I N T E R N AT I O N A L z alan d o E M PLOY E E gu i de Working and living in the capital of Germany
CONTENT
CONTENT
g et g oin g in Germany
I n s u ran c e 1 8 S o ci a l s e c u r it y 1 8 Li a b i l it y in s u r a nc e 1 9 M o t o r v e h ic l e in s u r a nc e 1 9 H o u s e h o l d in s u r a nc e 2 0 Acci d e nt in s u r a nc e 2 0 R e ti r e m e nt b e n e f it s
W or k in g in Germany
2 0 H o w t o p u r c h a s e a n in s u r a nc e p o l ic y 2 0 T h e m o s t imp o r t a nt in s u r a nc e t e r m s
08 before COMING To Germany 0 9 W h o d o es n ot n e e d a v i s a? 0 9 W o r k P e r mit s 1 0 F o r e ign e r s ’ O f f ic e ( A u s l ä n d e r b e h ö r d e )
G u i d eline s f or a s u c c e s s f u l s tart 1 1 R e gi s t e r a t t h e B ü r g e r a mt
R elo c ation E x pen s e s 2 2 W h ic h e x p e n s e s a r e r e im b u r s a b l e 2 3 C o mp e n s a ti o n f o r a d d iti o n a l e x p e n s e s in c o nn e cti o n wit h r e nt e d h o m e s 2 4 Ot h e r r e l o c a ti o n e x p e n s e s 24 Need help?
1 2 App l ic a ti o n f o r a ‘ L o h n s t e u e r e r s a t z b e s c h e inig u ng ’ ( t a x c a r d ) 1 2 Op e ning y o u r b a n k a cc o u nt 1 2 R e gi s t e r f o r h e a l t h in s u r a nc e
Fin d in g an apartment 2 6 S e a r c h v i a I nt e r n e t
H ealth — M e d i c al Care in Germany 1 3 H e a l t h in s u r a nc e
2 6 H o u s ing o f f ic e s 2 6 F u r ni s h e d r o o m s a n d a p a r tm e nt s 2 7 l itt l e h e l p e r s
1 4 P u b l ic H e a l t h I n s u r a nc e 1 4 P r i v a t e H e a l t h I n s u r a nc e 1 5 W h a t i s a h e a l t h in s u r a nc e c a r d ? 1 5 Vi s iting y o u r p h y s ici a n 1 5 W h a t i f y o u n e e d a p h y s ici a n a f t e r h o u r s ? 1 5 T h e c o s t o f a n o f f ic e v i s it 1 6 M e d ic a ti o n 1 6 I f y o u a r e a d mitt e d t o h o s pit a l 1 6 W h a t t o d o in c a s e o f e m e r g e nc y ? 1 7 V a ccin a ti o n s a n d p r e v e nt a ti v e c a r e 1 7 D e nti s t s 1 7 M e d ic a l C a r e in B e r l in
R ental c ontra c t s & rent 2 9 L e ngt h o f r e nt a l c o nt r a ct 2 9 P a r ti e s t o t h e r e nt a l c o nt r a ct 2 9 R e nt 3 0 M o r e d e ta i l s
CONTENT
CONTENT
LIVING IN BERLIN
B erlin B lo g s 5 3 o t h e r s i d e s o f b e r l in
T hin g s yo u nee d to k now abo u t German s 5 4 St . P e t e r a n d t h e ‘ W e tt e r f r o s c h ’
B erlin – A pla c e to be
5 5 ‘ Tat o r t ’
3 5 A b o u t B e r l in
5 5 B e e r
3 7 l i v ing in B e r l in ’ s d i s t r ict s – ‘ Ki e z e ’
5 6 W e a r e h u ng r y
5 5 ‘ Sc h o r l e ’ , ‘ R a d l e r ’ a n d 7 y e a r s o f b a d s e x 5 5 o z a p f t i s – ‘ O k t o b e r f e s t ’
38 MITTE
5 6 F o r t h e l a d i e s – d o n ’ t b r ing a mi l l i o n p a i r s o f h ig h h e e l s
3 8 FR I EDR I C H s HA I N - KREUZBER G
5 7 B r u t a l h o n e s t y – nic e s o m e tim e s
3 9 P RE N ZLAUER BER G a n d P A N KO W
57 Pa r t y i s fo r a l l ag es
4 0 N EUKÖLL N
5 7 M o r e f u nn y s t u f f o n G e r m a n s
4 1 t e mp e l h o f - s c h ö n e b r e r g 4 1 C HARLO T T E N BUR G - W I L M ERSDORF
W hen yo u wor k at Zalan d o tran s portation in the c ity
5 8 F u n f a ct s o n Z a l a n d o 59 ‘Hello Zal ando!’
4 3 p u b l ic t r a n s p o r t
5 9 R e a d o n : O u r b l o g s
4 3 Ri d ing Y o u r Bic y c l e
59 More on Zal ando
g oin g o u t s hoppin g eatin g 4 5 N ig h t l i f e 4 6 F o o d 4 8 U r b a n St y l e 4 9 W o m e n ’ s F a v o r it e s 50 Men’s Best 5 0 D e s ign e r s
c h a pt e r o n e
c h a pt e r o n e
Get g oin g in Germany I n o r d e r to h ave a s m o ot h s t a r t i n G e r m a ny t h e r e’s a few administrative and practical things you’ll need to organize. Find out what you’ll have to deal with to get things star ted here.
W o r k ing in G e r m a n y
Working in Germany
W or k in g in Germany B e f o r e y o u c o m e t o G e r m a n y, t h e r e i s a c o u p l e o f t h i n g s y o u should take care of. Find out what you need to deal with regarding visa and work permit and where you find help for these matters.
on the need for a visa for your country and further information on visa requirements can be found on the website of the German Foreign Affairs Office: www.auswaertiges-amt.de Generally, a visa only entitles you to entry and residence of 90 days initially. If you are planning a longer stay, you must apply for a residence permit shortly after arrival. This also applies to nationals from Group B. For EU dependents, a ‘freedom of movement’ permit, instead of the residence permit, can be obtained relatively easily.
W ho d oe s not nee d a vi s a ? Group A: Citizens from the Member States of the European Union (EU), Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein do not require a visa. Group B: Nationals from Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea and the USA do not require an entry visa.
be f ore C O M I N G T o Germany In many cases, a visa is needed for entering Germany. You can obtain this from the German embassy in your own country, but allow approximately two to three months
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W or k P ermit s for the application process. Visas for family members travelling with you should be applied for at the same time. The addresses of the relevant German Consulates with details
In order to get a job, an immigrant who is not a citizen of the EU needs either a residence permit (‘Aufenthaltserlaubnis’) which entitles him or her to have a job or a settlement permit (‘Niederlassungser-
laubnis’). The residence permit must state specifically that employment is allowed. The following procedure applies in principle for all types of employment. In the case of many immigrants, the right to engage in gainful employment will be granted immediately solely on the basis of the regulations in the Residence Law (‘Aufenthaltsgesetz‘) when the residence permit is issued. In these cases the Federal Employment Agency is not consulted. With other immigrants, a residence permit will be issued on the basis of the general requirements for residence in Germany, without, however, the right to work being granted automatically at that time. In these cases the Foreigners’ Office obtains the consent of the Federal Employment Agency to grant permission to engage in gainful employment. In principle, the Federal Employment Agency only consents if there is a vacancy for the immigrant that cannot be filled by a German, an EU citizen or other preferred employable person (non-EU foreigner who has been living in Germany for a fairly long time). EU citizens can enter Germany for jobseeking purposes. EU citizens and their family dependents (if also citizens of an EU member state) will be issued a certificate of their right to reside in Germany. EU citizens qualify for holding a job and do not need special approval from the Federal 09
W o r k ing in G e r m a n y
Working in Germany
Employment Agency. There are restrictions in regard to EU citizens from Central and Eastern Europe.
Forei g ner s ’ O f f i c e ( A u s l ä n d erbeh ö r d e ) Department IV – Foreigners’ Office, Immigration Unit – of the State Office for Public Affairs is responsible for all questions which pertain to the rights of you, a foreigner, to reside in Germany.
