Newcomers Guide 2025

Page 1


WELCOME

TO FRANKFURT

I’m delighted to welcome you to our beautiful city of Frankfurt am Main.

In Frankfurt, you can experience the past and the future, as here tradition and modern life are definitely two sides of the same coin. Enjoy being inspired and embark on a voyage of discovery: You’ll find that culture, sports, nature, events, and all manner of festivities await you on your doorstep. Frankfurt is an ultramodern metropolis in the heart of Germany and Europe. Many EU organizations are based here, such as the European Central Bank and the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA). Such institutions and their staff highly appreciated the city’s special international flair. An aspect symbolized by Frankfurt’s city twinning program: It has 18 twin cities on four continents and thus official relationships world-wide. 2025 will see the 10th anniversary of the city twinning with Philadelphia, a marvelous occasion and one also underscored by this year’s country partnership in the “Newcomers Guide”.

Frankfurt is an international city constantly anticipating the pulse of the “Zeitgeist”. It is also a city of contrasts. On the one hand, it boasts a truly impressive skyline, much business muscle and a strongly cosmopolitan feel. On the other, each district of town is a little world all of its own, proud of its local customs and culture. There’s a lot to explore in your new city. And everything is close at hand as even the remotest nooks and crannies can be reached swiftly thanks to the great public transportation network. That said, newcomers to Frankfurt may need a moment to acclimatize themselves to the local cuisine, but believe me, our apple-wine, green sauce and ‘Handkäs’ sour-milk cheese are really worth trying.

So get out and discover Frankfurt for yourself – and feel at home!

NEWCOMERS GUIDE

FRANKFURT

The Rhine-Main region is the beating heart of Germany. It's a global financial hub and a major transportation hub. This modern, multicultural metropolis has a long and eventful history.

FRANKFURT IN NUMBERS

TRAFFIC

Around 81,000 people are employed at Frankfurt airport. It's the biggest employer in Germany and, in terms of population, Frankfurt's smallest residential district.

ZOO

In 2023, almost 750,000 people visited the Frankfurt Zoo, making it one of the most popular zoos in Germany.

FOOTBALL

In the 2024/25 season, the Eintracht Frankfurt football team has 28 players from 16 different countries, which is pretty multicultural!

HISTORY

Between 1562 and 1792, ten Emperors were crowned at the coronation altar in the Imperial cathedral.

SKYLINE

Frankfurt is home to 18 of the 20 tallest skyscrapers in Germany.

FESTIVALS

The Museumsuferfest is one of Europe's biggest festivals. On average, around 400,000 visitors come every day, which is as many as attend Oktoberfest in Munich.

SHOPPING

Frankfurt's pedestrian shopping street, the Zeil, is one of the most popular shopping streets in Germany.

TRANSPORT

Frankfurt's central station opened on 18/08/1888. The first train left the station at 4.47 a.m.

SPORTS

The J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge Run in Frankfurt, with around 60,000 runners, has the largest number of participants in the world.

FINANCIAL CENTRE

There are 66,100 bank employees working at 280 banks and financial institutions in Frankfurt.

WIESBADEN

The capital of the State of Hessen and a long-standing spa town. It's located between the Rhine River and the Taunus hills. There are lots of old townhouses and villas, not to mention expansive parks, glorious boulevards and the Schierstein harbour on the Rhine.

WIESBADEN & RHEINGAU IN NUMBERS

FUNICULAR RAILWAY

The Nerobergbahn in Wiesbaden is the last mountain railway of its kind in Germany. It was opened in 1888 and is driven by waterpower.

SPORTS

Every August, the world's top biathlon athletes come together for a shooting competition in front of the Wiesbaden Kurhaus. After that, they race through the city centre on rollerskis.

BUILDINGS

The oldest stone house in Germany is located in the Rheingau village of Oestrich-Winkel. It is thought that the "Graues Haus" was built around 1075.

FESTIVAL

The Rheingau Music Festival is held in some pretty amazing locations. Since 1987, international stars and talented young classical musicians have performed almost 150 concerts each season at more than 25 venues.

WINE

Schloss Johannisberg was the first vineyard in the world to grow Riesling grapes. Wine has been made here since 1200, and Riesling since 1720.

UNIVERSITY

The 1,587 students at Hochschule Geisenheim University mainly study viticulture, oenology and the wine industry.

TOURIST MAGNET

The Rüdesheimer Drosselgasse is just two metres wide, but it's visited by around 3 million people each year, who come for the wine merchants or souvenirs.

FILM SET

When the movie "The Name of the Rose" was filmed at Kloster Eberbach monastery, Sean Connery was served wine from the year of his birth in 1935. He didn't finish it – it was "too sour" – and chose to drink whisky instead.

DARMSTADT

The city is in southern Hessen and is a major scientific hub, with a University of Technology, three other higher education establishments and over 30 scientific institutes. It is also known for its Jugendstil architecture, particularly the Mathildenhöhe.

DARMSTADT & ODENWALD IN NUMBERS

ART NOUVEAU

You can also combine a visit to the newly listed Art Nouveau World Heritage Site with a swim. Darmstadt's Art Nouveau-style public baths were built between 1907 and 1909 and have two indoor swimming pools.

RESEARCH

Darmstadt is the only city in Germany and one of only seven cities worldwide that has a chemical element named after it. It's the 110th element, called Darmstadtium (Ds).

LIVING

Friedensreich Hundertwasser designed the Waldspirale, or 'forest spiral', in Darmstadt with the same number of trees as residents in the 105 apartments.

CRAFT

In a bit of a miracle, the statue of Count Franz I zu Erbach-Erbach fell from its plinth in 2005 and broke. The Count once brought ivory to Erbach, which was exhibited at the German Ivory Museum.

TOWN HALL

If you split the two '8s' in Gothic characters, you'll see the year Michelstadt's town hall was built. The building was put together by some unknown master builders in 1484.

WORLD HERITAGE

The Messel Pit has revealed tens of thousands of fossils from the Eocene period, while around 3,000 new finds emerge every year from the volcanic lake.

LEISURE

You can reach speeds of up to 40 kilometres an hour on the summer toboggan run on Kreidacher Höhe, which is 1,000 metres long.

BAD HOMBURG

The mountains offer some stunning views and are home to lovely towns like Bad Homburg (Old Spa), Kronberg (the Opel Zoo) and Königstein (castle).

BAD HOMBURG & TAUNUS IN NUMBERS

CASTLE

Victoria Empress Frederick, Queen of Prussia and daughter of Britain's Queen Victoria, settled in Friedrichshof Palace. The Schlosshotel Kronberg has an impressive park with a valuable collection of trees.

SPORTS

Bad Homburg is where golf in Germany got its start. The first German golf club was set up here between 1889 and 1891.

HISTORY

The Saalburg is the only Roman fort in the world that has been fully reconstructed. Kaiser Wilhelm II came up with the idea back in 1897.

FELDBERG

The Feldberg races were a legendary event in the Taunus between 1904 and 1954. They attracted hundreds of thousands of car and motorcycle enthusiasts to the challenging, winding roads.

OPEN-AIR MUSEUM

In just a few hours, you can take a journey through four centuries at the Hessenpark. There you'll find more than 100 original buildings from the 17th century to the 1980s.

NATURE

The Taunus Nature Park is the only one in Germany that's connected to a city centre (Frankfurt) via a subway line.

ZOO

The Opel Zoo has come a long way since it first opened in 1955 with just three elephants. It now houses around 1,700 animals and 200 species.

SPRINGS

There used to be more than twenty mineral and medicinal springs in Bad Vilbel.

PARK

The Main-Taunus Arboretum has different forest formations from all over the world, including Central Europe, Asia Minor, Japan, the Himalayas, China and North America.

THE REGION IS

THE CITY

W here to live in F rank F urt r hine - m ain

Frankfurt Rhine-Main is a cosmopolitan and diverse area with lots to offer, whether you're interested in arts and architecture, history and hospitality, parks and playgrounds, or anything else. There's so much to discover.

The Frankfurt Rhine-Main region is one of the most powerful economic regions in Germany and, indeed, in the whole of Europe. Frankfurt Rhine-Main is right in the centre of Germany and at the heart of Europe. It's not just Frankfurt, and there's a lot more to the region than finance and trade fairs. The region is a real mix of towns and municipalities, and together they make up the Metropolitan Region Frankfurt Rhine-Main, which has around 5.9 million inhabitants. There are lots of successful international companies here, especially in the automotive sector in Eschborn and the pharmaceutical sector in Höchst and Darmstadt. There are also some really successful local companies that are global leaders in their field, particu-

larly in Hanau, the Main-Kinzig-Kreis and the Wetterau-Kreis. There are also some great creative industries in Mainz and Offenbach, and Darmstadt is home to the European Space Operations Centre. Frankfurt airport is one of the busiest in the world.

Frankfurt Rhine-Main is also a very international place with a very high standard of living. Our region is a real melting pot, with lots of international clubs and communities. People from 180 different countries live here, either in the big cities or in towns in the countryside, which is one of the region's unique features. No matter where you are, you've got the best of both worlds and everything you need is close by, no matter how you get around.

Frankfurt Rhine-Main is a very green area. The region is surrounded by the hills of the Taunus and Vogelsberg to the north and the Odenwald and Spessart to the south. It has a lot to offer, including interesting hiking and cycling trails, beautiful lakes and the Main river, which flows through some of the main cities and towns in the region.

Frankfurt Rhine-Main has a rich history. You can still see a few relics from the Romans in Frankfurt, Mainz and Saalburg, and even the Celts left their mark in Glauburg and the Taunus. Many towns in the region have half-timbered houses that date back to the 14th century, and the centre of Wiesbaden has kept its old spa town charm, along with various other spa towns in the region. You can see the Frankfurt skyline, known as 'Mainhattan', from many towns and viewing points in the surrounding areas. In the Frankfurt Rhine-Main region, you'll find a mix of old and new. The region has kept its historic character while still looking to the future. The region is home to many renowned universities and research institutes, and Frankfurt am Main is home to the world's largest internet exchange point.

In the summer, Frankfurt Rhine-Main is alive with music festivals and wine fests all over the region. Highlights include the Rheingauer Festspiele, the Museumsuferfest along the Main in Frankfurt, the Hochheimer Weinfest and the Jazz Festival in Idstein.

Whatever you're looking for, you'll find it in the region, which is what makes Frankfurt Rhine-Main so special. Frankfurt ben-

efits from the many opportunities available in the other cities, towns and municipalities in the region. One thing they all have in common is Apfelwein, the traditional regional drink made from apples. It dates back to the Middle Ages. It's still one of

“In a city like Frankfurt one finds oneself in a strange situation, strangers crossing each other point to all corners of the world and awaken the desire to travel.”
JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE, POETRY AND TRUTH IV, 18

the most popular drinks in the region and is often one of the first specialities that newcomers to the area try. Whether you're in the Odenwald, Offenbach or Frankfurt-Sachsenhausen, the Taunus, the Wetterau or Wiesbaden, make sure you try this very unique regional specialty!

Text: Rouven Kötter

(Deputy Director, Frankfurt Rhine-Main Regional Authority)

FRANKFURT RHINE-MAIN IS A LOT MORE THAN FRANKFURT

The Frankfurt Rhine-Main region has over 460 towns and cities and a population of 5.9 million. Each town has its own history and cultural heritage, and together they make the region really vibrant and diverse.

The Frankfurt Rhine-Main region is definitely a cosmopolitan place, but it's also got a strong sense of heritage and history. Frankfurt is a big city, but there are also lots of forests and hills in the surrounding area. The towns, cities and villages in the Frankfurt Rhine-Main region have their own

unique cultural offerings, schools and universities, sports, shopping and architecture. When you look at the region as a whole, you'll see that it offers the perfect balance of work and leisure, making it an excellent place to live.

The region is made up of hundreds of municipalities, each with its own proud local history. Over the centuries, the region has developed into a rich and diverse tapestry, offering something for everyone.

FRANKFURT

It's becoming more and more popular with newcomers to the Frankfurt Rhine-Main region to live in Frankfurt. If you're looking for convenience, a short distance to the office, and great bistros and restaurants around the corner, then Frankfurt is the right choice for you. The most popular places to live are Westend, the Diplomatenviertel, the Holzhausenviertel, parts of Sachsenhausen and the Dichterviertel. There are other areas that are just as good to think about, like Nordend, Bornheim and Bockenheim. These areas are more affordable, but they have a similar unique character. If you're thinking of moving to Frankfurt, you'll probably have to go for an apartment rather than a house.

Frankfurt is the biggest city in the region and a real melting pot of cultures, languages and lifestyles. It's the impressive skyline that grabs the attention of newcomers first. Frankfurt's high-rise buildings remind people of Manhattan, which is why some locals call the city "Mainhattan". The modern skyline is made up of several high-rise buildings that are more than 200 metres high, including one of Europe's tallest skyscrapers, the 259-metre Commerzbank Tower. Even though the city has some impressive glass facades, a major international airport and a very busy main railway station, Frankfurt's population of 770,000 makes it one of Europe's most manageable metropolitan cities.

reiner Genuss Der

Frankfurt is Germany's most cosmopolitan city. Over a quarter of the population is made up of foreigners, and the city is open-minded, tolerant and diverse. Frankfurt is somewhere newcomers can settle in quickly and feel at home. After all, people from around 180 different countries live here. It's also Germany's top city for international professionals, with 170 foreign banks, 86 international airlines, 85 consulates, and 59 foreign chambers of commerce or trade missions based here. As it happens, there are more than 3,000 foreign companies

based in Frankfurt and the surrounding area. It's the base for the European Central Bank and home to Deutsche Börse, the German Stock Exchange. That makes it one of the world's top centres for finance and commerce. And that status is likely to grow even more in the post-Brexit world of Europe.

Frankfurt has a rich and diverse cultural scene. The city is home to lots of world-famous museums, many of which are lined up along the North and South Main River embankment like pearls on a string. There's also a really vibrant art scene. There's also a great choice of restaurants, wine bars, bistros and beer gardens. On warm summer evenings, people head to the riverbanks to enjoy a cool beer, cider or even a spritz on one of the tavern boats.

FRANKFURT’S DISTRICTS

The well-off Sachsenhausen district, known locally as Dribbdebach or 'the other side of the stream', is known for its pretty cobbled streets lined with stylish restaurants, pubs and cider taverns, not to mention the museums on this side of the river embankment. Alt-Sachsenhausen is often the first tourist stop in Frankfurt. It's a lively place once the sun goes down, so it's worth being aware of that. Schweizerstrasse is the main shopping street and it offers a great mix of boutiques, cafés and eateries. Apartment rental prices in Sachsenhausen are high, but many are willing to pay more for the stylish old flats in this leafy neighbourhood.

ADVERTORIAL

Welcome to Oberursel, the gateway to the Taunus

region. With a population of around 47,000, Oberursel is situated on the southern slopes of the Taunus, just a few kilometers from the metropolis of Frankfurt am Main. You can reach green oases from anywhere in the city in just ten minutes on foot. A lively cultural, sports and club life as well as a high quality of life make Oberursel particularly attractive for families. Oberursel offers an excellent infrastructure and well-developed public transportation. As an important educational location in the Hochtaunus district, Oberursel has 23 schools. Renowned institutions such as the Frankfurt International School and the Swiss International School complement the wide range of educational opportunities. The town is characterized by its cosmopolitanism and tolerance. With people from 137 nations, Oberursel is a melting pot of cultures. The Korean community is the largest group with over 900 inhabitants. Numerous international companies and institutions are based here. Business development is a top priority in Oberursel. Companies benefit from comprehensive

support. Whether you are looking for retail, office, warehouse or commercial space, we can provide you with information and advice on specific space offers.

CONTACT

Your contact person at the city of Oberursel (Taunus) Head of Business Development

Ulrike Böhme

Tel + 49 6171 502250

e-mail ulrike.boehme@oberursel.de www.oberursel.de www.heimvorteil-oberursel.de

Oberursel is the modern gateway to the Taunus Nature Park with its charming combination of regional quality of life and international lifestyle in the Rhine-Main metropolitan
A

great place to work and enjoy life

Vibrant Eschborn

Our city offers a wide range of leisure activities that make life here so pleasant. The charming surroundings and the internationality of the inhabitants from 120 different nations characterise the city. The excellent connections to the River Main, the Taunus and the FrankfurtRhineMain metropolitan region make Eschborn a place worth living in and explain why global players as well as local businesses feel at home in our city.

Discover what a smart city has to offer and enjoy the culture and social life in Eschborn. We‘re looking forward to meeting you!

Visit our website and learn more about Eschborn!

Kaiser-Friedrich-Therme, Bad Homburg

2 024

Stadtführungen in Idstein

Samstag 12.00 Uhr / Sonn- & Feiertag 15.00 Uhr

Erleben Sie die vielfältigen Facetten von Idstein und entdecken Sie die bewegte Geschichte von den Anfängen bis heute.

• Altstadt Idstein – Geschichte und Geschichten

• Idstein einmal anders

• Fachwerk in Idstein

• Türmerführungen ab 18 Uhr

• Idsteiner Schloss

• Damengesellschaft

• Altstadt für Kinder

• Hexenturmführung

• Fotowalk durch Idstein

• Unterwegs mit den Gartenweibern

Die Termine und weitere Informationen zum offenen Führungsangebot gibt es auf der Homepage der Stadt Idstein www.idstein.de oder in der Tourist-Info Tel. 06126 78-620 tourist-info@idstein.de

Führungen zu Ihrem Wunschtermin nach Absprache möglich.

Wir sehen uns in Idstein!

Bornheim, which is northeast of the city center, was nicknamed the "jolly village" in the 19th century because it was home to many inns and brothels. Today, the central shopping street and the district's main road, Berger Strasse, is a lively, cosmopolitan road with boutiques, bric-a-brac shops, cafes, and department stores on either side. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, there are markets in the pedestrian zone, namely Am Uhrtürmchen square. Apartment rental prices are more reasonable than in Sachsenhausen, and many young professionals, university students and families live in Bornheim.

Nordend is a popular area with young professionals who appreciate its diversity and cosmopolitan atmosphere, including its arthouse cinema and numerous bars and cafés. This district is also known for its mix of stores and restaurants, its Günthersburgpark, which is great for BBQs and concerts in the summer, and the more stately Holzhausenpark that marks its border with Westend.

Westend is seen as Frankfurt's most exclusive address. A lot of business professionals choose to live in the high-end apartments here and then walk to work in Frankfurt's central banking district. Student protests in 1968-70 saved many of the turn-of-the-century villas from demolition, so Westend is now a mix of high-rises and mansions that house apartments. Westend is also home to Grüneburgpark, a huge park perfect for jogging, sports and picnics, as well as the Palmengarten, the municipal botanical garden with an amazing collection of plant specimens. There are also lots of foreign consulates tucked away between the attractive villas.

Bockenheim is a slightly cheaper version of Nordend and was once the student district in Frankfurt. Leipziger Strasse is the main drag in the area, with lots of shops, international cuisine, ice cream shops, and other attractions. The district is known for its multicultural atmosphere and urban feel.

THE TAUNUS FOOTHILLS

The Taunus foothills are often called "Frankfurt's living room," which is fitting since so many people choose to live in the green world of the Taunus foothills and commute in and out of Frankfurt. The area is full of lovely towns, many of which have great restaurants, fascinating historical exhibits, and fun leisure activities. Over the last 50-odd years, the area has gone from a series of sleepy farming villages to prosperous centres, each with its own identity. The biggest community in the Taunus is Bad Homburg, with around 55,000 residents. Other prime locations include Königstein, Kronberg, Hofheim and Oberursel.

Bad Homburg

Bad Homburg is the most important town in the Hochtaunus district, and it's located at the top of the plain leading to the Taunus hills. Bad Homburg has a long and fascinating history, going back to the Roman Empire. In the mid-1800s, it developed into an internationally renowned spa town. A stroll through the Spa Park will give guests a taste of the elegance of the bygone era. You can also see the famous spring waters, the Russian Chapel, the Thai Temple and the renowned Bad Homburg Casino. There's plenty to do in the surrounding woods, from hiking and tennis to golf and horseback riding, or you can just relax at one of the many spas. There are two bilingual schools nearby: Accadis International School is right in Bad Homburg, and the new King's College Frankfurt is in nearby Friedrichsdorf.

Königstein

Königstein is situated at the foot of Feldberg, the highest peak in the Taunus range. Depending on where you're based, Königstein sits between 200 and 700 metres above sea level. Königstein is seen as one of the most exclusive places in the Taunus area, and it's home to many of Frankfurt's bankers. Königstein Castle, which was first built in 1215, looms over the old core village. It was partially destroyed by French troops in 1796. These days, the castle is used for concerts and other cultural events. Other smaller communities that have been incorporated into Königstein include Falkenstein, Mammolshain and Schneidhain.

Kronberg

The jewel in Kronberg's crown is the Schlosshotel, which was built by Empress Victoria, the eldest child of Queen Victoria of England and wife of Kaiser Frederick, the heir to the Prussian throne. These days, the Schlosshotel is one of the best hotels in the area. The restaurant is a firm favourite with locals and visitors alike. Kronberg is seen as one of the area's most exclusive and expensive communities. The town has great public transport links to Frankfurt, with the LRT taking you there in just 25 minutes. As you might expect, it's a popular choice for the upper echelons of the international community.

Königstein, Taunus

Business, next level

Whether quality of life, culture, economic performance or sustainability: In many international rankings, the Frankfurt RheinMain region is right at the top – and rightfully so. Opportunities across the cities and towns in our region are endless. Discover these top locations with us. If your company is planning to expand into our region we will assist you through every phase of the set-up process. With outstanding commitment from our team of experts.

FrankfurtRheinMain GmbH International Marketing of the Region is the official point of contact for companies looking to set up an operation in the Frankfurt RheinMain region.

frm-united.com

International flair meets tradition

With its position in the east of the Main-Taunus district and bordering directly on Frankfurt to the south, Eschborn lies at the heart of the Rhine-Main region.

Eschborn was once a small village in front of the Taunus hills. From the 1960s onwards, important business enterprises settled here, bringing prosperity and growth to the town. Today the city is one of the most attractive business locations in the whole of Germany. The five business parks are home to more than 4,000 national and international companies, including Akbank AG, Deutsche Börse, Unielektro, GIZ, BAFA and soon the German headquarters of Samsung Electronics.

Nevertheless, the city has preserved its historical charm. Green spaces and paths along the small river Westerbach invite visitors and locals to go for a walk or a bike ride. Enjoy the art at the sculpture park in the district of Niederhöchstadt or take a break at the Alte Mühle (Old Mill) which will house a restaurant and event rooms from early 2025.

Whether it is music, sports or the preservation of traditions - Eschborn prides itself on a vibrant social life that is carried by very active clubs and associations. The public swimming pool is currently being expanded to include a new indoor swimming pool with eight 50-metre lanes suitable for competitions.

CONTACT

info@eschborn.de

eschborn.de

Hofheim

Hofheim is quickly becoming one of the top communities in the Main Taunus region. Hofheim is situated midway between Frankfurt and Wiesbaden, and its population is growing steadily, with around 41,000 residents. Hofheim might not have a castle like Königstein, but it has a lovely old town with half-timbered houses, lots of street cafés and some cute shops. There's a regular LRT connection to Frankfurt, and lots more international families are moving here because of the International School Frankfurt in nearby Sindlingen. Hofheim also has some great leisure activities on offer, including the thermal spa park and the Hof Hausen Golf Club.

Oberursel

Oberursel is the second largest town in the Hochtaunus district, with around 48,000 residents. Oberursel isn't as exclusive as some of the other Taunus communities, but it still has its fair share of restored half-timbered houses in the historic centre. One of the benefits of living in Oberursel is that it's home to the Frankfurt International School. A lot of parents opt to live close to FIS, which saves on commuting time and also lets their kids make the most of the extra-curricular activities at the school.

Idstein

Idstein is a lovely town of cobblestone streets and half-timbered houses with 28,000 residents located just off the A3 Autobahn between Limburg and Wiesbaden. Idstein, former home of the Nassau royalty, has plenty to offer day-trippers, including the medieval Hexenturm, the ruins of old Roman fortifications and the ornate interior of the Unionskirche. If you're into golf, you should check out the 36-hole Golfpark in Idstein, which has one of the best deals on club memberships in the area. Idstein also plays host to an annual jazz festival, which attracts thousands of visitors.

OTHER MAJOR CITIES

Wiesbaden

There are also some other major cities: Wiesbaden is sometimes called the 'Nice of the North', and with good reason. It has lots of grand buildings, a historic Kurhaus, a famous Casino and a magnificent State Theatre. Wiesbaden has been known as a great spa city for a long time. But it was in the mid-1800s that the city really made a name for itself as an international and cosmopolitan spa destination. At the time, J. W. von Goethe, Johannes Brahms and Fyodor Dostoyevsky, as well as various royal families, were regular visitors to Wiesbaden. Wiesbaden is known for its stylish hotels, its 26 hot springs and its mild climate and park-like setting. These factors continue to make it a popular resort and conference centre, attracting visitors from far and wide. Wiesbaden is also the capital of the state of Hesse, so it's home to lots of government offices.

Wiesbaden is inextricably linked with the Rhine River and wine. There are lots of producers of German sparkling wine (Sekt) located in and around Wiesbaden. There are also some great wines and food in the Rhinegau wine-growing region

Tourist-Information der Stadt Büdingen

Marktplatz 9 · 63654 Büdingen

06042 96370

mail@buedingen.info · www.buedingen.info

Mathildenhoehe, Darmstadt

FIND IT IN FRM –LIVING

Finding accommodation in larger towns and cities can be quite challenging. In the smaller towns and the countryside, it tends to be more affordable. Whatever you decide on, you should be able to find something to suit your taste. The public transport network in the region is well-developed and it generally does not take long to get from one place to another, so it is worth considering all options. After you have applied for an apartment, we recommend that you take all of the required documents to a viewing to give you a head start over other applicants. On our website we have a list of the most common abbreviations found in housing advertisements, so hopefully this will help to get you started!

www.find-it-in-frm.de/en

nearby. Every summer, the Rhinegau music festival puts on some amazing shows against the backdrop of the ancient vineyards.

