Retiring in Germany
#17
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3
Re: Retiring in Germany
Hi Hilary
I am in a similar position to yourself in that my wife and I hope to retire to Bavaria (not quite sure where yet) as my wife is Bavarian and has two sisters, one in Munich and the other living in Regensburg. If you have managed to glean any useful information regarding the cost of health care etc from a retirees' perspective I would appreciate you passing it on.
Regards
Eddie
I am in a similar position to yourself in that my wife and I hope to retire to Bavaria (not quite sure where yet) as my wife is Bavarian and has two sisters, one in Munich and the other living in Regensburg. If you have managed to glean any useful information regarding the cost of health care etc from a retirees' perspective I would appreciate you passing it on.
Regards
Eddie
#18
Re: Retiring in Germany
Hi HilaryL,
I am going to get my ears chewed for this.
I have lived here in De since I came out of the forces in the early 70's, and have been very, very happy. I think you have to split Germany into 4 zones.
The south, Bavaria and Munich is very like Scotland, with lots of customs, singing, and mountains in the south on the Austrian boarder. When we have a Christmas carol event it 9 times out of ten comes from Bavaria. The Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt (Biggest Xmas market) is in Bavaria.
The west of Germany (NRW) is the old coal belt with very simmer traditions as you might find in the mid uk. Now of course there is no more steel works or coal mines. Light industry like cars are made in this part of the world, (Ford, Opel, Renault, Puergeot). A lot of famous firm's are resident in this area, (Brother, HP, Acer, Canon, Sony). The 'Rhinelander' as they call themselves enjoy party's and friends. The Köln (Cologne) carneval being one the largest in the EU. Although being very similar to the Midlands it is one of Europe's most densely populated areas.
Northern Germany or Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen) is very similar to the southern UK, but with more open farm land not unlike Hampshire or Norfolk. This part of Germany has even to this day a strong British structure. After the war the Brits started the first radio station (NWDR) in Hamburg, now called NDR. It was the Brits again who licensed the first German newspapers (Bild, Spiegel), and of course got the VW works back onto making small lorry vehicles. Up to a few years ago the British Forces (BAOR) where stationed in a lot of German town in northern Germany. Even now some 12000 men from various regiments with there family's are stationed here, and almost all over Lower Saxony you can receive BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service). So we have a British flavour. Our county has a lot of red brick. The weather is like the UK.
One could go on with this but I think wherever you live, I think its the will to settle in. Good luck to you both.
Mike
I am going to get my ears chewed for this.
I have lived here in De since I came out of the forces in the early 70's, and have been very, very happy. I think you have to split Germany into 4 zones.
The south, Bavaria and Munich is very like Scotland, with lots of customs, singing, and mountains in the south on the Austrian boarder. When we have a Christmas carol event it 9 times out of ten comes from Bavaria. The Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt (Biggest Xmas market) is in Bavaria.
The west of Germany (NRW) is the old coal belt with very simmer traditions as you might find in the mid uk. Now of course there is no more steel works or coal mines. Light industry like cars are made in this part of the world, (Ford, Opel, Renault, Puergeot). A lot of famous firm's are resident in this area, (Brother, HP, Acer, Canon, Sony). The 'Rhinelander' as they call themselves enjoy party's and friends. The Köln (Cologne) carneval being one the largest in the EU. Although being very similar to the Midlands it is one of Europe's most densely populated areas.
Northern Germany or Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen) is very similar to the southern UK, but with more open farm land not unlike Hampshire or Norfolk. This part of Germany has even to this day a strong British structure. After the war the Brits started the first radio station (NWDR) in Hamburg, now called NDR. It was the Brits again who licensed the first German newspapers (Bild, Spiegel), and of course got the VW works back onto making small lorry vehicles. Up to a few years ago the British Forces (BAOR) where stationed in a lot of German town in northern Germany. Even now some 12000 men from various regiments with there family's are stationed here, and almost all over Lower Saxony you can receive BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service). So we have a British flavour. Our county has a lot of red brick. The weather is like the UK.
One could go on with this but I think wherever you live, I think its the will to settle in. Good luck to you both.
Mike
Thats a a great and interesting summary of the regions I can relate to. Many thanks.
#19
Re: Retiring in Germany
I'm only speaking from very limited experience but I think it's misleading to compare Bavaria with Scotland. The population of Bavaria is about 12.5 million, whereas Scotland is mostly quite sparsely populated, apart from the Glasgow and Edinburgh central belt. It's the low population density that prompted me to move to northern Scotland and it's the high population density that would put me off moving to Bavaria.
#20
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Perth WA
Posts: 173
Re: Retiring in Germany
I'm only speaking from very limited experience but I think it's misleading to compare Bavaria with Scotland. The population of Bavaria is about 12.5 million, whereas Scotland is mostly quite sparsely populated, apart from the Glasgow and Edinburgh central belt. It's the low population density that prompted me to move to northern Scotland and it's the high population density that would put me off moving to Bavaria.
#22
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2009
Location: Germany
Posts: 95
Re: Retiring in Germany
I have lived in Germany now for 30 years and have no complaints about the health service. I have just been diagnosed with PDs. As it has been caught at a very early stage I should be OK for the next 5 - 8years. I have been issued with the best, and most expensive tablet, with no discussion. If what you hear about the UK is correct, I would not be issued with this tablet.
