If you are ever in a solo PCS situation, especially overseas, get your family or close friends to help! Grocery shopping Originally, I thought shopping on Post would be better than shopping in the German Economy. The most important one, which almost every German has, is the personal liability insurance (Hapftlichversicherung), which covers the costs you might have if you accidentally break someones belongings or cause an accident. However, I was wrong. . benefits of being stationed in germany. (Being 2020 I know this isnt possible right now but hopefully it will not be this way in the future.). Jen is originally from Guatemala and moved to Germany in 2012 to start a new job without any knowledge of German or life in Germany. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. And when you shop in your local town, you get to know the people who live there. If you dont, you will get caught and will get into trouble. But you'll have to start with a residence permit for a few years. As I mentioned in con#1, the sunny and warm days are few compared to the cold and gloomy ones. In an ongoing story, that is certain to be of interest to Americans abroad, Germany has begun treating certain US Military Personnel as tax residents of Germany. You can then use this card at any Esso station, Having a CMR (Community Mail Room) that gives you a US address, even while in Germany is a God-send!!! Employers need to have real reasons to let you go. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. I was stationed in vilseck and was with 1-2cr. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. I can go anywhere in Europe for the weekend and only spend a couple hundred bucks for the entire trip. When they leave, they sell the car to an incoming military family. The work environment, however, will depend entirely on the culture of the company. May require a visa to enter and live in the host nation country. benefits of being stationed in germany. These reasons need to be foolproof as any employee can sue the company for firing them unfairly. Now a days, you can order just about anything under the sun off of, During in-processing, youll receive your CMR box number. All in all, it depends where in Germany you are stationed. You can either bring the beers yourself or buy them from a kiosk. Depending on an expat's salary, income tax can be as high as 40 percentof their income. How many people are stationed at Ramstein? The Army part was ok. Units will vary depending on where you are and what mos. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Do I need to explain any more? Many United States citizens of European descent may be eligible for dual citizenship in an EU country and can take advantage of these benefits of an EU passport: 1. 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 . And if you combine your vacation days with the official national holidays, you can get even more days off work. It was a complete shit show for all of us. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. There is even insurance in case you are a victim of a phishing email scam. I enjoy it. Bread is just as good. There's a noticeable difference between how those with private medical insurance are treated in comparison to people on public insurance. We didn't have the equipment necessary because we followed the PACKING LIST that DID NOT have certain stuff listed (IOTV as one of them), but nevertheless, we were bitched at and/or smoked for not "thinking outside the box" and "not realizing we are in the Army". Ive met people who have had to wait up to 6 weeks to get an internet connection at home. Air Force guy here. Verify your free subscription by following the instructions in the email sent to: The creep of PCS anxiety is setting in. Nice dinner for two, with drinks, appetizer, and dessert: 60-70. This con is my own opinion. To find out your particular weight allowance, visit Preparing for Your Move. They are nice and friendly especially when you are polite and try to speak some Italian (hello, thank you, etc). Before packing your bags and boarding the plane, keep these finer points in mind as you plan your fabulous world tour. A good sponsor can answers these types of questions for you: - Will my tall bookcases and king-size bed fit in the housing units on base or off? 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. A significant benefit of military service is the VA home loan, allowing you to purchase a home with no down payment or refinance a home. SOFA Article X to a Green Card Holder employed by the German Government and concluded that she was NOT entitled to the benefits of . In some cities, like in Dusseldorf, the tap water may have too much limescale. Germans are famous for their efficiency, reliability, and punctuality. When you are being transferred overseas, most branches of the service will assign one to you. The possibilities are positively endless. Other things like learning the best places and times to shop, learning the lay of the land, and finding your tribe take time. Germany and US Dual Citizenship by Marriage benefits of being stationed overseas. On average, a 30-year old might have up to 7 insurances! Moving to Germany is something that happens to other military families. Just like I never thought I would marry a soldier, I never thought wed get stationed overseas even though it was a dream of mine to live in Europe. Almost every contract you sign with a service provider (internet, mobile phone, gym, insurance, etc.) The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". 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. Basic needs such asfood, electricity, internet and clothing are all relatively affordable. Your email address will not be published. My wife and I have never felt discriminated against. It helps lessen that feeling of overwhelm. Germany has many great characteristics, however, like any other country, there are some advantages and limitations to living in Germany. You'll spend your next wedding anniversary in Paris on top of the Eiffel Tower or the walking through the gardens of the famed Tokyo Imperial Palace. I love this! Are there good offers from Telecom providers in Germany? During the winter months, the sun goes down at like 4 pm. This did not go well in Latin America, where Im originally from. Germans tend to negotiate for more flexible working hours and often put their families above work. The annual income of a nurse in Germany is around 33,000 EUR, which is around . benefits of being stationed in germany. 1. The pros of living in Germany definitely outweigh the cons. The starting point is that US Forces in . If you are moving to a shared apartment (WG), most likely, a flatmate already has an internet contract, and you wont have to worry much about it, except for paying your monthly share. Something you cant find as easily as in the US. Once you understand some German, youll notice how much Germans love to do this. To get your fuel card, you just simply take your registration paperwork to the PX customer service and they set you up. Generally, any official process needs some forms, tons of appointments, and a lot of time. These VA Home Loan FAQs ensures Military.com members are fully prepared to take advantage of this exclusive benefit. Vehicles also tend to use bicycle lanes for their own purposes which can make it difficult getting around on a bike. