Teaching in Germany

[PsyGuy]

@Thames Pirate

No it doesnt always apply, sometimes it does sometimes it doesnt sometimes its misinterpreted. This isnt why ISs keep the money its so that they dont get hit with the tax burden if its disallowed. The people I know at IE camp say they didnt get their money either. It was not designed for English ETs to teach for two years. It was designed for multi-national expats who wouldnt have to pay taxes twice.

There is no law that would require them to choose one citizenship over another, i know many people who are dual German nationals.

No thats not how passport strength is measured thats just some reporter/writers definition of what passport strength is. they didnt make up the numbers they made up the definition.

Your data is misinterpreted or in error.

Your birth does not need to be registered within one year to claim German citizenship. Yes it is possible without renouncing. It doesnt matter what they look unkindly on whether its flip flopping or not. There is no you can only apply for citizenship X number times and then no takesies backsies.

Far more informed than you are in regards to the general public.

[Thames Pirate]

Corrections:
--The entire treaty is called the DTT--Double Taxation Treaty--and designed to prevent double taxation. Article 20 deals with teachers and students and clearly exempts them if they stay less than 2 years. Sure, some people can misinterpret anything (see above for exhibit A), but the treaty is clear.

--Sure, there are lots of Germans with dual nationality. They were either born with dual, born German and added a nationality, or we're not able to safely renounce their old nationality. If they are dual nationals they are not required to choose but can keep both. However, to obtain German citizenship, one must renounce.

--Germans living abroad must register the birth of their children with German authorities (embassy, consulate) within the first year in order for those children to obtain German citizenship.

--Germans living abroad can apply to keep their German citizenship while obtaining their new one. They must meet specific conditions that present a compelling reason they should keep German citizenship. But hey, it doesn't hurt to ask, right?

--Passport strength is indeed measured by visa-free travel ability. There is no other measure unless you count the PsyGuy says so scale.

[PsyGuy]

@Thames Pirate

You havent corrected anything.

1) The tax treaty was designed for visiting teachers and lectures attached to an outside program. It doesnt apply to ITs hired by a local organization. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesnt and thats why the ISs keep the coin, in case they get stuck with a tax bill.

2) Thank you for agreeing with me. Renouncing is not a requirement for the majority of those seeking German citizenship. The majority obtain dual citizenship.

3) No they dont, the child doesnt lose their citizenship if parents fail to register.

4) Thank you for agreeing with me, compelling reason is essentially any reason that doesnt sound stupid.

5) Passport strength is not defined by how many countries you can visit visa free just because some reported or writer says it is, the same as the top ten things to drive your man wild arent true because some Cosmo writer says they are.

[Thames Pirate]

It applies to international schools. The schools would not be liable for the tax bill if the teacher stays; the teacher would be.

I did not agree with you. Renouncing is required to naturalize (obtain German citizenship).

If the parents do not register the child, he/she never has German citizenship.

Passport strength is objectively measurable by how well it does it's job. Or did you want to bother proposing an alternative measure from your trusted sources?

[fine dude]

What are the advantages of working in Munich as opposed to Singapore or vice versa?

[Thames Pirate]

Can't speak to Singapore--never been. That said, if you have questions and post information about Singapore, I could probably compare it to Munich.

[PsyGuy]

@Thames Pirate

Corrections:

1) It does not apply to ISs, where the IS is a local hiring authority. The tax treaty was designed for visiting teachers and lectures attached to an outside program. It doesnt apply to ITs hired by a local organization. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesnt and thats why the ISs keep the coin, in case they get stuck with a tax bill.

2) Renunciation is not required to obtain German citizenship in regard to familiar cases.

3) Yes the child has German citizenship, regardless of the parents registration.

4) Accessing another country is only one measure of a passport, if you insist its a measure. What your embassy provides int he way of services is an example of another.