G u i d eline s f or a s u c c e s s f u l s tart What needs to be done after you arrive in Germany? The following information will help you to ensure that ever y thing will go smoothly during your first days i n G e r m a n y.
The address is: Landesamt für Bürger- und Ordnungsangelegenheiten Ausländerbehörde // Referat Zuwanderung Friedrich- Krause- Ufer 24 13353 Berlin Visiting Hours: Monday 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. Tuesday 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. Thursday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Telephone Hours: Wednesday 9 a.m. – 12 noon Friday 9 a.m. – 12 noon Service telephone for general information: 90269- 4000 To avoid long waits when visiting, please make an appointment during telephone hours.
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R e g i s ter at the B ü r g eramt You must register with the Residents’ Registration Office (Bürgeramt) within one week of your arrival in Germany, so that your new place of residence can be regis-
tered. This must be done in person. Please note that which Bürgeramt is responsible for you depends on in which district of Berlin you are living. If you bring your rental 11
G u i d e l i n e s f o r a s u c c e s s f u l s ta r t
H e a lt h – M e d i c a l C a r e i n G e r m a n y
agreement and your passport you will get a proof of registration immediately. Find out where the Bürgeramt of your district is located on the city of Berlin’s official website: www.berlin.de/en
Bürgeramt. For students there sometimes are special conditions.
A ppli c ation f or a ‘ L ohn s te u erer s at z be s c heini g u n g ’ ( ta x c ar d )
You can choose your own German health insurance and register online easily. You can choose whatever insurance you like. Your membership certificate (this document confirms your membership in a health insurance company to your employer) will be sent to you via post. The HR department will need this document. Once you are a member with a German health insurance provider (when you get a letter with your membership number), you will need to contact them and ask for your social security number. Within 4-6 weeks you will receive it by mail. HR just needs this number and later a copy of the card.
Register at the Finanzamt (revenue office) in order to receive your income tax. Please note that which Finanzamt is responsible for you depends on in which district of Berlin you are living. Within 7 days the Finanzamt will receive the information about your registration from Bürgeramt. For the application you will need your Anmeldung (registration form) from the Bürgeramt and your passport. Find out where the Finanzamt of your district is located on the city of Berlin’s official website: www.berlin.de/en
O penin g yo u r ban k a c c o u nt Your salary must be deposited by your employer into a German bank account. You can choose whatever bank you like. Don’t forget to bring your passport and proof of registration that you received from the
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R e g i s ter f or health in s u ran c e
H ealth — M e d i c al Care in Germany Health insurance is mandator y for all employees in Germany and you won’t be able to star t working without it. H e r e’s w h e r e yo u’l l f i n d m o r e i n fo r m a t i o n a b o u t w h a t i s c ove r e d by your health insurance and some basic info on physicians and m e d i c a l t r e a t m e n t i n G e r m a n y.
A T T E N T I O N : The deadline for payroll
is the 11th of every month. If you hand in all documents by this date, we are able to pay your salary at the end of that month. If documents are submitted after the 11th of the month we will not be able to process your pay by the end of the month. The salary will then be paid along with your next month’s salary at the end of the following month.
Find out more details about health insurance in the next chapter and do not hesitate to talk to HR if you have any insurance related questions.
H ealth in s u ran c e As an employee, you have to have health insurance – either statutory health insurance
or private health insurance. If you become ill, health insurance covers the cost of medical 13
H e a lt h – M e d i c a l C a r e i n G e r m a n y
treatment. The statutory health insurance system includes the following benefits:
·· outpatient medical treatment, for ·· ·· ·· ··
example in a physician’s office dental care medication, remedies and medical devices inpatient medical treatment, for example in a hospital medically necessary rehabilitation s ervices during pregnancy and childbirth
If your spouse is not employed, he or she may be covered under your statutory health insurance policy at no extra charge to you. The same holds true for your children. Moreover, your health insurance policy automatically includes long-term care insurance. Your long-term care insurance is activated if, for example, you need nursing care because of a serious illness that prevents you from caring for yourself.
P u bli c H ealth I n s u ran c e All salaried workers in Germany whose gross monthly income is less than € 4,350 are publicly insured. The percentage they owe to the state-run healthcare system is taken out of their monthly pay. In 2011, this percentage was raised to 15.5% of the employee’s
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H e a lt h – M e d i c a l C a r e i n G e r m a n y
monthly salary. 7.3% is paid by the employer. Applying for public health insurance is relatively stress free. Simply call up a regional office and set up an appointment. Make sure to bring your passport and your residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) with you when you go to the appointment. Usually, your German employer’s HR office will take care of this for you.
P rivate H ealth I n s u ran c e Private health insurance is quite a bit more expensive than public healthcare. Only those earning more than € 52,200 per year and the self-employed are eligible for private health insurance. The application process for this is a bit more complicated. You may be subjected to medical tests, required to answer a questionnaire concerning your medical history, and submit proof of your income. Unlike public healthcare, you have to go through the selection and application process without your employer’s help. The benefits of private health insurance mostly do not lie in the quality of medical standards, but in the speed of care. In other words, you will not be left waiting for hours but will be attended to quickly, and some doctors only take patients with private insurance.
W hat i s a health in s u ran c e c ar d ? As soon as you become a member of a statutory health insurance fund, you will receive an electronic health insurance card documenting your membership. The card includes a photo and an electronic record of your name, date of birth, address, policy number and insurance status. It must be submitted whenever you see your physician so that your health insurance can be billed for treatment. Your health insurance card is valid in all 28 EU countries as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. This means that if you become ill in one of these countries while on holiday or a business trip, your health insurance card gives you access to medical treatment there. Before travelling abroad, it is a good idea to contact your health insurance to find out what to do in an emergency.
V i s itin g yo u r phy s i c ian In Germany, you may choose your own physician. In most cases your first visit is to your general practitioner. If necessary, he or she will refer you to a specialist or arrange for you to be admitted to a hospital. To find the right physician, consult the following:
·· The website of your town or city www.berlin.de/en
·· The Bertelsmann Stiftung’s Weisse
Liste (White List) www.weisse-liste.de ·· The website of your state’s Kassenärzt- liche Vereinigung (Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, KV: www.kvberlin.de When you have found a physician, call his or her office and make an appointment; this avoids a long wait. In urgent cases, however, you can walk in without an appointment.
W hat i f yo u nee d a phy s i c ian a f ter ho u r s ? You need medical care, but your physician’s office is closed? In that case, dial 116 117 for an on-call physician; the number is valid throughout Germany. The call is free from land lines and mobile phones, and is available to all patients with statutory or private health insurance. In case of an emergency – a lifethreatening situation – you should instead dial the emergency number 112 which is the German fire service that will send you an ambulance.
T he c o s t o f an o f f i c e vi s it As a patient covered by statutory health insurance, you will have almost no out-of pocket expenses. Rather than billing you, 15
H e a lt h – M e d i c a l C a r e i n G e r m a n y
H e a lt h – M e d i c a l C a r e i n G e r m a n y
your physician will submit a bill directly to your health insurance.
M e d i c ation Medications are available only in pharmacies, which display a large red sign with letter A (for Apotheke). There are two ways to obtain medications. The first is through your physician: The physician writes a prescription, which you take to the pharmacy, where you receive your medication. For prescription medicines you are only expected to make a co-payment; the rest is covered by your health insurance. The second way is to go directly to the pharmacy, where you can find over-the-counter medications (not requiring a prescription). In this case you must pay the full amount.
I f yo u are a d mitte d to ho s pital Germany has public hospitals, private clinics and charitable hospitals run by church relief organizations; many larger cities have university hospitals as well. As a rule, your general practitioner will arrange to have you admitted to hospital; only in an emergency you should go there directly. Your health insurance will normally cover the costs of your hospital stay. Since hospitalization can be very expensive, however, it is a good idea to determine in advance whether all of your
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treatment costs are covered.
