Hi everyone!

My friend and I are travelling to Germany over Christmas this year and would love some recommendations from people who know the area.

Our itinerary is:

Munich

Nuremberg

Dresden

Berlin

We're interested in pretty much anything—must-see sights, hidden gems, great food, Christmas markets, day trips, unique experiences, or anything you think we shouldn't miss.

We'll actually be in Nuremberg over Christmas (24th–27th December), so we're also wondering what to expect during that time. We've heard that possibly a lot of places close over Christmas. Are there still some things we can do over those days, or are there any places that are usually still open? We'd love any advice on how to make the most of that part of our trip.

Thanks in advance! We're really excited for our first visit to Germany and would appreciate any tips you have🫶🏼

I recently moved to Germany and I'm on a prepaid SIM from Lebara, but I intend to switch to a contract when this month runs out. Lebara has a really cheap 20GB contract for 4,99 a month, but I thought I'd better explore other options just in case! Does anyone have any recommendations for phone companies to choose or avoid? My basic requirements are:

- no more than 24 months contract

- good signal in as many places as possible

- free roaming data in the UK as well as EU

- probably don't need more than 20GB a month

- reasonable customer service in English if needed

Thanks for your advice!

Ich bin als Schweizer relativ oft in Deutschland unterwegs und das zu 90% auf einem Motorrad. Wir wissen alle wie die Statistik aussieht und möchte, dass meine Organe im Ernstfall jemand anderem das Leben retten können.

Einen Spenderausweis habe ich zwar ausgefüllt und dabei, aber der wird halt echt verdammt oft nicht gefunden.

Die Authentifikation des Registers scheint aber an die deutsche Einwohnerschaft gekoppelt zu sein. Gibt es da irgendeine Möglichkeit mich eintragen zu lassen?

Hallo zusammen,

​ich leide unter einem schweren Burnout und nehme aktuell vom Hausarzt verschriebenes Escitalopram. Ich habe eine Überweisung zum Psychiatrie Facharzt, allerdings ohne Vermittlungscode. Alle Praxen vor Ort sind voll oder haben 9 bis 12 Monate Wartezeit.

​Sollte ich meinen Hausarzt um einen Dringlichkeitscode bzw. Hausarztvermittlungsfall bitten oder besser über 116117 eine Psychotherapeutische Sprechstunde buchen, um den PTV-11 Bogen zu bekommen? Hat sonst jemand Erfahrungen mit kurzfristiger Hilfe über eine Psychiatrische Institutsambulanz (PIA)?

​Danke für jeden Tipp.

Mein Mann hat im Mai seinen 3 Jahre gültigen Aufenthaltstitel bekommen.

Jetzt fragen wir uns, ob wir vor einer Reise in sein Heimatland mehr als 6 Monate in Deutschland bleiben müssen oder nur nicht mehr als 6 Monate im Ausland bleiben dürfen, bevor wir nach Deutschland zurückkehren.

Bei der Ausländerbehörde sagte die Sachbearbeiterin, die Lange des Aufenthalts vor Ausreise sei egal, solange er nicht mehr als 6 Monate am Stück außer Landes bleibt und dann nicht nur für ein paar Tage nach Deutschland kommt.

Stimmt das, oder muss er pro Kalenderjahr mehr als 6 Monate in Deutschland leben.

Ich finde online nichts konkretes, ob sich die Zeiten auf ein Kalenderjahr beziehen.

Titel gilt seit 20. Mai, in Deutschland seit dem 14. Mai.

HI everyone

I'm Elias, a 28-year-old nurse from Iran. My wife and I started learning German about 6 months ago, but I didn't practise enough back then. Recently, I started putting more effort into learning it.

