41 reactions to this article

mike kucherov posted: 27-02-2008 | 3:30 PM

Dear Mr. Behrendt,

I don't know what your family backround is, but if it so happens that you have a Jewish ancestor who was stripped of German citizenship (as all Jewish Germans were) under the NS regime, you then have an automatic, fast-track claim to German citizenship.

This is how I got my German citizenship, and I must say it was a speedy and painless process (I was able to document everything of course).

Mike Kucherov

denise posted: 27-02-2008 | 6:41 PM

Why would anyone of Jewish background even want to live in Germany with all the attrocities that happened to their people that by the way is stil happening except the Germans have widened the reach of racial discrimination to any foreignor. I would put it behind me. As a foreignor living in Germany (American with a hint of color), I've discovered Germany is the wrong place to live....especially in the EAST. But I guess if you are GERMAN BY BLOOD...and obviously that doesn't mean a foreignor then good luck...you'll join the rest of Germans in denial.

Peter posted: 27-02-2008 | 9:25 PM

I have been in Germany for 18 years and wonder sometimes why I've stayed so long. I'm tall, white, blond hair and blue eyed so you would think I would fit in but when I speak German with a foreign accent things change fast. I received a traffic ticket once with big bold letters on top of the citation "Foreigner" and received the maximum fine possible. Do yourself a favor and move to Wisconsin where there are lots German decendants but are very polite and considerate people unlike the real Germans. If you really must move here, get a job with the US military where you don't need any of the normal German "papers" to live here. To be fair though, there are a lot of good reasons to live here. ps. Germany technically is a US colony because a peace accord has never been signed and Germany's Grundgesezt was developed by the US Army around 1945 or 46.

Daniel Syme posted: 28-02-2008 | 11:44 AM

Have visited Germany many of times over the past seven years (mostly in Berlin and Rostock) and have experienced nothing of the foreign racial treatments mentioned above. Nothing but the utmost kindness from the people there. Of course, visiting is far different from actually living there - or perhaps they just don't hate Australians. ;)

Alan Kruger posted: 28-02-2008 | 2:25 PM

I have lived in Germany for the past 2 years with my family and we love it here. The big breakthrough came for us when I used a relocation specialist. You register though the city you are living in. The people at the consulates in the US never told me this. I have mostly had nice experiences with the German people but one bad experience with the LandesPolizei at Stuttgart airport when my laptop was stolen.

Peter posted: 28-02-2008 | 7:52 PM

I have lived in and visited Germany for various periods of time (three years to one month). I can honestly say I never experienced any difficulties with the natives. According to the above messages, this may be due to the fact that I am caucasian and of German extraction. But I seriously doubt it.
The stigma of the Nazi period is alive and well for most residents in or visitors to Germany. Amazingly, the other side of the coin is unknown or forgotten.
The Allies committed their share of atrocities also.
The teror inspired airware cost Germany 500,000 dead primarily women, children and old people. The racial cleansing of Germans from their provencial homelands in the East (East/West Prussia, Silesia and East Pommerania etc.) resulted in the brutal relocation of some 15 million and the death of 2 million (again primarily women, children and the old.) The imprisonment of thousands of German prisoners of war in open fields with no cover and no or little food resulted again in the loss of thousands. Being in Germany, I often wondered how a country that experienced such losses could have again become a functioning member of the human community. I truly respect and admire Germany for what she is today not for what she was 65 years ago.

Andreas posted: 28-02-2008 | 9:46 PM

I have heard many people making the claims concerning racism denise makes above. Strangely enough non-caucasian people that have grown up in germany don't make that claim. Take soccer player Navina Omilade as an example who said in an interview: "If I didn't look into the mirror from time to time I wouldn't know that I'm not white."
The german etiquette often seems offensive to the english speaking world (and vice versa!). I think that is often mistaken as racism by people that don't know better.