W hat to d o in c a s e o f emer g en c y ? In case of emergency, you have two alternatives: 1. In life-threatening or other serious situations, or if you are uncertain, dial 112, which connects you with the emergency medical service. The number is valid throughout Germany. An ambulance will arrive within 15 minutes. The emergency number is toll-free. 2. If the situation is not quite as serious, you can go directly to a hospital A&E department. A&E departments are open day and night. At the weekend, on holidays or during the night, on-call help is available from a hospital, physician or pharmacy in your area. Many newspapers publish daily listings of the physicians and pharmacies that are on call.
V a c c ination s an d preventative c are
M e d i c al Care in B erlin
Of course, it’s much better not to get sick. Vaccinations and health screenings can prevent many illnesses. Vaccinations record shows the diseases against which you have been vaccinated. Various screenings are also available, some of them required by law. For infants and children, there are the U1 to U9 screenings, which help to identify developmental disorders and illnesses at an early stage so that they can be treated. There are numerous screenings for adults as well, for skin cancer and dental problems, for example. Statutory health insurances providers often offer a bonus if you are regularly screened.
Berlin has an highly developed health infrastructure with a dense network of hospitals, clinics, physician practices, emergency services and some specialist institutions. You will find a broad range of medical care on offer here in the city.
Denti s t s Dental work in Germany can be quite expensive, and you often need to present a cost estimate to your insurance prior to getting the treatment. It is also not always guaranteed that your insurance company deems the work necessary, as they strictly differentiate between cosmetic work and medical treatment.
You can find suitable institutions or specialists for medical care in the Berlin internet health guide of the ‘Gesundheits-Informations-Service GmbH’. At www.gesundheitberlin.de you will find a comprehensive collection of addresses for health services: pharmacies, physicians, dentists, hospitals, ambulances and health trade as well as medical practitioners like optometrists, hearing device specialists, orthopaedics, maternity units and midwives. See also the telephone directory of business listings ‘Gelbe Seiten’ (yellow pages) available at www.gelbeseiten.de. Here you can look for specialists who speak more than one language: www.aerzte-berlin.de.
The percentage that your insurance, be it private or public, will pay depends on the coverage you have selected, as dental work is not included in standard medical insurance. However, quite a few Germans take out additional insurance cover for dental treatment with a private health insurance company. 17
Insurance
Insurance
I n s u ran c e U n f o r t u n a t e l y, i t i s i m p o s s i b l e t o p r e v e n t a l l a c c i d e n t s . H o w e v e r, t h e r e a r e m a n y w a y s o f protecting yourself against their repercussions. In the following section, we describe the most impor tant kinds of i n s u r a n c e a n d e x p l a i n h o w t o o b t a i n t h e s e i n G e r m a n y.
ing, a liability insurance can be useful. Many Germans regard liability insurance as the most useful and important of the optional types of insurances. In the event of a claim, private liability insurance covers the cost of damages up to a specified amount. It also covers your spouse and children. Liability coverage starts at under € 100 per year.
M otor vehi c le in s u ran c e
Teilkasko insurance generally pays for the following damage to your vehicle.
·· Theft or robbery ·· Fire or explosion ·· Storms, hail, lightning, flooding ·· Collisions with certain animals ·· ··
(such as deer) Broken glass Short-circuit damage to cables
Vollkasko insurance also covers any damage resulting from an accident – even if you were at fault – as well as damage from vandalism. This is particularly advisable if your vehicle is new, since the cost of damage would be especially high.
Motor vehicle liability insurance: If you own a car or motorcycle, you are required to have motor vehicle liability insurance. You are not allowed to register your vehicle without it. This insurance pays for personal injury, material damage and property loss if you Among other things, the cost of comprehencause an accident or injure someone while sive insurance depends on your premium, driving your car. The cost of the insurance – which is the amount you are required to pay the insurance premium – may vary widely. It out of pocket. For Teilkasko insurance, it is depends on such factors as the type of vehicle generally about € 150; for Vollkasko insur(car or motorcycle), its age and the number ance between € 300 and € 500. of years you have been driving without an accident.
So c ial s e c u rity
L iability in s u ran c e
If you have a job that requires social security contributions, you are insured under the social security system, which covers the major risks in life: illness, unemployment, accidents and the need for long-term care.
Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye – your child kicks a ball through your neighbor’s window, or you break a vase while visiting a friend. In Germany, you are liable in such cases. In other words, you need to pay for damage. To prevent this from happen-
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Comprehensive insurance: Motor vehicle liability insurance covers damages to the opposing party. You may also take out a comprehensive insurance policy to cover your own vehicle. A distinction is made between ‘Teilkasko’ (comprehensive insurance) and ‘Vollkasko’ (comprehensive insurance plus collision coverage).
H o u s ehol d in s u ran c e
This insurance covers the contents of your house or flat. For example, it pays for the replacement if your furniture or clothing are stolen or damaged by fire, storm or water. The cost depends on the size of your home, among other things. It is particularly worthwhile if you keep valuable items in your home.
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Insurance
Insurance
A c c i d ent in s u ran c e
H ow to p u r c ha s e an in s u ran c e poli c y
You are automatically a member of the statutory accident insurance through your employer. This means that you are covered in the event of an accident in the workplace or on your way to work. However, most accidents happen when you are not at work, and this is where private accident insurance can help. While medical treatment is covered by statutory health insurance, private accident insurance can help mitigate financial consequences. Most importantly, private accident insurance covers you if you become disabled as a result of an accident and are no longer able to work. The insurance company pays disability benefits. You can purchase coverage for types of rehabilitation that are not paid for by statutory health insurance.
To insure yourself against risk, you should purchase an insurance policy. The policy stipulates the following:
R etirement bene f it s Germany’s statutory pension insurance is the most important and strongest component of our old-age security system. To maintain your existing standard of living, however, it is advisable to have an additional retirement plan. Since 2002, the government has subsidized such supplementary pensions. The principle is both simple and effective: If you supplement your statutory pension, whether privately or at your workplace, the government will help – by providing subsidies and tax contribution exemptions.
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·· Who or what is being insured? ·· What is the insured event? In other
words, in what case will the insurance company pay? ·· W hat is the maximum amount that will be paid (amount of insurance)? Before purchasing a policy, make sure to do plenty of research. Talk to your friends and colleagues. You can also consult a professional insurance consultant, but if you do so, make sure that the consultant provides impartial advice. Insurance consultants at the consumer protection agency can offer further information. When you have chosen an insurance company, make an appointment for a personal meeting, where you can talk about the details of the policy. It is a good idea to ‘sleep on it’ before signing a contract. If you are not entirely fluent in German, ask a friend or colleague to go with you to the meeting.
T he mo s t important in s u ran c e term s
·· Pflichtversicherung (Compulsory
insurance): Insurance required by law.
If you have a car, this includes motor vehicle liability insurance. ·· Selbstbeteiligung / Selbstbehalt (Premium): This is the amount that you are required to pay out of pocket if an insured event occurs. It may be a fixed amount or a percentage. ·· Versicherer (Insurance provider): The company from which you purchase your insurance policy. ·· Versicherungsnehmer (Policy holder): The individual who purchases a policy from the insurance company, normally you or a member of your family. ·· Versicherungsfall (Insured event): The event that triggers payment from your insurance company (for example a car accident in the case of comprehensive motor vehicle insurance or illness in case of health insurance). ·· Versicherungsprämie / Versicherungsbeitrag (Insurance premium or insurance contribution): The onetime or regular amount that you pay to your insurance company. The insurance policy determines the
amount and when it is to be paid. ·· Versicherungsleistung (Insurance benefit): The benefit you receive from the insurance company if the insured event occurs. This may be a monetary amount or a replacement in kind. The latter term means that the damaged item is replaced, for example: A broken window is replaced with a new one. The maximum insurance benefit is defined in the insurance policy.
