BEST INFO & LINKS
for Frankfurt/Main and Rhein-Main Area
To search in the German-language sites: use http://dict.leo.org/ to translate words first, then use http://world.altavista.com/ to translate whole text/web page by cutting and pasting URL into translator. When searching alphabetically in a German phone book, keep in mind: Ä = ae, Ö = oe, Ü = ue, ß = ss (this is not a B)
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Emergency numbers |
Police: 110 Fire/Rescue: 112 |
www.holdeverything.com (storage solutions)
Dictionaries, translators, etc.: www.itools.com
Translations Presents information about Germany's society: www.babylon.com/eng/
http://www.travlang.com/languages/indextext.html
About 75% of Germans and most agencies listed understand and speak some English
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Info for |
http://www.usembassy.de/frankfurt/index.htm For marriage and children born in Germany and other vital issues, click on "American Citizen Services"(US Consulate has lists of English-speaking doctors and lawyers) http://www.overseasdigest.com/govdocs.htm http://travel.state.gov/acs.html http://www.cdc.gov/travel/westeurp.htm (Disease Control Ctr for W. Europe) http://www.germany-info.org/sf_index.html (German Embassy - in English) |
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American Citizens Abroad |
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"How to Germany" web site by Chuck Emerson (cemerson@compuserve.com). Current issues and articles from German taxes, to banking, to insurance laws and terms! Available online: http://www.HowToGermany.com"Main City Newcomers Guide" - a magazine in English costs about $5.00. "Gateway Frankfurt" The Frankfurt airport has a free quarterly magazine In English available in all terminals. http://www.escapeartist.com Adult Cross-Cultural Orientation Program (see ISF below) , Newcomer Assistance (see AWCT below) |
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If planning to live 3 years or more in Germany, one or both little catastrophes may happen: legal trouble with a landlord or a German/European citizen (a neighbor or coworker), often through an accident ( including cigarette burns on a rug or breaking eyeglasses). It is advisable to buy insurance (Privat-Haftpflichtversicherung, Rechtschutz, Mieterschutz) to help out in these unfortunate situations, situations that could run out of control. To get an idea of prices for different insurances: http://www.online-berechnen.de/ |
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(Service & forms) |
American Consulate General - e-mail for American Citizens Services (ACS) Branch ACSGermany@state.gov. German Embassy: http://www.germany-info.org/newcontent/be/be_2a10.html http://www.hrblock.com/tax_center/doing_my_taxes/international.html (tel 0955-1730 or 0170-3100730). http://www.irs.gov (Internal Revenue Service-download tax forms) Tax Law questions can be left at http://www.irs.gov/help/newmail/user.html (no account related inquiries please)http://www.nettoeinkommen.de (German income) Martin Wilke Accounting and Management Consulting (free overview on deductions, seminars) Hanau 06181/250330 (100105.1434@compuserve.com) IRS Berlin - U.S. Embassy at Clayallee 170 in 14195 Berlin 030 8305-1140 or 1136 and Fax 030 8305-1145 or American Consulate Gen. in Frankfurt 069-7535 0 Customer Assistance Hours 0900-1300 Monday through Friday except German and American Holidays |
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Cell or mobile phones KA Handy |
Dual/tri-band Cell phones for use with SIM cards - use same phone in Germany and USA: http://www.german-way.com/german/handy2.html http://www.warentest.de:7321/wtest/plsql/sw_kompass.anzeige?kontaktnr=0&va_inh_id=18631&zeitschrift=t http://www.planet3000.com/gsm.html "Global System Mobile Communications - Cellular Phones for World-Wide use. The key words are: - dual or tri-band: must say "Europe + Americas" = Global System Mobile Communications/GSM 900 Netz (Europe) +GSM 1900 Netz (Americas) - SIM card = or prepaid SIM card - can switch from USA to German cards. - phone must be "unlocked" = which means not locked into a contract. |
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This includes home, car and office! The fees may be part of your rent, so you don't notice. Some living on the economy, like US military, are exempt. Forms are available at banks and post offices. My monthly rate is about EURO 37,00. To figure out yours, click on "Individuelle Gebührenberechnung" under: http://www.gez.de/html/unternehmen/welcome.htm |
