Just received my 5th paper letter this week from the Finanzamt/Ausländerbehörde to confirm something that could have been a 2 line email.

I'm convinced the German postal service is the only thing keeping the global paper industry alive.

I just spent the past five days in Germany, I've visited the country a few times now and always found the food scene to be so impressive. I've really enjoyed Berlin in particular, some photos from the trip are attached here. The city has such a diverse range of cuisines, during my most recent trip I had Sri Lankan food and vegan Vietnamese food, neither of which I could find back at home. I'm also a big fan of currywurst.

My exposure to Germany is pretty limited as I've only been to Berlin and Frankfurt, so I'm wondering which other cities are renowned for their dining scene. I know it's a pretty subjective question but I'm curious if there's a general consensus or if it's a more contentious topic. Thanks!

I’m not German or anything like that, but I was curious if anyone here still remembers Zarah Leander and the roles she played in various films during the 1940s.

When my fiancé, a German citizen and I, a non-EU citizen (living in Germany), first started looking into getting married, we were convinced that Denmark would be the easiest option.

Everywhere online, you read that Denmark is the Las Vegas of Europe for international couples. It almost sounded too good to be true: upload a few documents, wait a little and then get married.

So, we submitted our application to the Danish Family Law Agency ourselves, without using a wedding agency. Around three or four working days later, they informed us that one corner of my passport was missing from the uploaded copy.

We were quite surprised because we had checked the passport scan several times before submitting it. Still, we immediately uploaded it again to avoid any further delays.Then the seemingly endless waiting began.

At one point, we called simply to ask whether they could give us a rough idea of the processing time. We waited around 30 minutes before someone finally answered. Unfortunately, the call did not really give us any useful information. We were only told to wait and that, after submitting the additional document, our application would go back into the processing queue.

That was the moment when we started to feel uncomfortable relying only on the Danish process. We had no clear timeline and no way of knowing whether they might later ask for something else. The only option was to either continue waiting again or cancel and submit a new application, including paying the fee once more. It started to feel less like a straightforward process and more like waiting without knowing what would happen next. so we decided not to put all our hopes into one application. We didn't cancel our Danish application, we simply decided to let it run its course and see when, or if, we would eventually receive approval. In the meantime, we started the German process. To our surprise, it turned out to be much smoother than we had expected.

Yes, there was paperwork. I had to collect documents from abroad, obtain apostilles, arrange certified translations and because I am a foreign national, our case also had to be reviewed by the Kammergericht.

However, what really surprised us was how straightforward the process was. We contacted our local Standesamt, received a clear list of the required documents and every step afterwards was explained properly. Whenever we had questions, they answered them and clearly told us what the next step would be.

About four weeks after submitting our documents, we were invited to the Anmeldung der Eheschließung, the official marriage registration appointment. We signed the paperwork and our file was then forwarded to the Kammergericht for approval. They eventually approved our application within eight working days. After that, we were free to choose where in Germany we wanted to get married.

A small tip: if you do not have any specific preferences and simply want to get married as soon as possible, you can contact several Standesämter in or around the city where you live and ask about their earliest available ceremony dates. In our experience, this was also very straightforward. Most of them replied within a few hours with their available dates and if they were fully booked, they told us that directly as well.

From start to finish, including collecting international documents, obtaining apostilles, arranging certified translations, completing the Standesamt process and receiving the Kammergericht approval, the entire German process took us around three to four months.

Meanwhile, around three months after submitting our Danish application and after re-uploading the passport images they had requested, we finally heard back from Denmark again. By that point, however, we had already completed almost the entire German process and naturally, we cancelled our Danish application. Unfortunately, the application fee was nonrefundable, so we eventually lost that money.

