Germany Guide
Getting used to living in a new country is always a challenge. The Just Landed Guide is designed to help you deal with the day-to-day challenges of living, working or studying in Germany. It is full of useful information and step-by-step guides on how things work and how to survive in Germany.
Travel & Leisure
- Munich: Visit the charming capital of Bavaria
- Berlin: A city with a combination of history and culture.
- Hamburg: Visit Germany’s “Gateway to the world”
- Urban transport: Public transport in German cities
- Intercity transport: Public transport between German cities
- Importing or renting a car: Driving your own or hiring a car in Germany
- Driving a car in Germany: Driving conditions and driving licences
Culture
- German cuisine: The top five traditional German foods
- Annual festivals in Germany: What are the most important festivals?
- The German personality: Five personality traits of German people
Business
- Setting up a business: learn about setting up a business in Germany
- German business etiquette: what you should know about the German business culture
- Self-employment in Germany: do’s and don’ts of self-employment
- German business taxes: how much tax you have to pay as an employer
- Taxes for the self-employed: how much do you have to pay as a self-employed individual?
Visas & Permits
- Requirements: Which papers do you need to come to Germany?
- Visas for Germany: Requirements and application procedures
- German residence permits: Types of permits and application procedures
- Residence registration in Germany: The ‘Anmeldung’
- Family & friends: How to bring your loved ones to Germany
- Citizenship: How to become a German
Jobs
- Introduction: The German job market for foreigners
- Work permits: When and how to apply for them
- Finding a job: Where to look for a job in Germany
- Job applications: How to apply for a job in Germany
- Student jobs: How to finance your studies in Germany
- Working in Germany: Management culture, salaries and labour regulations
- Social security: The German social security system
- Unemployment insurance: Getting money when you lose your job
- Pension insurance: An introduction to the German pension system
- Accident insurance: How you are insured at your working place
Housing & Rentals
- Introduction: The search for accommodation in Germany
- The rental market: Is it hard to find accommodation?
- Getting started: How to prepare your housing search
- Classifieds: Big choice - big competition
- Estate agents: How to deal with paid search services
- Alternative options: Temporary accommodation and furnished apartments
- Student housing: How to get cheap student accommodation
- Subsidized rent: State subsidies for accommodation
- Contracts: All you need to know before signing a rental agreement
- Moving in: Houshold management & utilities
- Glossary: German housing terms and abbreviations
Property
- The German property market: House prices and statistics
- Buying a house in Germany: Procedures and fees
- Costs when buying property: Taxes and additional charges
- Finding property in Germany: Where and what to look for
- Financing your property: German mortgages and housing loans
Health
- Introduction: The German health care system
- Doctors & Dentists: Appointments, visits and insurance refunds
- Hospitals: How to deal with hospital and clinics
- Pharmacies: How to get medication in Germany
- Emergencies: Emergency numbers, hospitals and pharmacies
- Health insurance: How to cover your medical expenses in Germany
- Nursing care (Pflegepflichtversicherung): The "5th pillar" of the social security system
- Sexual health in Germany: Sexual health in Germany
Money
- German banks: Where to manage your finances
- Opening an account: How to open a bank account in Germany
- Cards: EC cards & credit cards, ATMs
- Transfers: How to transfer money within Germany or abroad
- Insurance: Covering yourself against liablities and other problems
Language
- The German language: Peculiarities and dialects
- Learning German: How to master the local language effectively
- Diplomas & Certificates: How to choose the right German title
- University: Proof of German required by German universities
Telephone & Internet
- Introduction: The German Telecommunication market
- Calling: How to make a phone call in Germany
- Call-by-call: The easy way of saving money on your phone calls
- Getting a phone line: How to get a fixed line at home
- Public phones: Phone booths and phone cards
- Information: Phone books, enquiries and important numbers
- Mobile phones: Mobile operators and networks
- Mobile rates: How to decide on a calling plan
- Calling cards: How to save money on international calls
- Choosing: Choosing a prepaid calling card
- How to use: Using an international phonecard
- Internet access: How to get your internet connection at home
- Internet cafés: Where to get a access in public
Education
- The German education system: A beginner’s guide
- The German school system: Nursery, primary and secondary schools
- State or private school: Choosing how to educate your child
- State schools: Grading system, enrolment and school hours
- Private schools: Waldorfschulen, religious and international
- Higher Education: Universities and Fachhochschulen
- Qualifications: German university degrees and doctorates
Moving
- Before you move: A checklist of things you have to consider
- Professional removal companies: How to work with them
- Doing it yourself: How to arrange your move abroad