Getting Around
Public transport, the Deutschlandticket, driving abroad and licence exchange.
Public transport and the Deutschlandticket
The €49/month Deutschlandticket lets you use virtually all regional and local public transport across Germany — buses, trams, U-Bahn, S-Bahn, and regional trains. Each city also has its own Verkehrsverbund (VV) for local journeys.
Driving in Germany and exchanging your licence
EU/EEA licences are valid indefinitely in Germany. Non-EU licences can usually be used for six months after registration (Anmeldung), after which a Führerschein-Umtausch (licence exchange) or a German driving test is required.
The Pfand bottle deposit system and waste sorting
Germany has one of the world's most rigorous recycling systems. The Pfand (deposit) scheme means most plastic and glass bottles carry a €0.08–0.25 refund. Waste must be sorted into at least four separate bins.
Sunday trading laws (Ladenschlussgesetz)
Almost all shops in Germany are closed on Sundays (and public holidays) by law — a genuine cultural difference for most newcomers. Plan grocery shopping and errands for weekdays and Saturday.
Schools, Kita and childcare for newcomer families
Children have a right to a Kita (Kindertagesstätte / nursery) place from age one in Germany, and schooling is compulsory from age six. Applications go via the local Jugendamt or the city's online Kita portal.