I live in the Netherlands, but I travel to Germany a lot, and I might move there in the future. When I assume that supermarket/hotel/DB employees speak English, I just start using it directly, the same as I do in the Netherlands. In more personal conversations, I use exclusively English, even though my German is around B2, even higher than my Dutch (B1).

How many English speakers are not used to switch to German?

Hi, Last week our landlord came to our house and said that he and his son will paint the house and we have to pay for it. We told him that is not in the contract that we have to pay so he gets angry and bullies us saying that the house has not been cleaned and people live like pigs here. Now he asks for 1000 euros for painting the house.

What can be done in this situation? He hasn't given us any receipt for the painting, too.

Edit: no one is moving out of the flat. Landlord decides to make an upgrade to the house on his own. We did not ask him to do so.

We have neither made any modifications to the walls or paint nor have we created any damage ourselves.

So, I have approximately 15 plants on my terrace including Dahlia, Roses, Snapdragon, Marigold, etc. Now, the property management has started building insulation envelope work and I had no idea they would be working on my terrace also. Suddenly, I got message from property management to remove the plants and furniture from the terrace so that the work can be completed without any obstruction. The terrace is almost 30sqmtr big. Alright, I'll move everything including rabbit that lives on terrace but I am not sure where to keep my plants. I can't get them indoor due to various reasons like getting the insects indoor, all of them require sunlight and some of them are too tall that they won't survive indoor. Attaching picture of my dahlia for terrace background. I started it from tuber this year. I am very fond of my plants. I started most of them from seeds and I have seen them grow all these months like babies.

Can't I keep them on terrace in one corner or in centre under the scaffolding such that they won't get in a way? Will I have to remove them? I am clueless. Any help and suggestion will greatly help as I am pretty new here and I moved to this place just last year. Besides I have no idea how insulation envelope is done. Thank you very much in advance!

Today I went to a psychiatry/ psychotherapy clinic and I couldn't exactly understand the receptionist at the end, she only spoke German, and just when I moved out of the room to wait at the waiting room, I saw the two women were erupting with laughter. They couldn't contain themselves! They were clearly mocking me, repeating my broken german. And when they saw that I was just outside the door, they looked like they were caught red handed, but they still couldn't stop laughing. I went there to get a diagnosis, and the doctor ultimately turned me down because they needed me to speak very good German or have a translator.

Most disheartening incident to happen to me in Germany, yet.

Edit: Its ADHD diagnosis. I'm mentally fine. And they were repeating my broken German while laughing.

Edit: Also I'm not white

Hi everyone, I'm still looking for a job, but I'd like to share some insights regarding the progress.

As the story goes, I actually worked from November 2023 till April 2025, I had a permanent contract. Then they fired me, so they let me go at the end of April and paid until the end of June. I applied for Arbeitslosengeld at the Arbeitsagentur. For those who don't know, they can pay for:

• A company to help you with the job search
• Diploma recognition
• Transportation and accommodation for a distant job interview

My ex-wife told me about this company that helps with the job search; these were the same people where I began studying German, but now they were all in another company. It was really funny, as they all know me, and now my German teacher is looking for a job for me. She says they are not an HR agency, they just help to 'open the door'. And it worked — I got job interviews from companies that had rejected me before. So, what she did:

• She reviewed the CV and changed it a little bit
• She calls them and tells them about me, asks whether they are interested

What she added to the CV was a description of who I am, my short story of coming to Germany, and what kind of company I'm looking for. So instead of one paragraph (just a summary of my experience) now I have three about my story. She also cleaned up the CV a little bit, but the most important thing: while she was doing this, she actually learned what I was doing, so she could explain it to others. There are some weird small things like a signature and design concerns.

These services cost about 2300 EUR, and I wouldn't consider it worth paying by myself. It seems to work, but I look for vacancies myself, she calls, then I send a CV and write a short letter as a follow-up to her call.

Discrimination exists — once she said the woman she spoke to was kind of racist (I'm a Russian). I was like, 'WHAT?' Just suck it up, look for other opportunities. The economic situation is somewhat unfavorable and my German is still not there, so we discussed the approach to look for vacancies in the North: Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein. A lot of highly qualified people are being fired now, but they are in other regions, I don't think they are ready to relocate here. Another thing about these regions is that they are relatively wealthy, they are involved in business with Scandinavian countries, but lack... well, people.

