But it was nice. up to 12,000 of the roughly 36,000 stationed in Germany will not go . However, during summer, temperatures can sometimes be over 30C for several days in a row. Are there good offers from Telecom providers in Germany? This did not go well in Latin America, where Im originally from. Luckily, there is so much variety in restaurants and food in the supermarket that you dont have to eat traditional food if you dont want to. I love this! WASHINGTON -- Soldiers being stationed in Alaska can now receive up to $4,000 to help offset the initial cost of items needed to live in the . Living in Germany as an Expat with the military has afforded us some amazing insights into different cultures of the world, amazing travel opportunities, and will forever hold a special place in our hearts. Once you get a job in Germany and are past the probation period, usually 6 months, it is tough for your employer to fire you. 18 Signs That You Have Been Stationed at Fort Campbell During Your Spouses Military Career , The 5 Stages of Watching Your Best Friend Move Away, What You Need to Know About Being Stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, 14 Tips to Help You Survive Basic Training When Your Spouse Joins the Military, What You Should Do When Your Boyfriend Wants to Join the Military, What To Do When Your Spouse Wants To Join The Military. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. These reasons need to be foolproof as any employee can sue the company for firing them unfairly. Here are five great tips for ways military families can tackle their next PCS and still be smart about money. A distinct advantage of using your VA loan is that you may not have to pay some of the additional fees normally paid at Copyright 2023 Military.com. The annual income of a nurse in Germany is around 33,000 EUR, which is around . This is helped in part by strong help from the government in the form of funding and incentives for research institutions and start-up companies. Being stationed overseas is quite an experience. I come from Guatemala, a country where criminality is high, and I can say that I feel very safe living in Germany. What US Army units are stationed in Germany? - Heimduo The pros of living in Germany definitely outweigh the cons. Its a monumental task, but you will be forever grateful for it. The higher your spouse's rank, the higher your weight allowance. Cities are also well serviced by local bus, train and tram systems, so much so, that many expats dont feel the need to own a car. Both doctors and banks dont have consistent opening hours. The only things open are some small local shops and the gas stations. Germany's preference for higher education scholarships and funding for international students is frequently criticised. Pets, in this case, means dogs or cats. German court rules that attempts to tax US military income violate Currently live in Stuttgart. No one is allowed to vacuum, use the washing machine, or do home repairs. Keep in mind that you will have a weight allowance that you need to meet in your unaccompanied baggage and household goods shipments. There's a definite glass ceiling in workplaces in Germany that only a few get to break through. SOFA Article X to a Green Card Holder employed by the German Government and concluded that she was NOT entitled to the benefits of . Be careful when naming your child. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. You can purchase on base or at any off base Esso. In some cases, you may have to request one such as in the Navy where sponsors can be requested online. Once a German becomes your friend, they are a friend for life. I think wherever you travel to in the world; you will always find friendly and rude people. Simple Germany is a trademark registered in the European Union. Also you'll be getting 4 day weekends every month. When you are being transferred overseas, most branches of the service will assign one to you. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 38 Pros and Cons of Living in Germany in 2023 - Simple Germany Just have an open mind, don't be afraid to travel, and make the most of your weekends. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Thus the last "war" for which active duty is qualifying for Veterans preference . Many expats enjoy living in Germany as its easy to travel to other European countries. If your military service member is being stationed overseas someplace where you and your dependent children can go, your names will be on the military orders sending you there. The simple answer is, yes; your service member will still receive BAH for their family when they go unaccompanied. -Does the commissary stock my favorite brand of potato chip? "How is my life going to be miserable today?". At times, the government can take a long time to pay medical providers. Firing people in Germany is not like we see it in the US movies, where one day you arrive at the office, your boss fires you, you pack your things, and walk out of the building with a box filled with your belongings. benefits of being stationed overseas - code-usa.com I love helping other milspouses in their move to another country. I also assumed that since Germany is a first-world, western country, surely culture shock would not exist! They wanted us to chill and have good experiences out of base and they wanted that too for themselves. If you are looking to study in Germany, I got good news for you: there are no tuition fees in most German universities! Finally, get out and travel, travel, TRAVEL! Related Guide: The German Autobahn [A Detailed Guide For First-Timers]. Life can literally be sunshine and rainbows while stationed in Hawaii since it will almost always be sunny, or there will be a rainbow to accompany . When they leave, they sell the car to an incoming military family. Education benefits- (918) 781-5678. benefits of being stationed in germany. For many years, Germany has been a popular destination for expats. 16. All foreigners from outside the European Union who wish to stay in Germany for longer than 90 days will need a visa. New incentive pay encourages Soldiers to serve in Alaska These movies are called OV (original version) or OMU (Original with subtitles in English), and few cinemas play them. Germany has spent over $1.5 billion on international scholarships in the past decade, but we know very little about the impact of these programs. The possibilities are positively endless. Parents have to ensure their kid's name isn't too unusual, is in the best interests of the baby, and makes their gender clear (for some reason). . A German employee's supplemental benefits package comprising traditional benefits, i.e., pension, life, and disability, will cost approximately 4%-5% of their annual base salary. My wife and I have never felt discriminated against. If you dont, you will get caught and will get into trouble. When i got to Fort Riley i realized the army is very different in America. That way you don't run into higher ups who are out partying. You can either bring the beers yourself or buy them from a kiosk. The history buff in you will revel in the buildings and battlefields that exist, not on