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Red Tape Translation

Skype Coaching

What’s the difference between Life Admin and Skype Coaching?

If you book a Skype coaching, it’s a session for an hour or more with an expert on particular topics (usually me, Kathleen) who will advise you on things like

  • preparing for your appointment at a public office
  • getting married in Germany
  • setting up as a freelancer in Germany

If you book Life Admin, a Life Admin assistant (usually an interpreter) will help you

  • make German phone calls in conference mode
  • fill out forms
  • understand the correspondence that you’ve received.

The interpreter is not necessarily an expert in the area with which you need help, but they are very happy to use your Life Admin time to make phone calls with you or on your behalf to find out the information you need from the public offices directly.

What topics can be covered in a coaching?

It’s flexible, but here are some topics in which I have loads of experience and expertise:

  • Settle in Germany: a step-by-step guide of what to do when
  • What type of residence permit can I get to stay in Berlin?
  • Preparing for your visa appointment in Berlin (any type of permit)
  • Setting yourself up as a freelancer in Germany
  • Filling out the form to get a freelance tax number (this one usually takes around an hour)
  • How to get married in Berlin
  • Applying for the Gründungszuschuss (a government grant to get out of unemployment by starting your own business)
  • Filling out paperwork (Künstlersozialkasse, ALG I, ALG II or Hartz IV, health insurance, pension system, Elterngeld, Kindergeld, etc)

Can you coach on other topics too?

Coaching is very flexible. If you have specific questions, I am happy to answer them and you can use your time however you wish! If I don’t know the answer, I will be able to find someone who does. But I’ll never say yes to a coaching if I don’t feel confident in my knowledge on the topic. I can’t help with complex tax questions or legal issues and will most likely send you straight to an expert instead.

Coaching is minimum 1 hour, but we won’t need to talk for that long. Do I lose my remaining time?

You can keep remaining time in credit for up to six months. You can also use that credit towards other services like translation or Telephone Time. Keep in mind that when you book a coaching slot, you will automatically use at least 30 of your 60 minutes.

I’d prefer to meet you in person – is this possible?

It can be hard to pin us down at the Red Tape Translation office because we’re always travelling across town to interpret for people. If you would really prefer to meet in person for a coaching, just ask. If it’s possible, I’ll make it work! We’d meet in Pankow. In-person meetings are not possible for Life Admin.