What we love about 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 curve.  Here are some of the differences between South Africa and Germany as well as some basic info we would classify into “I wish someone told me that!” DisclaimerMost of the information were translated from German, and although we do our upmost to provide correct and up to date information, you are still responsible for your own legal clarifications. No liability accepted. Driving Here are some basic differences in road rules South Africa Germany Driving on the left-hand side Driving on the right-hand side. Right before left rule Speed limits The general speed limit (Tempolimit) on highways (autobahn) is 130 km/h. On most highways, the speed limit is dynamically controlled depending on the traffic conditions. It can also be unlimited. Pass vehicles on the right and left No passing on the right. It is illegal to pass a vehicle on the right. You must move into a left lane in order to pass. The pass-on-the-left-only rule is one of the things that make the autobahn work. Traffic circles yield to the right  Traffic circles (Kreis) yield to the left, and a vehicle already in the circle has right of way. You only use your turn signals when you leave the circle, and not when entering. When there is no sign to indicate it is a traffic circle, you handle it like a normal intersection and the right-before-left rule applies Main roads have priority and side streets must yield  Side roads, unless you have a right of way sign on the main road, have right of way from the right. A fuel pump attendant fills up your vehicle at the Petrol station You have to fill up your vehicle yourself. Remember to note the pump number when paying. Always ask for a receipt when paying by cash. When denting another vehicle in a parking lot, you can leave a note for the person to contact you Hit-and-run (Fahrerflucht) is a very serious offence. A hit-and-run occurs when a person involved in the accident moves away from the scene of the accident,If you damage another vehicle in the parking lot, you must wait for the person to return before you can leave, or else it is seen as a hit-and-run.  See Division 7 Section 142 of the StGB – Leaving the scene of an accident. If the owner of the vehicle does not return after a reasonable period, report the incident to the police. It is illegal to run out of fuel on the Autobahn According to paragraph 23 paragraph 1a of the Road Traffic Act (StVO),  Anyone who drives a vehicle may only use an electronic device that serves or is intended to serve communication, information or organization if  1. the device is not picked up or held for this purpose and 2. either a) only one voice control and read-aloud function is used or b) in order to operate and use the device, only a brief look at the device, taking in consideration the road, traffic, visibility and weather conditions, while simultaneously looking away from the traffic situation, takes place or is necessary. The ban applies to all electronic devices used for communication, information or organization and includes navigation devices. You are allowed to follow navigation instructions but not manually enter your destination address while driving. The law also applies to bicycles.  More detailed info on ADAC and Bussgeldkatalog There are no precise regulations in Germany or in most European countries as to which shoes are permitted and which are forbidden when driving. Nevertheless: From a liability and insurance perspective, driving with open, loose-fitting, high-heeled shoes can be problematic. More info on ADAC You are not permitted to wash your car at home. This is to protect the underground water. Shopping   South Africa Germany Shopping on Sunday Shops are closed on Sundays. There are special Sunday Shopping days in certain cities and towns. Shops at Petrol stations, Trains stations and Airports are open Someone bags your grocery shopping  You have to bring your own shopping bags and pack your own items at lightning speed Clothing and shoe sizes according to the UK sizes  Clothing and shoe sizes according to EU sizes. Children’s clothing sizes are according to their length Fresh produce is available irrespective of whether they are in season  Fresh produce is very seasonal. Out-of-season items are very expensive when available  Salespeople mostly have no clue about the products in the shops  Salespeople are very well-informed and can give professional assistance Dining out South Africa Germany Waiting to be seated You can choose a table and sit down, without being shown where to sit.It is quite common, especially in beer gardens, to share a table with other patrons. Tip usually 10% Round off to the nearest 5 Paying for everyone or splitting the bill Everyone pays for themselves unless you are “invited/eingeladen”, then the host normally pays. The waiter will ask “Getrennt (Split bill) oder zusammen (one bill)”Be very careful to use the words “ich lade dich ein” if you want to invite someone to join you in a restaurant, it implies you are paying for the meal. Dogs Dogs are welcomed in most restaurants, and will even get a water bowl. Best to find out beforehand if your dogs will be permitted inside. Schools South Africa Germany  Academic year is from Jan to Dec  Academic year is from September to August House and home For more information visit our Beds, mattresses and Duvets page South Africa Germany Pillow Size 45×70 cm Square 80 x 80 cm pillows Double bed mattress Two single mattresses on the bed Double bed duvet Two Single duvets Pets   South Africa Germany No dog tax You have to pay taxes on your dogs. The Hundesteuer is between e120 and €180 per dog per year No dogs in restaurants Dogs are allowed in some restaurants General Here are some interesting laws, rules and exceptions that you