Ava Birgit posted: 29-02-2008 | 2:49 PM

I live in Germany due to my work and I must say I have never had a problem the germany or it's people yes I must admit that some of the older generation can be a little stand-offish with regards to speaking the english language but then again you are a visitor and in visiting any country it might be a good idea to learn a few phrases if you show willing most people respect that and give a little smile and are most obligu-ing. Maybe the reason so many people, tourist or other is because they think they are something important and think because most of the world speaks the english language speaking a second language is beneath them.

Teajay posted: 29-02-2008 | 5:14 PM

Interesting comments. We have lived in Bayern for 6 years and are both white, English blondes. We hear "Auslander" all the time, and I agree with Andreas. German can be a harsh sounding language and often wrongly interpretted. On the whole, we've had very few problems, and as we usually get mistaken for being Dutch (must be our dodgy german accents!), they are amusingly surprised once they know we are actually English, knowing how lazy us Brits are at second languages. Obviously, there are the odd people in our street who still resent our presence, but hey, you can't get on with everyone! We jumped straight in at the deep end when we first arrived, armed only with "Danke", but were welcomed fairly well on the whole. We are lively, outgoing people and have made some good friends here, and there have been some good old humdingers when we don't agree on certain things, but doesn't that happen at home as well. We keep talking about going home, but just can't seem to tear ourselves away from the beer!

Teajay posted: 29-02-2008 | 5:14 PM

Interesting comments. We have lived in Bayern for 6 years and are both white, English blondes. We hear "Auslander" all the time, and I agree with Andreas. German can be a harsh sounding language and often wrongly interpretted. On the whole, we've had very few problems, and as we usually get mistaken for being Dutch (must be our dodgy german accents!), they are amusingly surprised once they know we are actually English, knowing how lazy us Brits are at second languages. Obviously, there are the odd people in our street who still resent our presence, but hey, you can't get on with everyone! We jumped straight in at the deep end when we first arrived, armed only with "Danke", but were welcomed fairly well on the whole. We are lively, outgoing people and have made some good friends here, and there have been some good old humdingers when we don't agree on certain things, but doesn't that happen at home as well. We keep talking about going home, but just can't seem to tear ourselves away from the beer!

Hossein Zakani posted: 12-03-2008 | 9:54 AM

Dear reader
I as well am an Iranian who is planning to move to Germany this year and would like to obtain employment.
I am currently working as a Manager for Radio and Televsion , I have a M.A degree media manegement and I have two B.S in Communication and Computer "software" management from the University. As a result, I am very proficient in oral and written English language.
I do not speak German;however, I do intend to take German classes and become very proficient once I move there.
my reason to move to Germany are also purely personal.
My fiancee is German and that is where we intend to live our life.
I would like to be able to obtain employment prior to moving as I do not want to be solely dependent upon him
Please email me at h.zakani@gmail.com if you have any suggestions. Thank you!

Mike posted: 05-04-2008 | 12:38 PM

Isn't it wonderful that we live in a world with so much variety and difference - it would be very boring otherwise! Good and evil, tolerance and intolerance, arrogance and patience, friendliness and hostility, respect and ignorance as well as exaggeration and understatement, are personal characteristics in every race, religion and colour, as some of the comments in some of the above demonstrate. The important thing is that we all try harder to abide by wholesome attributes and also not embellish or exaggerate. In this far from perfect World however we are probably all guilty of one or other of the more 'unwholesome' attitudes, at some time or other. We should recognise this and try at least to be more temperate members of the one human race!

So, well done to all those who have managed to adapt to life in Germany - and for those who are having difficulty, good luck in the future either in Germany or wherever else you 'land'.

Me - I am English, married to German with 2 grown up sons who have dual nationality. We have lived here for 24 years and prior to that I was in the Royal Air Force - the same Air Force that bombed Dresden and, until reunification, was also prepared to drop bombs on Eastern German cities! Myself and my family are nevertheless well integrated into the local German community, we go to parties, celebrations etc., and have very good friends in all sections of the community, including from the Seychelles, the USA, Russia, Pakistan, Turkey AND Kurdistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Australia (except during Cricket matches or Rugby, where of course England excel!!) - and even Scotland, Wales and Ireland - and many others.

