All Questions
1,513 questions
11
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Can you typically get prescriptions fulfilled internationally? [Specifically Germany / UK]
I will travel to the UK from Germany today.
My German doctor is sending me a prescription, but it hadn't arrived by the time I left home, so I'll be unable to get it fulfilled before I leave the ...
- 1,752
6
votes
1
answer
192
views
Traveling Outside Germany: Impact on Residence Permit Processing? [duplicate]
I am a non-EU citizen who recently moved to Germany and applied for a residence permit. Currently, I have a Fiktionsbescheinigung issued under Section 81(3), which does not allow me to re-enter ...
- 61
10
votes
7
answers
5k
views
Cashless visit to Schengen countries using USA credit card
How is the cashless situation in Schengen, particularly the Northern and Eastern Europe countries, for American visitors using a US credit card? I heard Amex coverage is spotty but Visa/Mastercard ...
- 119
6
votes
0
answers
967
views
Germany residence permit application asks to bring Aufenthaltstitel [migrated]
I am an international student and I had a German student visa for one year. My visa ends at the beginning of 2025 so I applied residence permit through SERS.
Yesterday I have been informed that my ...
- 63
7
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Concerns about being asked followup questions at Schengen Immigration
I recently got a 6-month, multiple-entry visa from the German embassy. I travelled to Germany, the Netherlands, and France with my wife.
At the Berlin airport, I was asked for the purpose of my visit, ...
- 131
3
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Short-stay Schengen Visa for Germany: Which purpose?
Just want to ask for a question re: declaring a purpose for my Schengen visa application for Germany. As I understand, all purposes fall under "short-stay" visa. I have a letter of ...
- 31
8
votes
1
answer
2k
views
How to purchase Sparpreis ticket without disclosing personal information?
How do you purchase a (Super) Saver’s Fare ticket (Sparpreis) without disclosing personal information or entering additional agreements?
Yesterday I went to the train station trying to pull me a ...
- 335
1
vote
0
answers
104
views
Berlin tourist visa refused, should appeal or file a remonstrance [duplicate]
I applied for schengen (German tourist visa) but was refused a Schengen tourist visa based on the following two reasons
The information submitted regarding the justification for the purpose and ...
- 11
6
votes
1
answer
629
views
Is it possible to activate German SIM abroad for non-EU person?
There are many German mobile operators selling SIM cards online. It is possible to order them with post forwarding abroad. However, it seems that activation of all these cards is possible only in ...
- 161
3
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Overstayed Schengen Visa by a day
My Schengen visa was approved for 9 days stay but I did not know it, I thought I could stay for entire visa duration which was 3 months. So unknowingly I overstayed for a day and while returning ...
- 31
2
votes
1
answer
363
views
Clarification on Travel Requirements: Italy to Germany via Switzerland
I am an Indian citizen. Currently I am staying in Italy with a long-term visa.
The details of my visa is: Italian visa, D-type (research visa), Multiple entry.
I have applied for a residence permit ...
- 21
3
votes
1
answer
189
views
Deutsche Bahn - Skipping a leg
I booked a ticket from Berlin to Limburg with stops in Dortmund and Köln. In other words, my route is Berlin, Dortmund, Köln, Limburg.
Supposing time is plenty (really), could I skip the train from ...
8
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Can't redeem my denied-boarding vouchers
I was involuntary denied boarding on a Lufthansa flight and got these compensation vouchers to redeem. The problem is that I don't know where to redeem those. I have tried to do it online, but it ...
0
votes
1
answer
111
views
Question about my ties and residency when requesting B1/B2 US visa
I'm an Iranian student / 19 male studying in Italy on a study permit. I’ve recently been accepted into HackHarvard and another competition at Georgetown, and I have a letter from HackHarvard to show ...
10
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Can I land at "EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg" with a German National Visa as first destination (non-EU Citizen)?
I will be travelling to Freiburg (Germany) for study purposes. I recently obtained a German national Visa (type D) and considering to fly to the EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg which is the ...
1
vote
1
answer
191
views
Can I use my Business Visa application as a proof for Wife's tourist Visa ? (schengen germany)
I have applied for an urgent business visa through VFS Mumbai, India. My purpose of travel to Germany is business for the entire month of October. My wife(recently married) wants to join me on my 2nd ...
- 13
6
votes
1
answer
897
views
What does "CD military" mean on this sign at this crossing point between East Berlin and West Berlin? (June/July 1989)
I read "CD military" on this sign at this crossing point between East Berlin and West Berlin in June/July 1989:
Image source: https://youtu.be/QCy2DqPt9Gk?t=1272
What does "CD military&...