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R e l o c at i o n E x p e n s e s
R e l o c at i o n E x p e n s e s
R elo c ation E x pen s e s Moving to a new countr y can be quite expensive. Find out which costs will be compensated or reimbursed after you’ve m o v e d t o G e r m a n y.
to deduct additional costs in his or her German income tax return. Relocation expenses are work-related if:
·· The distance between home and
workplace is significantly reduced. This is the case if daily travelling time in total is reduced by at least one hour. ·· A new home is required because the employee is working for the first time. ·· The relocation is caused by working for a new employer or taking a new profession or job. ·· The relocation is in the predominant interest of the employer or ·· A work-related, so called double household, is set-up or terminated. The following expenses can be deducted or reimbursed by the employer free of tax:
·· Transport of household goods ·· A ll expenses related to the
W hi c h e x pen s e s are reimb u r s able You can deduct relocation expenses from your taxable income if these costs are job or work-related. Alternatively, the employer
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may reimburse those expenses free of tax. If the employer does not reimburse all relocation expenses, the employee is entitled
transportation are deductible. This also applies for substantiated payments to privately supported individuals. The employer can reimburse these costs free of tax. ·· Deductible travelling costs ·· Costs of transport (flight, train, car etc.) ·· Costs of accommodation ·· Extra expenses for food and drink (flatrate amounts / lump sums) ·· Costs of accommodation ·· Other travel-related expenses
The employer can reimburse travelling costs of the employee, his or her children and other individuals who belong to the household. The employer can reimburse costs directly related to the relocation. The employer can also reimburse costs for travelling to the new working place in advance if the employee is searching for a new home or visiting a new flat. The employer can reimburse expenses for:
·· Two journeys if only one person is
travelling or ·· One journey if two persons are travelling.
Compen s ation f or a d d itional e x pen s e s in c onne c tion with rente d home s The following rents are deductible and reimbursable for:
·· A flat or home if the rental contract
cannot legally be cancelled before the relocation takes place or ·· The new flat, if this flat had to be rented before the relocation date.
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R e l o c at i o n E x p e n s e s
O ther relo c ation e x pen s e s Other expenses and costs are deductible or reimbursable. They are for example:
·· Broker fees for procuring a rented flat
or home (this does not apply for the purchase of an own home) ·· Additional costs for educating children, if connected to the change of address.
Fin d in g a n a pa r t men t
Fin d in g an apartment In Berlin you will find that a large number of apar tments of various sizes are available in all districts and price ranges. Compared to other European metropolises, rents remain reasonably affordable.
Other relocation expenses can be deducted or reimbursed free of tax if certain requirements are met. It is possible to reimburse or deduct certain lump sums or actual costs, if documented.
N ee d help ? If you want assistance with your relocation check out this site: www.berlin-relocator.de/english Here you’ll find options for your individual relocation package offered by a GermanAmerican who has lived in several countries and has been assisting families to make their move to Berlin for over 14 years.
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Fin d in g a n a pa r t men t
R e n ta l c o n t r a c t & r e n t
www.gimmo.de www.planethome.de/de/index.jsp www.immobilienscout24.de
H o u s in g offices
Sear c h via I nternet The websites of most of Berlin’s daily newspapers have apartment offers online: Berliner Morgenpost www.morgenpost.de/anzeigenmaerkte/ Berliner Zeitung http:immobilien.bz-berlin.de/ Tagesspiegel www.tagesspiegel.immowelt.de Zitty http:kleinanzeigen.zitty.de/ Wohnungen In addition, there’s a lot of popular sites for your apartment search: http:www.berlin.de/special/ immobilien-und-wohnen/suche www.lieblingsmieter.de www.immowelt.de www.wohnungsbaugenossenschaften.de www.wohnungssuche-berlin.net www.studenten-wohnung.de
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When looking for an apartment, you might also like to enquire in the housing offices in the districts that interest you (‘Wohnungsamt’, located in each district office). They offer information on ‘Wohnungsgesellschaften’, housing associations that are run by the state and provide apartments for rent.
F u rni s he d room s an d apartment s As in many other cities, you’ll find many people renting out single rooms or their whole apartment for an extended period of time. This is a good option if you want to find a place to stay for a while and search for an apartment at your own pace or if you are only staying in Berlin for a certain period of time. Check out these sites to find a furnished room or apartment: www.airbnb.de www.wimdu.de www.homecompany.de www.wg-gesucht.de
little helper s The following abbreviations are helpful when looking for accommodation: 2-Zi-Whg 2-Zimmer-Wohnung / (2-room apartment) Abstellk. Abstellkammer / (storeroom) Blk / Balk. Balkon / balcony DG Dachgeschoss / (under the roof / attic rooms) D Diele / (hall) DU Dusche / (shower) EBK Einbauküche / (fitted kitchen) EFH Einfamilienhaus / (detached house) EG Erdgeschoss / (ground floor) HK Heizkosten / (heating costs) Kaution Deposit Keine zusätzl. Prov. Keine zusätzliche Provision (No additional commission)
KM Kaltmiete / (rent excl. utilities costs such as heating, cable TV, cleaning of communal areas, waste removal etc.) MM Monatsmiete /(monthly rent) NK / NBK Nebenkosten / (additional costs such as heating, cable TV, cleaning of shared areas, waste removal etc.) NR Nichtraucher / (non-smoker) OG Obergeschoss / (floor) RH Reihenhaus / (terraced house) Stellpl. Stellplatz / (parking space) TG Tiefgarage / (underground parking) warm / WM Warmmiete / (rent incl. all utilities costs such as heating, cable TV, cleaning of communal areas, waste removal etc.) Wfl. Wohnfläche / (living space) WG Wohngemeinschaft / (shared accommodation) WK Wohnküche / (open-plan kitchen) ZH Zentralheizung / (central heating)
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R e n ta l c o n t r a c t & r e n t
R ental c ontra c t s & rent W h e n r e n t i n g a n a p a r t m e n t i n G e r m a n y, i t ’s g o o d t o h a v e some key facts about rental contracts and rent in mind. Find out what you need to know before signing your contract.
R e n ta l c o n t r a c t & r e n t
L en g th o f rental c ontra c t
Here’s some of the providers in Berlin: Vattenfall www.vattenfall.de
There are short-term and long-term contracts. Be aware of temporary rental contracts (Zeitmietvertrag) where the landlord states that they will use or renovate the flat once the lease has ended as the tenant will have no rights once the contract is up.
Lekker Strom www.lekker-energie.de Eprimo www.eprimo.de EVD www.ev-d.de Stromio www.stromio.de Yello Strom www.yellostrom.de
P artie s to the rental c ontra c t Each person who wants to move into the flat should be included in the rental contract. The landlord and the tenant both need to sign it and the original copy should be given to you.
R ent Rent - ‘Miete’ or ‘Monatsmiete’ in German – is the amount paid by the tenant (‘Mieter’) to the landlord (‘Vermieter’) every month for use of the apartment (‘Netto-Kaltmiete’, net cold rent). There are also side costs included for items like garbage disposal, street and house cleaning, heating and water supply; they make up approximately 25% of the rent. Electricity is usually charged separately by an electricity supplier of your choice, with which you must register yourself. You might have a choice of providers. When you move in, contact the providers to agree on the contract and arrange for payment.
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To find out which provider suits you best and what’s the right rate for you, you might want to use an online calculator: www.berlin.de/special/finanzen-undrecht/rechner All costs in addition to the rent are paid at a monthly flat rate which is an estimate of the average monthly costs. Accounts are settled at the end of an accounting year. If you get a refund, the monthly rate for the following year will be reduced; if you have to pay an additional amount, the monthly rate will be increased. The additional costs that are paid through the landlord every month together with the rent are called ‘Nebenkosten’ and the total amount paid to the landlord every month is called ‘Warmmiete’. Deposit: It is common to pay a deposit (one to maximum three months’ rent plus value added tax (VAT) to cover any repairs for damage in the apartment caused by the tenant when he/she leaves. This sum is deposited in a special savings account. Arrange this 29
R e n ta l c o n t r a c t & r e n t
R e n ta l c o n t r a c t & r e n t
together with the landlord or obtain a receipt for the savings account. When you leave, the deposit will be returned to you with interest. However, any costs for repairs or renovation will be deducted. The exact rules and regulations on this should be included in the rental contract which you will receive for signature from the agent or landlord. The rental contract or house rules can entail certain obligations, such as path clearance in winter when it snows or periodic responsibility for cleaning the stairwell. You should check whether pets are allowed. The general rule is that noise should be kept to a minimum between 22:00 and 7:00, so as not to disturb your neighbors. If you have a party or invite guests, it is common courtesy to let your neighbors know in advance that there may be a little more noise on the day in question.
