Red Tape Translation recently helped some clients leave their Berlin lives behind and start anew. Though I’m always sad to see a friendly face move away, I was ready to take on the task of tying up all the loose ends before the family skipped the border and settled down in the Netherlands. It certainly wasn’t simple.
Happy 2015, Berlin Expats Everywhere!
Dear clients and website visitors,
It has been a crazy busy year! We have farewelled Nicole from the team, and welcomed Jakob, Florian, Julia, and Susanne. We have now helped hundreds of English speakers in Berlin with immigration appointments, address registrations, video interviews, tax appointments, drivers license applications, civil registration matters, passport applications, births, apartment viewings, and even a wonderful wedding thrown in for good measure.
I hope you have had a wonderful 2014 and look forward to next year! Guten Rutsch!
WikiHow Praises Red Tape Translation
An article posted on WikiHow recently sang the praises of Red Tape Translation and covered the process of getting a residency permit for qualified workers seeking employment most thoroughly. Read it if you’ve got a degree and you are looking for an uncomplicated way to stay in Berlin.
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Germany-Job-Seekers-Residence-Permit
Back in Action: News from the Red Carpet
Dear Customers,
Thank you for bearing with me in the months following the birth of my lovely baby girl. Elise was born in late June and joins the Red Team as our Executive Accounts Manager. Considering that we don’t really have any executive accounts, there isn’t a lot for her to do, so she tends to just gurgle and kick around a lot.
Red Tape Translation is now back on track. Interpreters are available to go with you to your appointments, Telephone Time is on offer, and I am able to handle your translation requests once again.
Farewell Nicole, Welcome Jakob
We are sad to farewell Nicole, who will be leaving Berlin to have an adventure in Russia. In her place, we welcome Jakob. Jakob will be handling Appointment Help and Telephone Time duties, so look out for his friendly face at your next appointment.
I hope you all enjoyed the fabulous hot Berlin summer and I look forward to helping you soon!
Kathleen Parker
Summer 2014: RTT Temporarily Out of Action
Dear Customers,
I am thrilled to welcome my baby daughter Elise into the world. It all happened a little sooner than expected and due to health and recovery reasons, I have to take some time off. I will be out of action for a couple of months over the summer. During this time:
For translation requests, you can continue to contact Red Tape Translation. Your requests will be forwarded on to one of my colleagues.
For interpreting requests, contact https://www.expath.de
Thanks for understanding!
Kathleen Parker
Getting a Kindergarten (Kita) Spot in Berlin
Berlin families with kids might need to stay on the ball when looking for a kindergarten spot (Kitaplatz) in Berlin. While some European cities have fabulous online systems for registration and streamlined administration processes, Berlin does not fall into this category. There is no centralized system. In some parts of Berlin, there is a severe shortage of Kita spots available, and the waiting lists are up to 2 years long. In other areas, or just by coincidence, you might find a place within weeks.
Should I make enquiries in Berlin before my child is born?
Getting a Freelance Tax Number in Berlin
If you have successfully obtained an “artist’s visa” (that is, a permit to work freelance in Germany), congratulations! A big part of your battle through the web of German bureaucracy is now complete. Even better if you already have clients and contacts lined up. Now it’s time to get working and watch the money come rolling in!
Renting an Apartment in Berlin: Problems and Disputes
Unexpected Rental Increases, Early Termination, and Other Problems
Finding an apartment in Berlin is hard work, so when you’ve found a place, you’re probably feeling grateful to even be able to sign the lease. Sometimes it can be hard to resolve problems or disputes with your landlord or housing administration in Berlin, especially if you’re not familiar with German tenancy law and your German language skills are limited!
How to Register Your Address in Berlin
Happy New Year from Red Tape Translation
Dear customers and visitors,
Happy New Year! I hope that 2014 brings you health, happiness, and lots of great memories of life in Berlin. After a relaxing Christmas break in Australia, I’m back in business and looking forward to a massive 2014, with loads of English-speaking Berliners to help along the way.
Red Tape Translation kicks off with a brand new website at https://redtapetranslation.com. Have a look around and tell me what you think. Use the new contact forms to get a quote for an appointment, a translation, or telephone interpreting.
2014 will bring with it some exciting new cooperations with local businesses, as well as a wide variety of interpreting and translation projects. I’ll be visiting just about every Berlin public office there is: weddings, immigration, schools, new businesses, driving licenses, Elterngeld, Kita spots, and what to do when you’re leaving Berlin for good. I’ll continue to update the blog with tips and tricks on how to beat the bureaucracy in Berlin as I go.
Whatever 2014 holds in store for you, I hope it’s refreshing and exciting (and/or relaxing, whatever works). Frohes neues Jahr!
Kathleen Parker
Out of Office December 13th til January 6th 2014
Dear customers,
I will be taking a well-deserved three week break from December 13th until January 6th 2014, heading down under to enjoy an Aussie Christmas and New Years. On the beach. In the sun. Eating prawns and mangoes. During this time, your phone and e-mail enquiries may go unanswered.
I look forward to a busy and productive 2014, with loads of new English speakers falling in love with Berlin and plenty of trips to the foreigner’s office!
Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and New Years!
Kathleen Parker
Shiny New Red Tape Translation Website
Red Tape Translation is proud to release a brand new website. I’ve listened to all of your your suggestions along the way. Getting quotes, booking, and paying is now much easier, and there’s plenty of information and resources for those among you who love a bit of online research.
It’s now a lot clearer exactly what Red Tape Translation offers: in-person appointment help, Telephone Time, and written translations. The online blog is now a feature and will be updated a couple of times a month with interesting articles, anecdotes, and tips that I gather through experience.
Special thanks must go to David Ollenberger from JSS Web Development for the design and implementation (he also did my other, more artistic sites as well!). Alexa Vachon needs to be given a medal for her fabulous photos. Charlie and Charmaine Kedmenec from My Destination Berlin are also to be thanked for input, photos, and collaboration, as is Tia Robinson from expath.de