- 59.7k
8
votes
2
answers
4k
views
My visit is for two weeks but my host bought insurance for two months is it okay
My trip is for two weeks but my host bought insurance for 2 months is it okay?
13
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Validity of ticket when using alternative train from a different station
I have a ticket and seat reservation on an ICE leaving Berlin Hbf. But because reasons, it turns out it'd be a lot more convenient to board the train at Berlin-Spandau instead. So far that shouldn't ...
- 3,339
3
votes
0
answers
69
views
Can I re-enter Germany with new passport & just Fiktionsbecheinigung (§81 Abs. 4) (ref lost passport no.) OR D-visa stamp required in new passport?
I am an Indian student studying at a Uni in Germany. Last month, I lost my passport (thereby my D-visa stamped in it got lost). However, the official at auslanderbehörder were kind enough to issue ...
- 31
2
votes
0
answers
104
views
Transit in Germany with type D visa from Italy for non-EU citizen
I am a non-EU citizen in Italy, and I have a multiple-entry type-D student visa, valid for 1 year (expires on 8th October).
I still don't have a valid residence permit, but I need to travel back to my ...
- 41
4
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Can I take tea with me to Canada?
meine Frage war ob man Tee durchs Flugzeug von Deutschland nach Kanada mitnehmen darf.
Ich habe meinem Mann ein kleines Päckchen für seine Reise mitgegeben in dem es auch Teebeutel gibt.
Könnte das ...
- 59
8
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Can I travel with regional trains from operators other than DB if I can "use any train" due to a schedule change?
I had booked a journey with DB involving local public transit (S-Bahn/tram), IC, and ICE trains. Now DB changed their schedule so my connections no longer are possible and I now can "use any ...
- 1,663
19
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Why was I was allowed to bring 1.5 liters of liquid through security at Frankfurt Airport?
I had two liquid containers of 1 and 0.5 liters and thought I'd have to empty both of them before security. The guy there told me there were no restrictions on liquids and I could just bring them.
I'...
- 14.7k
0
votes
0
answers
57
views
What type of Visa do I need for a paid internship in Germany?
Hello I am currently a student at UCSD in San Diego, California and have received an internship offer in Germany from April 1, 2025-June 30, 2025. This internship will be paid on a monthly basis. I ...
- 1
3
votes
1
answer
133
views
Bicycle on DB Regio between Aschaffenburg and Frankfurt — ticket needed before 09:00?
On a DB Regio train between Heigenbrücken (Bavaria, VAB, but also VAB/RMV transition area) and Frankfurt (Hessen, RMV), I had a disagreement with the conductor about whether I need a ticket for my ...
- 60.1k
4
votes
0
answers
128
views
Driver disability placard when traveling in Germany as a tourist
I have a friend from Uruguay visiting who has limited mobility. He is able to drive regular cars with automatic transmission. He has a disabled licence plate in his home country and when traveling in ...
- 3,880
0
votes
1
answer
119
views
Applying for Schengen visa sponsored by US permanent resident brother
We are planning a vacation in Denmark, Germany and Switzerland, with Germany being the country for maximum stay. I will be applying visa from a consulate in India, and my brother is the primary ...
2
votes
1
answer
300
views
Why Would a Taxi Driver Refuel with the Minimum Amount Needed for a Trip?
A few months ago, I took a cab from Frankfurt airport. The taxi driver had an almost empty tank and asked if it was okay to refuel before starting the trip. I agreed after he assured me it was on the ...
- 173
11
votes
1
answer
514
views
What is the reason for Germany having D as country identifier on MRTDs?
The country identifier for Germany in the machine readable zone of travel documents is D while it is typically the three letter code as defined by ISO 3166-1 (see ICAO: Doc 9303, Machine Readable ...
- 219
-4
votes
1
answer
108
views
Expired permesso di soggiorno and with only ricevuta from Posta Italiane
Can we travel to Germany with an expired permesso? We only have the ricevuta of renewal from Poste Italiane, done with biometrics but the actual card is not ready yet.
I am a Filipino citizen, have ...
1
vote
1
answer
88
views
HR letter with the purpose of attending an onsite interview at another company
Another company has offered to interview me onsite at one of their premises in Europe. However, I am currently employed at my company, and I need an HR letter from my manager that includes "the ...
- 11
8
votes
1
answer
1k
views
A publicly accessible place to photo Cologne Cathedral's west facade
Do you know of any publicly accessible place in Cologne where I can photograph Cologne Cathedral's entire west facade in a single frame? See examples below.
The Cathedral's west square is not a good ...
