Welcome to Germany! The federal republic sits not only in the heart of Europe but also boasts the continent's biggest economy and biggest population, and is a top destination for both expats and tourists. The pages in this section provide information on different aspects of life in Germany and what makes the federal republic the country that it is today.
Holidays in Germany
Germany observes a mixture of public holidays (which are observed in all federal states) and regional holidays (which are observed in only some federal states) - as well as some unofficial holidays. Check out our guide to national and regional holidays in Germany to see which days off are observed in your region.
German weather
What's the climate like in Germany? What's it like in spring, summer, autumn and winter in Germany? How often does it rain and are the days usually sunny? Find out about high and low temperatures and regional differences across the country in our guide to the German weather.
German history
While Germany as a nation state is still relatively young, the history of the German territory stretches back thousands of years. Get a potted history of the country from Roman times, through the medieval period and into the present day in our overview of German history.
German government
The Federal Republic of Germany is founded on the principles of parliamentary democracy and federalism, meaning it combines a centralised government and autonomous regional governments. Learn about the different institutions that make up the German political system in this guide to the German government.
German elections & expat voting rights
Expats have limited voting rights in Germany. If you are from a non-EU country, you are not eligible to vote. If, however, you have European citizenship, you are allowed to vote in local and EU elections. Non-German citizens are not permitted to vote in either general or state elections in Germany. Our guide walks you through the different types of elections in Germany, and explains what the different political parties stand for.
Maps of Germany
If you like maps, head to this page to get a healthy dose of maps of Germany, which help to explain more about the country's layout, geography and political and social administration.
German flag
Germany - like other countries around the world - has its own national flag. Our page on the German flag looks at the history of the famous black, red and gold tricolour, and also the flags of the German federal states and some important cities.
Pets in Germany
If you're coming to Germany with a pet, you need to understand the rules regarding bringing pets to Germany, and pet ownership in the federal republic. There may be some things, including dog taxes and laws on having dog liability insurance, that are different to your home country. Learn more on our pets in Germany page.
German food
What's cooking in Germany's kitchen? German cuisine is typically regarded as being rich and filling, and is a reflection of the country's geographic location and historical context. Our guide to German food helps you sort your Brezel from your Pumpernickel and your Apfelschorle from your Apfeltorte, and explains where Schnitzel really comes from.
German beer
Beer is Germany's national drink, and Germany has a long, proud history of beer brewing. Learn about the different types of German beer, from Pilsner and Helles to Bock and Hefeweizen - as well as the infamous German Beer Purity Law - in our guide to German beer.