Supply in Germany

shopping

German cities offer a wide range of shopping: shops: For daily needs there are in the neighborhoods supermarkets and smaller shops, such as bakers and butchers. To fashionable clothes, to buy household items and electrical appliances, drive many German in the city centers, where especially the central shopping streets offer a wide selection. Large furniture stores, Electric markets and shopping centers, however, are often located on the outskirts of the city, have it but great parking and good bus- or rail links. Supermarkets for food and all the important things of everyday life can be found both in the city and off the centers.

Farmer's markets

fresh foods, such as fruit, Vegetables or meat you can not in Germany only in stores,
but also buy at markets. When and at what locations in the city these markets take place, learn, for example, at the city council. Online-Shops: Internet shopping is becoming increasingly popular in Germany. More than half of Internet users ordered goods or services on the Internet. If you get this time delivered things, you do not like or that are damaged: No problem. For online shops in Germany you have the right, the goods within 14 Days return without giving reasons. For your safety, you should always check the imprint for unknown online stores. Used buy straight for the first time in Germany could flea markets for a good shopping opportunity be. In these markets sell private and professional supplier cheap used goods - from dishes on stereos to bicycles.
A glance at the classified section of newspapers and special ad newspapers, Internet exchanges may be worth. Here individuals offer just about everything, what you need after your arrival in Germany. Both applies to flea markets as well as for Classifieds: Negotiate quiet
the price, because they are one of the few occasions in Germany, where you can negotiate. Mostly you get the seller something contrary.

opening hours

Great shopping - especially in the inner cities - usually have Monday to Saturday from 10 up to 20 hour. Some supermarkets do not close until 22 am or 24 Clock. Smaller stores out of town are Monday to Friday mostly up 18 PM open on Saturdays until 14 or 16
Clock. Depending on the state of other store closing laws apply.
But outside of these opening times you can shop in Germany: Shops in stations and gas stations and very small shops, die „Kiosks“, partly offer around the clock the most necessary food and drinks - even on Sundays- and holidays. Up to four times a year also "Sunday shopping" will be held in many cities. On these days, many businesses have exceptionally open and the customers and clients can experience live music and cabaret in downtown areas next to the shopping often.

shopping in Germany

In Germany there are many shops, what your heart desires - fresh food at street markets on favorable furnishings to luxury goods "Made in Germany". When the shops are open and what you should consider when making payments, We will explain here.

As you paid in Germany

In most shops you can pay by cash, EC- pay or credit card. However, some smaller shops accept only cash at, others accept the debit card only after a certain amount. If you shop online, the money can also be transferred or pay the bill by cash.
delivery means, that you pay the money upon delivery of the goods directly to the postman or suppliers. by the way: Apart from buying major purchases such as furniture or electrical appliances as well as used items, it is not common in Germany, to negotiate the price. It is the price on the label! However, with larger new purchases you may be able to negotiate a free delivery or a small discount.

VAT

On most things, you buy in Germany, levied by the State 19 percent VAT. For certain products, For example, staple foods such as milk or bread, on books, newspapers, Flowers and art objects applies the reduced rate of 7 Percent. But while shopping, you do not pay attention to the tax rates, as the prices in shops and restaurants already include tax.

consumer protection

German companies attach great importance to the quality of products and are also obliged, to comply with the statutory consumer protection. For certain products, toxic or carcinogenic ingredients are banned. Specifically, here on harmful substances in toys, Tattooing and toiletries paid. Therefore, companies must review, whether their goods
are free of pollutants and meet total quality requirements. More detailed information can be found on the website of the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection. Moreover, the EU has defined a strategy for ensuring safe food. It guarantees, be that the strict quality standards generated both within the EU and applied as to imported foods. grab more and more people in Germany aware of
Products of organic farming, Bio-product. If you pay particular attention to healthy eating and quality products, You can refer to the organic label on products. The organic label stands for organic production and animal welfare. You can find organic products in health food stores and supermarkets.

Internet

Most Germans surfing via DSL in the net. These broadband connections, music and movies can be loaded quickly, and video chat with family or friends in the whole world is running without problems. The video chat over the Internet enjoys in Germany increasingly popular and is free in most cases. The fast DSL connections are now in all major
German cities available. The prices of many private providers depend, inter alia, on the term of the contract. Especially for contracts with longer maturities the DSL modem is, you need for online access, usually included. If you sign a contract, purchase
They usually have a flat rate Internet with a wireless option. That means, that you 24 can surf hours off. Many internet companies also offer a combined contract for high-speed Internet and telephone flat rate.

Internet Phones

Especially in the big cities and urban centers in Germany, you can mobile - surf the Internet at high speed - via laptop or mobile phone. Is made possible by UMTS technology. However, reception and speed vary depending on the provider and location. At best, therefore, to check before signing a contract, which offer businesses in your area good reception. Those who want to surf the mobile with a laptop, need for a Surfstick, which is plugged into the USB port on the computer. The stick there is often in the contract to. Otherwise, you can buy it in electric markets. Phone in Germany you can choose for fixed telephony among numerous providers. Many German decide now to contracts, containing a package of landline telephone and Internet access. These packages usually include a flat rate for phone calls. This means: To a
monthly flat rate telephone calls to German fixed network for as long, as you like.
For international calls, you can choose: A favorable + option is usually a phone call over the Internet. Who instead wants to use his normal landline phone, can use the service of specialized telephone provider. These companies provide for many countries of the world very different
Rates. Therefore, it may be worth, look up once the Internet, who for the particular country, you want to call,the best prices has. With the keywords "call through", "Call-by-call" and "foreign" You can find a supplier. Then simply choose the special code and then the number, you want to call. However, this option is enabled only for certain providers. A third option are flat rates, you can book some big phone company. These flat rates allow you, for a fixed monthly fee unlimited to a particular country of your choice to make calls. Once you have problems with your contract, You can always contact the consumer centers. The employees will help you with problems like
continue. Internet, Telephone and tv Wherever your family and your friends in the world living - they are only a phone call or email away. So that the good works, We would like you to check out some tips
give, how do you get in Germany at the best access to Internet and telephone.
You can buy a landline phone, for example, in electric markets or through private providers on the Internet. but simple devices are also available in large supermarkets. Check before buying phone, which phone line you have. Because: If you have an ISDN line,
You also need an ISDN phone.