One of the main attractions in Wiesbaden is the Kurhaus, an elegant concert hall and congress centre set in a beautiful park. If you're looking for shopping, you can head to the antiques quarter, the elegant retail arcades or the boutiques along Wilhelmstrasse. In the historic city centre, you can take a leisurely stroll along the cobblestone streets, where you'll find small shops and boutiques nestled between half-timbered houses.

Darmstadt

Frankfurt Rhine-Main has a royal lineage that starts in Darmstadt, which is just south of Frankfurt. This is where Queen Victoria's grandson, the Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig of Hessen, married his second wife, Eleanor, in 1905. To mark the occasion, the city gave the couple the 48-metre-high Wedding Tower (Hochzeitsturm) as a gift. The tower is the highlight of the Mathildenhöhe, which is where the German Art Nouveau movement got its start. Today, Darmstadt is home to many international families. The city is home to the European Space Agency and the international pharmaceutical and chemical giant Merck. There's also a state-funded international school in nearby Seeheim-Jugenheim (www. schuldorf.de). The quality of life in Darmstadt is enhanced by the many leisure activities in the surrounding areas. The Odenwald, with its gently rolling mountains, is a popular

A warm welcome to the district of Offenbach

Diversified, creative and close to nature: Made up of 13 municipalities, the district of Offenbach offers locals and visitors a vast cultural and recreational programme held in the pulsating metropolitan region of FrankfurtRhineMain. Those in need of a break have many options available to them, like a leisurely stroll along the River Main or an evening at a rustic apple wine pub. And if even that is too much activity for you, then simply take some rest in one of the many beautiful oases of green, for example the ´Mühlheimer Steinbrüche` or the `Langener Waldsee`. Seligenstadt with narrow streets affected by half-timber, pitoresque corners and impressive monuments invite the visitors to a historical expedition.

Dreieich with five very different districts offers a variety of cultural monuments. The most recently built of all districts, Buchschlag, with its garden city like housing estates from the early 20th century is exceptional. The “Villenkolonie Buchschlag” (colony of mansion houses) is characterised in part by outstanding cultural monuments. The district Dreieichenhain is member of the “Fachwerkstrasse” (Half-timber road). The old town together with the medieval castle area

are listed monuments and marked by their historic franconian half-timber houses within the former city walls. The visitor experiences, whether he enters the beautiful half-timber ensemble via the upper or lower gate, a memorable voyage into the past.

The residential town Heusenstamm was mentioned for the first time in 1211. Passing through the Baroque-red town gate which today is the home of the museum of local history, you arrive directly in Heusenstamm’s idyllic old town at the Baroque square in front of the church St. Cäcilia. St. Cäcilia was built between 1739 and 1744 by Balthasar Neumann. Its architectural predominance is highlighted by the surrounding buildings. Leaving the square the Schlossstrasse with its gable fronted houses - former farmhouses (Hofreiten) - leads to the castle. The castle Schönborn (1663-1668), an impressive building from the Renaissance with a grand Baroque garden, today accommodates part of the city council. Walking through the castle’s main entrance the visitor arrives at the ruin of the former water castle (from 1211).

The old town of Seligenstadt within its former fortification is listed and takes the visitor on a fas-

cinating journey to experience its over 1100 year old history. Highlights of the Einhard-City Seligenstadt are the monastery, founded in 1828, the Einhard-Basilica, sanctified in 1840 and thus oldest church in the Kreis Offenbach as well as the Kaiserpfalz from the era of the Staufen. Many carefully restored architectural treasures characterise the old-franconian half-timber town by the river Main. The historic market square impresses with its precious and fully preserved houses to which in comparison the “new” town hall from 1823 appears almost modern. The so-called “Einhardhaus” built in 1596 catches the visitor’s attention with its broad gable façade, the rich half-timber ornaments and the Rhenish oriel which is decorated with wonderful wood carvings. Despite the surrounding monastery walls the visitor looking left onto the Freihof-square has a wonderful view over the entire monastery of the former Benedictine abbey and the towers of the Einhard-Basilica. Fascinating are also the Baroque garden of the monastery, a demonstration of the restored mill and the historically important Einhard-Basilica, which was built in 1830 Carolingian era by Einhard, the chancellor of Charlemagne.

CONTACT

Kreis Offenbach

Werner-Hilpert-Straße 1 63128 Dietzenbach www.kreis-offenbach.de www.standortplus.de

weekend getaway. And the Bergstrasse, one of Germany's most pleasant wine-growing regions, offers many wine festivals and culinary delights.

Offenbach

Offenbach's great thing is that it's right on Frankfurt's doorstep but still has its own identity. The LRT and trams will take you straight to Frankfurt's city centre, unless you work in one of the creative industries based in Offenbach. Offenbach used to be the centre of the German leather industry, and you can still see the remnants of this industrial past all over the city. The city has the greatest diversity of nationalities among its inhabitants of any German city. The new harbour district along the Main River is making Offenbach more and more trendy, especially for young families who can't afford to live in Frankfurt. Apartment rents in Offenbach are lower than in neighbouring Frankfurt, but the older, stylish apartments with high ceilings are now getting pricier.

Bad Vilbel

Bad Vilbel is located on the northern border of Frankfurt. It's well known for its mineral waters and spa park on the banks of the Nidda River. With a population of 36,000, it's the largest city in the Wetterau region and has become a popular place to live, thanks to good transport links to Frankfurt by car and LRT. In the summer, Bad Vilbel puts on

Become a part of our network!

“Three Wins”: Rüsselsheim | Raunheim | Kelsterbach

The cities of the "Three Wins" network (Drei Gewinnt) - Rüsselsheim am Main, Raunheim and Kelsterbach - whose inhabitants hail from more than 120 nations, are not only cities for working, but also for living. In the heart of the so-called FrankfurtRhineMain region and in the immediate vicinity of Frankfurt Airport, extensive green spaces, alluring tourist attractions,

and sports facilities offer a varied range of leisure activities with something for every taste. A large number of hotels and restaurants complete the profile.

The region has a lot to offer culturally: Castles, palaces, Unesco World Heritage sites, as well as picturesque landscapes, museums and cultural institutions, including many of world renown, fascinate visitors from all over the world. Cities steeped in history such as Heidelberg, Rüdesheim or elegant spa towns such as Bad Homburg are grouped around "Three Wins". The romantic landscapes along the Rhine and Main as well as the forests in Taunus, Vogelsberg and Spessart also offer numerous opportunities for delightful excursions.

Here at "Three Wins" we will support you and your families from the very beginning, for example with administrative tasks, and will be available to help you out as a reliable contact partner and guide. We can provide useful information for you and arrange whatever contacts you need.

CONTACT

CITY OF RÜSSELSHEIM

Claudia C. Gotz claudia.gotz@ruesselsheim.de +49 61 42 – 83 2040 www.ruesselsheim.de

CITY OF RAUNHEIM

Iva Vaasen i.vaasen@raunheim.de +49 61 42 – 402 293 www.raunheim.de

CITY OF KELSTERBACH

Anja Warnecke-Bi a.warnecke-bi@kelsterbach.de +49 61 07 – 773 361 www.kelsterbach.de

Offenbach, new harbor district along the Main River

Just half an hour east of Frankfurt you cross the Bavarian border and enter the beautiful countryside of Churfranken, one of Germany’s most romantic regions. Small villages with half-timbered houses, the picturesque town of Miltenberg with the oldest guesthouse in the country, steep vineyards with fantastic views, award-winning food, wines, beers and spirits as well as warmhearted, authentic people ensure outstanding hospitality. No matter if you explore Churfranken on a hike in the Spessart or Odenwald forest, on a scenic bikeride along the Main river or relaxing on a river cruise – it perfectly balances out a week of hard work in the city.

www.miltenberg.info | www.churfranken.de

FrankfurtRheinMain International Office

Welcoming Skilled Workers to the FrankfurtRheinMain Region

The

FrankfurtRheinMain International Office

Are you looking for Germany’s best place? We are convinced that you can find it in FrankfurtRheinMain!

The FrankfurtRheinMain (FRM) region is unique. It has a strong economy with great job prospects. It offers great quality of life as well as cultural diversity and short travelling distances within the region. It is also very international and one of the best places to live and work in Germany. Whatever you are looking for, you can find it in FrankfurtRheinMain.

The FrankfurtRheinMain International Office welcomes skilled workers from abroad to the region. It is a central point of contact which provides initial advice and support on living and working in FRM. Our team supports you before and after you arrive, and refers you to suitable contacts and services in the region.

Find it in FRM

Our information portal, www.find-it-in-frm.de/ en, provides a comprehensive overview of these services and of everything you need to know for your first steps here, whether you are planning from abroad or have just arrived in the region. You will find useful information and practical tips

in English and German on a wide range of topics such as entry requirements, language courses, vocational training, finding a job and healthcare, as well as a list of abbreviations found in housing adverts. There is also some information for families on childcare and schools, as well as on activities and international communities.

In addition, you will find links to relevant local authorities and websites, such as the Federal Employment Agency or the Chamber of Commerce. On our interactive map you can look for various services such as advisory services, international and bilingual schools and childcare, German courses and consulates.

Roadmaps

Our website is complemented by our roadmaps, which are compact, informative guides with useful tips on living and working in FRM. They are available in print or online, and contain numerous links to relevant services, many of which are available in English or other languages. There is also information on learning German including online courses, as well as on looking for work or vocational training and degree courses, with a list of the universities and colleges in the region. In addition, you can find information on health insurance, emergency

numbers, registering your address with the local authorities, and there is also a list of international and bilingual schools.

If you would like to discover the region, you will find links to various websites for outdoor activities such as hiking and cycling, as well as activities for the whole family. There are also links to museums, art galleries, theatre and international communities.

Our Team

Our team at the FrankfurtRheinMain International Office is happy to help with advice and support.

Amanda Ife is responsible for enquiries, communications and external relations. Originally from Ireland, she is our English native speaker, and knows first-hand the initial steps that new arrivals have to take before they can settle in. Amanda speaks English, German, French and Modern Greek.

Sarina Heer is responsible for communications and social media. On our social media channels, we give information on first steps, relevant news and living in Germany, as well as showing the diversity and beauty of our region. Sarina speaks German, English and Spanish.

Our service and products are provided by the FrankfurtRheinMain Regional Authority and are free of charge. The FrankfurtRheinMain International Office is co-funded by the Frankfurt Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

If you would like some roadmaps for yourself or your company, please get in touch!

CONTACT

FrankfurtRheinMain International Office c/o Regionalverband FrankfurtRheinMain Poststraße 16 | 60329 Frankfurt am Main

+49 (0) 69 2577 2577

contact@find-it-in-frm.de www.find-it-in-frm.de/en www.facebook.com/finditinfrm

Our opening hours can be found on our website.

an annual summer theatre festival (Burgfestspiele) against the backdrop of the ruins of its moated castle. The bilingual European School Rhine-Main, which is fully accredited by the EU, has around 1,700 students and is located in the Bad Vilbel suburb of Dortelweil.

Hanau

The place where the Grimm brothers, Jakob and Wilhelm, were born, Hanau is located on the northern banks of the Main River, just 20 km east of Frankfurt. Hanau is one of the areas where the Huguenots settled in the 17th century, and you can see the French influence in the gardens of the Philippsruhe Castle, which is one of the first examples of Versailles' influence in Germany. Just a short distance away on the park promenade is Wilhelmsbad, a huge leisure park that dates back to the 18th century. A lot of Hanau was destroyed during World War II, so many of the buildings are actually new. Indeed, many US military personnel were stationed here in barracks that have since been transformed into green housing estates. There's a great selection of shops in Hanau, with all the major chains as well as some lovely boutiques, restaurants and cafés. You've got to see the theatrical presentations of Grimm's fairy tales (Märchenfestspiele) performed every spring/summer at the amphitheatre next to the Philippsruhe Castle park.

In Neu-Isenburg, everything comes together to create the perfect balance between work and life. Imagine abundant green spaces, modern neighborhoods, and excellent connectivity – all designed to make you feel at home. Entrepreneurs and employees alike are drawn to our city for its unique blend of tradition and modernity, international flair, and vibrant dining scene. Neu-Isenburg stands out as a premier business location with unparalleled work-life quality.

Neu-Isenburg. Where business thrives. Discover more at neu-isenburg.de/wirtschaft

Schloss Philippsruhe, Hanau

RICK ENDERS

Rick Enders is the Multi Property General Manager at the Frankfurt Marriott Airport Hotel and Sheraton Frankfurt Airport Hotel & Conference Center. Born and raised in the Netherlands, he has been with Marriott International for over 35 years, and yes, that does make him feel a bit like the “Dutch Uncle” of the hotel industry. Rick’s journey started in 1988 at the Bethesda Marriott in the USA, right after he learned to bake bread in Rotterdam. He has managed properties all over the globe, from Cairo to Shanghai, Zurich to Doha, with a brief pit stop in Budapest. Now, Rick is thrilled to be in Frankfurt, bringing his global experience – and his family – back to Germany. When Rick Enders is not running hotels, you might find him on a bike, a golf course, or even a sailboat, trying not to fall overboard. He is looking forward to making your stay unforgettable.

IN RHINE-MAIN SINCE 2023

Heimat (Home) means:

Since I bought a beautiful Finca in the South of Spain together with my wife we consider that now as “Heimat”, while raising our daughter “Heimat” was were we were living at that stage, we believe “Heimat” is were ever you feel comfortable and being included in the society.

A thing I brought from home, which I’d never have left behind:

Getting married in Holland we received as a gift the “original” wooden shoes, they have travelled with us the last 27 years all over the world and they had a prominent place in the living room.

My favorite dish, food, sweet – home or Germany: I love to BBQ and what I truly like is a Tomahawk steak grilled to perfection and shared with great company and some adult beverages.

The most exotic place in the world I’ve ever been to: My parents used to live in Malaysia which was a true exotic experience every time I used to visit them.

My first day here …

My first day here was overwhelming, a massive building with two premium brands merged into one hotel, walked the hotel and greeted many associates to introduce myself as being the new General Manager.

A secret about me:

A strange habit I have is that I always want to sit in a restaurant facing the action and guests, even when it is not in the hotel I work at that moment, my wife “forces” me to sit the other way so that she knows that I don’t check / analyze the service etc.

MY TOP 3 FRANKFURT RHINE-MAIN TIPS

1 / at the hotel, I love my work and like to be surrounded by our associates.

2 / Wiesbaden, putting the final touches to our renovated “Altbau Wohnung”.

3 / Restaurants with great service and great food, does not need to be a top notch restaurant.

Büdingen - Medieval Charm and Enchanting Events

History lives here - visitors are always amazed at how accurately this motto describes the town's special atmosphere. The medieval old town, the imposing fortification wall with the historic Jerusalem Gate and Büdingen Castle, one of the best-preserved Staufer fortifications in Germany, impress visitors from near and far. Those for whom stones are more than just walls and half-timbered houses will be enchanted by Büdingen's charm.

Numerous guided tours of the town make history fun. Whether it is a treasure hunt for young explorers, an expert guided tour of the old town, a walk with the night watchman or a humorous tour in historical costume - we are happy to show you our town and its history.

Büdingen's small but fine museums also bring the region and its past to life. Four museums familiarize you with the life and culture of days gone by. The castle is a reminder of the courtly world, the Heuson Museum of the bourgeois world, supplemented by the comprehensively equipped butcher's museum with slaughterhouse and sausage kitchen. In addition to regular museum visits,

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

Amongst various family run small and midsized companies based in Büdingen, there are battery producing companys of international standing. Business opportunities are hidden in the proximity to the Rhine Main Region less than 50 kms west of Büdingen.

the butcher's museum offers regional sausage products for sale in the historic butcher's store on Saturdays and Sundays. In addition, the 50s museum, which is run with great attention to detail, takes visitors back to the time of the economic miracle, rock 'n roll and youth rebellion. Housed in the Jerusalemer Tor, the Sandrosenmuseum displays geological treasures from the eventful past of the Wetterau and Vogelsberg. The model building museum in Oberhof complements the museum experience with award-winning replicas of a wide variety of vehicles.

Büdingen is not only an idyllic medieval town on the eastern edge of the Wetterau, it is also a charming small town that knows how to celebrate enchanting events.

Every year on the second weekend in July, Büdingen alternates between the Medieval Festival (Mittelalterfest) and the Night of Culture (Kulturnacht). And at the end of the year, the Christmas Market (Weihnachtszauber) regularly transforms the half-timbered town into one of the most atmospheric Advent markets in Hesse with a glowing Christmas forest. Handicrafts, high-quality Advent and Christmas articles invite you to take a leisurely stroll.

Nestled in the midst of extensive deciduous fo rests, Büdingen’s hinterland offers a lot of opportunities for hikers and cyclists. There are mysterious burial mouds, castle ruins and the Valley of the Seven Streams with a large game reserve to discover. The well preserved Ronneburg Castle, the World of the Celts (Keltenwelt) in Glauberg, one of the most important Celtic sites in Europe, and the Upper Germanic-Rhaetian Limes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are close by.

CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS

Here is a selection from the annual event calendar:

SUNDAY BEFORE LENT

Storming of the Jerusalem Gate (by the Knaves and Jesters of Büdingen followed by the Carnival Procession)

END OF APRIL

Frog Parade, Gardeners’ Market and Children's Festival

MAY / JUNE

Wine Festival

SECOND WEEKEND IN JULY

Night of Culture (Kulturnacht) which alternates annually with the Medieval Festival (Mittelalterfest)

END OF AUGUST / BEGINNING OF SEPTEMBER

Garden Festival (Landpartie) at Schloss Büdingen (Thursday through Sunday)

Heritage Day (second Sunday in September)

LAST WEEKEND IN SEPTEMBER

Gallusmarket (Gallus Markt), a traditional country fair and flea market in the Altstadt and Vorstadt

SECOND WEEK IN ADVENT

Christmas Market (Weihnachtszauber) in the historical old town (Wednesday through Sunday)

CONTACT

TOURIST-INFORMATION DER STADT BÜDINGEN

Marktplatz 9, 63654 Büdingen

0 60 42 / 9 63 70

mail@buedingen.info

www.buedingen.info facebook: facebook.com/buedingen

instagram: buedingen_hier.lebt. geschichte

Part of Büdingen’s fortification is the so called Red Tower

GETTING SETTLED

h ousing

: h o W to F ind the right place F or you

One of the first things newcomers have to do is find somewhere to live. Housing in Frankfurt Rhine-Main is pretty affordable compared to other international cities, but you‘ll have to put in the effort to find the right place.

Housing is probably the most important thing to think about when you first move to the Rhine-Main region. Newcomers have to deal with lots of different, sometimes tricky questions. Will I still be able to enjoy the same quality of life I’m used to? What’s the best use of my budget? I need to find a location that meets my requirements. It’s important to get answers to these questions quickly. If you’re well informed and a bit lucky, your house hunting experience in Germany should go smoothly.

Before you start looking for a place, take a good look at your disposable income and set yourself a budget. The reality in Germany is that most people spend up to a third of their

gross salary on rent. Roughly six out of 10 Germans rent their home, and that number’s even higher in major urban areas. The rent you pay depends on where the property is, what standard of building it is, how old it is and what the market value is. The more convenient the apartment or house is (i.e. if it’s close to public transport, shops or schools), the higher the rent will be.

When it comes to cost of living, Frankfurt and its surrounding area are usually somewhere in the middle of international tables. Based on a basket of goods (groceries, transportation, accommodation, schooling and entertainment), Frankfurt is considered significantly less expensive

than London or Paris. When it comes to rent prices in the Rhine-Main region, you’ll find that housing is pretty much the same in Frankfurt, Wiesbaden, and most of the towns in the Taunus region (Bad Homburg, Bad Soden, Kronberg, Königstein and Hofheim). Just a heads-up for anyone new to Germany: apartments here are usually rented empty, not furnished. So, most apartments won’t have a stove, light fixtures, a dishwasher or a washing machine. It’s expected that tenants will have their own. Landlords in the Rhine-Main region have seen a lot of expats moving in, so they’re used to renting to them. They’re also starting to fit more apartments and houses with built-in kitchens and bathroom equipment. Another option is to rent furniture. There are two companies that can help you out with this: www. lyght-living.com and www.in-lease.com

There are two main types of rent: kaltmiete, where you pay for heating, maintenance and other utilities separately, and warmmiete, where these costs are included in the rent. You’ll need to get electricity from the local utility company. Your utility bill will be based on your usage, but it’d be a good idea to ask the landlord what the previous tenants paid so you can get a rough idea of the additional monthly payments. There are some limits on how much the rent can go up, but

RISING HOUSE PRICES

Thanks to low interest rates and a strong economy, house prices in the Frankfurt RhineMain region have risen sharply in recent years. As with the other six major German cities, prices for both real estate and rental units in Frankfurt and the surrounding area have risen sharply. The going rate for a rental unit in Frankfurt is currently around €20.11 per square metre, but you‘ll probably have to pay more for a prime spot in Westend, Nordend, Bockenheim or Sachsenhausen. Prices for real estate have also risen significantly. Luxury apartments in prime locations are now going for as much as €12,000 per square metre, while the average price for Frankfurt is around €6,600.

If you’re only going to be in Germany for a short while, it might be better for you to choose a fully furnished flat (möbliert). Frankfurt has a big international community, so it’s easy to find furnished apartments. Furnished apartments aren’t cheap, but if you crunch the numbers, you might find it’s cheaper to pay the extra monthly fee to live in one for a few months or years compared to buying new furniture, etc.

the utilities can be increased at any time. Your utilities are billed twice a year, so your heating bill will be the same in winter and summer. The landlord can then make any necessary adjustments.

The housing market in Frankfurt and the Rhine-Main region is pretty tight, so if you’re on a budget, you probably

More than just an Apartment

HAVENS LIVING is your home & community in Frankfurt

Finding your place in a new city can be challenging, but HAVENS LIVING Frankfurt aims to make the process easier. Our apartments offer a comprehensive living concept based on three key pillars: Space, Service and Community. Fully equipped, each apartment is designed to be stylish and functional, ensuring a seamless transition for expats, professionals in transition or those looking for a fresh start in Frankfurt. Our urban living experience includes all amenities in one convenient monthly rent, from utilities to recreational facilities. This all-inclusive package ensures that residents enjoy a hassle-free lifestyle in the heart of the city.

Our commitment to service means that your needs are our priority. From dedicated hosts to essential amenities, we strive to simplify your everyday life. At HAVENS LIVING, we take great pride in fostering a strong sense of communi-

ty and togetherness. Our vibrant community is brought together through various engaging events and the thoughtful design of communal spaces. These efforts foster meaningful relationships, lasting friendships, and a sense of belonging among our residents.

Experience a stress-free booking process where every step is made easy, with a dedicated team always on hand to help you find the perfect temporary accommodation. We focus on handling every aspect of your booking carefully and transparently, so you can have complete peace of mind.

Located in Frankfurt’s Bockenheim district, HAVENS LIVING offers easy access to the city’s cultural and business centres, making it an ideal location for both work and play. HAVENS LIVING is more than just a place to live - it’s a place to thrive.

Voltastraße 81 60486 Frankfurt am Main havens-living.com

won’t have a lot of choices. Frankfurt’s got some gorgeous restored buildings from the turn of the 20th century, but apartments in them are few and far between. Landlords are asking for and getting premium rent. As a general rule, the apartments here are well-constructed and in good condition, with modern insulation and plumbing.

If you decide to live in Frankfurt, you’ll probably end up living in an apartment. If you’re set on a house, it’s probably best to look in the outlying areas, like the Taunus. In Germany, there are three main types of houses: terraced houses (called Reihenhaus, abbreviated RH); semi-detached houses (called Doppelhaushälfte, abbreviated DHH); and standalone houses (called Einfamilienhaus, abbreviated EFH).

There are no set rules when it comes to size or layout. Three-bedroom houses are pretty standard. Houses are usually measured in square metres, rather than by the number of bedrooms. A house with around 130 sqm of living space is seen as average, while 260 sqm is considered very spacious.

The Contract

If you’re lucky enough to have a relocation agent, it’ll make the search go more smoothly. Relocation agencies know the market inside out and can save you the hassle of contacting real estate agents by pre-screening the market, rental contract negotiation, etc. The level of service and fees can vary quite a bit.

The best way to look for an apartment is to check out one of the many real estate websites. Since most of the ads you see online show pictures of the rooms, the building from the

CONTRACT DETAILS

❚ name of tenant and landlord

❚ what you are renting (address, size, fit-out)

❚ the amount of monthly rent

❚ any regulation of rent increases

❚ commencement date

❚ utilities, specified individually

❚ number of new occupants

In most cases, rent contracts are a pre-printed version of the document recommended by the Tenants Society of the State of Hessen (Mieterbund Hessen). Just a heads-up: most rental contracts say that the tenant has to renovate the apartment and get it back to its original state when the lease expires and before they leave. It’s important to make sure the contract specifies what needs to be redecorated or repaired.

All rental contracts can be cancelled at any time, with a three-month notice period. There are a few exceptions to this, though. German rental law is pretty complex, so it’s important to know your rights and responsibilities. It’s a good idea to get the contract checked by your company or a lawyer. If you do have trouble with your landlord, you can get legal advice and representation from an attorney or one of the several tenant advisory centres in the region. The membership fee of €50–70 also includes legal insurance, but there’s a three-month waiting period after you join before the insurance takes effect.

