If you have a furry friend in Berlin, it is now mandatory to register your dog in the city. I know what you’re thinking – another trip to the Bürgeramt, right? Noooo!
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Category Archive: Life in Germany
What we can expect from Germany in 2022
It’s not all doom and gloom. Much of it is. But here is some hope to hold on to for bureaucracy in the new year in Germany.
Can you give blood? It’s kind of urgent…
Can I give blood in Germany? If you’ve ever thought about it, now is the time! Shelves are empty and the need for donations is immense. The DRK even created this cute little barometer to show the levels of different blood types:
Merry Christmas from the Zollamt
As much as we love sending and receiving care packages, there’s nothing less “merry” than opening a package in front of the Zollamt worker containing those cute undies your mom just had to include with her homemade cookies (true story). Or having a Zollamt worker sniff the armpits of your items of clothing (also a true story). Pretty funny in retrospect – but the trip to the public office and sitting in the waiting room was annoying. Even worse is when you have to pay a tax to receive your package – whether it was a gift or you ordered it yourself. Luckily, there are ways to avoid this trip and give you more time for baking cookies and watching your favorite holiday films.
Here’s everything you or your loved ones need to know about the Zollamt and how to avoid your package ending up there.
Gifts from non-EU countries
are duty-free so long as the material value is under 45 euros. It must be clear that the package is from a private person to a private person (i.e. if there’s a business address or custom/commercial packaging they may be suspicious). There are, however, exemptions on specific items like alcoholic beverages, perfume and coffee, depending on the quantity.
If the gift is worth more than 45 euros but less than 700, a flat tax rate of 17.5 per cent will be applied and you’ll need to pay this before obtaining your package. Unless someone sent you over 45 euros of beer. In that case, there is a special beer tax (of course there is).
If you’re sending gifts outside the EU…
How much does every item weigh and how much is it worth? Yes, this is necessary. You’ll need to fill out a customs declaration, which they provide for you there, or you can fill one out before you go. If you’re unsure, don’t try to leave anything blank, they won’t accept it.
Lastly, just like for packages entering the EU, other countries have restrictions on what goods or what amount of goods enter the country. Have a look at this list to see if what applies to your package and its destination.
With that, good luck and may the holiday force be with you.
Happy Posting!
“My talents are languages and sport. Everything else ends in chaos.” Meet Sophie
She’s into martial arts, Asian languages and making people laugh. Meet Sophie, one of five talented young linguaphiles spending some time with Red Tape Translation while completing vocational training in Berlin.
Heart and Soul – Meet Paula
Paula is fierce and endlessly passionate about whatever she’s doing. She wants to see the world and immerse herself in languages along the way. We’re looking forward to spending the summer showing Paula the ropes and hope that her experience as a Red Tape Translation intern solidifies her ambition!
“Love attracted me to the German language” – Meet Yadhu
“Love attracted me to the German language.” We were on the edge of our seats listening to Yadhu talk about his life. He is clearly a master of words, in whichever languages he chooses to communicate. We are thrilled to have him on the team for the summer!
Women’s History Month in Berlin
March is women’s history month! We just happen to have a creative intersectional feminist and Berlin tour guide on our staff. What a happy coincidence. Lioba spills the beans on Berlin’s heroines: Clara Zetkin, May Ayim, Marlene Dietrich and Lotte Hahm.
German Bureaucracy: Changes to Expect in 2021
The year 2020 kept us on our toes, so we can only hope that 2021 is not quite so unpredictable. While we anticipate life beyond our firework-free Silvester evening, let’s outline the bureaucratic changes likely to affect expats living in Germany in 2021.
A New Project for Brits in Germany: Converting your UK Driving Licence
The Brexit transition period ends on 31st December 2020. If you’ve decided to stay in Germany, now is a really good time to think about converting your UK driver’s license to a German one, but you’d really need to get into gear to manage it by the New Year!
All I Want for Brexit is an Aufenthaltsdokument-GB
In 2020, time stands still in so many ways, and yet some wheels keep on turning. Like that big ol’ steamboat chugging past on its way to Brexit, terminus. The 31st December 2020 will not only mark the end of a very turbulent year but also the end of an era, quite literally. So, what will 2021 look like for UK citizens living in Berlin? … Read more
ALGI vs. ALGII vs. Job Center vs. Job agency vs. dole vs. welfare
When you lose your job, you visit the Job Center, right? Seems logical. Except that when you get there, you’ll often get told to visit the job agency instead (Agentur für Arbeit). And when you get THERE, they tell you to visit the job agency on the other side of town! What the bloody hell is going on here? … Read more