepted into normal private health up to 69 Euros for your private nursing insurance tariffs, you can purchase this care insurance. If such certification is not tariff as a last resort. It offers similar provided, your employer has the option, benefits to the government system and but is under no obligation, to compensate the cost is capped at the maximum rate you for part of the cost of your medical of the Krankenkasse. Unfortunately the insurance. Most German employers now monthly premium is approx. 703 Euros demand this certificate as proof that your for each adult plus approx. 250 Euros insurance benefits meet the regulations. for each of your dependent children. In addition you must pay for the nursing Additional information for self- care insurance. If you become eligible for employed or non-employed persons welfare support if you only pay 50% of It is illegal to be uninsured if you reside these amounts. in Germany. If you are basically in good health, you Sick Pay Insurance should try to purchase suitable benefits Should you fall ill while in Germany, plans from a German private health insur- your employer will normally pay six ance company willing to accept non- weeks’ full salary, after which the Germans. A qualified and experienced government scheme health insurer insurance broker specializing in expatriates (Krankenkasse) pays up to 70% of your will help you find the most suitable cover. gross income, (up to a maximum of If you are self-employed and were approximately 3,176 Euros per month) as already covered by an international statutory sick pay (Krankengeld) for up

How To Germany Digital 61 Fall/Winter 2019/20 to a maximum of 78 weeks if you are a will handle you only as a private patient. member of a Krankenkasse. After social You will only be reimbursed for the security deductions you would be left amount that the German public system with a maximum of approximately 2,785 would have paid for the treatment - Euros to finance your normal monthly sometimes only a fraction of the actual fixed expenses such as rent, groceries and cost you paid. If you wish to be covered other insurance policies. for the full amount of any medical outlay If you are earning more than this per or plan to travel to non-EU countries, month, after tax deductions, it would you should definitely purchase a private be worth considering the purchase of travel insurance policy. There are single supplemental sick pay insurance, which trip and annual policies to choose from. is available at reasonable rates. This is The German government health system particularly important if your monthly does not cover medical evacuation from fixed living costs are higher than 2,785 any foreign countries. Please note that Euros. If you purchase private medical not all travel insurance policies cover insurance, you should also consider evacuations, so always check the fine purchasing adequate sick pay insurance print before signing up. to meet your living expenses. Please note that neither the private nor the Dental Care statutory sick pay covers permanent In Germany, dental care can be expensive. disability and it is assumed that you will For major dental work involving bridges, be returning to full employment. You crowns or orthodontics, you must get should therefore consider purchasing a a cost estimate and present it to your separate policy for permanent disability insurer prior to treatment; otherwise you and critical illness. could be faced with a very high bill to be paid out of your own pocket. If you have Cross-Border Care, Travel Insurance doubts about a recommended treatment, and Evacuation Benefits get a second opinion. Also please watch The German public health insurance out: some German dentists can sometimes system will provide you with limited suggest complicated and unnecessary medical and dental cover for travel dental work. The reimbursement within the EU. The EU cross-border amounts from the public health system regulations came into effect on October 25, 2013. This change meant that public patients can choose to have their medical care in any country in the EU, EEA state or Switzerland and receive a partial reimbursement from their local public insurance fund (i.e. Krankenkasse in Germany). As there are different procedures for hospital and out-patient services please contact your Krankenkasse before embarking on any cross-border medical or dental care. The contact number for the international liaison office: +49 (0)2289530-800. ADAC Air Ambulance lands in Spain to evacuate a patient A large percentage of foreign doctors photo: istockphoto.com/GavinD

How To Germany Digital 62 Fall/Winter 2019/20 covered, as long as you have a prescrip- tion. You will have to pay the full cost of the prescription medicine immediately and then submit the receipts to your insurer for reimbursement. However, do not expect to be reimbursed by either the government or private health insurance for over- the-counter remedies.

Copyright Cathy J. Matz-Townsend Independent Insurance Broker Hauptstrasse 175 65375 Oestrich-Winkel, Germany Tel: 06723-6033518 are calculated based on a fixed price [email protected] depending on the tooth work to be done www.insure-invest.de and you can expect to pay between 30% All information is provided to the best of our knowledge and 80% out-of-pocket for dental work as of January 2019 but we can give no guarantee for its if you do not have supplemental dental accuracy or completeness. insurance in place. The fixed price system for pre- authorization of costs uses the abso- lute minimum standards and does not cover gold, porcelain or other materials. Supplemental dental insurance is worth considering if you would like to avoid unpleasant surprises. Pharmacies Germany has an extensive network of pharmacies (Apotheken), with branches on just about every second corner in town, easily recognized by big red “A” or a green cross. The state health insurance generally provides reimbursement for prescription generic drugs, though with a co-payment, the scale of which depends on the cost of the medication. The public system is trying to reduce the immense cost of pharmaceuticals and has forced discounts from the large drug companies. The pharmacy must search for the lowest possible price for the generic medication when you present a prescription from the registered doctor as a public patient. If you are privately insured, brand- name medication will normally be

How To Germany Digital 63 Fall/Winter 2019/20 The German Legal System

Some important things to be aware of -- you never know when they might come in handy.

lthough the German legal system be five persons hearing the case; three operates differently than the professional judges and two lay judges AAnglo and American systems, or five professional judges. legal specialists who have studied it are Professional judges serving in the usually in agreement that it is fair. It various German States (Länder) are provides many safeguards to ensure the trained legal experts and are normally fairness of investigations and trials. employed as civil servants for life by the Länder. Lay judges are ordinary citizens Courts and Judges selected by a committee to serve a pre- For anyone that becomes involved in a determined length of time. All judges legal proceeding there are a number of serving in the federal courts are trained different courts in which their case may in the legal profession. They have to be be heard – depending on the nature and professional judges or lawyers. seriousness of the case. There are also a number of different higher courts to Courts which appeals can be made. The number There are both ordinary and specialized of and types of judges that hear cases and courts in the German justice system. make rulings may also vary depending on the type of issue involved. Ordinary Courts There is no such thing as a jury trial Ordinary Courts hear matters relating in Germany and judges take on a more to civil, criminal, family and marriage active role in court proceedings. Court laws. (Local Courts also take care procedures are otherwise similar to a of company registrations and other jury trial in the USA. Under German law administrative matters.) These are the the accused is presumed innocent until most numerous courts in Germany. proven guilty. There are four tiers of Ordinary Courts. Local Courts (Amtsgerichte), can have Judges a single professional judge or up to Depending on the specific court, a two professional judges and two lay tribunal can be made up of a single judges. The next level is the Regional professional judge or a combination of Court (Landegericht) where up to three professional judges and “lay judges”. In professional and two lay judges hear minor cases there may be only a single cases. After that comes the Higher professional judge presiding. Or, if the Regional Courts (Oberlandesgerichte) that charges are severe and the accused seat three to five professional judges. The faces heavy penalties, there may up to highest Ordinary Court is the Federal

How To Germany Digital 64 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Court of Justice (Bundesgerichtshof). It has for example, may be taken if the alleged five professional judges that hear cases. offense is related to drugs or alcohol, Criminal cases can be assigned to any of provided this doesn’t pose a health the first three Courts. Civil matters are danger. normally assigned to the first two Courts. Appeals can be made to two higher Authorities courts. The authority of German police is about the same as in other developed countries. Specialized Courts If a party is required to appear in a The special Administrative law courts German court he or she will be properly (Verwaltungsgerichte) have three levels served with a summons. Failure to appear and hear cases regarding government in court may be punished. regulations and actions. Drugs Labor law courts (Arbeitsgerichte) also Drug offenses such as importation, sale have three levels and hear cases regarding or possession of narcotics, including employment issues, working conditions marijuana and hashish, are considered and collective bargaining agreements. serious crimes.

Social law courts (Sozialgerichte) have Firearms three levels and work with cases German law has very strict requirements involving the various social benefits. regarding the registration and possession These include unemployment payments, of firearms and other weapons. workers compensation claims and social security payments. Selling an item Anything an individual sells (including Financial Courts (Finanzgerichte) have a car) automatically carries a six-month two levels and only adjudicate cases warranty under law unless this has been involving tax issues. explicitly excluded. Normal wear and tear of a used item is not considered a Any Constitutional law issues are heard defect. by the Federal Constitutional Court (Bundesverfassungsgericht). Divorce Under German marriage laws, a party Rights & Laws can’t file for divorce until he or she Self Incrimination has been separated for one year, or for When authorities question a suspect, they three years if the divorce is contested. must make it clear that any statement Annulments are very rare. may be used against him or her. A suspect can’t be compelled to testify against Contracts himself or herself, and has the absolute The differences between German and right, without undue influence, to remain Anglo-American laws are particularly silent. obvious when it comes to contracts. In the US, for example, it is common, and Evidence Gathering usually necessary, to spell out everything Physical examinations can be made over in a contract. The rule in German law, the suspect’s objection. Blood samples, on the other hand, is: “a short contract

How To Germany Digital 65 Fall/Winter 2019/20 is a good contract.” For example the court, where the presiding judge decides main issues in rental agreements and if the evidence warrants a trial. This leases are codified in a law dealing with contrasts markedly from the US, where a landlord-tenant relations. There may be judge will have little or no knowledge of nothing in the lease dealing with notice the facts of a case until evidence has been periods, renovations required or actions introduced in the courtroom. in the event of non-payment of rent, but these things are still covered because of Pleas & Evidence the law. Formal pleas of “guilty” or “not guilty” do not exist in German trials. An accused House/Apartment Rental party can’t plead guilty in order to An agreement to rent an apartment receive a lesser punishment. Hearsay or house for a fixed term cannot evidence and, under certain conditions, be terminated early except under depositions of absent witnesses can be extraordinary circumstances. A job admitted as evidence in a German court. transfer is usually not an extraordinary The attendance of witnesses and the circumstance. It’s advisable for production of evidence can be compelled. expatriates to have a German attorney lead them through this maze. Attorneys It is wise to have a German defense Laws regarding respect counsel unless a case is very minor or the It is a criminal offense in Germany to charges are undisputed. The right of the show disrespect for the colors, flag, coat accused to be represented by counsel is of arms or national anthem of the country carefully protected under German law. In or any of its states; or to remove, damage some cases when the accused is charged or disfigure any publicly displayed with an offense punishable by a year national flag or symbol. Insulting an or more of confinement, German law individual can also be a criminal offense, mandates the provision of counsel even particularly if the individual is an official, if the accused doesn’t wish it. such as a policeman or judge, acting Attorney fees depend on the length of under his legal authority. the trial and the complexity of the case. They can be quite high if the trial takes Detention more than a day, or if representation is by Under certain circumstances, accused an attorney of high repute. There are also parties who are not German may have court costs that can be quite high if the their passports confiscated to keep them case is complex. If the accused in crim- from leaving the country. In serious inal cases is acquitted, the court generally cases, the accused may be placed in pre- pays the attorney’s fees. trial confinement. Though he has the duty of defending the accused to the maximum of his Prosecution ability, a German lawyer is not as active The first phase of a German criminal in court as an American or British lawyer prosecution is pre-trial investigation may be. In a German trial, the judge, not to determine if there are grounds for the defense counsel or the prosecutor, a formal indictment. If a prosecutor obtains the testimony of the witnesses. determines that there is, the case is After the judge is finished, the pros- transferred to the appropriate German ecutor and the defense counsel will be

How To Germany Digital 66 Fall/Winter 2019/20 permitted to question witnesses. The aim Fines can be levied for violations of is to obtain the truth from witnesses by traffic, environmental, consumer protec- direct questioning rather than through tion and unfair competition laws. Also, the examination and cross-examination. objects used in the violation of a law (a car, for example) may be confiscated. Victims Rights Confinement begins immediately after The German Code of Criminal Procedure the judgment of the court is announced at allows victims of an offense, or their trial, unless an appeal is pending. In this survivors, the right to participate in the case the judgment doesn’t become legally trial as intervenors or private prosecutors. effective until and unless the appeal is Intervenors are usually represented denied or withdrawn. by counsel and may produce evidence related to the case, as well as question Appeals witnesses. Although German law protects the accused from being repeatedly Conviction prosecuted or subjected to double If the accused is convicted the court jeopardy, the prosecution as well usually will credit the entire period of as the defense may appeal a court pre-trial confinement. For many crimes judgment, and such an appeal by the a probation period of two to five years prosecution is not considered double is often imposed on first offenders. jeopardy. Notification for appeal must be Depending on the crime, of course, prison submitted within one week after the oral terms can range from one month to life; announcement of the court’s judgment. though in practice sentences seldom A brief supporting the appeal must be exceed 15 years. submitted within 30 days.