@FineDude

1) Weather is nicer assuming you hate the boiling heat and dont like typhoons.
2) A more relaxed culture than Singapore, both cultures are very driven but SG is more so.
3) Definitive lack of culture. SG borrowed all of theirs, they are a melting pot. Munich has history and culture.
4) Better social services. Though SG public services are highly developed.
5) English is more common and prevalent in SG.
6) Coin goes further in Munich, SG has the highest cost of living in the world. Surpassing JP and HK.
7) SG is more a travel hub than Germany is, but its cheaper to travel from Germany.
8) It would be easier to date in SG for a guy than Munich.
9) More variable options in Germany in regards to living and housing options.
10) SG has a beach worth going too, though you have to pay for it (Sentosa).

[fine dude]

Singapore
Pros: low taxes, English-speaking locals, low crime, clean, warm, excellent healthcare, public transportation, cheap travel to SE Asian destinations

Cons: high settling costs, too much rain, humidity, expensive cars and alcohol, can get bored after a while

[Thames Pirate]

Munich obviously has the high taxes (with exceptions--see prior discussion). The locals generally speak some English, but not always--certainly enough to get by pretty easily most to the time. It is clean, low crime, cheap travel to European destinations, excellent healthcare and fantastic public transportation.

Alcohol is cheap, especially beer. Virtually every village has a brewery, and beer is less than a dollar a liter at the store. There is variety, quality (thanks to the purity laws), and easy access. Germany also produces some good wines.

Cars are more expensive to own/drive than in the States, but probably significantly cheaper than in Singapore (guessing). But you can do well without one in the city, so why bother? If you need one here and there for a weekend away, borrow or rent one.

If you get bored in Munich, you will get bored anywhere. There are cultural events ranging from festivals (Oktoberfest is the big one, but there are tons) to music and clubs of all kinds to gardens to museums (many of which are free or cheap). There is easy access to sports clubs for just about everything. There are theaters for English movies and plays, historical sights such as concentration camps (Dachau) and castles (Neuschwanstein) are just a train ride away, and there is even a river with a standing wave for surfing right in the middle of town. There are beaches at lakes and rivers, so you can do water sports. You are right around the corner from mountains for skiing and hiking. And you are a short drive/bus/train ride from places like Prague, Berlin, Venice, or Innsbuck.

The climate is nice--not as warm as Singapore, but less humid and probably less rainy. It does snow in the winter, but infrastructure can handle it, and it adds ambiance to the Christmas market.

German bureaucracy sucks. The ice cream is fantastic, as is the chocolate. You don't come to Munich for the cuisine, but food is cheap and fresh. Playgrounds are awesome. Munich is more relaxed than the rest of Germany.

[fine dude]

Thanks Thames Pirate. That's a pretty insightful response. Is Munich the best option for an IT in Germany? How do Bonn and Frankfurt compare in terms of costs, savings, and weather? I know Singapore has an edge when it comes to savings. The former may be better for retirement. Can't imagine retiring in Singapore, though.

[Thames Pirate]

Bonn is a small city, so figure there is a bit less of everything. The school is relatively small. Frankfurt is much less quaint--it's the only German city with skyscrapers and a true skyline--but it isn't known for much beyond the airport and banking. Berlin's public transport is a bit unwieldy compared to the other German cities, but it's still better than most places. The airport sucks, but if they ever open the new airport, this might change. Lots of culture, but not quaint (Battle of Berlin and division of city mean not much "old world charm" is left). The city has a lot of edgy, artsy stuff, though the schools are mostly far out. It has a relatively low cost of living compared to Munich, which is the most expensive city in Germany, and Berlin would be better for singles. Hamburg is great in terms of culture, particularly if you are a water person--lakes, rivers, giant harbor, proximity to North and Baltic seas. Downsides are climate (colder and wetter than Munich) and cost--it's the second most expensive city. It is the second biggest city (bigger than Munich, but the airport is smaller), and it also boasts lots of culture. If you like warmth, Munich is the best location.