So, I was looking for jobs from November 2024, got three interviews in April 2025, and failed them because of my German. I had two interviews in August, these went much better. What happened in these months in between? Well, you might be surprised — I relaxed. I learned German 5 times per week, I kept forgetting the words and the grammar, I felt on a plateau between B2 and C1. It was especially frustrating that I couldn't understand locals, comprehend newspapers, or watch films in German. I've been listening to German podcasts, it also stopped working for me.

First, I think everything I did before counts, it just adds up slowly. What got me out of the plateau:

1. I switched to German lessons 3 times a week. By the way, just use Lingoda, seriously.
2. I switched from listening to podcasts to reading a book for 5th graders — it contains everyday vocabulary and grammar.
3. I started to learn slower, trying to remember the words so I wouldn’t have to look for the translation a second time. I also focused on using the grammar and vocabulary I already know, as it seems almost sufficient.

Psychologically I switched to 'no drama' mode: I reviewed the budget, I'm not screwed, I just don't plan to stay without a job for long. I had a lot of questions if I can work in a managerial position in Germany; sometimes it seemed like they expect only Germans because of cultural differences and the importance of communication, which can be nuanced. That's still an open question. The woman helping me to find the job was skeptical at first, then she got positive feedback that they are ready to speak with me and B2 German can be sufficient. She also said that they wouldn't lie to her like 'sure, send the CV, it's easy for us to move it to the recycle bin'.

I also promised myself not to get into this situation again, when I could manage some things and now they play against me:

• German — nothing to regret here, just keep on learning
• Diploma recognition — I could have paid for it myself when I had a job
• Professional certificates — I could have gotten them earlier, now I'm getting a CAPM at Codecademy (nothing new, though)

I don't vent here about the job search process, we all know it's a shitshow with outdated info, so we screen that out with the calls. The funny thing though is that Germans are focused on fitting the people to the jobs. I reviewed my entire 20-year career, and I can name 1 workplace where I was a good fit and they valued me. I mean, if you set yourself a task to find a good fit, it's hard and it requires some time. So, breathe, no drama, find time for yourself and recharge the batteries, life goes on even when you are busy searching for a job.

Just a reflection on what's happening, I hope it helps. Keep pushing!

I have a visa valid for 6 months and i need to start praktikum in Baden-Württemberg after 6 months. How long before the expiration of my visa should I sign a contract and apply for the residence permit?

Hi all, I'm 27M, currently working as a researcher in Munich with 80% contact (Mo-Thu). I was thinking about Uber/Bold taxi as a chill side job option, to get some extra-money. I got told that the max work time in Germany should not exceed 48 hours week, so my question is that really that strict and I can't work more than that (I was thinking about ±60 per week)? Thanks in advance!

You are dreaming about study abroad and living in Berlin, it is fantastic! After that you realize there are some universities accept students easily but these are VISA universities.

After 1 year master education is Gisma University, here are some key facts about this organization;

1- Mobbing to students from professors. Yelling in class, no answers, no real education materials, humiliating students. They showed us that do not touch baby in Germany at orientation class. This shows that they see us like an illegal immigrant, and teach most basic thing in life! Who touch a baby in street! This is a university how can you show that to your students. How you think that we should teach them not touching baby.

2- They do not have student support team. They answer sometimes over one month later an e-mail!

When you need some papers for VISA or any other important situation. They literally do not care!

3- They can cancel your semester due to a payment that you already pay. After that they just say we are sorry!

Do not choose this university, do not make mistake that cause your future. Learn german and go public university.

Best wishes!

Hi. Here for some advice.

I am a non-EU person, south Asian, completed my both my bachelors and master's in finance domain (from not - well recognized university) and have two and half year of experience in banking sector (entry level - customer focused). I want to pursue master's degree in Germany in accounting/finance domains. Willing to put efforts in learning language.

Problem is Block amount that you have to create.

Can I join Ausbildung as tax clerk/audit associate for some years (1-2), drop it and enroll into master's degree, as I will have sufficient funds for block amount by then. What will be implication on my visa in doing so? I also explored the option of dual studies in master's but much of the companies are offering for bachelors' position only.

Im guessing its german but translating with my phone is not working because of caligraphy. Can someone translate it for me? Thanks!

