Welcome to Your Guide to House and Home in Germany
Explore our essential guides on everything from renting to home upkeep, and even choosing the perfect German bed and mattress.
Moving from One Town to Another in Germany: Key Considerations
Moving from One Town to Another in Germany Moving within Germany, whether it’s to a neighbouring town or a different state, is a process that involves more than just packing up your belongings and setting up in a new home. German bureaucracy is known for its thoroughness, and to ensure
Avoiding mould in your house
Mold is a common problem in homes across Germany, especially during the damp and colder months. High humidity levels, poor ventilation, and improper heating can lead to the development of mold, which not only damages your property but also poses significant health risks. Germany’s climate, particularly in winter, often leads
Waste disposal and recycling
This is a general guide to waste disposal and recycling. Recycling and waste disposal rules can vary by town, so it’s essential to check the specific regulations in your area, like how bulky waste is collected. To make things easier, try searching for “Abfallkalender” or “Müllkalender” along with your town’s
Gardening Rules
Garden Laws in Germany: A Quick Guide If you’re a proud plant parent or weekend weed warrior here in Germany, you might be surprised to find that your garden is subject to some pretty specific rules. This isn’t just about making things look neat — it’s about noise, nature, and
Housing in Germany
Types of Housing Wohnung / Apartment/Flat. Standard residential unit, typically part of a larger building. Atlbauwohnung – An old building, that might be protected. An older, often pre-war building with high ceilings and potentially historic features. Dachgeschosswohnung – Attic or penthouse apartment, often with sloped ceilings due to being on
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
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 only available in German. You have the option to hire someone on a more permanent basis (minijob) or use a company to supply the services
Finding a place to stay
Finding a place to rent 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! Documents needed You will need at least the following documents: A Schufa report (credit
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Internet TV and mobile
Internet, mobile and television packages are usually sold as a bundle. Fibre is available in most big cities but not in remote towns. Legal After registering at the Bürgerampt you will receive a reminder to pay for your TV licence.Please make sure you know the rules regarding VPN’s, streaming services, and downloading music. The TKMoG (Telecommunications Modernisation Act), came into force on December 1, 2021. If the provider does not provide the contractually agreed transmission rate, the customer can now reduce the monthly fee based on the newly introduced proportional reduction right. A special right of termination can also be used under certain circumstances. If a technician does not come on the agreed date or if there is a fault that has not been rectified, this can lead to compensation claims against the provider. Another change is that providers have to offer a 12-month contract and not only 24-month contracts. If the contract has expired you can now cancel it with a one month notice period. Previously your contract was automatically extended for another year if you did not cancel it in time. The new regulation will also apply to existing contracts. Comparative Sites Websites like Check24 and Verivox makes a comparison of products, services and prices. Make sure you understand the terms and conditions before signing up. Service providers Most service providers offer packages that include Home internet, mobile phone, landline and television packages. Please confirm that the service is available where you live before signing up. This is called Internet Verfügbarkeitsprüfung 1&1 Telekom O2 Vodafone Congstar German television You can find a list of German state-operated television stations here. Your bouquet will depend on your internet service provider for example this list from Vodafone In Germany for cable tv, the tv standard “DVB-C” is used: see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVB-CFor “normal TV” via antenna, the standard DVB-T is used.So if you TV cannot handle DVB-T or DVB-C, then you will not be able to receive German TV channels.If your TV doesn’t support these broadcasting standards, you can buy a set top box (receiver) which will receive these channels and then shows the channels via an HDMI cable on your tv (like an “mnet decoder” basically). Search for “DVB-C receiver” on amazon and you will find many, starting at circa 30€ all the way up to 200€, depending on whether you want additional things like recording. Pay TV channels Sky Sony, can also be added to your Amazon prime account Disney Streaming services Streaming is legal in Germany as long as the service provider follows the correct copyright rules. Torrenting is illegal in Germany. Be very careful of making illegal downloads! You can get hefty fines, this also applies to guests using your internet service. You can read more about streaming on the European Consumer Centre Germany – you can download their English Pdf here Safer-Streaming-EN In today’s digital age, streaming has become a predominant way to consume media content. However, the distinction between legal and illegal streaming can often be blurred. Legal streaming in Germany involves accessing content through authorized services that have the right to distribute the content. These services often require a subscription fee or offer ad-supported content. Here are some key points about legal streaming: Licensed Platforms: Platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and local services like Joyn and Maxdome are fully licensed to distribute their content in Germany. Subscribing to these services ensures you are accessing content legally. Public Broadcasting: Germany has a robust public broadcasting system. Channels like ARD, ZDF, and their associated streaming services (e.g., ARD Mediathek, ZDF Mediathek) offer a wide range of content legally and often for free. Subscription