[Thames Pirate]

As far as savings, obviously it depends on package. The big names in IE are Munich IS, Frankfurt IS, IS Hamburg, and IS Dusseldorf. Maybe JFK. Dresden, Leipzig, Bonn, Stuttgart, Berlin Brandenburg, and maybe Berlin British are the other big names. Smaller schools would be Bremen, Hanover Region, Ulm, and maybe some others. Mostly the schools are smaller--as are the cities. Cost of living fluctuates accordingly.

You can absolutely save and retire in Germany (and those taxes do pay into a decent pension). It's harder than in Singapore, obviously, but not as hard as people say, and it is a fantastic place to live and retire. Great senior services, too!

[PsyGuy]

@fine dude

I prefer Frankfurt to Munich by far.

[Thames Pirate]

I realised that I had left off a few things:

Weather--Munich's known for the Föhn, a warm, dry wind from the mountains that can cause headaches in some people. Many others have no problems. Bavaria is, by German standards, sunny and dry. Germany doesn't generally get the big rains like the tropics, but it can be pretty wet, even in Munich. The further north you go, the more you get overcast and drizzly. But not all the time by any stretch, so if you can handle some of that, don't let it be a deterrent. Weather across Germany is highly variable--you can have warmer days (into the high single and even low double digits C) in the winter and cool days in the summer (occasional dips into low double digits in the summer). Days are fantastically long in the summer (more so the further north you go, obviously) and correspondingly short in the winter. The further north you go, the windier it is--think fresh breeze off the North Sea in Hamburg, Bremen, Hannover. Frankfurt is a happy middle ground between Munich and the north. I realise I am not making the north sound inviting. It is, but the weather is certainly better further south.

Culture--really, there are three cities that have significant stuff to do--Munich, Hamburg, and Berlin. Of the three, Berlin is the most eclectic and the best suited for singles. Hamburg and Munich are more suited to families. Munich has the mountains and Hamburg is very maritime. Munich is the most expensive, Hamburg is second. Berlin, by German standards, is relatively inexpensive, though that is starting to change. That isn't to say other cities don't have culture--they do--but not on the scale that these three have. For example, big name musicians from the UK or US will stop in these three, but often not in Frankfurt and never in Bonn. Hamburg in particular is known for its musicals. Munich is the quaintest of the big three. Bavaria is culturally different from the rest of Germany (lots of jokes about it being its own country) and is considered a backwater culturally. Think of it as the Texas of Germany--proud of its own independence, which is mocked by the outside. It is more laid back, a bit less stiff and more gregarious. It has its own traditions (a lot more Catholic). Lederhosen, for example, are Bavarian and not generally worn by locals outside of Bavaria unless it's to an Oktoberfest. Linguistically it is a bit different, too (less so in the city).

So given the combination of schools and cities, Munich and Hamburg are the clear favourites. That said, package is a big part of the deal, and Germany is small enough and convenient enough (and consistent enough) that any city could be wonderful--and many people are suited to smaller cities. There are some fantastic schools in Germany. So depending on your needs and preferences, most of them are worth considering. For what you listed, fine dude, it appears Munich would be a good fit for you.

[PsyGuy]

I have some minor disagreements with @Thames Pirate. Munich and Hamburg are cities of Suburbia, they are fine for couples with kids who want a more routine and sedate lifestyle. Frankfurt is the only real cosmopolitan business city, if you want Manhattan, London, or the Tokyo lifestyle thats Frankfurt. Berlin is also pretty hip and upcoming if you want to hang with the younger and more alternative crowd. Those are the only two cities Id consider, but if I had a family and just wanted to settle into a routine Munich and Hamburg would be closer to the top.
Bavaria is defiantly more country, I agree with the Texas -, but there isnt a whole lot for a Bavarian girl to do in Bavaria, meaning theres a lot of boredom to be overcome and novelty tends to fix that for a while. Munich and Hamburg are exactly the cities a single guy runs away from especially if they are just a DT, those woman want nothing to do with an IT/DT assuming they arent married. Bavarian girls have simpler less sophisticated expectations and thats sometimes exactly what you need.