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CULTURE

The best events and festivals in Germany in 2022

With the obvious caveat that much depends on the health situation and Covid-related rules in place, Germany has an outstanding variety of events on offer in 2022 for tourists and residents alike.

Oktoberfest
Waitresses celebrate the end of Oktoberfest in 2019. Photo: dpa | Felix Hörhager

Germany has an incredibly rich cultural calendar – one of the many factors that routinely make it one of the most visited countries in the world. 

Here’s an overview of some of the top events coming up around the country, so you can start planning your year. 

February

  • Berlinale (February 10th – 20th)
Cinema-goers in Kino International in Berlin.
Cinema-goers in Kino International in Berlin. Photo: dpa | Fabian Sommer

The first major cultural event of the German calendar starts on February 10th, when one of the most prestigious film festivals in Europe gets under way in Berlin.

The Berlinale will be held over ten days and famed Hollywood director M. Night Shyamalan will head the jury for the main Golden Bear award.

The festival organizers plan on offering a full programme just like in the days before the pandemic and also say that the festival, famed for the access it gives to the general public, will once again be an in-person event.

READ ALSO: 7 ground-breaking German movies made by female filmmakers

  • Karneval in Cologne (February 28th)

The other major festival taking place in February is Karneval, which is celebrated across the Catholic regions of southern and western Germany, but is most famously done by the city of Cologne.

‘Jeken’ celebrate the start of the Karneval season in the Heumarkt in Cologne in November 2021. Photo: dpa | Rolf Vennenbernd

Unfortunately, due to the ongoing pandemic, it is very unlikely that main event, the Rosenmontag parade, will take place as normal in the centre of Germany’s fourth largest city.

Dating back to the Middle Ages, carnival clubs build floats that they parade through the city centre and which often poke fun at major political figures of the day. 

Last year the parade was only done in miniature form and was broadcast on local television. The organizers have promised that it will take place in some form although the format is yet to be decided upon.

One possibility is that stands will be set up along a shortened route and spectators will have to stick to designated seats.

READ ALSO: ‘Can’t wait any longer’: Revellers celebrate at German carnival

March

  • Leipzig Book Fair (March 17th – 20th)

Book worms won’t want to miss one of the oldest book fares in the world, which attracted publishers from dozens of countries before the pandemic.

The fare is going ahead again this year although the international schedule is likely to be more limited than usual. You can find tickets HERE.

  • Berlin Fashion Week

Known for promoting young designers, the Berlin fashion week’s reputation has grown to such an extent in recent years that it is know mentioned in the same breath as the Paris and London equivalents. If you fancy yourself a fashionista, you can find a full schedule HERE

May

  • Hamburg Hafenfest (May 6th – 8th)

The ‘biggest harbour party in the world’ takes place in Hamburg between May 6th and May 8th, when the port city celebrates its birthday.

Boats take part in the ship parade at the Hafenfest in 2019. Photo: dpa | Markus Scholz

Some 300 ships of all ages, shapes and sizes will take place in a ‘sail past’ at the opening of the event, while dozens of stages will be set up around the city harbour offering music and entertainment to visitors.

The festival marks the day 832 years ago when Hamburg was given the status of a free port with the right to trade with much of northern Europe.

  • German Cup Final (May 21st)

Sport fans will want to mark this date in their calendars. The final of the DFB Pokal will be played at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, where two teams will battle it out for the second most prestigious prize in German football.

Tickets will go on sale in March, when fans can apply for a maximum for four seats. More information can be found HERE.

June

  • Fête de la Musique (June 21st) 

This French tradition has been embraced wholeheartedly by the people of Berlin, where stages and music pop up all over the city for one night of singing and dancing. Hamburg also has a smaller event. 

  • Carnival of Culture

Also in Berlin, this carnival parade along the streets of the multicultural Kreuzberg district presents music and costumes from across the world, showing off the diversity of the German capital.

July

  • Fusion festival (June 29th – July 3rd)

This cult festival beloved of fans of electronic music takes place at the beginning of July in an old communist airbase in the eastern state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

The Fusion Festival takes place over five days and is celebrated for the originality of the stage designs and its non-stop offering of techno music, as well as everything from burlesque to punk on smaller stages.

Tickets are notoriously hard to come by (and not cheap). You can apply during the first two weeks of February HERE. The tickets will then be allocated randomly to applicants.

August

  • Potsdam Palace Night (August 19th – 20th)

Ever thought you were born in the wrong century? Then a night in the life of a baroque monarchy might be for you. For two days the grand palaces of the Prussian court in Potsdam will open their doors to the public, with entertainment including classical music from the period and a firework display.

September

  • Wurstmarkt, Bad Dürkheim (September 9th – 19th)

Despite the name suggesting that this festival is all about Germany’s renowned sausages, the Wurstmarkt in the small town of Bad Dürkheim near the French border is actually the world’s biggest wine festival.

