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What we love about Germany

Germany, with its rich tapestry of history, culture, and innovation, stands as one of the most beloved countries in the world. From picturesque villages and bustling cities to its renowned efficiency and exceptional quality of life, Germany offers a unique blend of old-world charm and modern convenience. Here are some of the top reasons why people love living in Germany.

Quality of Life

Germany consistently ranks high in global quality of life indices, thanks to its excellent healthcare system, robust economy, and strong social security. Residents enjoy a high standard of living, characterized by well-maintained infrastructure, clean cities, and a comprehensive public transportation system. The work-life balance is also commendable, with ample vacation days and a strong emphasis on leisure and family time.

Stunning Natural Beauty

From the rugged Alps in the south to the serene beaches along the Baltic and North Seas, Germany boasts diverse natural landscapes. The Black Forest, Rhine Valley, and Bavarian Alps are just a few examples of the breathtaking scenery that residents and visitors alike can enjoy. These natural wonders offer a plethora of outdoor activities, including hiking, skiing, and cycling.

Rich Cultural Heritage

Germany is steeped in history and culture. It is the birthplace of some of the world’s greatest philosophers, composers, and writers, such as Goethe, Beethoven, and Kant. The country is home to countless museums, galleries, and theatres, ensuring that there is always something to explore. Festivals such as Oktoberfest in Munich and the Christmas markets across the country add to the vibrant cultural tapestry.

Efficient Public Transportation

Germany’s public transportation system is renowned for its efficiency and reliability. The extensive network of trains, trams, and buses makes it easy to travel within cities and across the country. The Deutsche Bahn, Germany’s national railway company, connects major cities and smaller towns, making travel both convenient and environmentally friendly.

Excellent Education System

Germany’s education system is highly respected globally. Public universities offer high-quality education with little to no tuition fees, even for international students. The country’s emphasis on research and development, coupled with its strong vocational training programs, prepares students well for the job market

Diverse Culinary Scene

German cuisine is much more than just sausages and beer, although both are delicious staples. Each region has its own culinary specialities, from the pretzels and Weißwurst of Bavaria to the fresh seafood of the northern coasts. Germany’s multicultural population means that you can find a wide array of international cuisines in most cities.

Strong Economy and Job Market

Germany boasts one of the strongest economies in the world, characterized by low unemployment rates and a high GDP. It is a global leader in industries such as automotive, engineering, and renewable energy. The country’s robust job market attracts professionals from around the world, offering numerous opportunities for career growth and advancement.

Commitment to Sustainability

Germany is a pioneer in environmental protection and sustainability. The country is a leader in renewable energy, particularly wind and solar power. Its citizens are also highly environmentally conscious, with widespread recycling programs and a strong emphasis on sustainable living.

Safety and Stability

Germany is known for its political stability and low crime rates, making it one of the safest countries to live in. The government’s effective policies and strong law enforcement contribute to a sense of security and well-being among residents.

Cosmopolitan Cities

Cities like Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, and Frankfurt are vibrant, cosmopolitan hubs that offer a blend of history, modernity, and multiculturalism. Berlin, in particular, is known for its dynamic arts scene, diverse population, and innovative spirit. Each city has its own unique character, providing a variety of lifestyles and experiences.

Opinions from our community

We asked members of our Facebook page what they loved about Germany. 

Our List

  • Feeling Safe
  • Quality of life
  • Easy access to the rest of Europe
  • Healthcare
  • Reliability of services
  • Availability of walking, hiking and biking trails
  • Competent Government
  • Job environment and security
  • Education and Study opportunities
  • Work-life balance
  • Freedom
  • Affordability of basic items
  • Infrastructure including roads and internet
  • Culture and tradition
  • Job opportunities
  • Festivals and outdoor events
  • Social/Unemployment and child support
  • Equality
  • Learn new languages
  • Food and beer

Information about Germany

Germany is a fascinating country with a rich history, culture, and modern innovation. For more information about Germany, here is a list of websites that you can visit:

Official Sites

Other websites (Sponsored sites, personal blogs)

Living in Germany offers a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation, natural beauty, and cultural richness. Whether you are drawn by the promise of a high quality of life, the stunning landscapes, or the rich cultural experiences, Germany has something to offer everyone. It’s no wonder that people from around the globe find themselves falling in love with life in this remarkable country.

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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 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

Keeping in touch virtually

As an ex-pat, it is essential to keep in touch with family and friends from back home. We yearn for news and contact with loved ones, and although we cannot always be physically together, we can at least try to keep in contact virtually.Here is a list of online events that you can do with your “hartsmense” either here in Germany, where it is easier to organise the delivery of items, or in any other country for example, South Africa. This is just a short list of some ideas,  you can search online for “online team events” or ” online cooking classes” etc. to find more ideas. Virtual Events in German Beer tasting – Beer delivered to your home, online tasting with a Sommelier Wine tasting – A selection of wines is sent to your home, online tasting with a Sommelier. Cocktail-making courses. They also do Gin tastings as an online event. Eventbrite – In the kitchen: Virtual food and drink events & classes Organising an online birthday party. You can also put together your own box and send it to everyone, and come together via Zoom, Skype, or other apps. Here are some ideas for making it more fun Teamgeist – Online dating, Beach events, Krimi’s, and many more Kiyana, who comes from South Africa,  offers traditional Indian cooking classes Virtual events in English Social Escape Room from your home Online team games, including trivia, murder mysteries, and even a campfire event 🙂 Quaraoke –  Online Karaoke Birthday parties –  you can organise a hamper or party box, have it delivered and organise an online meeting or game night. Charades or Pictionary are great cost-effective ideas. Here are some hamper ideas Charades, Pictionary, etc. Below is a video explaining how you can play Pictionary and charades online. You can use a website like random word generator to generate words for you Websites with some more suggestions Musemhack has a list of great ideas Virtual Teambuilding (or friendbuilding) ideas, like Movie night, Quizzes, Virtual happy hour Online Trivia with friends Video Conferencing apps Apps like Zoom, Skype, Teams, Google Meet and Cisco Webex can be used for online meetings. Schedule regular “face time” or group chats to make it more personal.WhatsApp is also great for group chats, and they now have the option to send video messages Sending online or physical cards You can create and send an online card on the following websites Bluemountain 123greetings.com/ You can also create cards online and have them delivered in South Africa Q-Photo Cards You can easily create a beautiful and custom online card on Send a smile and have it conveniently delivered anywhere in Germany via the German postal service. Groupgreeting.com – Create a virtual group card and have all participants sign the card. This is a great way to commemorate a special occasion, such as a birthday, graduation, or retirement. With our easy-to-use platform, you can even add photos to make the card even more personal and memorable. Social media Social media like Facebook and Instagram is a great way of sharing photos and experiences. If you would like more private photo share options look at Google Photos, where you can create and share albums, or Flickr or Dropbox Related content

FAQ

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

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