Germany is a great place to live, the economy is stable, it has all four seasons and there is plenty for you to do outside of work. If you’re moving here as an expat we have some useful information for you.
Expat Clubs
Berlin International Women's Club
The Berlin International Women's Club e.V. (BIWC) is a young and lively yet well-established organization founded in 1992. We are the city's first and only international women's club in which all nationalities are equally recognized. Characterized by rapid growth from its beginnings, the BIWC continues to expand, along with Germany's new capital. Our current membership of over 300 represents 55 nationalities and over 70 professions.
- Address: Marienstraße 19 / 20, 10117 Berlin
- Tel: +49 30 28 48 24 50
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.biwc.de
Frankfurt-n-Motion
The Frankfurt-n-Motion Sports and Social group is about building an outstanding integral International and Expat community, including Frankfurt expats and locals from the Rhein Main international community. Our goal is to inspire one another to have fun and keep fit with a variety of sports, and social events. Sports – running, yoga, triathlons, biking, mountain biking, basketball, pilates, martial arts, tennis, beach volleyball, rock climbing, hiking and more. Also community events like - arts, theater, dancing (salsa, disco, creative dance) concerts, plays, operas, trips, dinners, movies, meditation retreats, personal growth events, festivals, wine tastings, parties, jam sessions, BBQs and more. All ages are welcome - Families and Kids too. We currently have over 5000 members from over 30 countries! There is something for everyone so get involved and be proactive in building our international community. We have weekly events that are Free and Fun! Join Us!
Website: groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/frankfurt-n-motion/info
International Women's Association Hannover (IWAH)
They aim to help newcomers to the area during the initial adjustment period. At the same time, they strive to create a friendly environment for our members so that each person feels a little bit closer to their native home while living in Hannover and learning about Germany.
- Address: Post office box, IWAH e.V., Postfach 69 04 02, 30613 Hannover, Germany
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.iwah.de
International Women's Club of Frankfurt e.V.
In the International Women's Club - IWC - more than 520 women from over 50 nations have united to promote friendship and help amongst women of varying origins. The IWC is a non-profit organisation and has no political or religious allegiance.
- Address: Postfach 102 226, 60022 Frankfurt am Main
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.iwc-frankfurt.de
International Women's Club of Hamburg
The International Women's Club was founded in 1991 to bring together women of all nationalities who reside either temporarily or permanently in Hamburg. It promotes a spirit of friendship, acceptance and understanding amongst women of different nationalities under the motto.
- Address: Postfach 13 01 64, 20101 Hamburg
- Website: iwchh.com
International Women's Club of Munich
A social club offering opportunities for 'camaraderie, culture and contacts' to English-speaking women of all ages and nationalities living in Munich and the surrounding region.
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.internationalwomensclub.org/ClubPortal
International Womens Group -- Nuremberg / Erlangen / Herzogenaurach area
The IWG is more than 100 members strong, representing more than 36 countries.
- Address: Schloss Guttenburg, 91322 Guttenburg
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.womensgroup.de
Ladies International Association of Munich (LIA)
LIA's aim is to provide opportunities for members of various nationalities to meet and to participate in social, cultural, linguistic and philanthropic activities.
Website: www.lia-munich.de
American International Women's Club of Cologne
The AIWC Cologne serves English-speaking women and their families, giving them a chance to get involved in their community, explore the Rhineland, find out where to buy those hard-to-find items, network with each other and learn about German and European culture.
- Address: Postfach 501417, 50974 Köln
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.aiwccologne.org/
Berlin, Germany
The American Women's Club of Duesseldorf
One of the major goals of the AWCD is to provide charitable support for various groups in the Düsseldorf area. Our primary focus is on facilities that aid women and children. The American Women's Club in Düsseldorf works together with and towards benefiting several charities and organizations.