M ore d etail s If you want to read more on how to find an apartment in Berlin as an expat, read this excellent guide on ‘The Needle blog’: www.needleberlin.com/moving-to-berlinthe-needle-guide-2012-edition
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c h a pt e r tw o
c h a pt e r tw o
L ivin g in B erlin ‘Berlin is a pulsing, exciting city with so many varied and distinctive neighborhoods, iconic histor y all around, g r e a t f o o d a t a l l l e v e l s a n d f r o m e v e r y c o r n e r o f t h e w o r l d .’ said a member of R.E.M. some years ago. H e r e’s a q u i c k g u i d e to B e r l i n’s m o s t exc i t i n g n e i g h b o r h o o d s .
B e r l i n – A p l a c e t o b e
B erlin – A pla c e to be Pr o u d to p r e s e n t: B e r l i n’s m o s t c e n t r a l a n d exc i t i n g neighborhoods. Get a quick over view and some insights that might help you to choose your place to stay and f i n d o u t a b o u t f a v o r i t e s p o t s i n t h e c i t y.
B e r l i n – A p l a c e t o b e
A bo u t B erlin Berlin is the capital of Germany and one of the most fascinating, liberal and cosmopolitan cities in the world. Berlin is the largest city in Germany and has a population of 4.5 million within its metropolitan area and 3.5 million within city limits. Almost 15% of Berlin’s residents are people holding foreign passports – a remarkable figure for any city. Berlin has residents from almost every country in the world – with more than 190 countries represented in the city’s (registered) population.
surviving medieval buildings near Alexanderplatz, to the ultra-modern glass and steel structures at Potsdamer Platz. Because of its tumultuous history, Berlin remains a city with many distinctive neighborhoods.
As for the living cost, Berlin is still one of the ‘cheaper’ cosmopolitan cities. The link below will also help you understand the expense of the city: www.numbeo.com Berlin is best known for its historical associations as the German capital, internationalism and tolerance, lively nightlife, its many cafés, clubs, and bars, street art, and numerous museums, palaces, and other sites of historic interest. Berlin’s architecture is quite varied. Although badly damaged in the final years of World War II and split in two during the Cold War, Berlin has reconstructed itself greatly, especially with the reunification push after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. From 1948 to 1990 the city of Berlin was divided into two parts: West Berlin and East Berlin. It is now possible to see representatives of many different historic periods in a short time within the city center, from a few C l o c k w i s e f r o m l e f t : C h e c k p o i n t C h a r l y, P e r g a m o n m u s e u m , O b e r b a u m b r ü c k e 34
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B e r l i n – A p l a c e t o b e
B e r l i n – A p l a c e t o b e
M oll s traSSe ( B mo )
Managing Directors
Um s pannwer k ( B S B )
Technology
Brand Marketing
Onsite Management
Sales
Finance Legal, Internal Audit, GRC
pren z la u er ber g / pan k ow
Corporate Communications Zalando Operations
Infrastructure People & Organization
N e u e B ahnho f s traSSe ( B n B )
Category Management zLabels
R einhar d s traSSe ( br s )
mitte
f rie d ri c h s hain / k re u z ber g
T amara - Dan z - StraSSe ( B T D )
Customer Service International
to be opene d in s u mmer 2 0 1 4 c harlottenb u r g wilmer s d or f
Brand Marketing Sales Infrastructure tempelho f s c h ö neber g
People & Organization
ne u k ö lln
Customer Service International
livin g in B erlin ’ s d i s tri c t s – ‘ Kie z e ’
O u tlet ( B O K )
Neighborhoods are often called Kieze by Berliners, which refers to their immediate neighborhood with all the necessary infrastructure and social networks. Berlin has 10 boroughs. Before the Greater Berlin Act was passed in 1920, some areas, such as Charlottenburg or Rixdorf, were independent towns or villages. Because of
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this, a lot of Kieze have kept their own unique character. However, things are constantly changing and every week there seems to be a new Trendbezirk or hip area. People are always moving, looking for something new whilst at the same time trying to get away from the rising rents. We give a run-through of some Berlin boroughs that are central and relatively inexpensive. 37
B e r l i n – A p l a c e t o b e
MITTE Mitte – the ‘middle’ of Berlin. Nikolaiviertel is the historic heart of the city. It is situated next to Alexanderplatz, which together with the Unter den Linden boulevard, Museum Island, Hackescher Markt and Friedrichstraße, makes up the ‘old’ part of Mitte, whilst the government quarter, Potsdamer Platz and Leipziger Platz have all been built up over the last 25 years. When Berliners speak of Mitte, they are usually referring to the smaller locality and not to the larger borough, which also consists of the localities of Tiergarten, Hansaviertel, Wedding, Moabit and Gesundbrunnen. Families prefer the Spandauer Vorstadt area, which is made up of Torstraße and Hackescher Markt, Rosenthaler Vorstadt and the Fischerinsel area between the river and Getraudenstraße. Artists and creative types prefer the southern parts of Moabit and Wedding. Only the very wealthy can afford to live near Gendarmenmarkt.
Over the past few years gentrification has arrived in Leopoldplatz in Wedding and a number of bars and cafes have opened their doors. Further north, near the Afrikanische Straße underground station, it is still possible to find something cheap.
FRIEDRICHsHAINK R E UZ B E R G East and West, Germans and non-Germans, family life and singles – FriedrichshainKreuzberg unites them all. Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, the smallest of all the Berlin boroughs in terms of area, was formed in 2001 by merging the former East Berlin borough of Friedrichshain and the former West Berlin borough of Kreuzberg, an area known for its green politics and counterculture traditions. During World War II Friedrichshain was one of the most badly damaged parts of Berlin and the western part of the borough is dominated by East German tower blocks. Once solely the preserve of older people, they have now been renovated and their low rents, good location and amazing views are making them an attractive option for younger people. A popular area is the area around OttoBraun-Straße and Mollstraße, known as Barnim-Kiez, with its many playgrounds and its proximity to Volkspark Friedrichshain.
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they s ay THE CITY OF BERLIN IS A C T U A L LY ma d e o u t of 100 VILLAGES.
The area around Boxhagener Platz, with its pre-WWII flats that have been renovated, is particularly attractive to young people but it can be pricy. An insider’s tip is Samariterviertel, the area north of Samariterstraße underground station as well as the area around Rudolf-Platz, which has seen a lot of interesting development recently. Kreuzberg still has a lot of reasonably priced flats, many of which have been renovated, as well as a lot of industry and handicraft businesses. The south-western part of Kreuzberg is interesting with its mix of young and old, German and international, families and singletons.
The streets are full of independent shops and bars and the river Spree and Treptower Park are not far away – green and urban comes together here. This area is also known for its high unemployment.
P R E N Z L A U E R B E R G an d PA N KOW Pankow is also a district that is defined by contrasts: From the tranquil streets of Pankow to the densely populated area that borders Mitte. There are no tall buildings here, just church towers and old flats from the late 19th century. Prenzlauer Berg is known across Germany and a lot of young people and families from 39
B e r l i n – A p l a c e t o b e
Fin d in g a n a pa r t men t
In the right ‘Kiez’ it might happen you live next to your favorite café.
different countries move here. Kollwitzplatz in the summer could be mistaken for the south of France or Italy. Modernisation and gentrification have led to rising rents and many long-time residents have left the Kiez, and the character of the area has completely changed. The area is perfect for families and raising children. Weißensee is quiet and green, for example the area known as the Composers‘ Quarter, east of Berliner Allee. Französisch-Buchholz und Pankow are also green and have a lot of parks. It is further away from the centre, but this also means that the rents are lower.