mobile calls

Mobile telephony is possible via two routes: About Prepaid or on Contracts, which often have a fixed term. For prepaid simply purchase a cell phone and a prepaid card. The cards are available for example in electric markets, Drug stores or gas stations. With the map then load credit on your phone, that can you consume then. If you prefer to enter into a contract,
You can do this in a mobile phone shop or on the websites of suppliers. Pay attention to the details: How long the contract runs? How much is charged for a cell phone? What are the monthly costs, and what you get in return? those providers, whose contracts only available online
are, often cheaper offers. They should remember, that is to be expected with a lower service.
Important: If you do not have a German passport, You usually need your registration card, a cell phone contract complete. If you want to pay no monthly fee for your contract, you can enjoy a post-paid contract to. This works similar to a telephone connection over prepaid, with the difference, that you will receive an invoice for the calls you have phone calls at the end of the month.

watch TV

TV programs can be received in different ways in Germany. Independently of, for which transmission you choose: They are in any case obliged, to pay broadcasting contributions to the Post Service. from the 1. January 2013 each household pays, many people live independently as there, a monthly fee of 17,98 Euro.
In the following ways you can receive in Germany TV:

Antenna:

In this way you can see many German and some foreign channels for free. To
you need a special indoor antenna or a roof antenna. Whether your house already has a roof antenna, can you tell the landlord or landlady. In addition to the antenna you need a decoder for DVB-T, you can buy in the electric market. The program diversity and the quality of reception vary during the TV via antenna, however, from place to place. Ask therefore rather only once
Their colleagues about their experiences.

electric wire:

The cable network is widely used in Germany. however please in advance with your landlord or your landlord, if your house has an access. Cable television usually fall due- or connection fees and a monthly subscription fee to. Cable you can see more German and international programs as via antenna. In addition, more foreign channels can be partly to additional fees received.

TV via satellite

For satellite reception, you need a satellite – Antenna and a satellite receiver. The satellite antenna must be mounted on the roof or on the building façade -, you need permission from your landlord. Monthly service charges do not arise for satellite reception. Internet: Via Internet you can far in Germany 100 see transmitter. Fun it is only with a fast Internet connection.

go by bus or train

In and between the cities you getting on very well with public transport. Bus, tram, Subway, but also the trains of Deutsche Bahn and its competitors
are part of the public transport. Bus, Tram and metro: From your apartment
You will find a bus stop in a few minutes, where buses, make streetcars or subways during the day several times an hour maintenance - in major cities by the minute. Tickets can either buy from a ticket machine at the bus stop, from the driver or at ticket offices of the transport association, of the buses or trains operates. If you use public transport regularly, worth a week, month- or annual ticket. The longer the ticket is valid, more
lower the price for the single trip. For children generally lower prices are. Certain
Groups such as schoolchildren and students or disabled pay on presentation of their passport discounted rates. For seniors, there are many transport associations deals.

train

For trips to other German cities or European targets, the train offers. The German
Bahn is a former state-owned company major player in train. It owns the entire rail network in Germany, they rented to a few regional competitors. Tickets for the trains you buy at the counters or vending machines of Deutsche Bahn in the station or on the website of the Deutsche Bahn. The railway is Germany's comfortable and fast transport.
On some long-distance trains travel up to 300 km / h. International bus: By bus to get from Germany to other European countries well. In every city you will find at least the main railway station breakpoints international bus lines.

Applies your driving license in Germany?

Citizens of the EU, of Liechtenstein, Norway and Iceland: Enter, drive off. Simple as driving a car for you in Germany. Because: Your driver's license is valid country home like in your the same extent. can rewrite you do not have your driver's license. Citizens from another country: With your license you can go for six months in Germany. This period is from the date, in which you log in Germany. At the end of these six months, you need a German driving license. Whether you live in Germany again have to take a driving test for, depends, the country in which you purchased your license.

Join car and leave check

All cars in Germany must be registered. The application can be at the next admission imagine doing. Please return to your vehicle registration (proof, that the car belongs to you) and the policy of your auto insurance
with.
If you bring your car from abroad, check with the admissions office, what papers they need in addition. In addition to the application, each car must in Germany
General inspection made. This means: An expert who has confirmed, that your car is technically safe and the official exhaust emission regulations. He will then stick a test plaque on the license plate of your car. The main investigation you can make such as at an authorized workshop near you with different providers. They must be repeated at regular intervals
become. Both the main examination and the registration of your car will cost charges.

Driving in Germany

In Germany right traffic applies. The speed limit is in cities 50 kilometers per hour, in certain areas of the cities are only 30 Kph allowed. You may normally on highways 100 drive mph. exists on highways, if not marked otherwise, no general speed limit. recommended 130 kilometers per hour. Especially on busy or dangerous sections of motorway special speed limits apply. If you drive a car in Germany, you must always have your driver's license and vehicle registration for your car here, because these are reviewed in roadside police.

cycle

As cyclists leads an extensive network of bicycle paths to the goal. Remember: Even as a cyclist you are stopped by the police and misconduct as punished exactly when driving. You should therefore always on the operability of your bicycle (in particular the
light) Pay attention and follow the general traffic rules also on the “bike”.