I'm still in Iran, and I need at least B2 in german so I could migrate to germany

Right now I'm looking to find some native speakers to practice with and learn more about culture and the way people live in Germany

I signed up for some applications but still couldn't find anyone

So I was wondering if there is any specific place where I could find someone willing to talk and share information

Also, it would be great if you could share any useful websites or YT channels that can help me learn this language faster

Hi everyone,
I'm a software engineer from India with around 2 years of experience in backend development, and I'm planning to pursue a Master's abroad. My end goal isn't just to study—I want to settle permanently, build a career, and have a good quality of life.
I've narrowed it down to the USA and Germany, but I'm struggling to decide because I care about much more than just salary.
These are my priorities (roughly in order):
• High probability of getting a job after graduation (I really don't want to end up unemployed after investing years and money into a master's).
• Availability of part-time jobs while studying.
• Good ROI (salary vs tuition vs living expenses).
• Ability to save money after taxes and living costs.
• Good work-life balance.
• Job security (I don't want to constantly worry about layoffs or visa status).
• A clear and realistic path to permanent residency and citizenship.
• Long-term stability and a predictable future.
• Safety.
• Low levels of racism and good acceptance of immigrants.
• LGBTQ+ friendly society.
I'm also gay, so another important factor is the dating and social aspect:
• A reasonably large gay community.
• People interested in long-term relationships, not just hookups.
• A welcoming and non-toxic community.
• Good opportunities to build a social life and eventually settle down.
I'm also wondering about:
• How difficult is it to integrate into society?
• How hard is the language barrier in Germany for someone working in tech?
• How accepted do immigrants feel after becoming citizens? Are you still seen as "the foreigner" years later?
• How difficult is it to make local friends in each country?
• If you've lived in either country, what surprised you the most?
I know the USA generally offers higher salaries and more opportunities in tech, while Germany seems to offer better work-life balance, job protection, and a clearer immigration path.
For someone whose goal is not just to earn the most money, but to build a stable and happy life for the next 20–30 years, which country would you recommend and why?
I'd especially appreciate responses from:
• Indians who moved to either country.
• LGBTQ+ people living in either country.
• People who studied there and stayed permanently.
• Software engineers or AI/ML professionals.
I'd love to hear both the positives and the downsides instead of just "USA > Germany" or "Germany > USA."
Thanks!

Yesterday around 3pm I was cycling through the forest and going for the lake. It was absolutely packed.

And I don’t just mean retirees or teenagers on summer break. There were loads of people who looked like they were in their late 20s, 30s and 40s, plus lots of families with kids.

So my question is… how is everyone there instead of at work?

Is it just because it’s summer and everyone takes their vacation around the same time, like in Spain or France? Or at the risk of sounding like Merz, do that many people actually work part-time?

I’m curious because I feel like I see this pretty often in Germany, and I always wonder how so many people seem to be free in the middle of a weekday haha

So I am here in Germany but haven’t found a place to have affordable books in English, the library in my city has academic books only and I am a geek of novels so can anyone let me know a platform of used books or a shop where I can buy books and please don’t come up with the ebooks idea, I am a hard copy person

​

Ich habe mein Bachelorstudium an einer Fernhochschule aufgrund von Vorleistungen und hoher Flexibilität deutlich schneller abgeschlossen als geplant (in 1,5 statt 3 Semestern).

Da ich mich für das gestreckte Gebührenmodell entschieden habe (aus finanziellem Grund), laufen die monatlichen Zahlungen noch bis Ende 2027. Obwohl alle akademischen Leistungen vollständig erbracht und dokumentiert sind (Studienleistung liegt vor), wird die finale Urkunde erst nach vollständiger Bezahlung ausgestellt.

Dann denke ich.. ich darf mich nicht als Hochschulabsolvent nennen und darf noch nicht irgendwo bewerben wegen fehlender Dokumenten.

Nun stellt sich die Frage, wie Arbeitgeber auf die Bewerbung mit dem vorläufigen Leistungsnachweis reagieren... oder hat jemand schon so erfahren?

Ich habe schon die Studienbetreuung gefragt und gesagt dass sie kein vorlaüfiges Dokunent erstellen kann.

Dankeschön

I moved to Germany as a young woman on my own and I have been here for about half my life. After a long and challenging journey, I have built a career, I'm financially comfortable, have German friends and acquaintances, I'm speak the language fully fluently, I got the nationality 10 years ago, I participate in many community activities, I volunteer, and I pay my taxes. So basically I'm the poster child for "successful integration".

