Barcelona Expat Fair 2022

On March 5th the Barcelona Expat Fair was held in the historical train station, Estación de Francia, conveniently located next to the Born and Barceloneta neighborhoods.

The expat fair focuses on selected service providers, including accounting and taxes, children and family services, employment and recruiting, health and medical, international education, and real estate. Relocation experts are also  available as they add tremendous value to the expat experience.

Victor Horcasitas from The American Society of Barcelona says “This initiative responds to the continued growth of international talent driving the Catalan ecosystem of entrepreneurship and a leading technology hub of Europe. And Barcelona is investing time and attention to attracting talent to ensure it solidifies itself as the perfect place to live and work.”

Indeed, over 460,000 people from 170 countries currently reside in the city, accounting for roughly 28% of its population. Barcelona’s international reputation of a progressive city combining treasured traditions and wonderful weather is well established.

The Expat Fair is  free to the public and it’s a great opportunity to meet with leading providers of critical services that expats need to become a Barcelonian.

Check out some of the companies and people that have participated in the event below!

Would you like to take part in an event like this? Become a member and join our community for a chance to get exclusive access, special offers, trusted contacts and more.

As one of Europe’s leading intercultural capitals, Berlin is home to many companies with an international workforce. The Fürstenberg Institute has made this development one of our priorities to support the intercultural workforce.

Intercultural@Work will be their first event to bring the international business community – in Berlin and anywhere – together to offer a discussion about challenges, perspectives, and inspiring ideas on how to move the intercultural workplace forward in the 21st century. Digitalization, intercultural communication, and current challenges through Corona are some of the topics of the event.

Leading keynote speakers from the Expat community, and executives and employees from the international corporate scene to an inspiring event to share the latest developments, ideas, and future perspectives.

 

We look forward to welcoming you to Intercultural@Work!

Finding Affordable Health Insurance in Germany to Work, Study, and Live

Germany boasts a highly praised and well rounded health insurance system that is essentially comprised of three different parts. There is the Public Health Insurance System (GKV), the Private (PKV) and the Expat Health Insurance System. To qualify for either of the three options, you have to meet certain requirements. These can be anything from your visa status,  your job situation, as well as the amount of money you earn.

Regardless, health insurance is absolutely mandatory for all residents of Germany. 

Figuring out your best option is an important task! We’ve put together an article highlighting some of the best insurance options within Germany.

Public Health Insurance

If you are a regular employee earning under €62,550 per year, a student under the age of 30, or an EU citizen that is a freelancer/self-employed then we strongly recommend TK as your health insurance provider.

TK is regularly awarded as the No. 1 healthcare provider in Germany and it is clear why.

A quick, online sign-up process can get you insured within two days. All service and documentation is performed completely in English. And most importantly, it meets all the requirements for a Work Visa, EU Blue Card and the Student Visa.

Students benefit from a reduced price and can expect to pay roughly around €105 euros per month depending on their age. Employees can expect the standard 14.6% of their salary, with half paid by the employer.

Use our sign-up link and get insured today!

For those looking for an alternative, check out Barmers as an equally high-quality provider in Public Health Insurance.

Private Health Insurance

For employees earning a high salary and for freelancers failing to qualify for Public Health Insurance, Private Health Insurance is also a great option to consider.

Ottonova doubles as a private health insurance provider, meeting all the requirements for a Freenlance Visa and providing full support in English 24/7.

Feather’s also has a brokerage service where they play matchmaker with you and a trusted Private Health provider.

In both cases, the cost will be dependent on your overall risk profile in respect to your health. Factors such as how old you are or any existing health conditions.

Expat Health Insurance

Those just recently moved to Germany as a Job Seeker, a Working-Holidayer, Non-EU Citizens who are freelancers/self-employed, MiniJob employees, and German-Language school students do not qualify for the Public Health Insurance system. This leaves Expat Health Insurance as the best option.

Feather’s is an extremely affordable option that meets all visa requirements while providing a high standard of medical care. Everything is also done in English, making it the perfect choice! The monthly fee comes out to just about €70 a month.

Other up-to-standard options to consider are Ottonova and Foyers.

Need Help?

Choosing a suitable insurance provider in Germany is an important choice! It can be overwhelming at times, so feel free to contact us with any questions or consultation needed.

I am text block. Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Berlin’s most desirable neighborhoods to live in

Ah, to live in Berlin. The capital of Germany is a bustling metropolis welcoming any and all who dare to call her home. Known for an open mentality, a top-notch nightlife scene, and home to a thriving start-up atmosphere, Berlin is an enticing choice to settle down in.

One of the key steps in doing so? Finding a place to live. The housing shortage in Berlin combined with the intricacies of German bureaucracy can make house hunting a headache. In an attempt to alleviate some of the stress, GLOBALS Homes features some of the best apartments in the city.

Choosing just where to live in Berlin is an important choice! The charm of Berlin is the different worlds that can be found depending on the neighborhood you happen to be in. Read on as we highlight three of Berlin’s most desirable neighborhoods – and the apartments that will let you call them home!

Lichtenberg

Just East of Mitte lies the quiet district of Lichtenberg. At first glance it can seem far removed from the vibrant and historic center of Berlin but don’t let that fool you!

In just 15 minutes you can arrive at Alexanderplatz. Strolling through this quiet suburb, its free from the broken glass and hipsters that crowd Kreuzberg and Neukölln’s busy streets.