- Address: Postfach 310335, 40481 Düsseldorf, Germany
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.awcduesseldorf.org/
The American Women's Club of Hamburg
The AWC Hamburg is a non-profit organization serving the American and English-speaking community in the Hamburg area. We offer a variety of activities geared to fostering understanding between cultures as well as integrating the English-speaking community into the Hamburg social fabric. We are a member of the Federation of American Women's Clubs Overseas (FAWCO) and the Landesfrauenrat (Council of Women's Associations) of Hamburg.
- Address: Postfach 13 03 44, 20103 Hamburg, Germany
- Tel: +49 176 22 18 07 91
- Fax: +49 40 5 59 48 60
- Email: [email protected]
- FB: www.facebook.com/AWCofHamburg
- Website:
- www.awchamburg.org
The American International Womens Club
Founded more than 30 years ago, the AIWC is a registered non-profit, non-political organization with nearly 500 members of all ages from more than 35 countries. We have extensive resources as well as a wide range of activities for today's international women. The AIWC is a proud and active member of the Federation of American Women's Clubs Overseas, FAWCO.
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://aiwcfrankfurt.org
The Berlin-American Club
The Berlin-American Club e.V. was founded in 1990 as a non-profit organization. The goal of the Club is to further friendship, tolerance and understanding among women from the US, Germany and other countries by undertaking projects that benefit people in need.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Website:
- www.berlin-american-club.de/
The British Club of the Taunus e.V.
On this site you will find an outline of the activities offered by the British Club of the Taunus, together with details of how to become a member of the club. We also provide you with information and advice concerning life in the Frankfurt area.
- Address: Postfach 1267, 65797 Bad Soden, Germany
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.british-club.de/
International Schools
Bavarian International School
Set in a green and peaceful park-like environment, the impressive and historic mansion known as Schloß Haimhausen was renovated and adapted into classrooms and offices for the Upper School, and adjacent modern, purpose-built facilities to house lower school classrooms, science rooms, a library, and a sport hall were added. The school's current enrolment of 1000 students represents over 45 nationalities, with approximately 75 students in the graduating class.
- Curriculum: International Baccalaureate
- Address: Schloss Haimhausen, Hauptstrasse 1, 85778 Haimhausen, Germany
- Tel: +49 81 33 91 70
- Fax: +49 81 33 917 135
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.bis-school.com
Bonn International School
Bonn International School offers the full palette of programmes authorised by the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IB). IB programmes are constructed and executed with the "IB Learner Profile" in mind. This programming encourages and supports students in becoming: caring, principled, open-minded, risk-takers, communicators, thinkers, reflective, balanced, inquirers and knowledgeable.
- Curriculum: International Baccalaureate
- Address: Martin-Luther-King-Str. 14 , 53175 Bonn, Germany
- Tel: +49 228 308 540
- Fax: +49 228 308 54 350
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.bonn-is.de/
Dresden International School
The school, which is a non-profit organization, meets the needs of the growing expatriate community and is an essential element in promoting the economic development of the Dresden region. It has become a vital part of the cultural and economic life of this region. DIS is a member of the European Council of International Schools and is an International Baccalaureate World School, and as such its program is regularly evaluated and assessed.
- Curriculum: International Baccalaureate
- Address: Annen Campus · Annenstraße 9 · 01067 Dresden, Germany
- Tel: +49 351 440070
- Fax: +49 351 4400723
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.dresden-is.de
Frankfurt International School
Two campuses, more than 50 nationalities, rigorous academics, a variety of performing and visual arts opportunities, and a strong athletics program, are just a few of many attributes that provide students at Frankfurt International School.
- Curriculum: PYP, MYP, International Baccalaureate
- Address: An der Waldlust 15, 61440 Oberursel, Germany
- Tel: +49 6171 20240
- Website: www.fis.edu
International School Hamburg
The International School of Hamburg (ISH) was founded in 1957 as the first international school in Germany. They are an independent, state-recognised, coeducational day school which offers an educational program delivered in English from nursery right through to university qualification (ages 3 – grade 12).