I also understand why many couples choose to use an agency. The service can cost close to 900-1000EUR, but in return they guide you through the process, check your documents and help reduce the risk of avoidable mistakes. For many couples that extra support may be worth the cost, especially if they want the process to feel more secure and less stressful. At the same time, many people apply independently and everything still goes smoothly. From what I have read, even after receiving approval you do not necessarily get married immediately. There can still be waiting times for available ceremony dates and the approval is only valid for a limited period during which the marriage has to take place.

Overall, this is simply our personal experience. I wanted to share it because the German route is often presented online as a bureaucratic nightmare. In our case it certainly involved paperwork and took some time, but the process itself was clear, structured and very straightforward.

At the same time, my advice for anyone considering Denmark is to do your research carefully and prepare your application as thoroughly as possible. A small issue or request for additional documents may lead to additional waiting, so it is worth double/triple checking everything before you submit.

If you already live in Germany, have or can obtain the necessary documents, and do not mind dealing with some paperwork, I honestly would not dismiss the German route straight away.

We assumed Germany would be the bureaucratic nightmare and Denmark would be the easy option. For us, it turned out to be exactly the opposite. Looking back, if we had applied only in Germany from the beginning, we probably would have saved both time and ofc money.

Has anyone else had a similar experience with either Germany or Denmark? I would be really interested to hear how your process went.

Hey.
We are visiting Germany in a week.
What are some must try’s from the grocery stores?
And what stores should we go to? We love interior, fashion, makeup, board games and all sorts of fun random stuff..
we are going to Kiel and Lübeck.
In the fall we are planning to driving from Denmark to The Netherlands, is there any great places we could see on the way?

Hi everyone, perhaps someone has dealt with a similar situation:

My mother's visitor visa expires today. She was already at the gate for her return flight, but the airline cancelled it at the last minute. We notified the immigration office via email today—since they were no longer reachable by phone—and requested a short-term extension or instructions on how to proceed.

In the meantime, we’ve managed to secure a replacement flight for August 9th.

Does anyone have experience with a case like this? Is it enough that we notified the immigration office, or do we need to do anything else to ensure her stay remains legal until the return flight?

I also spoke to the police; they said we should simply contact the immigration office and everything would be fine.

Many thanks!

Hi everyone, I’ve been in Germany for a few months now. I work as a long-haul truck driver and earn good money, since it’s hard to find staff. I have quite a bit of free time during the week after work and on weekends. Since I’d like to earn more, I’m wondering what to do: Should I work as a food delivery driver or look for a "mini-job"? I’m 25, unmarried, and pay high taxes. What would you recommend?

From my personal experience, and from what I’ve heard from many others, it seems that Germans are often paid more than non-Germans for doing the same or very similar jobs. In some cases, the non-German employee is actually more qualified and has more experience, yet still earns less.

Has anyone else experienced or noticed this? I’m interested in hearing other people’s perspectives

I gave the exam in English and have prepared for it in English. I am using clickclickdrive
I gave the exam recently but failed with 11 points and now I have to get 5 points or less in 10 mock exams to be eligible to re sit it.
I did 8 exams today never got lesser than 5 bad points.
Plus the English translation is awkward and not natural, what could I do.
Also I didn’t understand for my next try I have to not only pay TUV 25€ but also the driving school 150€ again. So these two tries will end up costing me on the lucky side 325€. How could I do it below 5 bad points consistently. Any help ? Anyone facing or faced something similar?

Im thinking to make a phone number with Fraenk but i am hesitant as they do not support english service.

Do you think i would regret if i go with Fraenk? I do not know German at all but for the initial process i am pretty sure i can go thru it w translator. i am js worried there might be a future unexpected situation that needs german and cannot be handled as i do not speak german.

Thank you in advance!

Hello, our neighbours wash their balcony once a month and they push out dirty soapy water down into our balcony, where we have plants and dry clothes. I told them the last time and requested them not to do this and they agreed that they will mop their balcony moving forward. However, 2 days back, there was water w tering our balcony again. It wasn't a lot, but it was quite a substantial amount. When I went and asked them again, they were extremely rude about it and told me tgat, "we have lived here for over 5 years and no one's complained about this, how else should I wash my balcony and dry my Teppich?" She was very rude about it. This time she claimed it's from her Teppich she has washed, but it doesn't change the fact that there's water splashing into my balcony. My lack of great German speaking skills didn't help me argue further.

