The Land of Goethe's Gartenhaus, The Museumsinsel

& The Sanssouci Palace

Information on Relocating to Germany

• The capital city of Germany is Berlin with about 3.4 million people. The political centre used to be Bonn but now has been brought back to Berlin. Germany is a Federal Republic.

• Language: The language spoken is German. A lot of German people also speak English. The TV programs are in also in German. Some films are in the original language with subtitles. There are about 4 regular channels and then through cable and satellite countless more possibilities.

• Population: The population is about 83 million people - 91.5% are German, 2.4% Turkish, 1.6% other (made up largely of Serbo-Croatian, Italian, Russian, Greek, Polish, Spanish).

• Expat areas: Popular areas for the ex-pat community are Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich,  etc.

• Housing: The housing situation in Germany ranges from nearly impossible to a piece of cake, depending on the city. In some cities, increasing numbers of immigrants, largely from Eastern European countries as well as the increase in mobility of Germans themselves since the opening of the German-German border have added new dimensions to an already serious housing problem. Please be aware that quality and cost of housing facilities vary greatly among different German cities. Some signs of improvement are also visible, however: the withdrawal of foreign military forces, the reduction of German forces, and the implementation of federal and state support programs have led to a better housing market in several places. However, we will try to give you some helpful advice on how to go about looking for housing. Tip one: THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT YOU SHOULD ADDRESS EVEN BEFORE YOUR ARRIVAL IN GERMANY.

• Cost of housing: Varies from area to area and the size of the house or apartment. The rent can be anywhere from Euro 300 - Euro 800 for an apartment and Euro 1550 - Euro 2550 and higher for a house. The local currency is EURO.

• Schools: We have the American school  and the British school and of course all the local schools are available. Depending on the age we can tell you about waiting lists, etc.

• Transportation: Germany has an excellent public transport system: Plains, trains, trams, busses, subway, taxi's - all very modern.

• Banking: Generally on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 8.30 am -1.00 pm and 2.30 pm - 4.00 pm. On Thursday from 8.30 am - 1.00 pm and 2.30 pm - 6.00 pm in main cities. Main branches do not close for lunch.

• Shopping: The opening hours vary, with longer hours in major cities. Typically, stores are open from 9.00 am - 6.30 pm Monday through Friday and until 4.00 pm on Saturday. Stores are closed on Sundays and public holidays. Tourist information offices are open during standard office hours, usually between 10.00 am - 4.00 pm. Most businesses open between 9.00 - 10.00 am, with pharmacies opening at 8.00 am. Standard closing times are anywhere from 6.00 - 8.00 pm. Post offices close at 6.00 pm at the latest. Hair salons are open standard business hours, excluding Mondays and including Saturdays. Businesses and pharmacies are open until 4.00 pm on Saturdays. On the 4 Saturdays before Christmas, they are open until 6.00 pm. Physician consulting hours are usually from 9.00 am - 12.00 pm and from 3.00 - 6.00 pm or according to their own schedule. On Wednesdays many medical practices are closed.

• Climate: Germany has a mild weather, with hot summers and cold winters, although long periods of freeze or snow are very rare. It rains throughout the year, especially in July. During the summer the storms usually bring thunder and lightning storms. It can get to be very cold in winter, and the lakes and channels of the country usually freeze. The temperatures are between -12°C (10°F) - 8°C (45°F) in winter and 14°C  (57°F) -  30°C (86°F) in summer.

• Culture: Like most countries of the world, Germany is perceived with a set of stereotypes formed regarding its past and present. What kind of people are Aryans? Belligerent and superior, or kind and friendly? Do Germans usually walk around in Lederhosen drinking beer? Is the life of German women really tied to the famous four K' s: Kirche, Kueche, Kinder, Kleider (church, kitchen, children, clothing)? Germany produced quite a few great minds like: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who had a great impact on the growth of literary romanticism. Best known for his lyrical poetry, and particularly for his dramatic poem Faust, Goethe also made substantial contributions to biology and to the history and philosophy of science. He was without question one of the greatest figures of German culture, encompassing literature, science, music, and philosophy within his work. Albert Einstein is considered the greatest scientist of the 20th century. He developed many theories (such as the Theory of Special Relativity and the Theory of General Relativity that led to extraordinary breakthroughs). And when we look at Art, sometimes it feels so good to get into high antiquity and have a look at the great masters whose works are still alive and admired. The brightest star on the Renaissance sky of Germany was a great painter and engraver Albrecht Duerer. This is how the Germans generally perceive the word Culture (Kultur). Of course there are galleries, cinema's, theatre, Opera, castles, and beautiful nature.

• Public holidays: January 1st-New Year's Day; January 6th-Epiphany (a); Good Friday, Easter Monday-(dates vary); May 1st-Labor Day; Ascension Day, Pentecost Monday-(dates vary); June 19th-Christi Corpus (b); August 15th-Assumption Day (c); October 3rd-Day of German Unity; October 31st-Reformation Day (d); November 1st-All Saints Day (e); November 19th-Repentance & Prayer Day (f); December 25th-Christmas Day; December 26th-Boxing day; December 31st-New year's eve or Silvester. Notes: (a) only in Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and Saxony - Anhalt. (b) only in Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hesse, North Rhine- Westphalia, Rhineland - Palatinate, Saarland. In parts of Saxony and Thuringia, (c) only in Bavaria and Saarland, (d) only in Brandenburg, Mecklenburg - Western Pomerania, Saxony, Saxony - Anhalt, Thuringia, (e) only in Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, North Rhine - Westphalia, Rhineland - Palatinate and Saarland, (f) only in Saxony.