German pharmacies are staffed by fully trained pharmacists who give real medical advice. Here is how prescriptions work, what is available OTC, and how to find emergency pharmacies.
Your First Week: Where to Shop and What to Expect When you first arrive in Germany, the supermarket landscape can feel overwhelming. Don't worry — with a few tips, you'll be eating well for under €200 a month. The key is knowing where to go and what to buy. Th…
Getting Connected: Your First Steps in Germany Welcome to Germany! One of the first things you'll want to do is set up a mobile phone plan and home internet. This guide walks you through the options, real prices, and practical steps — so you can stay connected…
1. Everything Closes on Sunday — and by 8 PM on Weekdays In China, you can buy groceries at 11 PM or grab bubble tea on a Sunday afternoon. In Germany, most shops (Geschäfte) are closed on Sundays (Sonntag) and close by 8 PM on weekdays. Even supermarkets like…
Why This Guide Exists Moving to Germany as a Chinese student or expat is exciting — but German (Deutsch) can feel like a wall. You don't need to be fluent overnight. But you do need a clear path. This guide covers the best free (and cheap) tools to go from abs…
Why Health Insurance Matters for Students in Germany If you're a Chinese student or expat starting your journey in Germany, one of the first and most important decisions you'll make is choosing health insurance. It's not optional — you must have valid health i…
What Is Haftpflichtversicherung? In Germany, Haftpflichtversicherung (personal liability insurance) is often called the most important insurance you can have. It covers damages you accidentally cause to other people or their property. Think of it as a safety n…
Flying from Germany on a Budget: What You Need to Know Living in Germany means you have access to some of Europe’s cheapest flights — if you know where to look. Whether you’re planning a weekend city break or a trip back to China, this guide will help you save…
Getting Started with Deutsche Bahn Welcome to Germany! If you're a student or expat from China, you'll quickly learn that trains are the backbone of travel here. Deutsche Bahn (DB) is the national railway company, and while it can be confusing at first, it's a…
What Is the Sozialversicherungsnummer? Your Sozialversicherungsnummer (SV number) is a 12-digit lifetime social security ID assigned to you by the Deutsche Rentenversicherung Bund (German Pension Insurance). Think of it as your permanent social security key — …
