Why People Are Thinking About Leaving Germany
Reasons people may leave Germany. Celebrating 10 years in Berlin. The last newsletter of the year. The beginning of the end for big tech? Some of you will get a bigger pay slip this month.
Personal News & Musings
🫣 Sometimes, I’ll overshare and/or rant a bit.
A bit of news from me:
Last Monday, I celebrated 10 years in Berlin. 🎉 See my post.
Oh yes! It's time to enjoy a restful December, as this is our final newsletter of 2024. I’ll still post pretty regularly on socials, including some long-overdue video content. Check Bluesky, LinkedIn, Threads, and Instagram.
Thanks for everything, whether you subscribed to our newsletter, booked a coaching service, shared and read our content, attended a community event, or something else. I am so appreciative of your support. 🥹 I also wish you all a happy and safe holiday season!
Community News
🤝 News from our community.
Our last poll asked: What makes you feel unsure about your life as a foreigner in Germany and could potentially make you leave for good? The current state of the economy, high taxes, and lack of available jobs topped out as the number one reason.
Take part in this week’s poll.
This week’s featured Berlin Life guides: Why You Should Stop Using the Word Expat in Germany and Everything You Need to Know About Probation Periods in Germany.
Read last week’s newsletter: The Changing Sentiments Of Foreigners Living In Germany. For more, browse our archives.
Save €15 with our link: Take out insurance with Getsafe and get support in English. They offer pet, health, liability insurance, and more.
Get enough friends to subscribe to our newsletter and win a free career coaching session.
Food For Thought
💡 Articles about tech, the world of work, & other random things.
Talent Berlin has a brilliant newsletter (in EN & DE). Subscribe for job tips, notifications about career fares, and, best of all, perspectives from a diverse range of people. Subscribe.
Why bad-ass women over 50 are leading the way in entrepreneurship.
The common signs of a good leader and the steps you can take to become one.
These days, C-Levels in defense tech command multi-million dollar salaries.
A new app, Intenty, powerfully asks you why you pick up your phone each time you try to use it.
AI may soon be able to act on our behalf, but before this becomes a reality, there are big ethical dilemmas to work out.
Wired posits that it’s the beginning of the end for big tech and why it may not be the worst thing. Following that, how small 100-person startups are defeating big corporates.
The European startup scene is floundering (compared to the US) and needs a major shakeup.
Companies Hiring Right Now
🇩🇪 Companies in Germany that are hiring right now.
Netflix (Berlin, 8 jobs, EN &/or DE required)
Orange Cyberdefense (Augsburg, Munich, & Frankfurt, 12 jobs, EN & DE required)
PharmaHera (Berlin, 5 jobs, EN &/or DE required)
selected heads (Berlin, 20 jobs, EN &/or DE required)
smartvillage (Berlin, Cologne, & Munich, 18 jobs, DE required)
Recently Funded Startups
🇩🇪 German startups that recently raised new funding may also have vacancies.
Akhetonics (€6 M) | Berlin | Jobs
ℹ️ Good to Know - Some startups may only be at the beginning of their journey and might not yet be hiring. If you believe in their mission, follow them on LinkedIn for future hiring updates.
Follow us on LinkedIn, where we share new job postings daily.
News in Germany
🗞️ All of the news in Germany.
General News
Various changes are set to happen in Germany this month, including the Christmas holidays, the deadline for inflation bonuses to be paid out, and a bigger payslip for some.
The BVG is planning for autonomous buses in Berlin by 2027 … meaning we’ll have them in 2037. 🧌
Measles cases are on the rise in Germany because people think they know better than proven science that can prevent such diseases.
Proudly double-jabbed this month for the flu and Covid-19.
Politics & Economy
Former Chancellor Angela Merkel published her memoir and, to the dismay of many, defended her controversial past decisions.
The AfD has a new party policy: They want Germany to leave the Paris Climate Agreement, EU, and NATO. 🙄
Fortune 500 companies in Germany have announced 60,000 layoffs, with more expected in 2025. Case in point, steelmaker giant ThyssenKrupp plans to slash 11,000 jobs.
Inflation rose a wee bit to 2.2% in November, and consumer sentiment was also affected.
Not only is Berlin’s €29 ticket set to be discontinued, but the price for the Deutschland ticket is set to rise. If you can’t afford it, you’ll lose your subscription.
In obvious news, some people think Germany needs to make tough decisions to get the country back on track. Like should the government consider removing the infamous debt brake for some time?
Intel paused plans for its German chip factory, so the government is planning for billions in subsidies to kickstart the industry.
German startup Vaeridion is crafting a sleek battery-powered "microliner" for regional flights and just scored a major win with the EU Aviation Safety Agency to fast-track its certification.
The Berliner wrote an in-depth piece on Berlin’s housing crisis, and meanwhile, the mayor asked the federal government to regulate rents more strictly.
Immigration & Labor Market
Red Tape Translation advises whether you can freelance in Germany on a working holiday or youth mobility visa.
I always thought the answer was yes, as I freelanced when I came to Germany on this visa, but it turns out it’s complicated.
German unemployment increased slightly in November but remained low despite economic challenges. Germany is also experiencing a trucker shortage and has looked to Uzbekistan for help.
Something on many people’s minds: Despite Germany needing foreign workers (at least 288,000 annually until 2040), will the far right allow it to happen?
The far-right no longer keeps their plans a secret. Recently, the AfD had yet another Nazi-inspired conference, where they talked about deporting all non-Germans, as well as German citizens from a “migration background.”
Note: The AfD will not win the upcoming election, as no other German party will form a coalition with them. However, their growing popularity is to be taken seriously and will pose a seriously big challenge for the new government.
Fun, Interesting, and/or Useful
It’s that special time of year again—time to visit all the Christmas markets. Read about what makes them so special and the must-try foods. Be sure to visit these markets in Berlin that reflect the city’s growing international diversity.
A three-armed robot conductor was unveiled in Dresden, challenging us to think about the changing role of tech and music. 🤖
Ways We Can Help You
😇 Useful stuff served up by the Berlin Life.
Get help with job application and interview preparation through our career coaching and review services.
Connect with fellow professionals in Germany through our LinkedIn Connect & Exchange list.
Read our 50+ free guides to living, working, and moving to Germany.
Ask questions about living and working in Germany, and join our chat. 💬
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I left Germany after 30 years. Never I felt home. And for sure I don't want to go back.