Essential Tips for Expats in Germany: Money-Saving Hacks, Travel Tips, and More

Written By Ifeoluwa Lawal

Moving to a different country means adjusting to new systems and a new way of life. Creating new strategies to optimize life and save money can be difficult at first, so I thought I’d save you the trouble. Here are some essential tips that I wish I’d had when I first moved to Germany.

  1. Get a Payback Card

    The payback Card is a scheme that they do here and multiple stores allow you to take part in it. It shows you deals, offers discounts on different products and most importantly, allows you to save up points to purchase other things. It also allows you to have a joint account with your partner If you’re going to spend the money anyway, you might as well get something back for it.

  2. Get a Deutschland Ticket

    One of the benefits of a Deutschland Ticket for expats in Germany, is that it allows you to travel on all public transportation in Germany except for the ICE trains (Long distance/international trains). Even if you’re only here for a month, buying a Deutschland Ticket will save you a lot of money. The transport system here operates on a trust system. You can often ride the train without a ticket because ticket inspectors are not on every train… In fact, your ticket rarely gets checked. That being said, if you do get caught, you will pick up a fine of 60 euros. The Deutschland Ticket is only 49 euros for the whole month. I think the peace of mind is worth it. If you want to cancel your Deutschland Ticket, make sure you do it by the 10th of the current month unless it will automatically charge you for the next month. For example, if you want it only for the month of September, you have to cancel it by September 10th, unless it will charge you for October.

  3. Use The DB Navigator App

    If you’re planning to traveling, using DB Navigator app for train travel in Germany is the best thing you can do. The DB navigator app is one of the best ways to understand public transportation in Germany for new residents. The trains are delayed so often here… it’s almost expected. They can also spontaneously cancel trips. You get live train updates with DB Navigator app, taking into account delays and cancellations. Don’t reply on google maps alone. Google maps often receive updates later than DB and can cause you to miss your train.

  4. Almost All Shops Are Closed on Sunday

    If you know you need groceries, or any products for Sunday, go shopping latest Saturday. If you need to buy something small like water, drinks, bread etc… you can purchase them at a kiosk. Just know that you’ll be paying significantly more.

  5. Save Your Bottles

    Money-back bottle recycling is a big thing in Germany. Here, it’s called “Pfand”. It’s an automatic deposit of 25 cents on almost every bottle and this ensure that the bottles are recycled at the appropriate places. This means that you pay an extra 25 cents for every bottle that you buy but you can get it back if you return them. You can tell which bottles are “pfand” bottles by the the specific symbol on them. That being said, other bottles, like glass bottles, may not have the symbol but still be subject to pfand. In almost every grocery store, there’s an electric bottle deposit, where you can return your bottles and get your money back, You’ll receive a ticket that you can use towards your groceries or get the money in cash.

  6. File Your Taxes

    In Germany, filing taxes is not required but it’s highly recommended. If you do choose to file your taxes, you have to file every year after until you no longer live and work in Germany. The reason I say that you should file your taxes is because they tax you a LOT here. They offer a lot of social programs, so it makes sense, but if you want some of your money back, it’s important that you keep track of your expenses and file a comprehensive tax return. It can be very complicated but the tax program I use is called: “elster.de". It can be very daunting and to explain everything here would be too difficult. Here is a video that I use when filing my taxes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIYGfSK_TAI. The video is in depth, in English and generally an easy guide to German taxes for new residents. There have been some changes to the tax form since, but it’s still relatively easy to follow.

  7. Schufa

    Schufa is basically your credit score. Like other credit agencies, they get information from rent payments, phone bills, paying loans, etc… This affects applying for loans, renting apartments, opening bank accounts, or signing contracts for utilities and mobile phone services. You can order one free Schufa report (“Datenkopie”) a year from the official Schufa website: https://www.meineschufa.de/

  8. Tv/Radio Tax (Rundfunkbeitrag)

    This has got to be the most annoying thing in Germany. This is a charge of public broadcasters ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio. Basically, they force everybody who is registered and 18 years old or over to pay 18.36 euros a month. This is so everyone can access public TV and radio in Germany. The worst part about it is WE DON’T WATCH GERMAN TV. To be honest, ain’t NOBODY tryin’ to watch German TV and in all honesty, who really listens to radio in this day and age? Despite not using it, you are forced to pay. If you do not, it can go to collections and affect your schufa score (credit score) which can affect your ability to rent apartments and other things. If you still refuse to pay, it’s possible that you can go to jail. You can register your apartment on this website: https://www.rundfunkbeitrag.de/index_ger.html. There aren’t really and reductions and exemptions from German TV tax but here are some Rundfunkbeitrag tips:

    • If you live in a WG, only one person in the WG has to pay it, so make sure you sort that out.

    • If you’re married or living with family, only one person has to pay it so contact them about your situation.

    • If you have multiple accommodations, it must only be paid in one.

    • Those suffering from certain disabilities have eligibility for Rundfunkbeitrag reductions in Germany up to 1/3 (6.12 euros) the original price.

    • If you receive certain social security benefits from the state, you can also receive a reduction.

    • At the bottom of this link: https://www.rundfunkbeitrag.de/welcome/englisch/index_ger.html#exemption_and_reduction, you can find a list of all reductions and exemptions in English.

Did we miss anything? Let us know below!

Ifeoluwa Lawal