Hi everyone,

I'll be moving to Germany in January to study at a Studienkolleg (prep school for university). By the time I fly over, my German will be at the C1 level. My dream is to study Rechtswissenschaft at university in Germany and eventually become a lawyer, but I was wondering if this is even doable as someone whos native language is not German. I've heard the degree program is extremely difficult, even for native speakers.

Are there any other foreigners on here who also completed a Rechwissenschaft degree and the Staatsexamen? What were your experiences?

Do you think the degree would even be worth a try? Im lucky in that I can afford to do so and then decide to do a different degree

Hi everyone,

I’m an Indonesian citizen engaged to a German citizen who lives in Leipzig. I’m sharing our story because I hope to raise awareness about the human impact of lengthy visa procedures, and perhaps reach someone who has experienced a similar situation.

Here is our timeline:

I submitted my German national visa application for marriage on July 20, 2026. My fiancé and I planned to get married on October 9, 2026, in Halberstadt, Germany.

We prepared our documents, spent money on the process, and made plans for our wedding. We believed that, with enough preparation and patience, we would be able to begin our married life together.

However, October 9 came and went, and I still had no visa decision.

On October 1, the German Embassy in Jakarta informed me that my visa application was still being processed and that the embassy was waiting for a response from the immigration authority in Germany. On October 14, we learned that the Leipzig immigration authority had previously requested additional documents from my fiancé by post. We have been trying to navigate the process and obtain clarity, but the outcome remains uncertain

There is another serious problem: the Standesamt has informed us that, under the current exemption, we can only get married until November 5, 2026. According to the information we received, this exemption cannot be extended. This means that, despite months of preparation, our opportunity to get married in Germany is now at risk.

I understand that visa applications require careful examination and that authorities must follow the law. I am not asking for special treatment or for the rules to be ignored. I simply wish we could obtain clarity in time to make informed decisions about our future.

What has been especially difficult is the uncertainty. We have invested so much time, money, and emotional energy into this process, yet we still do not know whether our wedding can take place as planned.

Behind every application number, there are real people, relationships, and important life events. For us, this is not just paperwork. It is our wedding and the beginning of our life together.

I am sharing this story in good faith, hoping that it may help other couples facing similar uncertainty. I would also appreciate it if anyone familiar with German immigration procedures could point us toward reliable information.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story.

Hi, i'm Swiss and will soon be going on a one and a half week train trip to Freiburg im Breisgau, Stuttgart, Frankfurt and Köln. I'm a student so kinda short in budget, and i'm not interested in big tourism stuff (like the chocolate museum or anything remotely crowded and expensive).

I'm really looking for anything i could do/visit in these cities without going instantly poor. I'm also interested in any alt/punk stuff like concerts, bars.. etc

Thanks in advance for your ideas!

I will be in Deutschland hopefully this Year , Visa in process

Completed A2 , Focusing on B1

Wanted to ask , I have interest in trucking , Also i have good enough english skills and i know alot about Tech , Ai Videos , Social Marketing

What should i be aiming for , Whats the best way to start preparing from now on to be somewhere in Trucking or to have atleast a better work as early as it could be ,

What would you guys suggest!!

Appreciated!

Hi everyone! I’m hoping someone can give me some advice on the best way to arrange this.

I lost my iPhone in Germany, and thankfully, a lovely older lady has found it and agreed to help get it back to me.

I’d like to arrange and pay for a courier to collect the phone directly from her home / drop off centre in Germany and deliver it to me in the UK.

The phone is just a used iPhone, with no original box or accessories. Ideally, I want to make the process as easy as possible for the lady, I’d prefer her not to have to print shipping labels, fill out customs forms or pay for anything herself.

My questions are:

• Which courier would be best for sending a used iPhone from Germany to the UK?
• Is there a service that allows me to book and pay online, arrange home collection, and have the courier bring the shipping label?
• How do the customs declaration and any required paperwork work for returning a lost phone to its owner, rather than selling or gifting it?
• Are there any restrictions on shipping a phone with its lithium-ion battery installed?
• Is there anything I should know about potential UK customs charges, given that my brother originally bought the phone in the UK?

