Taxes in Germany Explained — What Expats Actually Need to Know Filing taxes in Germany can feel overwhelming — new forms, strange terms, and that one letter from the Finanzamt you don’t understand. Don’t worry — this episode makes it simple. We cover how the German tax system actually works:

• The difference between Lohnsteuer and your annual tax return
• What the Steuerklasse (tax class) really changes (and doesn’t)
• The easiest way to file using apps like Taxfix or Wundertax
• Common deductions that help you get a refund — home office, relocation, and language courses
• Freelancer vs employee basics
💡 Tip: Most expats get money back their first year — the system just needs your paperwork to know it.
🗓️ New episodes every Wednesday & Saturday — making life in Germany simpler, one topic at a time.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple, or anywhere you get your podcasts.

Germany in English is the podcast that makes living in Germany make sense.

Twice a week, we unpack German news, culture, and everyday life, in plain English.
From taxes and health insurance to social norms and the latest tech policies, you’ll understand what’s really going on and how it affects expats, professionals, and curious minds.

Hosted by a longtime expat and tech professional who believes clear information beats bureaucracy every time.
🎧 New episodes every Tuesday and Friday. — Useful Links & Resources:

• 🏦 Banking & Finance: Join N26 for your banking in Germany
• 💰 Taxes: Taxfix — file your German taxes in English

(Some links may be affiliate links that support the podcast — at no extra cost to you.)

Germany’s rental market can break even the most patient newcomer. Between Anmeldung papers, SCHUFA reports, and dozens of other applicants at every viewing, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. In this episode, we walk you through the process step-by-step — where to search, which documents you actually need, how to stand out, and what scams to avoid. Whether you’re looking for a WG in Berlin or a one-bedroom in Munich, this guide will help you move from frustration to finally getting those keys.

🎯 You’ll learn:
• The real cost of renting in Germany’s biggest cities
• What “Warmmiete” and “Kaltmiete” actually mean
• The essential documents landlords expect (SCHUFA, Gehaltsabrechnung, Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung)
• How to avoid scams and unfair contracts
• Why politeness and paperwork matter more than perfect German 💡 “In Germany, you don’t find an apartment — your documents do.”

 🗓️ New episodes every Wednesday & Saturday — life in Germany explained clearly, in English.

Germany in English is the podcast that makes living in Germany make sense.

Twice a week, we unpack German news, culture, and everyday life, in plain English.
From taxes and health insurance to social norms and the latest tech policies, you’ll understand what’s really going on and how it affects expats, professionals, and curious minds.

Hosted by a longtime expat and tech professional who believes clear information beats bureaucracy every time.
🎧 New episodes every Tuesday and Friday. — Useful Links & Resources:

• 🏦 Banking & Finance: Join N26 for your banking in Germany
• 💰 Taxes: Taxfix — file your German taxes in English

(Some links may be affiliate links that support the podcast — at no extra cost to you.)

From IBANs to Video-Ident, we break down how to finally open that German bank account — what documents you need, which banks actually work for expats, and how to avoid common traps. 🎯 You’ll learn:
• Traditional vs online banks in Germany
• The exact steps to open an account
• How to transfer money cheaply between countries
• Tips for freelancers and remote workers

Germany in English is the podcast that makes living in Germany make sense.

Twice a week, we unpack German news, culture, and everyday life, in plain English.
From taxes and health insurance to social norms and the latest tech policies, you’ll understand what’s really going on and how it affects expats, professionals, and curious minds.

Hosted by a longtime expat and tech professional who believes clear information beats bureaucracy every time.
🎧 New episodes every Tuesday and Friday. — Useful Links & Resources:

• 🏦 Banking & Finance: Join N26 for your banking in Germany
• 💰 Taxes: Taxfix — file your German taxes in English

(Some links may be affiliate links that support the podcast — at no extra cost to you.)

Germany’s health insurance system can be confusing — public vs. private, endless providers, and weird German words. Here’s how it really works, what you’ll pay, and how it compares to the U.S. and U.K.