#23
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Perth WA
Posts: 173
Re: Retiring in Germany
I can't quite get used to the idea that some people would want to go to Germany to retire (I'm German myself). I would have thought that Germany is one of those countries you would rather leave when you retire if you could (for better climate, less hectic etc) instead of going there to live! But maybe it's not such a bad idea if you have family there and speak the language a little; at least you don't have to work in Germany, working in Germany is really stressful!
#24
Re: Retiring in Germany
Yes, I find it frustrating. I really like Germany aesthetically, especially Bavaria but I don't think I would want to live there. I moved from England to Scotland to get away from the rat-race but if I lived in Germany in many ways it would be like going back to England. The Scout24 property website keeps sending me email details of farmhouses in Rheinland-Pfalz. They are often big houses with huge barns and the prices are a fraction of what you would pay in UK but I would prefer to live somewhere more peaceful.
#25
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2009
Location: Germany
Posts: 95
Re: Retiring in Germany
In my city of Osnabrück there are about 1000 ex-pats most of them with German families. Both my wife and I are English and enjoy living here. Although the standards are not so good as 30 years ago. We have graffiti,dog mess and many beggars. Crime has also gone up when we hear about the medical facilities in the UK, we think we are better off here.
#26
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: Now Devon
Posts: 951
Re: Retiring in Germany
I would certainly like to retire in Germany, but at my age of 73 and with cardiac issues, the cost of health insurance is prohibitive. Unfortunately it wasn't possible for me to consider such a move before these things became apparent. Thus I am returning to England to live,
My patch of paradise is in the south west of Germany, in the region of Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg. It is adjacent not only to Bavaria, but France, Switzerland and Austria.
I've also lived in Bavaria between Munich and Garmisch, a beautiful part of the world, so can certainly understand its attraction.
My patch of paradise is in the south west of Germany, in the region of Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg. It is adjacent not only to Bavaria, but France, Switzerland and Austria.
I've also lived in Bavaria between Munich and Garmisch, a beautiful part of the world, so can certainly understand its attraction.
#27
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2009
Location: Germany
Posts: 95
Re: Retiring in Germany
Hi! Aries, we have a man who has come to Osnabrueck from Australia. He says that as long as you have a British Passport and in receipt of a British Pension you should be covered for medical insurance. You would just need to contact the British Pensions authority to see what you have to do. There may still be some expenses - prescription charges, 10euros a quarter to visit your GP and also 10euros a day for when you are in hospital. That may just be for the first 15 days. But you can get to see a specialist very quickly and things like a hip operation, you may have to wait 3 months. They don't seem to squabble about the price of tablets. I have just been told I'm in the early stages of Parkinson's and my tablets are 5euros each!
#28
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2008
Location: Perth
Posts: 6,765
Re: Retiring in Germany
I can't quite get used to the idea that some people would want to go to Germany to retire (I'm German myself). I would have thought that Germany is one of those countries you would rather leave when you retire if you could (for better climate, less hectic etc) instead of going there to live! But maybe it's not such a bad idea if you have family there and speak the language a little; at least you don't have to work in Germany, working in Germany is really stressful!
My OHs uncle and aunt returned after more than twenty four years in Sydney and are so glad they did as she developed serious health issues and is being kept alive by some very pricey medications, that they more than likely would not be offered in Australia.
We are actually an Anglo/German couple who maintain property in Germany,living in Perth and are giving strong consideration to moving there to retire also.
Saying that a couple of other places also feature in our considerations as well.
There are so many towns in Germany where the word hectic would not be an issue in fact the opposite.
Older folk,being so many more,are far more evident in Germany and in my opinion many live far more actively with more interests than here.
We maintain property in the South,Tubingen,which is rather relaxed although a big student city at the same time.
Could think of far worse places than Germany to retire. We haven't come to a decision yet but it's good to weigh up the options available out there.
#29
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Perth WA
Posts: 173
Re: Retiring in Germany
A number of Germans do indeed retire to the sun,be that Spain or Thailand or elsewhere but also know a few who returned from Australia.
My OHs uncle and aunt returned after more than twenty four years in Sydney and are so glad they did as she developed serious health issues and is being kept alive by some very pricey medications, that they more than likely would not be offered in Australia.
We are actually an Anglo/German couple who maintain property in Germany,living in Perth and are giving strong consideration to moving there to retire also.
Saying that a couple of other places also feature in our considerations as well.
There are so many towns in Germany where the word hectic would not be an issue in fact the opposite.
Older folk,being so many more,are far more evident in Germany and in my opinion many live far more actively with more interests than here.
We maintain property in the South,Tubingen,which is rather relaxed although a big student city at the same time.
Could think of far worse places than Germany to retire. We haven't come to a decision yet but it's good to weigh up the options available out there.
My OHs uncle and aunt returned after more than twenty four years in Sydney and are so glad they did as she developed serious health issues and is being kept alive by some very pricey medications, that they more than likely would not be offered in Australia.
We are actually an Anglo/German couple who maintain property in Germany,living in Perth and are giving strong consideration to moving there to retire also.
Saying that a couple of other places also feature in our considerations as well.
There are so many towns in Germany where the word hectic would not be an issue in fact the opposite.
Older folk,being so many more,are far more evident in Germany and in my opinion many live far more actively with more interests than here.
We maintain property in the South,Tubingen,which is rather relaxed although a big student city at the same time.
Could think of far worse places than Germany to retire. We haven't come to a decision yet but it's good to weigh up the options available out there.
#30
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2009
Location: Germany
Posts: 95
Re: Retiring in Germany
Just one thing you should consider if you come to live in a City in Germany. There are far more muggings and robberies than there were 30 years ago.