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Rhein-Main Verkehrsverbund (RMV) is bus, streetcar and subway service; Deutsche Bahn (DB) is German and European-wide train service. The RMV public ticket machines and ticket offices offer daily tickets and weekly tickets when you know you will be riding public transportation often. You can also buy a one way (means for a trip in one direction and has a time limit so you cannot stop too long) or even an even cheaper "short ride" ticket if your destination is less than 4 stops. You can pay with cash or credit cards and in some banks you can buy from a RMV machine through "direct debit" with your German bank account card (must have PIN#). RMV Monatskarte: One month at a time, cheaper than all-day rate plus weekends included. RMV Jahreskarte: Pay for 10 months ride for 12. Plus evenings and weekends you can take another person for free (about EURO 700) DB Bahncard: Good for those who travel often with the train. One category "Classic" is EURO 260/year for customers 23-59 yrs old. Other price categories for teen, senior, family, children. This is a plastic card with your photo so it is not transferable like the other tickets. http://www.bahncard.de/ Always buy a set reservation - it is only about EURO 7 but saves many hassles! Full-time Students get a special rate "Semester-Ticket". RMV web sites: http://www.vgf-ffm.de/english/homepage.html http://www.rmv.de/id=bo00jx6171/coremedia/generator/RMV/NeuImRMVGebiet/inhalt=en.htm DB Web sites: http://www.bahn.de/pv/uebersicht/die_bahn_international_guests.shtml http://www.bahn.de/pv/int_guest/true/pv2_offers_national.shtml |
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Stateside: All stateside are good to rent cars here. Click on "American Citizen Services": "American Driver's License in Germany" and "Driving in Germany" under http://www.usembassy.de/frankfurt/index.htmGerman: Some states have a reciprocal agreement with Germany so one only takes the written test to get a German license. Some people must take German driver's training to qualify - very expensive. EU: Must have a German License to apply. International: Need one to drive while on vacation, but not necessary for Germany, you must get your international license in the USA! You cannot get it in Germany - these here are only good outside of Germany. USAREUR: only for US military, DOD and other US government workers. |
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Unless you can register your car under US laws as military or DOD govt. workers, do not ship a car with US specifications, because to pass German inspection and registration requirements, you will have to have it converted to German specifications. Since most German towns and cities have parking problems, (seldom driveways/backyards or garages for renters) it is best to use public transportation (see RMV below), esp. in Frankfurt. If you must buy a car, buy used cars with German specs. at reputable major dealers like Opel, VW, Ford, BMW, etc. For Germany and US specs. try Military Sales Center for both military and non-military expatriates. 06181-575712. http://www.military-car-sales.com/locations.html http://www.usembassy.de/services/e33_12.htm Driving in Germany: Car inspections, insurance, Inspections, violations. Allg. Deutscher Auto Club (ADAC) 0180-510 11 12 (24 hrs). They also have a partnership with AAA; if you are an ADAC member you can pick up a AAA card and maps for services while on vacation in the USA. http://www.adac.de/cgi-bin/adac.storefront (German site) To figure out your car/road tax: http://finanzen.focus.de/D/DA/DAS/DAS02/das02.htm Parking "decals" for legal residents of Frankfurt come and go. They cost about EURO 200. It does not give you a slot - just helps police decide whom to give a ticket in your neighborhood. You can also get a ticket parking in another neighborhood! DA Direkt is the cheapest German car insurance for non Germans. www.autodirekt.de Tel. 06171-691300. Some Americans here can use USAA Tel. 0800-8605170 or GEICO (www.overseas-ins.com ) tel: 00-80008413000. |
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German voltage is 220V, 50Hz and the two prongs are round. Some equipment like stereos and t.v.s have either a switch to set to 220v or automatic adjustments. Some often come with an adaptor plug, otherwise you need to buy a kit for traveller's which includes the adaptor plug.US standard converters are hard to find unless you can buy used ones at flea markets, or thrift shops, garages sales at US military installations. www.aafes.com Online shopping for Army and Air Force Exchange Service. See Mainz-Kastel, and Hainerberg, Wiesbaden for nearby Army facilities. If you can get to an open US military installation, pick up an "R & R" magazine (www.rrmagazine.com) for ads of people selling transformers and German electrical items. Otherwise subscription is EURO 100. You can place a non-commercial free ad (http://www.shoppersnews.de/). |
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http://www.virtualcity.de/englishtheater/ |
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http://www.ssa.gov/international/inter_intro.html#International_Agreements No matter where you live, count on Amer. Assoc of Retired Persons to be your voice in the U.S. on the issues that matter most. Log on to the AARP Webplace for information about health and finance, or advice on voter registration and absentee ballots in your state. Learn more about our long-distance caregiving assistance programs and AARP travel discounts in the U.S. and abroad. www.aarp.org/worldwide or call (202) 737-9860. Assoc. of Retired Members of the Armed Forces (ARMAF), 233d Base Pt Bat Attn: EURO. Sacs Div / APO AE 09175 in Darmstadt (fordlaw@cmtymail.26asg.army.mil) |
