As we said in our previous post, Germany is not perfect. And there are also some things about this country that you may not like. However, it depends on where you come from and what you expect from life in Germany.
In this blog post, we would like to give you some examples of the disadvantages of living in Germany and thus prevent you from being disappointed because of too high expectations.
Bureaucracy
Although Germany is considered to be very modern, the digitization of services is progressing slowly here, mainly because of much bureaucracy. Is it a recognition process or extension of your visa, or any other official process, you will need to submit a bunch of papers, go through many appointments, and waste a lot of time.
Weather
If you come from a warm country like India, it might be tough for you to get used to the weather in Germany. Most time of the year, it’s grey, rainy, and gloomy. Sunny days are few, winters are long.
Internet
For an internet connection in your rental apartment, you will need a contract under your name. How fast you will get it done depends on many factors such as cables installed in your building or the provider you choose. This can be a long painful process lasting up to 6 weeks.
Flats Without Furniture
Apartments are usually rented out without furniture. This means that you will need to buy some furnitures such as bed or table to make your new apartment comfortable to move in. Of course, it is not always the case. But you better check all the details when looking for a flat.
Germans Complain
Germans like complaining about everything. This is a fact. The thing is, they don’t see it as a complaint but more as providing feedback.
Customer Service
Usually, Germans are straightforward when dealing with you as a client, especially in public offices (post, immigration, etc.). Sometimes, the communication with customer service support might feel rude and unpleasant when they don’t really mean it. In order not to waste time and effort, they choose to be direct and to the point without being overly polite.
Bad Reception
When it comes to mobile or internet reception in Germany, you might be disappointed. Most mobile service providers have excellent reception in the city center. But as soon as you get on a train or a car and drive to the countryside, you have no reception or access to the internet.
Fatty Food
Fatty meat, potatoes, sausages, this is traditional German food. If you are not a fan of this kind of food, then it might be difficult to get used to it. Good thing is that you don’t have to eat it if you don’t want to. There are various restaurants and supermarkets where you can get what you are more into.
Governmental Fees
There are some fees in in Germany that might surprise you. This are, for example, church tax. If you are a German citizen or resident and officially belongs to a certain religion, you will have to pay for it. If you don’t want to do it, make it clear during your registration process (Anmeldung) in Germany. Besides church tax, there is TV and radio fee (Rundfunkbeitrag). Everyone who lives in Germany needs to pay a broadcasting fee of 17,50 euros a month. And this is non-negotiable whether you watch TV / listen to radio or not.
Movies In Their Original Language
You will have a hard time finding a cinema in Germany that shows films in their original language. These movies are called OV (original version) or OMU (Original with subtitles in English), and few cinemas play them. Usually, they are only available in 3D, and a ticket costs approximately 15 euros.
Opening Hours of Doctors And Banks
Both doctors nor banks don’t have consistent opening hours. The opening hours depend on the type of clinic or bank, and they are different from day to day. Most doctors’ offices and banks are open from Monday to Friday. It is quite common for clinics to be closed on a weekday and Friday afternoon.
German Friends
In the beginning, Germans are tough to make friends with. They are usually very nice and polite, but not always trustful. However, once you can get through their shed, you will get a friend for life.
Moving to a brand new place is life-changing. By making a list of the biggest pros and cons of living in Germany, we aimed to help you decide whether it is worth moving here, or not. As for us, the pros of living in Germany outweigh the cons. We are sure that if you give Germany a chance, you might also fall in love with this beautiful country.
Keep reading our blog posts to save time and prepare for the things that might be a shocker for you after arriving here. Remember: Being aware and well-informed is the key to successful immigration.
If you’ve decided that relocating to Germany is for you, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with Mittelpunkt Personal. For further information, email us at info@mittelpunkt-personal.de.