Skip to content

South Africans in Germany

Facebook Instagram Facebook
Home » Moving to Germany » Page 5

Moving to Germany

Here is a short introduction to the structure of sentences. It will help you understand what is the difference between a subject, object, preposition, verb and articles

English German Description Examples
Article Artikel Comes before a noun Definite (Bestimmte) – The (Die Der Das)
Indefinite (Unbestimmte) – a/an (Ein, Eine, Einen..)
Noun Nomen A noun is a word that names a person, place, thing, or idea Car, house, girl
Always capitalised in German Auto, Haus
Subject Subjekt Noun – The person or thing doing something  
Object   Objekt Noun – Having something done to it  
    Direct (Akkusativ) The direct object is the receiver of the action
A direct object answers the question “what?” or “who?” In German Wen?
    Indirect (Dativ) An indirect object answers the question “to whom?”, “for whom?” In German Wem?
Pronouns   Pronomen A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun. I, me, he, she, herself, you, it, that, they, each, few, many, who, whoever, whose, someone, everybody
Possessive Pronouns Possessivpronomen Words we use to show possession. Mine, yours, his
Verb Verb Action Eat, love, paint, write
Adjective Adjektiv Describes the Noun or Pronoun Blue , big, clean, old.
The young boy plays outside
Adverb Adverb An adverb describes a verb or anything apart from a noun and pronoun. How? When? How much? How often?  E.g. how does the boy sing The boy sings loudly
Prepositions Präpositionen   A preposition is a word or set of words that indicates location In, near, beside, on top of, behind. with

Visual Grammar – German

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

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 of employment,
  • bank statements and
  • a motivation letter if you like.
    In this you introduce yourself .. how big is the family, do you have pets, do you have parties every Wednesday, do you smoke, where you work, etc. A tip from others, also add proof of insurance , for example pet insurance if you have pets, or personal liability insurance. You also add a reference letter from your employer. 

When you are not yet sure what type of place you want to get or exactly where, consider making use of Airbnb for a couple of months.

It also helps while you are waiting for your furniture to arrive in Germany.
You can read more about moving to Germany on this page,  there you can find a list of the cost of living comparison sites that might help you in your decision process.

Schufa

A “Schufa” is a credit report. It is a bit of a chicken-egg situation. You cannot get a Schufa unless you already life in Germany.  
To get around this you can stay in an Airbnb for a couple of months and then get a Schufa, or say upfront that you don’t have one yet, or look for properties that do not require one. If you have a employment contract, you can also ask if they will accept that.
Simple Germany has a good guide on getting a Schufa

Cost of Living

In general, properties are more expensive in Germany than in South Africa, also when renting. Food and clothing prices depend a lot on where you are buying. Medical insurance is also more expensive in Germany,
The most, expensive cities in Germany with regard to rent are Stuttgart, Hamburg and Munich
Here are some cost-of-living comparative sites to give you an idea:

More information on the internet

Immowelt.de – a really good source of current information from types of housing, to disputes with neighbours. Available in German

Where to look for Accommodation

Rental agencies

Apps

Other

  • Immowelt
  • ImmoScout24
  • WG.Gesucht.de
  • Meinestadt.de
  • Your local paper
  • eBay
  • Facebook sometimes has listings in an area
  • Relocation agents such as Swift Relocation

Furnished short term rentals

Shared accomodation

Buy or Rent

To buy or rent is a personal choice. Just be aware of the possible hidden costs of ownership.
There was a case recently where owners were charged for fixing the road in front of their properties.
Interest rates are pretty low. Deposits are high.
Simple Germany has a good article on this

Typical property description

“3-Zimmer Wohnung

Die Wohnung bietet eine Wohnfläche von ca. 116,56 m². Diese Fläche verteilt
sich auf den Flur, zwei Schlafzimmer, das Wohnzimmer, das hell geflieste Vollbad, das WC und die Wohnküche.
Die Küche wir nur mit einem Herd und einer Spüle ausgestattet.”