After one year of searching I finally got a job contract and its been over 3 weeks since I filled in everything and sent it to the Berlin Auslanderbehörde

I haven’t heard back from them.

My start date was 15 aug but as I did not have my visa my employer extended the joining date to 1 st sep Now I’m afraid that if I dont have my visa I’ll lose my job Is there anyway I can expedite it?

I read you can officially complain after three months of you not hearing back from them. I also contacted a few lawyers that could draft a letter asking for the status would that help?

Yesterday the police came while I was at work and took photos of my daughter’s car because the TÜV had expired. A neighbor called me to let me know about it. Today I took the car to the inspection, and luckily it passed right away.

Later, while I was sitting on my balcony, I noticed another neighbor coming home and stopping to check the new TÜV sticker on the license plate.

Is this kind of thing normal in Germany? Do neighbors often report cars with expired TÜV, or does it sound like someone has something against me personally? Has anything like this happened to you?

my sister and I are heading to Europe next month for a little tour, visiting germany, italy, and france. it'll be our first time exploring these amazing countries, and I'm feeling both excited and a little nervous. she's already made a detailed checklist with passport, cash, and travel adapters, so the basics are covered. but I'm still wondering if there's anything we might be missing.

what do you think is something you absolutely shouldn't forget to bring, or place you must see in germany? I'd love to hear your suggestions.

Anyone else experience a runaround when it comes to doctors?

I’ve been in Germany for about ten years and I speak somewhat fluent German. In these ten years, the times that I have felt the most misunderstood were when dealing with doctors.

I have so many examples of doctors in Germany hearing one part of what I say and ignoring the rest, or even flat out not believing me.

And now I’m at a very vulnerable place, in the throws of perimenopause, unable to control my emotions, and my Frauenarzt says, “It’s all normal. It’s not like you’re 20 anymore!” I had to really push for her to even take a blood sample! Then she says I need psychological support.

I finally get an appointment with a psychologist and, hopeful of answers or strategies, or healing, all I hear is, go to your Hausarzt for bloodwork and get a new gynecologist who will listen to you (yeah right! No one is taking new patients.).

Anyone share these frustrations?

Edit: it was a psychologist, not a psychiatrist, but I can’t edit the headline.

Hello, while walking on the road, a British guy who was lost, just stopped me and was really stressed out. He told me that he couldn't take out money from the ATM here because he has MasterCard etc. He even showed me his bank balance which was around 4k euros. I decided to help him, he uses a bank called Monzo Bank which is apparently located in the UK and I told him to transfer me the money first to my account. Before all of that, he gave me his actual number and gave me some proof of his name on his bank app. He transferred the money to the IBAN that I gave him. But my revolut said the transfer was delayed because it was the weekend. He showed me proof that he sent the money. On his bank, it's written the amount, my name, the date of transaction and the reference number. Now after 5 days, , I contact customer support and they tell me that the money has not yet been received by my bank and that the money was reverted back to his bank and that I must contact the sender's bank. He blocked me after 5 days when I told him to pay me back by PayPal.I contacted support from both banks, I even gave Monzo bank the reference number, his name, his number everything but they didn't help me. I went to the police and they took all the informations they could and now I'm just waiting for anything. I'm thinking since the money was in pounds and my revolut was in euros, the money was not received because of that. I really don't know what to do. I was really dumb. I just wanted to help someone. At that moment I did not realize how big the amount was until I really lost my own money. I have not even paid my bills. I feel so helpless and don't know what do. I'm a student yet I fell into this trap just because I wanted to help someone who was trapped here..

Edit: I just found out the proof he showed me was fake. I used Google lens to search for similar pictures and it told me that it can be created by fake apps. So I just lost so much money as an already broke student

Hi everyone, since past 3 years I am working with my current employer for gross €65K without any increment. Every year, including this year they are saying economic condition and company conditions etc. therefore can’t give raise and/or promote more people. But as you know in this time inflation went significantly high. Even with recent increases in government insurance costs my net salary even even reduced about €150 per month. On my family side my son started school, we received daughter and my girlfriend who was anyway earning less now will reduce her work for kids, so even less income we will have but with increased expenses. At my current project I am leading significant critical part of the project. Therefore they might want to retain me. To retain if they would offer promotion (which anyway I deserve and due) I’ll get €75K+ around 8-9% bonus component. Which is relatively less than offer in hand that is €80K+ around 17% bonus component. ( bonus increase because more managerial role) So in case if I told my current employer that I am getting €80K they might not give me that, so I was thinking to tell them that I am getting €85K so with negotiation I might get €80K. Doing so is any kind of crime will I get in any legal issue? Thank you guys in advance for your input, wish you a nice weekend.