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N E UKÖ L L N Neukölln is characterised by having one of the highest percentages of immigrants in Berlin: 321,000 people from 160 different countries. The northern part of Neukölln is very densely populated whereas the southern part is more spread out and green. Reuterkiez has become very popular with students and artists in recent years, tempted by its cafes, galleries and cheap rents. The area between Karl-Marx-Straße and Sonnenallee is rather unique in Berlin. Known as Rixdorf, the area is famous for its old buildings situated around Richardplatz which is reminiscent of a village green but in the middle of a capital city. Neukölln covers a large area and the rents can vary greatly:
now that Tempelhof airport has closed, the rents there are increasing and in the southern part, near the new city airport, rents are also going up.
and Mariendorf and the Aviators’ Quarter, named after the former Tempelhof airport, is known for its quiet side streets (such as Manfred-von-Richthofen-Straße).
tempelho f s c h ö nebrer g
CHARLOTTENBURGW I L M E R SD O R F
Although they are both part of the same borough, Tempelhof and Schöneberg are very different places – Tempelhof is more for those who prefer peace and quiet whereas Schöneberg is full of bars and clubs.
Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf is, and always has been, the focal point of West Berlin – from affordable council housing in Siemensstadt to grand villas in Dahlem. The beating heart of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf is the world famous Kurfürstendamm, Berlin’s answer to Oxford Street or or the ChampsÉlysées. Culture vultures will feel at home here, with the opera, numerous theatres (Schaubühne) and museums (Sammlung Berggruen) all based here.
The nicest – but also most sought-after and most expensive – area in Schöneberg is the ‘Bayerische Viertel’, situated between Vikoria-Louise-Platz and Bayerischer Platz. Artists, creative types, freelancers and DINKs (Dual Income No Kids) tend to settle down here. If you don’t have contacts then it’s almost impossible to find a place here. More promising is Friedenau, further south. The area around Friedrich-Wilhelm-Platz with its pre-WWII flats and shops is particularly nice.
Charlottenburg is primarily a middle-class area but a lot of students and creative types live here, while Wilmersdorf is more conservative.
The area around Nollendorfplatz is Berlin’s gay quarter. Golzstraße, Eisenacher Straße and Akazienstraß are international and creative, whereas Kurfürstenstraße is known as being one of Berlin’s red light districts. Tempelhof is quieter: A lot of families tend to settle in Marienfelde, Lichtenrade 41
P u b l i c T r a n s p o r tat i o n
tran s portation in the c ity T h e r e’s h a r d l y a ny c a p i t a l i n Eu r o p e w i t h a b e t te r p u b l i c transpor t network than Berlin. No matter what time of day o r n i g h t , t h e r e’s a l way s a t r a i n o r b u s to d r i ve yo u h o m e . Alternatively you can get yourself a bike and explore t h e c i t y t h i s w a y.
P u b l i c T r a n s p o r tat i o n
p u bli c tran s port You can easily reach most destinations in Berlin by public transport. As a Zalando employee you get your monthly ticket at a reduced fare – just talk to HR. If you use public transportation frequently, this will save you a lot of money. The Berlin transport authority, the BVG, operates bus, U-Bahn (underground) and tram networks, and a few ferry services on the outlying lakes. The S-Bahn (overground railway) is run by its own authority, but services are integrated within the same threezone tariff system. Zone A covers central Berlin, zone B extends out to the edge of the suburbs and zone C stretches into Brandenburg. The BVG website (www.bvg.de) has a wealth of information (in English) on city transport, and there’s usually someone who speaks English at the 24-hour BVG Call Center (194 49). The S-Bahn has its own website at www.sbahn-berlin.de Also very helpful: The Android and iOS App ‘Öffi’ for Berlin that checks out journeys, connections and schedules of all trains, busses and trams for you.
over the past decade has been cyclist traffic, thanks mostly to the city’s remarkable bike lane system. A bicycle is extremely practical for individual excursions. Most routes are easily navigable by bike, and it is a great way to see the environment. Bikes are available for rent at numerous bike rentals and stores. In many parts of the city and in the suburbs, there is an extensive cycle path network.
the yellow ‘ u bahn ’ o f berlin i s f amo u s in the whole worl d .
R i d in g Y o u r B i c y c le Of note though is Berlin’s riding (cycling) culture, as more than 10% of the city’s traffic
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g o i n g o u t, s h o p p i n g , e at i n g
g oin g o u t s hoppin g eatin g Have fun in Berlin with our recommendations for par tying, eating and – last not least – shopping! We’ve also collected our favorite blogs on Berlin – enjoy!
g o ing o u t
N i g htli f e Berlin is proud of its nightlife culture, and with good reason. The partygoers of the 90s who danced in factories, warehouses and old subway shafts may have moved on, but there is a new scene in Mitte, Friedrichshain, Kreuzberg and the old west that is running from one opening to the next. Booming techno beats and a jazzy transverse flute, mirrored dance halls with red silk curtains, small cellar clubs with trashy decorations: Berlin has a bars and clubs to suit every taste and budget. The capital has the largest electro scene in the world, but there are clubs catering to lovers of all types of music. Or if you just like to tango, jive or swing hit the traditional Balhäuse (Ballrooms) of Berlin, where couples have been swaying for over 100 years.
B ar s Amano Bar Auguststraße 45 10119 Berlin Especially nice during the summer time with its roof top bar. Bar 1000 Schiffbauerdamm 11 10117 Berlin Hidden spot. They mix good drinks over here and have praise from the jazz scene.
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Bon Bon Bar Torstraße 133 10119 Berlin A favorite of Berlin’s fashion scene. Chic and simple. Trust Torstraße 72 10119 Berlin Spirits are sold in bottles 0.2 or 0.5 so you either make lots of new friends or you just get drunk ;-) Chapel Bar Sonntagstraße 30 10245 Berlin Tell the bar tender what you like and you’ll get a cocktail that’s designed for you. Gin & Tonic Bar Friedrichstraße 113 10117 Berlin For all the Gin Tonic addicts this bar with its edgy style is the right place to be. Tier Weserstraße 42 12045 Berlin ‘Tier’ meaning ‘animal’ in German has a cool vibe with frosted glass windows, but it’s the hip and friendly guests which make Tier so special. Odessa Bar Torstraße 89 10119 Berlin Trendy artsy, typical Berlin-Mitte. 45
s h o pping , e a ting
s h o pping , e a ting
Dan c in g
Foo d
Weekend Alexanderstraße 7 10178 Berlin Pretty nice club with a gorgeous view over Berlin, located right in the center of the city.
Lokal Linienstraße 160 10115 Berlin A charming eatery serving contemporary German food based on fantastic, locally sourced ingredients served by amazing staff.
Berghain Am Wriezener Bahnhof 10243 Berlin The world’s most revered techno club. Prince Charles Prinzenstraße 85 F 10969 Berlin Located in a former swimming-pool, the Prince Charles is a mixconcept of bar and club with manicured electro sound. Ritter Butzke Ritterstraße 26 10969 Berlin The complex of buildings at Moritz place has become a legend. Although it’s now above board, it gained it’s cred as an underground, unofficial party locale. Great partying guaranteed.
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Y o u ’ ll f in d f oo d f rom all over the worl d in B erlin – an d at low pri c e s .
Schneeweiß Simplonstraße 16 10245 Berlin This minimally designed restaurant, reminiscent of a winter wonderland, serves Austrian inspired cuisine exceptionally well. Hartmanns Fichtestraße 31 10967 Berlin Really nice French food in Kreuzberg.
Katz Orange Bergstraße 22 10115 Berlin Regional, delicious food in such a cool building – an old brewery.
A New York style bar and steakhouse, ser- The Berlin shopping streets, shopping-cenving undoubtedly Berlin’s best steaks ters and markets offer all you can imagine. and burgers as well as some other stuff – The boulevard and window shopping areas at all made fresh daily. ‘Kurfürstendamm’, the new ‘Stadtquartier am Potsdamer Platz’ and the traditional ‘Friedrichstraße’ down to ‘Spandauer Vorstadt’ Shoppin g are very popular. Fans of designer clothes or trendy second hand fashion will find what Shops are generally open between 9:00 they want in scene-boutiques in ‘Prenzlauer and 20:00 Monday to Saturday; large super- Berg’ or all around the ‘Hackescher Markt’ markets and shopping centers will open in the city district ‘Mitte’. At Brunnenstraße, even longer. Smaller shops or businesses you’ll also find our Zalando Show Room in the outskirts of the city, however, close where editors, bloggers and stylists can get between 18:00 and 19:00 on weekdays, an impression of the best styles of the curon Saturday possibly even at midday. rent season.