How To Germany – on the Web HowToGermany.com The internet site of the only national magazine dedicated to helping expatriates survive and thrive while living in Germany.

A complete collection of the archives of How To Germany magazine, plus:

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How To Germany Digital 67 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Taxes in Germany

xpatriates living in Germany can be up to €260,532 (€521,064) were taxed at subject to German taxes, especially 42%. Incomes over €260,533 for a singe Eif they have German source income. person and €521,066 for a married couple The German tax system is similar to the were taxed at 45%. structures in other western countries. For 2019 the taxable income amounts You pay income taxes throughout the have increased a bit. And, there is an year, usually with an employer deduct- additional bracket. Taxable income of less ing tax from each paycheck. Adjustments than €9,169 is tax-free for a single person are then made at the end of the year for (€18,338 for a married couple). Beyond possible under or overpayments. this threshold incomes up to €14,255 for a single person (€28,510 for a couple) are Individual Income Taxes taxed with a rate progressively increasing For 2018 a taxable income of less than from 14% to 24%. Incomes from €14,256 €9,000 was tax-free for a single person (€28,512) up to €55,960 (€111,920) are (€18,000 for a married couple). Incomes taxes at a rate of 24% to 42%; incomes up to €59,949 for a single person (€109,898 from €55,961 (€111,922) to €265,236 for a couple) were then taxed with a rate (€530,652) are taxed at 42%. Incomes over progressively increasing from 14% to €265,327 for a singe person and €530,654 42%. Incomes from €54,950 (€109,990) for a married couple are taxed at 45%. In

Regenbogen Tax advisoR seRvice: Comprehensive Expatriate Financial Service Program Traditional Full Tax Accounting Services and New, State-certifiedRegenbogen Retirement Tax adviso PensionR sFinancialeRvice: Planning for Long-, Intermediate and Short Term Goals in cooperation with Comprehensive Expatriate Financial Service Program gRegoTraditionalR Pension Full Tax s AccountingeRvice, F ServicesRankF uRT Contact one of us for a Free,and non-binding Consultation New, State-certified„Planning Today Retirement for a secure Pension Tomorrow“ Financial Planning SuSannafor Long-,reGenbo IntermediateGen · Steuerberaterin and Short TermSven- Goalsejnar in cooperation GreGor · recht withSanwalt Raiffeisenstraße 9 Bockenheimer Landstr. 51-53 61118 Bad Vilbel gRegoR Pension seRvice,60325 FFrankfurtRank amF MainuRT Phone: 06101 51234-00Contact · Fax: one 06101 of 51234-29us for a Free, non-bindingPhone: 069 874033000 Consultation · Fax: 069 874033099 [email protected] [email protected] www.steuerberatung-regenbogen.de„Planning Today for a securewww.pensionservice-gregor.com Tomorrow“ SuSanna reGenboGen · Steuerberaterin Sven-ejnar GreGor · rechtSanwalt Raiffeisenstraße 9 Bockenheimer Landstr. 51-53 How 61118To Germany Bad Vilbel Digital 68 60325 Frankfurt am Main Fall/Winter 2019/20 Phone: 06101 51234-00 · Fax: 06101 51234-29 Phone: 069 874033000 · Fax: 069 874033099 [email protected] [email protected] www.steuerberatung-regenbogen.de www.pensionservice-gregor.com addition to this there is the “solidarity taxable income to the employee and the surcharge” of 5.5% of the tax, to cover the employee’s portion is tax deductible up continuing costs of integrating the states to a certain limit. A tax adviser can tell of the former East Germany. you more about other deductions and As in many other countries, Germany the requirements to earn them. If an indi- allows a variety of deductions that vidual is subject to German tax, gener- can lower taxable income. Deductions ally most sources of income are then are granted for circumstances such as taxable. The Lohnsteuer (wage tax), which children under 18 (or under 27 if still alone accounts for a third of the German attending school and without earnings), government’s revenue, is withheld at specified insurance premiums, charitable source from compensation. Income from and political contributions to German other sources (e. g. self-employment, fees entities up to certain limits and unavoid- for services, rent collections, investments able extraordinary expenses above a and the like) are covered by the Einkom- certain limit (such as illness). mensteuer (income tax). Deductions from compensation are The Lohnsteuer differs from the Einkom- also made for four social programs; mensteuer only by the method of collection. retirement, unemployment, health The Lohnsteuer is collected at source and insurance and long-term nursing paid directly to the Finanzamt (tax office) care. Payments for these programs are by the employer while an individual must normally borne equally by the employer pay the Einkommensteuer himself. and the employee. The employer’s share Based primarily on your final payment of contributions is not considered as for the previous year, the Finanzamt will

GERMAN TAX CONSULTING COMPANY RFP Steuerberatung GmbH Steuerberatungsgesellschaft • Payroll, Bookkeeping and Annual Report Services for American DoD Contractors - Sole Proprietors Churches - Corporations - Partnerships RFP Steuerberatung GmbH Am Neuen Markt 2 • German Benefits Consultation for US Employees working on German economy 66877 Ramstein-Miesenbach Tel: 06371-96230 • German Tax Declarations Fax: 06371-962350 • Assistance with Business Start-ups Ms. Susanne Lang • German Social Security System [email protected] • And in other areas... WWW. RFP. TAX How To Germany Digital 69 Fall/Winter 2019/20 estimate your tax for the current year income tax there is also a series of sales and require you to make prepayments taxes that significantly impact both (Vorauszahlungen) of a quarter of the individuals and businesses. The major tax on March 10, June 10, September 10 tax is the Mehrwertsteuer (value added and December 10. The total tax liability tax), which accounts for a quarter of the is determined by filing an income tax government’s revenue and is second return, which includes all types of only to the Lohnsteuer in this regard. income from all sources. Wage tax with- The Mehrwertsteuer assesses a levy on holding as well as provisional payments each step in the production and delivery are deducted from this total tax liability of most items available for purchase. so that a refund or final tax payment is It applies to services as well as goods assessed. The tax assessment is usually and the standard current rate is 19%. A issued by the Finanzamt between two reduced rate of 7% currently applies to and six months from the date the return certain products, including food and is filed. No payment will be due before printed material. Medical and insurance receipts of the tax assessment notice. services are generally exempt, as are Every tax return is under audit, there- exports of goods abroad and services fore if the tax assessment is issued and is rendered abroad. not preliminary, the assessment can only Numerous other items, including be changed in the future by the occur- gasoline, alcoholic beverages, tobacco rence of extraordinary circumstances (e. products, tea and coffee, carry sales taxes g. tax evasion). in addition to the Mehrwertsteuer. There As a rule, the income tax return (Ein is also a church tax (Kirchensteuer), of 8% kommensteuererklärung) should be filed to 9% of the Einkommensteuer/Lohnsteuer. by December 31 of the year following the But you are not required to pay the tax one in which the income was received. unless you wish to be officially affili- If you use the assistance of a tax consul- ated with one of Germany’s established tant, in some circumstances that date can churches; usually Catholic or Protestant. be extended to February 28. There may All in all there are approximately 30 be penalties and interest assessed if the different types of taxes, including taxes return is filed late. on inheritances, real estate and motor There are a few situations where vehicles. There is even a tax on the the taxpayer is required to pay taxes gross amounts received by the state-run even though the income is less than the lotteries, though the distributions to the personal allowance, especially when tax- lucky lottery winners are tax-free. exempt income (such as foreign-sourced Due to the complexity of the German income) must be considered for the tax system it is always recommended determination of the applicable income that you hire a tax consultant (Steuerber- tax rate (progression clause). Taxes are ater) to guide you through the intrica- then assessed based on a sliding scale. cies involved in filing returns as well as There is anumber “unofficial” tax provide some ease of mind during your calculators available online that can give stay abroad. In addition, the German you an idea of what your Einkommen- Finanzamt will give you tax advice at steuer or Lohnsteuer might be. no charge. If you are interested in more information about the German tax Other Taxes system visit the Finanzamt website at In addition to the various forms of www.bundesfinanzministerium.de.

How To Germany Digital 70 Fall/Winter 2019/20 American Expats and the IRS earned income exclusion, a foreign tax The most essential thing for an Ameri- credit can be claimed by completing and can residing in Germany (or any other attaching a Form 1116 to the Form 1040. foreign country) to know is that he or The foreign tax credit provides a credit she is required by law to file a U.S. tax for German taxes paid on income earned return every year with the Internal outside of the U.S. that is subject to U.S. Revenue Service if income is above the taxation. By claiming either or both the filing requirement. It doesn’t matter if foreign earned income exclusion and/or all income was earned in Germany, or the foreign tax credit, most individuals if a German return was filed and Ger- eliminate any double taxation assessed man taxes paid. He or she still must file between the U.S. and Germany. a U.S. Form 1040 (or variation of it) and Other items of income, such as normally other forms as well. interest, dividends and capital gains, The US Embassy in Germany has a are subject to different sourcing rules website page with information on the depending on the circumstances. For IRS at this link. This same website page example, interest earned on a U.S. bank has links to the IRS for downloadable account by an American residing in forms and publications as well as contact Germany will be taxable in Germany numbers in the States for assistance for under the U.S./German tax treaty. The international customers. Additionally, income must also be reported on the U.S. there is information and links on FBAR, return, and a foreign tax credit can then FACTA as well as the IRS exchange rate be claimed against the U.S. tax assessed used for filing and information on mailing on the income. tax forms. Information regarding the taxation of Unless individuals are highly paid, other types of income and the related they may not have a U.S. tax liability. income tax treaties can be obtained from Most individuals are able to qualify the IRS website at www.irs.gov/Individ- for the foreign earned income exclu- uals/International-Taxpayers. Americans sion, which allows them to reduce their residing overseas on April 15th receive taxable income by up to $104,100 for 2018 an automatic two-month extension to relating to compensation earned outside June 15th for filing their U.S. tax return. of the U.S. The exchange rate for the year When filing the return, the individual 2017 used by the IRS to calculate income should attach a statement indicating was $1.00 = Euro 0.848 that he or she qualified for the extension In order to claim the exclusion, an indi- under Reg. 1.6081-5(A). The extension is vidual must fulfill the requirements of only an extension of time for filing, not either the Substantial Presence Test (330 an extension to the payment of any tax foreign presence days within a 12-month liability. Therefore, if a tax liability is due, period) or the Bona Fide Residence Test interest will be assessed from April 15th. (resident of a foreign country for a full It sometimes happens that Americans calendar year). Once the requirements residing outside of the U.S. are unaware are fulfilled, the exclusion can be claimed of the requirement that they must file a by completing and attaching a Form 2555 return. The IRS can be fairly tolerant in to the Form 1040. such cases. If these individuals come For those highly paid individuals who forward voluntarily, file returns for delin- cannot fully exclude their foreign compen- quent tax years and pay the tax owed sation from U.S. taxation with the foreign (if any) along with related interest and