the pages of a textbook, but right before your very eyes. Some bases have nothing around them and other have major cities. BRUSSELS The United States and . The packers will mark them as "professional items" and their weight will not be counted against your limit. The VAT is Germany's sales tax which is automatically added onto items. Below are some of ourbiggest pros and cons of moving to Germany. Learn everything you need to know here. If you're an 88 you'll get lots of miles, usually at least one four day per month, been here in baumholder two years, been able to travel 16 countries, good place to be. Granted, you are almost guaranteed to have a 2-3 week spell (often in July or August) that it can get quite toasty. Most doctors offices are open from Monday to Friday. To me, this is a pro, as it forces us to take some time to rest and recharge. I craved quiet time. So a lot of people without a lot of drinking under their belt get into a lot of trouble. I knew we were in for the adventure of a lifetime, but I did not have proper expectations of what that entirely meant. Im sure if you give Germany a chance, you might also fall in love with this beautiful country. You must pay monthly contributions in order to use them later or upon request. Here are a few things you should keep in mind while living overseas in Germany. It is a reasonably affordable place to live. This is the example of dasElterngeld, an app designed to help new parents file for parental allowance (Elterngeld). The moment you jump on a train or car and travel within the country, you get no reception or access to the internet. An interview with John - an American expat living in Germany, Interview with Katlin - an American expat in Germany, Interview with Marisa - An American living in Germany, Interview with Ana P - an expat from the Philippines living in Germany, Interview with Andrea W - an American living in Germany, Interview with Samantha Ley - An American expat living in Germany. It helps lessen that feeling of overwhelm. Every president in the post-Cold War period has sought to close U.S. military bases overseas, particularly in Europe. Enjoy your time, take lots of photos, and breathe it all in. Benefits of German Citizenship - Schlun & Elseven Whether Europe or Asia awaits you, life will be full of new and thrilling adventures. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. You will miss them when you get back to the states. They are nice and friendly especially when you are polite and try to speak some Italian (hello, thank you, etc). I say the most because unis in Baden-Wrttemberg charge, on average, 1.500 euros in tuition fees per semester. All in all, it depends where in Germany you are stationed. It was my first duty station and I deployed out of there. Cities are also well serviced by local bus, train and tram systems, so much so, that many expats don't feel the need to own a car. Make sure to check it out if you are on the lookout for any. Bio: Malori Mayor is a registered nurse, classically-trained violinist, blogger and YouTuber, and most importantly, wife to Mark for almost 5 years. The Sip: Happy Halloween With a Side of MilSpouseFest You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 2. It might take several trips to get the hang of European travel planning, but tons of traveling is something you will NOT regret! We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Not following these rules will anger other road users and can result in fines. Hospital staff, in general, tend to be friendly and efficient, and hospitals are equipped with state-of-the-art technology. The Baby Boomers are retiring/ have retired leaving many vacancies unfilled. You might have a mobile service provider who has excellent reception in your city. High pay rate You just found out that your next duty station will take you and your family far, far away to foreign places others only dream of visiting. I'm amazed with how many bases Army has throughout Germany. USAREUR License: A Complete Guide to US Military Driving in Germany. The actual German food, such as bratwurst is really good as well. You can simply cross borders with a car or by air. The German government helps its citizens and residents maintain a good quality of life and motivate family life. In Dusseldorf, for example, only one cinema is known for showing movies in their original language. You will find that the cost of living in Germany is much better for most households of any size compared to what you would pay to live somewhere like Boston, New York City, or even Chicago. It's not an ideal first station for younger soldiers. Something you cant find as easily as in the US. Just remember that no matter how shitty your unit is, youre still in Europe. If this guide was helpful to you, and saved you time of research, please consider supporting this website bybuying us a coffeeas a small donation. I'm about to PCS to Stuttgart (Moehringen). benefits of being stationed in germany In the video below, we have outlined the most important rules to follow when cycling on the roads of Germany. My husband of 20+ years has served in the active-duty Army and now the Army National Guard. And then he got orders to Germany. 5 Things You Should Do When Stationed in Germany - Milspousefest Working in Germany comes with a good work-life balance. One can simply get on a bus, train or even rent a car and experience a completely different environment within a few hours. The statutory employee benefits in Germany, required by the German government, include retirement, unemployment insurance, healthcare, long-term nursing care, and . Maybe it's not safe or too expensive to move the whole family for only one year. When my husband Mark received orders for Germany in 2017, he was deployed to east Africa. Though it may not be good for you because it's still McDonald's, it is much better for you than the McDonalds in the states. In this guide, I lay out all the good and the bad you might encounter to evaluate whats it like to live in Germany. Unless told otherwise, you are generally allowed to bring up to two pets per household with you abroad. But, once acclimatised, expats find it refreshing, and work culture, and life in general, ismuch improved because of it. According to the DAAD, living costs for a student in Germany are, on average, 850 euros a month. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. I was stationed in vilseck and was with 1-2cr. Plan to ask good questions in the first place and you will be rewarded with clear answers. Old processes and bureaucracy that is so German. You will file for your. You may be at risk of illnesses or injuries caused by contact with: Radiation: A type of radiation exposure from atmospheric and underground nuclear weapons tests; Mustard gas: An odorless poisonous gas used in military tests in the 1940s; Herbicides: Agent Orange and other herbicides used in Vietnam and tested or stored in other locations; Occupational (job-related) hazards: Chemicals, paints . If you are getting ready to be stationed there, you are in for a treat! I can go anywhere in Europe for the weekend and only spend a couple hundred bucks for the entire trip.