LIVING IN GERMANY

I bet a lot of the information you seek is already on this site - have you tried looking for it ¿¿¿¿¿¿

Hi yes ive already searched this site, ive got a good idea as a single person, but wondered if the insurance ect u pay per person on wud that all be based on our family of 5, thnx

A few other sites are worth reviewing with hopes of getting your information collectively if unavailable on this one, try JustLanded.COM but both are quite inactive compared to their pages for other countries. Sorry but hopefully someone can provide you more details.

Hi,
I'm afraid you will probably have to research all of those things separately. 
If you/your husband work here as self-employed you will be able to have private insurance - so try the DKV, or Continentale insurance companies (look online, and phone, they all have English speakers you can talk to), and if you work within a company you will have the normal state insurance (like the NHS), which charge approx. 15% of your gross income - half of that is paid by the employer and the other half is taken out of your wages.  If you are self-employed you can opt out of the social system, i.e. you don't have to pay towards unemployment benefit, or pension, but if you are employed within a company you will automatically have to pay.  Remember to also opt out of the Church tax if you are not religious - this is also taken automatically if you don't say anything.
With regard to car insurance - try HUK Coburg, that's who we are insured with.  You can choose Teilkasko (3rd party), or Vollkasko (fully comprehensive).  You also need a Haftpflicht insurance which insures you against any private accidents - if you break something in a shop for example (the shop is not insured here; you have to pay) - It's really cheap though, maybe 20€ a month.
As for childcare, sorry I have no idea.
Location - well, south Germany is extremely expensive.  If you want to have expats around, then the big cities, Berlin, Cologne are good.  I live near Cologne and love it here.  There is always something going on.  Ehrenfeld, Sülz, Severins Viertel, are busy places to live with main shopping streets and lots of cultural diversity.  Marienburg and Hahnwald are the really expensive areas for the rich, but honestly Hahnwald is rubbish because there are no shops, bakeries or schools, you will have to get in the car for everything.  The further out you live, the cheaper the rent.  The Eifel area is beautiful and very cheap, and offers the opportunity to go skiing in the winter (if it snows), and is still only approx. 1 hour from Cologne.
In mind of schooling - definitely go to German school, they're much better than the private English schools that are on offer - I used to work in one and the level of education is poor in them in comparison, plus the kids don't learn English or German to a high enough standard.  Gymnasium is the equivalent of grammar school here, it's free, and a lot of them offer a bilingual programme now.  Kids have to get good grades in primary school in order to get in though.
Oh yes, I know you didn't ask, but if you need to learn German, definitely register at the Volkshochschule (VHS), you will find them in every area - the prices are fantastic, and they offer everything from German lessons, to fitness classes, computer classes, etc. etc. I didn't attend for years because people told me that it's not nice there, but when I finally went, I thought it was great, it's like a normal school, okay, so no posh toilets, and the buildings are old, but the people are all normal and the teachers are lovely, and for the prices, it's fantastic.  Definitely don't bother to sign up with the expensive language schools.  Even if you want private lessons, ask the teachers at the VHS if they are interested in teaching privately.
Let me know if you have any other questions. 
Kerrie

Thank u very much Kerries, I believe the area is damstraad or something similar, I will look into all the information you have provided its greatly appreciated, so sorry my main worries r medical insurance as having children id hate to not be insured, my husband will be employed by a company, and hopefully me also, if it comes from the wages, is that both individual from the companys we work for ? how do I insure the children ? also please can you advise me on if we need to see a gp do we pay ?? prescription ect ? thank you

