An expat's life in Germany

Kindergeld is something every parent living in Germany should know about. It's money, for you, for free, for every child you have, regardless of your income or marital status. Here's the lowdown.

You’ve been here a while now and are finally feeling brave enough to start making some German friends. But Achtung – there are some social no-nos in Germany that could trip you up no matter how good your intentions. Read on and you’ll soon be “new friend” Fehler-proof.

You’ve probably heard some scary rumours about streaming or downloading in Germany. Unfortunately, they’re true. So that you don’t get hit with a whopping fine or lawyer’s fees, check out the facts here before clicking play or download.

Now that you’ve found a place to live, the next step is to register your address. This is probably not how you want to spend your time, but it’s compulsory so read on for our tips on how to get through it as quickly and painlessly as possible!

If you haven’t already received a letter from the ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice (catchy), you will very soon. As with most things in Germany, it’s good to be prepared. Read on to find out what it is, why it exists, who has to pay it, how to pay it, and who is exempt.

Finding a place to call home can be difficult at the best of times, but in a new country and in a language you might not understand, it can be even more daunting. Where do you even start? Right here, as it turns out, with our helpful guide to finding an apartment in Germany!

Black bin, blue bin, yellow bin, brown bin... welcome to the world of rainbow recycling in Germany. Most foreigners are baffled by the waste separation rules when they first arrive so if you want to be a good German, not bug your neighbours and get ahead of the expat pack, read on!

You haven’t been living in Germany that long and you wake up one morning to find the cupboard is bare. With a sigh, you pull on your coat and trudge over to the supermarket. Geschlossen. Huh?

Taxes in Germany might sound like a scary (and/or incredibly dull) topic at first. But let us (attempt to) assure you that this is not the case in our newcomer’s guide to the German tax system.

Herzlich Willkommen in Deutschland! If you don’t know what that means, you definitely need to read this article. Your life here will be infinitely easier if you learn (at least a little of) the language, and we provide you with some tips on how to do just that here.