Renting vs buying a house in Germany: What you should consider

For expats in Germany, particularly in cities like Berlin, the decision to rent or buy property is complex. Economic factors such as interest rates, inflation and market... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 29 days ago

Do you still need to speak German to get a job in Germany?

A new report by the online job board Indeed has revealed what percentage of jobs in Germany do not require employees to speak German, and how local language requirements differ ... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 29 days ago

DB begins rail work in NRW with 80 weeks of disruption expected

From November 1, the German rail line running between Oberhausen-Emmerich and the Dutch border will close for construction work, which is expected to last 80 weeks. Here’s what... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 29 days ago

Price hike announced for public transport tickets in Berlin

Berlin-Brandenburg Transport Association has announced that public transport tickets will see a 7,5 percent price increase from 2025. Berlin public transport tickets set for 2025... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

Record number of migrating cranes spotted over Germany

The Swiss Ornithological Institute (SOI) has revealed that a record number of cranes have been spotted travelling across southern Germany and northern Switzerland this year. The... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

VHS course offers peek into Stasi spies' document archive

A new course offered by a local Volkshochschule (VHS) in Berlin is offering participants access to the document archive of the Ministry for State Security and secret police (Stasi... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

6 best vegan restaurants in Berlin

Berlin is just about the closest thing to paradise as a vegan. But with a vegan-friendly Vietnamese Imbiss on every corner and falafel as far as the eye can see, the wealth of... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

Free ice skating in Berlin as refurbished Tempelhof rink reopens

Berliners can skate their way into November for free this weekend, as the refurbished ice rink at Werner-Seelenbinder-Sportpark in Neukölln reopens its doors. Ice rink reopens at... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

November 2024: 10 changes affecting expats in Germany

In November, carnival season kicks off in Cologne, receiving your residence permit will get easier and a new law brings a historic moment for LGBTQ+ rights. Here are the changes... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

IKEA will pay reparations to forced labourers of former GDR

IKEA has announced that it will reimburse former German Democratic Republic citizens whose forced labour was used to produce goods for the Swedish home furniture company. IKEA... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

Just 2.360 Chancenkarte applications since visa launched in June

Four months after its launch, just 2.360 people have applied for the Chancenkarte visa that Germany hopes will bring non-EU citizens to fill the country’s record-high worker... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

The German KfW subsidy programmes for buying a home

Are you thinking about buying a home in Germany? Germany is rather unique in the world regarding home buying. One favourable aspect is that Germany offers KfW subsidy programmes,... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

German minimum wage should rise with general pay developments, says Scholz

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has said that the country should increase minimum wage payments in line with general wage developments. Minimum wage should be coupled with... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

What to be aware of as a dog owner in Germany

In 2021, there were 12,3 million dogs living in Germany. Do you want to add a dog to your family? Then it’s time to read up on what you should know about being a dog owner in... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

What to be aware of as a dog owner in Germany

In 2021, there were 12,3 million dogs living in Germany. Do you want to add a dog to your family? Then it’s time to read up on what you should know about being a dog owner in... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

Signing German work contracts digitally to be possible from 2025

The German government has passed a law allowing new employees to sign work contracts digitally instead of having to provide a handwritten, wet-ink signature. Digital work... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

Düsseldorf pizzeria found selling cocaine as “Pizza No. 40”

Police have raided a pizzeria in Düsseldorf which was delivering cocaine to customers who ordered the elusive “Pizza number 40”. Düsseldorf pizzeria caught delivering cocaine... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

Karlsruhe Zoo visitor accidentally takes home bat

After walking through the bat cave at Karlsruhe Zoo a visitor returned home to find that she had accidentally taken a bat home in her jacket. Woman accidentally smuggles home bat... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

Number of births in Germany is drastically decreasing, says ifo Institute

Analysis from the ifo Institute in Dresden has revealed that the number of births in Germany is continuing to decrease drastically, especially in eastern states. Birth rate... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

Lieferando now delivering medicine in 18 German cities

Food delivery company Lieferando will now deliver medicines and other pharmacy products to customers in 18 German cities. Lieferando launches pharmacy delivery service It is... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

6 German states would support revoking citizenship for antisemitism, says FOCUS

Six German federal state governments have said that they would support revoking the German citizenship of dual nationals who have been charged with an antisemitic crime. German... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

New EU plan could see Germany expand restrictions on smoking

The EU Commission has published a new plan encouraging member states to expand smoking bans in public areas. Here’s what the plan could mean for smoking laws in Germany. EU... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

Can I sit a citizenship test in another German state?