Health insurance in Germany isn’t optional — it’s the foundation of the country’s entire social system. But if you’re new here, figuring out the difference between public and private insurance can feel like a maze. In this episode, we break down the basics of Germany’s two health insurance systems, explain how the cost structure actually works, and compare it to what you might be used to in the U.S. or U.K. 🎯 You’ll learn:
• What “solidarity” means in the German healthcare model
• How much you actually pay — and how it’s split with your employer
• When private insurance makes sense (and when it doesn’t)
• The differences between TK, AOK, Barmer, and DAK
• How Germany’s system compares to the U.S. and the U.K.
• Practical tips for expats registering for the first time 🩺 Key Terms:

• Krankenkasse → your public health insurance provider
• Arzt → doctor
• Versicherungskarte → your insurance card
• Überweisung → doctor referral letter

💡 Pro Tip:
Once you’ve done your Anmeldung (address registration), you can already apply for TK, AOK, or another provider — even before your job starts. 🗓️ New episodes every Wednesday & Saturday — clear, practical insights on living, working, and thriving in Germany, in plain English.

Germany in English is the podcast that makes living in Germany make sense.

Twice a week, we unpack German news, culture, and everyday life, in plain English.
From taxes and health insurance to social norms and the latest tech policies, you’ll understand what’s really going on and how it affects expats, professionals, and curious minds.

Hosted by a longtime expat and tech professional who believes clear information beats bureaucracy every time.
🎧 New episodes every Tuesday and Friday. — Useful Links & Resources:

• 🏦 Banking & Finance: Join N26 for your banking in Germany
• 💰 Taxes: Taxfix — file your German taxes in English

(Some links may be affiliate links that support the podcast — at no extra cost to you.)

Berlin is angry — again. LAP Coffee, a fast-growing expat-founded café chain, just got hit with red paint and boycott calls over “gentrification.” Here’s why a cheap flat white has become a symbol of something much bigger in Germany.
LAP Coffee started as a small Berlin café with a minimalist vibe and cheap prices — now it’s everywhere in Germany, and not everyone’s happy about it. After red paint attacks and boycott calls accusing the brand of fueling gentrification, we break down what this story really says about modern Germany: rising rents, expat success, and the cultural tension between global trends and local identity. 🎯 In this episode: • What actually happened to LAP Coffee and why protests erupted • Why locals see it as a symbol of gentrification • How expat-founded brands are changing German cities • The deeper cultural clash between “global cool” and “local authenticity” 💬 “It’s not just about coffee — it’s about who gets to belong in the new Germany.” 🗓️ New episodes every Wednesday & Saturday — clear, insightful takes on life, culture, and change in Germany, in plain English.

Germany in English is the podcast that makes living in Germany make sense.

Twice a week, we unpack German news, culture, and everyday life, in plain English.
From taxes and health insurance to social norms and the latest tech policies, you’ll understand what’s really going on and how it affects expats, professionals, and curious minds.

Hosted by a longtime expat and tech professional who believes clear information beats bureaucracy every time.
🎧 New episodes every Tuesday and Friday. — Useful Links & Resources:

• 🏦 Banking & Finance: Join N26 for your banking in Germany
• 💰 Taxes: Taxfix — file your German taxes in English

(Some links may be affiliate links that support the podcast — at no extra cost to you.)

Everything in Germany starts with one thing — the Anmeldung.
In this episode, we explain what it is, why it’s required, how to do it right, and what mistakes to avoid. A quick, practical guide for anyone new to Germany.

Episode 1 — Anmeldung: The First Thing Every Newcomer Must Do Registering your address — the Anmeldung — is the foundation of life in Germany. Without it, you can’t open a bank account, get health insurance, or even receive your tax ID. In this episode, we break down what Anmeldung actually is, how to complete it step-by-step, which documents you need, and common pitfalls to avoid.