How To Germany Digital 71 Fall/Winter 2019/20 penalties, there will usually be no crim- living overseas. This website contains inal charges imposed. It is probably best the basic tax information plus links to to consult a tax professional with interna- other detailed topics:www.irs.gov/ tional taxpayer experience to prepare the Individuals/International-Taxpayers. late filings and correspond with the IRS. All U.S. taxpayers living outside In contrast, if the IRS discovers that the United States should mail their tax a taxpayer is delinquent in filing his or returns to: her U.S. tax returns, the individual could Internal Revenue Service Center be facing fines, property seizure, attach- Austin, TX 73301-0215 ment of wages or even prison. The IRS You can, if you wish, also file your tax has developed sophisticated means of return electronically. More information catching delinquents in this computer on that is at the IRS website: www.irs. age. Every time an American renews a gov/Filing. passport, the State Department obtains Due to the complexity of both the his or her Social Security number and U.S. and German tax systems and their reports it to the IRS. interaction with one another, it is always You may also obtain a copy of IRS recommended that you hire a tax consul- Publication 54, Tax Guide for U.S. Citi- tant (Steuerberater/CPA) or a profes- zens and Resident Aliens Abroad, which sional US Tax preparer to guide you should answer most of your ques- through the intricacies involved in filing tions. It is available at most Embassy returns as well as to provide some ease of and Consulate offices or can be down- mind during your stay abroad. loaded from the IRS site. The IRS has updated their website for U.S. taxpayers

US Taxpayers - you may have to file more than just a tax return! In recent years the IRS has added some reporting requirements to the sometimes already complicated process of completing and sending in a tax return. Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) From the IRS website: “The FBAR is a calendar year report and must be filed on or before June 30 of the year following the calendar year being reported. Effective July 1, 2013, the FBAR must be filed electronically through FinCEN’s BSA E-Filing System. The FBAR is not filed with a federal tax return. A filing extension, granted by the IRS to file an income tax return, does not extend the time to file an FBAR. There is no provision to request an extension of time to file an FBAR.” Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets (Form 8938) From the IRS website: “Taxpayers with specified foreign financial assets that exceed certain thresholds must report those assets to the IRS on Form 8938, Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets, which is filed with an income tax return. The new Form 8938 filing requirement is in addition to the FBAR filing requirement. A chart providing a comparison of Form 8938 and FBAR requirements may be accessed on the IRS Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act web page.”

How To Germany Digital 72 Fall/Winter 2019/20 The German Retirement and Pension System Basic Facts

ver since Germany established its fully cover the cost of the pensions, which first Social Security system in 1889, is why the government enacted pension Ethe public retirement insurance has reform in 2001 and 2004. With these been “pay-as-you-go”, with the current reforms, public retirement insurance pensions of the retired paid from the premiums will be increased, pensions current premiums of the not yet retired. slightly decreased and the retirement Currently over 80% of the work force is age increased. Most importantly, for the enrolled in the Public Retirement Insur- first time in Germany, employers and ance (gesetzliche Rentenversicherung GRV). employees will be encouraged to invest Civil Servants, who make up about 9% of in a variety of private pension plans the work force, have their own pension through subsidies and tax breaks. system and the self-employed, who make up about 9% of the work force, are mostly There are three pillars to the German self-insured (but are allowed to partici- retirement system; pate in the GRV.) 1) the government-run Retirement Revenues from the premiums don’t Insurance system

Refund of Contributions

If you are a US, Canadian, Australian citizen options, given both countries are EU or a citizen of a non-EU country, you may be member states. According to the Deutsche eligible for a refund of your contributions if Rentenversicvherung Bund, you are not you contributed for less than 60 months and eligible for a full payout if you are still required more than 24 months have transpired since to pay social security taxes into another EU your last required contribution and you have state’s system, i.e., Great Britain. If, however, moved home or to a non-EU state. you made contributions for less than five According to a brochure from the Deutsche years, you are eligible for a full payout Rentenversicvherung Bund (German upon reaching age 65. Otherwise, it seems Retirement Fund), your compulsory another possibility is to combine your British contributions can be refunded to the full and German social security payments upon amount and your voluntary contributions can reaching retirement age. be refunded up to 50 percent. Contributions Obviously, while this is how we understand by your employer will not be refunded. the information from the Deutsche It may also be possible to collect your Rentenversicherung, these are questions retirement in the US, Canada or other that can only be answered completely by a countries from Germany once you reach lawyer or an accountant age 65. British citizens have different

How To Germany Digital 73 Fall/Winter 2019/20 2) private company plans and cant up to now, but have recently been 3) private individual retirement getting a lot of attention as supplements investments. to the Public Retirement Insurance. These private plans include (but are not Government -run Retirement Plan limited to) the Riester and Rürup plans. The Public Retirement Insurance Workers and other participants can get system, which also includes survivor certain tax advantages and benefits from and disability benefits, has been -domi government subsidies for these plans. nant. Participation is mandatory for The benefits and other details vary from employees, with each worker assessed plan to plan. There are differing payment for a sum based on annual earnings. methods, payout schemes, tax liabili- Premiums are deducted by the employer, ties, portability opportunities and other with the employee paying half and the factors that distinguish these plans from employer half. Retirement now begins each other. Certain plans may be better a few months after reaching age 65, and for different individuals depending on over the next years it will be gradually their particular situation. increased to 67. Contributions to the plan are also to be increased, and maximum Expatriates living in Germany can pensions reduced from 70% to 67% of net participate in all these plans. It may be pay. English language information about possible to pay premiums to, and get the German Public Retirement System benefits from, private pension plans can be found at www.deutsche-renten- even after having left Germany. Bene- versicherung-bund.de. (Select English fits from company plans usually can be under Fremdsprachen at the top right of received outside of Germany, though the site.) premiums are not always refunded. If an expat qualifies for a pension under Private Company Plans the Public Retirement Insurance it can Company Plans (bAV betriebliche be paid to them even if they do not live Altersvorsorge) have traditionally been in Germany. designed to supplement Retirement There are many complicated details Insurance, and now will play a greater to the pension system; means of role in taking up the slack. Government determining the amount of pensions, tax breaks and subsidies will encourage provisions for early retirement, increased companies and employees to invest in retirement benefits for staying on the private plans. Though company plans job beyond 65, etc. The best way to find are not compulsory, they cover about what plan is right for you is to consult a three-fifths of the working population, financial advisor. a percentage that is expected to grow. Pensions on company plans usually also commence at age 65, though this is likely in many cases to follow the Retirement Insurance practice and increase gradually to age 67.

Individual Retirement Investments The third pillar, individual retirement investments, have not been very signifi-

How To Germany Digital 74 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Buying a House in Germany

or those who plan to stay in Germa- Unlike many other countries, ny longer than a few years, purchas- Germans tend to buy houses for life. Fing a house or apartment may be an They don't often see the more typical, option to consider. non-European practice of buying now Since many expats these days are here and continuously upgrading. This for three to five years, it is understand- explains why there are fewer real-estate able that few have considered buying a market price fluctuations, though the home. For those who plan to stay longer, demand for choice locations remains however, purchasing a house or apart- high. It is not unusual for would-be ment is an option not to be overlooked. homeowners to take up to two years to These are only guidelines and basics find their home. Bearing this in mind, it and shouldn't be regarded as binding is wise to invest in prime properties in legal or financial advice. Buyers are the "better" areas of town; the ones with strongly advised to consult with attor- a good infrastructure. The initial price neys (Rechtsanwalte) and/or tax consul- may be higher, but the investment will tants (Steuerberäter). be worth more in the long run. The percentage of Germans owning The current situation their homes is surprisingly low compared Basically, this is a good time to purchase with elsewhere. At about 46 percent, it is a house or apartment. Mortgage rates are the lowest in the entire European Union. low. There might be moderate increases, As in other countries, the ratio differs but the present tendency of low rates is according to income levels. The more expected to endure. The purchase prices affluent the people are the more likely it of houses also remain moderate, though is that they will own their homes. they have begun to rise in some places, It could be that extensive expatriate such as Munich. home purchases could cause this rate

Rechtsanwalt Uwe J. Fischer

Whether you own a property in Germany and wish to sell it or want to purchase one you will require the services of a lawyer. Either the impartial service of a Notar or your own lawyer to advise you.

Uwe Fischer • Leipziger Platz 9 •10117 Berlin • Tel: +49-30-31102480 Website: www.germanpropertylawyer.de Email: [email protected]

How To Germany Digital 75 Fall/Winter 2019/20 to rise in the future. There are no legal Many of the real estate websites in restrictions on non-Germans owning Germany have some sort of analysis and property, and many expats have signifi- breakdown of regional (and sometimes cantly higher income levels and housing city) prices for homes and apartments. aspirations. The only bar to foreign These prices are normally based on the ownership of property might lie in the listings on their particular website. They financial institutions that offer mort- sometimes track the prices of their list- gages. They might require a higher down ings over time so potential buyers can get payment because of the lack of a long- a feel for market movements. term financial track record. How to find a house or apartment What determines the price of German As in every country there are certain houses and apartments procedures for finding an apartment or Houses and many apartment buildings house and closing the sale. It makes lit- built in Germany, and all other European tle sense in Germany to look for a "For countries, tend to be smaller than those Sale" sign in front of the house. This is built in North America. The more than not a common way of offering property. 81 million people in Germany live on a While many offers are still published in land surface only 1/35th that of the U.S., newspapers, in the last few years various which has a population of about 320 mil- websites have sprung up that provide ex- lion. That means that Germany has only tensive listings on apartments and hous- 1/9th as much living space. And much of es for sale as well as rental units. These that land is heavily developed. So home websites also have extensive information prices are much higher. It should also be on financing and other topics related to noted that houses and apartment build- buying and renting property. ings in Germany are, for the most part, Some ads state that the property is von very well built using quality materials privat, which means that no real estate while adhering to strict building codes. agent is involved. Most offers, though, Most of the structures are built with are made through such agents (Immobil- masonry as the primary material inside ienmakler). A potential buyer should care- and outside. There are not very many (if fully research the property when buying any) "stick houses" constructed mostly of a house in Germany. Many of the "inex- wood and dry wall. pensive" homes advertised may require Prices of homes and apartments vary renovation investments well beyond the widely throughout Germany. And can purchase price. also vary widely within each Federal Another "warning signal" can be: State. In the countryside prices tend to be grosszügige Räume, meaning "large much lower. Some German States have rooms" or "very spacious." What that lower average prices than others. Houses really means is "very expensive to heat." and apartments in many larger cities are And watch out for the property that is für expensive as well as those in the metro- Schnellentschlossene (for quick decision- politan areas that surround these cities. makers). That probably means the home The former East Germany generally is has been on the market for a long time cheaper than the former West for the and may not be very desirable. same size house or apartment in a similar House-hunting is time consuming. demographic area. (Berlin is an exception In most cases newspaper ads don't give to this generalization.) addresses, meaning you must make an

