Have you ever thought about packing up your life and moving to another country—without even having visited it first? I hadn’t either until it became our reality. There were 11 unexpected things I learned after moving to Germany.
My husband is a contractor and landed a job in Germany. At first, he went alone while I stayed back in the U.S. with our daughter. He worked overseas for six months, and during that time, I tried to figure out a way to visit. When my job wouldn’t allow me to take leave, we decided to make a bold move: we would all relocate to Germany together. We knew it would be different. But we were ready for the adventure. Here are some things I was not expecting.
1. No air conditioning
Coming from Texas, this was the biggest shock. AC has always been essential in our lives, so I couldn’t believe it when I realized there was no AC—anywhere. Not in homes, stores, or even apartments. Some buildings have exterior shutters you can close during the heat of the day, and people open windows for air flow. Thankfully, it’s only hot for about three months out of the year, but still—no AC!
2. So many stairs
Our first apartment in Germany was on the fifth floor—and like many older buildings, there was no elevator. My husband thought it was a good idea at the time, but let’s just say reality hit fast. Carrying a toddler and groceries up and down those stairs was a workout in itself. When I got pregnant again, we knew it was time to find a new place.
3. Trash sorting is serious business
In the U.S., we toss everything into one bin, maybe two if we’re recycling. Not in Germany! Trash has to be separated properly:
- Bio: food and organic waste
- Yellow: packaging
- Blue: paper and cardboard
- Black: everything else
At first, it was overwhelming, but now it’s second nature.
4. You pump gas first-Then pay
This one threw me off. In the States, you pay before you pump. In Germany, you just pump your gas and then go inside to pay. The trust system is strong here!
5. Everyone Walks or bikes
Walking, biking, trams, and buses are part of everyday life here. People are constantly out and about, and it’s actually really refreshing. Public transportation is reliable and well-connected, and we’ve come to appreciate how active this lifestyle is.
6. Grocery shopping is Fast and DIY
Be prepared: no one bags your groceries. You bring your own reusable bags and bag everything yourself. Also, the checkout process is fast, so get ready to hustle.
7. Public Bathrooms are Rare
Finding a public restroom, especially with a toddler, has been one of the biggest challenges. They’re not as easily available as in the U.S., and when you do find one, you often have to pay a small fee to use it.
8. Stay out of the Bike Lane
Pedestrians, beware! There is a clearly marked bike lane alongside most sidewalks, and stepping into it can lead to some angry bell ringing—or worse. It took me a few near misses to learn that lesson.
9. Health checkups are closely tracked
Germany is very organized when it comes to health care. For children, every checkup is tracked in a little booklet that you must bring to each appointment. They send a form in the mail when it is time for a visit and you must go on time. When you’re pregnant, you receive a Mutterpass, a booklet that contains all your medical information. It’s thorough and efficient—but definitely something new for us.
10. No Translator services
If you don’t speak German, you’re on your own. Unlike the U.S., where interpreter services are often available, most places in Germany expect you to figure it out. We quickly learned to use apps, carry a dictionary, and pick up as much German as possible. It was a humbling experience—but also a huge motivator to learn the language.
11. Everything closes on Sundays (and every Holiday)
This was a tough one to adjust to at first. In Germany, everything is closed on Sundays. Grocery stores, shops, even many restaurants—shut down for the day. It’s the law in most places, and it’s meant to encourage rest and family time. But as someone who was used to doing my weekend errands on Sundays, this was a big change! The same goes for holidays—when it’s a public holiday, don’t expect anything to be open. We’ve learned to plan ahead and do our shopping early, or we’re stuck making creative meals from whatever we have left in the fridge.
Final Thoughts
Moving to Germany was a leap of faith, and while there were 11 unexpected things I learned after moving to Germany, it’s been one of the most rewarding experiences of our lives. From daily walks and new traditions to cultural differences and steep learning curves, we’ve grown stronger as a family and more open to the world.
If you’re thinking about making an international move—just know, it won’t all be easy. But it will definitely be worth it.
Check out this link to learn about extra German culture https://www.goethe.de/en/index.html
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