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Life in Germany

We created a page for each month so you can find out what food is in season, what public holidays and festivals you can look forward to and information about the weather. 

If you want to read more about the weather conditions, check out our Weather in Germany page

May 2024

In May, we celebrate the changing of the seasons. The sun is shining and it is much warmer during the day. The days are longer and people are enjoying beer and “gemütlichkeit” in the beer gardens.On the 1st of May (Mayday and also Tag der Arbeit), in most small towns, people will

April 2024

April April in Germany is a beautiful month with the arrival of spring. The weather starts to warm up, trees and flowers begin to bloom, and outdoor cafes and beer gardens start to open up. It’s a great time to explore the country’s picturesque landscapes, visit local markets, and enjoy

March 2024

Spring is finally here, but let’s not get overly excited, as temperatures will still take a few weeks to rise.Although the trees will only begin to bloom in  April, nature blesses us with the most beautiful flowers, like the cheerful Crocus, the elegant Narcissus and the stunning Tulips. These flowers can be seen

February 2024

February February is a month of great importance as it is known for love. This event is celebrated with great vigour and passion in South Africa, where lovebirds often exchange gifts, plan special surprises, and indulge in delicious, romantic dinners. However, it is not celebrated with the same intensity in

Image by kinkate from Pixabay

January 2024

The holiday season is filled with excitement and joy, but once the festivities have ended and the New Year has begun , it can feel like a tad quiet and dull. Don’t let the dreariness of January bring you down! Take this time to rejuvenate your mind and body by

October 2023

October October in Germany can still be mild and sunny, it is then referred to as a Goldener Oktober.The leaves are turning yellow, red, orange and brown. It is the perfect time to take beautiful nature photos.If you are interested in wine, take a drive on the German wine route, which is

September 2023

Ah, September is such a beautiful time of year in Germany! As the leaves begin to change colour and the air starts to feel crisp and refreshing, it’s a gentle reminder that the summer season is winding down and making way for autumn. The start of autumn brings with it

August 2023

August For many, August is synonymous with holidays, especially in Europe, where it is the peak vacation season.If you’re still looking to snag a last-minute getaway, you might try browsing holiday deal websites like Secret Escapes and Last Minute. These websites offer a wide range of options to suit any

July 2023

July Most people take their summer holidays in either July or August.Favourite summer holiday destinations for most Germans are Spain, in particular Mallorca, Greece, and Italy. Another popular destination is Malta, where they speak English.Traveling within Germany is also a great option, with destinations like the Ostsee, the Nordsee, Sylt , and Lake Constance making the top

June 2023

June The beginning of Summer and the longest day of the year will be on 21June, in Berlin the sun will rise at 04:43 and set at 21:33.The long days are perfect to enjoy a beer after work in one of the many beer gardens or invite friends over for

Related content

Swimming in Germany

Swimming options Private swimming pools are not so popular in Germany, but there are good public swimming options available. Public swimming pools / Öffentliche Schimmbäder

Weather in Germany

German Climate Germany’s climate is temperate and marine, with cold, cloudy winters and warm summers and in the south occasional warm föhn wind. The greater

Autumn and Winter in Germany

As residents of South Africa, we are blessed with the privilege of experiencing some of the most delightful weather conditions all year round. Our summer

Question Information Solution
Will my children adapt to the new school? The school system is very different from those in South Africa.
The school year starts in September		 Most parents will tell you that children adapt very fast, and that the schools are very accommodating. This is a very difficult and personal decision. Talk to other parents in similar situations, that’s what our FB page is for.
Look on our blog for more information on schools
https://www.southafricansingermany.de/finding-schools/
Will my children adapt to speaking German Children learn a new language faster that one would expect. Immersion is key
Do I need to speak German? It is not a prerequisite to come to Germany but even if you work in an English environment you will need to speak some German. There are many online options available if you do not have time to attend language classes. Again the key is immersion.
You are living in a new country and learning the language is strongly advised.
Is it a safe country? Any country has hot spots where it is not so safe. Nobody can guarantee your safety. I always answer this question with ” I regularly walk from the train station to home even late at night, without feeling unsafe. We sleep with open windows and sometimes open doors. Our car is parked outside. We dont have an alarm system, and no burglar bars in front of our windows” Again this is my opinion and experience
How do I find a place to live Finding a place to live can be a challenge especially in big cities and if your budget is low
You can find more information on our page
What is the the weather like? In Germany there are actually four seasons 🙂 I come from the Highveld, we have no real Autumn and spring is max two weeks. Summers are long. Here you learn to celebrate each season. The climate in the North is also different from the South West. Freiburg is the city with the most sunshine in a year.
Summer can be hot, winter is cold, wet and dark. It is beautiful when it snows, although it does not snow the whole winter and mostly only in the mountains. The motto here is, there is no bad weather only bad clothes. It rains a lot so you learn to adapt to it. You don’t cancel all your plans just because its raining. Sunshine might be a problem in winter, get out as much as possible, have holidays down South, use special lamps and get your dose of Vit D.
See our blog post for more ideas on getting through winter
Where do I find House cleaning and gardening services   It is very expensive in Germany to hire help in and around the house. If everyone does their bit housework is not a big issue. Get tech to help you where you can and teach the kids to clean up after themselves.
Read more on our Minijobs page
Can I drive with my SA licence? Yes You first need an International Drivers licence that you get at the AA.
You need to convert it within 6 months
Read more on our Licences page
Do fill up my own car at the filling station? Yes you have to do it yourself  
Where will I find SA products   There are many online shops available.
Some are listed here
Can I travel to the UK on a German Visa/Residence permit? No you cannot See more information here
What is the best way to transfer money? It really depends on your personal situation We have two pages with information
Forex – ZAR to EUR
Forex – EUR to ZAR

Life in Germany

The most important topics for daily life in Germany

Seasons and Events

We took the time to carefully craft individual pages for every single month of the year. On these pages, you will find an abundance of knowledge regarding what is currently in season, the exciting public holidays and festivals to look forward to, as well as valuable information about the weather.