HITLER LOVER posted: 18-04-2008 | 4:36 PM

screw you all ,,, HAIL HITLER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jen posted: 22-04-2008 | 5:01 PM

I'll choose to ignore that last comment. I'm half German and half English and moved to Germany a year ago after having spent 22 years living in London. In my last year here I have experienced no problems concerning my background, infact people seemed to be more interested in me when they heard my accent and asked me where I was from. All the people in my company have shown an interest in my culture and have been ready to help when I've needed to fill in any official forms or didn't understand anything. My mother however had many problems in England, as even after living there for 30 years she had a very strong German accent and often was hit with racist comments, even by people in official roles like at our local council. I think it is very unfair to generalise about any race, not all English are racist towards Germans and not all Germans are racist towards English or any other race come to that, but there will always be acceptions.

I am very happy here and although London will always be my home I would like to stay here a for a few years longer before returning or maybe going somewhere new.

Ken posted: 16-05-2008 | 3:46 PM

I hear these complaints, mainly on expat sites. They usually seem to come from Americans, who still have a WWII mentality. Why so many Americans are still fighting a war that ended more than sixty years ago, is beyond understanding.People who live in glass houses, should not throw stones!

If you are a "foreigner" in any country, you naturally are going to be treated somewhat different than natives. That is a fact of life, and cultural differences add to that. I live in a predominantly Cuban American area, and believe me I feel like a foreigner much of the time.

I would simply tell these complainers "if you don't like it, leave".

an american posted: 19-05-2008 | 11:29 PM

i feel that americans are sterio typed as racist and ignorant. but unlike england we don't make racist comments about other white people because most americans are mixed whites and are the majority race. yet it is the minoritys who get all kinds of special governmant help and complain about how they are poor, but when white people came to america from eastern europe and ireland, and itally they were living in slums that today would be condemed as unfit to live in. now they are the middle and upper class. the problen with america is a combination of the democratic party and minoritys trying to form a seperate culture is what causes racisim mostly. i bet when euro immigrents showed up at america the people living there were predjudece toward them. but they assimilated because they wanted to fit in

impitty posted: 05-06-2008 | 10:30 AM

My rwo cents:
I'm an American, been living in southern Germany for a year. My husband's job brought us here. I like Germany, but don't think I would stay here forever. I also don't think I'd go back to the U.S. though... My experience here has been very similar to the U.S... people can be very nice and helpful here, and they can be rude jerks... just depends... There is some level of racism here, just like in the U.S. and pretty much anywhere... I think cities (in any country) are worse for this than the country (we live in the country and even though I speak very little German, people have been very nice and helpful.)

Mac posted: 26-06-2008 | 3:40 PM

The nonsense about excessive levels of racism does not belong here. I have found 99% of the Germans that I have met to be freindly, courteous and very interested in Americans, or anyone of any formal religious background. The Germans have gone so far as to outlaw Mein Kampf, pay out billions in reparations and have a huge memorial to the Holocaust. Germany is way past the WWII stereotype, and I encourage anyone to visit the country to see for themselves. I suspect much of the negativity here is from people who have never been, or have had a negative experience and have exaggerated it to include the entire nation in their judgement.

trier-deutschland posted: 26-06-2008 | 8:47 PM

I'll ignore the level of ignorance expressed by some here. I recently had an experience when some Alabama local (about 60 yrs old) heard me conversing with a German at the post office and said "Heil, Hitler!" to us. I had to apologize for the stupidity of this man many times.

My experience of the process was rather easy. In 200 when I graduated from my university, I returned with my German girlfriend to study in Trier. As I recall, all I did was to fill out the student application for the uni, and once accepted, present the forms to the Auslaenderamt, along with documentation that I have a German bank account, health ins, etc. Once I did this, I paid nearly 50 DM and received a Student Aufenthaltsgenehmigung which allowed me to work for no more than three months (combined) in a year.