DEUTSCHER MIETERBUND

Landesverband Hessen e.V. | Adelheidstraße 70 65185 Wiesbaden | T: 0611 4114050 | info@mieterbund-hessen.de | www.mieterbund-hessen.de

HOW TO APARTMENT HUNT

When you’re looking for a property, it’s always a good idea to dress for the occasion. Because of the shortage of housing, landlords often have to choose between several candidates. It’s nothing personal, but they might ask you to prove your financial stability (including a copy of your employment contract and three months of pay stubs). This is pretty standard practice.

❚ other terms and conditions

❚ details of the landlord’s bank account and the day the rent is due

❚ condition of the property when you moved in

❚ an inventory of what the rent includes

❚ landlord’s consent to you keeping pets

❚ the deposit to be paid and when it should be paid.

outside, the view and the surrounding area, looking for apartments online might help you make a decision more quickly. The top national real estate portal is immobilien scout 24, followed by immowelt and immonet.

You can also check out the classifieds in your local newspaper. The main local newspapers (Frankfurter Rundschau, das inserat, Wiesbadener Kurier, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung) all have a special real estate section, usually on Friday or Saturday. You can also find it in their online version. You’ll

FIND IT IN FRM –ARRIVING

A residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) is issued according to the purpose of stay. Various options are available including an EU Blue Card. When visiting the Immigration Authorities (Ausländerbehörden), it is best to ensure that a German speaker is on hand to help, as the authorities do not offer their services in English and some of the terminology is quite complex. You will find a list of Immigration Authorities in our region on our website and on our interactive map. This way you can find the right place to go, depending on where you live.

www.find-it-in-frm.de/en

find the housing section under “Immobilien/Mietgesuche/Mietwohnungen.” If you’re on the hunt for a flat share, be sure to check out the nationwide search engine www.wg-gesucht. de. As of June 2015, the landlord is responsible for paying the real estate agent’s fee (usually two months’ rent plus 19 percent VAT), which is no longer the tenant’s responsibility. When you’re house hunting, it’s a good idea to get detailed descriptions of the properties and exact addresses before you go on a visit. It’s not uncommon for the same property to be listed with several agents.

REGISTRATION

Germany is a well-run country, as you’ll soon find out. But bureaucracy is a price you pay for keeping a well-run operation. The first thing you need to do is let the local authorities know where you live. You’ll need to register at your local registry office (Meldestelle, Bürgerbüro or Einwohnermelderamt) or the local town hall (Rathaus). Just fill out a form with your new address and you’re good to go. It’s a straightforward process that usually takes no time at all. All residents in a community have to register. If you don’t register within three months of moving, you’ll be fined. The amount depends on how long you’ve been living at the unregistered address. Also, you have to register your new address if you move, unless you’re just moving from one flat in the same property.

RESIDENCY AND WORK PERMITS

If you’re an EU citizen or from Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, you can work and live in Germany without a work or residence permit. If you’re not from the EU, you’ll normally need to get a visa before travelling to Germany. Then, you’ll need to apply for a residence permit at the local Aliens Office to stay and work. Since 2011, the residence permit is a small plastic card with a biometric photo. There are two main types of residence permit: limited (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) or unlimited (Niederlassungserlaubnis). If you have any questions about residence permits, the local Aliens Office is your best point of contact.

Germany has been trying to attract more international workers in recent years. There just aren’t enough young Germans entering the workforce, and in some sectors, such as healthcare or engineering, there’s a real shortage of qualified staff. The German government has recently introduced a series of immigration laws designed to make it easier for highly-skilled workers to come to Germany. Thanks to these changes, the OECD recently gave Germany a thumbs-up for having some of the lowest barriers to immigration for highly-skilled workers. I’ve put together a quick overview of the main changes:

Documentation

Leipziger Str. 5 60487 Frankfurt-Bockenheim

Mon – Fri 10 – 7 p.m., Sat 10 – 5 p.m.

Phone: 069 / 773615

www.moebel-design-frankfurt.de

If you’re not an EU resident in Germany, you’ll need to go to the local Aliens Office in person to get your own residence permit. This applies to children and infants too. When you submit your application, make sure you have all the necessary documents with you.

The registration fees range from €60 to €250, and credit cards aren’t usually accepted.

The whole process will probably take three to four months, and there’ll be long periods when you won’t hear

Sofas + Sofabeds from Signet
Kyoto sofa bed system

PROFESSIONAL HELP FROM RELOCATION AGENCIES

from your case worker. If you’re from Andorra, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Japan, Canada, Monaco, San Marino or the USA, you’ve got a good chance of getting work and residence permits because Germany has special bilateral agreements with these countries.

Recognition of qualifications

Some jobs in Germany are regulated, which means that only people with a specific qualification can work in that role. This covers doctors and lawyers, as well as various trades and over 350 other occupations. The government has now put money into a few programs to make it easier for foreigners to have their qualifications recognized, which allows them to work in these regulated professions. For more info, check out the website www.recognition-in-germany.de. Another useful resource is the IHK Foreign Skills Approval (www.ihk-fosa.de), which is run by the local chambers of commerce.

CONSULAR NOTIFICATION

Just to let you know, Germany doesn’t require its foreign residents to register with their own national consulates, and most of the consulates don’t either. It’s still a good idea to register, though, as there are some advantages to it. Apart from helping out in an emergency, local consulates can be a great source of info for their citizens. They often have lists of lawyers and healthcare providers, for example.

There has been a steady growth of relocation companies in the Rhine-Main region. Some agencies are small operations with only a few consultants, while the larger shops have 10 – 30 employees. You can also consult European Relocation Association (EuRA) www.eura-relocation.com for a list of their members in Germany. EuRA also has a comprehensive accreditation system. Companies that satisfactorily meet audit standards are awarded the EuRA Quality Seal.

BS relocation services

Clemensstraße 6–8 60487 Frankfurt am Main www.bs-relocation.com

CityLink Relocation

Sebastian-Kneipp-Str. 41 60439 Frankfurt am Main www.clr.de

Clapham GmbH Relocation Service

Frankfurter Straße 1, 65830 Kriftel www.clapham.de

Crown Relocations

Eisenstraße 2–4, 65428 Rüsselsheim www.crownrelo.com

Dwellworks GmbH

Dreieichstraße 59 60594 Frankfurt am Main www.dwellworks.com

ESCAMINAL Relocation

Kurt-Schumacher-Straße 59 61191 Rosbach v. d. Höhe www.escaminal.de

ICUnet AG

Bettinastraße 52–54

60325 Frankfurt am Main www.icunet.group

Professional Organizing Relocation Consult GmbH

Brunnenstraße 4, 65812 Bad Soden www.proforg.com

Progedo Relocation

Alfred-Herrhausen-Allee 3–5 65760 Eschborn www.relocation.de

Relocation Assistance

Heinrich-Busold-Straße 13 61169 Friedberg www.reloc-assistance.com

Santa Fe Relocation Services Schulstraße 53 65795 Hattersheim www.santaferelo.com

Taunus Relocation Services Römerstraße 7 61352 Bad Homburg www.taunus-relocation.com

UTS GmbH & Co. KG Wilhelm-Leuschner-Straße 41 60329 Frankfurt am Main www.uts-germany.de

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR THE ALIENS OFFICE

❚ Employment contract and a statement from your prospective employer saying the position could not be filled by a German or EU citizen.

❚ Photocopies of your qualifications/academic certificates

❚ At least one biometric color passport photograph

❚ Proof of health insurance

❚ Proof that you have the financial means to support yourself (usually the employment contract will suffice)

❚ Proof of housing (i.e., the rental contract).

CHOOSING A RELOCATION AGENCY

There are lots of services out there to help with international relocations, but not all of them will be right for every expat. There are relocation agencies that offer a full range of services, including help with visas and work permits, packing and shipping of your belongings, and assistance with your arrival in your new destination. Some companies offer a more limited range of services, or focus on specific areas like visas and work permits, international shipping, home searches, school searches, and so on. The right relocation agency for you depends on what you need. While many agencies will tailor their packages to suit the needs of each newcomer and their family, they need to know what’s required before they can do so.

WHAT IS OFFERED?

Look-see visits

These pre-location familiarization trips are intended to give newcomers a chance to see the destination first-hand, look for accommodation, visit schools, etc. Such “look-see” visits can really help you get your bearings ahead of arrival.

School Visits and Advice

Some destination cities have lots of schools to choose from, and getting impartial advice on which are the best ones can really help children settle in. It can be really helpful to get information on the academic and extra-curricular aspects of each school, as well as inside knowledge about what they’re good at and what they’re not so good at. This can help you understand what the schools are like in reality, beyond what you read in their glossy brochures.

Home Finding

It can take a lot of time and effort to find suitable housing in a new city. Language barriers and a lack of knowledge about tenant and landlord rights and responsibilities can make the home-finding process tricky, but a good home-finding service can make it almost enjoyable. You’ll probably only have a short time to find a new home, so it’s important to get

Frankfurter Tafel e.V.

The Frankfurter Tafel e.V. has a significant impact on people with low income and/or poverty driven live in the city. By collecting surplus food from various sources, such as supermarkets and producers, and distributing it to those who struggle to afford nutritious meals, the Frankfurter Tafel e.V. helps alleviate hunger and food insecurity.

We provide immediate relief to 29000 individuals and families experiencing poverty but also contribute to their overall well-being. Regular access to food helps ensure better nutrition, which can positively impact physical health and overall quality of life. Additionally, by addressing food waste, the Frankfurter Tafel e.V. promotes sustainability and environmental consciousness.

Moreover, the Frankfurter Tafel e.V. goes beyond providing food. We often collaborate with over 72 social services, charities, and other organizations to create a network of support for those in need. By fostering community connections and partnerships, we help people access additional resources and assistance beyond food provisions.

Overall, the work of the Frankfurter Tafel e.V. plays a crucial role in supporting the less fortunate in Frankfurt, addressing immediate support.

There are many ways to support us: a) You can volunteer. B) You can donate food or money.

Which ever way you choose you help those who have less than nothing.

CONTACT

FRANKFURTER TAFEL E.V. Vilbeler Landstraße 15 60386 Frankfurt am Main info@frankfurt-tafel.org www.linkedin.com/in/frankfurter-tafel-e-v-01b88a28a

THE NEWCOMERS‘ CHARITY PARTNER

BEST RIVERSIDELOCATIONS

Blaues Wasser

Pop-Up Location & Open Air Sweet Spot

Franziusstraße 35, Tel. 069 / 26910829, www.blaueswasser.net

Fri 5 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Only in good weather!

Bus 31 Intzestraße

Deluxe dining in an openair restaurant on the riverside. Take the sun on the terrace or enjoy drinks while lounging.

Freigut

Food and drinks on board ship, Sachsenhausen

Schaumainkai/ Eiserner Steg 1, Tel. 069 / 5325 9420, www.freigut-frankfurt.com

Summer Lounge:

April – September:

Wed – Sat 2 p.m. – midnight, Sun 2 p.m – 10 p.m, Linie 15/16 Schweizer/Gartenstraße

Event ship on the Main with snacks for promen aders. Great skyline view.

Gerbermühle

Restaurant on south bank, Oberrad

Gerbermühlstraße 105, Tel. 069 / 689777944, www.gerbermuehle.de Mon – Sun 11.30 a.m. – 10 p.m.

S 1/2/8/9 Mühlberg Hotel with city history. Beautiful summer garden for lovers of fresh air, with a view of the Main and the skyline.

Licht- und Luftbad

Riverside city park Niederrad Niederräder Ufer 10, Tel. 069/67733653, Mon – Sun 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Cafe in summer: Thu/Fri 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Sat/Sun 12 a.m. – 6 p.m. Linie 12/15/19/21

Heinrich-HoffmannStraße/Blutspendedienst Open-air bath on an isthmus. Small café in verdant meadows. Don’t miss the Mainblick lookout.

MainNizza

Riverside restaurant, City

Untermainkai 17, Tel. 069 / 26952922, www.mainnizza.de, Mon – Sun 11.30 a.m. – midnight

U1-3,8, Tram10/11/12/14 / 15/18

Willy-Brandt-Platz

Public gardens on northern bank of the river for walks amongst fig trees and exotic plants.

Sommerhoffpark

Historical park Bahnhofsviertel

Gutleutstraße 1, S 3-6, Tram 11/14/21 Galluswarte

Old landscape gardens in Gutleutstraße created in 1803, inviting green lawns, rose beds and playgrounds.

Weseler Werft

Historical wharf district Ostend

Eckhardtstraße, S1/2, 8/9, Tram 11,14 Ostendstraße Green area alongside heritage wharf cranes connects the Main and Ostend, with view of European Central Bank.

Yachtklub

Houseboat bar Sachsenhausen Deutschherrnufer 12, https://yachtklub.de Thu/ Fri from 5 p.m., Sat/Sun from 2 p.m. club-nights (Sat every 14 days): 10 p.m. – 4 a.m. Tram 18 Frankensteiner Platz

House boat on the Main at Sachsenhausen, with a view of the skyline, party nights, concerts, tapas and cakes.

Discover more: www.BestOfFrankfurt.de

started as soon as possible. Some home-finding services are run by estate agents, which can have pluses and minuses. The good news is that they should have a great selection of properties, but the downside is that you’ll be limited to what they have available.

Keep a Written List

With all the information you get when you arrive in a new city, it’s easy to forget things. It’s a good idea to write it down so you can easily refer back to it. It’s a good idea to make a list of all the important contact details, like doctors and dentists who speak your language, hospitals, the ambulance service, your consulate and other essential services.

Networking Assistance

It’s important to build a new network of friends when you’re moving to an expat posting. Agency-Arranged invites to cocktail parties, expat spouse associations, clubs and other places where you can meet people can help you break into established social circles and make friends and business contacts.

MOVING WITH CHILDREN

Even if your belongings have arrived on time and your house hunt has gone well, it’s important to make sure your kids feel at home. There are lots of ways to help a child cope with the stress of moving. It’s a good idea to let the kids get involved in the moving process, so they can feel like they’re still at home. And of course, we all know how important it is to give them our full support.

Letting Children Participate

It’s good to let children get involved in the move. Studies show that kids are less scared of moving abroad if they can play a part in it. Keeping the kids in the loop and maybe even getting them involved in the decision to accept the assignment can help them feel more secure. If parents give their kids tasks, like organising their stuff to take to the new country or finding out what fun things there are to do in the new city, they’ll feel more involved. On packing day, children can even help pack soft items like toys. They can load their boxes into the container last, so they’ll be the first things the child sees when unpacking. At the new home, the child can keep helping by putting away their unpacked things or helping to decorate their new room.

Providing Continuity

It’s important to provide continuity for children. They crave stability and continuity in their lives. Before leaving the old home, parents should encourage children to collect photos and contact details of their friends. This will help the kids stay in touch with their old friends, which is great for when they move to a new home, and also useful if the family later repatriates. It’s also a good idea to let the kids take their favourite toys and books with them. When you get to Frankfurt Rhine-Main, it’d be a good idea to look for local opportunities for them to pursue their hobbies.

Extra Support from Parents

It might be tricky at first, but it’s important for parents to find time for the kids when they arrive in Frankfurt RhineMain. As the main source of continuity in the children’s lives, parents can play an important role in helping them cope with the emotional challenges of a move. By maintaining a positive and encouraging attitude, parents can make it easier for their children to adjust to the transition. Why not make a plan to explore your new surroundings together? Take the time to explore the local stores, parks, clubs, and other attractions.

GETTING MARRIED IN GERMANY

If you fall in love during your time in Germany, you might want to tie the knot.

If you want to get married in Germany, you’ll need to present yourself at the local registry office (Standesamt), which is usually located at the town hall (Rathaus). It’s not essential, but it’s definitely better if both parties are there together. As this office gets a lot of couples getting married, you should allow for a bit of time to wait and get through the preliminaries.

If you want your marriage to be recognised in Germany and in your home country, you’ll need to complete a lot of paperwork. Depending on your nationality and your partner’s, there are different rules for different countries. So I can’t give you a full list of everything you’ll need to take with you to the registry office.

The person who conducts the initial interview will let you know what papers you need to present. A typical list includes passports, birth certificates, parents’ marriage certificates, records of all previous marriages with accompanying divorce decrees or death certificates, and any court rulings on children by former marriages. In almost every case, you’ll need to get all your documents translated into German and officially certified.

The Big Day

You’ll be going back to the registry office for the civil wedding ceremony. This doesn’t mean you have to cancel your church wedding. In Germany, many people have a simple civil ceremony at the registry office on a Thursday, where only the closest relatives and friends are invited, and then hold the church ceremony on Saturday with a large reception afterwards. Just a heads-up: at least one of the partners needs to be a tax-paying church member for the couple to book a church wedding. It’s also worth noting that you don’t have to get married at the registry office where you live.

You don’t even have to get married at the same registry office where you did your initial registration. Once you’ve got the green light for your marriage, you can tie the knot at any Registry office in Germany.

NANNIES

It’s pretty common for international families to hire a professional nanny to help out with the kids, especially if both parents are working full-time. There are different options when it comes to hiring a nanny: full-time, parttime, temporary, or even a live-in nanny. The latter will probably need their own room and potentially their own bathroom. New mums might also want to think about hiring a maternity nurse to help out during the early postnatal period.

AMADEUS Group: The Newcomers‘ Real Estate-Partner

As a comprehensive partner in the real estate industry, we offer a complete package of services. Whether as project planners, developers, landlords, or reputable real estate investors, we provide all essential services under one roof. Our offerings range from property management to janitorial services, covering every aspect of real estate management. With a broad portfolio as property owners, we not only facilitate the development and rental of real estate but also offer long-term investment opportunities and value appreciation in the market. With nearly 35 years of experience and expertise, we are a trusted, privately-owned development company, property owner, and asset manager, making a significant impact in the real estate sector. Whether you’re looking to purchase a condominium, searching for a rental apartment, or wish to propose a property to expand our portfolio, you can benefit from our extensive industry experience and unparalleled service. We are your reliable partner at every stage of your investment journey and beyond.

Managing over 9,000 units, our real estate portfolio continues to expand steadily. This growth is in line with our strategic goals, as we continuously diversify not only in terms of locations but also across asset classes and investment strategies. Through our broad range of services, we offer a variety of interesting careers to choose from and always welcome unsolicited applications.

AMADEUS GROUP Robert-Bosch-Straße 16 65549 Limburg

E-Mail: info@amadeus-group.de

Telefon: 06431-9199-0 www.amadeus-group.de

FrankfurtRheinMain: International experts

FrankfurtRheinMain GmbH International Marketing of the Region (FRM GmbH) is the official location marketing organization of the Frankfurt metropolitan region. FRM GmbH supports international companies before and during their first steps in the Frankfurt metropolitan area. Among other things, the experts at FRM GmbH provide assistance with work and residence permits or coordinate the site selection process in close consultation with the international companies and the several local business development organizations (Wirtschaftsfoerderungen) and establish contact with suitable service providers. We present three of FRM experts here.

Can you introduce yourself and explain your role and responsibilities at FrankfurtRheinMain GmbH International Marketing of the Region?

I’m Julius Bosak, Vice President of FrankfurtRheinMain Corp. based in Chicago. My role centers on driving Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from North America into the Frankfurt RheinMain Region and the state of Hessen. In addition, I serve as an Economic Development Representative for Hessen Trade & Invest, where I support Hessian companies in expanding their trade activities internationally, particularly in the U.S. and Canada.

Can you share a success story from 2024?

In 2024, we achieved several significant milestones, particularly within the life sciences sector, which remains a key focus for our team. A standout success was the expansion of Smithers, a multinational laboratory testing company headquartered in Akron, Ohio. Smithers chose

Neu-Isenburg as the location for their flagship European operation, and our U.S. team played a pivotal role in this, providing critical support over the past two years, including assistance with site selection across the region.

Furthermore, we witnessed notable growth in the insurance and technology sectors, along with major investments from data centers. These developments highlight the FrankfurtRheinMain region’s increasing appeal to businesses seeking proximity to vital infrastructure, such as DE-CIX, and the many opportunities our region has to offer.

What are your plans for 2025 and beyond?

Looking ahead, our focus will be on deepening relationships with industries such as Cyber Security and Life Sciences. We intend to ramp up delegations and networking initiatives to foster stronger ties between North American and German companies. This will further cement Frankfurt RheinMain’s position as a premier hub for innovation and growth.

Bertram Roth

Can you introduce yourself and explain your role and responsibilities at FrankfurtRheinMain GmbH International Marketing of the Region? Certainly! My name is Bertram Roth, and I am the Vice President of FrankfurtRheinMain GmbH, leading Overseas Operations and China Marketing. I have been with the organization for nearly two decades, focusing on developing and implementing international marketing strategies for the Frankfurt RheinMain Region in markets such as China, Taiwan and India. I also oversee the US Team activities both here in FRM and Chicago. My role also includes managing our expanding operations in Asia, including our new offices in Singapore and Australia.

Frankfurt RheinMain has recently opened new offices in Singapore and Australia. What prompted these expansions, and what are your goals in these regions?

The decision to expand into Singapore and Australia was a strategic one, aimed at enhancing our presence in the Asia-Pacific region. Singapore is a key financial hub, and our new office there allows us to be directly accessible to Southeast Asian companies considering European expansion. Similarly, Australia is becoming increasingly important, after Brexit companies are choosing Frankfurt RheinMain as their European base over establishing their initial expansion in the UK as they might have previously. Our goal is to attract more investment from these regions by providing localized support and fostering closer ties with businesses interested in the European market.

What challenges do companies face when entering the Frankfurt RheinMain Region, and how do your new offices help address these?

One of the main challenges companies face when entering the Frankfurt RheinMain Region is navigating the complex regulatory environment in Germany. Our new offices in Singapore and Australia are positioned to offer preliminary guidance

on these issues, helping companies understand what to expect before they begin operations in Europe. This proactive support can significantly reduce the time and resources required to establish a presence in our region.

Can you share a success story from your work in promoting Frankfurt RheinMain?

In 2023, we supported Westpac Bank, Australia’s oldest financial institution, in opening its European subsidiary, Westpac Europe GmbH, in Frankfurt am Main. The decision to establish this office highlights Frankfurt’s strength as a global financial hub, offering excellent infrastructure and a high concentration of financial companies. Westpac Europe GmbH will manage European customers, catering to businesses, institutions, and government agencies with ties to Australia and New Zealand.

What are your plans for 2025 and beyond?

In Asia, our efforts will concentrate on deepening our engagement in Southeast Asia and Australia. By enhancing our presence in these markets, we aim to attract even more investment to Frankfurt RheinMain, ensuring that our region remains a leading destination for international business in Europe.

Melina Göbel

Can you introduce yourself and explain your role and responsibilities at FrankfurtRheinMain GmbH International Marketing of the Region?

My name is Melina Göbel, and I am the Manager for Investment Attraction North America at FrankfurtRheinMain GmbH. I joined the Frankfurt-based US Team nearly two years ago, working alongside Amy Curlee, Director of North America, in my first full-time role after earning my master’s degree in international marketing. This position is a perfect fit for me, as I spent four years in the United States and have always aspired to work in an international environment. My U.S. experience now allows me to effectively collaborate with companies from both the U.S. and Canada. In my role, I focus on identifying and engaging with companies that plan to establish a presence in Germany. I provide them with the necessary resources, insights, and support to ensure their successful entry and growth in our region.

What are your plans for 2025 and beyond?

Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, one of my primary goals is to deepen my expertise in foreign direct investment (FDI). To achieve this, I plan to attend an executive training course focused on FDI attraction in the UK later this year which will provide me with advanced strategies and knowledge, enabling me to better support companies in their expansion efforts.

What are specific requirements that these companies want from you? What do they like about the region?

Given that the United States is one of the largest sources of foreign direct investment

(FDI) for our region, we manage a substantial pipeline of projects, each with its own unique requirements. Many of these companies are interested in our customized site searches to find suitable real estate or connect with local service providers.

The high quality of life, the established U.S. business community, excellent infrastructure, and the powerful business hub in the FrankfurtRheinMain region are key attractions for expanding companies. I always say, our region offers not only an excellent place to work but also a wonderful place to live.

A key part of Amy’s and my role is to engage with the American business community here locally. If you know of any companies looking to expand to Germany, come speak to us at the next AmCham, AGBC, Newcomers, etc. event!!!

CONTACT

FRANKFURTRHEINMAIN GMBH INTERNATIONAL MARKETING OF THE REGION Unterschweinstiege 8

60549 Frankfurt am Main

E-Mail: info@frm-united.com www.frm-united.com

GETTING

CONNECTED

t

elecoms , W i -F i , tv, and utilities

In today‘s digital age, one of the first things you‘ll want to do is get connected – to the Internet, to your family and friends, to new colleagues, to the news. So it‘s really important to get your telecoms right.

If you’ve been in Germany for more than 24 hours, chances are you’ve seen a pink letter “T” on one or other LED screen or billboard. The ‘T’ stands for Telekom, which is the company’s trading name. The company, which was previously a state-owned monopoly, is now one of the largest corporations in the telecoms industry, offering a wide range of services, from wireless communications to business solutions. The other big telcos are Vodafone and Telefónica, but they’re not as visible. After all, together they hold less of a market share than Deutsche Telekom. Without a doubt, Deutsche Telekom is the big player in the German market. They offer a full range of services, from landlines and cell phones to

internet connections. On the other hand, the German market for telecommunications is one of the most open and deregulated in Europe, which means there are lots of options out there. Once you get to know the system, you’ll find it reliable and easy to use. But with so many options, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the intense marketing claims.

CHOOSING A PROVIDER

You’ve found your new place and now it’s time to get connected (along with a few other things). If you want to get a landline phone in Germany, there are two main options:

1. You can just head down to one of the local Telekom customer service centres in most larger cities and fill out the necessary forms. The standard installation fee is €70 for the phone and internet. You can choose who you buy the handset from.