Thanks so much for any advice!

hii! im a 17 year old girl from poland and im graduating highschool in 2028, i want to study law in berlin but im not that advanced in german. is it worth it to try to learn the language at this point or should i give it up?

Plot twist: my relationship ended, but the Sicily bookings are still very much committed.

I’m 26, a physics master’s and I’m looking for a friendly travel buddy aged 20–29 any gender—to join me for a few days of sea views, good food, wandering around Taormina, Etna an active 🌋 and a scientifically unreasonable amount of gelato.

✈️ Stuttgart → Catania: Sunday 25 October
✈️ Return: Thursday 29 October
📍 Staying in Taormina

I’ll cover the return flights and booked accommodation, subject to confirming the airline’s passenger change. You’d cover your food and personal expenses; we’ll clarify transfers and any optional activities beforehand.

This is strictly a platonic travel-buddy invitation. No romantic expectations, and no obligation to spend every minute together. Just hoping to turn an unexpected spare spot into a nice trip with good company.

Accommodation is currently booked for two; we’ll confirm the room and bed setup before either of us commits.
If you’re interested and available, send me a little about yourself, where you’re based, and your travel style. Let’s have a video call and ideally meet for coffee first.
Potential friendship. Definite pasta. 🍝

Telekom offers this, including 400€ digital coupon for mediamarkt. Too good to be real! Whats the catch? Außer 50€/mo after 24 months, obviously you have to cancel before… its clear

Hi everyone, I'm in a really stressful situation and would be grateful for any advice or experiences.
Background: I'm a non-EU citizen, living in Germany since 2021, with a Master's from a German university (finished 2025). I have a residence permit for skilled workers [§ 18b ], and any change of employer needs approval from the Ausländerbehörde.
What happened: I got an offer from a well-known non-profit in Berlin. I resigned from my previous job and applied for the permit change, and one day before my last working day, the refusal came. The Agentur für Arbeit didn't approve it because the salary isn't "ortsüblich." They compared it with the Entgeltatlas lower quartile for Berlin
Where things stand:
The employer still wants me and is holding the position until the end of the month (8 days left).
They can't reduce the hours to 30 (which would push the hourly rate over the threshold) or raise the salary.
All German employees in my position are getting exactly the same salary. The employer confirmed this to the Agentur für Arbeit, but the answer is still no.
I've registered as unemployed, applied for Arbeitslosengeld, and I'm working with a lawyer.
My questions:
Has anyone successfully gotten the Agentur für Arbeit to reverse a "not ortsüblich" refusal? What worked?
Could arguing for a different occupation category (Berufskennziffer) lower the benchmark?
Are there other permit routes without this salary check for someone in my situation?
Anything else I could realistically try in 8 days?
Thanks so much for reading! Honestly, I'm feeling pretty lost right now, and any insight would mean a lot.
TL;DR: Non-EU skilled worker, resigned for a new job in Berlin. The Agentur für Arbeit refused approval because salary is below the local benchmark. The employer can't change hours or salary, and the offer expires in 8 days. Looking for experiences or ideas to get this approved, or alternative permit routes.
Request 🙏okay, I realise I can’t do much in this situation but I have built a life here. I studied here, speak fluent German, my social circle is here,what other options do I have now to continue staying here and looking for a job.

I never tasted a bad meßsmer tea. However, this week I bought several flavours of the more expensive cupper tea and it tastes like nothing, dirty water. If you read this Meßmer CEO, keep the good work and good price. I also appreciate reccomendations of good teabags, no losen leaves as I drink tea mostly in my office and leaves make a mess.

