Germany
Engineering Excellence
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Essential Information
Insurance
Statutory (Required)
Rent
€350-850/month
Climate
Temperate
University
TU Munich, Humboldt Berlin
Culture & Social
Vegan/Vegetarian Friendly
true
LGBTQ+ Friendly
8
Average Cost of Living
8
Structured & Direct
German culture values punctuality, structure, and direct communication. Sunday is strictly a rest day; shops are closed.
Key Cultural Norms
- Punctuality
- Privacy
- Sundays
Social Taboos
Topics to avoid
- Never joke about WW2 or Nazi history
- Don't compare east vs west
Language
English Proficiency
High in cities/universities, lower in bureaucracy.
true
German is Key
While you can survive with English, learning basic German is essential for dealing with the Ausländerbehörde (Foreigners Office).
Transportation
Public Transport Quality
5
Options
- Deutschlandticket
- Biking
Money
Cash is King
Many smaller shops, bakeries, and kiosks ('Späti') still only accept cash (Bargeld). Always carry some euros.
Banking
- Blocked Account
- EC Karte
Safety
Emergency Numbers
- 110
- 112
Safety Score
5
Daily Life
Everyday Life
- Pfand System
- Mensa