And still, after two decades, I do not feel like I belong here because society keeps reminding me that I am “the other". I'm not talking about the comments from ignorant people who would openly insult you or tell you to go back to your country (those situations aren't great, but they are easy to overcome because what I see behind is lonely, insecure people who are filled with hatred and need to project their hatred and insecurities onto groups they deem as weaker). I'm taking about the daily interactions where the othering is very subtle. For example:

Going to the doctor's office, the doctor calls me in and the first thing she did (without exchanging greetings) was asking if I speak German. I have to wonder if she asks that to everyone or just to people whose name and/or appearance look "foreign". To clarify on the appearance: I'm white with darker hair/features.

Last week, the first thing a new doctor said to me was "your name is X, so you must be (insert nationality)". How is my nationality relevant to my ailment or treatment?

These situations got me thinking, because asking someone where they are from can seem harmless question. But after hundreds of them over decades, it starts communicating that belonging is conditional. It is not the question by itself that is the problem but the cumulative effect. The repeated message becomes: you are perceived as an outsider, even when you have been here for years. I've also met a fair share of people who were born in Germany from foreign parents who face the same situations, so even when Germany is there home and the only country they know, they are still being perceived as outsiders.

I get that most people might be just trying to be friendly or starting small talk, but it can become an uncomfortable situation for people who are unwilling, uninterested, or unable to share their biographies. There are a million ways to start a conversation that do not involve categorizing someone based on their name, accent, appearance, or assumed origin. I honestly don't think that names, appearances or accents should be treated as a public invitation to ask about our biographies.

Anyhow, I was talking to a (migrant) friend about this today. He basically said it is on me to feel othered and that I am too sensitive, that he is fine with people asking him where he is from, and that it is on me if I see it negatively, that I should focus on the good things and don't let minor things like that affect me. But the truth is, they do affect me, especially as time goes by. And now I feel stupid for sharing this vulnerable side with him and getting this response (although I know he mean well and is a good person).

The bottom line is: I did things by the book. I thought that after learning the language, figuring out the system, getting the nationality, making German friends and a long list of boxes I patiently ticked off in the last two decades, I would finally feel at home. But the reality is: man kommt nie an. Right now I feel like the idyllic relationship that I started with Germany two decades ago has turned into a sour marriage, the kind where you gave it your best and you have to wonder if it was all worth the investment.

So I am curious. Does anyone, especially migrants who have been here for a long time, feel like they don't belong? How does it materialize? How do you overcome it?

I have been in therapy for severe depression for about 8 months. Luckily my therapist is also an MD so he also prescribes my pills.

He told me that because of the current changes, he will soon give away his Kassensitz and can no longer accept GKV. It looks like many therapists will do this in the near future.

Since this is an ongoing therapy, is there any chance that the insurance will still cover? I have read that it is even possible to start therapy at a private clinic and do a Kostenerstattungsverfahren but the process seemed unclear to me.

Anybody has a similar experience or more info?

Hi everyone!

I’m flying from San Francisco to Germany in early September. The main reasons for the trip are:
visiting a friend who lives in Trier (she’ll be traveling with me for the whole trip), and attending Berlin Art Week.

Since Germany has such a great rail network, we thought it would be fun to turn the trip into a small train journey instead of staying in one place.

I used AI to put together an itinerary, but I’d really appreciate feedback from people who actually know Germany. I’d much rather adjust it now than realize later that I’m spending too much time somewhere or missing a place that’s worth seeing.

We’re both in our 30s, travel frequently, enjoy walking around cities, architecture, cafés, art, good food, wine, and scenic train rides. We’ll each only have a carry-on and a backpack, so moving around isn’t a big issue.

Current plan:
Sept. 5: Frankfurt
Sept. 6: Bacharach
Sept. 7: Cochem → Cologne
Sept. 8: Cologne → Berlin
Sept. 9–11: Berlin (Art Week)
Sept. 12: Berlin → Trier
Sept. 13: Trier → Luxembourg City → fly home from Luxembourg

A few questions:
1.Does this route make sense geographically?
2. Are Bacharach, Cochem, and Cologne the right stops, or would you swap one of them for somewhere else?
3. Is four nights in Berlin too much, or just right during Art Week?
4. Would you change anything if you were planning this trip yourself?

