South Africans in Germany

Shopping in Germany can be a daunting experience if you are not familiar with how things work here.

The worst is probably grocery shopping. In South Africa there is usually someone at the till that bags your groceries for you. It is mostly a relaxed experience and you can even pay some of your utility bills at the till.

In Germany, there are no grocery packers and the workers at the till are extremely fast and efficient. So much that you do not even have time to pack in your own groceries. And don’t even dare to ask for a plastic bag! The best is to take your own reusable bags with you and pack your items into the trolley so that you can bag them at your leisure.
Payment options have changed since the Corona pandemic, and more stores are accepting cash cards and mobile payments. Credit cards are still not accepted at all stores.

Shops like Rewe now have self-help tills where you scan your own items and pay. It works with the weight of your items that you have to unpack before scanning so it is suited when you have only a few items.

Another difference to shopping in SA is the personal service you get in some stores, especially clothes or speciality shops.
Often you will get a salesperson asking if they can help you, and if you do need help they will make a great effort to give the correct advice.
Some clothing stores will help you with your wardrobe or give advice on what to wear to a specific event.

In some shoe shops, the attendant will ask if want to keep the box (die Schachtel). The next question will then be if you need a bag or have a bag (die Einkaufstüte or just Tüte). If you brought your own you can just answer “ja ich habe eine dabei Danke”

Something you should never do is make use of the advice in a shop and then go buy the item online. This is not fair towards the salesperson.

Clothes

We understand that shopping for clothes can be a daunting task, with so many options and stores to choose from. That’s why we’ve created a page dedicated to helping you find the best places to shop for clothes. Whether you’re looking for trendy boutiques, affordable department stores, or high-end designer labels, we’ve got you covered.
We also have a detailed page specifically dedicated to clothing sizes for women.

Where to shop for clothes

We understand how difficult it can be to find the perfect shop where you can buy new clothes. That’s why we took the initiative to put together a comprehensive list of shops that we believe could be helpful in your search. If there are shops that you believe should be included

Clothing sizes – Women

Woman’s Clothing The following table is a rough guide for Woman’s clothing. Most online shops will have a measurement guide, but even then it might not fit as expected. Shoes This is not a precise conversion, but a rough indication. This for men’s and women’s shoe sizes Vocabulary English German Bra

Grocery shopping

Grocery Shopping

Grocery Shopping in Germany Made Simple Stepping into a German supermarket for the first time can feel overwhelming. The store layout is unfamiliar, your go-to brands might be missing, and figuring out what to call plastic wrap in German can be challenging. This guide is here to help! We’ve gathered

House and home

Information about bed, duvet and pillow sizes in Germany.

Beds, Mattresses and Duvets

The sleeping arrangements in Germany is a bit different from what we are used to in South Africa. The average German couple sleeps on a bed base with two single mattresses and each with their own duvet.Some would argue for this but I would at least want to share a

Additional information

Similar Shops

Back home, you know exactly in what shop to look for specific items, where to find quality products and what shops have cheaper options.We tried to make a comparison of SA and German shops in the list below. You welcome to send us your suggestions via or Contact us page Related

Product Substitutes

Most products we know in South Africa are available in Germany, but unfortunately not all of them. Here is a list of product substitutes for some of them. I you would like more information about where to buy South African products in Germany, see our Products we love page. Food related products

Substitutes and Food Info

There are countless South African products that can be conveniently purchased online today. In those rare instances where you can’t find what you’re looking for in Germany, worry not, because there are plenty of excellent substitutes available that you can consider. We have taken the liberty of compiling a list

Some helpful phrases/Terms:

No thank you, I am just looking – Nein danke, ich schaue mich nur um.
Where are the changing rooms – Wo sind die Umkleidekabinen?
Can I try it on? – Kann ich es anprobieren?
I’ll take it – Ich nehme es
How much does it cost? – Wieviel kostet es?
Do you need a bag? – Brauchen Sie eine Tüte?
Do you want a receipt? – Möchten Sie einen Beleg?
Special offer – das Sonderangebot
Sale – der Ausverkauf
Shopping basket – der Einkaufskorb
Shopping trolley – der Einkaufswagen
to pay – bezahlen
Bakery – die Bäckerei
Department store – das Kaufhaus
Sweet Shop – der Süßwarenladen
Butcher – die Fleischerei oder die Metzgerei
Chemist – die Aphoteke
Supermarket – der Supermarkt
Till or checkout- die Kasse
The price – der Preis
Bag – die Tasche

For more have a look on this page

Gardening Rules

Did you know your garden and the local green spaces are living habitats for wildlife and insects?If you cut back or trim your plants too

South African Recipes

Click here to submit your recipe Seasonal recipes Resources on the web Ina Paarman Pinterest – on the Braai Jan Braai Watertand resepte vir oud en

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

Grocery Shopping in Germany Made Simple

Stepping into a German supermarket for the first time can feel overwhelming. The store layout is unfamiliar, your go-to brands might be missing, and figuring out what to call plastic wrap in German can be challenging.