Important

  • When you are looking at a property with “3 Zimmer” it does not refer to bedrooms but the total rooms excluding the Kitchen and Bathroom.
  • Many properties will have no lights installed, only the fittings. You have to get them fitted or fit them yourself. A good place to look for artisans is My-Hammer
  • Make sure you know what your responsibilities will be for example are you responsible for keeping the pathway clear from snow or for cleaning the staircase (Treppenhaus). In BW you might be responsible for cleaning during your Kehrworche
  • Living space – Living space can be calculated according to 3 methods.  Only in the case of subsidized housing is a method prescribed by the Housing Subsidy Act
    • The DIN-277 standard. The floor space (Grundfläche) and living space (Wohnfläche) are the same. The height of the room is irrelevant. Roof areas, balconies, basements and garages are included. 
    • The Second Calculation Ordinance (II. BV), only up till 31.12.2003
    • Living space ordinance (WoFlV – as of 01.01.2004) In disputes the court follows this method. It evaluates the part of the floor space that can be used for living. It is not the same as the Grundfläche(floor space) method- 
      Rooms with sloping ceilings can only partially be taken into account. Cellars, laundry rooms, heating rooms and garages do not count towards the living space. Chimneys, pillars and columns do not count towards living space if they are higher than 1.50 meters and have a floor area of more than 0.1 square metres.
  • Be careful of photos, it could for example be taken with the kitchen fitted but if it doesn’t say a kitchen is included (Einbauküche or EBK), it is not.
  • It is possible to lease your furniture,  Lyght Living and In-lease offers such services

Vocabulary and Info

die Wohnung This could mean accommodation but mostly it means an apartment or flat
 das Mietvertrag  Rental contract
Immobilienmakler Estate agent, realtor
Vertrag kündigen Cancel your contract
das Vermieter Landlord
das Mieter Tenant
Wohnen auf Zeit Temporary living option. Usually only for a couple of months.
Most will be furnished
die Wohngemeinschft Shared accommodation.
Popular with young people
die Garage / das Stellplatz Garage or parking space
das Grundstück Land or plot
die Warmmiete Rent with utilities (die Nebenkosten) like heating included.
Always refer to your rental contract
die Kaltmiete Rent without utilities (die Nebenkosten) like heating included.
Always refer to your rental contract
   
die Kaution Deposit. By law it may not be more than 3 times the “Kalt Miete”. To get your deposit back can take up to a year.
die Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung a certificate from your previous landlord to show
that you have no outstanding rent
Einkommensnahcweis Proof of income
das Deutscher Mieterbund German tenants association
das Wohnberechtigunsschein (WBS) Certificate to prove that the tenant is entitled to move into subsidized housing. If an apartment is advertised as WBS, only those with such a certificate can apply.
die Nebenkosten

Additional charges for utilities and services like heating, hot water, trash collection etc. 
This is usually a fixed amount (for the year) and at the end of the year you will receive a Betriebskostenabrechnung, which is a statement of how much you paid and how much you actually used.
If you used less than what you paid you will get money back.
Electricity (der Strom) is usually not included in the Nebenkosten, it will depend on your rental contract so make sure about it.

Internet and Television can be included but most times it is not.

A very good site for more information (in German) is Ratgeber.immowelt
der Strom Electricity (der Strom) is usually not included in the Nebenkosten, unless specified in your rental contract. 
If it is not included, you will have to sign a contract with a electricity provider.
You can use websites like Verivox and Check24 to make a comparison. You are also allowed to switch between providers.

Related content

Housing in Germany

Types of Housing Flat – Wohnung / Apartment. Atlbauwohnung – An old building, that might be protected Dachgeschosswohnung – penthouse but usually with slanted walls

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

Minijobs and hired help

Are you looking for services like cleaning, someone to look after the kids or help out with the gardening?The sites we list here are currently

There are several approaches to learn German, all of which can help you achieve your language learning goals. You can opt for convenient online sites that offer a range of language courses or download mobile apps that make learning on-the-go a breeze. Alternatively, you can choose to attend classes where you’ll benefit from practical and interactive lessons that help you build your language skills.
It’s worth noting that Germany uses the European Language Framework, which helps learners to gauge their proficiency levels, identify areas of improvement and work towards achieving internationally recognized language certifications. 

