Useful everyday knowledge Find answers to frequently asked questions about Germany. Topics range from public holidays and emergency numbers to mobile phone contracts. Useful everyday knowledge Many things are different in Germany, such as opening hours of stores, waste separation or the purchase of a SIM card. Here you will find answers to the most important questions about everyday life in Germany. What public holidays are there in Germany? In Germany, public holidays are determined by the federal states. The only exception is the national holiday on 3 October – the Day of German Unity – which is set by federal law and applies throughout Germany. There are also a number of public holidays that have been declared by all the federal states, which means that they apply to the whole of Germany. Examples include New Year’s Day, Easter and Christmas. In Germany, you do not have to work on public holidays and your children do not have to go to school. Shops and supermarkets remain closed on public holidays, which is why many German families use such days to go on trips or simply to relax. Most public holidays in Germany have a religious background, especially at Christmas and Easter, when a sense of peace and quiet is expected. The climate in Germany Germany has a temperate climate with continental influences. This means that there are distinct seasons with different temperatures. The average annual temperature is 10.9 degrees. In the north of Germany, especially in the coastal regions,

Leisure What is life like in Germany? This section contains information on what you can do in your free time and how to meet new people in Germany. Getting to know new people It can be difficult to move to a new country and leave all your friends and family behind. Here are some useful tips to help you settle in quickly in Germany! Do you like to play football, or would you like to try your hand at a new sport? Germany has a strong club culture. You are free to join any sports club and meet new people. Check out the clubs in your area – either in person or online – or just ask your new colleagues. Those who prefer mental to physical exercise can take a course at an adult education centre (External link) . You can take courses on a wide range of topics at one of over 840 locations across Germany. Adult education centres also offer language courses – you may meet other skilled workers from abroad who are in a similar situation and are also looking for contacts in Germany. Those with a creative streak can take art classes or join a drama group or choir. Many municipalities have their own special communities or charitable organisations that are always on the look-out for new helpers. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people while doing something good for society. Often there are also clubs dedicated to promoting intercultural exchange in a city. They organise all kinds of events where you can meet new people and improve your German. Some cities also run cultural clubs where

Housing and registration Finding a new home in Germany. We show you how to successfully find an apartment or a room in Germany. There is a large supply of high-quality rental accommodation in Germany, but demand is also high, especially in the major cities. We give you tips and explain what you should consider before and after moving in. Your first accommodation Until you find a place to live in Germany, you can stay in a furnished holiday flat, hostel, hotel or youth hostel. However, it will not normally be possible to register this address as your place of residence. Please note that you are required to register your place of residence with the relevant authorities within two weeks of your arrival in Germany. (See the “Moving in” section.) What types of accommodation are available? There are many ways to feel at home in Germany. The following options are available to you: Rental flats Long-term accommodation (three months’ notice) Not usually furnished; not always equipped with a kitchen Short lets Temporary accommodation for a fixed period Usually furnished Flatshare Individual and usually flexible rental periods and furnishing arrangements Shared accommodation with flatmates, usually cheaper than living alone Usually a shared kitchen and bathroom; each resident has their own private room Student residences (for students only) Usually furnished, relatively inexpensive A range of different options: individual apartments, single rooms with a shared kitchen and bathrooms, parent-child

Visa for employment within the framework of a recognition partnership Within a recognition partnership, you can complete the recognition procedure with the support of your employer after entering Germany and start working at the same time. On this page On this page What is the recognition partnership? Requirements for the visa for the recognition partnership In this video: Full recognition through the recognition partnership Visa for the recognition partnership: your next steps What happens after recognition? Your prospects What is the recognition partnership? The recognition partnership is a visa or residence permit for the purpose of the recognition ( Section 16d (3) of the Residence Act [AufenthG] (External link) ) of your foreign qualification. It gives you the opportunity to have the recognition procedure carried out after you have entered Germany and to work in your profession at the same time. You can find out whether you need a visa to enter Germany in the section “ How do I apply for a visa? ”. Requirements for the visa for the recognition partnership Qualification : You have a foreign academic or non-academic vocational qualification requiring at least two years of full-time training. Your academic or non-academic vocational qualification must be recognised by the government of the country in which you obtained it. For your visa application, you need evidence of positive information regarding your non-academic vocational qualification or a digital Statement of Comparability

Financial support for families In Germany, it is possible for both parents to take parental leave after the birth of their child. You can find further information on the duration and possibilities for financial support here. Parental leave After the birth of a child, mothers and fathers have the right to take a break from work to care for their child and spend time with their family. During this time, the employer may only terminate the employment relationship in exceptional circumstances (e.g. insolvency, shutdown of the business). As an employee, you can request up to three years off work from your employer. During this time, you do not have to work. But if you choose not to work, you will not receive any pay. One way to compensate for this is to apply for parental allowance. You can take parental leave before your child’s third birthday. You can also take some parental leave between your child’s third and eighth birthdays. In other words: you can take parental leave when you and your child really need it. At the end of parental leave, parents have the right to work as much as they did before taking parental leave. If you wish to apply for parental leave, the Parental Allowance Offices can help you. You can find their addresses on the familienportal.de (External link) website. Who is entitled to parental leave? Employees who have a German employment contract – whether full-time, part-time, marginal employment, fixed-term or permanent contract, etc. – are entitled to parental