This guide is here to help! We’ve gathered essential tips, a list of popular grocery stores, and convenient delivery options to make your shopping experience easier.

Where to shop for groceries (Lebensmittel)

When it comes to buying groceries, you have a number of options available to you.

Mid-range

If you’re looking for a balance between quality and affordability, mid-range stores offer a great selection of high-quality products at reasonable prices.

Discounters

If keeping costs low is your main goal, discounters provide budget-friendly prices while still offering a solid selection of essentials. These stores focus on savings rather than the shopping experience, so expect a no-frills layout with shelves that may appear a bit chaotic.

Wholesale

For bulk shopping or stocking up for a larger household, wholesale retailers offer great deals on bigger quantities. To shop at these stores, you’ll need a business license (Gewerbeschein) for Metro or a client card (Kundenkarte) for Selgros. Their setup is similar to Makro in South Africa.

Good to know

Shopping Carts & Tokens – Grocery carts require a coin deposit, but you can also buy plastic tokens for convenience.
Bring Your Own Bags – While you can purchase bags at the checkout, it’s better to bring your own. Some shoppers frown upon buying bags, and they always come at an extra cost.
Packing Your Groceries – You’ll need to pack your own bags at checkout. Cashiers—especially in discounters—scan items quickly, which can be overwhelming. Be prepared by opening your bags in the trolley for quick packing or placing items back into the cart to bag them later. Shopping with a partner can also help—one handles packing while the other pays. To slow things down slightly, space your items out on the conveyor belt in the order you want to pack them.
Bottle Deposits (Pfand) – Many plastic and glass bottles have a deposit (Pfand), which you can reclaim by returning them to automated machines (Pfandautomaten) in participating stores. The machine prints a receipt (“Bon”) that you can redeem at the cashier.
Weighing Produce – Some stores require you to weigh fresh produce yourself and attach a price label. Many also offer reusable produce bags.
Alcohol & Tobacco – Beer and other alcoholic drinks are available in grocery stores. Cigarettes and vape products are usually stored at the checkout.
Medication – Even basic medicines like aspirin are not sold in grocery stores. You’ll need to visit a pharmacy (Apotheke).
Cash Withdrawals—Some stores allow cash withdrawals at the register, usually with a minimum purchase requirement and a withdrawal limit. Check individual store policies, such as Rewe’s “Kostenlos Bargeld abheben” service.

To help you navigate the products in the shops, we created substitute lists for known South African products

Substitutes and Food Info

There are countless South African products that can be conveniently purchased online today. In those rare instances where you can’t find what you’re looking for

Product Substitutes

Most products we know in South Africa are available in Germany, but unfortunately not all of them. Here is a list of product substitutes for some

Buying online

Most of the shops listed above have online shops that deliver to your door.
For a limited list of items and fast delivery, you can use apps like Flink, Wolt, PiCniC or Flaschenpost

Quality of produce

If you are looking for top-notch products that guarantee quality and exceptional taste, then it is highly recommended that you choose to buy local and seasonal produce. Not only does this option ensure that you are selecting the freshest fruits and vegetables available but it also helps support local farmers and their communities. It is also essential to note that some imported fruits may lack flavour when compared to locally sourced options. Thus, it would be wise to always check where your fruits come from to ensure that you get the best quality and flavour.
An example of this is when fruit is shipped to Germany; most of it goes through artificial ripening techniques such as Ethylene gas.
While this process does ripen the fruit, it is done at the expense of its taste, leading to the fruit being unappetizing and lacking its natural sweetness.
Therefore, buying local and seasonal fruits is always the best option for quality assurance and exceptional taste.

Bioladen

Bioladen or Biomärkte sells organic products.

Hofladen

A Hofladen is a type of farm stand that sells produce directly from a farm. By definition: “A shop that is part of a farm and mainly sells its own products directly”.
The main advantages are that you know where the produce comes from, it is fresh as it doesn’t need to be transported over long periods of time and you can sometimes even pick the produce yourself.