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Deployments, PTSD, and TBI may have rocked their world in past years, but they weathered through the hard times together and are currently enjoying an overseas assignment at USAG Wiesbaden, Germany. You have JBLM Main, which is the Army's main post and where you'll find the MWR, the PX, the Commissary, and more. Education benefits- (918) 781-5678. Especially when they are at work. The statutory employee benefits in Germany, required by the German government, include retirement, unemployment insurance, healthcare, long-term nursing care, and . Be careful when naming your child. Check out our guides on how to move to Germany and the best cities to live in Germany. We have three boys and have been through four deployments together. Its a monumental task, but you will be forever grateful for it. It is mandatory for everyone who lives in Germany to be insured. My husband of 20+ years has served in the active-duty Army and now the Army National Guard. But, aswith any destination, life in Germany comes with certain prosand cons. They wanted us to chill and have good experiences out of base and they wanted that too for themselves. So Your Spouse Just Deployed??? The opening hours depend on the type of clinic or bank, and they are different from day-to-day. Just remember that no matter how shitty your unit is, youre still in Europe. I get 30 vacation days! Jens mission is to help fellow expats beat bureaucracy and to have a smooth time while they settle into their new life in Germany. Get on board. - CON: Cycling not that straightforward A German guy once told me: Germans are like coconuts, the shell is very tough, but once you can get through it, you will find a soft and sweet person. Are there any womens groups I can join in Powai, India? So Im happy to meet with Germans and appreciate their punctuality. One can easily get across the country and even travel to neighbouring countries by train and bus. Yes (sarc), but driving on the autobahn like a crazy American and ordering "drei weissbier" with the wrong fingers might affect your suitability for German citizenship. However, you have to choose between one citizenship before you turn 23. On it she shares her take on health, wellness, and life in Germany. Moving from your current location back "home" works a little differently. The Baby Boomers are retiring/ have retired leaving many vacancies unfilled. Huge Muslim population now so DO expect the side eye every now and then. Here are a few things you should keep in mind while living overseas in Germany. How you will experience Germany will, of course, depend on your cultural background and experiences. Make friends with your neighbors and find your people. Take advantage of the goodwill of this person to get the real scoop on the location you are soon to call home. 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. Make sure to do it. You will file for your. I met my wife there, she is German. It might take several trips to get the hang of European travel planning, but tons of traveling is something you will NOT regret! If you are not used to having cash in your wallet, you will need to get used to carrying some. Related Guide: The German Autobahn [A Detailed Guide For First-Timers]. On the other hand, expats can experience a lot of culture shock when first moving here owingto the language barrier and sometimes conservative culture. Related Guide: Renting in Germany [A Detailed Guide in English]. Won't be permitted to use the PX/BX or commissary. The Customs Office can tell you exactly what can be shipped and what cannot. 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. An article from Insider shares all the details of this story. TL;DR: Nursing in Germany offers you the chance to learn a new language and work in a world-class health care system. 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. Various military occupations, such as nuclear weapons technicians and dental technicians, include routine and usually safe exposure to radiation. Overall we had a challenging yet amazing experience. Living and working easily in Germany. In general you may be a bit further behind other people in the Army who have been in the USA. LORAN radiation. benefits of being stationed in germany. The biggest con of living in Germany is the high amount of tax that is deducted from a workers pay. There are, of course, some crimes happening in every major city within Germany. kardashian covid 19 positive; london fog vs balboa mist benefits of being stationed in germany . Former teacher turned blogger turned mom turned full time travel addict, LeAnna has never been one to live life by the rules. Tbf, the locations popular with the Turkish population have always been well known, and are easily avoided as needed. Culture shock is definitely a thing and being homesick especially if you are in the hotel for 60 days. I'm amazed with how many bases Army has throughout Germany. If you are into this kind of food, then youll love it here. Enjoy your time, take lots of photos, and breathe it all in. While having access to the Commissary is amazing, and where I did most of my shopping, I also liked to shop on the economy. Unaccompanied baggage usually arrives within three to six weeks ahead of your household goods, but that isn't always the case. A big part of it is covered by your employer. Though expats from otherEuropean countries may not notice it as much, those from more exotic countries may struggle with daily meals consisting of bread and potatoes. Thus the last "war" for which active duty is qualifying for Veterans preference . We were stationed in Germany for four years back in 2006-2010. Considering over 40 countries and 90+ cities have been explored, we'd say they are doing something right! Finding local friends in Germany is very tough. Sirelo has a network of more than 500 international removal companies that can move your furniture and possessions to your new home. The being in Germany part was perfect. It makes a world of difference. Sunday is a day of rest, quiet, and peace. Five days after graduation, I was on the Patriot Express to Ramstein, Germany; final destination, USAG Wiesbaden. Your car will be rationed to 400 liters per month but I have yet to meet anyone who exceeds their limit, even with plenty of travel. I love helping other milspouses in their move to another country. For example, bikes and purses get stolen, and thieves break into homes. Most important, your military spouse won't receive any additional monies such as Overseas Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) or Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) for living off the installation. You can simply cross borders with a car or by air. Two fees might not make sense to you in Germany: Traditional German food usually involves a lot of meat, potatoes, cabbage, and fat. The Sip: Happy Halloween With a Side of MilSpouseFest Many expats report that, initially, they find Germans to be not the most welcoming. Some of the benefits you are entitled to as a German citizen or resident are: Since October 1st, 2017, same-sex marriages became legal in Germany. Very large sums are allocated to a few individuals. Generally speaking, Germans can be tough to engage with, but once expats make an effort to immerse themselves in local culture and perhaps learn the language, theyll find that the locals will warm up to them. Go see a castle. Drinking will be an issue for a lot of younger soldiers.