With its long list of 'small print' abbreviations and wordy technical terms, German payslips can look intimidating. But it’s not as complex as it seems – and with a couple of simple adjustments, you could end up paying significantly less in salary deductions each month.
No matter what you are doing in Germany, you are required to have some form of health insurance – either public or private. Yet depending at what stage you are in life – employed, self-employed, raising a family or a student – you may have very specific needs from that health insurance.
You may have an idea how most healthcare in Germany works – but what about dental care? Dental work can be complex and it isn’t always easy to understand the costs involved.
German bureaucracy can be confusing even if you have lived and worked in the country for years – and doubly so if you're a newcomer. This can be especially so in the area of health insurance, which is mandatory for everyone.
Germany has the world’s fourth largest economy and the biggest in Europe by a distance. Yet international people who move to Germany are often bemused to find that its economic power isn’t reflected in its digital capabilities.
The Covid-19 pandemic has not only changed the way we live, but also led to a period of severe economic uncertainty. Thankfully, the German government is offering extensive financial support not only for affected companies but also for employees and self-employed people.
You can be certain of a high level of healthcare in Germany. But you’ll also sometimes face additional medical bills – with both public and private insurance.
Think of Germany and most people think of an uber-efficient nation. But expats living in Europe‘s economic powerhouse are sometimes surprised by the variations in healthcare provision.
Staying healthy is not just about regular trips to the doctor. Healthcare today is all about prevention and diagnostics – and any modern health provider will include this as the centrepiece of its coverage.
All health insurances in Germany, both private and public, are required to provide a certain level of cover. This includes the things you’d expect like prescription drugs, hospital in-patient care and an employee sick note; however, plenty of additional treatments often require extra payment.
Germany is a world leader in technology but it still has some way to go on the journey towards digitalization. It can be an adjustment for expats relocating from more digitally-advanced countries.
Scared of falling sick when living in Germany? Don’t be. The country’s healthcare system is among the world’s best – even if things can be a little different to what you’re used to. To lessen the shock, here’s The Local’s guide to the cultural quirks that might trip you up.
When KT Flood first moved to Germany, she had no idea how complex the German healthcare system was. Now that she’s figured it out, she’s ready to share her tips with other expats who may be in the same boat.