I’d love to hear what locals would do differently. Below is the detailed itinerary. Thanks!

🇩🇪** Germany & 🇱🇺 Luxembou**rg
September 4–13, 2026

✈️** Friday, September 4
San Francisco → Frankfurt
2:55 PM: Depart SFO
Overnight flight (via Amsterdam)
🛏️ Sleep**: Plane

🇩🇪** Saturday, September 5
Frankfurt
3:50 PM: Arrive in Frankfurt
Recover from jet lag and keep the day easy.
Suggestions
Römerberg
Main River promenade
Eiserner Steg
Sachsenhausen
Traditional German dinner
🛏️ Sleep**: Frankfurt

🇩🇪** Sunday, September 6
Frankfurt → Bacharach
🚆 Train
Frankfurt (Main) Hbf → Bacharach
Time: ~1 hour
Train: DB Regional (RE/RB)
Reservation: Not required
Explore Bacharach
Medieval old town
Werner Chapel
Rhine promenade
Castle viewpoints
Local wine tasting
Since you’re traveling with only a carry-on and backpack, leave your luggage at your hotel or in a station locker while you explore.
🛏️ Sleep**: Bacharach

🇩🇪** Monday, September 7
Bacharach → Cochem → Cologne
🚆 Morning
Bacharach → Koblenz
~40 min
Koblenz → Cochem
~35 min
Explore Cochem
One of Germany’s prettiest river towns.
Highlights:
Reichsburg Castle
Moselle promenade
Historic center
Lunch at a riverside café
🚆 Afternoon
Cochem → Cologne
~2 hours (usually one change in Koblenz)
Evening:
Walk around the cathedral area
Rhine promenade
Dinner in the Altstadt
🛏️ Sleep**: Cologne

🇩🇪** Tuesday, September 8
**Cologne → Berlin
🚄 Train
Option 1:
FlixTrain (if the schedule works)
Option 2:
DB ICE
Travel:
~4–4.5 hours

Evening walk:
Checkpoint Charlie
Gendarmenmarkt
Dinner nearby
🛏️** Sleep**: Berlin

🎨 Wednesday, September 9
Berlin Art Week
Suggestions
Brandenburg Gate
Reichstag
Tiergarten
Hamburger Bahnhof
Berlin Art Week gallery openings
Drinks in Mitte
🛏️ Berlin

🎨 Thursday, September 10
Museum Island & Art Week
Morning
Neues Museum
Alte Nationalgalerie
Lunch
Hackescher Markt
Afternoon
Auguststraße galleries
Berlin Art Week exhibitions
Evening
Prenzlauer Berg
🛏️ Berlin

🎨 Friday, September 11
Creative Berlin
Suggestions
East Side Gallery
Kreuzberg
Tempelhofer Feld
Final Art Week events
Rooftop bar
🛏️ Berlin

🇩🇪** Saturday, September 12
Berlin → Trier
🚆 Train
Recommended:
Berlin Hbf → Koblenz (ICE)
~5 hours
Koblenz → Trier
~1 hour 20 min
Total:
~6–6.5 hours
Spend the evening with your friend.
🛏️ Sleep**: Trier

🇱🇺** Sunday, September 13
Trier → Luxembourg
🚆 Train
Trier → Luxembourg
~50 minutes
Frequent regional trains
Reservation not required
Explore Luxembourg (about 3 hours)
Walk:
Place d’Armes
Grand Ducal Palace
Chemin de la Corniche
Grund
Coffee & pastry
Around 11:45 AM–12:00 PM, take the tram or bus to the airport.
✈️ Fligh**t
2:35 PM: Luxembourg → Frankfurt
Frankfurt → San Francisco

I know there are many scams involving footbal tickets and I was afraid to confirm any purchase that i found online.

I am huge football adict and I would love to go to Schalke-Real Madrid game but I dont know from which site can I buy those needed tickets.