How To Germany Digital 76 Fall/Winter 2019/20 appointment with a go-between or agent. there will be a property transfer tax, a Many website listings however include notary fee and additional small admin- full addresses as well as maps. istrative costs, perhaps including the As a buyer, it is generally advised not hiring of an interpreter. to sign an "exclusivity contract" with any The property transfer tax can range one agent. You may wish to peruse a from 3.5 – 6 percent of the purchase wider range of offers from several agents. price and is paid by the purchaser. The And ask the agent at the outset who is more the purchase price, the more this paying their commission and what the tax will be, so there is a temptation to percentage is. make an "arrangement" with the seller, Currently, except with rental under which a lower price is shown on contracts, there is no law regulating the contract. This is a very dangerous commissions. This may change in the practice. If it's found out it could result near future. It can be negotiated, and not only in the payment of the tax, but a in most cases can be between 3 and 7 severe penalty fee as well. percent of the purchase price. In some Another cost for the buyer in Germany cases the buyer pays the commission in is the notary fee. Once the buyer and full, in many others it's split between seller have agreed on a purchase price, buyer and seller and in some instances the property sales contract must be agents receive their commission exclu- signed in the presence of a notary. This sively from the seller. is to the advantage of both parties, and An agent may submit an invoice only particularly the buyer, since it provides when he has clearly arranged the contact assurance that the entire transaction is between buyer and seller. That means carried out in accordance with the law. that he has given the buyer the full The notary fee, of about 1.5 to 2 percent, address, the full name of the seller and a covers preparation of the contract, nego- purchase price. tiations, the signing ceremony and entry It is also advisable to ask the seller in the land register. whether he has a contract with an agent. Asking the commission from the seller Notary duties and responsibilities seems logical, since he is the one who can The notary is legally bound to act as an judge what the agent has done to sell the impartial middleman between buyer and house. The buyer in most cases only sees seller. He or she checks the land register the agent once or twice and can fairly ask to see whether the property can be sold what the agent has done to earn the big at all; and if it can be, whether there are fee he is charging. any restrictions on its use. The contract If a potential buyer gets an offer from spells out the obligations of each party one agent for a house that another agent and the measures to be taken in the event has already offered, it is often advisable of default. Once it is signed, the notary to tell the second agent immediately. registers the change of ownership with Otherwise the customer may wind up the municipal government and enters the paying a double commission. property in the land register. Once a property has been found there It isn't widely known that the buyer will be additional costs that can be conser- may choose his or her own notary, and vatively estimated at about 10 percent it is recommended that expatriates exer- of the purchase price. In addition to the cise this option, choosing a notary who agent's commission already mentioned, speaks English.

How To Germany Digital 77 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Always ask for a copy of the purchase The land register is located at the contract before going to the notary, district courthouse and is the central reviewing it carefully and having it trans- document for a piece of property, with lated if necessary. Prepare any questions all necessary information on its owner- you have in advance, don't hesitate to ask ship. An actual change in ownership them and allow sufficient time for getting can occur only when an entry has been full answers. made in this land register, and only At the actual signing ceremony the when previous mortgages have been notary reads the contract of sale verbatim taken care of and the tax office has and is required to be certain that both certified that the seller has no property parties fully understand its content. taxes outstanding. The buyer may ask questions and inter- Very often the purchase price is first rupt the proceedings if a clause isn't paid into an account maintained by the completely understood. Since the reading notary (Notaranderkonto) and transferred must be in the German language, the to the seller only with the land register buyer has the right to have a professional entry is complete. interpreter present, though this will be an The notary is not responsible the additional cost. correctness of the owner's property In most cases, buyers and sellers are description. That is the buyer's job. The not single persons but couples or even seller isn't obliged to point out any major groups of owners. All persons involved defects that should have been obvious to must be present at the signing ceremony. the buyer, though he should be required All must bring their passports in order to to describe any hidden defects. identify themselves. A copy of the most current land register entries can be obtained on application to The contract the district court. However, only persons Among the most important things a with a legitimate need to know, such as contract must show are: the owner or the notary, are eligible to Whether the names and addresses of the make this application. parties and the details of the property are The register also spells out the rights correctly noted. This is crucial as an error, of any third parties; those, for example, especially in the property details, could at of tenants. Such tenants can't bar the least partially invalidate the contract. sale of the property, but the new owner The agreed upon purchase price and is bound by any lease arrangements to terms and conditions of payment. which the previous owner agreed. Hence, Stipulations as to what happens in the the new owner can't evict a tenant before event either party fails to live up to the the lease expires. terms of the contract. The parties have complete freedom Financing your house or apartment to decide on payment terms. In most It usually happens that the prospective cases the buyer has to obtain financing. buyer can't pay the full purchase price Therefore the seller agrees to a priority immediately, and needs financing. Of notice in the land register that protects course a buyer should not commit to the buyer from other, unexpected sales financial plans that are beyond the their activities on the part of the seller, such as resources. It is often recommended trying to sell the property to somebody having at least 20 percent of the total cost else for a better price. for a down payment.

How To Germany Digital 78 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Recent EU wide regulations for the Of course there are further regulations banking industry are requiring bankers covering many more details. It is to take a closer look at home buyers from therefore advisable to check each Germany as well as other countries and individual situation with a bank or those whose earnings may be in some German property lawyer. other currency than the euro. Stricter terms for mortgages may result from the enhanced scrutiny. Interest rates for mortgages are pres- ently below the long time average, ranging (according to most sources) between approximately 1.35 percent and 2.99 percent, depending to some degree on the duration of the financing plan and down payment. Most mortgages are for 10 or 20 years. There may be lower rates available. (Figures as of August 2017). Prognoses by banks and other parties see long-term stability in interest rates, perhaps with slight up or down fluctua- tions. It is possible to decrease the total amount of interest paid by paying interest up front. The greater this payment (Disagio) is, the less will be the interest costs in the long run. In some situations the seller will want to transfer his mortgage to the buyer, and the buyer may find this to his advantage. The mortgage may have been obtained when rates were lower. As mentioned before, financing is a matter that requires individual, special- ized advice. Getting professional advice from a bank specialist and/or a tax consultant is highly recommended. The purchase or construction of housing for your own use can, under certain circumstances, be subsidized by the government in Germany. There may also be some tax advantages involved. Basically, the persons most likely to benefit from these subsidies are those of modest income with minor children who are buying or building moderately priced housing. Here it is especially important to get personalized counsel from a bank or tax consultant.

How To Germany Digital 79 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Driving in Germany

riving in Germany can be a Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, delight: the scenery is beautiful Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio, Dand the roads are well maintained. Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, But there are many rules and regulations South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, to observe. Utah, Virginia, Washington State, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Driver's Licenses If you come from the U.S. states of Your own driver's license is probably Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Minne- valid in Germany, at least at the outset. sota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee or EU Country Issued Licenses Washington D.C. you will need to take If it was issued by a European Union the written test, but not the driving test. country, you will never need to exchange Some Americans who work and live it for a German one. in the German states If it was issued by a of Hamburg, Hesse, country outside the Saxony-Anhalt, EU, you can only use Schleswig-Holstein it for six months from and Saarland may your date of arrival. If have it easier. In you will be residing in some cases it may be Germany for longer possible to convert than six months but licenses without any less than one year, you Photo: istockphoto.com/lilly3 written or driving can obtain a six-month extension to use exam no matter what US state they come your existing license. from. The rules differ somewhat in each of those states. Check with the local Non-EU Nationals authorities for more information on this. A national of a non-EU country who will be living in Germany longer than a Austrailia, New Zealand year will need a German driver's license If your license is from New Zealand you (Führerschein). In many cases this is a should be able to get a German license simple matter of exchanging the license without taking a road test or written for a German one. In other cases it will test. If the New Zealand license was is- be necessary to take a written exam, a sued less than two years before your res- driving test, or both. idence in Germany you would probably get a probationary license in Germany. If USA, Canada, South Africa you come from Australia you will most You can simply exchange your license likely be able to directly exchange your if you come from Canada, South Africa license for a German one. There may be or the U.S. states of Alabama, Arizona, an extra requirement for a vision test, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, depending on which territory issued Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, your license.

How To Germany Digital 80 Fall/Winter 2019/20 To find out the specific requirements new or used car dealer from whom the for exchanging a license it is best to car was purchased will usually handle contact the local authorities. the registration.

Written Exam and Road Test Vehicle Safety Inspection The written test covers such things as A vehicle must also pass a safety rules of the road and traffic signs. It inspection. Tests are conducted by the normally is possible to take the test in Technischer Überwachungsverein (TÜV) English. The driving test is administered nationwide. Cars that were purchased by a driving school (Fahrschule), but those new must be inspected after three years, taking it won't necessarily be treated as and thereafter all cars must be inspected beginning drivers. Many schools have at two-year intervals. set up simplified courses for experienced Laws governing the condition of cars drivers, which will cost you about €200 and motorcycles are strict. The engine, as opposed to the over €1,000 that a chassis, frame and all other components, beginner would have to pay. If a school including brakes, tires, horn, wheel tells you it doesn't offer such a course, alignment, windshield, lights and find one that does. mirrors will be checked. Vehicles that fail inspection usually do so because of Application Procedure rust or faulty lights, exhaust, brakes or The driver's license is issued by an tires. The basic rule is that if an item is agency of the local police. A person must mounted on the vehicle, it must function present an application, a passport, a resi- and be completely serviceable even if not dence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis), two essential to operation. approved photos, an old driver's license if any (translation may be required), Insurance proof of attendance at a Fahrschule if Before a person can register a car in Ger- required, proof of completion of a first many he or she must have proof of third aid course and certification of a vision party liability coverage for all damage or test (if required) which either an optome- injury to another person, car or object. trist or the Technische Überwachungsverein While collision or comprehensive insur- (TüV) may administer. ance isn't required by law, most institu- This may seem quite a hassle, but once tions financing the purchase of a vehicle you've weathered the storm you'll have do require it. This can raise the insurance a license that's good for many years. bill considerably. Starting in the year 2013 licenses issued There are numerous factors in addition will have to be renewed after 15 years. to coverage that influence the insurance price. Beginning drivers pay more than Vehicle Registration experienced drivers; those driving big, When visiting the local motor vehicle powerful cars pay more than those with registry (Autozulassungsstelle) a person more modest vehicles; those living in needs proof of ownership, proof of urban areas pay more than those in rural insurance and, if the car was purchased areas, and those who have been found in Germany, the Kraftfahrzeugbrief, liable in accidents pay more than those a document that is supposed to who haven't. accompany the car through all owners If you have a good driving record in from assembly line to scrap yard. The your home country you can get credit

How To Germany Digital 81 Fall/Winter 2019/20 for it here. This could mean lower insur- held cell phones while driving. If they ance rates. Get a letter from your insur- catch you there can be a heavy fine or ance agent back home. If the German even suspension of your license. Hands- agent says you can't get this credit try free headsets are all right. another agent. Some insurance agents in Germany are geared to getting the expa- Speeding triate through these complexities. Don't let the high speeds on the Auto- bahns fool you into thinking there are Rules of the Road no speed limits at all on them. Many There are lots of things you need to know sections of the Autobhans have posted about driving in Germany. A mixture of speed limits. And you should always slow-moving trucks and high-speed au- expect speed limits because of construc- tos are on the same roads at the same tion or traffic problems. In sections where time, and two-wheeled vehicles crowd there are no posted speed limits on the the streets in the cities. Defensive driv- Autobahns, the recommended maximum ing is a must. Autobahn chain-reaction speed is 130kph. pileups occur periodically, partly be- The speed limit off the superhighways cause of high speeds. The most common is 50kph (about 30mph) in most built-up causes of accidents involving expatriates areas and 100kph (about 60mph) else- are failing to yield the right-of-way, fol- where. If you are hauling a trailer the lowing too closely and excessive speed speed limit is 80kph (50mph) on roads during hours of darkness on narrow, and Autobahns. crooked roads. Usually, speeders will not be stopped at the time of the offense but will get Driving Under the Influence a speeding ticket through the mail. There are heavy penalties for driving This may take as long as two or three under the influence of alcohol or drugs. months after the incident. Some police You may not drive if there is more than use special cameras to catch speeders. .05 milligrams of alcohol per milliliter Persons exceeding the limits by more of whole blood. Persons exceeding this than 30 kilometers an hour can count limit will be fined and face a license on losing licenses for a period of up to suspension. three months, plus a stiff fine. Accidents If you’re stopped by the police the law occurring at speeds of over 130 kph on requires you to submit to a blood alcohol the Autobahns can result in insurance test. Refusing can result in immediate payment claims being annulled regard- loss of your license. However, the restric- less of who was at fault. tions on blood alcohol level (BAL) may be It’s also wrong to go too slow on the even tighter. If you have a 0.05 BAL and Autobahns. If you go less than 60 kph are in an accident or are judged to have you become an obstacle to other cars “endangered traffic”, you are considered and subject to a fine. And there is a fine at fault and will receive a DUI that could for running out of gas on the Autobahn. reslult in loss of license, a large fine and If you find you’re headed in the wrong even time in jail. So, a word to the wise: direction on the Autobahn, your only it’s better not to drink and drive at all. choice is to continue on to the next autho- rized exit, turn off and cross over to the Cell Phones reverse traffic lane by way of the- over A big traffic offense is the use of hand- pass or underpass.