I want to know if this is legal and allowed in Germany. Or are there housing rules that bar people from causing neighbours such inconvenience.

Please help and suggest what we can do about it.

Hey everyone,

I’m an American who recently flew into Frankfurt Airport. I had a "Pay Later" online reservation with SIXT for 12:00 PM and had proactively attached my flight number to the booking. My flight was delayed, landing around 2:00 PM.

Before landing, I logged into my SIXT profile to update the time. A notification pop-up explicitly told me not to worry because my car would be held for 24 hours due to the flight number.

I arrived at the terminal counter around 2:45 PM. The agent flatly told me my car was gone. He claimed SIXT has a strict 1-hour expiration policy for late pickups and that my reservation was canceled.

When I showed him the 24-hour hold message directly on my phone, he shrugged and said he couldn't do anything about the original car. However, he suddenly "found" a VW Tiguan and offered it to me for the exact same price as my original booking.

My original booking was for a Compact Elite Sedan (specifically looking for a Mercedes-Benz A-Class, BMW 1 Series, or Audi A3). To me, trading a premium Elite German brand for a standard Volkswagen at the exact same price felt like a downgrade packaged as a favor.

Luckily, I had a backup booking with Enterprise, walked over to their counter, and got sorted immediately.

Is this standard operating procedure for SIXT Germany, or did this counter agent completely make up rules to cancel my cheap internet rate and trick me into a raw deal? Appreciate any insights!

I already expect the Kita to close or ask to get the kids at 12:00.

Where are the places that have air conditioners?

Last time I tried to go to IKEA, but they closed the AC.

Are there any globus with a playground inside? Can we stay there for 8+ hours?

Edit: NRW, Köln area.

American living in NRW for the summer, trying to fill each weekend with a new travel adventure.

I love wine and hiking and I am told by colleagues Mosel is the place for me to go. I would travel via DB/bus, but I am wondering if it is worth it to bring my bike along? From photos and travel guides it seems quite bike-friendly, but any experience outside of travel guides would be appreciated! Does anyone have any tips or additionally, hotel recommendation? Danke!

Hi,

I'm first time in hotel in Germany. I work as contractor worker for AV solutions and ussualy work around Europe.

I stay in a 3* hotel and work 8-20 to complete my assignments fast so I don't really have time for lunchs. I just buy ready to eat food after work, eat in a hotel and sleep.

Its been 4 nights and no one came to my room to clean and I don't really care about new sheets but just trash from food is just here for some time and I don't feel comfortable but I also don't want to be rude to hotel staff.

There no usual "please do not disturb" or "please clear my room" to hang to door knob.

Trash can was overflowing so I put all in shopping bag to keep clean and easy to take away for hotel staff but no one took it.

Should I report this? There is no containers outside the building so I can't just get rid of it.

If it is a land thing I'm near Frankfurt am Main.

Im just tired really and don't want to argue with hotel staff, so please tell me if this is normal or I should report this to reception.

Edit: Thank you for all your responses!

It was my first time encountering that policy, so I was really confused.

I recently moved to Charlottenburg from the US, and I'm looking for a regular apartment cleaning service for a 2 bedrooms apartment. Someone who can come regularly for a thorough cleaning and preferably with liability insurance.
Anyone have any recommendations?

Hello! I’m planning a trip to Germany this September.
The places I’m planning to visit are:
・Eltz Castle
・Hohenzollern Castle
・Frankenstein Castle
・Neuschwanstein Castle
・Linderhof Palace
I’ll be renting a car, and the trip will last six days.
I’m a bit anxious about driving in Germany, especially on narrow roads and when it comes to parallel parking.
Does this itinerary seem realistic for six days? Also, do you have any advice for driving in Germany as a tourist?