🎯 You’ll learn:
• What the Anmeldung is and why it matters
• How to get the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung from your landlord
• What happens if you register late
• How to save time when booking Bürgeramt appointments

🗂 Resources Mentioned:
– Guide: All About Berlin – Anmeldung in English
– Step-by-step: Simple Germany – Anmeldung
🎧 Subscribe for new episodes every Saturday & Wednesday — clear, concise insights on living, working, and understanding Germany, in plain English.

Germany in English is the podcast that makes living in Germany make sense.

Twice a week, we unpack German news, culture, and everyday life, in plain English.
From taxes and health insurance to social norms and the latest tech policies, you’ll understand what’s really going on and how it affects expats, professionals, and curious minds.

Hosted by a longtime expat and tech professional who believes clear information beats bureaucracy every time.
🎧 New episodes every Tuesday and Friday. — Useful Links & Resources:

• 🏦 Banking & Finance: Join N26 for your banking in Germany
• 💰 Taxes: Taxfix — file your German taxes in English

(Some links may be affiliate links that support the podcast — at no extra cost to you.)

German News in English: 30.04.2023

Today's news in Germany: Germany AI Regulations - Innovation killer or good for society?

Please note, this is commentary news.

Germany in English is the podcast that makes living in Germany make sense.

Twice a week, we unpack German news, culture, and everyday life, in plain English.
From taxes and health insurance to social norms and the latest tech policies, you’ll understand what’s really going on and how it affects expats, professionals, and curious minds.

Hosted by a longtime expat and tech professional who believes clear information beats bureaucracy every time.
🎧 New episodes every Tuesday and Friday. — Useful Links & Resources:

• 🏦 Banking & Finance: Join N26 for your banking in Germany
• 💰 Taxes: Taxfix — file your German taxes in English

(Some links may be affiliate links that support the podcast — at no extra cost to you.)

German News in English: 23.04.2023

Today's news in Germany: Deadly Crash, Sudan Conflic, More Strikes

Please note, this is commentary news.

Germany in English is the podcast that makes living in Germany make sense.

Twice a week, we unpack German news, culture, and everyday life, in plain English.
From taxes and health insurance to social norms and the latest tech policies, you’ll understand what’s really going on and how it affects expats, professionals, and curious minds.

Hosted by a longtime expat and tech professional who believes clear information beats bureaucracy every time.
🎧 New episodes every Tuesday and Friday. — Useful Links & Resources:

• 🏦 Banking & Finance: Join N26 for your banking in Germany
• 💰 Taxes: Taxfix — file your German taxes in English

(Some links may be affiliate links that support the podcast — at no extra cost to you.)

German News in English: 02.04.2023

Today's news in Germany: Royal Visit, Prices Increase and War

Please note, this is commentary news.

Germany in English is the podcast that makes living in Germany make sense.

Twice a week, we unpack German news, culture, and everyday life, in plain English.
From taxes and health insurance to social norms and the latest tech policies, you’ll understand what’s really going on and how it affects expats, professionals, and curious minds.

Hosted by a longtime expat and tech professional who believes clear information beats bureaucracy every time.
🎧 New episodes every Tuesday and Friday. — Useful Links & Resources:

• 🏦 Banking & Finance: Join N26 for your banking in Germany
• 💰 Taxes: Taxfix — file your German taxes in English

(Some links may be affiliate links that support the podcast — at no extra cost to you.)

German News in English: 23.03.2023

Today's news in Germany: Economic Downturn in Germany, Extremist Groups

Please note, this is commentary news.

Germany in English is the podcast that makes living in Germany make sense.

Twice a week, we unpack German news, culture, and everyday life, in plain English.
From taxes and health insurance to social norms and the latest tech policies, you’ll understand what’s really going on and how it affects expats, professionals, and curious minds.

Hosted by a longtime expat and tech professional who believes clear information beats bureaucracy every time.
🎧 New episodes every Tuesday and Friday. — Useful Links & Resources:

• 🏦 Banking & Finance: Join N26 for your banking in Germany
• 💰 Taxes: Taxfix — file your German taxes in English

(Some links may be affiliate links that support the podcast — at no extra cost to you.)