Germany month by month

We created a page for each month so you can find out what food is in season, what public holidays and festivals you can look forward to and

House and Home

If you are looking for a place to rent, have a look at the information on our page relating to Schufa, types of housing and where to look for accommodation.

Housing in Germany

Types of Housing Flat – Wohnung / Apartment. Atlbauwohnung – An old building, that might be protected Dachgeschosswohnung – penthouse but usually with slanted walls Einliegerwohnung – Granny flat Entangewohnung – Apartmentbuilding Loft Maisonette – duplex apartment Penthouse Souterrainwohnung – basement flat Terrassenwohnung – must have

Finding a place to stay

Finding a place to rent is almost like doing a job interview. You have to “advertise” yourself and you will have to go for interviews. The best is to go prepared!  You will need at least the following documents: A Schufa report (credit report), proof

Schools and Studies

Enroll at a University or Hochschule (Technical University). 

Schools and Studies

General school information Take note that Home Schooling is not allowed. German Vocational training Interested in doing Vocational Training (Ausbildung) in Germany?Germany is one of the best providers of Vocational Training. German Vocational training All the information you need to know about finding and enrolling

Finance

Income Tax, pensions, SARS, Social Insurance, Forex and Financial planning

Finance

The most important financial topics for daily life in Germany Income Tax Information about taxes and where to find assistance Pensions How does the German state pensions work, what can you do to supplement your pension Foreign Exchange- ZAR to EUR Foreign exchange rules to buy Euros with South African Rands SARS Income Tax in South Africa SARS Tax Residence in South Africa Social Insurance Health and long-term care insurance Financial planning How to find

Driving

Also see our Entrepreneurs Corner Forum 

Freelancing in Germany

You can set up your own business in two ways, one is to work as a freelancer or as a self-employed entrepreneur (Gewerbe).  If you want to work as a freelancer in Germany, you will need to apply for a Residence permit for the purpose of freelance employment.

Shopping

Also see our Entrepreneurs Corner Forum 

Freelancing in Germany

You can set up your own business in two ways, one is to work as a freelancer or as a self-employed entrepreneur (Gewerbe).  If you want to work as a freelancer in Germany, you will need to apply for a Residence permit for the purpose of freelance employment.

Sport

Also see our Entrepreneurs Corner Forum 

Freelancing in Germany

You can set up your own business in two ways, one is to work as a freelancer or as a self-employed entrepreneur (Gewerbe).  If you want to work as a freelancer in Germany, you will need to apply for a Residence permit for the purpose of freelance employment.

What we love about Germany

We conducted a survey on our Facebook page to inquire about the things that people adore about Germany.

What we love about Germany

We asked members of our Facebook page what they loved about Germany.  Those that made the list were: Feeling Safe Quality of life Easy access to the rest of

Local Town Offices

Once you have established a residence in Germany, it is imperative that you promptly register at your local Bürgeramt. This is a critical step in becoming fully integrated into your new community and ensuring that you are in compliance with all relevant government regulations. Don’t delay – make sure to take care of this important task as soon as possible.

Registering at the Local Town Office

If you plan to stay in Germany for longer than 3 months, you will need to register at your local Bürgeramt (Town office).This is called a Meldepflicht and is compulsory. More about the law

Health

We added some links about medical aid

Legal Matters

Information about the following topics:  German laws and regulations, Police Clearance Certificates, Estate planning, Funerals, Television licenses, Downloading Music and Movies, and Legalising Documents

Legalities

German Laws and Regulations Where to find information about the laws in Germany. How to report a crime and emergency numbers Estate planning Wills and Testaments Television Licenses Paying your television licence,

Useful Apps

Here are some helpful apps that can simplify your everyday life in Germany.

Useful apps

Having the correct information available when you need it is priceless.  Here are some apps that can make your life easier in Germany. Note for most we did not add links to the apps, as it is a lot of work to maintain for all operating systems. Use the search function to search the apps Integration Integreat app – Digital Integration platform Arrive App from the Bundesagentur für Arbeit Residence card Ausweisapp2 – Use it to

Entertainment

Movies, Internet, Mobile and Television

Entertainment

Menu Item The most important topics for daily life in Germany Internet, TV and Mobile Internet and mobile providers. TV Channels Going to the movies What you need to know about going to the movies in Germany

Outdoors

People from 3rd world countries can apply to do volun

Outdoors

Most South Africans love being outside the house. This can sometimes feel like a challenge in Germany, but I have learned very quickly that you need to embrace all kinds of weather conditions.Most Germans will tell you that there is no bad weather, just bad clothes. The best outdoor activity is, of course, braaing with friends, but please be aware of the rules.

Other sources on the web