Scheduled to take place this year between September 9th-19th, the festival will provide a platform to 54 winemakers to show off their wares.

  • Oktoberfest (September 17th – October 3rd)

After the world famous booze fest has been cancelled for the past two years, the city of Munich has promised that it will go ahead again this year.

The breweries of the Bavarian capital brew special, extra-strong beers for the festival, that usually attracts millions of people from across the globe.

But the event next year is likely to be smaller than in the past, with mayor Dieter Reiter saying “there won’t be Oktoberfest for everyone in 2022.”

October

  • Bremer Freimarkt (October 14th – October 30th)

If you enjoy the tradition of a good Volksfest, this event in Bremen shouldn’t be missed. It has been held for almost a thousand years, with the first Freimarkt taking place back in 1035.

For centuries it was a place for craftsmen from outside Bremen to come and sell their wares. But even in the 15th century, locals would come to watch jugglers or see exotic animals.

These days the Volksfest prides itself on having the largest funfair in northern Germany.

  • Berlin festival of lights (October 7th – 16th)

Each year the German capital gives artists the chance to illuminate some of its most iconic landmarks with light shows.

For visitors to Berlin, this festival offers the opportunity to see instantly recognizable buildings such as the Fernsehturm or the Brandenburg Gate in a rather different light to normal.

December

  • Nuremberg Weihnachtsmarkt (November 25th – December 24th)

There is perhaps no Christmas market in Germany that is as rich in tradition and famed for the craftwork on sale as the market held in the city centre of Nuremberg. 

The event should go ahead as scheduled again in 2022 after two years of cancellation during the pandemic. A particular highlight is always the Bavarian city’s prized Lebkuchen.

READ ALSO: How do Germans celebrate Christmas?

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For members

HEALTH

10 key things you need to know about healthcare in Germany

From the type of insurance you should get to how to find GPs and specialists, we've put together a guide to help foreigners in Germany navigate the healthcare system.

10 key things you need to know about healthcare in Germany

If you’re living in Germany or thinking of making it your home, you’re in luck. Germany’s healthcare system is widely regarded as one of the best in the world, and ranks above the OECD average on most key indicators as of 2023.

Navigating a foreign healthcare system can be a little tricky for any foreign resident, especially new arrivals. So we’ve created a guide to some of the most important aspects of Germany’s healthcare system. 

Do I need health insurance?

Yes. Health insurance is mandatory for all German residents, so you’ll need to take out a form of insurance even if your current policy from your home country covers you whilst in Germany. 

The German health insurance system operates through two co-existing insurance types; private and public.

If you’re working in Germany, you’ll need to be covered by one of the two. Some visas allow for a special expat insurance instead, however, there are specific requirements for this. 

How does public insurance work?

Public health insurance, or Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung (GKV), is the most common form of health insurance in Germany. The German Bundesministerium für Gesundheit (Health Ministry) estimates around 90 percent of the population are signed up to GKV funds.

If you opt for public insurance, you’ll pay a monthly premium to your health insurance provider, which is calculated according to your income. Your employer will also pay mandatory contributions to your insurance. 

You have free choice of your health insurance fund, with over 100 public health insurance funds to choose from. Each will provide you with different levels of benefits and coverage, so it’s wise to take a close look at the fine print for each option. 

READ ALSO: Can you switch from private to public health insurance in Germany?

Public health insurance pays for healthcare that is „sufficient, appropriate and economic“. This includes medical treatments, prescribed medications, vaccinations, psychotherapy, and allied health care. Your health insurance will also pay the cost of hospital treatments, if the need arises. 

While most treatment providers will charge the cost of your care directly to your health insurer, some healthcare costs require a co-payment. This includes prescriptions and hospital care, however, the co-payments are generally small and scaled to your annual income.

Your public health insurance will also pay you a sickness benefit, or Krankengeld, if you’re certified unfit for work for more than six weeks. 

If you’re coming to Germany to work for a company, this is most likely going to be the best form of insurance for you. However, if you earn over a certain amount, or are self-employed, you may have to opt for private health insurance. 

When you sign up to a public health insurer, you’ll be given the all-important Gesundheitskarte (health insurance card). It’s important to always bring this with you when accessing any healthcare services. It’s also helpful to carry it around all the time in case of an emergency. 

A German health insurance card.

A German health insurance card. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Jens Kalaene

What about private insurance?

Private health insurance, or Private Krankenversicherung (PKV), is the other form of health insurance in Germany. 

If you’re self-employed, a small business owner, a freelancer, or work in the public service, you’ll most likely have to sign up for PKV, although there are still notable exceptions to this.

If you earn over the compulsory social insurance threshold – currently set at €69,300, according to the Verband der Privaten Krankenversichrung – you become eligible for private insurance. 

Premiums for PKV are calculated based on a risk assessment done by the insurer, and generally vary based on your age and health. It’s important to note you can be rejected by a private insurer if you’re deemed too risky to cover. This isn’t the case with public health insurance. 

