Was your little one born between the 1st of October 2017 and the 30th of September 2018? A very significant moment in their lives is fast approaching – the start of their schooling! Do you know what else is right around the corner? The deadline to enroll them at school. We take you through everything you need to know so that your child’s Schulanmeldung, or school registration process, in Berlin goes as smoothly as possible.
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Baking in Germany – what you knead to know
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!
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#FaxHack – How to light a fire under a German bureaucrat
We were almost crying with laughter when we saw this gem on the auslanderhacks Instagram page: could technology from the 1980s really be the answer to all our first-world third-country problems? Read on to find more about #FaxHack.
BBW 2023 Brews Cruises – Berlin Summer Salute!
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…
How to get the A1 Bescheinigung
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.
Seven Common Mistakes Made at the Ausländerbehörde
We love helping expats from all around the world with their visa appointments – so we’ve gathered 7 common mistakes people make at the Ausländerbehorde/Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA) in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg and Frankfurt.
Top 5 Picks – Spree Boat Cruises in Berlin
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. ☺️
Applying for permanent residency in Germany: Brie’s story
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.
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How to leave the church in Germany
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.
Meet Sebiha, our executive assistant
It is our absolute pleasure for you to meet our first executive assistant intern, Sebiha. What sort of internship is that? Better let Sebiha tell you – but first, a bit about her and how she got here.
The Berlin WBS (Wohnberechtigungsschein) and how to get it
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.
Celebrate Pride with pride in Berlin
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.