2. You can also order your phone services from other telcos, such as 1&1, Vodafone, or Telefónica (02), and many others. Since Telekom still has a monopoly on the last mile of telecommunications, these private resellers basically offer the same products as Telekom, but sometimes at better rates or with additional services. Some of these providers also offer bundled DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) and/or VDSL (ultrafast DSL) connections.

The going rate for a landline in Germany is around €20 a month for the basic call service. Many providers offer a flat rate for calls to landlines or certain numbers abroad, but this often doesn’t include calls to mobiles or calls made internationally.

Ordering your phone is a pretty quick process. The most popular types of lines are DSL or VDSL. DSL is often bundled with other services, using a sales pitch like this: You can get an internet flat rate with your DSL line for just an extra €5. For those in the know, this is what we call the “double play” (telephone and Internet connection), “triple play” (phone, Internet and television) or “quadruple play” (phone, Internet, television and cell

phone service). DSL is also the most popular choice for internet connections in Germany. The latest VDSL and fibre optic lines can get you internet at speeds of up to 500 Mbit/s for downloading and 25 Mbit/s for uploading, and packages often include IP telephony and TV services.

Frankfurt is the city with the second highest density of data centers in Europe and has the world‘s largest internet hub.

If you’re looking to buy the fastest package, it’s a good idea to check first to see if it’s available in your area. You’ll find slightly better rates for internet access with private resellers like 1&1 or Vodafone. It’s always worth shopping around before you sign up, as many providers will waive the initial set-up fees and throw in a free router or wireless LAN.

If your home is already wired for cable, you can connect to the Internet through a cable modem and set up a landline with the cable provider Vodafone. Before you sign up, check with your landlord or the facility manager to make sure the building supports the service. Many older buildings from the

1950s and 1960s are wired for cable, but don’t have the necessary infrastructure for Unitymedia products.

If you don’t need internet at home (or if your home is wired for cable), you might want to think about getting a flat rate for your mobile and not getting a landline at all. For a monthly flat rate, you can make as many calls as you like to the German landline network and your service provider’s cell phone network. Prices start at €30 a month, with several providers offering this service.

With all these options on the table, it’s important to get all of your contracts in writing and read the small print. And don’t sign up for any services at a shopping mall or over the phone. There’s a good chance they’ll get your order wrong.

Wi-Fi

You’ll find that more and more cafés, restaurants and hotels are offering free Wi-Fi. The same goes for Frankfurt Airport. When you’re travelling, you’ll find that lots of Lufthansa flights and most of the high-speed trains also offer internet hotspots, some of which are pay-as-you-go. There are also free hotspots at lots of different places in Frankfurt.

Flat rates

If you often call friends and family in a particular country, it’s worth looking into getting a flat rate for that country. Alternatively, you can opt for a global flat rate such as Voda-

Get connected.

Taunus Connect – the region’s synergistic network

fone’s World. It’s always a good idea to compare prices first. Here’s a useful link: https://www.verivox.de/dsl-vergleich/

EU roaming fees

After a decade of price caps, the EU has finally required mobile phone providers to abolish extra roaming fees for calls within Europe since June 2017. The ‘Roam Like at Home’ rule got rid of roaming charges in the 27 countries that make up the European Union. There are, however, two exceptions to this. Just a heads-up: there’s still a surcharge for data roaming. If you use your phone a lot when you’re abroad, your provider might charge you for using your phone abroad. The new rule applies to all EU member states, as well as Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein. Nobody knows what will happen after Brexit.

MOBILE PHONING

One of the best ways to get a handle on things is to go to a telecommunications shop that offers more than one service provider. These are standalone shops, either in retail areas or inside other shops. For example, big electronics stores have a booth inside where you can order phone services from several providers. If you don’t want a subsidised phone, you can also get a prepaid card from one of the providers or from a discount supermarket like Aldi or Lidl.

With Taunus Connect, Taunusstein’s StaTa GmbH has developed an online platform in cooperation with the start-up Zircl GmbH for networking and strengthening municipalities, cities, businesses and employees in the Rheingau/Taunus region, with the aim of jointly maximizing effectiveness. In the six modules: job, knowledge, health, service and commercial space portals, plus the digital showcase, users can find not only attractive job offers but also informative professional articles as well as health courses and further training offerings in the region. Bundling the many different education and health offerings creates a variety of win-win situations for all participants. Taunus Connect also serves as a contact point for administrative matters: Using the service portal’s filter options, residents can obtain detailed information on their dealings with the authorities – and can access saved contacts and online forms. The showcase enables website visitors to click through product highlights, services, promotions and offerings in their region, pre-order and thereby support

local businesses. The platform has been online since spring 2023. In order to achieve the best possible regional reach, an associated platform was set up with Rheingau Connect. Convenient transferability to other regions (including customizable white label options) will also give a further boost to the project.

Location development, economic development, city marketing 65232 Taunusstein, Germany

T: 06128 9371-105

M: robert.rustler@stata.gmbh www.stata.gmbh

They offer some of the lowest prices around, like 6 GB of data, calls and texts all included, for just €9 every four weeks in Germany. This is often the quickest and cheapest way to get mobile phone service in Germany.

Television Services

Sometimes, the cable TV fee is included with your apartment’s facility management fee. If not, just give your local cable company a call and they’ll let you know if your building is wired.

Cable TV companies in Frankfurt Rhine-Main offer a number of non-German services, including CNN, BBC World Service, French TV5 and Al Jazeera.

If you want to get satellite TV, you’ll need to buy and install your own satellite receiver. You can get them at lots of shops, and you can use them to get all the main German cable channels, plus lots of other foreign ones. If you can get reception from the Astra and Hotbird satellites, you can also receive the following English-language news and information stations for free: You can also get CNN, Eurosport, Sky News and BBC World.

Just a heads-up: regardless of which programmes you want to watch, all homes are charged the Rundfunkbeitrag, a licence fee. The charge is the same for everyone and is €18.36 a month. The money is used to fund the high-quality public TV and radio channels in Germany. You don’t need to own a TV to be charged the fee – just having a PC connected to the internet is enough.

For more details, please visit www.rundfunkbeitrag.de/ welcome/englisch/index_ger.html

If your home is wired for cable, you can also get foreign-language programming through the cable provider Vodafone. There are 95 TV channels in total.

You can get all the big streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and iTunes in Germany, and in most cases, you can watch them in the original language. You might notice that the film selection is different from what you’re used to at home. This is because different providers use geo-blocking to restrict access. The EU is planning to relax this rule in its member countries in 2018. Some users set up a Virtual Private Network (VPN) through a provider such as expressvpn.com to get around this. Basically, it convinces the streaming service that you’re located in the same country as it is.

USING THE POSTAL SYSTEM

The German postal market has been deregulated, which means private companies can now deliver letters and packages. If you’re sending a regular letter, though, the German postal service is still your best bet. It’s quick and efficient. If you’re not at home when a delivery comes through, your postman might leave it with the neighbours or take it to the local post office or drop-off point.

You can usually collect it the next day. Just show your valid ID to prove you’re the right person. If you’re sending a package that weighs more than two kilos, you might want to use one of the private competitors, who often have better rates than Deutsche Post’s DHL. The big private postal companies are TNT Post (www.tnt.com), Hermes (www.myhermes.de) and GLS (www.gls-pakete.de).

Hermes has a great network of drop-off points for packages, including supermarkets, newsagents, dry cleaners and so

on. If you’re looking to compare postal prices from different suppliers, a great resource is www.posttip.de

Electricity

When people move to a new apartment in Germany, they usually stick with the same electricity provider that the previous tenant used. In the Frankfurt area, this is often Mainova.

It’s a good idea to check your electricity meter and make a note of its reading when you move in. Otherwise, the electricity company might estimate your bill for the first month based on the previous tenant’s habits.

Utilities have been deregulated in Germany, so there are lots of different providers out there. If you want to use a different provider than that of the previous tenant, just give a power company a call. To compare prices, you can visit the German-language website www.verivox.de or www.check24.de/strom-gas

As with the competitive world of telecommunications, it’s also “buyer beware” when it comes to choosing an energy provider. Many energy companies offer you a low rate in the first year, then increase it in the second. Just a heads-up: contracts usually run for 12 months, so it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the renewal deadlines. Once you’ve made your choice, you just sign the contract and the energy company will take it from there.

MARIA LISA FARANDA

Born in New Jersey, U.S.A. She has worn many hats in a lot of cities. As a regional manager, a flight attendant, a sales rep for a German company, English trainer, and a ceramic artist, but Frankfurt is where she has chosen to hang it. Finding the love of her life and happiness in this charming city. Finally, fulfilling a dream and showing her artwork in the heart of Frankfurt at Gallerie Bruecke 54 in Sachsenhausen.

IN RHINE-MAIN SINCE many years

Heimat (Home) means: Wherever my husband, son, and my dog Foxxy are.

A thing I brought from home, which I’d never have left back:

A photo of my parents ( it has travelled with me everywhere)

My favorite dish, food, sweet – home or Germany: Italian food à la Carmela & Carmello (my parents)

The most exotic place in the world I’ve ever been to: Line dancing in a Dallas honky-tonk.

My first day here : I met my husband at the Hauptwache Café, and the rest is history.

The strangest german word I learnt: Gelblichtbremse

This is the App on my phone, which I can not live without – tell us why:

The New York Times to keep up with news events.

Google the german word of your favorite animal specie: Stinktier

Driving in Germany, getting around. Tell us how it feels to drive in Germany, what is different, what is funny:

right before left (rechts vor links), why can´t they just put up a stop sign?

MY TOP 3 FRANKFURT RHINE-MAIN TIPS

1 / Tapas Locas “Españita”, keeps my Spanish husband happy

2 / L´huitre great wine & oysters

3 / Baile Bar local hangout with great drinks & live music

www.taunus-connect.de

GETTING HEALTHCARE

d octors , medicine

,

hospitals and emergencies

If you‘re new to the area, you‘ll be pleased to know that one of the world‘s best healthcare systems is right here. You can choose between statutory or private health insurance, depending on what suits you best and your budget.

One of the best things about living and working in Germany is that you get universal health care coverage. The standard of healthcare in Germany is pretty high, with general practitioners’ surgeries and hospitals tending to have the latest technology. There are also plenty of specialist medical practices.

As with every other developed country, Germany’s health care system is constantly changing. As life expectancy goes up and the birth rate stays low, the country’s famous health care system is facing some challenges. The public health system is facing financial challenges. Insurance premiums are rising, and the list of fully covered

services is getting shorter. At the same time, the cost of co-payments for prescription drugs and routine medical procedures is going up.

It’s important to know that everyone living in Germany must have health insurance. If you want to be legally employed in Germany, you’ll need to have valid health insurance. On top of that, self-employed freelancers, artists, musicians and dependent family members all need to be registered for health insurance. If you need a visa to come to Germany, you’ll need to show you have adequate health insurance before your visa is approved. Students also need to register for healthcare, but at a much lower cost.

If you’re an EU citizen, you can keep your home insurance, but just a heads-up that the benefits might be quite different from what you’re used to.

When it comes to medical insurance, there are two main options in Germany. Roughly 90% of Germans are enrolled in the state-regulated public health insurance system, which is known as the Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung or GKV. The great thing about the public system is that unemployed dependants (spouse and children) are covered at no extra cost. The other 10% of the population have opted for private health insurance from a German company (Private Krankenversicherung or PKV). The quality of care is better, but premiums aren’t capped and family members have to be insured separately.

STATE-REGULATED HEALTH INSURANCE (GKV)

Germany’s public health insurance is based on the idea of solidarity, which means that everyone’s premiums are based on the same percentage of income. The current rate is 14.6%, with the lowest monthly charge being €158.43 and the highest €728.18. If your gross salary is over €4,987.50 a month (as of 2023), you’ll pay the maximum monthly premium. If your salary is below the threshold, your premium will be less in line with that. Your premiums are taken directly from your wages and paid to your chosen insurance company. The insurance company handles most medical bills, so patients don’t have

to worry about paying for treatment or filing paperwork for reimbursement.

There are currently over 100 different GKV companies in Germany. All GKV providers in Germany are non-profit associations that run the government health insurance plan. Some are really big, like TK, AOK, Barmer, and Debeka, with millions of members, while others have just a few thousand insured. It’s worth noting that the basic benefits are the same across the board. All public health insurance providers must stick to the same government regulations.

To encourage more competition, the GKV insurance companies can now offer bonus plans, reduced fees, special programmes for dental work and other services. This means you can now choose the insurance company that best suits your needs.

When you first sign up with the GKVs, you won’t have to answer any health questions about any pre-existing medical conditions and there’s no waiting period. As a rule, you have to be a member of a provider for at least 12 months. After that, you can switch to another provider within the GKV and your monthly premium will still be roughly the same.

As a rule, the standard of care provided to those on the public health insurance plan is pretty good. You’ll pay between €5 and €10 for each prescription, but this is waived for children. On top of that, you’ll have to pay €10 a day for the first 28 days of your hospital stay. You might also have to pay a small extra fee for things like routine blood tests.

MAIN MEDIC • ALL

Dr. Jenifer Blythe

Could you tell us about yourself and your personal connection to the USA?

I am a general practitioner in Frankfurt with a bicultural background. My father is American, and my mother is German. Although I was born and raised in Germany, I have always felt a strong connection to both cultures, which has enriched my perspective on life and medicine. My medical journey began at the Goethe University Frankfurt, where I completed my studies in human medicine. During this time, I spent two educational and inspiring semesters abroad at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), which further deepened my ties to the USA.

What led you to pursue a career in medicine and what inspired you to establish your own practice Main Medic All?

My journey into medicine began with a deep-rooted passion for science and a desire to help people. Working in various general, internal medicine, and pulmonology practices and clinics allowed me to develop a comprehensive understanding of patient needs and treatment methodologies. However, it was the personal connections and trust I built with my patients that truly inspired me. I realized that individualized care, where the patient’s entire life situation is considered, was crucial for effective treatment. Driven by this belief, I decided to establish my own practice, Main Medic All, in February 2022. My goal was to create a healthcare environment where patients feel valued and understood.

Could you give us an overview of the wide range of services offered at Main Medic All?

At Main Medic All, we offer comprehensive healthcare services with a holistic approach. In addition to general medical care, our range of services includes laboratory diagnostics, check-up’s, specialized cardiological and dermatological consultations, travel and standard vaccinations counseling, allergy tests, as well as consultations on sports and nutrition.

Contact us and register as a patient today

Dr. Jenifer Blythe

Fachärztin für Allgemeinmedizin Zimmerweg 6, 60325 Frankfurt am Main T 069 75 666 9990, F 069 75 666 9991 Info@Mainmedicall.de

The GKV plan covers basic dental treatments, but you’ll have to pay for anything more complicated, like bridgework or orthodontics. There is some coverage for optical lenses in glasses, but only for certain levels of severity.

The best thing about the GKV system is that non-working dependants (spouse and children) get the same level of cover as the insured person, free of charge. Lots of people choose to insure themselves and their families through the state-regulated system and then buy additional private insurance to get better coverage, such as a private hospital room, homeopathy, vision products and better dental coverage.

PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE (PKV)

If you’re on a gross yearly salary of more than €69,300 (2024), you can opt to sign up to a private health insurance programme. If you’re self-employed, a civil servant or another kind of professional, you can also choose to sign up to a private health insurance programme. Your employer has to contribute the same amount they would have paid under the public system, which is usually about half of the monthly premium.

There are currently around 42 private health insurance companies operating in Germany, offering a wide range of options. As a rule of thumb, private healthcare premiums for people under 35 are usually cheaper than in the public system. The premiums you pay in the private system depend on things like your income, your state of health, your age and what other cover you have.

Private insurance companies aren’t regulated by the state, so they can offer more extensive coverage that can be adapted to an individual’s needs. Private health insurance programmes also offer better dental coverage, vision products and other medical treatments. On top of that, there are more doctors to choose from, as many medical professionals prefer to treat privately insured patients.

When you’re deciding between the private and public health care systems, it’s important to weigh up the costs and benefits. The main drawback of the private system is that non-working spouses and family members have to be insured separately. Also, members of PKV plans have to pay for treatment upfront and then submit paperwork to the insurance company to get reimbursed. One last thing to note is that it’s not easy to change your mind about enrolling in a PKV. You can’t switch back to the public system unless your salary falls below the monthly threshold.

PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE FROM AN INTERNATIONAL PROVIDER

In the past, it was pretty common for newcomers to use international health insurance policies from insurers outside of Germany, mostly in the UK, because they were designed with the specific needs of expats in mind and were less expensive. However, the German health insurance reform of 2009 meant that international insurance companies had to stick to the German insurance code. Most of these policies didn’t make it past this legal hurdle and were pulled from the German market. This has made things even more complicated because some of the German regulations might be in breach of EU law. The question is whether Germany will accept European rules for selling health insurance to non-Germans applying for a residence permit.

TRAVEL HEALTH INSURANCE

The German public health insurance system is valid in 27 EU countries (plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland), but it only provides limited coverage. If you need emergency medical care while travelling to another EU country and you’re covered by the state-regulated insurance plan, you’ll have to pay the medical costs yourself and then submit all the receipts to your German insurance provider. But you’ll only get back what the German system would have paid for the treatment – sometimes just a fraction of the actual costs. If you want to be covered for medical expenses within the EU or if you’re planning to travel to non-EU countries, it’s a good idea to get travel insurance before you leave. If you’re an ADAC member, you’ll find they have some great deals..

NURSING CARE INSURANCE

DENTAL CARE

General Practice in the

Dental care in Germany is pretty good, but it can also be expensive. If you’re having major dental work done, like bridges, crowns or orthodontics, you’ll need to get a cost estimate (Heil- und Kostenplan) and show it to your insurer before you start treatment. Otherwise, you could end up with a hefty bill to pay yourself. If you’re on the state health insurance plan, you might have to pay between 50 and 100 percent for dental work if you don’t have extra dental insurance. If you have private insurance, you’ll be in a much better position, but it’s worth taking a close look at exactly what’s covered.

Avadent Dental Clinics

It doesn’t matter if you’re on the public or private health insurance plan, you’ll also have to pay into the German government’s mandatory long-term nursing care plan (Pflegepflichtversicherung). This nursing care insurance covers some of the costs of personal nursing needs, such as feeding and bathing, for people who become substantially disabled. The cost is an additional 4 percent for those without kids and 3.4 percent for those with kids on your gross salary (up to a maximum of €169.58 at 3.4 percent per month). Your employer will pay half up to €76.

Avadent stands for a new generation of dentistry. And for lifelong dental health. As a leading provider of dental care in the Taunus and the Rhine Main region, Avadent offers all specialist areas. Whether general dentistry, aesthetic dentistry, prophylaxis, pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, pain and functional diagnostics, implantology, dentures, oral surgery, periodontology, sleep medicine, endodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, plastic and aesthetic facial surgery or anesthesia, the best possible care is offered here. And that according to the latest scientific standards and with innovative device technologies.

AVADENT BAD HOMBURG

Am Mühlberg 6 – 8 | 61348 Bad Homburg, Telephone 06172 307777 | info@avadent.de

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 7 30 a.m. –9 p.m., Saturday 7.30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

AVADENT KÖNIGSTEIN

Hauptstraße 15 | 61462 Königstein, Telephone 06174 955770 | info@avadent.de

Main Medic All

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 7.30 a.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday 7.30 a.m. – 2 p.m. by appointment

AVADENT FRIEDRICHSDORF-KÖPPERN

Bachstraße 3 | 61381 Friedrichsdorf-Köppern, Telephone 06175 1360 | info@avadent.de

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 7 30 a.m. – 9 p.m.

VISITING A PHYSICIAN

Once you’ve signed up to a healthcare plan, you’ll get a health insurance card (Gesundheitskarte) with a microchip and a passport photo on it. It’s a bit like a credit card. You’ll need to show this card each time you visit a healthcare provider. You won’t have to pay any extra for most treatments, including all basic care and check-ups.

There are two main ways to visit a healthcare provider: you can either make an appointment or drop in during open visiting hours. You’ll usually find the times for these visits posted either on the front door or gate of the doctor’s building or online.

MAIN

General

Main Welcome comprehensive statutory both comfortable language. pointments bypassing find schedule. tion in cessible

Welcome to our general practice! comprehensive medical care for statutory health insurances. Our both German and English, so comfortable communicating in language. You can conveniently pointments at any time via our online bypassing a phone queue and allowing find an appointment that perfectly schedule. Thanks to our excellent tion in Frankfurts Westend, we cessible by public transportation.

Open visiting hours usually fall within normal working hours, so you might need to take time off work to see a healthcare provider. Your employer can’t refuse you time off to see a doctor or dentist if you’re sick or in a lot of pain. This right is protected by law.

What Our with to provide gnostics maintain sustainable

| Dr. Jenifer Blythe & Colleagues

MAIN MEDIC • ALL

the Heart of Frankfurt

Dr. Jenifer Blythe & Colleagues

General

Practice in the Heart of Frankfurt

General Practice in the Heart of Frankfurt

Colleagues

General Practice in the Main

Main Medic All

Main Medic All

What we offer

The Team

Welcome to our general practice! We offer comprehensive medical care for private and all statutory health insurances. Our team speaks both German and English, so you can feel comfortable communicating in your preferred language. You can conveniently book appointments at any time via our online calendar, bypassing a phone queue and allowing you to find an appointment that perfectly fits your schedule. Thanks to our excellent central location in Frankfurts Westend, we are easily accessible by public transportation.

Welcome to our general practice! We offer comprehensive medical care for private and all statutory health insurances. Our team speaks German and English, so you can feel comfortable communicating in your preferred language. You can conveniently book appointments at any time via our online calendar, bypassing a phone queue and allowing you to an appointment that perfectly fits your schedule. Thanks to our excellent central locain Frankfurts Westend, we are easily accessible by public transportation.

practice! We offer private and all Our team speaks you can feel your preferred conveniently book aponline calendar, allowing you to perfectly fits your excellent central locaare easily actransportation.

The Team

Our practice is equipped with state-ofthe-art technology, allowing us to provide you with the best possible diagnostics and care. Our aim is to promote, maintain and restore your health using sustainable methods and a holistic approach. We achieve this through a special focus on preventive diagnostics and therapy. Our range of services therefore includes laboratory diagnostics, check-up’s, specialized cardiological and dermatological, travel, and standard vaccinations consultations, allergy tests, as well as consultations on exercise and nutrition in addition to general medical care (Not all services are covered by statutory health insurance).

Welcome to our general practice! comprehensive medical care for private statutory health insurances. both German and English, so you comfortable communicating in your language. You can conveniently pointments at any time via our online bypassing a phone queue and allowing find an appointment that perfectly schedule. Thanks to our excellent central tion in Frankfurts Westend, we are cessible by public transportation.

The Team

Our team consists of specialists in general medicine, cardiology, and dermatology, supported by sports and health scientists, as well as medical assistants. Friendliness and professionalism are a given for us – as your health and well-being are our sole purpose. We assure you that you will experience this dedication upon entering our office. Our extensive, interdisciplinary range of services ensures comprehensive care. If needed, we will of course refer you to other specialists or clinics. Contact us and register as a patient today!

Our team consists of specialists in general medicine, cardiology, and dermatology, supported by sports and health scientists, as well as medical assistants. Friendliness and professionalism are a given for us – as your health and well-being are our sole purpose. We assure you that you will experience this dedication upon entering our office. Our extensive, interdisciplinary range of services ensures comprehensive care. If needed, we will of course refer you to other specialists or clinics. Contact us and register as a patient today!

What we offer

Your contact for all health-related matters

Your contact for all health-related matters

What we offer practice is equipped state-of-the-art technology, allowing us provide you with the best possible diagnostics and care. Our aim is to promote, maintain and restore your health using sustainable methods and a holistic approach.

Our team consists of specialists in general dicine, cardiology, and dermatology, supported by sports and health scientists, as well as dical assistants. Friendliness and professiona lism are a given for us – as your health well-being are our sole purpose. We assure that you will experience this dedication entering our office. Our extensive, interdiscipli nary range of services ensures comprehensive care. If needed, we will of course refer you other specialists or clinics. Contact us and gister as a patient today!

Your contact for all

Our practice is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, allowing to provide you with the best possible gnostics and care. Our aim is to maintain and restore your health sustainable methods and a holistic approach. We achieve this through a special preventive diagnostics and therapy. of services therefore includes laboratory gnostics, check-up’s, specialized cardiologi Your health-related

CHOOSING A DOCTOR

While many people initially choose a healthcare provider near their home or workplace, it’s often better to ask friends or colleagues for a recommendation. Doctors have different personalities and approaches to patients. It’s worth noting that the German system doesn’t require you to stay with any one doctor. So, if you’re not happy with your current doctor, you can always switch to another and even get treatment for the same issue if you feel your first doctor isn’t doing a good job.

It’s usually best to go to a general practitioner first and only then seek treatment with a specialist – if your regular doctor thinks you need it. Your GP will give you a referral (Überweisung) for the right specialist if you need one, and in many cases, they’ll also recommend a few good specialists.

ENGLISH-SPEAKING DOCTORS

One of the most frustrating things about living in a foreign country is not being able to communicate with your doctor in your own language. Most doctors in Germany can speak a little English, but not all receptionists. That said, there should be at least one person in the office who can help you with the details of your visit. If you’re looking for English-speaking doctors and dentists in the Rhine-Main region, you should get in touch with:

The American International Women’s Club of the Taunus has a list based on members’ experiences, but you have to be a member to access it. You can find out more at www.aiwcfrankfurt.org.

The US Consulate also has lists at de.usembassy.gov/medical-assistance/#doctor

PHARMACIES

You can get almost any medicine you need at your friendly local pharmacy (they are called Apotheke). As a matter of fact, even most non-prescription medicines can only be found at the pharmacy. You can pick up vitamins and other health products at supermarkets or beauty and health shops. If you’re on a health insurance plan, you’ll get a discount on prescription drugs. If you’re in the state system, you’ll have to pay a co-payment of €5-10 per prescription, but children’s drugs are free. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have the medicine in stock, they’ll order it for you and it’ll usually be delivered within the next 24 hours. While most pharmacies close at 6.30 pm, there are emergency dispensing services. Each pharmacy has a notice telling you where the next all-night dispensary is. You’ll need to ring a bell to be served. There’s usually a window in the door through which the medicines will be issued.

