Useful information about living and working in Germany

Planning to go to Germany for work and want to understand the most convenient way to reach your destination, how much it costs, and what the arrival process is like? Let’s take a look at the most popular options chosen by our candidates.

Travelling by private car

One of the most practical ways to travel is by your own car.
The main advantage is having mobility immediately after arrival — you will be able to move freely around the city, get to work without being limited by public transport schedules, and use your car for trips on weekends.
This is especially convenient if you are planning to work in Germany long-term or move there permanently.

Minibus transfer

If you do not have your own car or do not want to travel by plane, taking a minibus is a good option.
Regular services operate from the Baltic countries and other European countries, taking passengers directly to their specified address in Germany. This is especially convenient if you are travelling to work for the first time and do not want to plan complicated routes with multiple transfers.
The average cost of the journey is approximately €100–120, depending on the country of departure and the distance.

We help you find reliable transport providers and stay in contact with you throughout the journey so that you feel safe and supported until you arrive.

After arriving in Germany, you will be met by a coordinator or the employees you will be working with.
They will help you get to your accommodation, show you around and answer any important questions so that you can settle in comfortably after your journey.

Immediately after arrival, you will have the opportunity to rest, get settled and prepare for your first day at work.

The first few days in a new place are a period of adjustment. It is important to calmly take care of the basic things so that you can settle into your work routine more quickly and feel confident.

Moving in

Upon arrival, you will be accommodated in prepared housing. Usually, everything necessary for living is already provided: a sleeping place, kitchen and household appliances.
You will be shown how everything works and your questions about the accommodation will be answered.

Where to buy basic necessities

During the first few days, you may need to buy groceries, hygiene products or other everyday essentials.
There are usually supermarkets and affordable shops near your accommodation where you can quickly purchase everything you need. If necessary, you will be advised where it is best to go.

How to get around the city

To settle in more quickly, it is important to understand the local area: where the shops, public transport stops, pharmacies and other important places are located.
Your colleagues or coordinator will help you understand the route to work and explain how to use public transport.

What to do on your first day

On your first day, it is recommended to:

• rest after the journey
• move in and get settled
• familiarize yourself with your accommodation and the surrounding area
• clarify the details of starting work

There is no need to overwhelm yourself — the main thing is to adapt calmly and prepare for the start of work.

Public transport in Germany is well-developed and convenient for daily commuting to work. In most cities, it is more cost-effective to purchase a monthly travel pass right away.

How to buy a travel pass

To purchase a travel pass, follow a few simple steps:

• install the mobile app of your city’s public transport company (for example, in Cologne — the KVB app)
• choose the type of ticket — most often, this is a monthly pass (Monatsticket) based on your route
• pay for the ticket by bank card directly in the app
• after payment, an electronic ticket with a QR code and validity period will appear in the app

What you need to know

You should always have your electronic ticket with you — it may be checked by ticket inspectors during your journey.
In some regions, there is also a nationwide ticket valid throughout Germany (for example, the Deutschlandticket), which can be a more cost-effective option if you travel regularly.

How transport zones work

In Germany, the cost of travel depends not on the number of trips, but on the distance you travel. For this reason, cities and regions are divided into special fare zones.
Each zone represents a specific area, such as part of a city or a suburb. The more zones you travel through, the more expensive the ticket will be.

A simple example:

If you live and work in the same area, you will need a ticket for one zone.
If your journey passes through several areas or goes from a suburb into the city, you will need a ticket covering several zones.

What to pay attention to

• when purchasing a ticket, it is important to correctly enter the starting point and destination of your journey
• the app will automatically calculate the required number of zones
• if you select fewer zones than required, the ticket will be considered invalid during an inspection

Useful tip
If you commute to work every day, it is better to purchase a monthly pass with the required number of zones right away — it is significantly cheaper than buying single-journey tickets.

In Germany, it is easy to organize grocery shopping according to any budget and lifestyle — from economical purchases to ready-made solutions with home delivery.

Where to buy groceries

There is a wide variety of shops in the country, from small stores with basic necessities to large supermarkets with an extensive selection.

Discount supermarkets

The most popular choices among local residents are Lidl, Aldi and Netto.
You can buy products here at lower prices, although there may be queues during peak hours.

Supermarkets with a wide selection

Chains such as Edeka, Rewe and Kaufland offer a wider variety of products, including international foods. Prices are higher, but shopping is more convenient.

• Drugstores

For hygiene and personal care products, dm and Rossmann are good options — they are available in almost every city.

Fresh products and markets

If you prefer fresh products, pay attention to weekly markets (Wochenmarkt).
Here you can buy vegetables, fruit, meat, cheese and local delicacies. It is often not just a place for shopping, but also a small part of the city’s atmosphere — with coffee, street food and the opportunity to taste products before buying them.
For example, in Frankfurt am Main, the Kleinmarkthalle market is popular and offers a wide selection of fresh and regional products.