- 365
2
votes
1
answer
780
views
The Most Impressive Mass in Cologne Cathedral to attend
According to the Cologne Cathedral's English website (now decimated to a single page):
Service hours
Masses at Cologne Cathedral are held at the following times:
Working days (Monday to Saturday):
...
- 365
2
votes
1
answer
216
views
When can I expect taxi costs to be reimbursed when trains are badly disrupted and no replacement buses have been announced?
In case of severe train disruptions, under what circumstances do I have the right to get taxi costs reimbursed, and under what restrictions?
Example: I'm on a regional train operated by DB Regio AG ...
- 60.1k
0
votes
1
answer
116
views
Can I apply for new Schengen visa if old expired without being used?
Can I apply for new Schengen visa if old expired without being used? Do I need to do an interview again?
1
vote
0
answers
109
views
How can I search for special excursion trains (Zug des Sonder- und Charterverkehrs)?
On bahn.expert I found an unusual train DZ 5259 from Rüdesheim to Hanau:
This train does not appear in regular customer-oriented train search engines such as HAFAS. According to Fernbahn.de, DZ ...
- 60.1k
13
votes
2
answers
3k
views
What does it mean if Deutsche Bahn say that a train is cancelled between two instances of the same stop?
I'm looking into booking a journey from Hannover Hbf to Hamburg Hbf. I found a connection that looks nice and fits my schedule, but it says that it's "cancelled between Hamburg Hbf and Hamburg ...
- 1,663
7
votes
1
answer
283
views
Deutsche Bahn replacement bus compensation
I was traveling on a Deutsche Bahn ICE with a 1st class ticket. Part of the route was operated by a replacement bus that had not been announced when I had booked my ticket a few weeks earlier.
The bus ...
- 211
7
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Can I get a refund for ICE due to cancelled regional bus service?
I booked an ICE (sparpreis ticket) from Oldenburg till Berlin. I could get to Oldenburg Hbf by using a regional bus service (I use the D-ticket), which got canceled. However, the DBahn app did not ...
2
votes
0
answers
57
views
Do I need Proof of Residence and German Health Insurance before applying for a student visa as a Non-EU student?
I am from India and I will be applying for a student visa this July 2024.
As per German Missions in India (see link), I need the following "proofs" for Visa Application:
Transcripts, CV, ...
7
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Cancellation of the Deutschlandticket
Actually, I do not well understand some formulations of sellers of the Deutschlandticket.
Therefore my confusion.
If I buy the Deutschlandticket end of June for the month of July, and I only want to ...
- 275
5
votes
2
answers
875
views
Traveling between two Schengen Countries using a Verlustanzeige?
I am a romanian citizen living legally in Germany, and have recently lost my ID, and my Passport has expired.
Next month I have a trip scheduled, and id travel from Germany to Czechia and back, the ...
- 51
0
votes
1
answer
114
views
Schengen Transit visa when travelling from India to Sweden
I am travelling to Sweden on a visitor visa from India.
visa type C
visa duration is 3rd August 2024 - 1st September 2024
stay duration is 15 days
We are planning to book flights from:
5th August (...
- 13
21
votes
1
answer
5k
views
What is the meaning of this black/white (likely non-traffic) sign seen on German highways?
Often I saw this sign at highways in Germany:
Apparently it's not a regular traffic sign, but nevertheless I'm curious about its meaning. I tried to ask a local, but they also didn't know.
- 627
1
vote
1
answer
77
views
Turkish transit visa
My friend holds a German travel document for refugees. Does she need a transit visa for less than 24 hours in Turkey, while traveling to Georgia?
9
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Schengen visa issued by Germany - Is a layover in Vienna okay before heading to Berlin?
I have a Schengen visa issued by the German embassy, and it clearly states that it's valid for all Schengen states. I have a round-trip flight booked to Berlin, but my itinerary includes a 2-hour ...
- 231
0
votes
0
answers
118
views
Can I apply for a Schengen visa to take my exams in my German university?
Can I apply for a Schengen visa to take my exams at my German university, as I don't think I will be able to get my study visa in time? Is that an acceptable reason to apply for a visa?
Thank you so ...
3
votes
1
answer
610
views
Is it acceptable if I put an Umweltplakette to the top-right instead of the bottom-right corner of the windshield?
I obtained an "Umweltplakette" sticker abroad, and the instructions asked to place the sticker to the top-right or bottom-right corner of the car's windshield (viewed from the driver's ...
- 627
2
votes
1
answer
218
views
Schengen visa for parents without Verpflichtungserklärungen document
I am inviting my parents to visit me in Germany for 2 months at my apartment. Due to a lot of rush at auslaenderbehoerde, I was not able to get hold of Verpflichtungserklärungen document on time, so ...
- 23