HOSPITALS

If you need to go to hospital, your doctor will arrange a bed and find a specialist on the staff to see you. Needless to say, none of this applies in an emergency, when you’re admitted without prior notice. Depending on your health plan, you could be in a single room or a four-bed room. Just to flag up that most hospitals don’t automatically provide gowns, towels or toilet articles for inpatients.

AFTER-HOURS TREATMENT

If you suddenly need treatment outside of normal working hours, your best bet is to call your doctor’s office. If not, he might have a voicemail telling you how to get in touch. If not, you can call the emergency service (Ärztlicher Notdienst). These numbers depend on where you are. They can give you a lot of

advice and, in some cases, even send a doctor to your home. But if it looks like it could be a serious, even life-threatening, situation, you should call the police or the fire department.

HAVING A BABY IN GERMANY

For the last few decades, Germans have been concerned about the decline in birth rates and the rise in life expectancy, which has led to some obvious demographic issues. That’s why they’ve introduced a range of generous programmes to encourage couples to have children and increase the population. As well as excellent care, pregnant women and new mums get extra benefits related to healthcare and prenatal care. One of the best benefits is 14 weeks of paid maternity leave, six weeks before the expected birth and eight after. The government also offers a number of other benefits to new parents, including the option of taking up to 14 months of postnatal leave. During this time, the parent who stays at home with the child can get a monthly allowance (Elterngeld) equal to 67% of the last net salary, but there are limits on the maximum amount. What’s more, the parent who stays at home with the child is protected from dismissal during this period. On top of that, the government also provides a monthly allowance (Kindergeld) for each child.

BIRTH CERTIFICATES

If you have a new family member while living in Germany, you’ll need to register your baby with two countries. First of all, you need to register the birth with the German authorities. The hospital can register the birth. They suggest you bring the passports of both parents, as well as your marriage certificate if you have one. The hospital will then take care of registering the birth. You’ll need to find out where the birth was registered and then go there to pick up the birth certificate. One interesting thing about registering your new baby is that there are certain restrictions on what a child’s first name can be. German law says that the first name must be clearly distinguishable as either male or female. This means that unisex names aren’t allowed. If you really want an unusual name, the German authorities might ask you to prove that it’s common in your home country.

Once you’ve registered the birth with the German authorities, you’ll probably want to register your child with your own consulate or embassy. You’ll need to bring the German birth certificate with you when you do this. It’s important to note that there are a few different forms in the birth certificate, so you’ll need to bring the one that says Abstammungsurkunde with an “EC” in the top right-hand corner. You’ll also need to bring your passport (and your spouse’s if you’re both citizens of the country you’re seeking citizenship for the child) and your marriage certificate. These procedures are pretty standard across most countries, but the details can vary. For example, the US Consulate requires you to appear in person with the new baby, as the authorities must see the child and parents in person. Finally, you’ll need to drop by the registry office (Standesamt) again and register your new arrival as a resident at your address.

Just because your child is born in Germany doesn’t automatically mean they’ll get German citizenship. The rules around citizenship are pretty complex, but generally speaking, a child will get German nationality if one of the parents is a German national. If neither parent is German, it’s still possible for the child to get German citizenship at birth if at least one parent has legally lived in Germany for more than eight years and also has a permanent residence permit.

Dental problems?

Our team of specialists will help in any case.

Instead treatment ever

Ins treatment eve

of just one dentist who takes care of ever ything, at Avadent you have a personal dentist at your disposal who will advise you, plan your and carr y it out in cooperation with our specialist experts. Your advantage: a family dentist who knows you – plus a team that masters y dental challenge with great expertise and always has your holistic well-being as its top priority

Dott Dr med Georg-Michael Henrich

Dott Dr med Georg-Michael Henrich

E mova

Majka Papzien

Dr med. dent Michael Hanke

Dr med. dent Michael Hanke

Dr med dent Sima Khameh Var

Dr med dent Sima Khameh Var

Dr. med. dent. Anna Kaltenmorgen

Dr. med. dent. Anna Kaltenmorgen

AVADENT BAD HOMBURG

AVADENT BAD HOMBURG

Am Mühlberg 6 – 8, 61348 Bad Homburg, Telephone 06172 307777, info@avadent.de

Am Mühlberg 6 – 8, 61348 Bad Homburg, Telephone 06172 307777, info@avadent.de

Dr med dent Sabine Hanke

Dr med dent Sabine Hanke

Dr med dent Ute Jensen

Dr med dent Ute Jensen

Stephan Schmidt

Stephan Schmidt

Dr. med. Annette Kirschsieper-Heinrich Panagiotis Iatrou

Dr. med. Annette Kirschsieper-Heinrich

AVADENT KÖNIGSTEIN

AVADENT KÖNIGSTEIN

Dr med. dent Caroline Wüstner

Dr med. dent Caroline Wüstner

Dr. med. dent. Mareike Bücking

Dr. med. dent. Mareike Bücking

Dr med. dent Scharareh Moaeri-Schmitt

Dr med. dent Scharareh Moaeri-Schmitt

Dr med. dent Joachim Wegener

Dr med. dent Joachim Wegener

Kapatruk

AVADENT FRIEDRICHSDORF-KÖPPERN

Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 7.30 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Saturday: 7.30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 7.30 a.m. - 9 p.m. Saturday: 7.30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Hauptstraße 15, 61462 Königstein, Telephone 06174 955770, info@avadent de Opening hours Monday to Friday: 7.30 a.m. - 9 p.m. Saturday: 7.30 a.m. - 2 p.m. by appointment

Hauptstraße 15, 61462 Königstein, Telephone 06174 955770, info@avadent de Opening hours Monday to Friday: 7.30 a.m. - 9 p.m. Saturday: 7.30 a.m. - 2 p.m. by appointment

Panagiotis Iatrou →

AVADENT FRIEDRICHSDORF-KÖPPERN

Bachstraße 3, 61381 Friedrichsdorf-Köppern, Telephone 06175 1360, info@avadent de Opening hours Monday to Friday: 7.30 a.m. - 9 p.m. Saturday: 7:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. by appointment

Bachstraße 3, 61381 Friedrichsdorf-Köppern, Telephone 06175 1360, info@avadent de Opening hours Monday to Friday: 7.30 a.m. - 9 p.m. Saturday: 7:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. by appointment

Scan here to schedule your appointement.

Scan here to schedule your appointement.

Iuliia E mova
Ghayath Mahfoud Kristina Brenner
Nicole Denfeld
Oksana
Svenja
Stephan Stork
Eva-Maria Geise
Iuliia
Ghayath Mahfoud Kristina Brenner
Nicole Denfeld
Oksana Kapatruk
Svenja Majka Papzien
Stephan Stork
Eva-Maria Geise

Child and youth poverty in Frankfurt

Child and youth poverty is a significant issue in Frankfurt, a city known for its wealth and status as a financial hub. Despite the affluence of some of its residents, a substantial portion of the city‘s children and young people live in poverty.

In 2022 23,2% of children under 18 in Frankfurt were considered to be living in poverty. In comparison to the national Average is Frankfurt‘s child poverty rate higher than the national average for Germany.

Like in many global metropoles in Frankfurt as well poverty is concentrated in certain neighborhoods, such as Gallus, Griesheim, and Fechenheim, where poverty rates are significantly higher compared to more affluent areas like the Westend. The situation contributes to social segregation, where children in poorer districts have less access to quality education, extracurricular activities, and health care.

The impact of poverty in early childhood has many consequences on the development of the child:

1. Education: Children in poverty are more likely to have lower educational outcomes. Schools in poorer districts often struggle with fewer resources and lower student performance, perpetuating the cycle of poverty.

2. Health: Poorer children face higher risks of health problems due to inadequate nutrition, limited access to healthcare, and living in substandard housing conditions.

3. Social Exclusion: Poverty leads to social exclusion, where children and youth from low-income families have limited access to cultural, recreational, and social activities, which can negatively impact their social development.

Child and youth poverty in Frankfurt is a pressing issue that affects a significant portion of the population. The disparity between wealthy and impoverished families is stark, and the impact of poverty is felt across multiple areas of life, including education, health, and social integration. Addressing this issue requires a multi-faceted approach, involving both government policies and community support initiatives.

EFFORTS

OF THE

FRANKFURTER TAFEL

E.V. IN ORDER TO COMBAT CHILD AND YOUTH POVERTY?

The Frankfurter Tafel, part of the broader „Tafel“ network in Germany, plays a crucial role in combating child and youth poverty in Frankfurt. As a charitable organization, it collects surplus food from supermarkets, restaurants, and other businesses and distributes it to those in need. The Frankfurter Tafel e.V. supports each month more than 5000 children and

those with children, by providing them with essential food supplies. Many of the recipients are families living below the poverty line, including single-parent households and families with immigrant backgrounds. Access to nutritious food helps alleviate the financial burden on these families, freeing up resources for other needs like education and healthcare.

• In some cases, the Tafel supports schools in disadvantaged areas by providing food that can be used in school meal programs or snack distributions. This ensures that children from low-income families receive at least one nutritious meal during the school day.

The Frankfurter Tafel partners with schools, kindergartens, and after-school programs to directly support children and youth. This might include special distributions of food and essentials like school supplies, as well as organizing events or holiday packages that provide children with extra support during school breaks when free meal programs are not available.

The Frankfurter Tafel also helps raise awareness about the extent of poverty in the city, especially among children. By highlighting the needs of low-income families and the challenges they face, the organization advocates for more systemic changes and support from both the government and private sector.

While the Tafel‘s primary focus is food distribution, by reducing food insecurity, they indirectly support the education of children in poverty. Well-nourished children are better able to focus in school and engage in learning. The Tafel‘s work helps mitigate the impact of poverty on children’s educational outcomes by addressing one of the fundamental barriers: hunger.

Through partnerships with other charities and community groups, the Tafel occasionally participates in projects that provide low-income children access to extracurricular activities, such as sports or cultural events. These activities are crucial for social inclusion and personal development.

In times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic or economic downturns, the Frankfurter Tafel increases its efforts to support vulnerable families. During such times, the need for food assistance often rises, and the Tafel provides emergency food packages to ensure that families with children do not go hungry.

The Frankfurter Tafel plays a vital role in mitigating the effects of poverty on children and youth in Frankfurt by providing food and basic necessities to families in need. Their efforts help to alleviate hunger, support educational outcomes, and reduce the stress on low-income families. While their primary focus is on food distribution, their work indirectly contributes to improving the overall well-being of children and young people affected by poverty in the city.

Text: Nilab AlokuzayKiesinger, Spokeswoman of the Board of FRANKFURTER TAFEL E.V.

GETTING

EDUCATED

s chools , colleges , and unis in F rank F urt r hine - m ain
It's important for newcomers to find the right school for their kids. Or the right university. There are lots of great options out there, both public and private.

GERMAN SCHOOL SYSTEM

German schools are about more than just learning a second language and experiencing a foreign culture. If you enroll your child in a German school, it can help you and your child to integrate into the local community. On top of that, the public education system is free of charge.

The German school system has a good reputation when it comes to academic standards. The main issue with the German system is the short hours (primary schools usually finish at noon), lack of flexibility and lack of programmes for gifted and remedial children. In Germany, it's down to the state government to run the school system. In response to the above shortcomings, the State of Hesse has introduced

a series of educational reforms. As a result, the high school curriculum was overhauled and afternoon classes were introduced. Another big change was to do with substitute teaching. Hessen introduced new legislation to stop classes being cancelled (and students sent home) due to a lack of human resources in schools. With students now spending longer days at school, many schools are offering hot lunches. It's still the case that most German schools don't offer organised sports teams and other extra-curricular activities. Instead, these are provided by a huge number of clubs (Vereine). It's also worth mentioning that the German school system expects parents to play an active role in their child's education. At the primary and middle school levels,

parents should expect to spend about an hour a day helping their children with homework on average.

Kindergarten

Germany has a great network of pre-schools. After all, the idea of the kindergarten first came from here, created by German educator Friedrich Fröbel in 1840. Kindergarten starts as early as age three and goes on until age five. It's not part of the regular public school system, so there's a fee. Tuition is often based on income, but fees are usually not expensive. Kindergarten in Germany is all about helping kids to develop socially and to build up their structured play, arts and crafts, music and coordination skills. Children aren't taught "learning ready" skills like the alphabet or counting. Kindergartens are often run by churches, social organisations or private companies.

Grundschule

All children aged 6-10 are required to attend a primary school (Grundschule). Here they learn the basics, like reading, writing and arithmetic, as well as local history, geography and biology. It's worth noting that, unlike in some other countries, students also have religion classes. As well as their homeroom teacher, they also have a separate music and sports teacher. Students are given up to an hour of homework a day. In the child's final year (4th grade) in the Grundschule, parents and teachers get together to decide on the child's

next level of schooling. If a child shows the academic ability to succeed at university, they will move straight onto high school (Gymnasium). Students who need another two years can attend middle school (Förderstufe), after which they can choose between the Gymnasium and intermediate schools (Hauptschule or Realschule). This can be a really stressful time for parents whose children aren't initially offered a place on the university track. But remember, the teacher recommendations aren't set in stone and can be appealed.

250 academic libraries are available to the 72,950 Frankfurt students for research in all subject areas.

Hauptschule

The lowest level of education in Germany is the general school (Hauptschule). It starts in the fifth grade and goes through to the ninth. A Hauptschule is a school where students prepare for jobs that require vocational training and continue learning basic subjects, as well as English. Once a student has finished the Hauptschule, they can then go on to a vocational college, which usually lasts about two years.

Realschule

A Realschule is a step up from a Hauptschule. Here, students get to grips with the basics, preparing them for mid-level roles in business or a technical trade. If a student has done well at a Realschule, they can also transfer to a Gymnasium.

Gymnasium

This is the highest level of secondary education in Germany and prepares students to enter university. Gymnasium lasts for 8–9 years and students learn German, maths, physics, chemistry, geography, biology and history. Students have to start learning a foreign language from Year 5 onwards. This is usually English, but you can also choose Latin or French. Students can add a second foreign language in 7th grade and a third in 9th grade. In their final years, students focus on specific subjects. They take week-long exams in their last year to get their Abitur, or high-school-leaving certificate, which allows them to apply to university.

Gesamtschule

A comprehensive school (Gesamtschule) combines all three types of high school. First introduced in the 1960s, this type of school allows students to switch between different tracks without changing buildings.

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS

International schools are used to teaching kids from all over the world with different language backgrounds. One of the benefits of the international education system is that it's easy to move between different curricula if your

family relocates for work or other reasons. As private schools, they often have better facilities, more extracurricular activities and longer hours, up to 6 p.m. in some cases. This comes at a cost. Tuition fees can be pretty steep, often well over €22,000 a year for high school. However, German taxpayers can claim back up to 30% of these fees as extra expenses, up to a maximum of €5,000.

Recently, a few bilingual (German-English) private schools have opened in Frankfurt Rhine-Main. If a private school is classified as an "alternative school" (Ersatzschule), it means it has been certified by the state educational authority. The school has to stick to the same rules and curriculum as a German school. Some of these schools are also allowed to offer international classes and diplomas that are equivalent to those in other countries. In return, the state gives these schools a lot of money in subsidies, so tuition is around €300–€1,000 a month. If a private school is classified as a "complementary school" (Ergänzungsschule), it doesn't have to follow state curriculum rules. Most international schools offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma have traditionally been classified as complementary schools. The state doesn't provide any subsidies, so these schools are funded almost exclusively by tuition fees.

INTERNATIONAL AND BILINGUAL SCHOOLS IN FRANKFURT RHINE-MAIN

European School Frankfurt

The European School Frankfurt (ESF) is one of the 13 official schools across Europe jointly supervised/run by the governments of the Member States of the European Union. The school was built primarily for the children of employees of the European institutions, e.g. European Central Bank (ECB) but actually, the ESF is open to all children as far as places are available.

The ESF is located in the Frankfurt quarter Praunheim and also proposes after-school care. The school offers 5 language sections: German, English, French, Italian and Spanish.

The ESF provide children with a multilingual and multicultural education at nursery, primary and secondary levels. It follows the European School curriculum and offers the European Baccalaureate diploma which allows graduates to study at universities in any EU country and is also recognized around the world.

Children whose parents work for the ECB or other EU institutions (so-called Category I) pay no tuition, while others (so-called Category II or III) tuition varies according to the category and the school level (nursery, primary or secondary).

EUROPEAN SCHOOL FRANKFURT

Praunheimerweg 126 | 60439 Frankfurt am Main www.esffm.org

European School Rhein-Main

Founded in 2012, the European School RheinMain (ESRM) is the first privately funded European School. Fully accredited by the EU, the school is located in Bad Vilbel, just outside Frankfurt. The school follows the European School curriculum leading to the European Baccalaureate, which is officially recognized in

Germany, all EU member states and beyond. ESRM is a full-day school whose teachers are native speakers specifically trained in the European School curriculum. Since the first Baccalaureate graduating class in 2016, 226 students have completed the European Baccalaureate program with excellent results. The Baccalaureate graduation rate is usually above 99%. From pre-primary to 12th Grade, the school has a complete English section and a complete German section. There are a minimum of two parallel English and two parallel German classes in each grade. Spanish as language 1 (mother tongue) and French as language 1 and 2 (first foreign language) are available in all grades leading to the European Baccalaureate. Currently, the school is operating at near full capacity with more than 1,655 students. The school facilities are well equipped and modern, including a four-pitch sports hall, one of the largest in Germany. The vast majority of graduating students choose to continue their university studies in the UK, US or Ireland. ESRM is open to all students and moderate school fees apply.

EUROPEAN SCHOOL RHEIN-MAIN

Theodor Heuss Straße 65 | 61118 Bad Vilbel www.es-rm.eu

Fintosch Multilingual Primary School

The school concept of the Multilingual Primary School of Fintosch unites the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) with the Hessian education and upbringing program. Furthermore the International Primary School of Fintosch is located in Frankfurt Westend and open all year round with a day care option up to 7 p.m. The entry level (Early Year 1) starts from the age of 5. The teaching is done in small classes with up to 20 students in English and German. Especially the joy of learning plays a central role. With its motto “Fintosch feels like family,” the school aims to give pupils a child-friendly and caring environment while promoting multicultural harmony. The building also houses an international kindergarten and a nursery.

FINTOSCH MULTILINGUAL PRIMARY SCHOOL

Schumannstraße 4-6 | 60325 Frankfurt/Westend www.fintosch.com

Frankfurt International School

Frankfurt International School (FIS), founded in 1961, is one of the largest and oldest international schools in Europe, with a student population of over 1,800 from more than 60 countries. It employs nearly 250 well-qualified and experienced faculty and staff from 30 different countries. The school is organized into four school divisions: the Primary Division age 3 to Grade 1, the Elementary Division Grades 2 – 5, and the Upper School Grades 6 – 12, all of which are in Oberursel. FIS operates another division in Wiesbaden for students age 3 to Grade 8.

FIS is accredited by the New England Association of Schools & Colleges and is a founding member of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IB). FIS is known for its excellent college placements and exceptional IB exam results. It takes an inquiry-based approach to learning utilizing the Primary Years Program and the IB DiplomaProgram. English is the language of instruction, but German is mandatory. English as a second

YOUR GERMAN LANGUAGE JOURNEY STARTS WITH US

THE LANGUAGE, DISCOVER THE CULTURE AND UNLOCK

OPPORTUNITIES WITH OUR FACE-TO-FACE COURSES

Save 10% with our code: FRA2025 goethe.de/frankfurt2025

Master German - Discover Germany

The Goethe-Institut as a key to integration in Frankfurt

"The German language is difficult!" This is a statement frequently heard from native speakers when conversing with individuals who have just begun learning German. The challenge of determining whether a noun is masculine, feminine, or neuter, the complexity of words like "doch" with their multiple meanings, and the many exceptions to grammatical rules can make mastering this language seem almost impossible. Indeed, learning German is undeniably challenging. Thus, in Frankfurt, a city that attracts individuals from across the planet and where the English language is prevalent, the question arises: is it worth undertaking the demanding process of learning German, or is proficiency in English sufficient for living in Frankfurt?

Each year, many individuals take the bold step of relocating to Germany, aiming to start a new life, to integrate into society, and to learn German. However, in Frankfurt, where numerous cultures converge, where inter-

national companies proliferate, and where many Germans are proficient in English, the question of learning German becomes relevant. Why, then, do so many people still start learning German?

Over a decade ago, Arturo Azito Sierra decided to leave his hometown of New York City and to move to Frankfurt. He now works as a Doctor of Chiropractic and has never regretted his decision. Arturo has developed a deep affection for Frankfurt. However, he says that the initial stages of learning German were a difficult journey. The intricacies of grammar, the complexity of texts, and the rapid pace at which Germans speak makes the process of learning and speaking the language quite challenging. Similarly, Chrystail Haick from the City of Nazareth faced comparable difficulties in the beginning. "Learning German", she notes, "is not a steady, linear progress, but a constant up and down." She left Israel seven months ago in order to learn German

to start her medical studies in Germany. To achieve her goal of obtaining a C1 Certificate, she attends a daily intensive course at the Goethe-Institut.

We asked them why they are following a language course at the Goethe-Institut.

Arturo emphasizes that the individualized methods used by the teachers at the Goethe-Institut significantly enhanced his language skills and helped him professionally. "My teacher noticed my weak areas and helped me to correct them in a very straightforward, uncomplicated way." He now feels confident in communicating with patients who prefer to speak only German. The instructors' creative and diverse teaching methods cater to the varying needs of learners and facilitate their success. Beyond fundamental linguistic knowledge, they also incorporate cultural elements like discussing German traditions, recommending German books and songs, and even sometimes introducing German sweets. For Chrystail, "the combination of culture and language, conveyed in an understanding, patient, and supportive manner, is a key to her integration in Frankfurt." She finds this approach inspiring and helpful in her personal development, professional opportunities and private relationships.

Although English may initially build bridges, mastering German and thereby grasping German culture is essential for truly settling in and understanding Germany. It serves as the cornerstone for successful integration and opens doors to a deeper connection with one's new homeland.

CONTACT

Goethe-Institut Frankfurt Bleichstraße 1, 60313 Frankfurt am Main +49 89 1222 3 1222 ks-frankfurt@goethe.de goethe.de/frankfurt

language is taught as well as Dutch, Japanese, Korean, Spanish and French. Mandarin is offered as an after school option.

FIS is committed to educating the whole child. Therefore, it offers a well-rounded curriculum with strong academics, athletics, performing arts and visual arts programs as well as a broad range of extra-curricular activities, clubs and service projects. The school operates an advanced information technology support system and also carries an inventory of devices for use by elementary and primary school students. High school students benefit from a dynamic 1-1 laptop learning program. The excellent facilities include three outdoor athletic fields, separate divisional buildings as well as a Science, Design-Technology, and Performing Arts Center. The recently opened Stroth Center for Learning and Athletics provides an outstanding addition to the campus.

Further strengths of the school are the deep commitment to the family as an integral part of the school community and its exceptional leadership. The latter has been recognized through two international educational awards given to the Head of School and the Wiesbaden principal in recent years.

FRANKFURT

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

An der Waldlust 15 | 61440 Oberursel www.fis.edu

Frankfurt International School –Wiesbaden Campus

The Wiesbaden Campus of Frankfurt International School has its own special atmosphere. As on the main campus in Oberursel, just 30 minutes away, students receive the same challenging, well-rounded and child-centered education with a sound mixture of rigorous academics and enriching ex tra-curricular activities. It offers an international curriculum to children age 3 to Grade 8 following the International Bac celaureate Programm. After Grade 8 students are welcomed at the main campus where they can graduate after grade 12 with the internationally-recognized International Baccelau reate Diploma. The division enjoys an excellent reputation in Germany and abroad given the expertise of its teachers and leadership and the quality of education it provides.

With just over 200 students, the educational journey at the Wiesbaden Campus takes place in a smaller, close-knit community. The fact that all students are known by name and that many of the faculty have been there since the in ception of the school over 25 years ago, gives the campus a familyfeel. Through the low faculty to student ratio, excep tional care and attention is given to every student.

Families will find a purpose-built school building, a spa cious sports hall, library and media center, playground, outdoor learning space and playing field. This year, a new building will be completed which will enable a greater focus on the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math ematics) subjects, thus ensuring that FIS Wiesbaden offers a distinct educational experience within the overall mission at Frankfurt International School.

FRANKFURT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL –WIESBADEN CAMPUS

Rudolf-Dietz-Straße 14 | 65207 Wiesbaden www.fis.edu

Internatsschule Institut Lucius

A private school in the vicinity of Frankfurt. Your child’s path to completing the German Abitur can begin right on your doorstep. On the outskirts of Frankfurt Privatschule Internat Lucius is located a 45 Minute drive away from Frankfurt city centre, in beautiful nature. Internatsschule Institut Lucius is a private boarding school - Sunday to Friday or full-day - for Frankfurt and the Rhine-Main region. General school-leaving qualification for university entrance is the German Abitur. By living within the boarding school community, the children and young people develop not only academic but also social competencies. In terms of academic and personal development, the school can offer your child greater chances and opportunities. This is exactly what the school’s task is- and has been for more than 200 years. The school was founded in 1809 and is privately run in the 6th generation. School community- 180 pupils; class size on average 16. Subjects: German, English, French, Spanish, Latin. Focus: Digital Education, Art, Music, and Theatre. Wide range in Social learning and Sports. Very good network of former students.

