Munich „Oktoberfest“ has started

The world biggest beer festival “Oktoberfest” had have it’s grand opening on Saturday. Many visitors will be there drinking beer, riding a roller coaster and walking around the “Wiesn” during the next two weeks.

Some hints for the “Wiesn”

  • The special beer “Wiesn Maß” costs Euro 10.40 to 10.70 this year
  • You can only enter the festival through one of the nine entrances (security reasons)
  • Backpack and bags are forbidden, you must deposit them at the entrance in a box.
  • the 14 large as well as many smaller tents provide for lots of beer, Bavarian food like Schweinshaxe & Co. and brass music.
  • Going to the festival by public transport

Everybody hope that the rain will stop and the weather will be fine again.

The “Berliner” have vote

Now there will be a governmental change in Berlin.

The election makes clear, Berliner inhabitants want a new government. Berlin is likely to get a fist leftwing triple-coalition.
Angela Merkel’s CDU party and the ruling Social Democrats both plummeted to their lowest result in Berlin. Centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) came out top with 21.6% of the vote, ahead of the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) on 17.5%. Leftwing Die Linke came third on 15.7%, ahead of the Greens on 15.1%.  The liberal Free Democrats managed to get back into parliament with 6.7%.
The worst thing is, Anti-immigration populists Alternative für Deutschland are set to enter the Berlin parliament for the first time, with 14.1%.

But the good news is, that most of the voters 85,9% support the democratic parties, accepting Germany as a country of immigration.

Berlin gets ready for digital future

The new ” Einstein centre Digital Future”  in Berlin will create a multi collaboration and interdisciplinary research environment for increasing digitalization. Scientist from all over the wolrd will work about digitalization.
By now are round about 75.000 people employed in digital economy in Berlin.

Berlin gets more than 50 new It – professors. They should help to promote Berlin with the subject of Digitization further about the new “Einstein-Zentrum für digitale Zukunft” (Einstein’s centre for digital future). The scientists should build up networks to other disciplines: from medicine to archeology, in clothes integrated chips up to researches to the digital town. Furthermore, the effects of digitalization i.e. world of work should be investigated. Christian Thomson, president of the University of Technology Berlin said, “such a concentration in It research, as it will be situated in Berlin then, will be unique in Germany and a big chance for Berlin as science location”. The scientists should start to work 2017.

Right now first calls for tendering are puplished.

Munich – the world’s biggest beer festival

“O’zapft is” in Munich

Soon again Wiesn, Oktoberfest or how you want to call it starts again in Munich. The world’s largest and most popular fair will be held again at the Theresienwiese from September 17th until October 3rd. Being an important part of Bavarian culture Oktoberfest celebrations take place since 1810.
After the opening parade the first beer barrel will be tapped in the Schottenhammel tent by Munich’s lord mayor at 12:00 with the exclamation “O’Zapft is!”. Afterwards the fair is started and the 14 large as well as many smaller tents provide for lots of beer, Bavarian food like Schweinshaxe & Co. and brass music.

Integration into the German labour market

Suspension of priority review (Vorrangprüfung) facilitates integration into the German labour market.

The German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs decided to suspend the priority review in the majority of the 156 agency districts for asylum seekers and tolerated persons. Until recently it had to be checked whether German employees were available instead of employing asylum seekers and tolerated. The suspension facilitates the integration the integration of these persons into the labour market, as employment of those failed often because of the review. Undertakings as well as the Chamber of Industry and Commerce appreciate the decision as this facilitates filling jobs and raises efficiency. The International Chamber of Commerce mentions however that filling jobs with refugees is not a long-term solution against skills shortage in Germany.

 

A bit of Rio in Berlin?

Nearly a month after the Olympic games in Rio have ended Berlin-Marathon is coming up again and brings the Rio-feeling to Berlin. In mid-end September on September, 24th and 25th a weekend full of sport events, music, and happiness turns the city upside-down.