Here are some frequently asked questions by South Africans who are planning to move to Germany for work, study or other reasons. Moving to a new country can be exciting yet overwhelming, so it’s important to have all the necessary information at your fingertips. In this section, we’ll cover some of the most common questions that newcomers to Germany have, so you can feel more prepared and confident. Will my children adapt to the new school? The school system in Germany is very different from those in South Africa.The school year in Germany 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. For more information about schools and studies in Germany, you can explore the relevant section on our website. Will my children adapt to speaking German? It’s truly remarkable how quickly children can pick up and learn a new language through immersion. By being fully immersed in the language and exposed to it on a daily basis, children’s brains are able to absorb new information and make connections faster than we often give them credit for. It’s a testament to their cognitive abilities and adaptability. Do I need to speak German? The language requirement depends on your type of visa. Ranging from no requirement to Level A1 or even B2. Level A1 is very basic, and not enough to easily communicate in German. If you plan on moving to Germany permanently you should focus on improving your German language skills to at least level B2.  Contrary to belief, English is not the most spoken language on earth. You will need to speak German in your workplace or when doing shopping, registering at schools, going to the hairdresser or going to a medical professional.  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. Do I need to do an intergration course? If you want to apply for permanent residence, you must attend an integration course. You can find out more when registering at the Ausländerbehörde. Also, see the info about residence on our website Is Germany a safe country? While no place is completely free of risk, Germany is widely regarded as a safe destination for living, working, and travelling. It boasts low crime rates, efficient public services, and a well-functioning legal system. 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 don’t have an alarm system, and no burglar bars in front of our windows” Again this is my opinion and experience What is the weather like? The weather in Germany can greatly vary depending on the region you are situated in. Whether you’re in the northern or southern part of the country, or close to the coast or inland, you can expect different types of weather patterns that can greatly affect your daily life. From the damp climate of the northwest, to the hot and dry summers in the south, and the cold winters in the east, Germany’s climate offers a diverse range of weather conditions.We have a Weather section on our website. 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. Consider short-term rentals or sublets if you need immediate housing. Websites like Airbnb and Booking.com offer temporary stays while you search for a long-term home. For more information visit our housing section Can I bring along my pets? Yes, you can but there are rules and regulations to adhere to. Read more on our Pets section 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 Hired Help page Can I drive with my SA licence? Yes, you can drive on your SA licence, together with an International licence that you get from the AA  for 6 months. During this six months, you must convert your SA licence to a German one. See more on our Driving in Germany section Must I fill up my own car at the petrol station? Yes, you must fill up your vehicle yourself. When you have finished, go inside to pay. Always make a note of the pump number as you have to give the information to the attendant. Make sure you select the correct fuel pipe.  The diesel and petrol (Super) pipes are on the same pump machine. Where can I find SA products? Many shops are selling South African products. Most of them are online shops.We have shops listed here that specialise in South African products. Why is grocery shopping considered stressful for foreigners? First of all, there could be a language barrier. Do you know what plastic wrap is called in German? Second, the person at the till scans everything extremely fast, with no time for chit-chat.Third, you must pack your groceries.   See our section about shopping to help you having a better shopping experience. Where can I travel with a Schegen Residence permit? Are you a proud holder of a South African passport and a Schengen residence permit? Lucky you! You can go on an exciting adventure to some of the world’s most amazing destinations. We have a dedicated page on our website that is filled with useful information on where you can travel with your South African passport and Schengen residence permit.  Can I watch Rugby and Cricket in Germany? Rugby and Cricket are still a growing sport