INTERNATSSCHULE INSTITUT LUCIUS

Principal Laura Lucius | Info@internat-lucius.de Forsthau | 61209 Echzell

Tel.: 0049 (0)6008 232 www.internat-lucius.de

DIGITAL EDUCATION IN THE RHINE-MAIN AREA

Prepare your child for the digital future - with our unique curriculum in our four subject areas

HIGHLIGHTS:

Extensive range of courses Holiday camps, weekly group courses, single courses, parents/kids-workshop, birthday parties

International environment Ideal for expat families

Experienced teachers

Experts from universities and from the field

Steinbach Frankfurt Wiesbaden Kids & Teens 5-16 years

Further information and registration at: www.robot-school.de

Flexible
Coding Technology & Robotics 3D-Print New Media & AI

School based on family values

Our boarding school Internatsschule Institut Lucius is the oldest family-run boarding school in Germany. We are the sixth generation.

Our clear educational concept - focusing on self-efficacy, trust, resilience and strong social skills – is what inspires us every day and fuels our conviction to provide young people with the education they need.

We are a private school with full-day care and week-day boarding for children and young people from year 5 right through to Abitur. With all academic work completed under professional supervision during the week, weekends can be solely dedicated to family time!

An exciting addition to our school facilities is the newly opened observatory, providing unique conditions and a wealth of opportunities for our school’s science syllabus.

At our boarding school, strong social values and an unwavering conviction form the foundations for creating a positive environment geared towards successful learning. A secure setting such as this is exactly what children and young people need in order to discover their own abilities and strengths, whether academic, artistic, athletic or in their social interaction with others. Children and young people who attend a boarding school are team players and already have a good network in place when they leave.

The key to our success is a strong school/boarding school management team that, with great care and consistency, provides the necessary operational and regulatory framework to ensure things run smoothly, day in, day out.

ISF International School Frankfurt Rhein-Main

ISF International School Frankfurt Rhein-Main (ISF) is a distinguished Kindergarten through Grade 12 international school in the Frankfurt-Rhein-Main region. Established in 1995, ISF is part of the global SABIS® Network, which operates in 21 countries across five continents. SABIS® schools are renowned for providing students with a top-quality education that equips them to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world.

ISF’s comprehensive educational program fosters a solid foundation of knowledge and skills, instills in students a love of lifelong learning, and cultivates their ability to adapt to and lead change. Centered around three core pillars—academic excellence, life skills, and personal well-being—an ISF education offers a holistic school experience. This approach combines a proud tradition of academic excellence with outstanding programs designed to develop character, skill, and resilience.

ISF students consistently achieve excellent academic results on international external exams. Unlike many other international schools that offer only one external examination program, ISF students have a choice between the Advanced Placement (AP) Program and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. This flexibility allows students to pursue admission to universities in Germany and around the world. Additionally, all students have the opportunity to take Cambridge IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) Exams, as well as PSAT and SAT Exams.

Complementing its high academic standards, ISF boasts an active and engaging student life through its SABIS® Student Life Organization® (SLO®). This student-run initiative offers a rich program of activities and sports, helping students develop important life skills such as leadership, communication, cooperation, and problem-solving.

As a result of the solid foundation of knowledge and skills gained at ISF, and the countless opportunities for self-development and life preparation, ISF graduates are viewed as excellent candidates for top universities around the world. They are accepted into the world’s finest colleges and universities, where they distinguish themselves as respected individuals, and go on to become successful professionals and conscientious citizens of the world.

ISF INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

FRANKFURT RHEIN-MAIN

Straße zur Internationalen Schule 33

65931 Frankfurt-Sindlingen T: +49 (0)69 954 319 710 info@isf-sabis.net www.isf.sabis.net

Metropolitan School Frankfurt

CONTACT

Internatsschule Institut Lucius 61209 Echzell (Frankfurt environment) info@internat-lucius.de, 06008 232 www.internat-lucius.de

Metropolitan School Frankfurt (MSF) is a fully accredited international school offering a comprehensive educational program for students aged 3 – 18 years of all nationalities. MSF was founded in 2007 and is the only International Baccalaureate (IB) World School and Cambridge IGCSE school in the city of Frankfurt offering the IB Primary Years Program, the Cambridge International Education (CIE) Program beginning in 6th Grade and culminating with the IGCSE exams in grade 10, and the IB Diploma Program in 11th and 12th Grade. Since its foundation, MSF achieves close to 100% pass rate in the IB Diploma results. Currently, MSF has enrolled more than 670 students from 55 countries. English is the primary language of

fs.de/mba

fs.de/execed

 PART-TIME & FULL-TIME MBA PROGRAMMES

 EXECUTIVE MBA FOR EXPERIENCED MANAGERS

 INTERNATIONAL HEALTHCARE MBA FOR SPECIALISTS

 ENGLISH PROGRAMMES

 WELL-ESTABLISHED ALUMNI NETWORK

 STRONG CAREER AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

instruction. German is offered for native speakers and also as an additional language for beginners and intermediate level students. Additional modern languages include French and Spanish, beginning in grade 6. Primary and secondary students can join extracurricular clubs that offer a range of sport and art-related activities. The school day begins at 8.30 a.m. and ends at 3.30 p.m., with before and after-school programs. MSF’s facilities include modern classrooms, science and computer labs, and performing and visual arts studios. In addition, the school has a modern cafeteria, two libraries, and a large sports and assembly hall. MSF has recently added a rooftop pitch for outdoor physical education classes.

METROPOLITAN SCHOOL FRANKFURT

Eschborner LandStraße 134 – 142 60489 Frankfurt am Main (Rödelheim) www.m-school.de

Strothoff International School

Strothoff International School (SIS) is a private, multilingual all-day school for children from Kindergarten to 12th Grade (ages 3-19). Founded in 2009, the school is located in Dreieich, only 9km south of downtown. As an International Baccalaureate World School, SIS follows the IB curriculum and is the only school in the Rhein-Main region to offer all three IB programs (PYP, MYP and DP). Students learn in a friendly, motivating, concept-driven and inquiry-based environment, taught by an international faculty who inspire students to achieve excellent academic results. In August 2020 the school launched its brand-new, refurbished Tandem-Kindergarten where children are taught in German and English simultaneously, empowering them to switch between languages naturally.

STROTHOFF INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

Frankfurter Straße 160-166, 63303 Dreieich www.strothoff-international-school.com

SIS Swiss International School Frankfurt

In Germany’s most culturally diverse and vibrant region, SIS Swiss International School Frankfurt offers children consistent bilingual education right from the start. SIS does not only talk about interculturality, they live it: Teachers teach in their mother tongue – and thus offer ideal conditions for cultural and linguistic immersion as the basic principle of language and culture acquisition. In a safe and supportive school atmosphere, SIS encourages and promotes the intellectual and personal development of children according to their strengths and interests.

SIS stands for a continuous education from preschool to college – one of the major advantages of their bilingual educational concept. SIS Frankfurt is being built up sustainably and step by step.

SIS Swiss International School Frankfurt currently provides a primaryschool with reception program. The school will grow with its students so that higher grades will be added annually. Eventually, a nine-year secondary school will be established. Throughout all grade levels, subjects are taught in German and English. In general, students are not required to be bilingual prior to joining the school, however, an individual consultation with the principal is always required.

SIS Swiss International School is a state approved private school. It is financed by a combination of tuition paid by

parents and state subsidies. SIS feels that it is important for as many families as possible to benefit from their bilingual program. Therefore, the tuition fees are income based.

SIS SWISS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL FRANKFURT

An den drei Hasen 34 – 36 | 61440 Oberursel www.swissinternationalschool.de/en-GB

BILINGUAL SCHOOLS (ENGLISH-GERMAN)

accadis International School Bad Homburg

Established in 2004 and located on a newly constructed school campus just north of Frankfurt, accadis International School Bad Homburg is an expanding bilingual co-ed school with currently over 550 students from 2 – 18 years of age, re-presenting over 40 nationalities. Classes are offered from preschool through to secondary school in a multilingual and international setting. accadis ISB encompasses a bilingual preschool for children aged 2 to 5, a bilingual elementary school which includes a primary class for 5-year-olds, as well as a bilingual secondary school. The preschool curriculum is adapted to the educational and methodical developments in the early learning phase. As a state-recognized “alternative school” (Ersatzschule), the elementary and secondary school up to Grade 10 adhere to the Hessen state curriculum combined with an international curriculum. The school offers the Cambridge IGCSE Examinations at the end of Grade 10 and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in Grades 11 and 12. The IB Diploma enables students to study in Germany as well as at universities worldwide. Instruction takes place bilingually in English and German. From Grade 5 onwards Spanish is added as a further language. Furthermore, elementary and secondary students can join extracurricular activities in both sports and arts. accadis ISB also offers an after school student care program and a homework–learning–activities club. The facilities on the state of the art campus include spacious and bright classrooms, science labs, modern music rooms as well as a sports hall with outdoor football pitch. Recently, additional building extensions featuring a modern library, two Art rooms, an IB Learning Suite dedicated to Grade 11 and 12, a Drama room with stage equipment as well as additional classrooms providing more space for the growing Elementary and Secondary School were opened. The school is strongly focused on technology. The state of the art learning environment includes Smartboards in each classroom, Google Chromebook laptops, school-wide high-speed Wi-Fi and a 3D printer.accadis ISB is just a short walk from accadis Hochschule, where university students can choose from a variety of management programs. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information at www.accadis-isb.com.

SÜDCAMPUS BAD HOMBURG

Am Weidenring 52 – 54 61352 Bad Homburg admissions@accadis-isb.com

VISITOR ENTRANCE SÜDCAMPUS

BAD HOMBURG

Am Weidenring 56, 61352 Bad Homburg www.accadis-isb.de

Registration possible all year round

SIS Swiss International School

Welcome to our bilingual all-day school

• Classes in German and English

• Ideal conditions for cultural and linguistic immersion

• Reception Programme, Primary School, and Secondary School

• Inter national and close-knit school community

• All-day care until 6 p.m.

MATTHEW SENIE

Matthew was born and raised in Boston, USA (he says things like “wicked,” and all of his students can identify his baseball team). He studied philosophy and literature in Washington, D.C. where he also taught English and coached tennis. Currently he’s loving being a philosophy and English teacher at The European School RheinMain and at the date of writing this, his Duolingo streak is an impressive 537 days. When he isn’t watching Netflix series, he’s thinking about how to pitch series to Netflix. Secondary interests include playwriting, running, tennis, finding cool vegan restaurants, and petting every single dog he sees.

IN RHINE-MAIN SINCE 2021

Heimat (Home) means: Wherever my bed and television are.

The most exotic place in the world I’ve ever been to: Some of my favorite destinations have included St. Croix, Sevilla, and Ljubljana.

My first day here …

My first day here I got off the plane and slept for fourteen hours. But on my second day I found a great vegan café in my new town, got a bank account, and bicycled to ESRM to see the school. I also met a friendly neighborhood cat and named him Buttons.

This is the App on my phone, which I can not live without – tell us why:

The New York Times app – I can’t start my day without doing the Wordle. Sometimes I even read the news.

Try to give us one wise, funny or even philosophical sentence:

“Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind.” – Seneca

Driving in Germany, getting around:

In America I was used to making friendly chit-chat with bus drivers. After three years and about 1,200 bus rides, I can finally say I’m friends with the folks to who get me to and from work :)

A secret about me:

Sometimes I watch the Red Sox at 2am on a weeknight (I’m still trying to convince Major League Baseball to switch their games to Germany’s time zone. So far, no luck).

MY TOP 3 FRANKFURT RHINE-MAIN TIPS

1 / Apfelkern und Kolibri I recommend ordering the “Tweety Burger”

2 / Ong Tao Vegan

3 / Leuchtendroter

Erasmus Frankfurter Stadtschule

Launched in 2006, the Erasmus Frankfurter Stadtschule is a private, trilingual (German, English and Spanish) kindergarten, elementary and secondary school. The school’s intercultural curriculum incorporates progressive didactics and the immersion teaching method (one person – one language) to achieve language acquisition. All three languages are used to teach subjects such as mathematics, science, music and art. The curriculum is based on the Hessen state guidelines. The private, all-day “G9 Gymnasium”, is a nine-year secondary school culminating in an Abitur diploma at the end of 13th Grade. In 2017, the Erasmus moved into its new campus located very close to the European Central Bank headquarters.

ERASMUS FRANKFURTER

STADTSCHULE

Sonnemannstraße 9-11 | 60314 Frankfurt am Main www.erasmus-schule.eu

ibms International Bilingual Montessori School

Located directly across the Senckenberg Natural History Museum in Frankfurt’s Westend district, ibms is a bilingual (English/German) preschool and primary school that follows the Montessori teaching principles.The preschool program includes “Nido”, or “The Nest” (18 months to 3 years), and a nursery school known as “Children‘s House” (3-5 years). The primary school consists of the Reception Class (5-7 years) and Primary 2-4 up to 4th Grade (7-10 years).

In preschool teaching takes place bilingually in 8 groups with 2 educators in each group. In primary school, classes are supervised by two teachers (native English and German speakers).

Opening hours of the preschool are 7.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and primary school from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sports and art activities are included in the Montessori worktime. Numerous activities (e.g workshops, class trips) also take place at the school‘s own country house in the Spessart.

IBMS INTERNATIONAL BILINGUAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL

Senckenberganlage 20 – 22 | 60325 Frankfurt am Main | www.ibms-frankfurt.com

Kids Camp Bilingual Primary School

Kids Camp offers bilingual education (German-English) to its primary school students. The school is open to both English speakers and to children without a bilingual background. Class size is limited to 20, with two teachers for each language. Kids Camp also offers extracurricular activities daily from 7.30 – 8:30 a.m. and 3.30 – 5 p.m., as well as a program of activities during the school holidays. As a state-recognized Ersatzschule, Kids Camp teaches the Hessen state curriculum, supplemented by additional subjects, such as computer training, literature and theater. Kids Camp also offers nursery, bilingual kindergarten and bilingual preschool in Frankfurt and the Taunus area.

KINDERTAGESSTÄTTE

Heuhohlweg 20 | 61462 Königstein im Taunus www.kidscamp-koenigstein.de

KINDERKRIPPE

Am Erdbeerstein 10a | 61462 Königstein im Taunus Schneidhain | www.kidscamp-koenigstein.de

ISF International School Frankfurt Rhein-Main

Home to 44+ Nationalities!

Offering grade levels ranging from Kindergarten to Grade 12, ISF pairs a high-quality education with a vibrant, daily program of activities and events.

ISF is recognized as a top provider of quality education, dedicated to helping all students achieve their full potential. Our goal is to prepare students for success in college, equip them with the skills and passion for lifelong learning, and strengthen their social values. Our school community consistently strives to embody our core principles: always try, do your best, manage yourself, treat others with respect, cooperate and actively help others, and respect the property and rights of others.

We are committed to ensuring that ISF remains the premier college-preparatory international school in Frankfurt, maintaining high standards and expectations of individual greatness. Our mission is to ensure that all students take ownership of their educational experience, fostering a positive learning culture and environment where everyone is welcomed as part of the ISF family.

Our skilled and dedicated staff ensures that each student is challenged, encouraged, empowered, and prepared for success through the SABIS® Educational System™. This proven academic program is aligned with international standards and implemented to ensure quality teaching and learning take place every day.

ISF is a member of the global SABIS® Network, which has an active presence in 21 countries on five continents. As members of a renowned, international network, ISF students are given multiple opportunities to participate in global events, be part of a diverse and international alumni network, and benefit from the legacy of being a SABIS® student.

We are truly honored and privileged to be part of this international community, where parents, staff, and students care for each other and strive to build positive relationships that support academic, non-academic, and social growth.

CONTACT

ISF International School Frankfurt Rhein-Main Straße zur Internationalen Schule 33 65931 Frankfurt-Sindlingen T: +49 (0)69 954 319 710 info@isf-sabis.net www.isf.sabis.net

Obermayr International School

Obermayr International School is a private, state-recognized school, which follows the Hessen school curriculum and incorporates language immersion methods. The Frankfurt campus comprises a bilingual (German-English) primary school, junior and senior high school. The school leaving certificates are the Abitur and the optional “Hessisches Internationales Abitur” (HIAP). The aim of the school is education and learning in the spirit of European integration. Classes are taught by both German and English native speakers. School is from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m./4 p.m. followed by an extensive variety of after-school activities until 5 p.m./6 p.m. The school is situated on a 38,000 m2 green campus within easy reach of Frankfurt and also offers nursery, kindergarten and preschool facilities. Frankfurt Rhine-Main has been the home of Obermayr schools and kindergartens for over 60 years.

OBERMAYR INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

Am Weißen Stein | 65824 Schwalbach www.obermayr-education.com

Phorms Frankfurt

Phorms Frankfurt is a private, bilingual and state-approved school with two campuses. Phorms Frankfurt City was established in 2007, offering a primary school with reception

in the heart of Frankfurt. Phorms Taunus Campus is situated twenty minutes from Frankfurt amongst the green fields of Steinbach/Taunus. The campuses are available via daily chartered school bus. It comprises a day care center, primary school with reception and secondary school. Both campuses are proud of their excellent teaching in English and German by native speakers with a focus on science subjects and the development of leadership skills. The curriculum is based on the Hessian state guidelines, but is supplemented by the Cambridge International programmes for primary and secondary education. Phorms is also characterised by small class sizes and individual support as well as a varied afternoon and vacation programme. School fees are based on family income.

PHORMS CAMPUS FRANKFURT CITY

Fürstenbergerstraße 3 – 9 60322 Frankfurt am Main

PHORMS TAUNUS CAMPUS

Waldstraße 91, 61449 Steinbach/Taunus www.frankfurt.phorms.de

State International School

Located in Seeheim-Jugenheim (nr. Darmstadt), this is Hessen’s first public international school. The primary and high schools represent a pilot project in Germany – a public school where the language of instruction is English. Opened

ibms – International. Bilingual. Montessori.

Bilingual education according to the Montessori concept in the centre of Frankfurt

Why an international, bilingual school?

Frankfurt is a multicultural city with a large turnover of executives – many families depend on their children being able to move from one school system to another at any time.

At the same time, they want to give their children the opportunity to get to know the habits of the host country. For German children, such an international climate offers the unique opportunity to gain an insight into other cultures.

What does bilingual education mean for your child?

Our all-day concept makes it possible for all children to speak both languages directly and to use them at all times.

We already start in Nido (ages 1,5 – 3 years) and Children’s House (ages 3 – 5 years) with bilingual groups. Language learning takes place largely through everyday communication, games, songs and rhymes.

At our Primary School we teach according to the immersion method: there is always one English-speaking and one German-speaking teacher in the class. Each child has the opportunity to acquire, develop and refine language skills in both languages.

What is special about Montessori education?

Montessori education is based on the realisation, that people learn best when their own motivation is perceived, supported and encouraged.

Children want to act independently. We enable them to do this through a consistently stimulating environment, the Montessori material and our pedagogical material and our pedagogical attitude.

We support, encourage and accompany each child individually.

Learning together with children of different ages, backgrounds and stages of development supports social behaviour and solidarity.

CONTACT

ibms – international bilingual montessori school Senckenberganlage 20-22

60325 Frankfurt am Main phone +49 69 745646 office@ibms-frankfurt.com www.ibms-frankfurt.com

in 2005, the SISS is located on the campus of the Europaschule Schuldorf Bergstraße and is part of this large German comprehensive school. It follows the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), incorporates intensive language programs in German and is designed to prepare students for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), as well as for either the IB diploma, or the Abitur. The school offers a full day care program (7.30 a.m. – 6.00 p.m.), meals and extracurricular activities. Because the school is publicly owned, there is no tuition to pay, but rather a € 300 monthly fee for after-school care. Currently, 350 children are enrolled (160 in primary and 180 in high school), but with the completion of the new high-school building the school has places for up to 600 students.

STATE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

Sandstraße 92 | 64342 Seeheim-Jugenheim www.schuldorf.de

BILINGUAL PRESCHOOLS AND KINDERGARTENS

Fintosch International Toddler School and Kindergarten

Fintosch offers daycare and kindergarten for children between the ages of 3 months to 6 years with two locations in Frankfurt Westend and Bockenheim. Both locations are easily accessible via public transport and are open throughout the year from 7.30 a.m. to 7 p.m. The educational philosophy of Fintosch is to apply an integrated learning approach to promote the child‘s social, emotional and cognitive growth. Fintosch has 11 different groups for babies, toddlers and kindergartners. Each baby group has a capacity of 10 children, toddler groups accommodate 15 children and in the kindergarten groups there are up to 25 children. The main language is English and 1 hour German will be educated every day. The classrooms are individual newly designed and in addition there is a separate sports room. In August 2017, Fintosch launched a Multilingual PrimarySchool with small classes up to 20 students and the entry level (Early Year 1) starts from the age of 5.

FINTOSCH INTERNATIONAL TODDLER SCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN

Schumannstraße 4 – 6 | 60325 Frankfurt/Westend and Gräfstr. 47 – 51 | 60486 Frankfurt/Bockenheim www.fintosch.com

K.I.D.S. Kindergarten e.V.

K.I.D.S. is a private, international, multi-cultural, bilingual (English/German) kindergarten, which was initiated by parents in 1993. It is located next to Grüneburgpark and has a large garden adjacent to the premises. The kindergarten can accommodate up to 20 children in a mixed-age group of three- to six-year-olds and provides a happy and stimulating environment. The current cost is € 240 per month. The kindergarten day is from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and a hot meal is provided.

K.I.D.S. KINDERGARTEN E.V.

Sebastian-Rinz-Straße 22 | 60323 Frankfurt am Main www.kids-kindergarten.de

International French School

The strength of an internationally recognised educational network

The International French School is characterised by the highest standard of education, with special attention paid to the individual needs and requirements of the children. In this way, an educational environment is created that not only promotes excellent academic performance, but also emphasises the personal development and well-being of the pupils.

At the International French School in Frankfurt, children from pre-school (from the age of 3) to the final year of develop in a safe, welcoming and international environment. They learn playfully in French and German in pre-school, start English at primary school and can choose Spanish or Chinese, as well as Latin, at secondary school.

There is a 100% success rate for the Bac and the Abitur. Our primary school and the lower and middle school are recognised as an alternative school by the Hessian Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs. We are part of a network of almost 600 schools in 139 countries.

CONTACT

International French School – Frankfurt am Main (Rödelheim/Westhausen)

Pre-school and primary school, grammar school with Abibac.

Supervision from 7:30 to 17:45 possible.

Online information evening:

Wednesday, 27 November from 17:00.

Open day: Saturday, 18 January 2024 from 10:00 to 13:00. Trial lesson are possible from December to February Info & dates: www.lfvh.net - 069-747498 0

Le Jardin Nurseries & Kindergartens

Le Jardin offers a multilingual (German-English, German-French and German-Spanish) learning environment of nurseries and kindergartens. It maintains seven nurseries in Frankfurt, which are partially financed by sponsors(mostly banks and financial services companies). The nurseries have 10 children per group, ranging from 2 months to 3 years of age, and each group has three to four staff members. Le Jardin also operates three bilingual kindergartens in Eschersheim, Rödelheim and Frankfurt Westend. The kindergartens have two sections, each with 20 children ranging from 3 to 6 years of age, and with three staff members per section. Care is offered from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. all year round, with a break over Christmas. The kindergarten monthly fee is € 247, while the nurseries cost € 297 (incl. food, beverages and hygiene articles). Parents are required to pay a security deposit of € 500, which is later reimbursed upon the child’s departure. While both kindergartens are open to all applicants residing in Frankfurt, the seven nurseries prioritize the children of parents who work for supporting companies.

LE JARDIN NURSERIES & KINDERGARTENS

Trakehner Straße 7 – 9c 60487 Frankfurt am Main www.le-jardin.eu

Pebbles Daycare Centre

Pebbles Daycare Centre caters to children aged 7 months to 6 years. The elementary educational philosophy of the Pebbles nursery, kindergarten and preschool combines various concepts. These include Montessori, Reggio, multilingual encouragement, motor skills and early learning of music. A regular day program forms the framework for creativity, variety and activity. Pebbles is situated in Schwalbach – togetherwith the Obermayr International School – on a 38,000 m2 green campus within easy reach of Frankfurt. Daycare is provided from Monday to Thursday from 7.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays until 5 p.m. Frankfurt Rhine-Main has been the home of Obermayr schools and kindergartens for over 60 years.

PEBBLES DAYCARE CENTRE

Am weißen Stein | 65824 Schwalbach www.obermayr-education.com

Taunus International Montessori School

TIMS offers an English-language preschool program for children ages 1-6 years. The school, which has up to 64 children from approximately 20 different countries, has been serving the international community since 1973. TIMS is located in a spacious and bright new building featuring a library, playground, large gym, children’s kitchen and a garden. TIMS is centrally located and easy to reach from both downtown Frankfurt and the

Nurturing Growth in a Bilingual Environment

Welcome to SIS Frankfurt: A Comprehensive Educational Journey from Primary to Secondary School

SIS Swiss International School Frankfurt has been shaping its everyday school life since August 2020. The growing school allows close care for each child in a safe and supportive school atmosphere. It promotes the intellectual and personal development of the children according to their strengths and interests. Students learn and socialize in a stimulating,

bilingual all-day school environment. They are taught and supervised by German- and English-speaking staff members who alternate teaching with an equal number of hours. Teachers only use their mother tongue when communicating with the students, which offers ideal conditions for immersion as the basic principle of language and culture acquisition. SIS Frankfurt also aims to teach children tolerance and open-mindedness, independent thinking and the ability to act responsibly.

Welcome to SIS Frankfurt

SIS Frankfurt offers a primary school with reception programme, and since the 2023/24 school year, also a secondary school. The school is going to grow with its students adding one level per year until students will be able to graduate. Teaching and learning at SIS Frankfurt is based on the curricula of the federal state of Hesse, while the principles

of SIS’ own educational concept are also implemented. SIS Frankfurt is an all-day school with early morning care, lunch and afternoon activities.