It has become harder to find an available appointment to take a citizenship test since Germany relaxed its naturalisation law in June 2024. If you’re really stuck, is it possible... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

Langenscheidt announces German youth word of the year 2024: Aura

As per annual tradition, German dictionary publisher Langenscheidt has announced the youth word of the year at the Frankfurt Book Fair. Here’s what the kids are talking and... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

Aviation Association joins calls for Germany to cut air travel taxes

As Ryanair reduces services in and out of the country citing high fees, the German Aviation Association has joined calls for the federal government to scrap its air travel tax.... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

How to vote in the US elections from Germany

2024 is a presidential election year in the US, and if you're a US citizen or a dual national above the age of 18 on November 5, 2024, you have the right to vote from abroad.... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

How to vote in the US elections from Germany

2024 is a presidential election year in the US, and if you're a US citizen or a dual national above the age of 18 on November 5, 2024, you have the right to vote from abroad.... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

Aldi to launch cashback withdrawal service on purchases over one euro

At its 2.200 shops, Aldi-Nord will soon allow customers to withdraw up to 200 euros in cash when they make purchases for as little as one euro. Aldi-Nord to introduce cashback in... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

How to protect your income when you are not able to work

In this article, Kerstin Brunner will show you how an inability to work will influence your income situation and what you can do to get money while you are not able to work.... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

Germany vs France: An expat guide

“To understand the Germans, you have to love them; to love the French, you have to understand them,” wrote German journalist and satirist Kurl Tucholsky in 1929. If you’re... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

Berliner first ever woman to win title of Best Bartender in Germany

Berlin bartender Maria Gorbatschova has been awarded the title of Best Bartender in the country as part of the annual Mixology Bar Awards for bars in Germany, Austria and... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

Berlin mayor plans expansion of Sunday shop openings

Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) has announced a plan to double the annual number of Sundays when shops in the city can open their doors. Shops in Berlin may be allowed to open on... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

12,50-euro unlimited cinema subscription to launch in Germany this November

A new cinema subscription called Cinfinity will launch across Germany this autumn, allowing holders unlimited trips to the pictures for 12,50 euros per month. German cinema... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

Supermoon to be visible over Germany tonight

On October 17, the moon will be much closer to Earth than normal. The Hunter’s Moon will peak in the afternoon and, weather-compliant, will make for an astronomical treat tonight... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

Germany announces adoption reforms in touch with “social reality”

The German coalition government has announced a draft bill to reform the country’s adoption laws in a way that reflects the “social reality” of modern family relationships.... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

German pension system ranked 20th in the world by Mercer

The 2024 Global Pension Index by Mercer considers the German pension system to have marginally improved since last year’s analysis, ranking 20th place out of systems in 48... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

Top 5 countries residents of Germany are flocking to in 2024

More and more people who are living in Germany are packing their bags and relocating to countries that offer exciting new opportunities, better quality of life and a chance to... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

5 tips on how to prepare for a German citizenship test

German citizenship tests are relatively straightforward, but with available test appointments so few and far between, it is worth preparing properly to avoid unnecessary hassle... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

How sex therapy can change your life

As a specialised sex and relationship therapist, Patricia Heinis provides the guidance and support to help you navigate these areas, empowering you to live a more fulfilling... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

Deutsche Bahn receives criticism over Sparpreisticket model

Deutsche Bahn’s Sparpreisticket model has been criticised for requesting unnecessary passenger information and being poorly accessible to people without smartphones. Deutsche... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

Sharp increase in tenants paying over 40 percent of income on rent in Germany

A new study by the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW) has found that the number of tenants spending more than 40 percent of their income on rent has nearly tripled since... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

BBIS Boarding offers students a home away from home

At BBIS Boarding, around 80 students from all corners of the world come together to embark on an exciting journey of both education and community. From Grades 9 to 12, they... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

Join the global community at BBIS Boarding

At BBIS Boarding, around 80 students from all corners of the world come together to embark on an exciting journey of both education and community. From Grades 9 to 12, they... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

Monthly Jobcenter visits soon obligatory for Bürgergeld recipients

The German government has announced that Bürgergeld recipients will soon be obliged to attend monthly meetings at the Jobcenter, but the policy still faces a Bundesrat vote.... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

German words expats should know: Erdapfel

What on Erde does this one mean? Let's brush off the mud and get to the root of the German word Erdapfel. Kartoffel or Erdapfel? When you arrived in Germany, it won’t have been... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

Food and Travel Magazine names Berlin “city of the year”

Berlin has been named “city of the year” in Food and Travel Magazine’s annual reader awards for culinary and cultural diversity. Berlin: City of the Year In its Food and Travel... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

Live sex and blood-filled Stuttgart opera leaves 18 suffering nausea

A performance at Stuttgart’s state opera house, in which “Bach meets metal, the Weather Girls meet Rachmaninov - and naked nuns meet roller skates” has left 18 people seeking... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago

Once-in-a-century comet visible over skies in Germany this week

As C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS comet crosses the night sky between October 10 and 20, it should be visible from Germany with the naked eye. Here’s how to catch a glimpse of this... | Continue reading


@iamexpat.de | 1 month ago