How To Germany Digital 82 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Proper Behavior Towards Police has the right-of-way. Just because you Whatever you do don’t sass the police are on what looks to be a major road, officer who’s giving you a ticket or you may not be on the "priority" road. citing you for another violation. That’s A diamond-shaped sign (yellow in the Beleidigung ("insulting") and can greatly center surrounded by a white border) increase your legal costs. tells you if you are on a priority road. Cars already on a traffic circle or the Violation Points Accumulate Autobahn have the right-of-way. A tough, computerized point system is used to get dangerous drivers off the Traffic Lights road. Increasingly strict penalties are the Run a red light and you’ll probably be order of the day especially where drugs caught. Many intersections have radar- or alcohol are involved, and especially if controlled cameras hooked up to traffic there was an accident. lights. Right turns on a red light are usually forbidden, and you must always Seat Belts and Car Seats signal your intention to change lanes, Vehicles are usually required to have turn right or left or stop. If you see a serviceable seat belts for everybody in the blinking yellow light at an intersection car, and there is a fine when they aren’t it means stop, then proceed if the worn while the car is in motion. Children intersection is clear. must have car seats that are government- certified as being suitable for children. Passing in an Intersection There is no general rule that prohibits Emergency Equipment passing in an intersection. The driver You are required to have a portable making a left turn must therefore check reflective triangle in your trunk. If your for rear traffic at least twice and, because car is stopped in a traffic lane the triangle of the rearview mirror’s “blind spot,” must be placed far enough behind the should not rely on it alone. A continuous car to warn other motorists, and the car’s white center line (unbroken) painted on emergency flashers should also be turned the road means no passing. on. You are also required to carry a first- aid kit with disposable surgical gloves Pedestrians and a thermal blanket. You must stop for anyone using, or preparing to use, a painted pedestrian For Your Safety crossing. Germany has what it calls Traffic You must use your headlights (low- Calming Zones (Verkehrsberuhigungenzone), beam) from just before sunset to just in which playing children may use the after sunrise and during inclement entire street. A sign showing a pedestrian weather. Use of headlights is also and a child kicking a ball tells you are compulsory during daytime within entering such a zone. Beyond it you must tunnels, even if the tunnel is lighted. stop for pedestrians and move at no more Motorcyclists must drive with the than 7 kph. headlight on at all times. Environmental Zones Right of Way Other zones of interest to the motorist are Unless otherwise posted, the driver Germany’s environmental zones (Um- coming from the right at an intersection weltzonen). Cities are establishing them in

How To Germany Digital 83 Fall/Winter 2019/20 their downtown areas, and you can't enter consequences. If the violations date back them unless your car bears a windshield far enough, and failure to pay is constant, sticker certifying that it has an acceptable your final payment will be a hefty fine, emission level. Gasoline- and diesel-pow- accompanied by loss of your license ered vehicles without catalytic converters and even imprisonment in some cases. aren’t being allowed in the zones. If you Fines can sometimes be paid on the spot, come to a sign picturing a sticker that you provided the driver has enough ready don’t have you must turn around. There’s cash on hand; otherwise, your name and a 40 Euro fine if you’re caught beyond the address will be taken and a ticket will be sign. You don’t have to have the sticker if mailed to you later. you stay out of the zones. Parking Accidents It is generally difficult to find a place to If you're involved in an accident, do not park during working hours, though in leave the scene. As the driver of a vehicle many cases you may be able to park in the involved in an accident you must remain evening at places where it's barred during at the scene for at least 30 minutes before the day. Be forewarned: towing fees are leaving, if alone. If you are involved in an very high! A round sign with a red bor- accident with others, you must exchange der, a blue interior and a red "X" means license information, name and address, no parking or stopping whatsoever. Simi- insurance company, policy number and lar signs with a single diagonal line mean vehicle tag numbers. Leaving the scene restricted parking, or parking for a limit of an accident can lead to severe financial of three minutes only. Signs with only a penalties and, depending on whether red border and white middle mean no ve- personal injury to others or extensive hicles of any type are permitted. property damage is involved, you could be jailed or lose your license. Passing a Stopped Bus If there were injuries in the accident, Motorists may not pass a bus that signals German law requires that you lend all with its blinker that it is approaching one assistance possible, even if you were of its stops. Once the bus has stopped only a passer-by or spectator. Failure to it’s OK to pass it, but so slowly that the do this could lead to a fine. You’re not needle on your speedometer doesn’t expected to be a medic, but you must do register. Cars headed in the opposite all you can. Just calling for the police or direction must also go slowly when a an ambulance will aid the injured. bus is stopped with its blinker going. If you’re involved in an accident, This is because of the danger that people, never admit you’re at fault and never particularly children, may try to cross the sign any document at the scene. These street in an effort to catch the bus. If any can impact not only your legal status but do, the car must stop and let them cross. also your insurance. åAnd don’t accept vehicle rentals or repair services from the Required Tires other party’s insurance company. These Driving on snow-covered roads is usually abdicate any further insurance permitted only if your car is equipped settlements due you. with winter tires or all-year tires. Use of regular tires on snow can result in a fine Traffic Tickets or Citations and, much worse, loss of your insurance Failure to pay traffic tickets can have coverage in the event of an accident.

How To Germany Digital 84 Fall/Winter 2019/20 How To Germany Digital 85 Fall/Winter 2019/20 How To Germany Digital 86 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Postal Services

At a German post office, you can do a lot more than just mail letters.

he world wide logistics company Post has an English language section here: DHL operates the German Post www.deutschepost.de/en/home.html. TOffice. Deutsche Post DHL is the The site has extensive information about current name for the postal service, postal rates, services, tracking packages a piece of the former government and post office locations. It is possible to monopoly, Deutsche Bundespost set up an online franking account to be able While there are still dedicated post office to print your own postage - sometimes at branches in most German cities, since the slightly lower rates than buying stamps at change in management the neighborhood the post office. For English language infor- post office is often a sort of one-stop shop- mation on sending and tracking packages ping center. It could be part of a stationery go to www.dhl.de/en.html. or grocery store with a section or counter Now that the Deutsche Bundespost where you can buy stamps, mail a package, is no longer a government monopoly, deposit or withdraw money and apply for its old banking part, the Postbank, is a credit card. It will also probably be open acting more like a private bank. It was more convenient hours than the bureau- long a government service to the small cratic post offices of old. depositor, giving him little more than an And that’s only the part that is visible inexpensive checking or savings account. to the average consumer. As the name Now, however, it has gone also into mort- “Deutsche Post DHL” implies, the new gages, credit cards, consumer credit and company is a major world player in the the sale of insurance. growing field of logistics. It has stream- lined its operations in an effort to give the Check with the post office for detailed rates American giants, UPS and FedEx, a run for sending packages outside of Germany. for their money. A registered letter inside Germany (Ein- schreiben) costs €2.50 extra. If you want For all the forward-looking plans, the a return receipt (Rückschein) that costs an old-fashioned delivery of letters and additional €2.20 parcels still accounts for the majority Special delivery letters and packages (DHL of the Post’s business. Even back in its Expresseasy National) mailed to addresses bureaucratic days, the German post office in Germany that weigh up to 500 gms cost had a reputation for speedy delivery, €13.50; 500 gms to 5,000 gms (5 kg) costs and the private company has further €16.50; and 5 kg to 10 kg costs €27.50. improved on it: 95% of letters are deliv- These letters or packages are delivered the ered within one day, and 99% within two following day except Saturdays, Sundays days. Most packages can be delivered and holidays. Delivery on Saturdays, Sun- within a 400-kilometer radius in one day days and holidays costs extra. and nationwide within two days. The Post Office sells mailing cartons(Pack - The German post office has a website sets) in a variety of sizes. They cost from €1.49 to €2.49 each. at www.deutschepost.de. The Deutsche

How To Germany Digital 87 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Postal Rates - 2019 ollowing is a partial list of postal rates (in euro) used in Germany. The rates are valid as of FJuly 1, 2019. You can get full rate information at any post office by requesting the free brochure “Leistungen und Preise”.

Inside Germany

Item Max. Size in cm (LxWxH) Weight Rate Letters (Brief) Postcard - 23.5x12.5 (minimum14x9) 0.60 Standardbrief - 23.5x12.5x0.5 up to 20 gms 0.80 (minimum 14x9) Kompaktbrief - 23.5x12.5x1 21to 50 gms 0.95 Grossbrief - 35.3x25x2 51 to 500 gms 1.55 Maxibrief - 35.3x25x5 (minimum 10x7) 501 to 1,000 gms 2.70

Small Packages 30x30x15 (minimum 15x11x1) up to 2,000 gms 3.79 (DHL Päckchen) 60x30x15 (minimum 15x11x1) up to 2,000 gms 4.50

Large Packages 120x60x60 (minimum 15x11x1) up to 5 kg 6.99 Maximum 31.5 kg 5 to 10 kg 9.49 (DHL Paket) 10 to 20 kg 9.49 20 to 31.5 kg 16.49

Europe & International

Item Max. Size in cm (LxWxH) Weight Rate

Letters Postcard - 23.5x12.5 (minimum 14.0x9.0) 0.95 Standardbrief - 23.5x12.5x0.5 up to 20 gms 1.10 (minimum 14.0x9.0) Kompaktbrief - 23.5x1..5x1.0 up to 50 gms 1.70 Grossbrief - 35.3x25.0x2.0 up to 500 gms 3.70 Maxibrief International - L+W+D=90.0 501 to 1,000 gms 7.00 (No side longer than 60.0) 1,001 to 2,000 gms 17.00

Packages inside the EU

Item Max. Size in cm (LxWxD) Weight Rate

Small Packages 30x30x15 (minimum 15x11x1) up to 2,000 gms 9.00 (DHL Päckchen) 60x30x15 (minimum 15x11x1) up to 2,000 gms 9.00

Large Packages 120x60x60 (minimum 15x11x1) up to 5 kg 17.99 Maximum 31.5 kg 5 to 10 kg 22.99 (DHL Paket) 10 to 20 kg 33.99 20 to 31.5 kg 44.99

How To Germany Digital 88 Fall/Winter 2019/20 TV and Radio in Germany

ou won't find much, if any, tele- receiver, the channel selection you can vision in English without cable, get will vary greatly depending on where Ysatellite reception or a broadband you live. Retailers will usually provide internet connection, though some English you with a local channel line-up. You can radio may be available terrestrially espe- expect to get up to 30 or more channels cially in and around U.S. or British mili- exclusively in the German language. tary bases. Things get a little better if you Digital terrestrial receivers and antennas want to pay for basic German cable TV can be purchased for anywhere between service, or have it already included in €40 and €100+ EUR at any large, local your rental package, with usually a few electronic retailer. English language news channels avail- able though little in the way of general Cable TV entertainment. But if you have access to The Deutsche Telekom monopoly on an existing satellite dish or you are able German cable TV has been broken down to install one then there is a lot on offer, in recent years into several smaller much of it for free and it is the widely companies, the largest of which is Kabel preferred option. Deutschland. Their offerings (often also The first thing to check before deciding including Broadband services) are very anything is your TV. The broadcast similar to each other and whom you standard in Germany is "PAL" (B/G), choose to go with will depend largely on which isn't compatible with the North which one has a network in your area. American "NTSC system". So if you have There are about 40 channels on the a U.S. bought TV that is not a multi- cable (again, depending on where you're system capable of processing both types located). Most of them broadcast in of signal then you would need to obtain either a PAL/multi-system TV or a PAL/ NTSC converter.

