Travelling the world used to be an impossible dream a few decades ago unless you were rich. But the internet blessed us with remote work, and digital nomads are living the dream. You can work from anywhere, anytime, and experience the best that the world has to offer.
Germany is one of the countries that digital nomads and freelancers adore. It has everything. Castles, history, culture, nightlife, and most importantly – beer. In some places, beer is cheaper than water! Here are a few tips to help you navigate Germany better as a digital nomad.
Sundays are for relaxing
Sunday’s the time when travellers experience cultural shock for the first time in Germany. Everything closes down because you’re supposed to be relaxing. Sure, cafes, bars, and restaurants will be open, but you won’t be able to buy groceries or run an errand.
Plus, the cities become empty. That’s because everyone’s spending time with their family at home. If they’re not at home, they’ll be on a hike or by a lake if the weather’s good. For the first-timers, make sure to do your grocery shopping the day before!
Cash is still king
Even though Germany is the economic powerhouse of Europe, you’d better carry some cash with you. Paying with a credit card is quite common everywhere you go, but it’s not guaranteed. Some stores only accept German credit cards. You will especially need physical euros when buying street food, visiting local bakeries, or grabbing a quick drink at a late-night kiosk. Always look for an ATM, or Geldautomat, before heading out. Another culture shock that Americans could experience is the sales tax. What you see on the label is what you pay. There’s nothing added at the counter because the sales tax is included in the price!
Recycling is a must
Most countries claim they’re eco-friendly, but Germany enforces it. Recycling is standard, and you must conform, or you’ll pay fines. You must separate your trash into glass, plastic, and organics and throw them into their respective containers. It’s a complicated system, but it’s rewarding. Whenever you bring back empty bottles made from glass or plastic to stores, they give you some money back. That can be up to a quarter of a euro per bottle, and it quickly adds up!
Flexible schedules for working
Germans complete the same amount of work as Americans, but they do it in less time. When they’re at work, they’re completely immersed, stoic, and productive. That’s the epitome of their entire culture. They go hard, and they go home. There are no answering emails after working hours, and they’re incredibly punctual.
Since you’ll be visiting a few cafés or coworking spaces, you might notice that many of them are using VPNs. That’s a special app that helps you stay protected online by masking your IP address and encrypting your data. Even though it’s not possible to surf anonymously, you can still maintain a high level of privacy when using a VPN. Hackers are far less likely to target you on public networks, and you can also block country-specific ads. Before your trip, it’s worth comparing VPN prices and reviewing different VPN pricing options available, including providers like NordVPN, to find a plan that fits your travel budget.
Communication is weird
When you talk to a German for the first time, you’ll probably think they’re negative and rude. But that’s because it’s common everywhere else to be polite and passive. Germans are direct, honest, and straight to the point. There’s no malicious intent behind their communication, and they don’t have an attitude. It’s just how they talk. Once you get used to it, you will actually appreciate this level of transparency. It saves time, prevents workplace misunderstandings, and makes it easy to know exactly where you stand.
A few final words
It doesn’t matter if you’re going to Munich, Berlin, Dresden, or a charming rural village; Germany’s amazing. You’ll be able to meet the most straightforward people in the world, drink the best beer, and eat original schnitzels and bratwurst. Plus, when you decide to take a longer pause from working, you can visit Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, or France. They’re all a few hours away!