The Bird Am Falkplatz 5 10437 Berlin
All shops are normally closed on Sundays. Exceptions are bakers and florists which often open on Sunday mornings.
Yam Yam Alte Schönhauser Straße 6 10119 Berlin Excellent Korean cuisine in Mitte. This place is usually crowded so you might have to wait a little. But the dishes are worth it.
A stroll over to the Berlin weekly markets or flea markets, art markets and jumble sale is always an interesting experience. As 47
g o i n g o u t, s h o p p i n g , e at i n g
s h o pping
become cultic on shirts, bags and stickers and you can buy these in the inhouse flagship store or at Soma, Aus Berlin or Fumanchuh. Firmament Linienstrasse 40 10119 Berlin Firmament offers a premium range of clothes from the US, Japan and Europe. Here, street style meets formal and it’s the place where the stylish «Mitte Boys» buy their clothes.
Zalando Showroom am Hackeschen Markt
for flea markets, the one in Mauerpark (in Prenzlauer Berg) and at Tiergarten, Straße des 17. Juni, are the biggest and most renowned.
M o s t wante d s hoppin g L o c ation s Urban Style Voo Store Berlin Oranienstraße 24 10999 Berlin www.vooberlin.com/berlin-store Voo Store is located in central Kreuzberg, in a backyard on Oranienstrasse, on a 300m 2 floor on the premises of a former locksmith shop. Rather than focusing on short-lived
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trends, Voo will present products that have the potential to become prized possessions for life. Voo is operating as a platform for music, design, fashion and art. The creators of the store are hosting regular exhibitions, readings, concerts and showcases of new works from various designers and artists. Muschi Kreuzberg Oranienstr. 185 10999 Berlin www.muschikreuzberg.de A brand called ‘Muschi Kreuzberg’ (‘pussy Kreuzberg’) simply can’t be ignored. This label of an advertising agency lives off slogans like ‘I add your mother’, ‘Sucht und Ordnung’ (= addiction and order, in German referring to ‘Zucht und Ordnung’ meaning law and order) or ‘Exzess All Areas’. They’ve
Vektor Berlin Gormannstraße 23 10119 Berlin Characterized by urban extravagance, Vektor offers a mix of men’s, women’s and unisex fashion. Flowing fabrics with eyecatching prints.
without having to spend a fortune. A nice thought, right? It’s perfectly possible if you shop at ‘Broke & Schön’. The interior is lovingly decorated and full of unique and fashionable clothing, bags, accessories and shoes for girls. Prachtmädchen Wühlischstraße 28 10245 Berlin Watch out this store is addictive . That applies to you too guys! You’ll find a huge range of affordable fashion of well-known labels.
W omen ’ s Favorite s And other Stories Kurfürstendamm 234 10719 Berlin The new concept from H&M! Besides its avant-garde shaped styles, the store also offers other brands such as shoes from Nike or cosmetics by Dr. Bronner’s. Trendsetters love &Other Stories for its sophisticated shoe department. Broke & Schön Krossenerstr 9-10 10245 Berlin Imagine yourself wearing the latest trends 49
s h o pping
M en ’ s Best Just for the boys berlin Raumerstraße 28 10437 Berlin In the past a second hand shop for premium men’s suits. You can also find a lot of new stuff here: Hugo Boss, Joop, Lagerfeld etc. Soto Store Torstrasse 72 10119 Berlin Known as the best shop for men’s Fashion in town, the goal for Soto has always been to present a modern take on how a man should dress. Soto presents a wild mix of American, European and Asian designers. Mientus Flagshipstore Wilmersdorfer Str. 73 10629 Berlin Casual, business, sporty and dapper - this store has all bases covered.
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s h o pping
De s i g ner s Kaviar Gauche Linienstraße 44 10119 Berlin Celebrated for an effortlessly chic aesthetic, the label enjoys a passionate Berlin-powered hype. The hand-made pieces are directional yet consistently elegant working with couture detailing and luxury fabrics. They also have a small vintage store in Prenzlauer Berg. Galeries Lafayettes Friedrichstraße 76-78 10117 Berlin A touch of Parisian chic in Berlin: Galeries Lafayette at Friedrichstraße lets you dive into the French flair of fashion and lifestyle. The store a wide range of designer fashion, a big beauty department and an excellent food department where you can get some of the best oysters in Berlin.
almost strict, above her logo: East Berlin. As well as her own designs the store also offers Scandinavian brands such as Minimum and Twist and Tango.
Dandy of Grotesque Gormannstrasse 17b 10119 Berlin At Dandy of Grotesque a sharp suit is your weapon of choice. This up-and-coming designer focuses on suave and dapper suits for gentlemen, with a modern twist.
IchJane Boxhagener Straße 35 10245 Berlin Inspired by the metropolitan flair of Berlin with its people, stories and encounters, the designer offers a collection of casual wear including dresses, skirts and shirts.
Eastberlin Alte Schönhauserstraße 34 10119 Berlin It began with a collection of T-Shirts in 2002, which the Labels Designer Cora Schwind printed with an eagle: straight, plain and
Acne Münzstraße 21 10178 Berlin Once called Acne Jeans this label is loved by Hipsters and Hollywood stars. In this cool minimalistic store you can find their most
Galeries Lafayettes
wanted skinny jeans as well as premium shirts, dresses, suits and shoes. Konk Kleine Hamburgerstraße 15 10117 Berlin Konk is a veritable stalwart of the city’s fashion scene. With a dedication to showcasing the best up and coming designers, the store supports local talents with cutting edge selections of men’s and women’s wear.
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Berlin Blogs
B erlin B lo g s There are numerous blogs offering unusual and individual perspectives on Berlin. We’ve selected a few blog highlights t o e x p l o r e B e r l i n i n a d i f f e r e n t w a y.
Berlin Blogs
other s i d e s o f berlin Stil in Berlin: www.stilinberlin.de Stil in Berlin is one of the most popular and most successful fashion blogs in Germany. As well as street style posts, shopping tips and photos of Berlin itself there are also articles and interviews with influential Berliners: bloggers, designers, artists. The ‘At Home’ section is particularly interesting, where Stil in Berlin interviews people in the comfort of their own home.
Thursday and includes tips about Berlin – a bar that has just opened up, the best pizza or a Berlin fashion label. It is written in the style of your best mate and is well worth a read – sign up today!
Mogli Oak Berlin: www.mo-berlin.com A blog from an expat who wants to share his knowledge about the amazingly eclectic and ever buzzing city of Berlin. You’ll find recommendations on restaurants, exhibitions and clubs as well as films and books with a connection to Berlin.
Sugarhigh: www.sugarhigh.de The email magazine Sugarhigh keeps you up to date on the latest partys, new shops, music, art and culture in Berlin. Sign up for free and you will get a new email every day, informing you about what’s going on in the big city. The emails are bi-lingual (English and German) and are extremely entertaining
Cee Cee: www.ceecee.cc
überlin: www.uberlin.co.uk überlin is written by James, a freelance writer and social media analyst, and Zoë, a photographer who – as soon as they figured out they could do this stuff from anywhere with a wi-fi connection – packed their laptops and got the first flight from London to their favorite city in the world: Berlin. You’ll find tips on food, culture, events and fashion here as well as entertaining posts on expat life in Berlin.
From Berlin, about Berlin – this is the motto of Nina Trippel and Sven Hausherr. They describe themselves as explorers and world travellers, constantly on the search for something new. And then they make a newsletter out of it. Ceecee comes out every
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about Germans
about Germans
T hin g s yo u nee d to k now abo u t German s We collected some fun facts about Germans and a few tips to help you blend in with the locals.
and when the frog climbed it, they thought the weather will be good. That’s why we still talk about the ‘Wetterfrosch’ and what he’s probably doing. If he’s sleeping or…you get the picture.
