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Life in Austria, Germany and Switzerland
It is only when you leave your own country to travel or live in a different one that you fully appreciate how much we humans are not only creatures of habit, but also of culture. Travelers and expatriates in Germany, Austria, Switzerland or other countries often feel a loss of things they once took for granted. The most significant of these are language and daily culture.
PHOTO above: The hills of Stuttgart viewed from the Le Corbusier Bauhaus museum. PHOTO CREDIT: Hyde Flippo
What Not to Do at Oktoberfest
If you missed it, this weekend kicked off Okoberfest in Munich. With the tapping of the keg and the magical words of “O'zapft is” (“It's tapped”), the biggest beer festival in the world has begun. Last year was the first year after the pandemic...
Resources
For Travelers
- Travel and Tourism in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland
- Austria: Facts and Figures – Geography, history and other information
- Germany: Facts and Figures – Geography, history and other information
- Switzerland: Facts and Figures – Geography, history and other information
For Expats
- Cultural Differences: Germany and the USA
- GW Expat Blog – The German Way Expat Blog discusses issues of interest to expats in German-speaking Europe.
- Expat Checklist 1 – Before you go
- Expat Checklist 2 – After you’re there
- Expat Repatriation – Checklist 3: When expats become repats, it can be more difficult than you think.
- Moving to Germany: Tips for Your Overseas Move – Planning, packing, shipping, moving companies
- Taking Dogs or Cats to Germany – Advice on the best way to take your pet along
- The German Way Expat Forum – Join our forum, where we share info and tips about life in German-speaking Europe.
Featured Topics
Life, Culture, and Customs in German-Speaking Europe:
Lake Constance
Known as the Bodensee in German, Lake Constance is Europe’s third largest freshwater lake. Shared by three German-speaking nations (Austria, Germany, and Switzerland), the scenic lake has three main islands, and its shores are dotted with numerous scenic cities and towns. Nearby are the Rhine Falls at Schaffhausen (in Switzerland). Friedrichshafen, Germany is home to two museums, including the Zeppelin Museum right on the shoreline. Bregenz, Austria offers panoramic views of the lake from its local Pfänder peak. Elsewhere there’s an open-air museum devoted to the prehistoric stilt dwellings that once lined parts of Lake Constance’s shores. Our three-part guide can help you plan a visit and/or offer an armchair tour. MORE: Lake Constance: Introduction
- Felix Salten and Bambi – Disney’s Bambi film was based on a book by an Austrian author. Felix Salten’s Bambi novel was banned by the Nazis in 1936. But Salten wrote other books turned into movies by Disney. You may be surprised to learn which ones they are.
- German Christmas Customs – The German Christmas celebration follows a slightly different calendar and different customs than in the US. Comparing the Christmas observance – the USA vs Germany.
- Berlin and Potsdam – Our Berlin City Guide helps you decide what to see and do in the German capital city. Berlin and nearby Potsdam offer so much to see and do, visitors need to plan ahead.
- 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.
- How to Get a German Driving License – A German driver’s license can cost as much as $2500! But all Canadians and most US citizens living in Germany can avoid that expense and tests – if they have a license from one of the 27 US states (plus Puerto Rico) that have full reciprocity.
- About N26 – The Mobile Bank – Younger Germans don’t want to bank like their parents. This Berlin-based mobile bank has no branches; you do all your banking on your smartphone.
- How to Immigrate to Germany – with residence permit categories, advice, and guidelines
- Tarzan in Acapulco – On 20 January 1984, Johnny Weissmuller, swim champ and film Tarzan, died in Acapulco. The fact that he wasn’t born in the USA was a secret he took to his grave, which is also in Mexico. And was Weissmuller’s German wife really royalty?
- Moving to Germany: The Top 10 Things to Consider – Some good international moving advice
Germany is famous for its Christmas markets, but Austria also knows how to do Christmas! Whether called an ‘Adventmarkt,’ a ‘Christkindlmarkt’ or a ‘Weihnachtsmarkt,’ Austria’s Christmas markets are second to none. Here in Vienna we see one of the Austrian capital’s many winter markets – in this case the Christkindlmarkt at City Hall Square. Other Viennese markets can be found at Schönbrunn Palace, the Karlskirche (Karlsplatz), and Belvedere Palace. Other Austrian cities (Graz, Salzburg, Innsbruck, etc.) also have notable Christmas markets. MORE: Christmas Markets in Germany and Europe PHOTO: wien.info
Notable People from Austria, Germany and Switzerland
In our Biographies of Notable People you’ll learn about the men and women, living and dead, who have been the source of vital elements of Germanic art, culture, and history. From Konrad Adenauer (1876-1967), the first chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, to Konrad Zuse (1910-1995), the German inventor of the first programmable, digital computer, we introduce you to the many notable people, from A to Z. More…
Expat “How To” Guides for Germany
If you’re new to Germany (or maybe even if you’re not), you’ll find our step-by-step expat “How To” guides very helpful. The “How To” guides cover many topics related to living and working in Germany. Sample topics include: Getting a residence permit, using your cell phone in Europe, German grocery shopping, taking pets to Germany, moving to Germany, and even having a baby in Germany! More…
Can you use your US iPhone in Germany?
It depends. See The iPhone in Germany and Europe for more about traveling with your iPhone, how to unlock your iPhone, or how to buy a new iPhone.
International Money Transfers
The best way to transfer funds either to or from Germany (or Europe) depends on several factors, only one of which is cost. The method you use will depend on the amount, type and timing of the transaction. Certain options are more suitable for certain kinds of transfers than others. There are three main providers of international currency transfers: (1) banks, (2) remittance companies, and (3) foreign exchange brokers (forex or FX for short). Each option has its advantages and disadvantages. More…
The Euro
The European Central Bank is in Frankfurt. PHOTO: H. Flippo
The story of der Euro
On January 1, 2002, twelve European Union countries, including Austria and Germany, put a brand new currency into circulation. Eighteen years later, the euro is still making headlines (along with the Swiss franc), but for very different reasons. What will the euro do this year or the next? – Euro Trivia: Did you know that the attractive euro banknotes were designed by an Austrian? If so, you’re ready to take our 10-item Euro Quiz. There’s also a Euro Timeline and much more…
Book: Germany for Beginners
A guidebook for expats or serious travelers.
Germany for Beginners
The German Way Expat Guidebook
by the German Way Expat Blog Team
Published by Humboldt American Press
Intended for expats moving to Germany, Germany for Beginners is also useful for travelers and students headed for German-speaking Europe, or who are already there. Written by people who have been there and done that, this guidebook is like sitting down with a team of experts on life in Germany – with advice and information you need. | Learn more!
This book is available in print or as an ebook from Amazon and other online booksellers. You can also order it from your local bookseller.
MORE at The German Way
The German Way Store
Our “Bookstore and More” for Expats and Travelers
Below you’ll find links to helpful information that expats can use in their daily life in German-speaking Europe.
- The Euro in Austria and Germany – with quiz
- The German Way Store – Our “Bookstore and More” for Expats and Travelers
- Public Transport in Germany – Getting around locally via S-Bahn, U-Bahn, bus, and tram
- Watching TV in Germany – Options for expats
- Getting a Residence Permit – Visa info, the Aufenthaltstitel
- Electrical Facts – Voltage converters, plug adapters, and other electrical matters
- International Money Transfers – Your options for making overseas payments
Next | Living in Germany
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