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Brieann Pasko

Baking in Germany – what you knead to know

September 19, 2023 by Brieann Pasko Leave a Comment

Photo by Elena Pasenko on Scopio

There’s nothing like a taste of home to heal your Heimweh – but if you’re new to baking in Germany, there are a few things you knead to know (oh yes we did)! Following your recipes to a T won’t always produce the same result as back home. It may take some trial and error, but with these tips for baking in Germany, you’ll bake a masterpiece in no time!
… Read more

Filed Under: Life in Berlin, Life in Germany Tagged With: baking

BBW 2023 Brews Cruises – Berlin Summer Salute!

August 8, 2023 by Brieann Pasko Leave a Comment

So apparently, even two months is TOO LATE to get the worm in the case of this Early Bird special: Brews Cruise tickets ended in FEBRUARY. Best mark your calendar for next year…

What am I going on about? The opening festivities for BERLIN BEER WEEK 2023! Germany’s largest craft beer festival always kicks off with “Brews Cruises” on the Spree, followed by even more events, parties and specials on land. Here’s the info we have for the 7th annual BBW so you can plan your September, and maybe even your early bird tickets for 2024…

… Read more

Filed Under: Life in Berlin Tagged With: BBW, craft beer

How to get the A1 Bescheinigung

August 7, 2023 by Brieann Pasko Leave a Comment

What is an A1 Bescheinigung? Why might I need it? How do I get it? If you are living and working not just in Germany, but also other EU and EFTA countries, you will eventually be asked to get an A1 Bescheinigung. It’s so that both (or all!) EU/EFTA countries in which you work can figure out where you’re covered when it comes to social security.

… Read more

Filed Under: Being self-employed, Dealing with Problems, Doing Business in Berlin, Freelance Life, Life in Germany Tagged With: A1 Bescheinigung, freelancers, EU, work

Top 5 Picks – Spree Boat Cruises in Berlin

July 25, 2023 by Brieann Pasko Leave a Comment

Golden late summer sunsets, all sorts of folks chilling on the banks of the Spree … it’s time to catch a glimpse of the city from the water. I’ve sorted my top 5 picks for Spree Cruises in Berlin. 

How to decide…

I do not care for typical tourist activities, with the exception of a boat tour. I have always wanted to do a boat tour in Berlin. It seems a beautiful way to view the city.

Although most boat tours include audio guides – some in English, others exclusively in German -, I’ve ignored them as a criteria for the most part – I’m there for the late summer vibes and the wind in my hair.

Food and drinks seem to be available for purchase on all boats, but are not included in any of the ticket options on the Visit Berlin website. Do check out that website if you don’t care for any of the following 5 suggestions. ☺️

… Read more

Filed Under: Life in Berlin Tagged With: berlin, cruise, summer

Applying for permanent residency in Germany: Brie’s story

July 11, 2023 by Brieann Pasko Leave a Comment

Like many things German-bureaucracy related, experiences vary depending on your caseworker, the wind, and the position of the moon divided by your appointment date. Just kidding. Sort of… I’m sharing my timeline and experience to give you a ballpark idea of what to expect. 

… Read more

Filed Under: Dealing with Problems, Immigration and Visas Tagged With: permanent residence, application

How to leave the church in Germany

July 4, 2023 by Brieann Pasko Leave a Comment

How to leave the church in Germany (Kirchenaustritt)

Are you a member of a religion that is subject to church tax in Germany? Considering leaving the church? You’ll need to go through a process called Kirchenaustritt.

… Read more

Filed Under: Dealing with Problems, Life in Germany, Uncategorized Tagged With: taxes, church

The Berlin WBS (Wohnberechtigungsschein) and how to get it

June 13, 2023 by Brieann Pasko Leave a Comment

Hunting for an apartment on a budget in Berlin? Try getting a WBS

We all know how insane the Berlin apartment situation has become. Even people with a significant and stable income – in other places, an easy guarantee for locking down a lease – often have to search and wait for months or even years to find an apartment in this ever-growing city. And anyone who was lucky enough to land a cute 2-bedroom apartment with an Einbauküche (every tenant’s dream!) by the canal in Kreuzberg will be sure to never terminate their lease. At least not in this lifetime.

Then what about the freelancers and people with low incomes? You don’t need to be a psychic to know that as a freelance artist, you are most likely at the bottom of the list of potential tenants for any given landlord. And it feels close to impossible to find your own humble abode.

… Read more

Filed Under: Life in Berlin, Moving to Germany, Life in Germany, Moving to Berlin Tagged With: berlin, WBS, apartments

Celebrate Pride with pride in Berlin

June 1, 2023 by Brieann Pasko Leave a Comment

Happy Pride Month! Let’s talk about how to celebrate Pride with pride in Berlin. We at Red Tape collected some info to help ourselves and you celebrate Pride by supporting its community.

*in Germany Pride is often called CSD or Christopher Street Day – read about that here.

… Read more

Filed Under: Life in Berlin Tagged With: CSD, Pride, berlin

How to sauna like a pro in Germany

May 4, 2023 by Brieann Pasko Leave a Comment

A true sign of cultural assimilation is the ability to do the sauna like a pro – at least for this US American in Germany.

One of the first “warnings” I received as I arrived to Germany with a group of 30 other musicians, mostly North Americans, was about the sauna. “If you don’t take off your clothes, people will stare at you”. The idea of being naked in front of strangers was terrifying. So it would be a few years later before I gave it a fair chance.

… Read more

Filed Under: Life in Germany Tagged With: german sauna, culture

How to adopt an animal in Berlin – a step by step guide

March 21, 2023 by Brieann Pasko Leave a Comment

If you’ve ever wondered how to adopt an animal in Berlin, it’s time to get to know the Tierheim [Animal Shelter]! So many sweeties are waiting for love and their forever homes. With a bit of time and patience, the caregivers at Tierheim Berlin can match you up with your best buddy.

… Read more

Filed Under: Life in Berlin Tagged With: berlin, animal adoption, pet, tierheim

March 8th – International Women’s Day

March 5, 2023 by Brieann Pasko Leave a Comment

Are you ready for International Women’s Day / Frauentag?!

Did you know that in 2020, Berlin became the first German state to make International Women’s Day a public holiday?

Rather than just taking pleasure in having the day off this year, here are 3 events in Berlin you can attend and celebrate womanhood!

… Read more

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Alex’s Berlin Life Advice

February 7, 2023 by Brieann Pasko Leave a Comment

Okay, so we’ve already shared the super cool job that Alex Maxwell has placing interns in Berlin (check it out here if you missed it). Now we want to share with you Alex’s Berlin life advice – getting here and settling here.

We’re happy to hear that using Red Tape Translation during the immigration process was a big help. Alex was still living in the U.S. when she first got in touch, but ultimately she decided to seriously look into moving to Berlin permanently.

I knew it was going to be difficult or had the potential to be difficult. I started the research process just like I started anything else – chaotically googling – and it was unhelpful. Right about after you know the 15th blog that I read…I was like, okay, it’s time to seek a professional’s help.

And we are SO glad she did! Alex had coaching with Kathleen to get her paperwork in order. She also opted to take an interpreter with her to her visa appointment at the LEA (Ausländerbehörde).

 

… Read more

Filed Under: Uncategorized

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It made such a difference having someone who not only speaks German, but is really experienced with the process which made me feel calm and confident.

Lyndal W.
Berlin, Germany

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