CONTACT

SIS Swiss International School Frankfurt An den drei Hasen 34-36 61440 Oberursel

Phone +49 6171 8875 8011 info.frankfurt@swissinternationalschool.de www.swissinternationalschool.de/en

Taunus area. The children focus daily on their Montessori class work, which includes reading, writing, math, geography, and culture, as well as nature, sports, yoga, music, arts and crafts and after school activities. Opening hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m and Friday, 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.

TAUNUS INTERNATIONAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Zimmersmühlenweg 77 | 61440 Oberursel www.tims-frankfurt.com

BILINGUAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Over the past several years, public schools in Germany have begun to intensify their bilingual offerings. At the primary level, teachers from each language section often share the classroom. At the secondary level, classes such as history or biology are taught in foreign languages … sometimes even by a native speaker. German is the main language of instruction, but if your child has German language skills, this could be an interesting alternative to a private international school.

Goethe Gymnasium

The Goethe Gymnasium is a traditional German junior and senior high school, but with a keen international focus. Starting in 6th Grade, students may choose to take part in the English/German bilingual track with courses such as

Geography, Social Studies, History and Biology are taught entirely in English. Students completing their schooling are awarded the Abitur plus IB certificates or US Advanced Placement exams.

GOETHE GYMNASIUM

Friedrich Ebert Anlage 22 60325 Frankfurt am Main www.gg-ffm.de

OTHER GERMAN HIGH SCHOOLS WITH BILINGUAL CLASSES INCLUDE:

Kaiserin-Friedrich-Schule German-English

Auf der Steinkaut 1-15 61352 Bad Homburg www.kaiserin-friedrich.de

Freiherr vom Stein Schule German-Italian

Schweizer Straße 87 60594 Frankfurt am Main www.freiherr-vom-stein.de

accadis International School

 Bilingual instruction in English and German

 Latest technology for successful learning experiences

 Cambridge IGCSE at the end of Grade 10

 International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in Grades 11 and 12

Liebigschule

German-French

Kollwitzstraße 3 60486 Frankfurt am Main www.liebigschule-frankfurt.de

Ziehenschule

German-French

Josephskirchstraße 9 60433 Frankfurt am Main www.ziehenschule-online.de

Mühlbergschule (primary school)

German-Italian

Lettigkautweg 8 60599 Frankfurt am Main www.muehlbergschule.de

Textor Schule (primary school)

German-French

Oppenheimer Landstraße 15 60594 Frankfurt am Main www.textorschule.de

FRENCH SCHOOL

Lycée Français Victor Hugo de Francfort

Parents wishing to enroll their children in the French educational system will find a great opportunity tucked away in the northwest corner of Frankfurt. Three schools are housed on this education campus: the preschool (école maternelle), the primary school (école élémentaire) and the high school (lycée). About 1,000 students are enrolled in the private, tuition-based school. Although approximately 70 percent of the students are French or binational, as many as 26 nationalities are represented in the three schools. Annual tuition fees range from € 3,945 in preschool to € 4,860 in high school. The school has Ersatzschule status, which means that 60% of the classes are taught in French and 40% in German. Students who graduate from the Lycée earn not only the French Baccalauréat but also the German Abitur if they choose the “Abibac” diploma track. A prerequisite for primary school entry is sound knowledge of French.

LYCÉE FRANÇAIS VICTOR HUGO DE FRANCFORT

Gontardstraße 11 | 60488 Frankfurt/Rödelheim www.lfvh.net

CHINESE SCHOOL

Huayin Chinese Language School

Founded in 1997, the Huayin Chinese Sprachschule serves as a supplementary Saturday school for parents who want their children to learn Chinese language and culture. The school offers classes on saturday from 9.30 a.m. to 2 p.m and tuesday to thursday from 15.30 p.m. to 5 p.m. for preschool children up until 6th Grade. Currently, 40 teachers preside over 500 students. With a broad range of culturaland language courses, the school seeks to accommodate both native Chinese-speaking children as well as native German-speaking children. Semester fees are € 85 – 115. Language classes for adults are also available through the school.

STAUFFENBERGSCHULE

Arnsburger Straße 44 | 60385 Frankfurt am Main www.huayin-school.de

PGY Chinesische Schule

This Chinese school was founded in 2015 by parents and currently offers Chinese language classes on Saturdays at the International School Frankfurt (ISF) in Sindlingen.

PGY CHINESISCHE SCHULE

Straße zur Internationalen Schule 33 65931 Frankfurt am Main | www.pgy-schule.de

JAPANESE SCHOOL

Japanese International School

The Japanese International School, a non-profit organization accredited by the Japanese Minister of Cultural Affairs, is funded by the Japanese government and Japanese multinational companies. It is a private school that charges tuition. The school offers the Japanese National Curriculum from 1st-9th Grade. The school year starts in April and runs

until March. In December, the 9th graders prepare for the entry test to upper-level Japanese schools either in Japan or abroad.

JAPANESE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

Langweidenstraße 8-12 | 60488 Frankfurt am Main www.jisf.de

KOREAN SCHOOL

Korean School (Leibnizschule)

This Korean school is located within the Leibnizschule high school. It serves as supplemental school for Koreans living in Frankfurt and attending German or international schools. Classes take place on Saturday for all children from kindergarten to 13th Grade.

KOREAN SCHOOL

Gebeschusstraße 22-24

65929 Frankfurt am Main frankfurtschool.korean.net

RUSSIAN SCHOOLS

Alexander-Puschkin-Schule

The non-profit association, Slowo e.V., which runs three bilingual kindergartens, a Russian preschool and a Russian Saturday school in Frankfurt, opened a full-day, Russian-German bilingual primary school in 2013. The curriculum is based on the Hessen state standards, with classes taught in both German and Russian. The school also offers afternoon activities until 5 p.m. The one-time entry fee is € 300 and school fees are €350 per month, plus € 311 for afternoon supervision until 5 p.m.

ALEXANDER-PUSCHKIN-SCHULE

Stresemannallee 30 | 60596 Frankfurt am Main www.alexander-puschkin-schule.org

I love the Palmengarten in Westend Frankfurt and am extremely fond of the new Butterfly Exhibit there. Incredible to watch these amazing creatures in the natural flower habitat.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Hessen has 21 public institutions of higher education, located in Darmstadt, Giessen, Frankfurt, Fulda, Kassel, Marburg, Offenbach and Wiesbaden. All the institutions are happy to welcome international students. While German is the standard language of instruction, more and more courses are being offered in English. For Bachelor's programmes, you'll need to have a good command of German. There are also lots of Master's degrees now being offered in English.

You can study at a university in Hessen without paying tuition, whether you're German or international. There is an admin fee of up to €300 per semester, but this includes a public transport ticket. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has a great English-language website packed with all the info you need about international programmes in Germany. For more info, just head to www.daad.de

German universities have recently undergone some big changes as part of the EU-led Bologna Process. For instance, universities have introduced internationally recognised Bachelor's and Master's programmes in all academic disciplines. At the same time, the federal and state governments have increased funding. Frankfurt's Goethe University has built new campuses in Westend and Riedberg (north of the city) over the last few years thanks to generous donations. The Goethe University has 16 academic faculties, covering everything from life sciences to humanities and social sciences. It offers a wide range of Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral programmes in both German and English. Right now, there are over 48,000 students enrolled at the university, including 6,000 international students, across the 16 faculties and various research centres.

As well as the public universities, there are also a number of private universities offering international programmes. I thought I'd give you a quick overview.

EBS Business School, EBS Law School

EBS Universität für Wirtschaft und Rechtis a private university for business studies and law with two faculties: EBS Business School and EBS Law School. As an EQUIS-accredited institution, EBS Business School offers bachelor and master degree programs, as well as a range of management development courses. EBS also offers four part-time master and executive MBA programs leading to an academic degree.EBS Law School in Wiesbaden also offers a traditional law degree with a focus on business law. Several years ago, EBS suffered an image problem following allegations of financial mismanagement against its former president and a subsequent investigation by the Hessen state government. In 2016, EBS was sold to the SRH Holding in Heidelberg which operates numerous private universities, training facilities and hospitals in Germany.

EBS BUSINESS SCHOOL, EBS LAW SCHOOL

Gustav-Stresemann-Ring 3 | 65189 Wiesbaden www.ebs.edu

Fresenius University of Applied Sciences

Founded in 1848 and registered as a university in 1971, the Hochschule Fresenius University of Applied Sciences has over 11,000 full- and part-time students in Idstein, a town northwest of Frankfurt, and at partner campuses in Berlin,

Sandrina Kunz, Radio Host „Drive Time Show“, Radio Franfurt

ibms – Inspiring your child's journey to independence.

Two educators, two languages – the principle of immersion. The worldwide most successful pedagogical method for bilingualism, according to the fundamentals of mother language acquisition.

We offer your children an educational alternative to the conventional one where teaching and facilities are oriented to the specific needs and the respective development level of your children. Children from 18 months to 10 years old can while playing learn a second language with our bilingual Montessori Concept .

ƒ All day primary school – with mixed age classes and lessons from 8am to 4pm on workdays

ƒ Everything under one roof – Nido group, Children’s House and primary school

ƒ Central location – in the heart of Frankfurt city centre

ƒ The school’s own Country House – for numerous activities and exploring in the free nature

ibms – International Bilingual Montessori School Senckenberganlage 20 – 22, 60325 Frankfurt

Telefon 069 / 74 56 46

E-Mail office@ibms-frankfurt.com

www.ibms-frankfurt.com

Cologne, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich and New York. The Hochschule Fresenius offers a wide range of vocational training, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and international programs in cooperation with universities in the UK, Europe, the USA and China. These courses are taught entirely in English. The university also offers an MA in Economics and Intercultural Communication, which is taught in German but designed for non-native speakers.

FRESENIUS UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES

Limburger Straße 2 | 65510 Idstein www.hs-fresenius.de

Frankfurt School of Finance & Management

Frankfurt School of Finance & Management is an AACSB and EQUIS-accredited private business school. Its mission is to advance and promote sustainable international business practices in finance and management through education, research, training and advisory services. With an emphasis on research and practical experience, the Frankfurt School trains students to become responsible business experts, professionals and executives. The program portfolio at the Frankfurt School is designed not only for students, but also for business professionals and executives who aim to deepen

their expertise, enhance their skills, and expand their networks across industriesand countries. Students benefit from classes led by internationally renowned professors, interactive teaching methods and individual coaching, customized to enable students to reach their career goals. Through international modules and electives, students gain insights into international management issues by taking courses at one of numerous partner universities abroad. Frankfurt School is an inspiring platform for discussion and fruitful discourse between faculty and fellow students.

FRANKFURT SCHOOL OF FINANCE & MANAGEMENT

Adickesallee 32-34 | 60322 Frankfurt am Main www.frankfurt-school.de

Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences (Frankfurt UAS)

Applied sciences, high internationality and lived diversity mark the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences (Frankfurt UAS). Questions from the practice receive scientifically sound answers and these research results find their way directly back into society. Partnerships with approximately 200 institutions of higher education worldwide show, that the Frankfurt UAS is well networked. Different people study, teach and work at the campus Nibelungenplatz. The institution profits immensely from the extensive cultural diversity of our international location.

Four faculties offer over 70 innovative, diverse and application-oriented degree courses with technical, economic-legal and social orientation, which result in the internationally recognized Bachelor or Master degrees. In addition, demanding, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research is conducted in extraordinary subject combinations. In the dialog with partners from the economy, associations and institutions, the Frankfurt UAS is an innovative development partner in order to generate new solutions. The close connection of research and teaching with the practice qualifies students for a successful entry into attractive professions and marks them by quickly settling into everyday working life. They are trained to become personalities, who take on social responsibility. An extensive and manifold continuous education program allows intensive profession-accompanying and life-long learning. These strengths are underlined with the claim of our University ‘Wissen durch Praxis stärkt’ (Knowledge is reinforced through practice).

www.frankfurt-university.de

Goethe Business School

Founded in 2004, Goethe Business School (GBS) is the center for management at Frankfurt’s Goethe University.Currently, GBS offers a part-time Master’s program in finance, with an option to specialize in financial or risk management. The program is taught in English and takes place on weekends over a 22-month period. GBS also offers a wide spectrum of open enrollment and customized corporate education programs.

GOETHE UNIVERSITY, HOUSE OF FINANCE

Theodor-W.-Adorno-Platz 3 | 60323 Frankfurt am Main | www.goethe-business-school.de

Institute for Law and Finance (ILF)

The Institute for Law and Finance at Goethe University in Frankfurt offers a one-year full-time or two-year part-time program leading to a Master of Laws (LL.M.) Finance degree. The program is conducted entirely in English and overcomes the traditional separation of the academic disciplines of law and business/economics. It teaches aspects of both law and business/economics. Aimed at students with a degree in Law, Business or Economicsas well as an interest in combining theoretical knowledge with practicaltraining in law and international finance, the LL.M. Finance program also incorporates a two-month internship at public and private institutions which support the ILF. Scholarships are available. Since 2014, the ILF also offers a one-year full-time program in English specialized for Asian students leading to a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Finance degree. The curriculum also includes German language and Advanced Business and Legal English courses as well as a Management Training program.

GOETHE UNIVERSITY HOUSE OF FINANCE

Theodor-W.-Adorno-Platz 3 | 60323 Frankfurt am Main | www.ilf-frankfurt.de

Kellogg-WHU Executive MBA Program

The Kellogg-WHU Executive MBA program, based in Vallendar (about one hour from Frankfurt by car), is a joint EMBA between Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in Chicago and Germany´s WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management. The program starts in mid-September every year and lasts 21 months, plus a Master’s thesis. Classes are offered in part-time modules. The requirements for admission include fluency in English, a minimum of eight

FIND IT IN FRM -

STUDYING

If you would like to study in our region, we recommend that you contact the international offices of colleges and universities to make sure you meet certain requirements. Whether you are looking at an international degree course taught in English or a course taught in German, most courses will require a qualification for university entrance (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung). If you hold a school-leaving certificate from abroad, you will have to check whether it is recognised for entry to higher education in Germany. For courses taught in German, a good knowledge of German is essential. You will find more information as well as a list of international offices of colleges and universities in our region on our website and on our interactive map.

www.find-it-in-frm.de/en

years of professional experience (with substantial managerial experience) and full-time employment.

KELLOGG-WHU EXECUTIVE MBA PROGRAM

Burgplatz 2 | 56179 Vallendar www.kellogg.whu.edu

Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen (THM Business School)

The Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen is the largest university of applied sciences in Hessen and the fourth largest in Germany. In addition to degree courses in German-language, THM also offers two internationally oriented business programs: the Master of Business Administration is a part- time executive program offered at the Friedberg campus. It is designed for professionals of various academic fields who want to gain a sound knowledge of business and management while also pursuing their careers. The program consists of 10 courses spread out over 15 months. Lectures take place every two weeks in Friedberg (Friday evening and all day Saturday). Tuition is 14,100 euros, payable in three installments.

The MSc. Digital and International Marketing (DIMA) is a 3-4 semester, full-time program. The course is designed to qualify students, who already have a bachelor’s degree in business administration, for leading positions in international companies. In sem. 1 the core subjects in marketing are taught, in sem. 2 it is possible to choose between an International or a Digital major.

Both masters’ programs have an international network of eight partner universities worldwide and are accredited by the Central Evaluation and Accreditation Agency (ZEvA). They have been designed according to the concept of "applied sciences" and with a focus on improving analytical techniques and soft skills. The language of instruction is 100% English for the MBA, a basic knowledge of German is needed to complete the DIMA courses.

TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE MITTELHESSEN (THM) THM BUSINESS SCHOOL

Ms. Feierabend

Wiesenstr. 14 | 35390 Giessen Tel: 0641/309 2707 www.mba-school.de, www.thm/w/dima

ADULT EDUCATION

The Volkshochschule (VHS) Frankfurt am Main is the biggest provider of adult education in the Rhine-Main region and one of the first places many newcomers turn to learn German. The VHS offers a full range of German classes, from beginners to advanced, as well as lots of other specialised classes. The courses are reasonably priced, and class sizes are often larger than at a private language school. The VHS is a municipal college that's partly funded by the city of Frankfurt. It offers a wide range of German courses, including arts and crafts, health, sport, computing, business skills, social skills and much more. For more info, check out the website at https://vhs.frankfurt.de

There are other VHS institutions throughout the RhineMain region, including Wiesbaden, Darmstadt, Hofheim, and more. Find out more at www.volkshochschule.de

Oberursel · Wiesbaden

Oberursel · Wiesbaden

LEADING IB WORLD SCHOOL

LEADING IB WORLD SCHOOL

Education in English for students age 3 – Grade 12 | Exceptional exam results and university placements | Highly-qualified faculty

Education in English for students age 3 – Grade 12 | Exceptional exam results and university placements | Highly-qualified faculty

Cutting-edge facilities | Accelerated math, science and language

Cutting-edge facilities | Accelerated math, science and language

learning | Extensive programs in athletics and the arts | Leadership and service learning opportunities | Outdoor Learning Program A world of opportunities since 1961

learning | Extensive programs in athletics and the arts | Leadership and service learning opportunities | Outdoor Learning Program A world of opportunities since 1961

HECTOR PLIEGO

Hector is someone who approaches life with boundless energy and enthusiasm. He’s passionate about everything he does, whether it’s exploring new interests, pursuing lifelong learning, or sharing positive energy with those around him. He believes in making every moment count and staying curious about the world. Life is an adventure, and he’s committed to embracing it fully.

Life is the greatest adventure and it's up to you to decide whether to be a spectator or a participant, so make it

spectacular!

IN RHINE-MAIN SINCE 2017

Heimat (Home) means:

Home is a feeling rather than a location. As someone who has lived in many places, the traditional notion of home as a single, fixed location no longer holds true. Instead, I find that home is a mosaic of memories, experiences, and connections formed in different parts of the world. Everywhere I've lived, no matter how briefly, holds a piece of my soul.

A thing I brought from home, which I’d never have left back:

Curiosity: it is what drives me as I travel. When I step into a new culture, it’s not just about seeing new places; it’s about diving deeper into the lives of the people who live there. I find myself wanting to understand the nuances of their customs, language, and daily rituals. This curiosity pushes me to go beyond the surface and truly engage with the culture, turning every journey into an opportunity for profound discovery.

The strangest german word I learnt:

“Treppernwitz” which literally means "staircase joke." It describes the situation where a clever remark or comeback occurs to you only after the moment has passed, often as you're leaving or walking down the stairs. In just one word, "Treppenwitz" captures the frustration and irony of missed opportunities, showcasing German's ability to distill complex emotions into concise terms.

A secret about me:

I am a Culinary Institute of America graduate with a degree in culinary arts and was an executive chef for many years, that is how I initially started my career in hospitality, although years in hospitality leadership have mellowed me out, occasionally, when someone really upsets me, the chef comes out!

MY TOP 3 FRANKFURT

RHINE-MAIN TIPS

1 / Out on my bike on the trails in the Taunus the area is heaven for outdoor activities.

2 / Having a lovely Italian dinner at Mezzopieno our favorite local restaurant in Konigstein.

3 / Taking my four year old to the Opel Zoo close to home and perfect for young children to learn and have fun.

The European School RheinMain at a glance

Founded in 2012, ESRM is an all-day school located in close proximity to Frankfurt, Germany. It proudly stands as the first accredited private European School. As a non-profit organization, we are fully dedicated to fostering an enriching environment for our students and enhancing their educational experiences. Our primary goal is to reach as many students as possible from various socio-economic backgrounds, thereby ensuring accessibility to quality education. Our school fees are moderate. We maintain the highest standards to satisfy the growing demand for multilingual, student-centered education that caters to different learning styles.

At ESRM, we are committed to being a caring school at multiple levels. Our extensive support and student services team is dedicated to ensuring that all students, regardless of their diverse backgrounds, are academically successful while mastering the school curriculum. We offer a plethora of enrichment and extracurricular activities, including High

Flyers, Model United Nations, TedX, Drone Club, Garden Club, Environmental Stewards and various Sports Clubs such as Cricket and Rugby. Additionally, students can participate in Orchestra, Choir, School Magazine, Chess, Duke of Edinburgh Award, and Stagecraft, all of which significantly enhance their learning experience and prepare them for future success. The school has been successful in multiple international competitions in the area of business, maths and literature.

Our graduates earn acceptance into prestigious universities worldwide, thanks to the comprehensive skill set they acquire at our school. Furthermore, as a sustainable institution, we have initiated the Tiny Forest project to contribute positively to our environment and the community, winning a highly regarded environmental award.

Currently, our school accommodates approximately 1,700 students representing 60 different nationalities. The comprehensive educational structure includes a Pre-Primary

School (for ages 4-6), a Primary School (grades 1-5), and a Secondary School (grades 6-12). In addition to our complete day of instruction, we also provide onsite childminding services for children up to grade 5, available daily until 6 pm and during school holidays. For the convenience of students and their families, we have ample parking facilities for easy drop-off and pick-up of younger students. The school also has very good public transport links (S6 and VilBus).

Upon graduating from our school, students are awarded the prestigious European Baccalaureate diploma, which is recognized by all universities as a high school leaving diploma throughout the European Union and is widely esteemed across the globe. We are proud to have consistently achieved a stunning pass rate in recent years (100% in the last two years), reflecting the exceptional education we provide.

In September 2021, the European School RheinMain successfully expanded by opening an International Baccalaureate (IB) branch within its Secondary School, aptly named the International School RheinMain (ISRM). Currently, ISRM offers the Middle Years Program (MYP) for Grades 1-5, and the Diploma Program (DP) just commenced in September 2024. We are witnessing a steady increase in student enrollment. Unlike the European School, where the curriculum is multilingual, ISRM conducts all subjects – except the second language – in English, providing flexibility where learning a third language is not mandatory.

To experience the vibrant atmosphere of our school and to learn more about our programmes and facilities, we invite you to register for our school tours online at www.es-rm.eu

CONTACT

European School RheinMain gGmbH Theodor-Heuss-Straße 65 61118 Bad Vilbel, Germany Mail: info@es-rm.eu Telephone: +49 6101 - 505 66 0

NATIONALITY

RAFAEL OSPINA

He is a Colombian-born daytrader who spends his mornings as a student and his afternoons navigating the financial markets. Currently residing in Mallorca, he relishes the ocean life, indulging in swimming and a bit of CrossFit. Married to a German citizen, he has been diligently learning German and is thrilled with his progress at the Goethe-Institut in Frankfurt. His evenings are filled with good food and vibrant parties, balancing his busy days with enjoyable nights. Passionate about improving his language skills and embracing his dynamic lifestyle, he is living life to the fullest in beautiful Mallorca.

IN RHINE-MAIN SINCE 2024

Heimat (Home) means:

The place where your Wi-Fi connects automatically and the fridge magically refills itself with Riesling, Radler and Beer.

A thing I brought from home, which I’d never have left back:

My collection of lucky underwear – because you never know when you'll need an extra boost of fortune.

My first day here:

My first day here was with a ton of Brezels, polite nods with professors and students, and the sudden realization that “ich” sounds like you're trying to clear your throat in the most charming way possible.

The strangest german word I learnt:

Please refer to the song Barbaras Rhabarberbar song, a beautiful exposé of complicated words there. Apparently, Germans believe a word can be a paragraph.

Tell us how it feels to drive in Germany, what is different, what is funny:

Driving in Germany is like being in a high-speed ballet where everyone knows their part. The Autobahn is a thrilling dance floor, and the public transportation is so punctual it’s like it’s showing off. And the bike lanes? Pure genius for eco-friendly adrenaline junkies or treehuggers.

Try to give us one wise, funny or even philosophical sentence:

Change is like a haircut: terrifying at first, but eventually you look back and wonder why you waited so long."

A secret about me:

I have an irrational fear of garden gnomes. They just seem too happy and creepy standing still for so long.

MY TOP 3 FRANKFURT RHINE-MAIN TIPS

1 / Sachsenhausen for the best apple or Riesling wine

2 / Wirtshaus im Ostend where the schnitzel is king and the green sauce is its queen.

3 / Kleinmarkthalle a foodie paradise where you can find anything from spicy sausages to artisanal cheeses.

Building bridges between India and Frankfurt

Frankfurt School of Finance & Management is a renowned international business school with a vibrant campus in the trendy central Frankfurt neighborhood of Nordend. Its more than 3,000 undergraduate, Master, and MBA students and roughly seventy professors come from all over the world, making the School a cosmopolitan place - very much like Frankfurt itself.

The School hosts more than a dozen research centers. One of the latest additions is the Indo-German Centre for Business Excellence (IGC). As a think tank, research center, and network, it connects people and organizations interested in business relations between India and Germany. The IGC fosters a deeper understanding and more robust

business ties between Germany and India. It supports and engages in research, community-building, student mobility, and leadership development.

Panel at the Inaugural Annual Conference of the Indo-German Centre.

Germany and India are the largest stable democracies in Europe and Asia. The center and its members believe in the value of free trade and intellectual exchange between these two like-minded countries. The Indo-German Centre for Business Excellence aims to become the preeminent nonpartisan academic institution dealing with Indo-German business relations.

The IGC offers plenty of opportunities for the Indian expat community in Frankfurt and the Rhine-Main region to engage through its events, such as the flagship Annual Conference, workshops, and gatherings. Individual and institutional membership provides preferential access to the activities of the center and the ability to shape the institution’s course.

www.frankfurt-school.de

igc.frankfurt-school.de

The Indian Ambassador in Germany, Parvathaneni Harish (left) with Frankfurt School President and CEO Nils Stieglitz.

GETTING

AROUND

p ublic transport , F lying , cycling and driving

Frankfurt Rhine-Main is a big region, but it‘s easy to get around quickly and often in an eco-friendly way. What‘s more, you can get to the parklands, lakes and hills easily.