- Curriculum: International Baccalaureate
- Address: Hemmingstedter Weg 130, 22609 Hamburg, Germany
- Tel: +49 40 8000 500
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.ishamburg.org
International School Villa Amalienhof
The International School Villa Amalienhof is an English language day school with bilingual classes (Years 1, 2, 7 and 8) at which children are taught from Kindergarten to graduation. The ISVA is the only international school in Berlin to offer A-Levels, qualifications which are recognised worldwide.
- Curriculum: IGCSE
- Address: Heerstrasse 465, 13593 Berlin, Germany
- Tel: +49 30 36 43 98 20
- Fax: +49 30 36 43 98 21
- Email: [email protected]
- FB: www.facebook.com/InternationalSchoolVillaAmalienhof
- Website: www.is-va.com
John F. Kennedy School
The John F. Kennedy School is a bilingual, bicultural German-American tuition-free public school. It offers an integrated elementary and high school program that combines the strengths of both the German and American educational traditions. Acknowledging and appreciating cultural diversity, the John F. Kennedy School serves German- and English-speaking students of all nations for the purpose of developing international understanding. The languages of instruction, German and English, are equally respected. Within this framework the educational program incorporates the essentials of the German and American school curricula.
- Curriculum: German, American
- Address: Teltower Damm 87-93, 14167 Berlin, Germany
- Tel: + 49 30 90299 5711, + 49 30 90299 5758
- Fax: + 49 30 90299 6377, +49 30 90299 6868
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.jfks.de
Leipzig International School
Leipzig International School (LIS) is a non-profit co-educational day school for students from Pre-School/Early Childhood (age 1) to Grade 12 who are part of Leipzig's diverse international community. Over 770 students from nearly 60 countries attend the school, with the most highly represented nations being the United States of America, Japan, United Kingdom, and the Netherlands as well as the host country, Germany. The school employs over 100 experienced, well-qualified and highly motivated staff members of 20 different nationalities, including the UK, the USA, Australia, and Canada.
- Curriculum: International Baccalaureate
- Address: Könneritzstraße 47, 04229 Leipzig, Germany
- Tel: +49 341 337 55 80
- Fax: +49 341 337 558 96
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.intschool-leipzig.com
- Curriculum: International Baccalaureate
- Address: Schloss Buchhof, 82319 Starnberg, Germany
- Tel: +49 8151 366 0
- Fax: +49 (0) 8151 366 119
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.mis-munich.de
Munich International School
MIS provides a co-educational, international, English language learning environment for students aged 4 -18. High academic standards, a diverse curriculum and a clear focus on the moral, intellectual, physical and emotional development of students are central to the MIS experience.
The International School am Rhein (Neuss)
ISR is a private, full-day school serving students from kindergarten through grade 12 using English as the language of instruction. As a member of the SABIS® School Network, ISR offers its students a rigorous, internationally-oriented, college-preparatory curriculum, emphasizing the core subjects of English, mathematics, German and the sciences.
- Curriculum: ISR, International Baccalaureate, AP
- Address: Konrad-Adenauer-Ring 2* , 41464 Neuss, Germany
- Tel: +49 2131 40388-0
- Fax: +49 2131 40388 29
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.internationale-schule.de/
The International School of Duesseldorf
ISD is an IB world school since 1976 and was one of the first schools in the world to be authorized to offer the diploma programme (grades 11 and 12). It is now certified to offer all three IB programs (the IB Primary Years Programme for Reception to grade 5, the IB Middle Years Programme for grades 6 to 10 and the IB Diploma Programme for grades 11 and 12).
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate
Address: Niederrheinstrasse 336, 40489 Düsseldorf, Germany
Tel: +49 211 9406 761
FB: www.facebook.com/pages/Lion-of-the-International-School-of-D%C3%BCsseldo...
