Living

The expat community in Frankfurt enjoys some of the world’s highest living standards for families, with excellent international schools, a vibrant social scene and plenty to do during downtime.

Your birthday is when it’s all about you – unless you live in Germany. Celebrate in style with these German birthday traditions.

Kiss goodbye to heavy-handed dubbed movies and enjoy them in their original language at one of these English-language cinemas in Germany.

Mastering German etiquette is essential for internationals living in Germany, from a proper greeting to do’s and don’ts at the dinner table.

From getting a SIM card to buying your first currywurst, here’s our list of 10 things you need to do during your first week in Germany.

An expat’s efforts to expand her network of German friends and deepen her friendships remain frustrated by the slow progression she is making with the German language, but with a little help from her children, she is getting there.

It’s hard to hate living it Germany when its full of beer, hearty food and being active but a few more sunny days and better banking wouldn’t hurt.

Read up about German dress codes, fashion styles, and tips on how to dress in Germany beyond the traditional lederhosen and blaumann.

Lederhosen and dirndl are serious business in Germany – especially if you attend a festival in Bavaria. Here’s an insider’s guide to stocking your German wardrobe.

Looking for cool German names to give to your new baby boy or girl? Discover the most popular names for boys, girls, and gender-neutrals.

Discover all you need to know about raising a family in Germany including traditional values, parenting styles, childcare, and more.

A family reunion visa allows you to join relatives in Germany. Learn about your residence rights, visa types, and how to apply.

From daycare and nurseries to preschools and after-school care, learn all there is to know about childcare in Germany.

From thrilling amusement parks to delicious chocolate factories, and more, we explore the best activities for kids in Germany.

If you’re raising a child in Germany, you’ll want to learn more about the options for German preschool, nurseries, or daycare.

To relocate your pet to Germany there are certain rules relating to bringing pets into the country and also their behaviour and control once in Germany.

So, who is Friedrich Merz, and what’s happening with Germany’s democracy? Learn more about the German government and how you can participate.

Ready to celebrate? Here’s a list of the public holidays in Germany in 2024, 2025, and 2026, as well as some other important dates.

Emergencies can be scary in any language, but don’t get caught out. Read our expert guide and find the right emergency number in Germany.

Discover how social security in Germany works, including advice on social security benefits, contributions, and how to register for it.

Navigate the coronavirus in Germany with our guide to the German health measures, apps, testing, vaccination, and more.

Germany is a relatively safe country with the most widespread crimes relating to theft, and increasingly, sports and politically motivated violence.

With Angela Merkel settling in as the first woman to run Germany, Expatica asks female expatriates about their experiences.

You’ve just moved to Germany, completed your address registration at the Bürgeramt (the local citizens’ office), and a few days later a formal letter arrives from “ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice.” It asks you to pay €18.36 per month – and you have no idea what it is. This is the Rundfunkbeitrag, Germany’s mandatory broadcasting fee. […]

Understand electricity prices in Germany before you sign a lease or switch on the lights in your new home. Electricity prices in Germany can seem complicated, especially when you are trying to understand a new household bill. Most German households pay around €0.39 per kWh on official EU data (2025), but your total costs depend […]

This guide compares popular providers to help you balance privacy, streaming access, and cost as an expat in Germany. Choosing the best VPN in Germany means looking beyond headline claims to the things that matter day to day: legality, privacy on public WiFi, price, device coverage, and access to streaming services. Whether you’re still setting […]

Discover how to set up your local utilities in Germany including how to connect to water, gas, and electricity in your new home.

Discover the most reliable German and English-language news sources to stay up to date with current events in Germany and around the world.

Just landed in Germany? Don’t let your mobile plan stall your start. Get connected fast with this no-nonsense guide to German SIM cards.

How do you keep your house, possessions, and loved ones safe in your new German home? Find out your options for home insurance in Germany.

Moving into your new German house? Get your home connected with our guide to setting up TV, home phone, and internet in Germany.

Live more sustainably in Germany with these simple yet effective tips on greener living that you can apply to your everyday life.

From finding the best TV shows to getting around the city and more, these must-have apps in Germany will make your life run smoother.

Get ready to explore your local grocery stores and supermarkets in Germany with our guide. What’s the wurst that could happen?

Whether you’re living in Munich or Münster, find out where to buy your everyday essentials with our guide to household shopping in Germany.

Do you know your Pfand from your duale Systeme? With the correct waste management, you can save time, avoid fines, and protect the planet.

What’s on the Fernsehen? From the most popular US dramas to local news, weather and sport, find out with our guide to German TV and radio.

From translating your documents to booking your dream wedding venue, this helpful guide provides all you need to know about getting married in Germany.

Dating in Germany is more of a slow burn than a rom-com. But if you like honesty and depth, you’re in the right place. Here’s what to expect.

From dodgy swimwear and sauerkraut mania to cake-filled afternoons and evil Santa, these are the biggest signs you’re dating a German.

This helpful guide explains the process of getting a divorce in Germany, from how much an attorney costs, through to filing for child custody.

Navigate taxi travel in Germany with more confidence, whether you have just landed at the airport or need a late night ride home. While getting from A to B in a German cab is usually straightforward, local rules can catch newcomers off guard. Things like standing at the right rank, app availability in smaller towns, […]

Driving in Germany is easy if you know all the rules, regulations, and signs. Here’s everything to keep in mind before hitting the road.

From high-speed trains and modern trams to rowing boat ferries and dangling rail carriages, the options for public transportation in Germany are almost endless.

Planning on driving a vehicle in Germany? Find out what types of coverage you need with this handy guide to car insurance in Germany

Want to fahrn, fahrn, fahrn auf der Autobahn? Here’s what you need to know about getting a driver’s license in Germany.

If you want to explore all that Deutschland has to offer, you might want some wheels. Here’s the A to B of buying a car in Germany.

While owning your own car is often seen as an achievement — and certainly convenient — there are many who have begun to give up ownership and opt for car sharing.