‘ T atort ’ You want to meet up with a German friend on a Sunday evening? Good luck! Sunday evening at 8:15 is ‘Tatort’ (crime scene) time. The TV crime show, which has been running since November 1970, is quite popular. Every Sunday up to 10 million Germans watch it and during the last years it has also become very popular to watch it in bars together with other fans. And as soon as the theme starts you better keep quiet as no one will be listening to you for one hour and a half.
‘ S c horle ’ , ‘ R a d ler ’ an d 7 year s o f ba d s e x
St . P eter an d the ‘ W etter f ro s c h ’ Yes, it’s true, the Germans always complain about the weather. And we blame St. Peter or the weather frog for it. Yes, the weather
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frog. Nowadays no one really believes that a frog can forecast weather but in the past they put a frog into a jar with a small ladder
The Germans love to mix drinks. If it’s fruit juice, white wine or red wine, we do mix it with sparkling water. This is called ‘Schorle’: ‘Saftschorle’ if mixed with juice and ‘Weinschorle’ if mixed with wine. We even do mix our beer with lemonade which we call ‘Radler’ or with Coke and Orange Fanta and call it ‘Spezi’. And if it comes to toasting traditions there’s one really important one. While clinking glasses individually with each person you must main-
tain eye contact. If you don’t your penalty will be seven years of bad sex.
o z ap f t i s – ‘ O k tober f e s t ’ First of all, yes, the famous ‘Oktoberfest’ is the one in Munich. But there are several other beer festivals all over Germany which are also a lot of fun, for example the ‘Cannstatter Wasen’ in Stuttgart and there’s even one at Alexanderplatz in Berlin. And yes, the ‘Oktoberfest’ is called October festival but it starts (at least the one in Munich) in the middle of September. And it is all about drinking beer, dancing to German folk music and wearing Lederhosen and Dirndl. That’s the only time in the year you’ll see Germans wearing Lederhosen and Dirndl. If you see a German wearing this traditional costume apart from Oktoberfest you can be sure he or she will be Bavarian.
B eer Germans love beer! Water, hops, yeast, malt – that’s all you need. The ingredients for beer were laid down in the Germans’ favorite decree almost 500 years ago. The beer purity regulations guarantee the high unadulterated quality of German beer that excludes all additives. A 2010 report showed that Germany ranked second in terms of per-capita beer con55
about Germans
sumption, behind the Czech Republic and ahead of Austria and Ireland. Prost! Cheers! Hefeweizen is a fermented, unfiltered, bottle conditioned wheat beer with noticeable yeast sediment and a cloudy appearance. They are usually quite sweet and fruity, with a full body. Not strictly a German beer type, Pilsner originated in the Bohemian city of Plzen (or Pilsen) in the mid nineteenth century, and is also referred to as Pils or Pilsener. The light color of the beer results from the use of lightly toasted malts in contrast to the darker malts previously used in beer. Berliner Weisse — The ‘Reinheitsgebot’ prevented any tradition of adding fruit during the brewing process but Berliners get around this by adding woodruff (Waldmeister) or raspberry (Himbeere) syrup to reduce the sharpness and acidity of the beer - in fact you are almost certain to be asked ‘rot oder grün’ (red or green) when ordering one.
W e are h u n g ry German breakfasts are not meals, but elaborate feasts. Especially on weekends, almost every spare centimeter of the table will be covered in an assortment of meats, cheeses, fruits, jams and spreads. Germans take their time to enjoy good food and good company. They like to meet up with family and friends for a cup of coffee or tea and a slice of cake
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Things you need to know about Germans
or two. They see ‘Kaffee und Kuchen’ as an institution to celebrate some ‘Gemütlichkeit’ (coziness). Fun fact: Quark in Germany does not refer to a concept in quantum physics but to a sort of cheese. It is usually made from skim milk and has the consistency of very thick yoghurt. It is in fact made from non-processed cheese or curd. It does not taste like much and is used to make desserts such as cheesecakes.
For the la d ie s – d on ’ t brin g a million pair s o f hi g h heel s You can be sure that German ladies love high heels. There is quite a lot of walking to be done in Berlin and cobblestones and stairs are everywhere. Sure, bring some heels if you want for the office or special nights out, but don’t expect to wear them on a daily basis. Bring lots of cute flats and comfy boots and you’ll be good to go, especially in Berlin. You’ll especially
be grateful for this tip when you’ve been dancing all night long and remembered to just wear ballet flats.
B r u tal hone s ty – ni c e s ometime s One thing that really takes some getting used to in Germany is the abrupt and incredibly honest opinions of people who are not afraid to tell you exactly what they think or feel. Overall it can be amazing because you know exactly where people stand and no one bottles things up. It also means that people get to the point really quickly and often it is a logical, well-thought out point that, once you get past the ‘oh man, did he just say that to me?’ phase then becomes really useful. And, you can give it right back.
P arty i s f or all a g e s In fact, there are many things here not just for the young – like cycling, leather jackets
(for better or for worse) and lots more. It’s hard to find such a wide mixture of people out late at night elsewhere than at a German street festival. Kids up until 1.30am, elderly people with walking frames groovin’ to the music or riding their bikes down the street without a helmet as if they don’t have a care in the world. So, don’t be surprised if you see some elderly ladies coming home on the U-Bahn at 3am on Saturday…
M ore f u nny s t u f f on German s Liv Hambrett, an Australian writer in Germany: www.livhambrett.com/everything-iknow-about-germany-germans/what-iknow-about-germans/ What I know about Germans (book): http:www.uberlin.co.uk/what-i-knowabout-germans/
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W h e n yo u w o r k at Z a l a n d o
W h e n yo u w o r k at Z a l a n d o
W hen yo u wor k at Zalan d o yo u d e f i n i t e l y n e e d t o k n o w t h e t u m b l r B l o g ‘ W h e n y o u w o r k a t Z a l a n d o ’: w h e n y o u w o r k a t z a l a n d o . t u m b l r. c o m
‘ H ello Zalan d o ! ’
M ore on Zalan d o
As you might have discovered when applying there’s something unique about our careers pages. All the pictures on the site were taken by Zalando employees. Why? Because a company as versatile as Zalando is obviously hard to capture. That’s where snapshots come in! Be it a team event, decorating the office, going out for lunch or dinner, having fun at the end of year party, or that lovely gift your colleague left on your desk this morning – that’s Zalando! And it’s not only a great way for prospective employees to see what goes on behind the scenes, it’s also great if you’re working at Zalando and like to see what’s going on at the other offices and warehouses.
For more detailed info about working at Zalando, your main contacts and tools have a look into your ‘My Zalando Welcome Booklet’ and, of course, our intranet intranet.zalando.net
‘Hello Zalando’ – is waiting for you to add your Zalando memories. Just upload your snapshot, give it a caption and click to upload! Share your Zalando with the world.
R ea d on : O u r blo g s Zalando’s company blog: http:blog.zalando.de Zalando Fashion blog: http:modenews.zalando.de Zalando Tech blog: http:tech.zalando.com
F u n f a c t s on Zalan d o The blog was once launched by a Zalando intern and is by now as well-known as the intranet. There’s animated gifs on everything concerning workaday life at Zalando – from
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Job is job. But also fun.
‘when you pick up your Zalando package’ to ‘When you try to book a room at Mollstraße” Your contributions are welcome!
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P hoto s in thi s boo k let
C o v er, p ag es 3 / 1 3 / 1 7 / 1 8 / 2 0 : B er l i n Par t n er F T B - Wer b ef o t o g r af i e Pag es 7 / 9 / 1 0 / 2 1 / 2 2 : v i s i t B er l i n K o s ch el Pag es 1 1 / 1 2 / 2 7 : v i s i t B er l i n S ch o l v i en Pag es 2 2 / 2 6 / 3 4 : v i s i t B er l i n S t eff en Pag e 2 7 : v i s i t B er l i n Pag e 2 8 : v i s i t B er l i n A d en i s
