Category Archive: Uncategorized
How to fill out the IBB Corona Soforthilfe II application: detailed instructions
ibb.de has thwarted our plans to help our Life Admin clients with the application form for Soforthilfe II (Landesmittel) online by giving everyone a place in the waiting line and offering you 35 minute slots to complete your application. Since your place in the line might come up at 4am, we’ve decided to create text instructions to talk you through it instead.
Angela Merkel’s New COVID19 Rules for Leaving the House – from 23.3.2020
Here’s a summary of the new rules about leaving your apartment. These are valid from today – 23.3.2020. It’s not an Ausgangssperre (a lockdown) but it’s still serious and you should still make sure you follow the rules. It’s likely you’ll get stopped by the police at some point along your way. … Read More
Can I get back into Germany with a Type D visa or residence permit? COVID-19 update
So many people asked whether it would be OK to return to Germany from their overseas trip now that Germany has closed down its borders. We have a somewhat vague answer for you – it’s not bulletproof. There might be hope. But your flight will probably get cancelled anyway.
How to get compensation from the Department of Health during quarantine
Second only to the word “Coronavirus” that gets thrown about in the media is the word “Entschädigung” (compensation). You might have heard that you’re entitled to a compensation if you are not permitted to do your job due to a quarantine or work ban. This information is brand new, it was only published last night. … Read More
Certified copies vs. certified translations
If you’re ever presenting documents to an official in Germany (and chances are, you will find yourself doing so), you might need to provide certified translations. If it’s your lucky day, your case worker might also request a certified copy of something. Wait… what? What’s a certified translation? How does it differ from a certified copy? Where can I get my hands on one? These are the burning questions we’ll be discussing today.
I’m a freelancer, right? Or am I a self-employed trader? What’s the difference?
If you write your own invoices, if you have multiple clients and if you make your own hours then you are self-employed (selbstständig) in Germany. So far, so good. But the tax office (Finanzamt) divides self-employment up into two further categories: you’re either a freelancer (Freiberufler) or you have a trade (Gewerbe). We help you find your true self (from a tax perspective, anyway).
A guide to rental contracts in Germany
Translators get to see a lot of rental aparment contracts. Big ones, small ones, fat ones, skinny ones, vague ones, long ones and horribly restrictive ones. From preposterous airing regulations to antiquated quiet time stipulations, from cold rent to hot water, here’s what to expect when you’re presented with a tenancy contract for a flat in Germany. We’re also happy to help in more detail if you really want to know what you’re getting into before you sign on the dotted line.
German Citizenship: Six Tips for Skittish Brits Pre-Brexit
Are you a Brit thinking of applying for German Citizenship before Brexit? Time to get your skates on! Katie from Red Tape Translation gives us a detailed account of what it’s like to be a Brit going for “Einbürgerung”.… Read More
Our proud new family
Three new helpers and three new honorary Red Tape babies in one year! It’s a big adjustment for any family, but a happy one for sure. We welcomed Thomas to the team in February to help us out with marketing, project management and customer service. In April, Kim welcomed her baby son Evan into the world and Kathleen followed suit in August with the birth of baby Laura, our designated Chief Distraction Officer (CDO). Laura’s incredibly well-defined baby eyebrows and big brown eyes are very expressive and thus very distracting, so she is excelling in her professional role.
Katie joined the administrative team in November just as Pascale’s son Leon made it to the outside. Finally, Liz came on board as a translator and interpreter just in time for the Christmas party. Good timing, Liz.
Welcome, baby Laura
If you’ve been pining for a post from Red Tape Translation these last few weeks, I must apologize. I’ve had other things on my mind. I’d like to introduce my daughter Laura.
Happy Mother’s Day
Fierce mums and fragile mums, old mums and new mums, expat mums, proud mums, despairing mums, exhausted mums, mums with empty nests and mums-to-be – I salute you. Because I think you’re so terrific, I’ve decided to honour you with a 50% discount on Skype Coaching and Life Admin services for the next week – so until midnight on Mother’s Day, 13th May 2018.