Berlin-Marathon is always an adventure for participants as well as for people cheering along the track. Samba drummers and music stations along the track motivate and fire up participants and spectators.
Berlin-Marathon is one of the best-known marathons of the world, part of the World Marathon Majors, and as popular as the races in New York or London. Runners, Inline-skaters or hand-bikers – there is a race for everyone even the smallest (born 2006 and younger) can participate in the Bambini-race. You are not that into sports? Just cheer along the track! Starting in the Tiergarten it runs through Berlin’s diversity in Mitte, Neukölln, Kreuzberg and Schöneberg, through quieter and village-like districts such as Friedenau, Schmargendorf and Wilmersdorf and coming back to the vibrant heart of the Marathon weekend around Brandenburg Gate, where the runners reach the finish line. Along the track various music stations, first aid and refreshing station ensure good mood along and on the track!

Berlin elections

Berlin elections for the Abgeordnetenhaus

On 18th September all eligible Berlin residents are called to cast their vote. Who is eligible? Berlin elections are twofold, the districts assemblies are elected as well as the Abgeordnetenhaus (parliament of Berlin). Everyone above 16, holding the EU citizenship, having lived at least three month in Berlin and being registered in Berlin at least six weeks before the election can vote for the disctricts’ assemblies. To vote for the Abgeordnetenhaus you need to be 18 and above, need to hold the German citizenship and need to be registered resident of Berlin.
These elections promise to be thrilling. How do the current events influence Berlin’s residents? How does Terrorism, increased migration and integration especially through refugees influence the opinion and the decision of the Berliners?

Are you eligible to vote and not sure yet for whom to vote? Or are you just curious to know which party would supports your desires and concerns most? Try the Wahl-o-mat!

Successful and sustainable integration

A new beginning in Germany might be a big opportunity. What does such a new beginning mean especially for migrating people? – A new job? New surroundings and new social contacts? How can one ensure a successful new beginning?
Many people have these hopes and succeed in finding a new job and handle even the sometimes extremely difficult subject of house hunting. However, they are confronted with new challenges and stumbling blocs on a daily basis, which complicate full integration and starting life at the new home.
Many people forget that a new beginning in a new country goes beyond finding a job and a place to live. It’s a complexity of various challenges. Learning the new language is not enough in order to integrate completely.

The online relocation portal gohelpy offers in cooperation and coordination with Agentur Ahrens an extensive preparation and integration. Relocation stands for support in completing all necessary steps – administrative, formal as well as organizational – in the most efficient and comfortable order. In coordination with intercultural training and coaching and successful as well as sustainable integration is the result.

To take the chance of a new beginning in life does not mean finding a job, but finding friends and being integrated at the workplace and in the new social environment.

Online Relocation – Save you money and time

Because of Brexit, a job offer or family issues, you are planning to move to Germany? Save money and time by informing yourself via an online relocation portal. Online relocation portals provide you with information about when to do what.

They tell you which administrative steps are most important, and the order in which you have to complete them. Furthermore, some portals provide handy hints and additional services, if you desire.

Some portals even provide information, tailor-made to your individual circumstances. This facilitates a smooth relocation process, which you can organize from your home country already.

Pathways to Germany from outside EU – Part4 self-employed

This entry is part 4 of 4 in the series Pathways to Germany

You want to establish yourself in Germany as self-employed or freelancer and can prove sufficient financial means as well as a permit to exercise the profession? You are economically worthwhile in Germany and impact the German economy positively with your self-employment?

What do I need to do before going to Germany?

You first need to make an appointment at the German embassy in your country in order to apply for a visa. The visa is granted for 1-3 months. Bear in mind waiting and processing times at the embassies and do not do it last minute before leaving to Germany.

What do I need to do once I entered Germany?

After having entered Germany it is of utmost importance to register with the municipality of the city as soon as possible. This is a condition to register the with foreign nationals’ registration authority, which is responsible for you in Germany.

Registration at the municipality office – why is it that important?

Handy hints:

  • make appointments early in time in order to circumvent long waiting times and delays.
  • in order to facilitate and accelerate the process you can inform yourself about the forms you need online at various platforms such as gohelp.y. You can print all forms and checklists at home and take them with you for your appointment.