and Pay-Per-View Services: Services such as Sky Ticket, DAZN, and Apple TV+ operate on a subscription or pay-per-view basis, providing access to a wide array of sports, movies, and TV shows legally. Ad-Supported Platforms: Platforms like YouTube offer legal streaming of a vast amount of content, provided that the content is uploaded by authorized channels or individuals who own the rights. Illegal Streaming: The Risks and Consequences Illegal streaming involves accessing content through unauthorized means, often without the consent of the copyright holder. This is a violation of intellectual property rights and German law. Here’s what you need to know about illegal streaming: Pirate Websites: Websites that offer free streaming of movies, TV shows, and sports events without proper licensing are illegal. Examples include sites like Kinox.to and Movie4k.to. Torrenting and Peer-to-Peer Sharing: Using torrents or peer-to-peer networks to download or stream copyrighted content without permission is illegal in Germany. Popular platforms like The Pirate Bay and other similar services are not legal sources. Consequences: Engaging in illegal streaming can lead to serious consequences. German law is stringent on copyright infringement. Users caught streaming illegally can face hefty fines and even legal action. Monitoring and Enforcement: Internet service providers (ISPs) and copyright enforcement agencies in Germany monitor illegal streaming activities. They can track IP addresses involved in illegal streaming and take legal action against offenders. How to Stay Safe and Legal To avoid the pitfalls of illegal streaming, here are some tips: Use Legal Streaming Services: Stick to reputable streaming services that have the necessary licenses. This not only ensures you’re on the right side of the law but also supports content creators. Be Wary of Free Streaming Sites: If a site offers the latest movies or TV shows for free, it’s likely illegal. Always check the legitimacy of the streaming platform. Look for Secure Sites: Legal streaming sites usually have secure, HTTPS websites. Be cautious of sites with poor design, numerous pop-ups, or requests for unnecessary permissions. Educate Yourself: Stay informed about the latest laws and regulations regarding streaming. Germany frequently updates its policies to combat piracy, and being aware of these changes can help you avoid legal trouble. You can read more about streaming on the European Consumer Centre Germany – and download their English Safer-Streaming-EN.pdf file Article from Deutsche Welle – Warning on illegal downloads Information from the European Consumer Centre can be found here Vocabulary English German Mobile phone das Handy Landline das Festnetz Fiber optic das Glasfaser
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 can be found in BMG (in German) or in EnglishIt must be done within two weeks after moving into your residence. ” Anyone who moves into a residence shall register with the registration authorities within two weeks of moving in. (2) Anyone who moves out of a residence and does not move into another residence in Germany shall deregister with the registration authorities within two weeks of moving out. Deregistration shall be possible no more than one week before moving out; the population register shall be updated as of the moving-out date. “ Where do you register As a rule, you must register at the registration authority (Meldebehörde) in your local town. As an example, if you live in Oberaichen, which is part of Leinfelden-Echterdingen, which is part of the Stuttgart Stadkreis, you need to register at the Leinfelden office. You can use the Ortdienste website to find your local office. Click on the Bundesländer and zoom in from there. Another website to use is Melderegister You can also search online for Bürgeramt, Rathaus or Ortsdienste for your own town e.g. Rathaus Leinfelden. The personnel at these institutions are in my experience very helpful and you can contact them if you have any questions Documents needed Valid passport with your visa inside Proof of residence If you are renting, you must get a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung from your landlord or rental management company. The name and address of the landlord, the names of all persons who are subject to registration, the address of the rental property and the moving-in date must be on this document. Completed registration form. For most towns, this can be found online Marriage certificate, if applicable Change of address within Germany This obligation to register also applies when you move to a new address within Germany. If you move within the same municipality, you must inform the registration office (Bürgeramt) in person.. This is called “Ummelden. If you move to a new municipality you have to de-register (abmelden) at your previous address and register (anmelden) at your new address. You have to do it within two weeks of moving to your new address. When moving to a new address, you must also inform the following authorities and institutions: Finanzamt – If the tax office changes as a result of your move, inform the new tax office of your new address and your tax number. If the same tax office remains responsible, it is sufficient if you state the change of address in the next tax return. KFZ Zulassungsstelle (Vehicle Registration office) – As the owner of a motor vehicle, you must ensure that the vehicle registration documents are updated after the move. To do this, contact the responsible vehicle registration office. Don’t forget to inform your vehicle insurance company of the new address as well. You only need the seven-digit insurance confirmation code if you move to another city. Banks, Utility companies, Insurance companies, German Pension Fund Tip!! You can have your post redirected. Contact Deutsche Post Things to keep in mind You must de-register (abmelden) when you leave Germany permanently You will receive a bill for your television licence (Rundfunkbeitrag/GEZ) soon after registering. Church tax (Kirchensteuer) is payable by default. If you do not want to pay church tax, you need to indicate it on your Anmeldeformular. You can also apply to stop paying afterwards. For that, you must go back in person to where you registered, and submit a declaration of resignation form (die Niederschrift der Austrittserklärung). You pay a fee for this, the fee depend on the Federal State. The tax office is automatically informed of the change or the departure from the church. Tip!! Ask them where you must apply for your German driver’s licence and if you need a First aid course for that Vocabulary Proof of residence die Wohnungsgeberbestätigung Obligation to register die Meldepflicht Administrative district das Stadtkreis Registration certificate die Anmeldebescheinigung Register Anmelden Deregister Abmelden Re-registration Ummelden Citizens office die Bürgeramt Related content