It was renewable on a yearly basis, which, for some reason I am not sure of, I didn't have to pay for a renewal. I simply showed up at the office and presented my passport and student documentation to the authorities. Now that I am married to the said girl, the process is easier than before, though I have allowed it to expire since we have been in the USA for the past two years working toward my doctorate.

Liam Reid posted: 30-06-2008 | 8:35 PM

The first few replies present a Germany I have never experienced.

Although my experience is limited the Germans I have interacted with are unbelievably helpful and most are very friendly.

From the woman who overheard us asking for directions and then running aftr us in the street when we went the wrong way to the Landlady who gave us a lift to the airport which was more than an hour away from her home my experiences have always been positive. Make an effort with the language and most people in Germany are happy to help.

Chuck posted: 01-07-2008 | 11:36 AM

Well, I thought the original topic was about this guy's frustration and helplessness in the German bureaucratic maze... Anyway, from my own personal experience I have to say that Germany is not the easiest place to integrate into. Dealing with the authorities and officialdom is certainly difficult at times. I came here as a freelancer and worked for a few years until my German was fluent enough to find a job in my professional field. I remember quite distinctly the absence of any "how to" guides at negotiating the bureucratic mass of forms, etc. Also, unlike many countries, Germany makes no effort to translate basic forms or documents into English. Lazy English speakers aside, it does nothing to streamline the process or present an inviting atmosphere. At any rate, obtaining a Visa was easy, the real devil was in the details: i.e., how nobody tells you the fact that once privately insured (Health Ins.), you most likely will not be admitted back into the AOK, what your Rente (pension) obligations are (and if you are a member of a professional class (e.g., lawyer, doctor, etc.) that you have to join a "Versorgungswerk" and be "freed" from the normal Rente. If you don't do everything correctly, then you end up with a whopper bill. Other examples abound (GEZ, taxes, the various licenses (scheine) you have to obtain for almost every activity whether it be sailing or playing golf)), but my point is that the Germans are fixated with procedure and formalism and generally make the system unnessecarily and overly complicated (that is not to say that many folks within the various bureaus are not helpful and friendly, they often times are). Germany is a very nice place to live, with the caveat that you are formally integrated into the "system." My advice is if you are new to Germany, take a German friend along in all dealings with government and when signing any important contracts, obligations, etc. Also, don't think the behavior, just because its different, is racist. Its just another culture and the abrasiveness and moutain of bureaucracy is typically German (and just plain old vanilla socialism).

David Fulton posted: 17-07-2008 | 10:59 PM

I was born in Germany to a German Mother and an American Father. If I wished to immigrate to Germany from the USA would this fact help my ability to seek work papers and citizenship for myself and my family?

BerlinGirl posted: 19-07-2008 | 1:43 PM

Just happened to come across this site and I am astonished about some of the comments, but instead of complaining about bureaucracy I would ask all of the people who immigrate to Germany to rather give infos instead of lenghty complaints, this doesn't help anyone. As someone how as tried unsuccessfully to recieve a work permit inside the US I have to say that the process for Americans to settle down in Germany is cheap, easy and just in comparison for Germans to the U.S.. You are allowed to stay in Germany as an American for 3 months and even look for a job and ask for the residence permit even afterwards. You have to present a heathcare insurance either an American one and you have to declare that you won't go on socail welfare, having done that you are allowed to work immediatly in Germany as a freelancer. A permanent work looks different, but it doesn't cost you the montrous sums like 10.000 US$ instead you go online to the German embassy and look into the section of working in Germany. The guy on the here calling the German embassy in Florida should have just gone online and look for infos. Additionally I would nevere recommend to anyone to move to a country where you don't spek the language suffiently unless you don't need to work or the business culture is so diverse that it is mainly in English like it is in Switzerland or Russia or China. Germany in gerneral is not a racist country but Germans ARE in fact very outspoken and direct and making jokes about cultural differences of all ethnicities belongs to a European identify that serves a bigger aim: trying to get along with each other while sitting almost on top of each other in terms of little space...Asians have solved this in the other extremity by remaining very very polite and kepp smiling but for the same reason, many, many perople, with littel space trying to get a long. The other nice thing about Germany is that criminal law and general law doesn't vary dramatically from state to state like in the U.S.,also taxes are everywhere the same, and one last remark to the one who said, Germany is socialist: Germany has a social market structure economywise and not socialist. Big difference, but some people just don't want to understand the huge impact three little letters can have or the absence of the latter (-ist). So much for this, to all expats here a warm welcome to Germany, the land of outspoken, direct, warmhearted, thourough rude forgiving, diverse people. Cheers

