Welcome to the German Way and More!
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: View of central Berlin from the roof of the Humboldt Forum at the Berlin Palace. 2019 is the year of Alexander von Humboldt, still young at 250! PHOTO CREDIT: Stephan Falk, Stiftung Humboldt Forum im Berliner Schloss (SHF)
See our resources for TRAVELERS and EXPATS below!
For Expats by Expats
THE GERMAN WAY EXPAT BLOG
Featured Topics
Life, Culture, and Customs in German-Speaking Europe:
- 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.
- 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.
- Fred Astaire – The American dancer and actor Fred Astaire came from a Jewish family named Austerlitz. His Austrian father, Friedrich Austerlitz, was baptized in a Catholic church near Linz.
- How To Establish a Freelance Business in Germany – The Five Things You Really Need to Know
- How to Immigrate to Germany – with residence permit categories, advice, and guidelines
- Mobile Apps for Watching German-Language TV and Movies – Whether you’re living in Germany or somewhere else, you can get your fix of German-language television through one of the many apps we suggest. Great for those learning German, keeping up to date with local news, or if you’re a “Tatort” fan.
- Moving to Germany: The Top 10 Things to Consider – Some good international moving advice
- The Berlin Airlift – How much do you know about this part of US and German history? The Airlift began in June 1948 with 32 flights by American C-47 aircraft in West Germany to Tempelhof Airport. It did not end until September 1949.
- Tricks of the Trade for the Metrically Challenged – US Americans, this means you. One complication: Miles per gallon (mpg) and liters per 100 kilometers (l/100 km) don’t in fact measure the same thing at all.
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 story of der Euro
On January 1, 2002, twelve European Union countries, including Austria and Germany, put a brand new currency into circulation. Fifteen years later, the euro is making headlines again (along with the Swiss franc), but for very different reasons. What will the euro do in 2017-2018? – 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…
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.
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.
See more of our resources below…
Expat Connections and Resources
ON THIS SITE
- 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