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Medicare not available overseas . Being conscious of these problems, American Citizens Abroad (ACA) offers its members the possibility of joining a health plan with worldwide coverage with MULTINATIONAL UNDERWRITERS Insured by Lloyd's of London.(Do you insure military retirees VA disabilities, unemployed persons and retired people over 65? yes we do. People up to 74 can purchase permanent insurance. After 74 they can only purchase insurance for 3 years. Travel insurance or temporary insurance you can purchase at any age.) For more information on obtaining world-wide medical coverage, contact ACA in Arlington VA, USA: jacabr@aol.com ARMAF (through Colonia and Farmers Agency, 06134-23353) offer healthcare plans good in Germany/overseas. Tricare at Rhein-Main and Wiesbaden Air Bases and Hanau and Darmstadt Clinics: only for US military & families & retirees. Appointments online: www.tricareonline.com |
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German-American Friendship Club "Kontakt Frankfurt" More Info: Pablo Grabsch, Tel: 06105-25411. Frankfurt International Ski Club (www.FISC.org), Tel. 74 26 18. Rhein-Main German-American Club They meet in Langen on the 4th Friday monthly. More Info: Helga, hum.rhode@gmx.de or Darmstadt KONTAKT Klub margret_n3@hotmail.com |
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Genealogical Association of English Speaking Researchers in Europe in Mannheim They have a monthly meetings but the research library is open other days and weekends. Membership is open to all American and German personnel, regardless of status or affiliation with the U.S. military. www.rootsweb.com/~eurgaesr/index.htm |
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Department of Defense Schools: www.fran-ems.odedodea.edu Halvorsen-Tunner Elementary/Middle School, DODDS, Rhein Main Air Base.www.wies-hs.odedodea.edu General H. H. Arnold High School, DODDS, Wiesbaden. http://www.odedodea.edu/profiles/schoolinfo/hessen.html http://www.odedodea.edu/edprog/EarlyChild/schools/all_schools.htm Frankfurt International School (FIS): www.fis.edu An der Waldlust 15; 61440 Oberursel Tel.: 06171 / 202392 Fax: 06171 / 202 384 www.isf-net.de International School of Frankfurt. ISF Internationale Schule Frankfurt-Rhein-Main, Freidberger Land Str.. 358, 60389 Frankfurt. Tel. 069-2197 315, Fax: 069-2197 441 International Montessori School e. V (IMS) Westendstraße 45, Tel. 069-765646 University of Maryland, Schwäbisch-Gmünd http://www.sg.umuc.edu/National-Louis University http://www.nl.edu/nlu_campuses/germany.html Goethe University of Frankfurt/Main http://www.rz.uni-frankfurt.de/presse/glance/ http://www.rz.uni-frankfurt.de/zsb/studium.htm http://www.wiwi.uni-frankfurt.de/studium/studium.htm (BBA, MBA) Distance Degrees: Check the international editions of "Time" and "Newsweek" for bachelor's, master's and doctorate programs online. |
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International Women's Club, Tel-/Fax 069-54 22 28 American Women's Club of the Taunus e.V. (AWCT) Postfach 1931, 61409 Oberursel. Most activities and luncheons are in Frankfurt. Tel. 06171-580835. www.awctaunus.org http://www.fawco.org/clubs/taunus.html Federation of American Women's Clubs Overseas http://www.fawco.org/clubs/index.html |
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There are many language schools in Frankfurt that offer many languages, like Sprachcaffe, Sprachtreff, or those that specialize in one language like "Goethe Institut" for German. Volkshochschule (VHS) Frankfurt am MainIm Galluspark 19, 60326 Frankfurt/Main, Telefon: +49 69 21238323 http://www.vhs.frankfurt.de/ More expensive are business-oriented schools (Berlitz, Lingua). Goethe Institute is the most well German-language school recognized worldwide: Goethe-Institut Frankfurt (frankfurt@goethe.de) Diesterwegplatz 72, D-60594 Frankfurt am Main Telefon: 069/961227-0 Fax: 069/9620395 http://www.goethe.de/i/eniofra.htm German for travelers (with sound!): http://www.travlang.com/languages/index.html http://www.europa-pages.com/german/exam.html http://www.goethe-institut.de/enindex.htm |
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http://www.ArmyGermany.com/info.htm |
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http://afneurope.army.mil/ Armed Forces Network (AFN) 98.7 FM - 873 AM |
