HERE'S MY ADVICEI was stationed in Germany in 2010 and it was an awesome time. You just found out that your next duty station will take you and your family far, far away to foreign places others only dream of visiting. Sponsors often go so far as to pick you up from the airport or arrange your transportation in-country. Jens mission is to help fellow expats beat bureaucracy and to have a smooth time while they settle into their new life in Germany. The VAT is Germany's sales tax which is automatically added onto items. Related Guide: Vacation Days In Germany [A Detailed English Guide]. These are some of the important finer points to consider before you move overseas. Germany has many great characteristics, however, like any other country, there are some advantages and limitations to living in Germany. "How is my life going to be miserable today?". If you drink alcohol, this is a cool thing. benefits of being stationed in germanyworthing court results 2021 . : .. A person with German citizenship can receive a German passport which entitles the holder to: travel without a visa to 177 countries live, work, and study inexpensively in Germany live, work, or study in the UK or other EU or EEA countries, with very few restrictions assistance from an excellent consular service The less of your current household you take with you, the better. If you are looking for an apartment, make sure to check if the kitchen is included. As an American stationed with the military, you can be exempt from paying this if you have a valid VAT form (you can get these at the ACS (Army Community Services) building on Post.) Luckily, there is so much variety in restaurants and food in the supermarket that you dont have to eat traditional food if you dont want to. comelec district 5 quezon city. Its a monumental task, but you will be forever grateful for it. Though most Germans speak English well, there's a general reluctancefrom their side to speak the language. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Related Guide: The German Autobahn [A Detailed Guide For First-Timers]. With myself, I also had the added stress of studying for the NCLEX (RN nursing board exam), which I had to take in London, England. I hope this guide sheds some light on how life in Germany may look like for you. In general you may be a bit further behind other people in the Army who have been in the USA. It helps lessen that feeling of overwhelm. If youre thinking about taking out private health insurance, our trusted partner Cigna Global is very aware of all the difficulties that expats can face when it comes to healthcare in a new location, so they have created a range of international health insurance plans specifically designed for expats, which you can tailor exactly to the needs and ensure access to quality care for you and your family. Welcome to Soldiers Wife, Crazy Life! A distinct advantage of using your VA loan is that you may not have to pay some of the additional fees normally paid at Copyright 2023 Military.com. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Moving from your current location back "home" works a little differently. Cities are also well serviced by local bus, train and tram systems, so much so, that many expats dont feel the need to own a car. Or my favorite sneaky little spot The kings arms. The moment you jump on a train or car and travel within the country, you get no reception or access to the internet. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Once the weekend comes assuming it doesnt get ruined by some chuckle fuck who decides to shit in the hallways you will probably end up seeing yourself spending time at Nuremberg at any of these fine establishments. Many strict rules need to be followed when cycling in a German city. Most hospital workers can speak English, so expats wont experience a language barrier. However, the criminality rate is so low that it does not happen very often. All, As military personnel on orders, one of the best amenities we get is US gas prices!! Most doctors offices are open from Monday to Friday. Though Germany is known for its excellent beer and delicious pretzels, the restof the local cuisine can be rather limited. Many expats enjoy living in Germany as its easy to travel to other European countries. Living and working easily in Germany. The annual income of a nurse in Germany is around 33,000 EUR, which is around . Old processes and bureaucracy that is so German. Esso Fuel Cards in Germany: Everything You Need To Know. Janet Farley, The Pentagon Is Behind on Issuing Policy to Allow Cadets Who Have Kids to Remain at Service Academies, Opt Out or Pay: All Troops to Automatically Get Life Insurance March 1, Everything You Need to Know About the Tricare Dental Program, The Personally Procured Move (PPM): Steps to Take, Tips to Make Your Pre-PCS Househunting Trip a Success, Everything You Need to Know About Your Personally Procured Move (PPM), Hawaii Congressional Delegation Asks IRS to Exempt Red Hill Families, DoD Still Hasn't Released a Form Needed for Retirees One-Time Chance to Change SBP, Veterans' Emergency Room Bills Could Get Repaid by VA Thanks to Change, Army Urges Soldiers to Check Their Records in New HR System After String of Glitches. Boy is that accurate. OPTEMPO is high everywhere but that makes it fun. Employers need to have real reasons to let you go. This is not only a personal feeling of mine, Germany ranked number 59 out of 64 countries in the InterNations Expat Insider in 2019 for the criteria finding friends, Related Guide: How to Make Friends in Germany. Hamsters, gerbils, snakes, birds and other animals are out of luck here. It allows us to keep Simple Germany alive and striving. As my husband likes to preach: expectation management. This is not about being negative or complaining, but simply having a balanced outlook for your transition. 