Emergency contact numbers
- 110 – Police
- 112 – Emergency Services (Ambulance and Fire Brigade)
Public Transport
- BVG (Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe) is Berlin’s public transport company
- A ticket can be used on the S Bahn, U Bahn, buses, Strassenbahn (tram in city centre) and RB (Regional Bahn)
- Kleinmachnow is located in zone C (outside of the Berlin A and B zones)
- Free student tickets (Schülerticket) are only available for families living in Berlin – to order online at BVG.de, you will need the student ID and documentation of your address in Berlin
- If you buy a ticket from a ticket machine, remember to validate it before you travel
Entertainment
Television and radio broadcasting fee (in German: Rundfunkbeitrag)
Every residence in Germany pays a broadcasting fee, regardless of your media usage.
You should receive a letter in the post within a few weeks of arriving in Germany, which includes your registration form. If you don’t receive one, you might want to register online.
When you leave the country, you need to inform the agency.
Mobile and internet
In Germany, there are three major telecommunication providers with their own mobile networks – Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone and O2. Each offers mobile phone and internet / TV packages.
In addition, there are many other telecommunication providers that use the major providers’ networks. Their prices often are lower, but they may not offer speedier 5G and other options.
Most contracts run for two years. Leaving Germany entitles you by law to cancel your contract early. Roaming within the European Union (EU) is free of charge by law (data and voice). Note: Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Norway, Iceland and the UK are not members of the EU.
Shopping
Shops are open from Monday to Saturday, and local bakeries are often open on Sundays.
Major stores and chains include:
- Grocery stores: Edeka, ALDI, Kaufland, Marktkauf, Lidl, Rewe, Netto
- Bio (Organic) groceries: BioCompany, Alnatura, Denns Biomarkt
- Drug stores: DM, Rossmann
- Malls: Mall of Berlin (Potsdamer Platz), Stern Center (Potsdam)
Driving in Germany
German Driver’s License
You must exchange your foreign driver’s license within 6 months of your arrival in Germany to avoid sitting theoretical and practical exams. (Note: this applies to licenses issued in the EU/EEA, the UK, Australia, Canada and certain US States. See information for other countries here.)
Where to exchange your license:
- Residents of Potsdam-Mittelmark
Location: Fachdienst Fahrerlaubnisbehörde, Am Gutshof 1-7, 14542 Werder
Learn more - Residents of Berlin
Location: Make an online appointment at any of their decentralised locations
Learn more
German number plates
Where to get German plates:
- Residents of Potsdam-Mittelmark
Location: Fachdienst Zulassungsbehörde, Am Gutshof 1-7, 14542 Werder
Learn more - Residents of Berlin
Location: Make an online appointment to see the address of the closest vehicle registration office
Learn more
Parking
To park in supermarket and other carparks for free, you will need a ‘Parkscheibe’. This blue parking permit must be displayed in your car to avoid parking fines. You can purchase a ‘Parkscheibe’ from most petrol stations or newsagents. Just remember to check carpark signs for maximum parking times.
Other driving tips
- If driving in a 30km/h zone, any road on your right has ‘right of way’, unless your road has a ‘yellow diamond’ road sign – which indicates that you have ‘right of way’
- Don’t ‘turn right on red’ (unless green arrow marks a right turn)
- Don’t park facing the wrong direction – you will get a ticket
- Watch out for cyclists – bike lanes appear well before main intersections
- Report any accidents, no matter how small, to the police
Cats, dogs and pets
In Germany, there is no legal requirement to vaccinate your dog. However, vaccinations are recommended to protect your dog from highly contagious diseases - including distemper, parvovirus, infectious canine hepatitis (ICH), leptospirosis, and rabies.
All dogs must be registered with the city administration. You will receive a badge for your animal and you will need to pay a dog tax.
EU rules make it easy to travel to another EU country (plus Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Northern Ireland) with your dog, cat or ferret. Your pet needs to be micro-chipped, vaccinated against rabies and have a valid European pet passport.
Household waste
You can dispose of most household rubbish in the wheelie bins supplied. The colour of the lid indicates the type of rubbish you can put in the bin:
- Blue bin – paper, cardboard, newspapers, paper bags
- Brown bin – compostable rubbish e.g. kitchen scraps, leftover food, coffee filters, teabags and garden waste
- Black/Gray bin – ‘most of the rest’ e.g. cigarettes butts, ash, old household objects like pots and pans, nappies, tissues etc.
- Yellow bin – plastic, cans, polystyrene, aluminium, beverage cartons and spray cans (all containers should be washed before disposal especially during hot weather)
Not all areas use all colours, so you may have to find the alternative way of disposing of rubbish. Get more information about waste disposal in your area here.
For waste pick-up times in the Potsdam-Mittelmark area, you can download this app.
Health
To book a doctor’s appointment in your area, visit this website.
Vaccinations for children
Vaccinations are normally covered by your health insurance or entirely free. For more information, download this leaflet.
When travelling abroad
Vaccinations for children (and adults) might be recommended or compulsory. For a full country list, visit this website.
Dental bonus programme for children (in German: Bonusheft)
If your child ever needs dental replacement, you will receive a higher subsidy if they have regularly attended dental preventive check-ups. Ask your dentist for a booklet that records proof of preventive checks, and bring to each appointment.
Local hospitals
- Charite, Berlin
- Helios Klinikum Emil-von-Behring, Berlin
- Krankenhaus Waldfriede, Berlin
- Evangelisches Krankenhaus, Ludwigsfelde
- Klinikum Ernst-von–Bergmann, Potsdam
Public holidays and school holidays
Public and school holidays in Germany vary according to the Bundesland.
Learning German
Volkshochschulen Berlin
Volkshochschulen are public universities that offer German language classes. Learn more.
Goethe Institut Berlin
The Goethe Institut is Germany’s cultural institute. Active worldwide, it promotes the study of German abroad and encourages international cultural exchange. Learn more.
Kreisvolkshochschule Potsdam-Mittelmark (Kleinmachnow)
German language courses are offered in the Potsdam-Mittelmark area. Learn more.
Local sporting clubs
- RSV Eintracht 1949 e.V. (various sports)
- RSV Eintracht Basketball training plan
- United Teltow (soccer)
- TSV Stahnsdorf Kleinmachnow e.V. (table tennis)
- TC Kleinmachnow 1961 e.V. (tennis)
- RC Kleinmachnow (biking)
- Zehlendorfer Wespen (hockey and tennis)
- Zehlendorfer Turn- und Sportverein von 1888 e.V. (various sports)