chuck posted: 21-07-2008 | 12:32 PM

Well, I don't mean this in a negative light, but Germany is "socialism-light" (sozialmarktwirtschaft). Some general points about life in the sozialstadt:

Germans love the State, and all the protections, etc. that it gives them. Makes them feel warm and cozy at night, like a big, comfy security blanket.

Germans, like most countries, struggled to find a "third way" between capitalism and socialism. In the process, the Germans ended up with something much closer to socialism than capitalism.

Here: (a) the benefits provided to citizens for doing absolutely nothing are so great that many are discouraged from working - thus the high unemployment rate; (b) the idea of "social consensus," which originally gave Germany strength, is one of its biggest weaknesses now. In short, it means that innovation and efficiency are discouraged; and (c) The Germans overreacted to the fear of inflation and in the process created a central banking system that unnecessarily cripples the economy.

The German social system sometimes leads to mediocrity and laziness. The result is many Germans fall into two categories: (a) greedy or (b) jealous/envious. The "haves" in Germany are the greedy ones. They think the government is out to take their wealth and re-distribute it (which is true) and consequently are not charitable, at least not to the extent of wealthy Americans.

The "have nots" in Germans are the jealous ones. These are basically your average citizen, and they confirm the worst fears of the "haves": they really do want the State to take wealth from successful people and re-distribute it, and believe no one should get more than their "share." Bild-zeitung readers.

Because of the above, people go out of the way to hide their wealth rather than flaunt it.

The goverment controls everything, from chimney sweeps to your television sets. People spy on you to enforce compliance with these things. Unions are rampant and have too much power, further crippling the economy.

chuck posted: 22-07-2008 | 11:05 AM

Also, while I agree that Germany is certainly one of the most densely populated countries in the world, where people are literally living on top of each other, this does not always translate into multi-cultural harmony. For instance, just check one of many in-your-face commercials that air on TV here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVwakq8JFFc

Or consider the not so sensitive use of derogatory, loaded terms, such as "schwarz Afrika" or "black music." One wonders whether there a "white music" section as well... In fact, the idea of multiculturalism, or the diminutive "multikulti" is seen as something of a passing fad here or at worst a joke. Let us incorporate a few foreign things as accessories in our lives, like Bruce the quaint ex-GI turned model, or some elements of pop culture or some chic English words to spice up our vocabulary... but true acceptance is something that is not really working out.

David Fulton posted: 22-07-2008 | 5:32 PM

Chuck I would disagree with your statement that Germany is closer to socialism then capitalism. In some ways the social market structure mentioned by Berlingirl is actually a better form of capitalism. Capitalism is based on the idea that you can fully evaluate the product before buying the product.

This is not the case in the USA. You buy a ticket only to find there are additional legal specification printed on the back of the ticket you where not privy to before the purchase. You can then only use the ticket or louse your money, per a ruling by the USA supreme court. In Germany the central government assures that the products are safe or at least of more benefit then the harm they might cause. I know this is the case for new chemicals in Germany. In the USA the chemicals are released to the market with no testing.

The consumer in a pure Capitalist economy must be able to fully evaluate the product. As we are no longer capable of fully evaluating all products for safety the German government provides strong support for a balanced capitalist exchange. The USA simply assumes the buyer is a PHD in all aspects of the product they are buying and that the seller can say and sell almost anything.

