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.
Category Archive: Moving to Germany
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.
Understanding German rental leases
Are you signing a German rental lease?
You want to understand all aspects of the German rental contract before you agree to it formally. But the clock is also ticking to seal the deal quickly. Given the short period of time you have to sign the tenancy contract, often a day or less, it can be challenging to figure out which parts of the rental lease are important, especially if you don’t understand German. Red Tape Translation can help.
Rental scam affects hundreds of Berlin expats
Unexpected cancellation of hundreds of expat accommodation bookings in Berlin with no signs of a refund: we outline the suspected rental scam and what victims should do next.
Client Spotlight: Alex Maxwell
Introducing our first star…
Alex Maxwell is up in our new Client Spotlight Series. This series was inspired by the many amazing people our team has had the privilege of working with over the years – it is my absolute pleasure to have Dr. Alex Maxwell as the first!
Wow, where do I even start sharing this amazing human with you? Though her accent will fool you into thinking she’s from the U.S. (yes, I am a U.S. native and saying this with absolutely no pause), Alex is from Russia. After doing some cultural exchange programs in the states, Alex decided at around 20 that she wanted to emigrate.
Christmas Markets in Berlin: the main reason you moved to Germany
Christmas markets in Berlin officially open in late November: here are the most popular locations, the unexpected delights, their opening hours and – most importantly – what to eat and drink.
What can we expect from German bureaucracy in 2023?
We expect German bureaucracy to keep us on our toes in 2023. Can we expect the long-awaited citizenship reform to become a reality? Will medical matters finally go digital? Is cheap train travel really here to stay? Here’s what we anticipate from German red tape next year.
Client Spotlight 🔦 Get ready to meet some inspiring expats in Berlin
Get ready to meet some seriously inspiring expats in Berlin – who happen to be our clients here at Red Tape Translation!
It’s no surprise that we encounter many impressive, courageous folks in our line of work: people who come from all over the world, determined to find a way to live and work here in Berlin. This path is not the easiest but it certainly is rewarding for those who genuinely want desire a life in Germany and are willing, and able, to keep at it through the ups and downs.
Which brings us to a new series we want to share with you…
Opening a blocked account (Sperrkonto) for the student visa
More bureaucracy for your student visa application? Sperr me! Katie Kruse from Red Tape Translation tells you how to make your rations last when you’re studying in Germany.
Registration Office appointment in 14 days?
The days of waiting weeks for a Registration Office appointment are over! Almost…soon…we hope…
Senator Iris Spranger told the Berliner Morgepost that they plan on opening 5 new Bürgerämter (registration offices) in the city. Typically, Berlin requires that you schedule a registration office appointment within 14 days of moving or else receive a fine. Thankfully, due to the complete lack of timely appointments, enforcement is rare. Many of us are familiar with the “refresh-button” game, hoping to snag a last-minute cancellation. Friends, those days are soon behind us!
Registering your dog in Berlin
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!
… Read more
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.