If you’re part of a couple in Germany, one of the first tax questions you’ll face is whether to file jointly or separately. In most cases, joint filing is the better option – but there are important exceptions worth knowing about.
When you apply for German citizenship, one of the first questions you'll be asked is what type of residence permit you have. Will you run into problems if you don't have permanent residency rights?
With almost half of candidates failing, Germany’s theory test can trip up even experienced drivers. Here’s what international residents need to know, and how to improve your chances of passing first time.
Ozempic has rapidly become one of the world’s most talked‑about weight‑loss drugs – but can people in Germany get it without a prescription, and what are the rules if you don’t have diabetes? Here’s what you need to know.
For many foreign residents, learning German is essential for work – but the tax office doesn’t always see it that way. As a result, language lessons often fall into a confusing grey area when it comes to claiming deductions.
Glasses are notoriously expensive in Germany, but understanding what health insurance covers, and how to claim deductible expenses can help you reduce the cost of your vision care.
Withdrawing cash along with a grocery store purchase is convenient and allows you to bypass ATM fees. But not everyone is aware that the service exists in Germany or how to do it.
With a spate of layoffs happening at German companies, many foreigners are wondering what losing their job could mean for their residence permit. Here's how long you have to find a new role - and what happens if you can't find one.
With millions of photovoltaic panels hanging from balconies across the country, Germany is said to be the world leader in balcony solar. Here's how to register yours.
A fire, leak or break‑in can wipe out everything you own overnight. German 'contents insurance' is cheap, simple and widely used – yet often ignored by international residents until it’s too late.
Applicants for German citizenship need to have been living in the country for a certain amount of time in order to qualify. At what point does your time spent in Germany start to count towards your application?
The German government wants to allow firms to give their employees a tax-free bonus as part of measures to relieve residents amid rising fuel and living costs. We look at who could be in line to get it.
Have you ever made a phone call and frozen when the other person’s voicemail picked up? You’re not alone. This guide will help you feel more confident when leaving voicemail messages in German.
If hay fever is already making you miserable, the last thing you need is confusion at the pharmacy counter. Here’s a practical guide to allergy medication in Germany – and some helpful phrases for asking for it.
Dogs are part of everyday life in Germany – but the rules around leashes, noise and shared spaces can be surprisingly strict. Whether you own a dog or not, here’s how the law shapes what you see when you’re out and about.
In Germany packages are not always delivered to your own door - instead they may be left with neighbours or at automated 'Packstations'. Here's how to find and collect your parcel.
If you've been left waiting months, or even years, to hear a decision on your application to naturalise as German you may be wondering what you can do to speed things up. We asked experts to lay out some options.
Particularly for foreign workers, being hired in Germany on a fixed-term basis comes with a fair amount of uncertainty. So how many times can an employer extend a short-term contract before they need to offer an unlimited one?
Emails and chat-apps have led to the blurring of lines between work time and personal time for many workers. If you work in Germany, you may be wondering what exactly your boss can ask of you.
Filing taxes in Germany can be intimidating, particularly for foreign residents, and paid tax apps have long been a help. With the tax authorities about to launch a new free version, could this finally make tax season easier?
In Germany, utility bills typically account for almost a quarter of total rent. These 'Nebenkosten' are often complex, settled retrospectively and vary widely by region and building – which makes careful checking essential.
In most cases foreigners in Germany need to live in the country for five years and have B1 level language skills before they are qualified for permanent residency, but there are exceptions for certain groups, like skilled workers.
Drivers from the US can use their licences from home in Germany for up to six months or a year, depending how long they intend to reside in the country. After that, the situation gets more complicated.