Hi Natalie,

Do you mean Darmstadt?  I have never been there, but it is in Hessen which is a very pretty area of Germany, it's an area of vineyards and wine as far as I know. 
Normally the whole family will be insured under your husband's insurance, but if you are working too, I'm not sure if you will both pay separately.  However, rest assured, the children will be on one of the insurances - just make sure the company knows, so that they organise it for you.  If you plan on arriving in Germany before starting work, just bring the european health insurance cards (EHIC) for all of you - http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcare … -ehic.aspx
Be careful, and only apply through this website, the cards are absolutely free, no charge at all, and there are many many websites offering the service for a charge! Each family member need their own card - you can just apply online - I did it for my sister and her family; it's quite straight forward.
Anyway, with the card you will get free health care here in Germany.  Just make an appointment with the GP, or children's GP (kids have their own Dr. here), take your passports with you, as they need the passport number for the paperwork, and all will be free.  A quarterly charge of 10€ per person at the Dr's practice and dental practice is normal, but apparently you can claim that back if you return to England.  There is also a 10€ surcharge on prescriptions.
The health service is generally very good here.  There is such a thing called a Sprechstunde, which is the hours that you can just turn up to the practice to see the Dr without an appointment.  However, if possible, make an appointment as the waiting time will be less.  Be prepared to wait an hour in any case, they are not as efficient as we believe they are.
Specialist appointments can take months and months if you are not privately insured - however, if you have to wait a long time, phone your health insurance company and complain, they will organise an appointment with a specialist for you.
Is there anything else?  Feel free to ask if you think of anything. 
Kerrie

natalie2013 wrote:

Thank u very much Kerries, I believe the area is damstraad or something similar, I will look into all the information you have provided its greatly appreciated, so sorry my main worries r medical insurance as having children id hate to not be insured, my husband will be employed by a company, and hopefully me also, if it comes from the wages, is that both individual from the companys we work for ? how do I insure the children ? also please can you advise me on if we need to see a gp do we pay ?? prescription ect ? thank you

Thank you, yes that's the one, thank you very much it as cleared a lot up for me, do u know the prices of insurance per month or does that all depend on the income, how about the language barrier at the doctors ect, will that be an issue do you know, im so greatful for ur help, with out the help my mind would of been so confused hehehe x

Hi Natalie,

Well, I can understand your worries; it's really overwhelming moving to another country, especially when it's a different language, and when you've got kids to worry about.

Health insurance depends on your income.  You should pay about 7.5% of your wage, and the same for your husband.  The employer has to pay the other 7.5%.  Then you pay tax and social security on top of that.  I don't know the exact figures, but expect about 40% of your gross income to be gone.  If you only plan on working part-time, you can get what's called a 400€ job, where you earn that a month, and don't have to pay tax or anything on it - I think it often works out better for the second job in the family unless you're earning a much larger amount.

With regards to language, a lot of Germans speak English, but there are a few who don't.  All the doctors speak English - it's necessary in their line of work, however not all of the receptionists do.  It might be a good idea to find a Dr's Practice and just make an appointment to meet the Dr. Then the receptionists will know you, then when you phone, they will pass you on to whoever speaks English. You don't register or anything here, you purely make an appointment and take your health insurance cards with you.
You'll need a Hausarzt for you and your husband, and a Kinderarzt for the kids.  And, what's nice is, if you don't like the Dr. or you want a second opinion you just make an appointment with another Dr., there are plenty around.

It's definitely a good idea to learn some German though, you will need it from time to time.  Don't expect to ever be fluent, unless you really have time to study hard - as long as you have the confidence to speak and people can understand you, you will get along fine.  It's not a particularly easy language though, so persevere, and the longer you live here the easier it gets.
Definitely sign up with the Volkshochschule, a whole school term i.e. Sept-Dec, 4 mornings a week, can cost as little as 400€. 
https://vhsonline.darmstadt.de/
Here's the link for the website; it's probably best to email them or phone them.  I expect the next course will start in January, but it's best to register early.

Good luck with everything.  Just post again if you have any other questions.
Kerrie

Hi Natalie,

I found these links.  It's always nice to know a few British people in the area. However, if you're planning on really settling, it's better to make friends with the local German people, particularly as the expats are always changing jobs and moving.  They can be a difficult circle though, and can come across as quite rude and blunt, but just be rude and blunt back, then they tend to stop. Otherwise, they are actually really nice. http://www.internations.org/darmstadt-expats/britishhttp://www.english-club-darmstadt.de/

Kerrie

K&I wrote:

A difficult circle though, and can come across as quite rude and blunt, but just be rude and blunt back, then they tend to stop.