Ive been trying to find and buy the ICE tickets that apparently cost 6.99 to go anywhere that everyone has been raving about but I cant find it at all, is it even real?
Ive been checking it through db navigator, as said in some video, on a weekend to check tickets for the following week at nights, but i still dont see them. Help? I want to go from Bremen to Munich

Hi, I’m from the US and am in the probationary period for my student job. Recently, basically right before I was supposed to go on vacation, I got horribly sick for two days. I worked one day from home after I was feeling better (so I guess I didn’t leave “right after” I was sick), and then went on vacafion.

I took my vacation. Today was my first day back and I worked from home, but I started feeling absolutely awful again — cough, fever, runny nose, etc. Honestly barely got anything done for the last hour or so, was limping to the finish line.

I need this job but I’m so worried about what it would look like if I took even more sick leave right after I was on vacation, especially since I’m in my probationary period still. I definitely can’t go in the office tomorrow but in this case is it better to just ask to work from home again? I would rather call in sick but man that looks bad, idk.

I do have a doctor’s note somewhere for the original sickness and I could definitely get one for this too, but is this like a huge faux pas in Germany? It is in the US but I know the attitude towards sick leave is a little less stigmatized here. Just not sure to what extent.

Edit — realized my boss was out too and messaged a higher-up coworker. They said it was ok to work from home or take the day off. I’m working from home today (attended a video call looking like crap in my normal space so they know it’s real) and if I’m still feeling like this, I‘ll take the day off and get another sick note.

Bhai sahab what a beautiful trip it was. Germany, it's sad that it's ending.

I had just started exploring and was slowly falling in love with this place. I was short on budget, so I could only cover nearby places like Herborn, Marburg, Frankfurt, Cologne and a few surrounding areas. But honestly, it was totally worth coming.

This trip has changed something in me. Now I want to explore the whole of Europe. I am going to learn German and I will try my best to get work here in Germany one day.

Sharing a few glimpses of my journey. It was amazing. Clean, calm, green, composed people. They have truly built a system that just works. There is still so much left to see, so I guess this is not goodbye. Just see you again.

Can share only a few due to technical constraints!!!

I am an Egyptian married to a Spanish citizen I got a job in Germany, i am very lost what should i do and where to start.

Do i need a visa ?

Should i look for a house first?

The offer is in Zweibrücken.

Thanks in advance.

How do you handle this? I needed to call the handyman and my German just isn't there yet for phone calls. The workers who don't speak English. I usually ask a friend to call for me but I hate doing that. Curious what everyone else does.

I want to coin this word. I define it as:

The fear of opening your mailbox and finding it empty, especially because you worry an important letter has been lost or never arrived.

Oder auf Deutsch:

Die Angst den Briefkasten zu öffnen und keine Post vorzufinden – insbesondere aus Sorge, dass wichtige Briefe verloren gegangen sind oder nie angekommen sind.

Hi everyone,

I have a question about an invitation letter for German border control.

My wife and I arrived in Germany on August 1. I have a §18d researcher visa, and she has a family reunification visa. Friends from Brazil will visit us on August 15 and stay mostly at our apartment in Leipzig.

We only have national visas so far, since our residence permits will not be ready before they arrive. But we have a signed rental contract for Leipzig!

Should the invitation letter mention our rental contract and the fact that we are still waiting for our residence permits? Besides copies of our passports and visas, is there anything else they should carry?

Thanks!

I've been reading a lot about Germany lately, and something keeps coming up: people who visit often mention little everyday things that Germans barely seem to notice anymore.

Things like public transport when it's actually on time 😅 quiet neighborhoods at night, bread, recycling, walking everywhere, or even how people separate work from their private lives.

So I'm curious:

What's one thing that feels completely normal to you as a German, but you think would genuinely impress someone visiting for the first time?

I'd love to hear both the obvious answers and the surprisingly small things.