The new Skilled Immigration Act at a glance The new Skilled Immigration Act (FEG) makes it easier for skilled workers with vocational training and individuals with practical knowledge to immigrate to Germany. With the new law, existing mechanisms for skilled workers with a university degree, such as the EU Blue Card , continue and were in some cases extended. In addition, the new opportunity card (Chancenkarte) enables third-country nationals to seek employment. The new law has several parts. The provisions were phased in since November 2023. Here is an overview of the amendments: The new EU Blue Card since November 2023 In implementing the requirements of Directive (EU) 2021/1883, the German legislator has restructured and widened the migration possibilities with an EU Blue Card : Lower salary thresholds: The salary thresholds for the EU Blue Card in regular and shortage occupations was significantly lowered. A minimum salary of 45.3% of the annual contribution assessment ceiling for pension insurance (in 2026: €45,934.20 ) now applies to shortage occupations and new entrants to the labour market; for all other occupations, the figure is 50% (in 2026: €50,700 ). Wider group of people: New entrants to the labour market: The possibility of obtaining an EU Blue Card was opened to a wider group of people. For example, foreign people who have graduated from university within the last three years can obtain an EU Blue Card if their job in Germany earns them a minimum salary of 45.3%

Language classes It is worthwhile learning the German language before entering Germany. Find German courses in your area. Key facts at a glance German is the most commonly spoken mother tongue in Europe Around 130 million people worldwide speak German as a first or second language German is an official language of Germany, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Liechtenstein Initially, you will be able to get by in English in many parts of Germany. However, it is essential to learn German if you plan to stay in the country on a fairly long-term basis. You will quickly find that it is difficult to get by without German, especially at work, when dealing with the authorities, when shopping or in your private life. Learning German is therefore highly recommended. Ideally, you should start learning the language in your home country. You can start learning at the Goethe-Institut (External link) , for example, since the cultural institution of the Federal Republic of Germany is responsible for promoting the German language and culture. To this end, the Goethe-Institut offers German courses at 151 locations in Germany and abroad. To find a Goethe-Institut near you, go to our our overview of advisory and contact points . The Goethe-Institut’s German certificates are officially recognised for many different purposes. How to find quality language schools abroad The Goethe-Institut has compiled quality criteria for language schools abroad (External link) which you can use to identify

Immigration Immigration plays an important role in the German society. Learn more about the immigration flow in Germany. Germany’s population is growing due to immigration Germany is known for being a good place to live and work in and therefore is more attractive for immigrants than ever. Since 1950 there have only been a few years in which more people emigrated from than immigrated to Germany. German reunification in 1990 paved the way for high immigration figures, which peaked in 1992. The positive balance of the following years was due to a favourable economic situation and continuing stability on the labour market. The only downward trend was experienced during the global recession in 2008 and 2009. In both these years net migration was negative for the first time since 1984. Despite a slight decline during the COVID-19 pandemic, Germany remains an attractive country for immigrants: Germany has consistent records of high positive net immigration of foreign nationals, peaking in 2022. So many people are still choosing Germany as their new professional and personal home. Young immigrants in particular come to Germany, which could close the expected gap caused by the low birth rate. In 2023, more than 83.5 million people were living in Germany. Their average age was 44.6. Given the low birth rates, the younger people in Germany cannot, in purely mathematical terms, replace their parents' generation. But immigrants can close this gap, as they are frequently younger than the

Visa for professionally experienced workers Do you have a foreign qualification and extensive professional experience? Learn about the requirements for this type of visa here. On this page On this page Who is the visa for professionally experienced workers intended for? Requirements for the visa for professionally experienced workers Your prospects with the visa for professionally experienced workers Who is the visa for professionally experienced workers intended for? Do you have qualified work experience and would like to work in a non-regulated profession in Germany? If that is the case, then the visa according to Section 19c (2) of the Residence Act [AufenthG] (in conjunction with Section 6 of the Ordinance on the Employment of Foreigners [BeschV]) offers the opportunity to take up qualified employment in Germany without having your qualifications formally recognised according to German standards. To find out whether you require a visa to enter Germany, please refer to the “ How do I apply for a visa? ” section. Requirements for the visa for professionally experienced workers Qualification: You have a non-academic vocational qualification or an academic qualification that is recognised by the government of the country in which it was obtained. It is important that your non-academic vocational qualification required at least two years of vocational training. To support your visa application, you will need a positive result for this qualification, which you can apply for online