As to translating words such as black music. I’m sure things are lost in the translation. Then again cnn.com has a section called “Black in America” which is equally loaded.

Personally, I’m glad I found this site as it is helping me look at the realities culture shock and loneliness that might be ahead if I pick up my family and move, should I find a job in Germany.

chuck posted: 23-07-2008 | 11:44 AM

Hmmm... I'm not sure its that simple. I agree, the German government does a good job in the main with consumer protection, especially in the area of chemicals that you mentioned. In fact, the EU countries in general do a better job at oversight and protection than the US. However, other areas are basically at par.

For example, the national highway safety administration (NHTSA) through its rulemaking ensures that auto manufacturers design and place autos on the market that comply with various safety standards. In this sense, the US protects consumers by setting standards and not assuming each potential car buyer has a Ph.D. in vehicle occupant kinematics or airbag technology. Germany has basically the same set up.

The same goes with vehicle emission standards. And the "balkanized" state governments in the US are even ahead of the EU in this regard (see, e.g., California, who leads in emissions restrictions). Contrast this with Germany whose protectionist laws (VW-Gesetz) and lack of speed limits hardly present a "green" face...

Another point, the seller in the US cannot simply make wild claims or sell anything. If so, then they get nailed by a hefty lawsuit or plaintiffs lawyers team up with state attorney generals to accomplish regulation viz litigation (see Tobacco lawsuits, Lead Paint, etc.).

Where the EU, and Germany specifically, in my mind really over-regulates is in the area of agriculture by overly subsidizing and propping up an industry that cannot compete with developing lands.

Also, while I am not in favor of unbridled gene technology, Germany is hysterically against any gene research or genetically manipulated plants, etc. Again, its just another instance of government overregulation.

Anyway, all this aside, don't get me wrong, Germany is a nice place to live. It's just that as an American, you will go through an initial phase of thinking that Germany is the best thing since sliced bread, and then you will wake up to the reality of living in a hyper-regulated state. Then you will either make your peace with it and integrate or you will leave. I love it here but nevertheless have my beef with some things. That’s something that Germany and Germans miss a lot of the time: self-criticism. You hardly hear any self-deprecating humor here.

Zaliq Akbar posted: 23-07-2008 | 6:17 PM

Hi,
well my name is Zaliq.
I am a Sri lankan who was born and lived in germany for 16 years.
I moved with my parents and brother back to sri lanka 5 years ago.
I loved it in germany, as a matter of fact more than i love sri lanka.
I never had any big racial problems , i mean it is normal that there is a chance that u will get critzised for ur skin colour or just your foreing heritage.But i guess you'll get that all over the world and not just germany. It's a bit judgemental to say that germany is a racist country or whatever , we have to look past all the history , hostory is history, things change.

My brother got a german passport and my parents got a permant residence visa. Well i am stuck with my sri lankan passport with no visas at all , because i came to sri lanka befor i turned 16 , if i would have turned 16 in germany i would have gotton my german citizen ship or permant residence visa.
After coming here , i applied for a visting visa to germany , just to visit ma friends and check if i can still get my PR. But my visa application was refused over here , without a statement and no reason.
I never understood that part. I have given them all my details about my past where i used to live in germany , about the school i was attending to.
I got ma uncle in germany to check on if i can get the PR , well the guys in the BEHOERDE said yes , bu i have to get an visa approval from sri lanka , wich is kinda difficult for young people over here , because they think as soon as you get the visa you wont come back to lanka and over stay in lanka.
I tried applying twice for a tourist visa , and i got rejected twice.
I have not given up hope on going back to germany but i have given up hope on the embassy in sri lanka.
I would appriciate if anyone one could give some kinda help or advice.

