Germany is a country that is known to be one of the largest exporters in the world. The right hand of the European Union, Germany is famous for its cuisine, its history, and its cultural heritage, thus luring people to be a part of it. Germany is home to some of the best universities in the world, offering a world-class education to the students all; across the world, and making it an ideal spot for pursuing higher studies and gaining work experience.
But if you plan to move to Germany, the process is daunting as it requires a huge list of thing that you need to consider, otherwise, you can be prepared for the worst. To be able to move to Germany with as less a hassle as possible, here are some things that you need to keep in mind:
#1: The “cash first” mentality
Imagine that you walk into a medical store late at night to buy something, and then you hand the cashier your card for payment. Don’t be surprised by the weird look that the cashier gives you, as people in Germany prefer cash over cards. Though there are ATM machines in the whole of Germany, it is better that you have some cash handy wherever you go.
#2: The bizarre German rule
We know that you are in a rush of crossing the road, and you have just crossed the zebra crossing when the road was empty, but you still got a couple of raised eyebrows. That’s because in Germany it is prohibited to cross the road even if it is empty unless the light turns green. Don’t be surprised if the officer at the other end of the road fines you for this!
#3: Sorry, I don’t speak German
Forget this phrase when you visit Germany, as speaking German is one of the fastest ways to connect with people. If you know German, you will be able to engage in a deeper conversation with the person next to you, and also efficiently order food in a restaurant, in contrast to not being familiar with the language. Germans are not very friendly; so learn German to converse with the right answers.
#4: Collect all your documents
If you are a non-EU citizen, you need to present a visa to be able to move to Germany. A proof of your finances i.e. your bank statement, along with health insurance is what you need to present with the visa so that you don’t have to worry about the 90-day time period if you are opting for a resident visa.
#5: Do you have a pet?
Well, moving without your pet is something heartless to do, and if you’re thinking that there is no solution for it, then you haven’t seen the world yet. There are pet relocation companies that transfer pets from one country to another. They have collaborations with airlines that undertake that transfer and they also take care of the customs and other documentation of your pet while you move out.
#6: Drive safe!
If you wish to own a car in Germany and drive it on the beautiful German roads, you need to do a great deal of hard work to get a driver’s license in Germany, as the one that you had previously is as useless as a blank piece of paper. For that you need to take lessons, in theory, and in practice, to become a certified driver. It is one of the bizarre rules in Germany that you need to follow.
#7: Recycle everything
Wasting any item that can be potentially reused is almost a crime in Germany, with many disapproving looks on you and a couple of grunts. People in Germany are very particular about recycling things. There are different colored bins that you need to be mindful of as they tell you where you need to dump the disposables and where you should dump biodegradables and non-biodegradables. So in Germany, everything that you use is being recycled.
Conclusion
Now that you have packed your suitcases by your side, your passport and your Visa in your hand, and the German language on your tips, all you need to do is sit back and relax while on your way to Germany. Keep these things in mind to live at peace. Guten Tag!