Website: www.isdedu.eu/
Local News in English
German News English Edition
English language international edition of the German news source also includes in-depth special reports, weblog and summaries.
Website: www.spiegel.de/international/
Country Information
Capital City: Berlin
Other Important Cities: Cologne, Dresden, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hanover, Leipzig, Munich, Stuttgart
Currency: Euro €
Language: German
Calling Code: +49
Internet TLD: .de
Electricity: Germany runs on 230V 50Hz. Here’s a list of electricity distributors in Germany:
- 1. E. ON, www.eon.com/en.html
- 2. RWE, www.rwe.com/web/cms/en/8/rwe/
- 3. EnBW, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EnBW
- 4. Vattenfall, corporate.vattenfall.com/
Emergency numbers in Germany
Ambulance: 112
Fire: 112
Police: 112
Country Study
lcweb2.loc.gov/frd
Embassy Information
Residents Visa and Work Permit information
Germany is part of the Schengen Territories; visitors from countries within the EU/EEA will only need either their Identity Card or Passport to enter and stay for up to 3 months.
There are some non-EU countries who may also enter and stay for up to 3 months. The German Foreign Affairs Office has outlined the regulations that apply for each country.
There are different types of visa; tourist, student, business and work. It is important to determine your specific reason for going to Germany, as this will affect what permit you will be given.
The German Foreign Affairs Office lists down the different requirements in visiting and gaining residence.
Accommodation
Finding accommodations in Germany is easy, but not without any considerable effort. It’s popular to rent an apartment than to buy one. Another popular form of accommodation is apartment-sharing. Here’s a useful site: www.wg-gesucht.de/en/.
Rental listings can also be found in classifieds, however it can be very competitive. Real estate agents are also a good way to cut search shorter, for a fee.
Most rentals are unfurnished, so make sure you have provisions for fixtures, furniture and other necessary household items. There are two types of rent; cold and warm. Cold rent is just the basic rent, while Warm rent includes the cost of utilities and other services.
Berlin is the most favorable place especially for expats. The cost of living in this city is cheaper compared to others within Germany and other major cities in Europe. This is a place for artists, musicians, designers, and other creative folks. Public transport are efficient, so getting around is relatively easy. Berlin-Mitte is a very ‘international’; many nationalities can be found in this area. Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf’s are for those who want an easy quiet life.
Munich is a picturesque place merging both heritage and modernity. The city hosts festivals all year that attracts a lot of tourists and expats. It’s a place for high-income expats; top businesses and corporations have set up headquarters here. Bogenhausen is the more affordable area for expats, especially with families; its quieter especially being away from Munich’s city center. Berg am Laim is another family-friendly place. It is close to international schools.
Frankfurt is also an expensive place to live in. The rent in the city is more expensive compared to others in Germany. The cost of living in the city was the second by Mercer. It is a very cosmopolitan city, with towering skyscrapers housing financial corporations and top companies. Nevertheless, Frankfurt does have some family-friendly areas that will favor expats. Kronberg has a number of parks and relatively close to international schools. Nordend is perfect for novice couples. This suburb hosts small community events that foster togetherness among the residents. The prices here are cheaper than Kronberg’s.
Driving License
Expats may use their domestic license with an international license to drive legally in Germany. However if the stay is for long-term residency, they may use their domestic license for up to 6 months from their residency confirmation. For more information about driving in Germany please visit: www.adcidl.com/Driving-in-Germany.html
Healthcare
Medical facilities and standards in Germany are excellent and of the best in the world. The healthcare system hosts a network of hospitals and clinics that provide adequate, high quality medical services. However, the costs are expensive and there are no subsidized services even in public facilities. It is highly recommended that expats secure a comprehensive health insurance.
