Removals to Germany – few useful facts

Germany. Deutschland.

If you moving to Germany and before you decide to make a booking with MyCheapRemovals we prepared some basic information about this country. Public holidays, car insurance and taxes, and the most popular supermarkets.

The land is famous for its scenic landscapes, beer and sausages (Wurst). Known for its long winters and beautiful Christmas markets. Well, everyone knows that Germany doesn’t need any introduction to their cars. The name speaks for themselves. You can discover so many new things that are surprising.

Public Holidays

The amount of Public Holidays is higher in comparison to other countries. This is also depending on the state you are living in – in Bavaria, they tend to have more.

1. January
   • 01.01.2021 New Year’s Day
   • 06.01.2021 Epiphany
2. February
   • 14.02.2021 Valentine´s Day
   • 15.02.2021 Clean Monday
   • 17.02.2021 Ash Wednesday
3. March
   • 08.03.2021 International Women’s Day
   • 28.03.2021 Palm Sunday
4. April
   • 02.04.2021 Good Friday
   • 04.04.2021 Easter
   • 05.04.2021 Easter Monday
5. May
   • 01.05.2021 Labour Day
   • 09.05.2021 Mother’s Day
   • 09.05.2021 Europe Day
   • 13.05.2021 Ascension Day
   • 24.05.2021 Whit Monday
6. June
   • 03.06.2021 Corpus Christi
7. August
   • 08.08.2021 Day of peace
   • 15.08.2021 Assumption Day
8. September
   • 20.09.2021 World Children’s Day
9. October
   • 03.10.2021 Day of German Unity
   • 31.10.2021 Reformation Day
   • 31.10.2021 DST end (Event day)
10. November
    • 01.11.2021 All Saints’ Day
    • 14.11.2021 Remembrance Day
    • 17.11.2021 Day of Repentance and Prayer
    • 21.11.2021 Ewigkeitssonntag (Event day)
    • 28.11.2021 First Advent
11. December
    • 05.12.2021 Second Advent
    • 06.12.2021 Saint Nicholas
    • 12.12.2021 Third Advent
    • 19.12.2021 Fourth Advent
    • 24.12.2021 Christmas Eve
    • 25.12.2021 Christmas
    • 26.12.2021 Second Day of Christmas
    • 31.12.2021 New Year’s Eve

12. School Holidays

    School holidays in Germany are set at the regional level by each federal state. Each year for autumn, Christmas, Easter, and summer, plus schools in most states also have a winter break around February.

    A few states have a break of about one to two weeks for Pentecost around May/June.

    Car insurance and taxes in Germany

    The calculation of motor vehicle tax is based on two main components:

    1. CO2 emissions (two euros per gram per kilometre)
    2. Engine size (two euros per 100cm³ for petrol engines and 9,50 euros per 100cm³ for diesel engines).

    Before a person can register a car in Germany you must have proof of third-party liability coverage for all damage or injury to another person, car or object.

    While collision or comprehensive insurance isn’t required by law, most institutions financing the purchase of a vehicle do require it.

    Supermarkets in Germany

    Here is a list of some of the local stores:

    • Aldi was the first discount chain in Germany
    • Edeka Group is the largest German supermarket corporation
    • Kaufland is a German “hypermarket” chain
    • Lidl
    • Netto Marken-Discount
    • Penny Markt
    • Rewe
    • Tegut-Markt

    Lidl and Aldi are the cheapest but they mostly have “no-brand” products, which doesn’t mean that the quality is bad. Edeka, ReWe, Kaisers are discounters as well, but they are more expensive, even when you buy their own brands like “JA!” at Rewe. Btw, some of those supermarkets are quite popular in the neighbour country – if you planning to move to Poland, you have a good chance to shop under these brands.

    There are two types of supermarkets in Germany. The regular ones and also the discount supermarkets. You can find almost everything you need in a discount supermarket at a low cost. Popular discount supermarkets: LIDL, NETTO, ALDI, and PENNY.

    Also, everything is closed on Sundays. Yes, so you better get your supplies on time. The busses barely run, and the whole town becomes so silent. It’s tough when you found out you ran out of bread!

    So, what do you think of German living and lifestyle? Do you think you can live here? If you want to know what the whole removal process looks like, please contact our customer service specialist. If you want to know about the removal costs – use our instant removal quote on this page, alternatively, check this page: removals to Germany