Step-by-Step Help Guides for Germany

On this special page you’ll find links to all of our “How To” pages – listed alphabetically. If you don’t find what you need here, please use the “Search” feature (on right) and our Site Map, a guide to finding your way around this site.

GET THE BOOK! Germany for Beginners: The German Way Expat Guidebook is by the same people who wrote the “How To” advice below. Available in print or ebook editions. More…

NEW: Financial Matters: Banking and Credit Cards in Germany – Our updated guide to navigating banking and credit/debit cards in Germany

FEATURED: Expat Money Matters: International Money Transfers – How to transfer funds and get the best deal.

NEW: How to Avoid Rental Ripoffs and Landlord Landmines in Germany – Five things expats need to know to avoid landlord problems in Germany. Foreigners renting a house or flat in Germany need to know about possible pitfalls and ways to defend against them.

FEATURED: A VPN Guide for Expats and Travelers: How to Be Safer and Happier Online – What is a VPN and why might you need one? With reviews of two VPN services.

Expat How-To Guides

• Apartment Rental: Applying for a Wohnung in Berlin – Erin’s blog post about the process of applying for an apartment in Berlin or other cities. It can be difficult to find a flat in big cities. These hints can help.
• Banking 1: Banking and Credit Cards in Germany – Our updated guide to navigating banking and credit/debit cards in Germany
• Banking 2: How To Open a Bank Account in Germany – A step-by-step guide to the process of opening a bank account, plus information about the types of banks and accounts.
• Business in Germany: How To Set Up a Business in Germany – A practical guide for prospective entrepreneurs in Germany: How to prepare, get government support, register your company, and deal with legal issues.
• Buying a Car: How to Buy or Lease a Car in Germany – Autokauf in Deutschland – A step-by-step guide
• Buying a House: How to Buy a House – Looking to buy? Take your time.
• Cell Phones: How to Take Your Cell Phone to Germany/Europe – A detailed guide on what you need to know before you travel abroad with your mobile phone.
• Child Daycare: How to Enroll Your Child in Daycare in Germany – A step-by-step guide by a mom who has been there and done that.
• Covid-19: Coronavirus in Germany: Information – A look at the recent Covid pandemic situation in German-speaking Europe.
• Death and Funerals: How to Report a Death – The German Way of Death and Funerals tells you how to navigate Germany’s strict laws and regulations concerning the burial or cremation of the deceased.

Continued below…

Germans like to pick up their new car at the factory. In this case, at BMW World in Munich. See “How to Buy or Lease a Car in Germany” for more about the process. PHOTO: Hyde Flippo

• Dentists and Dental Care: Going to the Dentist in Germany – How to find a dentist in Germany, how much dental care costs, and helpful German vocabulary for the dentist
• Dogs and Cats: How to Take Your Dog or Cat to Germany – A step-by-step guide – from getting shots to airline requirements for pets. – Also see this blog post: Moving with Max – Taking your dog to Germany
• Driver’s License 1: How to Get a German Driver’s License – A step-by-step guide on the process of obtaining a German Führerschein
• Driver’s License 2: Driving License Reciprocity for Non-EU Expats in Germany – How to convert a non-EU license into a German Führerschein; Australia, Japan, Israel, South Korea, and 17 other countries have agreements with Germany that make it easier (and cheaper!) to obtain a German driver’s license.
• Electrical Guide: Electrical Facts: Plug Adapters, 220 volts and All That – Helpful electrical information and links for travelers and expats in German-speaking Europe
• English-Language TV/Video: How to Watch English-Language TV and Video in Germany – A guide to watching and listening to English-language programming in Germany
• Expat Employment 1: Arbeitsamt – A practical guide to dealing with Germany’s Bundesagentur für Arbeit (“das Arbeitsamt”). When expats want to get a job, change jobs, or draw unemployment benefits, this is how to work with the Arbeitsamt.
• Expat Employment 2: Temporary Work in Germany: Leihfirmen und Zeitarbeit – Looking for work in Germany? Consider Zeitarbeitsfirmen und Zeitarbeit (Temporary Work Agencies and Temp Work) as one option.
• Food and Drink: How to Eat Like a German – German customs related to mealtimes, popular dishes, typical beverages, and table manners.
• Freelancing in Germany: How To Establish a Freelance Business in Germany – Five things you need to know about setting up a freelance business in Germany.
• German TV: How to Watch German Television – PAL TV and why your North American TV set won’t work in Europe… and what you can do about it. Also see: Radio and Television in Germany (ARD, ZDF, etc.)
• Grocery Shopping: How to Shop for Groceries in Germany – A guide to shopping for groceries for Germany
• Housewarming Traditions: Housewarming Traditions in Germany – Tradition calls for a gift of bread and salt! But there are other options.
• Immigrating to Germany: How to Immigrate to Germany – What you need to know about residence permit categories and the immigration process.
• Jet Lag: How to Deal with Jet Lag – Expats are subject to the effects of jet lag. Here are 7 rules that help travelers alleviate jet lag.
• Money Matters: International Money Transfers – How to transfer funds abroad and get the best deal.
• Moving to Germany: How to Move to Germany – “Moving to Germany: Tips for Your Overseas Move” – A step-by-step guide – from planning and packing to shipping and moving in. – Also see Moving to Germany: The Top 10 Things to Consider