Meat and Fish

We have a page with information about meat cuts, as well as where to buy meat, fish and seafood

Meat

German meat cuts are different from those in South Africa. South Africa tends to follow the British way of cutting meat.Below is a explanation of the

Fish

Rewe has a very good page about seafood. Where to buy fish and seafood If you would like to buy seafood or fish online try

Vegetables

Below are pages related to seasonal and local vegetables

Bärlauch

Discover the magic of Bärlauch, the wild garlic that adds a burst of flavour to your dishes!

Pumpkins

Experience Kürbiszeit: Germany’s Pumpkin Season From July to January, Germany celebrates Kürbiszeit, its vibrant pumpkin season. Discover the rich flavors, colorful festivals, and seasonal delights

Potatoes

Potatoes are staple food in Germany. You will find it as a side to almost any dish you order in a restaurant. The good news

Spargel – the German white gold

Bis Johanni – nicht vergessen – sieben Wochen Spargel essen! The Asparagus season in Germany starts towards the end of April and ends on the

Related pages

Shopping

Shopping in Germany can be a daunting experience if you are not familiar with how things work here. The worst is probably grocery shopping. In

South African Recipes

Click here to submit your recipe Seasonal recipes Resources on the web Ina Paarman Pinterest – on the Braai Jan Braai Watertand resepte vir oud en

German Cuisine and Recipes

Many describe German food as hearty and comforting, often based on filling ingredients like potatoes and bread. Yet, German cuisine has a refined side—”sehr fein”—and

We understand how difficult it can be to find the perfect shop where you can buy new clothes.
That’s why we took the initiative to put together a comprehensive list of shops that we believe could be helpful in your search.
If there are shops that you believe should be included on the list, please don’t hesitate to let us know by visiting our Contact Us page.
We value your input and we want to ensure that we are providing you with the most comprehensive and up-to-date information. So take a look at our list, and if you have any ideas that you would like to add, feel free to contact us!

Good to know

Almost all traditional shops now have online shops.
The more upmarket shops offer personal assistance in finding the right clothes.
Most shops offer an alteration service.
End-of-season sales are a great way to buy quality clothing at reduced prices. Winterschlussverkauf (WSV) usually starts at the end of January and Sommerschlussverkauf (SSV) usually begins at the end of July.

Clothes for the whole family

The following shops offer clothing for the whole family.
We understand that everyone’s tastes and budgets vary, so we’ve done our best to provide our own perspective on which shops are considered high-end, budget or mid-range.

Outdoor, winter and sport

Outdoor sports are very popular in Germany, and the following shops will have you kitted out in no time

Personal stylist (clothes delivered monthly for you to try and either keep or send back)

Shopping

Shopping in Germany can be a daunting experience if you are not familiar with how things work here. The worst is probably grocery shopping. In

Similar Shops

Back home, you know exactly in what shop to look for specific items, where to find quality products and what shops have cheaper options.We tried

Products we love

We all miss familiar products we loved in South Africa. Some of these you can buy here in Germany, and for some, you will have

Woman’s Clothing

The following table is a rough guide for Woman’s clothing. Most online shops will have a measurement guide, but even then it might not fit as expected.

Shoes

This is not a precise conversion, but a rough indication. This for men’s and women’s shoe sizes

Vocabulary

English	German
Bra	der BH or der Büstenhalter
Dress	das Kleid
Pants	die Hose
Blouse	die Bluse
Shirt	das Hemd
Skirt	das Rock
Panties	der Slip

Downloadable File

Clothing Sizes Women

Shopping

Shopping in Germany can be a daunting experience if you are not familiar with how things work here. The worst is probably grocery shopping. In

Differences – South Africa vs Germany

Every county has their own way of doing things, and your first couple of months living in a new country will be a steep learning

Product Substitutes

Most products we know in South Africa are available in Germany, but unfortunately not all of them. Here is a list of product substitutes for some

Most products we know in South Africa are available in Germany, but unfortunately not all of them.
Here is a list of product substitutes for some of them.
I you would like more information about where to buy South African products in Germany, see our Products we love page.