Terrestrial TV The television stations that can be received without cable or satellite are the ARD, ZDF, the Secondary Programs and, in some areas, RTL, all of which broadcast entirely in German. (These are also receivable by cable and satellite, usually with vastly better reception.) If you have invested in a digital or HD DVB-T (Digital Video Broadcasting-Terrestrial) photo:istockphoto.com/pengpeng

How To Germany Digital 89 Fall/Winter 2019/20 German, but you usually get the likes of it could be possible to catch the signals CNN, CNBC, MTV and BBC World, and from both the satellites. some cable providers offer a choice of On ASTRA 2 there are over 140 free to language on certain programs. (Movies air English radio & TV channels packaged in the original language or programming into what is now known as Freesat. It is on Eurosport in English, for example) free, good programming with all the BBC In the past few years, German cable channels, multiple ITV, kids and movie companies have begun offering English channels including 3 in HD. You can find Language Packages that include up to out more about what is available on their 16 additional English language chan- € webpage: http://www.freesat.co.uk/. nels. Prices start from about 4 monthly On ASTRA 19.2, Sky Deutschland for these special language packages. TV (not to be confused with UK Sky This is in addition to the required € TV) also carries a number of English basic cable package (usually 20-30 language channels that include National per month). Receivers run from about € Geographic, FOX (not the American 100 although you can sometimes get channel) channel with different, older TV them for free if you sign a 1 or 2 year series that include Hawaii 50, NCIS Wing minimum contract. and The Walking Dead as well as TNT that also carries a variety of TV series, Satellite TV TCM, a sci-fi channel, MTV channels and Currently the most popular method to a number of movie channels. This is pay receive a large number of high-quality, TV and you would need to subscribe and English-language programs is to have get a receiver that can accept the viewing a satellite dish installed. It is relatively inexpensive to buy the dish, LNB and receiver and there are a lot of package deals available in the German retail outlets. Satellite dish set-ups can range from €100 to over €500 depending on the size of the dish and number/type of receivers you want or need. You should consider having a profes- sional installer mount and align your satellite dish. Make sure you have your landlord's permission to put up a dish, or to adjust the existing one to the appro- priate satellite. You will be faced with a large choice of receivers. Digital receivers start off at about €50 and somewhat more expen- sive are digital/HD receivers costing over €100. The most popular satellites beaming programming to Germany are ASTRA 19.2E and ASTRA 2 at 28º East from South. If you have a large enough dish and the proper LNB and receiver set-up photo:istockphoto.com/DavidWhalen

How To Germany Digital 90 Fall/Winter 2019/20 card. A typical satellite package with 38 beitrag). There are penalties if you are channels costs only about €25 per month. caught not paying it. For any number of There are Premium add-ons that cost radios, TV’s, tablets or computers with more and include additional film and tv/ sound cards in one household, you sports programming. Many of the chan- will have to pay €53.94 quarterly. Com- nels have the "original language" option panies also have to pay the fee. The fees so there are quite a few programs with for companies vary depending on the English language audio. There are some number of employees and company-reg- channels that broadcast in HD. You istered vehicles. Applications to register can get dozens of free channels – from your TV, radio or computer (for a house- Germany and many other countries. hold or company) can be downloaded Some English language programs are at the Rundfunkbeitrag website. Go to : also free, but are mostly limited to news www.rundfunkbeitrag.de/formulare/ and shopping programs. index_ger.html. The site is in German. Several specialized magazines and There are pdf files that can be down- websites are available that describe in loaded that explain various information detail the many offerings on different about the fees, who has to pay them and satellites and information on decoders. how much it costs. They also carry advertisements from Payment can be made by bank transfer different companies that offer services. after receiving the bill or you can sign up These includes ads offering subscription for payment by Lastschriftverfahren (direct services for UK Sky TV which is popular debit). The regulating authority for these with many expats in Germany. payments is the ARD ZDF Deutschland- radio Beitragsservice, Freimersdorfer Radio, Too Weg 6, 50829 Köln. E-mail: service@rund- English-language radio is also available funkbeitrag.de. - a little of it terrestrially, more from You may contact them by telephone, the cable and much more in excellent Monday-Friday, 7:00 - 19:00 at: 018 59995 digital quality by satellite. Among the 0100. This number is not a free call and many providers offering satellite radio you will be charged €0.65 per minute for in English are: The BBC, Bloomberg the call when calling from a land-line. and CNN. The British and American The cost of a call may vary (depending Forces operate radio networks too. Of on the service provider) if made from a particular interest to Americans is the mobile phone. AFN AM signal on 873 and 1107 KHz. The public broadcast corporations American sports events, news, talk including ARD, ZDF and Deutsche- shows and music are featured on this landradio are financed primarily by the station. Programs can be picked up fees collected. wherever troops are located: AFN in the middle and South; BFBS in the north. Our thanks to Phil Cassaday of ExpatSat for helping with this article. (www.expatsat.com) Registration Fees As an owner of a television set and/or radio (including a car radio) and/or PC sound card, video/TV software, you are required to register and pay a quarterly user fee (referred to as Der Rundfunk-

How To Germany Digital 91 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Pets in Germany

The Germans love their pets just as much as any other people, but they have a lot of rules concerning them.

here are rules and regulations friendly about it. The airline should be involved in bringing your pet notified when you book the flight if you Tto Germany as well as various plan to take a pet. regulations involved in licensing certain It's almost always required that pets when they are here. And, there are the traveling animal be in a shipping regulations for travel through and to crate that is sturdy, properly venti- other EU countries with your pet. lated and large enough so that the pet may freely stand, turn around and lie Bringing your pet(s) to Germany from a down. Prescribed crates are available non-EU country at pet stores and from most airlines. Transporting your pet Remember to check with the airline Rules for air transport of animals vary when in doubt. from airline to airline, but, in response The crate usually goes in a pressurized to customer demand, they are usually cargo bay, though some airlines allow

How To Germany Digital 92 Fall/Winter 2019/20 passengers to carry their pets in the cabin • Animals brought into Germany (and if the crate can fit under a seat. other mainland European countries in There are pet travel services that the EU) do not have to be quarantined can be useful, especially if the animal if they have the proper vaccinations won't be accompanied by the owner. (and the paperwork to prove that) and They also can advise on pitfalls to ship- if they come from a country on a EU ment such as a quarantine period at the approved list. More information on the destination. harmonization of EU country regulations To prevent the illegal and unethical regarding pets can be found at this link. trade of animals, owners of pets must accompany their pets or travel within • Since pets are regarded as part of the five days of the pet – either before or importation of household goods and after. (If the animal travels more than personal items, there are certain rules five days before or after the arrival of the and regulations that apply to them. The owner, then the pet has to meet different German Customs Office (Zollamt) is the and more stringent requirements before federal agency charged with making sure they are allowed into Germany.) that pet owners comply with the rules. The animals that are screened and can Entering Germany be approved for import by the Customs • Each person moving to Germany from Office include cats, dogs, ferrets, rabbits, outside the EU is allowed to bring in a guinea pigs and other rodents, horses, maximum of five animals as part of their turtles or tortoises (if not considered an “personal or household items”. The endangered species), ornamental fish, animals should be family “pets” and not parrots and parakeets, carrier pigeons brought to Germany to be traded or sold. and other types of birds. If you want to

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HowAnz_How_to_Germany_130x90_RZ.indd To Germany Digital 1 93 06.08.14Fall/ | KWWin 32t er 14:37 2019/20 bring in any other type of animal you are subject to the same rules as the Pit should check with the German Embassy Bulls and Terriers. If they are not outright or Consulate in your home country to see banned from the state they face a high what procedures you may need to follow. licensing fee, must be neutered and must This especially applies to animal species be muzzled and kept on a leash when- that may be on an endangered species list ever they are off the owner's property. or other “exotic” pets. For more detailed information on which breeds may be banned and Dogs and Cats (and ferrets) in which states the ban is effective it If you wish to bring a cat or dog into would be wise to contact a specialist in Germany from a country outside the EU, importing pets. You can also go to www. the animal must have been vaccinated zoll.de for a detailed list of banned breeds for rabies at least 30 days but no more and other information about restrictions than 12 months prior to its entry. Proof on dangerous dogs. of the vaccination must be presented There are generally no special restric- at the border. This proof can be a form tions on the importattion of service dogs, in both German and English that has but they need to meet the vaccination been completed by your vet. You can and identification requirements. download a EU Veterinary from several sites on internet. Other pets It is a European Union requirement Birds that dogs and cats have an identification Proof of vaccination against Avian number, either on a clearly visible tattoo Flu (A1 and HSN1)) may be required or as a microchip, and that this number before birds can enter Germany. Birds corresponds to one on the examination that may not have been vaccinated face certificate. Microchips must be implanted a quarantine of at least 10 days in the in pets before they get their rabies shots. country of origin or 30 days in Germany Microchips are now required for all pets so they can be tested to make sure they except for those who were tattooed before do not carry the disease. Birds must also July 3, 2011. have a veterinarian health certificate Certain breeds (and cross breeds) of proving ownership. These certificates are dogs present special problems. The rules only valid for 10 days. vary from state to state in Germany, but most consider Pit Bulls, Staffordshire Rabbits, Hamsters, Guinea Pigs Bull Terriers and American Staffordshire There is a limit on the number of rabbits Terriers too dangerous. Their import is that can be brought into Germany. Only banned. Several of the states, including three can be brought in as private pets. Bavaria, Brandenburg and North Rhine- Any more than three would fall under the Westphalia, also have what they consider “commercial trade in pets”rules.Hamsters a Category 2 Kampfhund, and this includes and guinea pigs can be brought in with no the Rottweiler. conditions, except for being included in There is no outright ban on the import the total number of allowable pets. of Rottweilers and other Category 2 Kampfhund breeds or crossbreeds, but Snakes, reptiles and other exotic animals they must be submitted to a viciousness It is recommended to check with the test. If they pass the test they are treated German Embassy or Consulate in your like any other dog. But if they fail they home country before bringing in certain