Dominik posted: 30-07-2008 | 2:11 PM

@ Chuck
“the best thing since sliced bread” haha, that’s a good one!
I’d also wish my fellow citizens would take some things with a little more humour. You might know the songwriter Reinhard Mey. As a child, I used to die of laughter when listening to his ironic song “Einen Antrag auf Erteilung eines Antragsformulars”; as a grown-up, I learned that it’s the bitter truth.
The lyrics can be found here: http://www.reinhard-mey.de/content.php?id=241

Dominik posted: 30-07-2008 | 2:13 PM

@ Chuck
“the best thing since sliced bread” haha, that’s a good one!
I’d also wish my fellow citizens would take some things with a little more humour. You might know the songwriter Reinhard Mey. As a child, I used to die of laughter when listening to his ironic song “Einen Antrag auf Erteilung eines Antragsformulars”; as a grown-up, I learned that it’s the bitter truth.
The lyrics can be found here: http://www.reinhard-mey.de/content.php?id=241

Dominik posted: 30-07-2008 | 2:25 PM

Something seems to be wrong either with this website or with my browser…
My message was supposed to also contain my reaction to Zaliq:
I find it very weird that they would refuse your visa considering the fact that you have lived here for so long and probably speak and write perfect German. Have you thought of directly calling the “Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge (BAMF)” in Nürnberg? You’ll have to be persistent.
That’s the phone number and Email I found on the Internet, yet I’m not sure if it’s still valid:
0049/911/943–6390 / info.buerger@bamf.bund.de
I’m sorry I can’t be of more help due to my lack of experience with those things.

RB posted: 06-08-2008 | 5:19 PM

Your story makes you seem like a total idiot.

You've burned through 3 years of your life and the cost of a trip to Germany to learn something that most Americans are unaware of - that is that the rest of the world is not simply open to their roaming whims.

With a few minutes in front of a browser I've found more information on the topic than you've learned in 3 wasted years:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_to_Germany

http://www.germany.info/relaunch/info/consular_services/FAQ_en.html

bonnie posted: 13-08-2008 | 3:01 PM

Wondering if anyone knows anything about German residency law. I have been in Germany for the last five years and have been issued residency permits for 1, 2 and 2 year intervals. The first three years I was allowed to work as self-empoloyed english teacher. Since then I have been angestellte. One year during this period, I went back to the US for about 5-1/2 months. I then came back to Germany for a week. I then went back to the US for about a montha and then came back to Germany. I was issued a new residency permit (my last one) after coming back to Germany. I heard someone say if you are out of Germany for 6 months your aufenthaltstitel expires. Well, they issued me a new one. Do I have anything to fear?

The Traveler posted: 20-08-2008 | 2:12 PM

Thought provoking comments in here.
I would like to know that as an American freelance photographer, who also happens to be African-American, how do you (those who currently live in Germany) believe I would be perceived if I decided to study photography for a year? (I'm 39, speak several languages (but not German) and have lived in two European countries for long periiods of time. I'm very excited about visiting, living in Germany as it is so vibrant in regards to the Arts.

The Traveler posted: 20-08-2008 | 2:17 PM

I really like the latest article about Berlin in Travel and Leisure magazine.
Has anyone else in here seen it? What's your take on Berlin?

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MD posted: 22-08-2008 | 9:04 AM

