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Local Germany
01-08-2025
- Climate
- Local Germany
German word of the day: Zugluft
There is something in the air in Germany. Literally. No matter the time of year - whether it's blazing sunshine or snowing - Germans are on high alert for an invisible, possibly deadly force. And that is Zugluft. The German dictionary describes Zugluft as an "unpleasant (usually cold) air movement in buildings". In English it's a draft (or draught in British English). Die Zugluft - pronounced like this - is made up of the words Zug (train) and Luft (air), and it's no laughing matter. It can enter through windows, doors or even... air conditioning systems. Which is perhaps part of why you don't find many AC units in Germany . There are some strong cultural differences when it comes to this concept. While people in the UK or US might barely notice a stream of cold air, in Germany, exposure to Zugluft – also known as Durchzug or Luftzug – is often blamed for a wide range of health issues. Got a runny nose? The flu? That's probably the Zugluft. Muscle aches? Tension? Sore neck? You guessed it - that's the air. READ ALSO: Are Germany's hygiene obsessions really backed by science? You might also hear another common phrase when Germans are talking about streams of cold air. The phrase "es zieht" translates to "there is a draft" or " it's drafty" in English. It literally means "it pulls". A woman lying on her sofa blows her nose. Photo: picture alliance/dpa/CLARK | CLARK We should point out that it's not just Germans who take drafts of air seriously. In many other countries, including elsewhere in Europe, children grow up warned against this force of nature. They are urged to cover their necks and never, for goodness' sake, go out with wet hair. They might have a point to some extent, but science maintains that viruses and bacterial infections cause colds, not drafts of air. Still, that doesn't deter the Germans. There is a ton of advice out there, including in magazines and online, giving tips on how to avoid Zugluft. You can install a Zugluftstopper for your door or thermal curtains, for example. Advertisement Don't Germans love air streams? To make things a bit confusing (for foreigners), the Germans equally love fresh air. The mandatory airing out of rooms (Lüften) is literally written into rental contracts. On winter days when the temperature drops below zero, Germans still require that you fling your windows wide open and air out the room. Regular ventilation of rooms aids air circulation and even became a key focus during the Covid-19 pandemic. Just make sure when you are performing your Lüften duties that you don't stay in the cold air too long. READ ALSO: Why Germans are obsessed with the art of airing out a room Use it like this: Er hatte von der Zugluft im Korridor eine Erkältung bekommen. He caught a cold from the draft in the corridor. Schnell, mach das Fenster zu! Es zieht! Quick, shut the window! There's a draft!
Local Germany
11-06-2025
- Business
- Local Germany
What do I need to include on an invoice in Germany?
It's no secret that freelancing in Germany comes with a number of challenges, and that chief among them are income and tax issues. These can be particularly difficult for new arrivals and foreigners in Germany who may not know how the rules differ here compared to their home country, and have little experience navigating the bureaucracy. If you're new to freelancing in Germany, or still have questions about billing and taxes, here's a look at everything you should include on your invoices. First get a tax number Before you begin invoicing as a freelancer in Germany, you'll need to have a tax number (Steuernummer). Note that this is different from your tax ID number ( Steuerliche Identifikationsnummer or Steuer-IdNr. ), which is assigned to every resident in Germany. If you haven't previously filed taxes in Germany, you probably don't yet have a tax number. To get one, you'll need to submit a "questionnaire for tax collection" ( Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung ) with your local tax office ( Finanzamt ). (To find your local tax office, visit Behördenwegweiser, select Finanzamt , and enter your postcode.) In comparison with other public authorities in Germany, a visit to the Finanzamt can be relatively straightforward -- it's generally possible to visit during office hours and expect to see someone within an hour. Advertisement Once you have your tax number, you're ready to start invoicing. What information do you need to include on an invoice in Germany? In Germany, invoices need to be issued within six months after a service was provided. Also they need to be kept for ten years! The tax office can demand to see invoices dating back a decade to check for irregularities. A recommended best practice is to write your invoices in both German and the language in which you provided the service, where applicable. All invoices need to include the following information: - your name and address - the name and address of the invoicee - the date of invoice - a description of when you provided the service(s) - a description of the service(s) provided and the volume of service(s) provided - your Tax ID Number ( Steuernummer ) - an invoice number (You're free to choose how you want to number invoices, but the tax office seems to prefer a logical sequence such as 2025/001, 2025/002.) - the sales tax rate as well as the net and gross amount if applicable READ ALSO: Do employees in Germany have to declare tax on a side job? A freelancer works on her laptop in a co-working space. Photo: picture alliance/dpa/CLARK | CLARK What to know about VAT In addition to income tax, many freelancers in Germany also have to pay sales tax (or VAT), known as Umsatzsteuer in German. The current rate is 19 percent. In practice, this means quoting your clients the sum you expect to be paid as the net sum ( Netto ), and adding a 19 percent VAT charge. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. Most importantly, freelancers making less than €22,000 in their first year and less than €50,000 in their second year are not required to pay (or charge) VAT. Advertisement Also, you don't always need to include VAT for clients based outside of Germany. The rules here vary from country to country, so you should check what information you need to include on these invoices. For example, invoices bound for the UK are usually okay with a note on the invoice that VAT is not applicable. For the US, the rules are more complicated as tax rates and procedures can vary from state to state. READ ALSO: The planned money and tax changes in Germany in 2025 Useful vocabulary Leistungszeitraum Service period Bezeichnung Description Zwischensumme Netto Subtotal Net Umsatzsteuer Sales tax Gesamt Summe Total Ich bedanke mich für die Beauftragung und erlaube mir die erbrachten Leistungen in Rechnung zu stellen. Thank you for commissioning me for this work. Here is the invoice for services rendered. Ich bitte Sie die Summe innerhalb von 30 Tagen auf das unten genannte Konto zu überweisen Please transfer the total amount to the account specified below within 30 days. READ ALSO: The complete guide to getting a freelance visa in Germany