@Kerrie - I love it, too funny but total truth and reminds me of hilarious things I see here such as the other day when I saw a car almost hit a guy on a bicycle. The two stopped everything to argue, neither were truly any upset judging from the looks of it or their tones, but it was basically an animated show that ironically seemed more like the two just getting to know each other.

My interest in this is minimal, no time for it, actors belong on television and I prefer networking differently to it. A good nine out of ten people here are like this, many take it straight into IGNORANTLY unfriendly, and nothing ever changes because everyone thinks this is a only way.

I politely asked a woman for help last week understanding the train ticket machine because I lack intermediate German and she just said ( nein ) then pretended not to see me. The first impression I got was this lady has such an attitude because of past situations but her body language or posture in general was just pathetic to me and it unfortunately had a small ripple effect of negatively changing my mood. Sorry but I think those like this are less than dirt because I was raised to always to assist the needy regardless of my own complications and now this isvstarting to go out the window.

Please remember some also openly despise foreigners no matter if from Europe, America, China, Thailand, etc.

@Delgadomotto,
So where are you from?
Most of the German people I come across are nice and friendly once I get to know them, there just seems to be a barrier that you have to cross before they become normal!  But like you say, there is a lot of show and drama at times - you feel like people are shouting at you and telling you off, but they're actually not, it's just their manner - I shout back now though, I've been here over 10 years and have learnt how to deal with the occasional rude behaviour.  I'm not surprised you had that response from the lady, she probably thought you were begging for money or something - nothing like expecting the worst from people!!
However, I can't say a lot for the majority of English expats I have come across here either, they are often quite rude themselves, and extremely cliquey - not my scene at all.  I'm married and love, love spending time with my husband, so apart from a couple of German and English friends, my best friend really is him, and we do just about everything together - cinema, coffee and cake in Köln, nice meals out, and wonderful spa weekends and holidays, etc. etc. The joys of a good relationship - thankfully.  Without him here, I'm not sure I'd be as happy.
I do love Germany though, it's a beautiful country, and once you get to know how to deal with the rudeness, or ignore the rudeness, you can have a very nice life here. 
Kerrie

K&I wrote:

@Delgadomotto,
So where are you from?

Kerrie

The United States - born Knoxville but relocated WITH WORK to Hawaii before beginning my travels around the world. A lot of good people are everywhere and many other cities I visited are no better than here but the weather is too cold for me after living in the Pacific. I rarely try to change my ways to please individuals that promote ignorance before common courtesy or fail to respect anyone just because of their nationality, regardless if they think of it as a part of their culture and a form of defense. My plan is to finish my studies and move south or away from any central downtown areas which also contributes to the problem. Sorry but nothing ever changes for the better ( not referring specifically to Germany ) if everyone continues doing the same thing and I suppose my American standards or affinity with English is to blame for my refusal in showing prejudice to those different than myself because I preach equality.

The message you wrote is a little strange to me because you mentioned being here for ten years but yet you still come to this site ???????? A business of no concern to me because I write here since I got little else to do at the moment but either way I appreciate you posting me.

DelgadoMotto wrote:

K&I wrote:

@Delgadomotto,
So where are you from?

Kerrie

The message you wrote is a little strange to me because you mentioned being here for ten years but yet you still come to this site ???????? A business of no concern to me because I write here since I got little else to do at the moment but either way I appreciate you posting me.

My husband and I are about to move to Thailand, that's why I recently joined the site.  I decided to have a look at the Germany and England areas on the site out of curiosity really, and then found myself answering the occasional person's questions.  I'm always happy to try and help if I can.

I'm with you on the 'equality' front, it certainly makes life much nicer when everyone can get along without prejudice or ignorance.  However, some people's minds are not open to more than their own selfish narrow-minded ideas whatever you say to them.  I'm often surprised by the nastiness and judgemental comments I hear, which are often about things that do not concern them - I usually gasp, and ask them why they would say such things - it's amazing how people often look ashamed when people challenge them!  I teach kids mostly, and when I hear them critisising each other I always speak to them about it, and tell them 'if you've got nothing nice to say - say nothing, or think about it and make it positive!!'.