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South Africans in Germany

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Useful apps

Having the correct information available when you need it is priceless. 

Here are some apps that can make your life easier in Germany. Note for most we did not add links to the apps, as it is a lot of work to maintain for all operating system. Use the search function to search the apps

Integration

  • Integreat app – Digital Intergration platform

Residence card

  • Ausweisapp2 – Use it to identify yourself online with your electronic residence permit 

Mobility

  • DB Navigator – Deutsche Bahn  Navigator to book long distance train tickets. Local tickets can also be bought. Apple App Store or Google Play store
  • DB App – Deutsche Bahn main app
  • Local public transport app e.g HVV for Hamburg or VVS for Stuttgart
  • Bicycle hire apps like StadtRAd Hamburg
  • Mobility apps for a taxi, E-Roller, E-Scooter, carsharing e.g Free Now or Reach Now
  • mobiLet – parking payment app

Outdoor and sport

  • Komoot – Routes for hiking, running and cycling
  • Strava. Join the South Africans in Germany Group
  • Alltrails – Routes for hiking, running and cycling
  • Outdooractive –  portal for outdoor activities
  • Hiking and tour apps in your region e.g Tours in BW

Maps

  • Offi directions – public transport 
  • HereWeGo (downloadable maps)
  • Google Maps

Medical

  • Doclib – search and book appointments. You can also search for English speaking providers
  • Jameda – app to rate and rank medical professionals

Weather and warnings

  • DWD App – Deutscher Wetterdienst
  • Nina warn app – Natural disasters and general warnings
  • Power outages – see where there are current power outages

Entertainment

  • Spotted by locals
  • Open Table – Restaurant bookings
  • Eventim – Concerts etc
  • Lieferheld and Lieferando for food deliveries
  • Radiobox – Worldwide radio station streaming
  • PressReader Inc. – Access to all publications as a member of the local public library. Many German newspapers and magazines but also worldwide, including South African and Afrikaans.

Translators and language

  • Leo Translator
  • Deepl Translator
  • Dict – excellent German/English Dictionary
  • Google translate, can also translate text on photos
  • Alle Deutschen Wörterbücher – one app with all the different German dictionaries
  • See our Where to learn German page for more apps

Shopping

Most shops like C & A, Bonprix, Peek & Cloppenburg, and Rewe have their own apps

  • About you – Clothing
  • Zalando – Clothing, shoes, accesories and more
  • Amazon
  • Klarna for online payments
  • DHL GLS or DPD for deliveries
  • ShopApotheke or Doc Morris for medication
  • Rebuy for second-hand shopping
  • Hello Fresh for weekly ingredients delivered to you for meal preparation 
  • Payback – for points collecting and discounts
  • YouPickIt – shows deals of the day at local shops. You can compare prices
  • Vinted – Buy and sell second hand clothes
  • Momox – Buy and sell second hand items
  • Groupon – Discount vouchers

Travel

  • Airline apps like Lufthansa or Eurowings
  • Booking.com app for hotel etc bookings
  • Airbnb – Accomodation
  • Momondo flight search and comparison app
  • Moovit for maps, it also shows bus information
  • Fuelflash – compare fuel prices in your area
  • Parkopedia – find parking spots
  • Flush app –  Find a restroom
  • Rome2Rio – handy app to find different ways of getting to your destination

Communication, social and community

  • Threema, Signal or Whatsapp
  • Discord – There is a South Africans in Germany group that you can join
  • Nebenan – neighbourhood community
  • Familywall – use it to keep a shopping list: each in the family can contribute to the lists
  • Internations – International communities
  • We also have a webpage with a list of South African communities in Germany

Money transfers

Please read about Foreign Exchange on the following pages ZAR to EUR and  EUR to ZAR

  • Xoom or Paypal
  • Worldremit
  • XE – currency converter. Please not that there is a buying and selling rate for Forex. Most apps shows an average

Financial

  • Many banks have mobile apps, see your bank’s website for more information
  • Most medical aid companies have mobile apps where you can submit your claims, and see your documentation

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