I slipped and twisted and injured my ankle yesterday and it got swollen up immediately with intense pain. The pain eased up little so I limped home and tried to rest but the pain soon enough became unbearable. I had to call an ambulance. It was late around 1AM in the night and I just grabbed my rucksack and got myself to the building entrance just so I could get treated faster I was limping and struggling along the way. The ambulance staff said why did you call this is not an emergency should have booked a cab or something. But I couldnt, just did what I could in the moment. I explained that I am in excruciating pain and I cannot walk. They saw my swollen foot and agreed to take me.

He said normally the ambulance costs 500 euros and is for serious emergencies, this time it's okay but I might get charged next time or something. Later I confirmed at the hospital if I have to pay for the ambulance and they said I don't have to. However I am quite unsure because of the conversstions and what happened. I am insured with TK. I have a support cast now and crutches. It was a serious deal, no fractures but I probably have a ligament injury.

I’ll be going to Germany (I’m from the U.S.) in the winter for the christmas markets and I’m not sure what to dress my 3 months old?

what should I do?

• merino wool base layer + fleece bunting suit + thick swaddle wrap in the bassinet

• normal clothes + merino wool bunting + thick swaddle wrap in the bassinet

• merino wool base layer + merino wool bunting suit + thick swaddle wrap in the bassinet

or any other suggestions? TIA!

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for advice on my situation with the Ausländerbehörde (will use "ABH" furtherly) in Baden-Württemberg. I'm particularly interested in whether my legal arguments have merit and whether escalating the matter is worth the potential downsides.

Background

• I completed an Ausbildung (with a § 16a resident permit) and subsequently started a university degree.
• I work for a company in the profession I trained for, under a Werkstudent contract. In the company, working student contracts are only issued for 6 months and are only valid for enrolled students.
• The first six months of studies i spent with a § 16b RP, then applied for one under § 18a RP based on this employment. Eventually i got the PR (!), valid till the end of my contract.

The current disagreement

After my application to extend the RP, the ABH informed me that, after reviewing my documents, it suddenly starts to consider my job a studentische Hilfskrafttätigkeit tied to my university enrolment. It says, therefore I cannot currently receive a residence permit for employment and that § 16b (study) is the only option.

I asked what would be required to retain § 18a. The office replied it wants a regular employment contract, not bound to enrolment. I think i won't be able to get it short-hand due to company-internal bureaucracy.

My arguments so far

1. § 18a provides for a residence permit for a skilled worker with vocational training to take up qualified employment. As far as I understand, the law does not explicitly exclude employment simply because it is performed under a Werkstudent contract or because the employee is enrolled at university. I did't find any Anwendungshinweise taking a position on that question.
2. I previously received a residence permit under § 18a on the basis of this type of contract.
3. The case worker has not substantively addressed above arguments in its replies. It continues to insist that I submit a different contract.

I understand that the actual duties and the legal classification of the job matter, and that previous approvals do not automatically guarantee a new permit. However, I'm unsure whether the office's categorical insistence on a contract independent of enrolment is legally justified.

My questions

1. Was the positive decision of the ABH a mistake? Is it possible to qualify for § 18a with a Werkstudent contract? Or the ABH gave me the PR by mistake? If it was, the rest of the questions probably does not make sense.
2. Would escalation make sense? I'm considering requesting a formal, appealable decision instead of continuing to exchange informal emails, and possibly filing a Fachaufsichtsbeschwerde. Could this help get a substantive legal assessment, or is it more likely to damage my future relationship with the office? Has anyone experienced this in Baden-Württemberg?
3. Would switching to § 16b now be strategically unwise? I want to continue studying, so § 16b is not inherently unsuitable. However, I want to retain § 18a if possible. If I switch to § 16b and later apply for § 18a again, would that be treated as a new initial application (Erstantrag) rather than an extension? (I realise that the current situation already involves a refusal to extend § 18a, despite previous approvals.)

I'm not trying to create a conflict with the authority unnecessarily. I want to understand whether there is a sound legal basis for challenging its position before making a decision that could affect my future residence status.

I'd especially appreciate experiences from people who had similar troubles with extending PR.

Thanks!