If you’ve come to Germany with dependents, such as children or a spouse, they also aren’t automatically covered by your private health policy and will generally require separate premiums. 

READ ALSO: How creative freelancers can pay less for German health insurance

If you decide on private insurance, you’ll have to cover the upfront costs of seeing doctors, going to hospital and obtaining medication. You’ll be either fully or partially reimbursed afterwards by your insurer. 

PKV might not be for you if you hate being bogged down with admin tasks, as claiming the payments from the insurer means filling in forms in German, although there are some providers that offer services in English.

If you’re a member of a public health insurance fund, you can take out additional cover with a private insurer to cover you for certain benefits, such as comprehensive dental treatment. You’ll bear the cost of any additional coverage yourself. 

What about expat insurance?

Another option is expat insurance, also known as incoming insurance. It provides coverage for people newly arrived in Germany and is suitable for some visas without work contracts. 

Temporary expat insurance could act as a good stopgap if you’ve just entered the country, but it doesn’t provide as comprehensive a coverage as PKV or GKV.

Coverage varies across providers, and you’ll generally have to pre-inform them of appointments and other medical care and be reimbursed. 

However, if you’re planning on renewing or changing your visa soon, it’s worth mentioning that having expat health insurance isn’t sufficient. You’ll need to be covered by a public or private insurer for it to be approved. 

Finding a doctor 

If you don’t speak German, the prospect of finding a doctor might seem a little daunting. Fortunately, there are plenty of services to help you find a doctor who works in your native language. 

A site like doctolib.de is a fantastic resource for finding and booking appointments with a variety of different health practitioners, from GPs to cardiologists.  

READ ALSO: What you need to know about making a doctor’s appointment in Germany

How GPs work in Germany

General Practitioners, or Hausärtze, either operate by themselves as solo, practice-based physicians or within a medical centre. While registering with a local GP is encouraged, it isn’t compulsory. 

GPs in Germany can provide prescriptions, offer vaccinations, perform minor medical procedures and conduct routine check-ups. You’ll need to book an appointment in advance, but some GPs offer open hours where you can wait in the practice to be seen (and expect long waits).

E-prescription service Germany

A patient inserts their health insurance card into a card reader at a German pharmacy. Photo: picture alliance/dpa/Reuters/Pool | Annegret Hilse

Unlike many other healthcare systems around the world, GPs in Germany don’t act as a gatekeeper to more specialised care. While you won’t need to see a GP for a referral to a specialist such as a dermatologist or gynaecologist, there are a few specialities (such as radiology and laboratory services) which are exceptions to this. 

Seeing specialists

Free choice of medical practitioners is a core principle of the German healthcare system, so you’ll be able to pick and book appointments with specialists without a referral from your GP in many cases. 

When searching for specialists, you’ll likely see some specialists are only available to those who are privately insured or self-paying. Finding a specialist who works with publicly insured patients is possible, however the wait times will likely be a little longer. 

If you have any questions, your health insurer or your GP should let you know how you can access a specialist doctor. 

READ ALSO: How to get a faster appointment with a specialist doctor in Germany

What about the dentist?

Public health insurance doesn’t fully cover dental care. While basic dental is covered, such as a yearly checkup, many German residents rely on supplementary private insurance for more comprehensive dental treatments because care can be expensive.

However, you should check with your insurance to see what extra dental services are covered. For instance, some insurers contribute a one-off payment to supplement teeth cleaning, but they won’t explicitly tell you this information when you take out insurance. 

Pharmacies and medicine 

If you’ve been given a prescription by one of your physicians, your next stop should be at a pharmacy, or Apotheke to have it filled. 

You’ll typically have to present your Gesundheitskarte to the pharmacist, and depending on your health insurance you might have to make a co-payment for the medication. This will be a maximum of 10 euros and a minimum of five euros. 

If Sunday rolls around and you find yourself in need of a prescription, there are emergency pharmacies, known as Notdienst-Apotheke, which operate on a rotating schedule within one area or district. You’ll generally be able to find the schedule at your regular pharmacy or online.

If having prescriptions delivered to you works better, there’s a service called MAYD which will deliver anything you need from your local Apotheke to you.

READ ALSO: The new rules on digital prescriptions in Germany

Going to hospital  

Germany has a comprehensive hospital network, with most people able to reach an acute care hospital within 30 minutes by car. 

The quality of hospital will depend greatly on where you live. Federal states are responsible for hospital care, and some operate better hospitals than others. 

When you arrive at a hospital, you’ll need to have your Gesundheitskarte on you for the registration process. The hospital will need to know about your health insurance status for the billing process. 

It’s also important to note here that the disparity between public and private insurance is most apparent when it comes to hospital care. If you’re privately insured, you will generally have better access to more senior doctors, your own room, and be seen faster.

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