Here are the list of hospitals in Germany:
Campus Charite
The Charité is one of the largest university hospitals in Europe. Here, 3700 doctors and scientists heal, do research and teach at the top international level. More than half of the German Nobel Prize winners in medicine and physiology come from the Charité, among them Emil von Behring, Robert Koch and Paul Ehrlich. The Charité also has an international reputation for excellence in training. It extends over four campuses with almost 100 clinics and institutes bundled under 17 CharitéCenters. With 13,200 employees, the Charité generates about 1.3 billion euros in sales per year and is one of the largest employers in Berlin. In 2010, the Charité could look back and joyously celebrated its 300-year anniversary.
Mitte (CCM)
Address: Chariteplatz 1, Berlin, 10117, Germany
Tel: +49 30 45 05 0
Benjamin Franklin (CBF)
Address: Hindenburgdamm 30, Berlin, 12203, Germany
Tel: +49 30 8445 0
Berlin Buch (CBB)
Address: Lindenberger Weg 80, Berlin, 13125, Germany
Tel: +49 30 450 – 50
Virchow-Klinikum
Address: Augustenburger Platz 1, Berlin, 13353, Germany
Tel: +49 30 45 05 0
Fax: +49 30 45 05 73 90 2
Website: www.charite.de/en/charite/
Franziskus-Krankenhaus Berlin
In the foyer of St. Francis Hospital, the eye is on the motto of the Order Thuiner "Pax et Bonum" (peace and good) as well as a portrait of Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of the Franciscan Order. The Christian tradition of the house are also influenced by the character of the house. The Sisters of the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of the Holy Martyr George Thuine to take over the care of patients. This Catholic religious community since 1869 engaged in the sick and elderly.
Address: Budapester Strasse 15-19, Berlin, 10787, Germany
Tel: +49 30 26 380
Fax: +49 30 2638 3017
Website (German): franziskus-berlin.de/
HELIOS Hospital Berlin - Zehlendorf
The HELIOS Hospital Group consists of 110 acute and rehabilitation facilities, including 6 tertiary care hospitals in Berlin-Buch, Duisburg, Krefeld, Wuppertal, Erfurt and Schwerin. In addition HELIOS operates 15 senior residences, 50 medical provision centers, five rehab centers and five prevention centers all over Germany. HELIOS healthcare international is well prepared to profesionally serve all your needs and demands.
Address: Walterhoeferstr. 11, Berlin, 14165, Germany
Tel: +49 30 81 020
Fax: +49 30 81 021 007
Email: [email protected]
Website (German): www.helios-international.com/
HELIOS Kliniken GmbH
The HELIOS Kliniken Group has 110 own acute and rehabilitation hospitals, including seven maximum care hospitals in Berlin-Buch, Duisburg, Erfurt, Krefeld, Schwerin, Wuppertal and Wiesbaden, 50 medical care centers (MVZ), five rehabilitation centers, six prevention centers and 15 nursing facilities. HELIOS is one of the largest providers of inpatient and outpatient care in Germany and provides quality medical care throughout the spectrum. Seat of the corporate headquarters is in Berlin.
Address: Friedrichstr. 136, Berlin, 10117, Germany
Tel: +49 30 52 13 21 0
Fax: +49 30 52 13 21 1 99
Email: [email protected]
Website (Website): www.helios-kliniken.de/
Meoclinic
This hospital offers More than 30 specialties, including surgery, neurology, neurosurgery, radiology, dermatology, gynaecology and urology are offered at the MEOCLINIC medical centre in Berlin. Our team of doctors cares for inpatients as well as outpatients.