How To Germany Digital 94 Fall/Winter 2019/20 reptiles or other exotic animals to see hanging outside their offices - a large V whether they may fall under the protected with a snake coiled around a staff inside or endangered species categories. Certain the letter. A standard vet’s office is much animals can only be brought into the like a regular doctor’s office. There country through authorized entry points. may be one or two vets and some staff. They can normally perform a number of When your pets arrive treatments and administer vaccines and If you live in rented quarters you must medications. They may also have some have the permission of the landlord basic diagnostic equipment that could before keeping a pet. include x-ray machines, blood testing As in many other countries, dogs must equipment and ultrasound equipment. be licensed. A tax on dogs (Hundesteuer) An animal hospital is called a Tierk- must also be paid. This can vary from state linik. A Tierklinik is normally staffed by to state and municipality to municipality. vets, support staff and veterinary school Check with the local authorities. Cats need students doing their practical rota- no license, nor are they taxed. Check with tions. The clinics offer the full range of the authorities for other rules regarding services to include surgeries, overnight other pets such as leash laws and rules boarding for observation and full diag- regarding allowing pets to roam free. nostic services with modern equipment. With these and all pets, the owner They also have staff on hand (or on call) is legally responsible for anything the around the clock to handle emergencies. animal does. They are subject to lawsuits Payment for your pet’s treatment is if, for instance, a dog runs a motorcyclist normally made right away using cash or off the road and he is disabled for life. an EC card. In some cases, the vet may A personal liability policy that includes offer to send a bill if you don’t have cash coverage of ownership of a dog and other on hand. pets is recommended. Dogs (with the exception of service Traveling in the EU with your pets dogs) are not allowed in grocery stores, You can take your dog or cat with you butcher shops and other shops where when traveling in Germany. Train tickets fresh food is sold. Some Konditerei, or in Germany can be purchased for them at cafes, don't allow them either. Many about half the regular fare. restaurants allow them if they behave For travel within European Union properly. Establishments that don't want countries, qualifying pets (cats and dogs you to bring your dog inside will have and some others) must now have a pass- a small sign affixed on the window. It port issued by a licensed veterinarian. usually shows a picture of a dog and will The passport serves to properly identify read something like, Wir müssen leider pets and has a record of their vaccina- daraussen warten (unfortunately, we must tions. It is valid for the life of the pet and wait outside). is identical for all European countries. Pet rabbits, rodents, fish and reptiles Veterinarians in Germany do not need a passport. A veterinarian in Germany is called a The German Federal Ministry of Food Tierarzt(in). You can findTierärtze in print and Agriculture has more information on and online telephone listings. There is no the movement of pets at this link. shortage of qualified vets in Germany. Many vet offices have a distinct sign

How To Germany Digital 95 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Shopping in Germany

It can be a fun part of your travels - or you can find incredible variety, right where you are, and online.

ermans love to shop. In fact, you stores running on either side of the street. might say it's a national pastime, Good public transportation systems Gwhich is a good thing because it make it less necessary to shop by car, makes finding anything you need easy. and many cities have revamped their "The mall," however, which you may downtown shopping areas and made be used to, is not nearly as well-devel- them pleasant places to stroll and shop. oped in Germany. But more and more Outdoor cafés, sidewalk musicians, of them have been opening over the last benches, fountains, trees and shrub- couple of years, including a variety of bery, weekly fruit, flower and vegetable "Outlet Malls". market stands, make shopping a very You can find a number of "Big Box" pleasant experience. stores in many city suburbs, and even Changes in the law and the rise in some city centers. Hela Baumarkt and of discount stores have led to some Hornbach, for example, are do-it-your- self stores. MediaMarkt and Saturn, on the other hand, offer appliances, home electronics, music and video as well as computers and telephones. Ikea and Moebel Martin have their own outlets. There are also the "hyper-stores" such as Real and Kaufland which offer a wide range of products including groceries, household goods, beverages, pet supplies, clothing etc. These hyper-stores are sometimes housed within shopping centers and often coupled with a few other large specialty stores. Then there are the German "discounters" such as Aldi and Lidl, which enjoy an almost cult following and specialize in groceries and a weekly rota- tion of items ranging from textiles to toys or office supplies at unbeatable prices. Mid to large-size towns all have their classic 'Marktstrassen' or market streets, KaDeWe - Kaufhaus des Westens in Berlin often charming pedestrian zones with photo: istockphoto.com/VvoeVale

How To Germany Digital 96 Fall/Winter 2019/20 refreshing price reductions, especially in (butcher), Backerei (bakery) and Kondi- food stores. torei (pastry shop) are run by masters Once you get away from the depart- of their profession. The product is good ment stores and discounters, though, and these places are often set up so that specialization is the name of the game. you can enjoy a fresh roll, hot sausage Many small shops offer a wide selection or piece of cake right on the premises. of items within a limited product line, Another very special kind of food store is such as fashions, china, glassware, leather the Reformhaus (health food store), where goods, fine metalware, shoes, handicrafts, the health-conscious Germans get their toys, electrical goods, musical instru- organic yogurt, whole grain breads, tofu ments, optical instruments, flowers, and vitamins. spices, sports equipment, tobacco prod- ucts, antiques, candles, maps to name Online Shopping just a few. These niche shops, however, Online shopping in Germany is just as are often forced to charge higher prices to popular as in other countries. The big stay competitive. online stores like ebay and Amazon Specialization is particularly notice- have German language websites. And, able in food stores. The Metzgerei of course, there is access to the online nuts and bolts of shopping

Store opening hours are quite liberal. Many percentage off on some items. stores are open from 8 am until as late as 10 Somewhat more popular are the retail pm from Monday to Saturday and generally rewards programs, in which the customer closed on Sundays - there are always gets a card which he or she presents when exceptions so do check in advance. Large making a purchase at a participating store. railroad stations and airports have stores A certain number of points, often a cent for open around the clock. Neighborhood every Euro, will be recorded on the card. kiosks also have extended hours, as do gas Points can be redeemed for cash coupons stations, which usually have non-automotive or other premiums. Participants run the items for sale. gamut from supermarkets and department It pays to watch out for the annual sales; stores to car rentals, telephone companies the Winter-Schlussverkauf - WSV and hotels. (winter closeout sale) and Sommer- The internet giant Groupon also has a Schlussverkauf- SSV (summer closeout presence in Germany. You can register and sale.) These usually begin on the last ask to have the available offers in your area Mondays of January and July respectively sent by email. and run through the second following Saturday. They used to be a matter of law, Virtually everything sold in Germany and were the only ones permitted during comes with a 19 percent value-added tax the year. But recent changes mean that you (Mehrwertsteuer). This includes clothing, might find a sale at any time of year: be it for appliances, house repairs, furniture, cars an anniversary of the store's founding or the and car repairs. (A small number of things, end of a season. notably groceries and newspapers, have a VAT of only 7 percent.) If you're buying The sales are not the only way of saving services, this tax will be a separate item on money in Germany. Sometimes it is your bill, but if you're buying goods it will possible to find coupons offering special usually just be included as part of the price. reduced prices on specific items as well as

How To Germany Digital 97 Fall/Winter 2019/20 shops from other countries. Many language websites. Large variety, ease online stores based in other EU coun- and security of payment, and efficient tries can easly ship to Germany without shipping combine to make on-line shop- any customs issues. As usual, you can ping a great alternative. eliminate the travel agent's fee when Online payments can be normally be booking airline tickets or hotel rooms, made by a fund transfer or with a credit and many online retailers have saved card. Credit cards are not as well estab- themselves the expense of a bricks and lished as in some other countries, but mortar store. Of course another great are becoming more and more popular. advantage of online shopping is variety. PayPal is also a popular and growing Expatriates can turn to the web to get method of payment for online goods. items from home that are not normally available in German stores. While there are some British and American stores in the larger German cities, many expats don't have easy access to them. To the delight of many customers, enterprising store-owners are now offering their products online with convenient English

German Holidays - 2020 January 1, Wenesday June 11, Thursday New Years (Neujahrstag) Corpus Christi Day (Fronleichnam) all federal states Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bavaria, Hesse, North January 6, Monday Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland Epiphany (Heilige Drei Könige) August 15, Saturday Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bavaria, Saxony-Anhalt Assumption Day (Maria Himmelfahrt) April 10, Friday Saarland, parts of Bavaria Good Friday (Karfreitag) October 3, Saturday all federal states Day of German Unity (Tag der Deutschen Einheit) April 12, Sunday all federal states Easter Sunday (Ostersonntag) October 31, Saturday all federal states Reformation Day (Reformationstag) April 13, Monday Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Saxony, Easter Monday (Ostermontag) Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, Bremen, Niedersachsen, all federal states Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg May 1, Friday November 1, Sunday Labor Day (Maifeiertag) All Saints Day (Allerheiligen) all federal states Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bavaria, North Rhine- Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland May 21, Thursday Ascension Day (Christi Himmelfahrt) November 18, Wednesday all federal states Repentance Day (Buß- und Bettag) - Saxony May 31, Sunday December 25, Friday Whit Sunday (Pfingstsonntag) Christmas (1. Weihnachtstag) all federal states all federal states June 1, Monday December 26, Saturday Whit Monday (Pfingstmontag) 2nd Christmas Day (2. Weihnachtstag) all federal states all federal states

How To Germany Digital 98 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Traveling by Train

erman trains are clean, comfort- are not welcome. Reservations are highly able, reliable and fast. Between recommended for special features such Gthe downtown areas of most Ger- as the repeaters or baby and handicapped man cities the travel time by train can be compartments. Seats on the trains can be as fast or faster than the travel time by reserved, for a fee of €4.50, as much as plane, when you calculate in the time it three months in advance. A reservation is takes to get to and from the airport. also recommended on ICE and EC trains Germany’s privatized national rail- if you plan to travel on summer week- way, the Deutsche Bahn, features the ends or during holiday periods. super-fast InterCity Express (ICE) trains. CityNightLine (CNL) trains are They zoom around the country at hourly sleepers with economy and deluxe and two-hourly intervals and link up all sleeper cars (with single, double, triple or major cities. Transferring from one of four bed configurations and private WC them to another is usually just a matter of and showers) as well as couchette cars crossing the station platform and speed- that can accommodate up to six people ing off again within minutes of your and cars that have reclining seats. There arrival. Some ICE trains also operate are now 17 of them operating between between major international destinations a variety of destinations. They usually including Switzerland, Belgium, Austria reach the destination city before the first and the Netherlands. plane of the day does. The ICE trains are quiet and fully air- Not only is train travel often faster conditioned with reclining seats, tables than air travel, it is also more reliable. Air at seats, dining and bistro cars. And they travel is more subject to weather-related are fast. An ICE line connects Frankfurt delays. Because of this, major efforts and Cologne in only 58 minutes. are being made to integrate air and rail Trains similar to the ICEs, with the same travel. ICE trains stop at the Frankfurt, internationally stipulated quality stan- Düsseldorf and Köln-Bonn airports. dards, connect major cities in Germany Rail is often faster than driving, too, as well as German cities with major cities and much more relaxing. On the trains of neighboring countries. The trains you can do some work, read the paper, connecting German cities are called Inter- snooze or enjoy a sandwich and beer. city (IC) trains and the ones connecting And downtown parking is no problem. German cities with neighboring countries All this and a price structure that are called EuroCity (EC) trains. many travelers find attractive. It is aimed The ICE trains have laptop connec- at luring people away from their private tions and repeaters to make use of cell cars, and from those cut-rate airlines that phones easy. And they have special are making life difficult for the railroad compartments for handicapped trav- and the traditional airlines. elers and travelers with babies. There are The price of rail travel is lower than plenty of “Rest Areas” on an ICE where it used to be (though sometimes short the use of mobile phones, ring tones and distances cost more) and there is an array loud music (including with headphones) savings for the savvy traveler. Popular

