Many young people worldwide want to live and work in Germany due to its advanced industry, sophisticated transportation infrastructure, advanced health system, and extensive education system. That’s why “Tips for Living in Germany” ranks among one of the most searched topics about Germany. Do you need tips to ease your life in Germany? Click here to access our special tips for you!
Transportation System
Germany is famous for its globally renowned car brands; however, the number of people who prefer using public transportation is considerably high.
Germany has the biggest railway network in Europe, so major cities have central train stations where people travel within and between countries every day. Commonly used vehicles are:
- Untergrundbahn (U-Bahn) – subway
- Schnellbahn or Stadtschnellbahn (S-Bahn) – the fastest public transportation
- Straßenbahn -tram
- Regionalbahn -regional trains
- Regional Express (RE) – has fewer stops and is faster than regional trains
Your ticket price depends on the travel zones (waben) you pass, and you could be fined if you go outside of the zone(s) where your ticket is valid. Germany has three travel zones
- A Zone: City center
- B Zone: The area surrounding A Zone
- C Zone: Outer suburbs
Health System
The German healthcare system has comprehensive services like regular check-ups, screenings, outpatient care, inpatient care, and rehabilitation.
It is mandatory to have health insurance in Germany. There are two basic types of insurance:
- Statutory health insurance (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung)
- Private health insurance (Private Krankenversicherung)
The statutory health insurance cost is based on income, whereas the cost of private health insurance is based on some risk factors.
Outpatient care – Operated by self-employed healthcare professionals. Family doctors (Hausarzt) can also deliver outpatient care and are usually the first point to visit as they decide whether a patient should see a specialist.
Inpatient care – All patients can benefit from hospital inpatient care regardless of the health insurance type.
Education System in Germany
The German education system is a high-quality system that equips students with vocational and academic skills that cater to their abilities and interests. It helps professional and personal development and contributes to Germany’s reputation and skilled workforce.
- Preschool Education (Kindergarten): Preschool education is for children between 3-6 children and is not mandatory.
- Primary Education (Grundschule): Primary education is compulsory and lasts for 4 to 6 years. It provides general education with different subjects, like German, Foreign Languages, Art, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and PE.
- Secondary Education: It includes different school types:
- Hauptschule: It usually lasts until 9th or 10th grade and prepares students for vocational careers (firefighter, police officer, chef, electrician)
- Realschule: It usually lasts until 10th grade and prepares students for vocational training. Students who demonstrate high academic achievement can transition to Gymnasium.
- Gymnasium: It lasts nine years between the 5th and 13th grades and prepares students for Abitur (university entrance qualification).
- Vocational Education and Training (Berufsschule): Students mostly prefer this education type after completing compulsory education. It combines practical (vocational) and theoretical training.
- Higher Education: It requires granting the Abitur or an equivalent qualification and includes bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
This content is provided solely for general informational purposes and does not encompass all details. Maxi Digital GmbH disclaims any responsibility for ensuring the currency and accuracy of the content. It is recommended to refer to official sources for the most current and reliable information.