Food for thought:
I have lived and worked in Germany (Munich) for 8 years. During this time I have personally seen acts of racism, open discrimination, and utterly insensitive behavior many times. Did you know that there was (it may still be there) a neo Nazi shop in downtown Munich, near the city hall? To say that there isn’t a real problem with racism here is just false. But to say it doesn’t exist anywhere else is also untrue. The point of discussion is, racism in Germany. Then lets talk about the problems here objectively. You may not have witnessed these acts personally, however that doesn’t mean they don’t happen. I assure you, they do. There is a real problem (and it’s growing) in the former DDR. Even some of my German friends are fearful of this situation. I’ve been abroad for the past 3 years and have just returned to Germany. I haven’t seen this type of negativity towards visible minorities during that time. (and I was the visible minority in Asia) Much to the contrary. Germany has it’s many strengths. The German people cannot simple be categorized as racist or good Samaritans. The truth is, Germany is simple not the easiest place in the world to live. Just deal with any government office, (as stated above many times) and you’ll see what they mean. The people can be quite difficult and seem to want to initiate hostilities whenever possible and usually over nothing. (This isn’t racism it’s just abrasiveness) Is this a result of overcrowding? I cannot answer that question but I also cannot deny that it happens. Is this the worst place to live? I guess it depends on a lot of factors. Most of which are based on your personal situation and experiences. But given the positive attributes of German society , generally speaking I think you would have to say no, it’s not the worst place to live. On the other hand, I prefer others places much more. Just to live without the frowns is a positive step forward in my books. But that again is my own personal feelings on what makes a community a happy place to live. And, that’s not to say that there are not many, many, happy, fun loving Germans. I know a few as a matter of fact. I just don’t really enjoy having hostile confrontations when trying to get information or riding a bike or using public transportation…… especially when it’s uncalled for. I’m not an American so I’ll ask, does this happen in America? I can answer, yes definitely it does. But again, we’re talking about Germany. And it definitely happens here.
Does Germany society need to take a step forward and become more sensitive to the feelings of others including visible minorities? I guess we all know the answer to that one. Is it going to happen anytime soon? Take a guess. In a country where you can openly and legally discriminate when dealing with others, change comes slow. The good news is, eventually it will change. Hopefully for the better and hopefully sooner than later. In the mean time, lets all accept the problems and acknowledge their existence to help aid in resolving them.

Ari posted: 23-08-2008 | 10:05 AM

Germany is a great place to live. Safe, clean and in many areas outside the cities, you still have old-fashioned values. You look out for each other and know each others kids. We don't throw our trash everywhere, and recycling is practically a religion. We have lots of parks, and fun things to do with the family. Restaurants actually cook decent food, and you won't find a Burger King at every rest stop on the autobahn, but real food at decent prices.

Frankly, I like the homogeneous society here as well; both in color and religion. It's not the skin color that bothers me. I don't care if you are black, red, green or whatever. It's about the absence of whining and sense of entitlement here you get with blacks in the USA. No in your face black "culture", highlighted with poor language skills. As I told my German wife, you're white and therefore (in the USA) guilty. You won't meet any unpleasant airport workers, fresh from the ghetto, who hate whitey.

Christianity is also the main religion here, as it is in the USA, but unlike the USA we can actually practice it. We have Christmas markets, outdoor manger scenes...and we even call it Christmas vacation. We have crosses in our schools too! There is no Christian hating organizations like the ACLU. Screw being "sensitive" to minorities and other cultures. If you come to Germany, expect to live like a German and speak the language. The USA can take a lesson from this.

FJ posted: 31-08-2008 | 6:50 AM

@Ari...you sound extremely bitter and very jaded. Glad you moved to Germany!

Michael posted: 31-08-2008 | 7:22 PM

This February 2008 article ends: "There is a light at the end of the tunnel though. Stay tuned."

So where is the "light at the end of the tunnel" follow-up?

SVJ posted: 03-09-2008 | 2:33 PM

Found this site after frustrating news that my residence visa application to join my husband in Hamburg is still not processed. We tried to get married in Germany but the Sri Lankan Embassy here 'screwed up' the whole process and we ended up no where closer to the truth about what happens in the 'black hole' of German bureaucracy. They always try to pass the buck to the Sri Lankan authorities, but I verified the process myself and found out that the Embassy staff do not have a clue or care to educate themselves about local procedures, and basically bungle up people's lives! So much for all the talk from the EU about 'human rights' and their sanctimonious dribble that violations are rife in 'developing countries' unlike theirs. No offense to normal people in the EU, who I know are equally frustrated by these jerks who work and get paid high salaries abroad, going about their business without really doing their jobs.
Moral of this little tale: if they tell you it takes three months, chances are it takes 30! Don't believe anything and never give up. Fight for your rights to live on this planet if you are honest and not wanting to wage war on the entire civilized world. We are born free, and we can choose to live anywhere we want to!