Online shopping and ready-made solutions

Grocery delivery is available through services and apps such as Gorillas.
If you do not have time to cook, you can use the HelloFresh service, which delivers ingredient boxes with recipes.
Important things to know

• stores do not provide free plastic bags — it is recommended to bring your own reusable bag
• most stores are closed on Sundays
• opening hours are often shorter on Saturdays
• small shops may accept only cash or EC card payments

Useful tip
Plan your shopping in advance, especially before weekends — this will help you avoid unnecessary expenses and empty shelves.

In Germany, people tend to take a practical approach to clothing: most choose comfort, quality and versatility rather than bright or expensive branded items. Therefore, clothing expenses are usually lower than those for housing, transport or food.

Where to buy clothes

Clothes can be purchased both in physical stores and online. Germany offers a wide range of brands, from budget-friendly to premium.

Popular online stores

Online shopping is very well developed in Germany and is often more affordable than shopping in malls.

• Zalando — one of the most popular online clothing stores, offering a wide selection of brands and a convenient return process
• OTTO — a large platform offering clothing, shoes, electronics and home goods
• Amazon Germany — a wide range of products, fast delivery and a convenient return system
• Limango — discounted offers on clothing and products for the whole family
• Budget-friendly stores

For economical shopping, physical stores with affordable prices are popular:

• KiK — one of the most budget-friendly clothing options in Germany

Discount stores and outlet shops with seasonal promotions are also popular.

Discounts and sales

Seasonal sales regularly take place in Germany:

• winter and summer sales
• discounts on previous collections
• online promotions and “Flash Sales”

During these periods, you can buy clothes at significantly lower prices than usual.

Useful tip
If you have just moved to Germany, it is most cost-effective to start with budget-friendly stores and online platforms — this will help you quickly get everything you need without unnecessary expenses.

Work-life balance is an important part of life in Germany. In their free time, many employees not only relax but also stay active, recharge their energy and develop themselves.

Here are the most popular ways to spend free time:

1. Sports and fitness — gyms, running, group classes
2. Travelling around Germany — short trips to other cities and regions
3. Nature and walks — parks, forests, lakes and hiking trails
4. Cycling — one of the most popular forms of active recreation
5. Thermal spas and saunas — relaxation and recovery after work
6. Cultural activities — museums, exhibitions, galleries and historical sites
7. Meeting friends and colleagues — socializing and spending time together
8. Cafés, restaurants and bars — relaxing in the city and exploring local cuisine
9. Shopping and shopping centres — shopping and browsing through stores
10. Language courses and personal development — learning German or developing new skills

Additionally:
Many people also use their weekends for short trips outside the city, visiting local festivals and events, or simply relaxing and recharging their energy before the new working week.

Germany is considered one of the most environmentally responsible countries in Europe, thanks to its strict and well-organized waste recycling system. Waste separation is not just a recommendation here, but an everyday part of the culture.

How the waste separation system works

In apartment courtyards and residential complexes, there are containers of different colours, each intended for a specific type of waste:

• Yellow container (Gelber Sack / Gelbe Tonne) — plastic, packaging, Tetra Paks and lightweight metal waste
• Blue container — paper, cardboard and packaging boxes
• Brown container — organic waste (food scraps and biodegradable waste)
• Green / white container — glass (usually also separated by colour: clear, green and brown)
• Black container — residual waste (everything that cannot be recycled)

What you need to know

Some types of waste must not be thrown into regular containers:

• batteries
• light bulbs and energy-saving lamps
• electronics and rechargeable batteries

These should be taken to special collection points, which are often located in supermarkets or specialised recycling centres.

Pfand system (deposit for containers)

Germany has a deposit return system called Pfand.
When buying drinks in bottles or cans, a small deposit is added to the price, usually 8–25 cents, which can be refunded when the empty container is returned.
Containers can be returned at:

• special deposit-return machines in supermarkets
• return points in stores

Useful fact
Many residents regularly return their bottles and cans and get part of their money back. At the same time, the Pfand system helps significantly reduce the amount of waste in the country.

Knowledge of German makes adapting to life in Germany much easier. It helps at work, in everyday life and when communicating with colleagues. Nowadays, there are many online tools that allow you to learn in a convenient format — from lessons with a tutor to conversations with native speakers.

Online lessons with tutors

Preply
A platform that connects students with tutors from all over the world.
Advantages:

• the ability to choose a tutor based on experience, reviews and specialisation
• a trial lesson before starting the course
• an individual programme based on your goals (work, conversational German, grammar)
• payment protection through the platform
• a convenient online lesson format

Italki
A similar platform for learning languages with teachers and language tutors.
It differs in its interface and tutor selection system. It is convenient to compare it with Preply and choose the option that suits you best.

Conversational practice with native speakers

Tandem
A language exchange app for conversations with native speakers.

It is suitable if you want to:

• improve your conversational German
• expand your vocabulary
• practise without formal lessons

Important: in most cases, these are not professional teachers, but regular users.

HelloTalk
Another app for communicating with native speakers.
Additional features:

• built-in translator
• correction of mistakes in messages
• pronunciation assistance
• convenient format for real-life communication

Useful tip
The best results come from combining different formats — lessons with a tutor + daily practice using communication apps. This helps you make faster progress and adapt to life in Germany more quickly.