1. The U.S. military presence in Germany has been particularly important in accruing these military benefits for the United States. It is mandatory for everyone who lives in Germany to be insured. Depending on the cables installed in your building and the provider you choose, the process can last a few days or weeks. This is why we are so happy with an online bank like N26 (our review), which is 100% online and available almost 24/7. Clearly, a new digital camera should be high on your current list of "must-haves.". The biggest con of living in Germany is the high amount of tax that is deducted from a workers pay. This is not about being negative or complaining, but simply having a balanced outlook for your transition. This means that the military says it's okay for you to tag along and use the military installation resources while you are living abroad. This is the example of dasElterngeld, an app designed to help new parents file for parental allowance (Elterngeld). A kiosk is a small shop that sells coffee, cigarettes, snacks, sweets, cold beer, and some hard alcohol. I'm concerned about my birth certificate and legality. It's expensive, but helps ensure your items are available when you arrive. kardashian covid 19 positive; london fog vs balboa mist benefits of being stationed in germany . If you're an 88 you'll get lots of miles, usually at least one four day per month, been here in baumholder two years, been able to travel 16 countries, good place to be. Mobile reception is not the best in all of Germany. Many expats are surprised by the number of cyclists in Germany. I love helping other milspouses in their move to another country. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, Press J to jump to the feed. Two fees might not make sense to you in Germany: Traditional German food usually involves a lot of meat, potatoes, cabbage, and fat. A German employee's supplemental benefits package comprising traditional benefits, i.e., pension, life, and disability, will cost approximately 4%-5% of their annual base salary. However, if you want more support in your OCONUS PCS and adjustment period, come find me on YouTube! Some might swap the word direct for bad. By its very nature much of the information in this travel guide is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which theyre relying with the relevant authorities. Im a combination introvert/extrovert, and after nursing school my extrovert was burnt out. June 30, 2022; my septum piercing won't flip up; vegan mochi cake recipe If you are renting an apartment by yourself, you will need to get an internet contract under your name. You might get lucky and have friendly neighbors who wont mind you vacuuming or turning your washing machine on Sundays . And then he got orders to Germany. When you first arrive, if you need a rental until your car arrives, you will be required to have a USAREUR (US Army Europe) license. The opening hours depend on the type of clinic or bank, and they are different from day-to-day. The biggest mistake I made last year was isolating myself. When you are in Germany, there will be plenty of castles and other villages, towns, and other places to explore. I am so glad you are here. In other words, Germany is imposing tax (and apparently penalties) on the income earned by US military personnel stationed in Germany. Finding local friends in Germany is very tough. benefits of being stationed in germany. benefits of being stationed in germany. Another legal difference in Germany is the danger of being fined if you don't follow the country's naming laws for a new child. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. A big part of it is covered by your employer. We have a whole section about insurances. About 34,500 American troops are stationed in Germany 50,000 including civilian Department of Defense employees and the plan Trump reportedly signed off on last week envisions reducing . A common stereotype of Germans is tha In this case, however, a sponsor is someone who already lives where you're headed and who serves as a point of contact of sorts for your family. These movies are called OV (original version) or OMU (Original with subtitles in English), and few cinemas play them. However, during summer, temperatures can sometimes be over 30C for several days in a row. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Your Sanity? Take advantage of those to travel please 1 The title 38, U.S.C., definition of "period of war," which is used in determining benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, includes the Vietnam Era and other armed conflicts. She also creates YouTube videos about PCSing overseas and life in Germany for other milspouses who are walking the same path. It might take several trips to get the hang of European travel planning, but tons of traveling is something you will NOT regret! Get the scoop on discounts, pay, benefits, and our latest award-winning content. I again drew on my former European experience. Some bases have nothing around them and other have major cities. 