Food related products

Meat

German meat cuts are different from those in South Africa. South Africa tends to follow the British way of cutting meat.Below is a explanation of the

Substitutes – Drinks

Looking for Milo, Horlicks, Frisco, Ricoffy or Lime Cordial? We compiled a searchable list of substitutes for some of the popular hot and cold drinks

Substitutes – Other Products

Here is a list of substitutes and translations for general food and kitchen items like cling film, maize meal, custard and biscuits Related content

Frozen products

Here is a list of suggestions for ready-made pasty (dough) products and some translations. Related content Inspiration

Baking ingredients

For all of the passionate bakers out there! We have thoughtfully compiled a comprehensive list of alternative ingredient options that can be used for baking

Types of Sugars

Here is a list of suggestions for types of sugars, as well as some translations. Related content

Dairy substitutes

Here is a list of suggestions for dairy products, as well as some translations. You can also read more on Rewe’s site Related content

Spices and Herbs

Here is a list of the most common spices and herbs with their Afrikaans, English and German names Spices Afrikaans English German Borrie Turmeric die

General household items

South African Product	Substitute suggestion	Additional Info
JIK	Try Danklorix	Active ingredient for JIK is: Sodium Hypochlorite 3.5% m/v when packed. Other Ingredients: Water, Fragrance.
Aqueous Cream	CeraVe Feuchtigkeitscreme Eucerin Original Healing Cream	You can buy online
Sugar Soap	Anlauger & Entfetter
Handy Andy cleaning cream	Scheuermilch – available in most shops. a popular brand is Viss	HANDY ANDY CONTAINS AMONGST OTHER INGREDIENTS Less than 5% Non ionic surfactants 5%- 8% Anionic surfactants 7%- 15% Abrasive agent
Dettol or Savlon	The Sagrotan brand is a very good substitute and available in most shops	There is unfortunately no subsittute for the Dettol in a bottel, you can only get sprays. Some suggests Betaisodona Lösung. You can also look in Asian/ African Shops
Sunlight soap bar	1. Kernseife Widely available in German supermarkets (e.g., DM, Rossmann, or Müller). A traditional, multi-purpose soap made from natural fats or oils. Common brands include Haka and Sonett. 2. Dr. Bronner’s Castile Bar Soap A versatile and eco-friendly soap available in organic stores or online. While it’s not specifically green, it shares the natural cleaning properties of Sunlight Soap. 3. Frosch Soap Bar Part of the eco-friendly Frosch cleaning product line. Often marketed for household cleaning and skin-friendly use. 4. Gallseife (Gall Soap) Similar in cleaning power to Sunlight Soap but specifically designed for stain removal in laundry. Contains natural bile extract, which helps break down grease and stubborn stains.	If you’re seeking something with the same versatility and green color, Kernseife is your closest match in Germany, though you might not find an exact duplicate of Sunlight Soap. Where to Buy: Drugstores: DM, Rossmann, Müller. Supermarkets: Edeka, Rewe, or Kaufland. Eco Shops: Alnatura, Bio Company, or online platforms like Amazon or Greenweez.
Sunlight Dishwashing Liquid	Fairy and Pril works pretty good	Ingredients: Anionic detergents, solubilisers, colourants and perfume.
Mr Min Mulit surface cleaner	Pronto Möbel-Spray or Poliboy	Both Pronto and Poliboy makes a range of furniture sprays and cleaners. Make sure you get the correct product for example multi purpose or only for wood

Stationery Items

South African Product	Substitute Suggestion or Translation	Additional Information
Sellotape or Adhesive Tape	Klebeband is the collective name for all kinds of Tape, and you can specify the width for most. Klebeband Transparent is what we know as Sellotape.	Tesa is a well know brand and people will sometimes refer to it as Tesafilm
Duct Tape	Universalklebeband, Panzerband oder Industrieklebeband
Packing Tape – the brown tape you use to seal boxes or packages	Das Paketklebeband
Prestik or Adhesive Putty	Die Klebemasse or die Klebeknete

Medicinal Products

Health product substitutes

We are not medical professionals and cannot give any medical advice. We do however have contact with a qualified Pharmacist who offered to answer questions you might have about substitutes for South African health products. We cannot give any information about prescription medication. We have listed some suggestions for over the counter items.

Bed linen

Most Germans sleep under their own single duvet, even on a “double” bed. The usual arrangement is a bed with two mattresses and each person sleeping under their own duvet.
To buy queen or king-size linen and duvets, look online.
If you brought your own pillows from SA, look on online shops in the UK like Amazon.co.uk. They deliver in Germany.
Some shops in Germany like Wayfair, Ikea and Home24 will have the correct sizes but you will have a limited selection.

See Beds, Mattresses and Duvets below for standard pillow sizes and other information

Beds, Mattresses and Duvets

The sleeping arrangements in Germany is a bit different from what we are used to in South Africa. The average German couple sleeps on a bed base with two single mattresses and each with their own duvet.Some would argue for this but I would at least want to share a duvet with my partner.I vacuum packed all my queen size duvets and brought them with me to Germany together with