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Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a one-stop info counter, because no situation is alike. Many Americans here have different circumstances therefore different German laws/rules governing them. Plus, there are so many exceptions to the rules! The companies who want to hire you should take care of some of these questions. A good company will tell you all you need to know including getting all the necessary work and residence permits for you and family! If you are seeking employment outside of Germany, then you should write to those country's embassies near you. A US citizen can stay in Germany 90 days without a visa. After that you must either get a visa or register as a resident at your local "Einwohnermeldeamt.http://www.arbeitsamt.de/frankfurt_main/index.html (German Employment Office for work permits) Ordnungsamt - Ausländerbehörde (Immigration Office for residence permits), Mainzer Land Str.. 232. Tel. 212-42 392 You must have a residence permit "Aufenthaltserlaubnis" before you can get a work permit "Arbeitserlaubnis". If you don't have a work permit, some US & international firms may "sponsor" you for one, esp. those providing security services. In 1989 I had go to the local Registration Office in my neighborhood to apply. As an American (all nationalities not treated the same!) I had to show proof of: 1. legal German address/residence - a rental contract from your landlord. This was the hardest since I was turned down to rent because I was a foreigner (yep, told me to my face - even as a WASP American) and/or employed but in US dollars and not German mark - really! 2. German or international health insurance, 3. AIDS test and lung x-ray. (Today you may need a physical!) 4. Police certificate that you are not a wanted criminal (from Government Headquarters in Berlin) 5. US Passport (for the decal they take it for about 1 month so don't plan any trips!) 6. income (at least $1500/month) so that you won't be a social burden. 7. 2 x passport photos, 8. About EURO 300 for all the fees. 9. LOTS of patience, friendliness, and time to wait (each visit was about 3 hours)! Because guaranteed some forms or documents will always be wrong or missing! Click on "American Citizen Services" find "Working in Germany" under http://www.usembassy.de/frankfurt/index.htm http://careers.yahoo.com/employment/international/ustools.html http://www.feds.com/ (Federal Employment) Working Women's Group of the AWCT (see above) Must become a member to use "job bank". www.amcham.de American Chamber of Commerce in Germany Sibylle Wagner, Tel: 92 91 04 31; Fax: 92 91 04 11 Flughafen Frankfurt/Main AG (FAG) in Airport Offices, Tel. 069/690-30511 F.I.S. Flight and Industry Security Service, Tel. 069-690-71967 http://www.ponds-security.de/ Ponds Security http://www.aafes.com/europe/hanau/index.html (Army and Air Force Exchange Service) Also try Civilian Personnel Offices (CPO) at military installations. http://www.usembassy.de/frankfurt/index.htm (Click on job openings) If you have a work permit, you can also teach English at the German language Institutes and schools mentioned above. If you have a work permit and can speak, read and write in German, the Goethe University of Frankfurt always needs men and women for clerical work (Verwaltungsangestellte) . They are an equal opportunity institution. (http://www.rz.uni-frankfurt.de/VDV/pa.htm) If you can understand this page for job positions, your German is good enough! http://www.rz.uni-frankfurt.de/personalabteilung/ |
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(English) |
Some things peculiar to Frankfurt/Hesse: Food: Gruene Sosse Handkaess mit Musik, Apfelwoi = Apple wine; Take an unusual streetcar ride through Frankfurt on the "Ebbelwoi Express" starts at the Zoo and Bornheim Mitte; "Dippemess" (pottery fair) in May and Aug/Sept in Ostend; "Frankfurt City festival" on the riverfront in August - best fireworks; Chinese Garden in Bethmann Park in Nordend and Jazz in the Palmengarten in Westend (next to American Consulate).http://www.frankfurt.de/index-e.html http://www.frankfurt.de/panorama/english/ http://www.goethe.de/uk/saf/eninet.htm http://city-info.nacamar.de/city/frankfurt/e_frankfurt.html |
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(German) |
http://www.rhein-main.net/ www.frankfurt-online.de Commercial web site with links to Frankfurt cultural and commercial organizations. |
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http://www.immo-inserat.de/scripts/lesen.idc |
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(absentee ballot) |
www.fvap.ncr.gov Voting Info News (VIN) available per E-mail (vote@fvap.ncr.gov) |
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online telephone book and cheap rates |
http://www.teleauskunft.de/ (click on English) |
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http://www.xe.net/ict/ (List of all currencies to US$) |
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You can find dozens of Last Minute companies at the Frankfurt International Airport, upper floor between Halls B & C - follow signs to the "Observation Deck". http://www.frankfurt-airport.de/SATO (cheap fares for US military ID holders only) http://www.ryanair.com/index.html (English) www.flug.de (German) |
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http://dict.leo.org/ Dis is da bomb! |