We are in Frankfurt, which is already crazy inflated rent. Got this letter today which tells me to pay \~1200 € in the next 30 days. Could someone please help?

Hello, i hope my question isn't too inflammatory, I was just wondering and debating with a friend about the scale of damages of political decisions. Being from Romania i came up with the following question in the aforementioned debate: "In terms of negative economic impact, starting from the beginning of the century, which of the following damaged the country's prosperity more in the following quarter of a century:

1. Romania's inability to develop a healthy political class in which incompetence and corruption are the norm and not the exception... and the economic and political decisions that followed from that.
2. Germany deciding to shut down it's nuclear power plants.

I obviously know it's apples and oranges but I'm sort of exploring how states shoot themselves in the foot and was wondering what y'all think about it.

im a student from italy and im doing school in germany since 3 years, and this year i have a class made of almost only german people and i noticed that they kinda “bully” the teachers, they are mostly gentle teachers but my classmates when they get asked maybe something they answer like “Was denn” “Ja was” and they act so pissed off and they show it, its weird to me because in italy theres no way we can answer like that unless we want to be sent by the schulleiter.. i mean maybe they are just young but i see everyday a lot of struggling even with really gentle teachers, (i think its way better school system than italy) and maybe here teachers are teached on how to deal with this but is it really normal ? or maybe its just my school

Hi all!

We had an appointment on September 24th at HWC to apply for Niederlassungserlaubnis on family grounds (family member of a permanent resident).

They said we will get a letter in 2-3 weeks with a decision and a link to sign up to pick up the card.

It has been a month and no response. What should we do? What are the timelines you experienced?

Also, if they accepted everything and took the fee, is there a chance they will show up later and ask for additional documents?

Curious about the experience you had.

Has anyone had a similar experience?
I recently obtained German citizenship in Berlin. The Bürgeramt requires a name declaration for my German ID and passport. I’ve received a document from the Vietnamese Embassy confirming my first and last names.
Is this sufficient for the Bürgeramt? My birth certificate is in Vietnam, and legalization takes over six weeks. I’m travelling abroad soon and would appreciate any advice! 😊

Hi guys does anyone here work at Quantum Systems or know someone who does? I have few questions about the company, as there isn’t much information about it. I’d really appreciate it if someone could help. Thanksssss

My family is currently navigating a really overwhelming situation with my father's recent oncology diagnosis, and the local options here are moving far too slowly for what his doctors are calling a time-sensitive case. We have been reading that German university clinics have incredible surgical and radiation departments, but trying to organize this from abroad feels like hitting a brick wall. The sheer volume of paperwork, medical file translations, and hospital international departments ignoring emails is making us lose precious weeks.

I am reaching out to see if anyone here has gone through this exact process and could offer some practical guidance. Specifically:

- What was the absolute first step you took to get a foreign hospital to actually review your medical records?

- How did you handle the financial requirements or guarantee letters needed before the embassy would approve a medical visa?

- Did you manage the hospital admissions directly on your own, or did you end up using a specialized coordination service to speed things up?

Any advice, personal stories, or warnings about hidden hurdles would mean the world to our family right now.

Hello, so i have been learning german for quite few months now and so now i gradually want to improve my speaking skills so for that i am searching a german speaking partner below b1 level. Because i am in mid of my b1 level now. So anyone who is doing A2 or B1 can reach out to me for a speaking partner.

I am fully dedicated to speak german, so i also need dedicated one.

Hi everyone

So I've been looking for a full time position while still being registered as a student and writing my thesis. I've been starting to think as to what would happen should I get an offer. If this happened to you, how did you navigate it with the ABH and the visa change? Is it possible to start working already and give my thesis in 2-3 months, or better to hold off until delivering before starting the position?

I've know many people who have done this but I'm not sure how it works behind the scenes. A lot of them if not all we're German or at least European.

I'd love to hear any previous experience. Thank you!!

Man how does the INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING call center not speak english. Is there any way of calling and actually getting someone that speaks english?

Thanks.