Continued below…

Planning a Move? Get a Free Quote.

• Pregnancy: Preparing for Birth: Having a Baby in Germany: Prenatal Care (Part 1) – What mothers-to-be need to know about preparing for childbirth in Germany
• Pregnancy: Giving Birth: Having a Baby in Germany: Giving Birth (Part 2) – When it’s time to deliver, here’s what you need to know.
• Prescription Drugs: How to Get a Prescription Filled in Germany – Rx for expats: What you need to know about prescription drug differences.
• Public Transport: How to Use Public Transport in Germany – Getting around locally via S-Bahn, U-Bahn, bus, and tram
• Renting a House or Flat: How to Avoid Rental Ripoffs and Landlord Landmines in Germany – Five things expats need to know to avoid landlord problems in Germany. Foreigners renting a house or flat in Germany need to know about possible pitfalls and ways to defend against them.
• Residence Permit: How to Get a German Residence Permit – A step-by-step guide on the process of obtaining an Aufenthaltstitel.
• Shopping: How to Shop in Germany – Shopping advice for Germany
• Taxes: Tax Help for Expats Living in Germany – A practical guide to dealing with Germany’s Finanzamt. How expats can get low-cost help with filing a German tax return.
• Taxes: Tax Deductions for Self-Employed Expats in Germany – A practical tax guide that focuses on self-employed expats and the specific guidelines for them.
• Train Travel: How to Travel by Rail in Germany – Tips for traveling by train.
• VPN Guide: A VPN Guide for Expats and Travelers: How to Be Safer and Happier Online – What is a VPN and why might you need one? With reviews of two VPN services.

This electronics store in Berlin is open at night (until 9:00 pm, Mon.-Sat.), something that is not very common in most of Germany. See “How to Shop in Germany” for more. PHOTO: Hyde Flippo

More Helpful Advice and Information for Expats and Travelers

Practical advice and information to help you with daily living in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

• Airports and Air Travel in Germany
• Autobahn Tolls in Austria and Switzerland
• Banking (money, banks and credit cards)
• Blog: The German Way Expat Blog – For expats by expats
• Books: The German Way Store – Find books dealing with life in German-speaking Europe
• Calendar: German Holidays and Celebrations – Holidays in Germany, Austria and Switzerland
• City Guide: Berlin and Potsdam – What to see and do in the German capital
• City Guide: Dresden – History and sights in Saxony
• City Guide: Kitzbühel, Austria – One of Austria’s top ski resorts is also very popular in the summer!
• City Guide: Trier – History and sights in Germany’s oldest city
• Cultural Comparison Charts: USA vs Germany – Helpful, comparative info about daily life in the US and Germany
• Dialects in German – You won’t always hear standard German
• Dining Etiquette and table manners in Germany
• Du and Sie – Friends and acquaintances – German language help
• Education in the German-speaking countries – Also see Higher Education (universities).
• Euro – A guide to the euro in Germany, Austria and the Euro Zone
• German – Some tips for learning the language of Bach and Goethe
• Germany for Tourists
• Higher education in Germany
• Internet and Computer Tips for Germany and Europe.
• iPhone in Germany – Now you can buy an iPhone in Germany and the USA, with or without a contract. Which place is best? Which option is best? Plus using an iPhone in Germany/Europe.
• Post Office – die Post – A guide to the German postal service
• Religion in Germany – Religion and morality
• Snow Tires and Winter Driving – Follow the “O to O” rule for winter driving.
• Telephone Tips for Germany

Related Pages
MORE AT THE GERMAN WAY

• Travel and Tourism in Germany, Austria, Switzerland
• Living in Germany – For expats in German-speaking Europe
• History & Culture – Austria, Germany and Switzerland
• The German Way Expat Blog – For expats, by expats

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