Moving to a new country in search of work and better opportunities? Relocating can be both exciting and scary, but being prepared for what to expect is a good way to get yourself grounded somewhere new. Rewire’s relocation guides are meant to help you with the essential information you’ll need to get started in a new country.
Germany: Quick Facts for Migrants from The Philippines
- Population: 83 million
- Capital: Berlin
- Main language: Germany
- Emergency phone numbers: 112 (fire and ambulance), 110 (police)
- Electricity: 230 volts, 50Hz
- Currency: Euro
- Euro to Philippine Peso: 1 Euro = ~57 PHP
- Embassy: Luisenstraße 16, 10117 Berlin; http://philippine-embassy.de/
Finding Housing in Germany
When you begin looking for an apartment in Germany, the first thing you should do is make sure you have the right paperwork and documents to bring to a viewing. Some things you should bring include a passport or ID, payslips, credit record documentation, and a guarantor if you can’t provide all the necessary documents.
Here are some of the most common websites you can use to search for apartments online:
Aside from these websites, you can also ask the local migrant community in your area if they know of any apartments for rent. There are even Facebook groups for Filipino expats where you can get some suggestions. Sometimes, local recommendations can help you find places in your budget. And speaking of budgeting, you’ll want to learn all about budgeting for migrants so that you can better understand what you’ll be spending money on and how to save.
Finding Work in Germany
With such a big economy, Germany has plenty of opportunities for foreigners with foreign language skills. Still, it can be tricky to find a job when you’re in a new country, especially if you need to learn the language and culture from scratch, so we recommend starting with browsing a few job search websites and sending out CVs or contacting business owners. Here are some websites you can use to begin your search:
- Monster – search for jobs based on your location
- Indeed – a job board that allows you to browse and apply for work
- Craigslist – great for finding casual jobs
- JobStairs – German job search website
- Expatica – job search board for migrants, foreigners, and immigrants
Getting Around Germany
It’s important to know how to get around when you’re in a new country. Even if you live in a big city, you might need to visit another city for consular services or any other reason. Luckily, transportation in Germany is excellent, so there are multiple options for getting around cities and the whole country.
The Deutsche Bahn is the national train service that is one of the quickest ways to get around Germany. There’s also the S-Bahn, which links suburbs and outer regions to city centers, and the U-Bahn, which is the German metro system you’ll find in major cities. Aside from that, many cities also have a tram, or streetcar, that can be used to get around. To get between cities, there are many intercity bus lines you can use to get around.
Send Money to The Philippines from Germany
Many Filipino migrants who are new to Germany wonder how they can transfer money to the Philippines while they’re abroad. While you can go through banks or money transfer bureaus, it’s much easier and quicker to do an online money transfer. Rewire offers a global money transfer service that allows you to send money to a bank account of a loved one back in The Philippines. Additionally, Rewire has a number of other tools that help you manage your money abroad, like easy SSS payments, European IBAN accounts, and more.
Final Word
With tons of migrants and internationals calling Germany home, there’s a lot to look forward to in this new country of yours. But, there are still many challenges as a migrant, so ease yourself into the transition by reading up on Germany beforehand and learning about what to expect when you relocate.