1 MorningstarJP 4 yr. ago Germany is pretty awesome. We were told we were going to be there doing one mission and one mission only. Don't be an asshole, they will get their entire family to fight you. It has happened to me a couple of times in the US that Im super happy to find something for an x amount of dollars, and end up paying more than I had hoped for at checkout. thelma schoonmaker films; mobile suit variations pdf; how to find someone on tinder by name When i got to Fort Riley i realized the army is very different in America. Obviously I hear and believe how awesome it is there, but any tips for someone about to move there? Not following these rules will anger other road users and can result in fines. Other companies, usually younger ones, have a more social and friendly environment where NERF guns are welcome, and chit-chatting is also ok. As long as you do your job correctly, its all good. All the family meets, drinks, dances (sometimes), and eats until the mornings early hours. Something else I have a bad habit of doing for any PCS is to believe that I can jump into a routine right away. escalation'' in particular by being clear to Moscow about what the . If you are not used to having cash in your wallet, you will need to get used to carrying some. Barring the city centres of Munich and Frankfurt, even accommodation is relatively cheap depending on where one chooses to live. Even with Covid-19, some establishments still dont accept card payments at all. Something similar happens with bank branches. Get your passport ASAP. A word of caution: If you plan to use your bicycle as your main mode of transportation, you need to know that you are not the king of the road. Nice dinner for two, with drinks, appetizer, and dessert: 60-70. It allows you to travel, work in, and access a range of services in most European countries. Education benefits- (918) 781-5678. The whole point of Christmas Eve is to wait for midnight. In Dusseldorf, for example, only one cinema is known for showing movies in their original language. This service is free of charge and will help you select an international moving company that suits your needs and budget. http://www.youtube.com/c/MaloriMayor14 I have a growing library of videos about how to PCS to Germany, as well as what life is like here. Make a list of your dream travel list, and then strategically plan your year according to the training holiday schedule. The upside of these high taxes is the fact that itallows many subsidies, free education and free healthcare. If you plan to or already have retired or separated from the military in an overseas location, there are VA resources waiting for you via phone, e-mail, and online: Basic VA benefit questions and assistance- (412) 395-6272 or visit the VA Inquiry Routing and Information System. The German government helps its citizens and residents maintain a good quality of life and motivate family life. Thus the last "war" for which active duty is qualifying for Veterans preference . Various military occupations, such as nuclear weapons technicians and dental technicians, include routine and usually safe exposure to radiation. Expect that you will have a significant adjustment period to the culture. Since a blog post can only be so long, Ill leave my advice and tips at that. According to the European Cyclists Federation, Germany ranks as the fifth European country in its Barometer, which looks at bicycle usage, cycling safety, and market size, among other cycling statistics. If you dont cancel it on time, it typically auto-renews for another 12 months. Always drive with caution and focus. We were stationed in Germany for four years back in 2006-2010. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Are there any womens groups I can join in Powai, India? As I mentioned in con#1, the sunny and warm days are few compared to the cold and gloomy ones. Germany and US Dual Citizenship by Marriage Dont ask me why, but that is how apartments are usually rented out in Germany without a kitchen. Get on board. Germany's preference for higher education scholarships and funding for international students is frequently criticised. Because culture shock threw me for such a loop, I made a YouTube video about it! What makes a positive difference when moving to a foreign country is receiving your household goods. We have now been at Fort Campbell on the Kentucky and Tennessee border for a little over two years. Germany has low criminality rates. A great pick-me-up is finding a new place to visit during each months 4-day weekend! We didn't have the equipment necessary because we followed the PACKING LIST that DID NOT have certain stuff listed (IOTV as one of them), but nevertheless, we were bitched at and/or smoked for not "thinking outside the box" and "not realizing we are in the Army". Whether you're an old pro or new to the military moving game, there's stuff to learn about PCSing. You'll spend your next wedding anniversary in Paris on top of the Eiffel Tower or the walking through the gardens of the famed Tokyo Imperial Palace. Other things like learning the best places and times to shop, learning the lay of the land, and finding your tribe take time. Instead, you may have to arrange for storage of certain items. Have a day trip and see what is out there. You can simply cross borders with a car or by air. But, once acclimatised, expats find it refreshing, and work culture, and life in general, ismuch improved because of it. But 12 years later? You can apply for citizenship, yes. The healthcare system in Germany is highlymodern and well developed. Related Guide: Renting in Germany [A Detailed Guide in English]. Related Guide: Best Internet Providers in Germany. January 31, 2019 by Guest Writer 5 Comments. This did not go well in Latin America, where Im originally from. BRUSSELS The United States and . Embrace the journey! Get ourFREEguide with 7 actionable hacks to save money while living in Germany. They carry a deep secret fear that one day there will be a knock at the door. Well, as you probably have guessed by now, I did marry a soldier and we did get stationed overseas! One can easily get across the country and even travel to neighbouring countries by train and bus. Four years later, we traveled back to the US, with another baby, and tons of memories behind us. It's amazing. A typical German is actually required to take a class that costs thousands of dollars, is hundreds (yes, as in 300+) hours of classwork and driving practice and pass a difficult test in order to receive a drivers license. Analysis. They'll even help you get a passport. I'm a US citizen that was born on a Military Base in Germany.