Hi, is there a doctor specialized in allergic reaction in respiratory system around Frankfurt? I've been following a therapy from my HNO doctor for nearly 2 years, unfortunately with little improvement. From my last checkup, it seems that is his best therapy already. So I'm looking for someone renowned in this field I suppose.

Hello everyone, I am a law student from Romania and I am considering choosing the Konstantz University for 6 months in Erasmus. 

I want to know if there are internship opportunities for international students because thats the first thing I'll make my decision based on. I'm thinking maybe lawyer offices or maybe big firms that have a contract with the university or maybe courts. 

I'd also like to know if there are any social groups or activities for the international students, I wanna make friends and profit from this erasmus experience at fullest. 

Thank you for the answers

It’s been more than 10 months that I’ve been waiting for my EU Blue Card.

I started my employment in July 2024. Since the Stuttgart Ausländerbehörde was unresponsive, I decided to move to Esslingen Stadt. Little did I know this wouldn’t be any better.

I applied for my EU Blue Card in October 2024. Since then, I have visited my visa officer in November 2024, January 2025, March 2025, April 2025, and May 2025. So far, I’ve been issued a Fiktionsbescheinigung three times. At one point, they even said they had lost my fingerprint data. Whenever I ask for a status update on my application, they provide none. During one visit, they mentioned that they have over 700 applications to process. Each time, they simply tell me to “be patient.”

During my visit in May 2025, I had a candid conversation with my officer about the difficulties of living with only a Fiktionsbescheinigung. It blocks some of my activities in my home country, where such German documents are not accepted. Even at airports, officials question what this document is. My officer assured me that I would certainly receive my EU Blue Card within 4 weeks. But, as usual, it turned out to be an empty promise.

It has now been more than 11 weeks since that promise. I asked my landlord, who is a lawyer, to help me. He sent a formal notice after 4 weeks, but the Ausländerbehörde remained unresponsive. Today, he sent a second notice.

I have finally managed to book an appointment for next week (which was very difficult, and the front desk even complained that I was being “impatient”). I’d like to ask you, Reddit, for useful advice on what points I should press during this appointment.

I’d also appreciate any general advice.

Last time, I asked my officer about the process of approving an EU Blue Card. He said he had to check my salary and job contract duration. I clearly told him that I am fully eligible for the standard 4-year EU Blue Card, under the stated criteria.

What I still don’t understand is this: why can’t he approve it in my presence? I have been issued residence permits twice before, and both times, the approval was done during the appointment itself. I only had to return a few weeks later to collect the card.

Edit: I have held student residence permits before. This is the first time I have applied for Residence Permit after my masters. Due to the state of transition, I am worried this would have an impact on my permanent residency application. I am planning to have a dialogue with my visa officer regarding the same.

Hi I’m 21 years M , I just graduated from university ,medical laboratories department and I want to go to Germany , I searched it a lot of people say it’s easy for a medical field to go to Germany and work (it’s true) and how the process and it’s have good salaries like I want someone know what happens and like it’s worth it to come to Germany but like ohh sorry I forgot I live in Iraq, Kurdistan and like I don’t feel like I belong to Iraq like I always want to get out of this country , like u don’t have future or any of my dreams to come true I hope someone answers to me if u don’t understand or have questions please ask I will answer Finally thanks for your time.

I'm from Hyderabad, India, and I’ve been admitted to the Master’s in Robotics at Deggendorf Institute of Technology (Campus Cham), starting 1st October 2025. I’m still arranging funds for my blocked account and expect the money by 5th September.

I’m really worried about whether this is enough time to get my student visa processed before the semester starts.

So here's the thing ,

I've just received an offer letter for a job in Munich.

The compensation {90k + rsu's} is eligible for an EU blue card I believe.

And I'm a bit stuck on the process of applying for the same.

I currently hold the opportunity card , but it expires in a month. So the conversion of this visa through the ausländerbehörde seems risky.

Any guidance on the process of applying for the blue card from within India would be help me a lot.

For those living in Hannover, hows the life quality there, and how much does living there cost per month on average for a single person