Travelling to and Working in Germany

by 5 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #5,346 in Travel, #171,507 overall

Making the move to Germany?

This lens is for anyone planning a visit to Germany. Employee, Student or Tourist. Long term or short term. There are many Americans moving to and fro due to the number of Military bases here, but it need not be a daunting experience. Yeah, we all hear about the stereotypical ideas of Germans and their country, but there is so much here to experience that your time in Germany should be unforgettable. This lens is here to help you plan your trip and get an idea of the country before you arrive.

If you like my work, please give me some stars above ;)

Getting to Germany

Getting your particulars in order!

FOR PEOPLE FROM NON-EU COUNTRIES
Get 10 passport photos made ASAP. You will need:

* two for your passport (if you don't have a passport already)
* two for the German consulate (for your 30-day VISA, which you file for LONG BEFORE you get to Germany)
* three for your permanent German VISA, which you or your company will file for when you get here
* the rest for if you need a student ID, if you need to apply for a visa to visit another country outside of Europe, etc.

FOR DOGS
Dogs brought to Germany directly from the US do not go into quarantine if you have all of the paper work verifying vaccinations. In addition to carrying all this paper work on your person, attach the paper work in some way to the dog crates as well. And make sure it is in both English and German.

Pets are subjected to better treament in Germany than in the US or UK. Pets are welcome in most hotels and restaurants.

EU CITIZENS
EU citizens are pretty much free to move within any of the member states to look for work. But it is advisable to visit your local Ausländerbehörde (immigration office) and get a residency permit and/or work visa if required.

Cultural Differences & Travel

Learn about the differences you may experience in Germany

Lanuage
Most Germans speak English from an early age, so most people have little trouble getting around. You might have more difficulty is the more far flung, less touristy places.

Work
Germans like to work strict hours, take half days - if any - on Saturday and rarely open on Sunday. Some close for lunch from 1pm - 3pm. Most petrol stops are open 24hrs - especially on Autobahns.

German Holidays
A lot of German holidays fall during the week and expect everywhere to be closed on such occasions.

I was here first!
Germans don't queue. I've been to enough airports to know that. So be prepared to get cut no matter where you are.

Travelling Around Germany

Trains, Planes and Automobiles ... and.. erm, bicycles!

Driving
Germany has a fantastic network of motorways called the Autobahn. Autobahns are distinguished by a letter followed by a digit eg. A5 or A61.

Germans road users are pretty strict in regard to rules of the road. Here are some main pointers.

* Keep the left lane clear for faster vehicles. Other drivers will flash their lihts at you, honk or drive up real close if they want past - even if you think 150Kph is fast for you.
* Listen on the radio or watch for posters on overpasses warning about a "Stau" or traffic delays. Some tailbacks can reach 16km long.
* German law requires car owners to carry a Warning Triangle, Reflective Jacket and First Aid kit at all times. Emergency telephones are on every Autobahn and connect to ADAC (vechicle assistance).
* Most Autobahns have a high or no speed limit but where there is construction you might see 60kph signs - obey these.
Find a list of German Road Signs Here

Trains
Trains in Germany are notoriously punctual. Show up 30 seconds late and by all chances, your train is pulling out of the stations.

Buying a ticket.
Make sure you buy a ticket before you get on the train. Conductors have a whole book of large fines they'd love to give out! There are ticket machines at every station and manned booths at most of the larger ones.

ICE anyone?
ICE is the german supertrain! Travelling at speeds up to 240km/h. Connecting all the major German cities. Travel in comfort and style. Be sure to make a reservation though!!!

Local trains are colored red, sometimes double-decker carriages. These require no reservation but make sure you do not sit in first class with a second class ticket. Sometimes its hard to tell the differnce, save for a 1 or 2 on the door.

Book online at Bahn.de

On Your Bike!
Germany has an entire network of Cycling and walking paths. You can literally cycle the full length of the country on them. German law requires all cyclists in Germany to have a bell, lights and yellow spoke reflectors fitted.

German related reading material!

Read about the area and culture and pick up great hints and tips!

Rick Steves' Germany and Austria 2007

by: Rick Steves

Amazon Price: (as of 12/23/2009)

Daytrips Germany: 60 One Day Adventures by Rail or by Car in Bavaria, the Rhineland, the North and the East (Volume 6)

by: Earl Steinbicker

Amazon Price: $12.89 (as of 12/23/2009)

Germany (Country Guide)

by: Andrea Schulte-Peevers

Amazon Price: $18.47 (as of 12/23/2009)

Germany (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

by: DK Publishing

Amazon Price: $19.80 (as of 12/23/2009)

National Geographic Traveler: Germany, 2d Ed.

by: Michael Ivory

Amazon Price: $20.40 (as of 12/23/2009)

Latest News from Germany

Lates news from Germany.info

Fetching RSS feed... please stand by

Top Things to See in Germany

Germany has many amazing sights. Castles, cathedrals, ruins of Roman baths and amphitheaters, wine valleys, moutains and more!!

Here are some of my Top Sights/Events to See in Germany.

NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE
The masterpiece of King Ludwig II. Built in the late 1800's the castle was born out of pure fantasy and indulgence. Said to be the inspiration for Walt Disneys famous castle
Visit Website
ROTHENBURG OB DER TOBER
Situated on a small hill overlooking the Tober river, this ancient fortified town is a MUST SEE! Its cobbled streets and timber framed houses are meticulously preserved. Rothenburg was the film location for the Vulgarian village scenes in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in 1968 and was the inspiration for the village in Walt Disney's masterpiece Pinocchio
Website
MUNICH OCTOBERFEST
The biggest and the best beer festival in Germany. From late September to early October. Get out your Dirndls and Lederhosen, grab a Stein, and dance on the tables!
Visit Website
RHINE VALLEY
St. Goar
Visit the winding Rhine valley at this spot and your breath will be taken away. Ruins of castles mark every bend in the river and its steep banks are filled with grape vines.
Visit Website
Rhein-in-flamen (Rhine in flames) takes part every year and you can expect great food and an hour of spectacular fireworks. This year its on 14.09.2007.
GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN
These twin towns tucked under the foot of the Alps are a tourist attraction year round. In winter, snowboarders and skiers galore fill the hotels and the many ski slopes around this little piece of heaven. Germanys tallest mountain, Zugspitze (2964m), cast its shadow over the valley and cables cars and/or the mountain train take you right to the top - where there is also a glacier ski slope!
In summer you can walk for miles, try some canoeing, mountain climbing or biking in lush, alpine surroundings.
The American Military Resort of Edelweiss is also located in Garmisch.
Garmisch Website
Edelweiss Website
BADEN-BADEN
Famous in Germany for its invigorating spas and hot springs. Theres nowhere better in Germany to relax and unwind! There is even some ruins of ancient Roman bathhouses in this southern town.
Baden-Baden Website
EAGLES NEST
The Kehlsteinhaus also known as Hitler's Tea House or the Eagle's Nest, is a chalet-style building, which used to be an extension of the Obersalzberg complex built by the Nazis in the German Alps near Berchtesgaden.
Official Website
EUROPA PARK
Europa Park is the second most popular theme park in Europe, after Disneyland Paris. It is open from April to October and in December and early January. It's located in Rust, south-west Germany, between Freiburg and Strasbourg.
Website