Address: Quartier 206, Friedrichstrasse 71, Berlin, 10117, Germany
Tel: +49 30 20 94 40 00
Fax: +49 30 20 94 41 32
Email: [email protected]
Website: meoclinic.de/en/
Radiologische Diagnostik Dr.Stappenbeck
Address: Landgrafenstrasse 14, Berlin 10787, Germany
Tel: +49 30 2648 4739, +49 30 2648 4741
Fax: +49 30 26 26 25 6
Website (German): radiologenpraxen.de/
Park-Sanatorium Dahlem
Address: Hammersteinstrasse 20, Berlin, 14199, Germany
Tel: +49 30 3035 2400
Fax: +49 30 823 26 48
Pflege und Wohnen Mariendorf
Address: Britzer Strasse 91, Berlin, 12109, Germany
Tel: +49 30 3035 54 00
Fax: +49 30 3035 54 09
Wiegmann Klinik
Address: Spandauer Damm 130, Berlin, 14050, Germany
Tel: +49 30 3035 5755
Website (German): www.drk-kliniken-berlin.de/
Dr. Wolfgang Leps & Dr. Hussein Issa Khreis
Address: Turmstr. 73, Berlin, 10551, Germany
Tel: +49 30 3914124
Website (German): leps-khreis.de/index.php?id=8713
Franz-Volhard-Klinik
Address: Wiltbergstrasse 50, Berlin, 13125, Germany
Tel: +49 30 94 01 0
Tel: +49 30 94 01 70 74
Staedtisches Klinikum Muenchen GmbH
Das Städtische Klinikum München is the affiliation of the four acute clinical complexes Bogenhausen, Harlaching, Neuperlach, and Schwabing, together with the clinic on Thalkirchener Street which is specialized in dermatology. In addition a medical service center consisting of 8 institutes, a blood donation service, an own academy as well as facility management are part of one of the biggest health service providers in the south of of Germany.
Klinik Thalkirchner Strasse
Address: Thalkirchner Strasse 48, Munich, 80337, Germany
Tel: +49 89 5147 6010
Fax: +49 89 5147 6403
Klinikum Bogenhausen
Address: Englschalkinger Str. 77, Munich, 81925, Germany
Tel: +49 89 9270 0
Fax: +49 89 9270 2248
Klinikum Harlaching
Address: Sanatoriumsplatz 2, Munich, 81545, Germany
Tel: +49 89 6210 0
Fax: +49 89 6210 2442
Klinikum Neuperlach
Address: Oskar-Maria-Graf-Ring 51, Munich, 81737, Germany
Tel: +49 89 6794 0
Klinikum Schwabing
Address: Koelner Platz 1, Munich, 80804, Germany
Tel: +49 89 3068 0
Fax: +49 89 3068 3770
Website: www.klinikum-muenchen.de/unternehmen/interkulturelle-versorgung/sprechen...
Klinikum der Universitaet Muenchen - Campus Innenstadt
With over 2,200 beds, the hospital is a hospital of maximum supply level with 45 clinics, institutes and departments from all medical fields. The Hospital of the University of Munich Grosshadern campus and the downtown campus is October 1, 1999, organizational, financial, economic and administrative technically independent part of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University. Through this merger, the University of Munich has developed into one of the largest hospitals in Germany and Europe. With the change in legal form June 1, 2006, the hospital received the status of an institution under public law.
Address: Lindwurmstrasse 2a, Munich, 80337, Germany
Tel: +49 89 5160-0
Website (German): www.klinikum.uni-muenchen.de
Krankenhaus Sachsenhausen
The Sachsenhausen Hospital is a modern and innovative 211-bed hospital with five departments. For many citizens of Frankfurt hibdebach and dribdebach it is the "Schiffer hospital" - a hospital that is for many young and old people more than a place where they are with good medical care. However, the catchment area of the hospital is sufficient, thanks to the excellence of his doctors far beyond the borders of Frankfurt.
Address: Schulstrasse 31, Frankfurt, 60594, Germany
Tel: +49 69 6605 0
Fax: +49 69 6605 1769
Hospital zum heiligen Geist
Address: Lange Str. 4-6., Frankfurt, 60311, Germany
Tel: +49 69 21 96 0
Fax: +49 69 21 96 22 61
Website (German): www.hospital-zum-heiligen-geist.de/
