Welcome!
Welcome to the best on-line information resource for expatriates in Germany: the website of How To Germany magazine. How To Germany tells you everything you need to know about living and working in Germany as a foreigner. The magazine's feature archives are available on this website, and we update them frequently to keep you current on developments important to a happy and successful stay in Germany.
Bumps and Jolts on the Cultural Road
Large areas of similarity between Germans and Americans make it easy to underestimate the dangers of misunderstanding.
One of the unpleasant things about traveling are bad places in the road that cause bumps and jolts, upsetting you and knocking over your coffee. These are particularly bad when you're not expecting them. It's the same way when you're in what I call "the Transatlantic Zone" - that's any place and any time Americans and Germans are doing business together. In the Transatlantic Zone there can also be bumps and jolts when you're not expecting them. Let me give you an example.
Sunday, 7 September, Römer (City Hall) Frankfurt, 1 to 6pm
Whether you're a Newcomer or an Oldtimer in Frankfurt, don't miss the exhibition of services for the expatriate community! Free Admission ... Workshops ... Exhibition ... Entertainment ... Children's Program!
www.newcomers-festival.de/frankfurt
The Energy Certificate (Energieausweis)
Most drivers know about how much gasoline their cars use on average. The consumer takes note of the efficiency rating of a refrigerator or washing machine when about to buy one. Yet more often than not no objective information is available on the energy quality of a residential building, despite the fact that most of the energy consumed in Germany is used for heating and hot water generation in private households.
To correct this situation Germany has begun to require buildings to have an Energy Certificate (Energieausweis) whenever they are sold or leased. These bring more transparency to the real estate market and provide all market participants with reliable information on the energy requirements and energy quality of a building.
Environmental Zones (Umweltzonen)
German cities, under a law passed in 2006, are acquiring environmental zones (Umweltzonen); areas into which you can't drive your car unless it bears a windshield sticker certifying that it has an acceptable emission level.
There are three different stickers: a green one certifying that the vehicle is environmentally acceptable; a yellow one for less acceptable vehicles and a red one for those that are still less acceptable. Yellow and red stickers will eventually be phased out, after which all vehicles permitted in the environmental zones will need a green sticker. The stickers are hard to counterfeit and would be destroyed in any effort to remove them from the windshield.
No Smoking Laws in Germany
The ban on smoking in public places, including bars and restaurants, is now nationwide in Germany.
While it is up to the individual states to pass specific non-smoking laws the federal government has also done its part to reduce the number of places in which smoking is permitted through legislation. (One interesting part of the federal regulations is the ban on allowing minors to smoke in public. It is also against the law to sell tobacco products to minors. Cigarette machines in public areas have been fitted with a device that requires a user to insert either a German drivers license or a bank card in a slot before cigarettes can be purchased.)
German School System
German public education makes it possible for qualified kids to study up to university level, regardless of their families' financial status.
The German education system is different in many ways from the ones in Anglo-Saxon countries, but it produces high- performing students. Although education is a function of the federal states, and there are differences from state to state, some generalizations are possible.
The German Legal System
A short list of some important things to be aware of -- you never know when they might come in handy.
Although the German legal system doesn't match the US constitutional Bill of Rights point for point, legal specialists who have studied it are usually in agreement that it is fair. It provides many safeguards to ensure the fairness of investigations and trials.
Driving in Germany
It's true: there are no speed limits on the German autobahns. But there are plenty of other regulations you should be aware of.
Driving in Germany can be a delight: the scenery is beautiful and the roads are well maintained. But there are many rules and regulations to observe.
Residing and Working In Germany
You're not truly living in Germany until the paperwork's done. Here's a quick primer on exactly what you'll need.
All persons remaining in Germany for longer than three months must
have a residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis), of which there are now two types. You can apply for one of them at the local Ausländerbehörde.
Individual and Local Sports
Countless hours on a plane, living in cramped quarters out of suitcases and boxes, disrupted eating schedules and styles - these are things that quickly force expatriates to search out physical activity.
Newcomers to Germany observe Germans are very active on a daily basis, often walking or biking to a destination rather than driving. Sunday walks by extended families along forest paths are a common sight, as are parents on bicycles with small children trailing behind.
The full article...German Sports Leagues and Clubs
Germany's sports leagues are highly organized. Men's soccer, Fussball, quickly springs to mind, but there also leagues and organizations for women's soccer, basketball, ice hockey, handball as well as a number of other sports.
Spa: Sanus per Aquam an Old Roman Cure
German spa culture is an adopted tradition taken from the Romans. During the time of Roman Empire bathing was used by soldiers returning from battle as a form of hydrotherapy. The word spa itself is a Latin acronym meaning 'health by water' or sanus per aquam. Mineral sources were particularly soothing remedies then as now.
Search Our Resources Database
Check out the Resources Database. There are hundreds of categorized listings that include companies, churches, schools, clubs, service providers and other organizations throughout Germany. You can search the resources database by category. It's fast and easy.