European Language Framework

Online resources

Online German courses are becoming increasingly popular among students and professionals who wish to improve their language skills.
If you are considering taking a German course online, you may be pleased to know that there are several institutions that offer high-quality language instruction. These courses typically cover a range of language competencies, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening comprehension. 

Study in South Africa

The following institutions offers traditional classroom courses which provides face-to-face interactions with instructors and peers. You will have the opportunity to learn German in a supportive and structured environment, with experienced instructors who will guide you through every step of the process. 

Study in Germany

The best way to learn any language is by attending classes and practicing it in a real-life setting. Not only do these classes enhance your language skills, but they also expose you to German culture and open doors to new friendships and experiences. 

Integration course

If you received your residence permit after 1 January 2005 and are unable to make yourself understood at a basic or adequate level in German, you must participate in an integration course. The immigration office will determine your obligation to participate when your residence permit is issued.

If you receive the citizens’ benefit and the office from which you receive the citizens’ benefit requires you to participate, you must also participate in an integration course.

If you are receiving the citizens’ benefit, unemployment benefits or benefits to cover the cost of living, you will be exempted from the contribution to costs on application. You can also be exempted from the contribution to costs if paying the contribution to costs is particularly difficult for you due to your financial or personal situation.

If you complete the final test at the end of the integration course within two years, or three years for integration courses for special target groups, after issue of the Eligibility Certificate (Teilnahmeberechtigung), you may, under certain conditions, be reimbursed half of your contribution to costs. You need to complete an application for this, sign it and send it to the competent branch office. More information can be found on the BAMF website or the BAMF NAvI website

Exam preperation

The first hurdle is to pass the A1 and A2 exams. The following websites offer mock exams to help you prepare for the exams..

  • Goethe practice materials
  • DW Placement Tests
  • My German Teacher is a Youtube channel, they offer tips on how to pass the A1 exams

    • Listed tutors

    If you are looking for one-on-one German classes, we have German tutors listed on our website  

    Karin Gärtner – German Tutor

    Before lockdown I taught German in the evenings as part of classes the Deutsche Schule Durban offered to adults and children. During lockdown things went

    Beyond the Class-room

    As an English teacher i am always looking at fun ways to interact with my students, especially during the stay at home times we have

    Linguistika

    A Multifaceted Language Service founded by Stephanie Schaffrath TAILORED ONLINE LANGUAGE TUITION: With over 12 years of experience teaching languages, Linguistika is committed to providing

    Apps

    Learning a new language can be a daunting task, but thanks to modern technology, we now have access to iteractive language learning apps that makes learning fun.

    AppLevelOperating SystemLink
    Adventure GermanB1Android and Applehttps://www.goethe.de/ins/za/en/spr/ueb/mis.html
    AnkiAndroid and Applehttps://www.ankiapp.com/
    BabbelAndroid and Applehttps://www.babbel.com/course-description/learn-german-online
    BusuuAndroid and Applehttps://www.busuu.com/
    City of WordsA1Android and Applehttps://www.goethe.de/en/spr/ueb/led.html
    Das Geheimnis der HimmelsscheibeA2Android and Applehttps://www.goethe.de/ins/za/en/spr/ueb/him.html
    DuolingoAndroid and Apple“>
    FluentuAndroid and Applehttps://www.fluentu.com/
    iStart GermanApplehttp://www.miraigerman.com/
    Learn German DeutschAkademieA1, A2, B1, B2 or C1Android and Applehttps://www.deutschakademie.de/online-deutschkurs/english/learn-german-for-android
    Rosetta StoneAndroid and Applehttps://www.rosettastone.de/
    VHSA1, A2, B1, B2Android and Apple“>
    Tandem

    Podcasts and videos

    Another fun way to learn german is by listening to podcasts or watching videos.

    Related content

    Verbs

    Verbs are actions or a state of being. An example of an Action is, I eat. An example of a state is, I am hungry

    German Grammar and Language

    Here are some links to German Grammar information.It is a compilation of information I gathered over time. I hope you find it useful. Please notify