Pets
Dangerous (Banned) Dogs Some dog breeds are banned in Germany. There are additional rules for individual states. Up-to-date information can be found on the Zoll (Customs) website.Some dangerous dog breeds are allowed, depending on the Federal state, and must be registered at the Ordnungsamt. Qualzuchten (Torture Breeds) Section 11b of the German Animal Welfare Act [1] prohibits breeding animals with characteristics that cause them to suffer – but so far there are no guidelines on how these should be defined. For this reason, torture breeding is still widespread. Examples are English Bulldogs, “Teacup dogs”, Sphinx cats A list of breeds can be found on the PETA website Cats Cats have a different status in Germany than dogs, and there are fewer regulations regarding cats once you are in Germany. Here are some examples relevant to cats: You do not need to confine your cat to your property and they can roam freely, You also do not need to attach your cat to a leash. Although you do not need to microchip your cat if you buy it in Germany, it is still advisable to do so. There are no taxes payable on cats Neutering – Most Federal states are now requiring your to have your cat neutered. Find out more from your local municipality Resources on the web Animal Lawyer – Rights and Duties of a Cat Owner in Germany Animal Lawyer – Rights of a cat living outside of the house Customs Info Zoll – German Customs, provisions on the import of pet animals Zoll – Dangerous dogs BMEL – Rules on entering the European Union (EU) with dogs, cats and ferrets Pet Immigration or transport services The following companies are suggestions from fellow South Africans Animal Travel Services Global Paws Aeropets Keringa Petwings PETport Petstravel Shared experiences and doing it yourself Registration, taxes and permits In most states, dogs must be added to the dog registry (Hunderegister) in your area. Search for example “Hunderegister Hamburg”. Please note, not all States (Bundesländer) require you to regsiter your animal. In order to register the dog, the animal needs to be chipped and covered by liability insurance. Dogs must be registered for dog tax /Hundesteuer. You can register for the taxes at the Bürgeamt. See for example the information from Stuttgart or Berlin. Depending on where you live the registration can be done online. Dangerous breeds – If your dog falls in the dangerous breed, you must register it at the Ordnungsamt Identification badge, chip and handler licence As mentioned before, the rules and regulations can differ per federal state. Most states require dogs to have an identification badge and a chip. When you take your dog for a walk, the dog’s name, your address and the dog tax disc must be on the dog’s collar. You might also be required to get a licence to prove you can handle your dog (Hundeführerschein)Information about the Hunderegister can be found on the Hundeinfoportal Rules and regulation for owning a pet Rules and regulations can be found on the Gezetze im Internet Dog regulations.Not all federal states have a rule that you need to pick up your dog’s poo, but this is just basic decency, especially if you take your dog walking. You can buy special poop bags for that, and most parks have special bins to dispose of the bags. Pet Insurance Agila and Allianz offer pet insurance (Hundehaftpflichtversicherung). Dog insurance is mandatory in some federal states. It is not medical insurance for your pet, but it covers you if your dog harms another dog, person or property. Adopting a pet Apps Mein Haustier Pet sitting and kennels For pet sitting look at the Pawshake app, or on the Hundelieb websiteYou can also find other possibilities on our Minijob pageFor cats, search for Katzenpension in your area, or consider a house sitter, another option is to search for a catsitter on Catinaflat Below are some South African pet sitters who lives in Germany and would love to spend some time with your fur babies. Raw food for pets Try the following websites: Petsdeli BARF Konzept Store on Amazon Das Tierhotel – gesunde Tiernahrung Death of a pet There are some restrictions on burying or cremating a pet in Germany. Things you need to keep in mind: The TierKBG (Tierkörperbeseitigungsgesetz Gesetz über die Beseitigung von Tierkörpern, Tierkörperteilen und tierischen Erzeugnissen) governs the rules and regulations for disposing of animals Some Federal states have stricter rules and regulations. Always make sure what is allowed for where you live. Below are some general rules, but could be different for the state you live in. If you would like to bury a small animal in your garden, you can only do so if you are the owner of the property, or get permission from the owner. The animal must be buried at least 50cm deep and not close to public roads ( at least two meters away). Burial in a garden is not allowed if it is in a water conservation area, and also not if the animal died from a notifiable disease. You may not bury an animal on public grounds or in a park or forest. You can bury your pet in a Tierfriedhof, or have them cremated. If the animal died at the Vet, they can assist with cremation or disposal. Animal welfare You can report any issues regarding animal cruelty at the Tierschutsbund under Tierquälerei Resources on the web I am Expat – Info on pets Settle in Berlin – Bringing pets into Germany How to Germany – Pets Travelling with pet birds Travelling with pets within the EU A complete guide to dogs – Simple Germany EMBARK South Africans Emigrating with Pets FB Group Related content
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