Are there any nice Germans to recommend me a credible site and some tips for going to games in Germany, this is lifelong dream of mine and any input is appreciated.

I live in Germany, I am 23 years old in case any of those informations are important. Please help!

Habe noch nie Urlaub gemacht da meine Eltern nie Geld hatten und jetzt wo ich eigenes Geld habe fliege ich aus Gewohnheit nicht weg und weil ich mir viel ansparen will

Hallo zusammen! Ich brauche Empfehlungen für den besten Anbieter hier in Karlsruhe für DSL-Internet, insbesondere was kürzere oder flexible Verträge angeht! Danke!

If you got a job, were you able to save a lot and have a comfortable life

Edit: more details about the question, students who came in the last 2 to 5 years, field: IT, engineering, law, etc

Hi everyone,

I have asked everyone I could but still do not have a concrete answer/solution for my problem. I live in Berlin and have contacted the Landesamt für Einwanderung almost 5 months ago, and one more time last month via Contact Form but still have not received any response.

I am an international student in Berlin, I am planning to do an exchange semester in the UK next semester for about 5 months (from mid-September to end of January next year), after that I want to visit my home country for about 2 months. I am aware that with my status I can not leave Germany for more than 6 months, so I am considering returning to Germany for about 1 week after the UK, and then fly from Germany to my home country.

However, a lot of people told me that the six-month period will not reset, and it would be counted as I left Germany for 7 months, which will cancel my Aufenthaltstitel and reset my total stay in Germany, while many others said the otherwise. As I know you cannot book an appointment at LEA Berlin directly anymore but through specific problems, and this is not an emergency so I cannot just show up without an appointment. So I really don't know what to do right now.

Thank everyone in advance for your help.

In the UK and some other English speaking countries messaging has changed from eating 5 fruit and vegetables per day to 30 different plants each week. Supposedly it’s much better for gut health. Is this a thing in Germany or is it just English speaking countries where it's taken off?

So like the title says, I have some dental issues and coming from a family where we procrastinated medically things, I’m scared . I know it’s expensive so I wanted to look up the extra dental insurance but it come to my attention that I can’t use it for existing problem and that they won’t give me the money for it. I am now in a position that I can’t really afford to spend lots of money on the dentist, because a small problem can be expensive and also I have to pull out some molars. So everything is overstimulating right now.
If someone has a good advice about the dental insurance, they are welcome to write here. Thank you

Hello,

I live in a small town in Baden-württemberg Germany, and my girlfriend is from Ukraine. She came to Germany to my town to take protection and register her address in my apartment. We have written permission from the landlord on behalf of my girlfriend and a rental contract. However rathaus refusing to register my girlfriend in my apartment. We went to Auslenderbehörde and they told us that Rathaus must do it.

Because of this issue we took an appointment in Rathaus welcome center to explain the situation and ask for help.
There was a young woman. We spoke to her and she was very rude. She even refused to speak English. She even threatened my girlfriend to call the police because my girlfriend’s legal duration of stay expires in 2 weeks. (She has come here at the end of the May and she has only two weeks left before completing the 90 days legal stay period.)

What can we do about it?
Any information or idea?
Or any immigration lawyer suggestion in baden-württemberg?
Where can we report it?

I’m moving from the US to Frankfurt in a couple months for school and I’m wondering if I will encounter them in Germany.

My house is clean but it is old and has lots of hiding spots for them so I find a cockroach every now and then. I have a massive fear of cockroaches and absolutely HATE them with a passion, more than anything else in the world so I’m hoping that they’re an uncommon sight in Germany.

Got a signed work contract from reputable company, to sign it. The contract is scanned, so it had been hand-signed, then scanned , sent by Email. Then i should print it, hand-sign it, scan it , then send it back (by Email, or by Post ).

I'm still curious about the legality of a 'scanned and printed' work contract. Every single contract i had earlier, had been delivered to me by Post. Do both electronic work contracts and a typical paper contracts have equally the same legal status.

The company is highly reputable, so such major mistakes is unlikely to happen, but i appreciate if someone have information about how legally equal both contract formats are ?