Within 20 minutes from the Lichtenburg S+U station you can travel back in time and visit the historic former Stasi Headquarters, or travel to Vietnam and step inside the Dong Xuan Center, an Asian market with over 150 stalls. You can also visit one of East Berlin’s most famous attractions, Tierpark, a large zoo where animals have free roam and gives residents an amazing green space in the center of the district. Lichtenberg is a trending gem in Berlin, get here fast!

Mitte

Mitte means “center” or “middle” in German and you can bet that if you live in Mitte you can reach anywhere in Berlin’s city limits very easily. Not only are you well connected with transit, but the multiple bars, restaurants and cafes are not just there for the tourists.

Grab a craft beer around Torstrasse, visit the Berlin Wall Memorial or catch a show at Babylon Berlin or the Volksbühne and discover that thriving Mitte is the heartbeat of the city and one of the best districts to live in.

Schöneberg

Discover all the colours of Berlin within one district. Famous since the 1920s for its vibrant LGBTQ+ scene, Schöneberg really has something for everyone.

You can browse the latest trends at the famous KaDeWe (Kaufhaus Des Westens), one of the largest department stores in Europe. For nature lovers there is the protected biological park Schöneberger Südgelände, a nature reclaimed WWII rail yard and just in the district limits is Templehofer Field, the airport-turned-public-park, where you can catch the best sunsets in the city.

Event areas

Reasons to come to the Berlin Welcome Day

• Meet a welcoming community
• Learn about settling in Berlin (Find an apartment, Insurance, Bank…)
• Boost your career (Further Education, Languages…)
• Find a job at our fair for international talent
• Start your business in Berlin (Incubators, Accelerators, Co-Working)
• Discover Berlin (Lifestyle, Attractions, Things to do)
• Networking and activities

---

More information to be announced!

Club GLOBALS cordially invites you to our next gathering in Los Angeles.

We would like to welcome you to join us to get to know each other and network with internationally-minded people.

PROGRAM:

6.00 p.m : Arrive

6.45 p.m. : Welcome & Intro

7.00 p.m. : Networking

8.00 p.m. : The End

CONNECTING  Entrepreneurs with Business Partners – B2B Matchmaking

KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER From Senior High-Level International Speakers

ENJOY an evening with like-minded guests

Join as a partner

8 Things you should know about the Wohnsitz Anmeldung

Moving to Berlin can be stressful when you don’t speak German and need to register your address with the city. Here you will find everything you need to know about the registration “Anmeldung” in Berlin.

Disclaimer: This is a non-exhaustive article. Click here to have the latest governmental information.

8 Things you should know about the Anmeldung

Moving to Berlin can be stressful when you don’t speak German and need to register your address with the city. Here you will find everything you need to know about the registration, so-called “Anmeldung” in Berlin.

Working in Germany – Occupations in Demand Today

The labor market in Germany is highly attractive for many expats from all over the world due to its consistent growth and working conditions. Recently, the increasing demand for certain professions has led to a better inclusion of foreigners in society, thanks to easier administrative procedures in German cities. This article will provide further detail on the occupations currently in demand in Germany.

There are many advantages of living and working in Germany. First, the German economy is one of the three strongest economies worldwide and is still growing with its low unemployment rate (7%). Moreover, the strong social security system protecting the sick, disabled, unemployed or retired people is a great benefit that attracts expats from all over the world. Additionally, due to the increasing number of immigrants, the process of integration in German society has become much smoother and more comfortable.

However, the benefits of strong economy, good salaries, high standard of living and social benefits, a modern infrastructure and affordable, high-quality housing come with some challenges: learning the language and becoming comfortable in your new home.

The good news is that lately, the immigration law has become more permissive, especially for certain categories of workers. The reason for this policy change might lie in the high rate of aging which leads to a loss of around 250,000 workers yearly. It could also be due to a shortage of graduates in certain fields of study.

But let’s have a closer look at the sectors and professions that favor immigrants in the German labor market. The chances of getting a job and obtaining the working papers needed (e.g. visa, work permit, etc.) without much trouble are higher for people with vocational qualifications, doctors, innovative engineers and experts in technology, IT and science.

The German healthcare system is renowned for its dense hospitality network, professional medical practices and a generally high level of care. As a doctor in Germany, you benefit in several ways from this status. Doctors are not only highly appreciated by society, they are also well rewarded with an average salary for graduates being around €49,000 a year.

The need for doctors in Germany’s public sector is expected to increase in the coming years. The private sector is also in need of general practitioners. As for the immigration policies, you should know you are eligible and likely to obtain the medical license whether you are from the EU or not. Please check www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de for more details.

Germany is often considered at the center of innovation due to its cutting-edge technological contributions in various fields such as automobile, X-ray, IT, chemical & pharmaceutical as well as biotech and nanotech sectors. The shortage of STEM graduates(science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) has lead to an increasingly high demand for scientists in this field.

Therefore the job prospects for graduates are excellent. The salaries vary between €35,000 and €40,000 and can reach up to €70,000 based on years of professional experience.

Finally, there has been a consistent increase in demand for caregivers and people with vocational training; These jobs also make access into the labor market much smoother.

In conclusion, if you are considering working in Germany and are qualified in one of the fields mentioned in this article, you should be aware that there is not only plenty of job opportunities but also administrative actions aimed at facilitating your access to the labor market. If you want more information on the recognition of foreign vocational qualifications in Germany, check www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de.

We also have some information about how to obtain a Blue Card in Germany here. A blue card is essentially very similar to the green card in America – it grants foreigners from outside the EU permission to live and work in the country.

Disclaimer: Even if we try to be the most accurate and precise with the information that we provide, we advise you to contact a professional on the topic.