How To Germany Digital 99 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Special offers include: you pay half price, and with the “Bahn- Saver Fare (Sparpreis) – prices for Card 100” you pay nothing except the one-way tickets in Germany start from price of the card. €19 for short distances (up to 250 km). The “BahnCard 25” costs €62 Stan- For longer distances prices start at €29 dard Class and €125 First Class. A Bahn- (Second Class) and €49 (First Class) Card 25 can often pay for itself the first Travel on the ICE is possible. Prices for time you use it. A BahnCard 25 Standard two people traveling together start at €49 Class is offered for €41 for a partner, chil- in Second Class. Up to three more people dren and seniors. can go on the same trip with the couple The “BahnCard 50” costs €255 Stan- for €20 each. dard Class and €515 First Class. The “BahnCard 50,” is half price for your Group discounts – the Bahn offers a spouse or partner, children (from ages variety of discounts for various sized 6 to 17), students under age 27, the groups for travel in Germany as well as severely handicapped and seniors over internationally. Savings can range from 60. It cannot be used together with other 30% to 70%. “Savings” fare offers. The “BahnCard 100” costs €4,090 Federal States Tickets (Länder-Tickets) Standard Class and €6,890 First Class. – unlimited travel for one day in the All BahnCards are good for a year German State of your choice. Includes from the date of issue. They are auto- travel on Interregio-Express, Regional matically renewed for following years Express, Regionalbahn, S-Bahn and some unless cancelled in writing at least 6 urban and local transport systems. Valid weeks before the renewal date. There are for up to 5 travelers. There are some different features for each of the cards. restrictions. German Rail and Eurail Passes One-day Unlimited Tickets (Quer- Non-European visitors can save a lot durch-Land Ticket) – unlimited travel with a “Eurailpass,” which is good for throughout Germany for a day for €44. unlimited travel on most European rail- Four others may join for an €8 supple- roads. Eurail, together with the Deutsche ment each. Offer is valid for Mondays Bahn, has created the website www. to Fridays and includes travel only on germanrailpasses.com which offers the regional trains. “German Rail Pass”. The German Rail Pass is dedicated to train travel in Ger- Happy Weekend Ticket (Schönes- many. It is available for non-Europeans Wochende-Ticket) – a single ticket allows and is a great way to explore Germany. a group of 5 to travel for a single low price (€44 if purchased online, €46 at a The Deutsche Bahn has a very well- DB Travel Center) on a single day on a organized and comprehensive website weekend. Travel is restricted to local trains. in English at: https://www.bahn.com/ en/view/index.shtml. You can use it to The BahnCard see the latest special offers, buy tickets, There are also three BahnCards that will make seat reservations, purchase a Bahn- get you reductions. With the so-called Card and even make hotel reservations “BahnCard 25” you pay three-quarters of and reservations for a rental car at your the ticket price, with the “BahnCard 50” destination.

How To Germany Digital 100 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Time to Rediscover Rothenburg Rothenburg ob der Tauber – Germany’s most Famous, Romantic Medieval City Offers Far More than Meets the Eye

ust say “Rothenburg ob der Tauber” and structure in order to preserve for and it seems that everyone is well posterity Rothenburg’s singular identity Jaware of its fame as an architectural as being a perfect sample of Germany’s gem on Germany’s “Romantic Road,” or as finest buildings from both the Middle the home of the “Mother of All Christmas Ages and the Renaissance. Shops” -- Kaethe Wohlfahrt’s interactive Simply and succinctly stated, “The Christmas Village. For two times in a row entire city is itself a monument,” according Rothenburg ob der Tauber made it into to words of “DEHIO,” the German stan- the Top 5 of the “Best Travel Destinations dard reference work cataloguing all of in Germany” in the official vote by the country’s artistic monuments. German National Tourist Board. Foreign A city like Rothenburg ob der Tauber tourists and German visitors alike know may reflect history. However, history

Rothenburg in late summer Photo: © Rothenburg Tourismus Service / W. Pfitzinger and have also enjoyed Rothenburg’s needs to be felt and experienced sensu- entertaining, nocturnal tours with the ously… with all the senses: taste, touch, town’s Night Watchman, and devoured sound, as well as sight. And Rothenburg its “Snowballs” throughout the year over richly offers plentiful activities in order to the years. immerse into its rich, vibrant history. But these are only a few of the best- Rothenburg is always a fine place known aspects of this small town to visit throughout the year. There is which continuously invests vast sums always something going on even during in retaining its historical buildings the darker Fall and Winter months,

How To Germany Digital 101 Fall/Winter 2019/20 such as the first week of November -- an integral part of Bavaria’s “Immaterial the Fairytale Magic—Maerchenzauber Cultural Heritage”. “romantic triad,” or the pre-Christmas/ For those who would like to learn Advent Reiterlesmarkt from the end of more and attend this production, go to: November until December 23rd; and, the www.meistertrunk.de. In addition, there Romanze an Valentin Valentine’s Day will also be special guided tours through for contemplative, touching, romantic the town during the whole year that illus- experiences.

Two journeys to the past Twice a year more than 20 historical groups participate in activities that recreate Rothenburg’s exciting times as a privileged “Reichsstadt” —an Imperial City of the Holy Roman Empire. Every Spring at Whitsun, Pentecost, the city becomes a stage reflecting the events of the devastating 30 Years War (1618 -1648) between Catholic and Refor- mation Protestant forces which ravaged central Europe. In 2018 this part of Rothenburg’s history will be in the focus even more than usually as we commemorate the outbreak of the 30 Years Wars 400 years ago with our neighbors Dinkelsbühl, Nördlingen and Bad Windsheim. Visitors to Rothenburg can experience the tumult and turmoil of the warring factions’ reen- actments. This big annual undertaking is produced by the Meistertrunk Historical Society, presenting its theatrical take on the legendary salvation of Rothenburg back in 1631. This fine quality production The Markusturm in Rothenburg was honored in 2015 being recognized Photo: © Rothenburg Tourismus Service / A. Böttger

Welcome Back to Rothenburg! The Middle Ages as fresh and new as before. Refurbished, restored, repaired and re-painted. Rothenburg - shimmering in the sun, just as glamorous and glorious as in 1536 when the Emperor came to visit!

Rothenburg Tourismus Service Phone: +49 9861 404 800 www.tourismus.rothenburg.de E-Mail: [email protected]

How To Germany Digital 102 Fall/Winter 2019/20 trate how the period affected Rothenburg are two evenings of large fireworks and ob der Tauber and changed the society. public theatrical productions on market square.

Rothenburg’s Refined Gastronomy and Wine Culture: 10th anniversary of the Wine Festival Rothenburg ob der Tauber breathes history with every step taken on its cobblestoned streets; steps reverberating in its narrow passageways and quaint alleys. Rothenburg’s past – and present -- includes wine making history as well. Since the early Middle Ages, grapes have

And there will still be special exhibitions about the preceding era in the Imperial City Museum (“Media of the Reforma- tion”) and the Medieval Crime Museum (“Luther and the Witches). The 30 Years War will play a special role in the Imperial City Festival from The Franconian Temptation (Fraenkische Versucherle) September 7th to September 9th, as well, Credit © Rothenburg Tourismus Service when historical groups perform music been cultivated for wine here. There is from this period on the Stöberleinsbühne, a winery that, in addition to offering right in front of the town walls of Rothen- tastings, also conducts vineyard tours burg (entry is free). along the Tauber River’s vine-planted Every first September weekend of the slopes. As the southernmost growth year, 24 historical associations partici- of Germany’s Franken or Franconian pate in the Rothenburg’s Imperial City appellation, Rothenburg hosts a five-day Festival. The Festival recreates 500 years annual Wine Festival in mid-August. The of Rothenburg’s historical past from 1274 Rothenburger Wine Village is certified for – 1802. Highlights not to be missed are its quality by Franconian brand “Wein. the knights’ encampment in front of the Schoener. Land” – and it’s celebrating its City’s gates, the “fahrendes Volk” (camp 10th anniversary this year. followers), tradesmen and merchants, As a direct outgrowth of the high hordes of peasants and simple folk, and quality requirements demanded of the royal court all in their colorful attire the Weindorf, a wine-culinary initia- complete with lively presentations that tive was founded in 2015 by nine of are equally authentic and entertaining. Rothenburg’s top gastronomic estab- Rounding out the impressive program lishments. Named “Geniessen ob der

How To Germany Digital 103 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Tauber” (Taste of the Tauber), the initia- England’s main contribution to the devel- tive celebrates regional products and opment of modern art. It was precisely sourcing of wine and locally grown this “picturesque” element which British ingredients. Preparations featuring painters such as Elias Bancroft (1846– fresh, seasonal dishes paired with Fran- 1924), Arthur Wasse (1854–1930), James conian wines give Rothenburg’s visitors Douglas (1858–1911), Walter Tyndale delicious insights into the city’s histor- (1855–1943), James Garden Laing (1852– ical, regional cuisine. One special taste 1915), as well as architects like Barry treat is the “Fraenkische Versucherle” Parker (1867–1947) and Raymond Unwin – the “Franconian Temptation.” It is an (1863–1940) discovered in the landscape amuse-bouche consisting of three appe- around Rothenburg, in the city’s archi- tizers paired with three sample pour- tecture and its street scenes – effects of ings of different Franken wines. Cost is strong contrasts; irregular roads and only 20 Euros at partnering restaurants. house facades; interesting and varie- These are to be had at each of the nine gated architectural ensembles such as the participating establishments; truly a market square; an almost Gothic, albeit delicious introduction and overview of also derelict, charm; the amalgamation Rothenburg wines and food. of natural and artificial features, and For advance bookings and registra- much more. In particular, the views into tion, go to: https://www.geniessenob- the Tauber valley below what is today dertauber.de/english. the “An der Eich” vineyard were thus perceived as the epitome of the pictur- The Picturesque Rothenburg ob der esque English landscape garden. Tauber: Special exhibitions from 2019 In the framework of three Theme Years to 2021 2019, 2020 and 2021, Rothenburg ob the Why were painters and architects so Tauber’s picturesque topography is to enthusiastic about Rothenburg ob der be revisualized as an urban and rural Tauber in the 19th century? From 2019 landscape. In addition to an exhibition of until 2021 visitors can learn more about British painters around 1900, to be hosted the influence of the town on the English in the Medieval Crime Museum, Rothen- Garden City Movement and on famous burg townscapes from the early modern painters like Elias Bancroft. era to the present day will be shown in the Both in terms of topography and Imperial City Museum. A special exhibi- morphology, the natural environment of tion will be devoted to the Rothenburg’s Rothenburg ob der Tauber, at the end of influence on Raymond Unwin’s English the 19th century, fulfilled all the criteria Garden City Movement. Garden projects of the picturesque. The city, which was involve the hidden garden treasures of thus perceived by British artists (archi- Rothenburg citizens; artists’ federations tects and painters), takes the picturesque such as Künstlerbund and Kunstkreis into the modern age. will present contemporary interpreta- Until around 1900, more than 100 tions of picturesque Rothenburg. What’s years of reflection on art had gone into more, there are artist in residence proj- the Anglo-Saxon understanding of “the ects organized by the Conference Center picturesque” – indeed, one might go as far Wildbad as well as musically picturesque as saying that a specific manifestation of contributions in the framework of an the picturesque in painting, landscaping International Song Festival 2020 and the (landscape gardening) and architecture is Franconian Summer 2019.

How To Germany Digital 104 Fall/Winter 2019/20 Hamburg) to the Holy City Rome (the Via Romea,) as well as on six Jacobean pilgrimage routes to Compostella in far- distant Spain. Over 1000 pilgrims visit St.-James-Church every year. Visitors of Rothenburg ob der Tauber can also enjoy local handmade products like the traditional “snow balls”, which visitors can find all over the bakeries in the city till today. It is also possible to experience the production of Schneeballen in two of the stores (contact: www.original- rothenburger-schneeballen.de/ and www.baecker-striffler.de). Handmade products of Rothenburg are also in focus of an initiative of eight stores, who craft their products in the city. Visitors can find delicate chocolate, exclusive clothes and illuminated miniature houses in the shops of the manufacturers (more information: www.rothenburg-handmade.com). The Rathausturm and St. Jacob’s Church tower Credit ©Rothenburg Tourismus Service, W. Pfitzinger Come visit and see for yourself. Discover Rothenburg ob der Tauber Rothenburg: A Pilgrim’s Way-station a-new. There’s so much more than first and craft products meets the eye. Rothenburg is also a pilgrimage town on the ancient route from Stade (near

The famous Christmas Market in Rothenburg Credit ©Rothenburg Tourismus Service

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