You’ll probably find yourself using the RMV (Rhine-Main Transport Authority) network the most during your time here. The network is really extensive and includes streetcars, buses, subways and above-ground light rail. The RMV website (www.rmv.de) has lots of useful information in different languages, plus a trip planner, network maps and articles on special events in the area and how to get to them.

The system is really efficient and reliable. While it’s not the cheapest option, the cost/benefit ratio for the services is excellent. For example, a ride from downtown (Konstablerwache) to the airport costs less than €5 and takes under 30 minutes.

SUBWAYS – THE U-BAHN

If you’re looking for the fastest way to get around Frankfurt, the U-Bahn is the way to go. There are nine U-Bahn lines, which cover most of Frankfurt, from Südbahnhof in the south all the way up to the foot of the Feldberg in Hohemark in the north. The lines are numbered, from U1 to U9.

LRT – THE S-BAHN

The S-Bahn network is designed to connect Frankfurt to nearby cities like Darmstadt, Wiesbaden, Friedberg and Hanau. It serves most of the suburbs in all directions. Two S-Bahn lines run all the way to Wiesbaden (one track runs

north of the River Main, the other south) and Offenbach, which is right next to Frankfurt to the east, and then on through to Hanau. The route to Darmstadt connects the leafy towns of Neu-Isenburg and Langen along the way.

STREETCARS – THE STRASSENBAHN

Frankfurt has had a streetcar (Straßenbahn) network since 1872, and it’s still a very popular mode of transport today. There was even a streetcar route that ran down the middle of the Zeil pedestrian area, with a bell to keep people off the tracks. It usually links the city centre with districts that aren’t served by the underground. Just a heads-up: one or two streetcar lines might be temporarily closed during demonstrations or large festivals in the city. One streetcar is especially for celebrations – the party ‘cider streetcar’ known as the Ebbelwoi Express (www.ebbelwei-express.de).

BUSES

The local bus system also covers areas that the rapid transit trains don’t reach. Some of them stop at every street or so, and they get you very close to your destination, just like the streetcars do. Frankfurt has a lot of bus lanes these days, which means the morning bus is faster than the commuters who have opted to use their own car in the rush hour.

In the early hours of the morning, the only form of public transport available is the bus. There are also a few special night buses that run between midnight and dawn, and you’ll

see “N” before their number on the schedule. Just to let you know, these buses don’t stop at regular bus stops. If you want to know which stops these buses use, just look for signs with an “N” surrounded by stars or visit www.rmv-frankfurt. de/night. Also, on weekends and the night before public holidays, there are special night buses leaving from Konstablerwache in Frankfurt City.

Frankfurt‘s S-Bahn tunnel is the busiest route in Germany. Nine S-Bahn lines connect the city with the surrounding area.

RMV TICKETS AND PASSES

You can get your tickets for individual trips from the ticket machines or by app on your smartphone. You can also buy travel passes for one day, one week, one month or even a year. The ticket machines have touchscreens and are available in a number of languages. All you have to do is tap in your destination or the destination code, choose the ticket type you want (adult, child, day ticket, etc.), and then pay the amount shown.

When it comes to travel passes, the golden rule is: The longer the period, the better the deal. You can buy passes at any RMV counter (opening hours vary by station), selected ticket machines and many news kiosks. The great thing about most RMV passes is that they’re transferable. That means you can lend them to friends or family members when you don’t need them. As well as being a better deal, the weekly, monthly and yearly passes have another benefit: After 7 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends, one adult and all children under 15 can travel free with a passholder. In Frankfurt Rhine-Main, there’s a modified honor system in place for using public transport. That means you just buy your ticket or pass before you get on the bus, and you usually don’t have to show it to the driver. The only exception is with buses, where after 8 p.m. you have to board at the front of the bus and show your ticket or pass to the driver as you enter. Just a heads-up: freewheeling isn’t a good idea. Teams of ticket inspectors are out and about in the system, doing spot checks for valid tickets or passes. This first happens once the train or bus has started moving, so there’s no way

to avoid being caught. If you don’t have a valid ticket, you’ll be fined €60 on the spot. If you can’t pay right away, you’ll be given a ticket with your fine listed on it and the location where you can pay. If you don’t pay within the specified period, you’ll receive a notice at your address (that’s why ticket inspectors require to see your passport or some form of personal ID) with an increased fine.

If you couldn’t buy a ticket because the machine at your station wasn’t working, let the inspector know. You’ll be sent to the payment office, where they’ll verify it and waive the fine. So, make a note of the machine number or station.

RMV RESOURCES

The RMV network covers the whole region, from Marburg to Erbach and from Limburg to Fulda. Tickets are valid for all forms of transport and for all services operated by companies that are part of the public transport network. The RMV offers a wide range of special rates and group tickets, so it’s worth taking a look at the different options. A great place to start is the RMV website (www.rmv.de), which is multilingual and offers lots of maps, timetables, news and even suggestions for weekend outings.

RMV also runs 20 Mobility Centres and 30 Info Points across the region. These are great places to go if you have any questions about public transport, including Park & Ride and CarSharing options. You can also buy your weekly, monthly or annual travel passes here.

BIKE SHARING SERVICES

There are three main bike-sharing services operating in Frankfurt Rhine-Main: Deutsche Bahn’s “Call a Bike” service, Byke, and Nextbike. Just a heads-up: the “Call a Bike” and Nextbike systems use fixed drop-off points, so if you leave the bike somewhere else, you’ll probably have to pay a penalty.

You can register with any of the three services, provide your credit card details and then find your rental bike using an app (or for those without a smartphone, you can call the relevant hotline). Once you’ve found the bike you want, you can either dial the number printed in the red circle on the lock or scan a QR code to unlock it. And away you go! Prices start at €1 for 15 minutes, with day passes costing between €9 and €15.

E-SCOOTERS

E-scooters have been allowed on German roads and bike paths since summer 2019. There are four rental firms operating in Frankfurt Rhine-Main: Tier, Voi, Lime, and Bolt (you can tell which one you’re looking at by the colour of the e-scooter).

In each case, you just download the relevant app, enter your credit card details, and then use the app to find an e-scooter near you that’s ready to use. And away you go, at the fastest speed you can. The speed limit is 20 km/h. The standard rental fee is €1, with a set rate per minute of use. Just a heads-up: You can’t ride them in tandem. When you’re done, put the e-scooter on the pavement by the curb, leaving enough space for people to get around it and making sure it’s not in a row with more than four others. Local teams collect the e-scooters at night and recharge them.

Börsenstraße 2-4

Börsenstraße 2-4

Börsenstraße 2-4

Steinweg 10

Zeil 77

THE SQUAIRE (Eingang Ost, Ebene 5)

TAXIS

Needless to say, public transport or bikes aren’t the only way to get around. The two main forms of private transport are taxis and private cars.

Newcomers may find taxi fares a bit pricey compared to what they’re used to back home. But remember, for that extra money you get to travel in a comfortable, late-model Mercedes. The standard starting charge for a taxi is €4.00, with an additional charge of €2.40-4.00 per kilometre. You’ll find taxi stands outside all the main train stations, as well as at major business locations like the Old Opera House, the Stock Exchange, Hauptwache, and Konstablerwache. You’ll also find them at the airport.

It’s not usual for taxis to stop on the street to pick up passengers, but some will. It’s much more effective to call a cab than to try to hail one. Cabs ordered by phone usually arrive within five or ten minutes. You can call Taxi Frankfurt on 069 23 0001 or 069 23 0033 to order a taxi.

CAR SHARING

Germany’s major carmakers have joined forces to launch a car sharing service that is available in most major cities. SHARE NOW, which is a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and BMW, has a great selection of small city cars, including the Smart. The cost is based on how long you use it for, with the smallest car costing 19 cents a minute.

Before you can use the service, you have to register, pay a fee and then you’ll get an electronic chip in the post. You can find the nearest vehicle via a smartphone app. Once you’re done with your journey, you just need to park up and get

out. The bill is then sent to your phone via email. You can find out more at www.share-now.com. There are two other main car-sharing operators in Frankfurt Rhine-Main that use similar systems: book-n-drive, with a fleet of over 1,000 vehicles (www.book-n-drive.de) and stadtmobil (rhein-main. stadtmobil.de/privatkunden).

GETTING AWAY – RAIL TRAVEL

If you’re looking to get away by rail, you might want to check out Deutsche Bahn, the German national railway system. Frankfurt is one of its key interchange points, with Frankfurt’s Main Railway Station (Hauptbahnhof) being its main hub. This huge, impressive structure is the busiest train station on the European continent, and you can catch trains here for most towns in Frankfurt Rhine-Main as well as highspeed connections to all the major cities in Germany and throughout Europe.

Many business travellers and holidaymakers will tell you that it’s not only cheaper, but also faster and more convenient to take the train to many destinations in Germany and neighbouring countries than to fly. So, why?

Once you’ve factored in the time it takes to get to and from airports, check in, drop off/collect your baggage and get through security, plus any delays, a medium-distance train will probably get you there quicker. Plus, rail travel is much more comfortable, especially in first class, and it’s also much more environmentally friendly.

It seems that lots of people have come to the same conclusion, as rail travel on key routes can get very crowded. So, it’s a good idea to reserve a seat during peak travel periods

(you need to reserve at least 24 hours before departure; a reservation costs €4.50 per person per journey in second class). Just a heads-up: peak periods include Friday afternoons, Sunday evenings and the afternoons at the start of and evenings at the end of holidays. If you don’t reserve, you’re likely to find yourself sitting or standing in the aisles with the rest of the passengers.

You can also find lots of useful information on the Deutsche Bahn website (www.bahn.de), including a travel planner, special fares and special deals.

REGIONAL BUSES

Private companies can also offer regional bus services, but only for trips longer than 50 kilometres. Bus fares are often much cheaper than the train, but the journey takes longer and the services usually only run between medium to large cities. Most of the buses offer free WiFi, so you can surf the net while you wait. You can also make bookings online. If you’re coming to Frankfurt, you’ll find the regional buses stop at the brand-new Fernbusterminal on the south side (Südseite) of the main train station, right behind the InterCity Hotel Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof Süd. You can also catch the bus at Frankfurt Airport. Buses from here go not only to German but also to many other European destinations, with Eurolines even going as far afield as Istanbul.

FRANKFURT AIRPORT

Frankfurt Airport is one of the busiest in Europe, serving almost 60 million passengers a year. Frankfurt Airport has two terminals, with a third one currently under construction. Terminal 1 is Lufthansa’s hub, as well as for the other airlines in the Star Alliance. You can get from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 by the automated monorail, the Skyline. Terminal 2 has a really modern look and lots of international airlines. To save yourself some time, make sure you know which terminal you’re going to (1 or 2) before you head to the airport.

There are two train stations at the airport, offering a wide range of local, regional, national and international connections.

The regional station, which is located beneath Terminal 1 (via Level 0 and the Airport City Mall), is served by LRT and regional express trains. It’ll take you just over 10 minutes to get from here to Frankfurt’s main train station (Hauptbahnhof).

The long-distance train station (Fernbahnhof), which is located beneath the super-sleek office/hotel complex The Squaire, offers links to the German and European high-speed rail networks. This station has 220 different destinations, including Brussels and Amsterdam, with daily connections. You can get from the station to Terminal 1 via the AIRail Terminal connector building, and there are also check-in services.

The parking at the airport terminals is priced differently depending on how long you stay. Up to 30 minutes costs €2, up to an hour €6.00, and then it’s €6.00 for each additional 30 minutes up to a maximum of €39.00 for a day or €234.00 for a week. If you book online in advance, you can get a week’s parking for as little as €79. It takes about 15 minutes to get from downtown Frankfurt to the airport by car, and a taxi costs between €30 and €45, depending on traffic and the time of day. Frankfurt Airport is always being expanded and improved, and now there are more than 300 shops, restaurants and cafés. There are lots of high-end shops, as well as restaurants, cafés, bars, barbers and dry cleaners throughout the airport. There’s also a post office with late and early opening hours, lots of banks and currency exchange services, and a last-minute travel market. www.frankfurt-airport.com/en

FRANKFURT-HAHN AIRPORT

This regional airport, which is actually located 120 kilometers from the Frankfurt city center, saw a huge increase in traffic thanks to Ryanair. It takes about 90 minutes to get to Hahn Airport by shuttle bus, which leaves from Frankfurt main train station and costs €18–23 one way. You can also get to Hahn from Mainz and Wiesbaden by bus. The airport has low-priced long-term parking, costing €4–12 a day or €28.00 per week. To get the lowest rates, you have to reserve your spot online well ahead of time. www.hahn-airport.de

DRIVING THE AUTOBAHN

You’ve probably heard a lot about the legendary German Autobahn. You’re probably excited to try it out or a bit nervous. While there are no speed limits on many stretches of the Autobahn, there are on other areas, and you are required by law to stick to these limits. Just a heads-up: You could lose your licence for a month or more if you’re caught driving more than 30 km/h above the speed limit. The authorities are really strict about sticking to the speed limit on road construction sites and many parts of the Autobahn have

Juwelier Rüschenbeck

Juwelier Rüschenbeck has been a family-owned and -operated business for over 120 years and is one of the largest and most significant jewellery enterprises in Europe today. Along with multi-brand branches, where we sell almost all luxury brands, we also operate mono-brand boutiques featuring luxury brands including Patek Philippe, Rolex, TUDOR, Breitling, G-SHOCK and Zenith. “Rüschenbeck” stands for excellence, great customer satisfaction and personal commitment.

Juwelier Rüschenbeck in Frankfurt am Main

We look forward to welcoming you at our multi-brand stores in Börsenstraße and at The Squaire (Frankfurt Airport). In addition to major watch brands like Rolex, TUDOR, Breitling, TAG Heuer, IWC, Grand Seiko and others, our portfolio also includes acclaimed independent Swiss watch brands such as CVSTOS and Gerald Charles. We carry jewellery brands including Pomellato, Gucci, Tirisi and NANIS, as well as our established private label brands Just Jewels and the Rüschenbeck Collection.

You can discover examples of virtually every watch brand at our vintage boutiques. Each of these pre-owned watches is inspected at our large-scale service workshop to ensure their authenticity, quality and optical perfection before we grant them a new two-year guarantee.

Our Frankfurt-based Breitling boutiques located at the Zeil and in Börsenstraße offer you the opportunity not only to immerse yourself in the exclusive world of the brand, but also to attend our regularly held events, where you can trade insights and information with other Breitling aficionados. At our TUDOR boutique, we present watch enthusiasts with this Swiss brand’s latest collections and make your own personal watch dreams come true. You are also cordially invited to attend the events we regularly host here.

We’re excited about greeting you at one of our branch locations, where we stand ready to make your wishes come true.

Yours truly,

CONTACT

JUWELIER RÜSCHENBECK KG

6x in Frankfurt:

• Filiale Börsenstraße 2-4, 60313 Frankfurt

• Filiale Airport, The Squaire - Eingang Ost, Ebene 5, 60549 Frankfurt

• TUDOR Boutique, Steinweg 10, 60313 Frankfurt

• Breitling Boutique Börse, Börsenstraße 2-4, 60313 Frankfurt

• Breitling Boutique Zeil, Zeil 77, 60313 Frankfurt

• Rüschenbeck Vintage, Börsenstraße 2-4, 60313 Frankfurt www.rueschenbeck.com

temporary speed limits in bad weather, sometimes as low as 60 km/h. On the unrestricted stretches of the network, you’ll see most cars cruising along at 120–160 km/h, with some high-powered vehicles exceeding these speeds. The government traffic experts recommend 130 km/h as a safe speed to drive on unrestricted stretches.

TRAFFIC REGULATIONS

The traffic rules in Germany are different from what you might be used to at home. It’s important to get to know the basic rules and to learn about the international road signs. One of the main differences is how right of way is handled. Unless there’s a sign saying otherwise, vehicles entering an intersection from the right have right of way.

It’s also worth noting that pedestrians have right of way as soon as they step onto a zebra crossing.

Just a heads-up: be careful when making a right turn, as cyclists have right of way on the bike paths, too.

You might think that Germans park wherever they like, even on the pavement. As a rule, parking is allowed on the street, unless there’s a sign saying otherwise. Signs will show you whether you can park or wait, and whether you have to put two or four wheels on the pavement or use a Parkscheibe. That’s a cardboard disc you can get at petrol stations. You have to use it in marked areas with limited but unmetered parking to show when you parked. Some districts in Frankfurt,

like Sachsenhausen, have parking for locals only (Anwohnerparken). If you live in the district, you can apply for a resident parking permit. It costs €50 for two years and you can apply for it online. In 2024, it’ll cost €120 for one year. If you’re unsure of the details, as the website is in German, just email bewohner-parken@stadt-frankfurt.de or go to the responsible Ordnungsamt (Am Römerhof 19, 60486 Frankfurt). Take a credit card, your vehicle papers and proof of residence with you.

F R A N K F U R T E R F R AU E N G U I D E APP!

ADVICE AND GUIDANCE ON ALL LIFE ISSUES: Facilities for women in Frankfurt in 18 languages

BUSINESS GETTING DOWN TO

c ross - cultural issues , setting up a business , holding meetings

A lot of people new to Frankfurt Rhine-Main are drawn by the huge number of business opportunities on offer, or are posted here by their companies. It‘s really important to understand the German business culture if you want to succeed in your career and enjoy life in Germany.

THE WORKING DAY

As you may know, Germans aren‘t as workaholic as people think. Most people only work eight hours a day, and the average work week is only 37.7 hours. That said, when they‘re at work, people here are generally expected to get the job done. It‘s pretty unusual to find German colleagues taking long lunch hours and chatting casually with their office colleagues. As a general rule, the typical working day in Germany starts earlier than in most countries and ends earlier too. It might be a bit surprising if your company expects

you to start at 7:30 a.m., but an 8:30 a.m. start is probably more common.

On the flip side, you‘ll usually finish work at a time that‘s considered mid-afternoon by many staff around the world. Depending on how long your lunch break is, you and your colleagues might be heading home as early as 4 pm or 4.30 pm. 5 pm is a pretty common time for the office to clear out.

Just to give you a heads-up, the German lunch break is usually just that… a 30-minute break during which colleagues head over to the company cafeteria together. Most

big companies offer their employees subsidised meals and provide a hearty three-course lunch. Indeed, many employees see it as their main meal of the day.

With this kind of schedule, it‘s a bit of a gamble whether you‘ll be able to reach someone at the office after 4.30 pm, so it‘s best to take care of any important business well before then. Also, if you‘re trying to get in touch with someone on a Friday, it‘s best to give them at least an hour‘s head start, as most people use the afternoon to get ready for the weekend.

Maybe it‘s because the workday ends earlier than in the Anglo-Saxon business world that your German colleagues will usually head straight home at the end of the day and not go out for a beer in the local pub.

SLOW, STEADY AND DETAILED

Germans have kept up their reputation for high-quality work even with less time to work – because they‘re thorough. When Germans work, they work hard. But thoroughness takes time – even for a people who are so used to it. A lot of foreigners are surprised by how long this thoroughness can take.

There are exceptions to every rule, but it‘s fair to say that the Germans are risk-averse. If you‘re used to a more „get it done“ business culture, you might find this tendency to weigh up all sides of an issue before making a final decision a bit frustrating. This can also happen within your own com-

pany when you‘re involved in a project where you feel you‘ve got enough information to make a decision and move on to the next stage.

The good thing about this slow process is that when a decision is made, a lot of the next steps in the transaction (figuring out the details) will already be taken care of.

On normal working days, around 460,000 people are transported through Frankfurt Central Station. Over 300,000 commuters turn our Main metropolis into a city of millions during the day.

Doing business in Germany is a lot more than just moving your clock forward an hour or two and trying to work harder. There‘s a certain way of doing business in Germany, and whether you enjoy your work here and are successful at it may depend on your ability to adapt to this culture.

California born, innovation for German wine

A Newcomer Story – Deandra Anderson

In recent years, Frankfurt RhineMain has seen the emergence of a new, young generation of award-winning vintners, bringing a fresh look to wine labels and a fresh taste to the region’s famous white wines. But it has was the arrival of Deandra Anderson here nine years ago as a student that marked the beginning of fundamental change. Fresh from New York City with her first degree in her back pocket she relocated to Germany to study International Wine Business at Hochschule Geisenheim University. It was a perfect match as the new type of university combined research and an applications orientation with an emphasis on climate protection and sustainability.

Born in the heart of California’s Central Coast wine region, it might seem only logical that in the course of her studies Deandra gained extensive practical experience working across various stages of the wine value chain in both Germany and the United States, from cellar intern to marketing expert. That would be to assume she simply takes a business-as-usual approach. Little could be further from the truth. As can be seen from her being nominated as a finalist in 2022 for the Frankfurt Start-Up Prize, being elected one of the Euclid Network’s Top 100 Women in Social Enterprise in 2023, and in late 2023 receiving a two-year start-up grant from the German Federal Environmental Foundation.

Socially active in a variety of projects, such as the ‘offplate’ collective in Frankfurt, Deandra has developed a keen awareness for resources waste,

starting with food and the food chain. Together with friends she swiftly discerned the need for a minimal-waste if not circular approach in the wine industry, inspiring her to co-found Ebb & Flow Keg, a circular wine distribution company.

The company’s mission is clear and combines that Californian feel for innovation and German business acumen: It has set out to do nothing less than revolutionize the wine supply chain by minimizing waste and carbon emissions, from grape to table. This is what so grabbed the attention of the German Federal Environmental Foundation: About half of the carbon footprint of a bottle of wine is caused – by the bottle itself. Replace it, so Deandra insists, with a stainless steel refillable keg and you eliminate about 27 wine bottles, along with their labels, corks, and crates. A no-brainer that also saves storage space. Ebb & Flow Keg’s unique approach allows them to build sustainably on what’s only ever been done on a small individual scale. Anderson the business management buff, explains that the start-up is currently in the process of applying digital tools to optimize the logistics in picking up kegs, cleaning them, refilling them, and getting them back to customers.

Since its founding in 2021, Ebb & Flow Keg has successfully launched its own organic wine portfolio – in reusable stainless-steel kegs. With the support of network of like-minded young local winemakers, the kegs are rolled out to points of consumption, such as restaurants, bars, concert venues, music festivals, and hotels. Here, again, one senses Anderson’s inspiring approach, as Ebb & Flow Keg consciously interfaces the hospitality and beverage industries, functioning as a wine portfolio curator and distributor, so the reusable packaging is itself ‘packaged’ as not just a keg but a valuable service.

It seems obvious that Deandra’s long-term vision is to foster greater inclusivity and diversity within the wine industry, encompassing all aspects from the people involved to the products offered. “The sky’s not the limit,” she says, “but the bottle.” Once that is reusable, wine’s carbon footprint falls dramatically.

In her leisure time, Deandra remains an ardent Democrat and an equally passionate gardener and cook, when she is not playing volleyball, that is.

About Hessen Trade & Invest:

Hessen Trade & Invest (HTAI) is the economic development organization of the State of Hessen. We offer expanding companies a unique and strategic combination of investor consulting, business-location marketing, foreign trade support as well as technology and innovation promotion. HTAI also supports organizations already located in Hessen in developing their business activities in the European market. Moreover, our services include comprehensive advice on EU funding and collaboration programs. We don’t just guide companies during the relocation process – our work starts beforehand, and never truly ends. Ready to start your own success story in Hessen like Deandra? Our network is at your disposal!

by

CONTACT

HESSEN TRADE & INVEST GmbH Mainzer Str. 118 65189 Wiesbaden Tel. +49 611 9501785 info@htai.de www.htai.de www.invest-in-hessen.com

Presented

TASK-MASTERS AND PROBLEM-SOLVERS

Just as „thorough“ is a bit of a catchphrase here, you‘ll also hear a lot of „Ordnung,“ which basically means structure or order. You‘ll quickly learn that Germany has a lot of rules and procedures that govern many aspects of the economy, politics and even social spheres. Germans don‘t generally find these rules restrictive. They see them as an accepted set of common beliefs and practices that make life more predictable. In German business culture, this is reflected in sticking to the rules, even if they aren‘t always flexible or spontaneous.

German society is very task-oriented, which is different from other cultures where relationships are more important. Germans are usually focused on getting the job done. This, along with their clear structures, means that personal relationships can play a less important role in business. When it comes to project management, Germans tend to focus on the task-oriented aspects, like timetables, milestones and budgets. If you‘re used to a more relationship-oriented approach, you‘ll need to adapt.

Germany is also a problem-oriented society. Germans tend to see most tasks as problems. In business, this means they often wait for a problem to arise and then tackle it head-on. This can make the process of problem-solving quite intense.

This also reflects another aspect of the German character – they tend to be reactive rather than proactive. They‘re

UNLOCK YOUR BUSINESS POTENTIAL WITH KOMPASS FRANKFURT!

Are you a newcomer eager to launch or grow your business in Frankfurt's dynamic business scene? Kompass Frankfurt is your launchpad to entrepreneurial success. We provide workshops, expert consultations, and access to essential resources tailored to your needs in the Frankfurt business landscape. Whether you're starting out or scaling up, we're here to guide you in every step of the way achieve sustainable growth and connect with Frankfurt's vibrant entrepreneurial community.

Ready to turn your business vision into reality? Visit kompassfrankfurt.de and start your journey today!

not the type to take risks or be pioneers. They don‘t tend to define a problem that‘s on the horizon and then go after a solution the way some Asians or North Americans would. When problems come up, they jump in to solve them, but they‘re not always the first to take the lead.

On the other hand, Germans are big on procedure. They like to know the rules of the game and want to see them on paper, or at least clearly stated. One American consultant who worked on a number of key projects with big German companies said he had a few hiccups in the first day or two

BUSINESS IDEAS FOR EXPATS AND NEWCOMERS

Take off with cross border business ideas

Finding a job in a new town can be hard - in a different country even harder! We are specialized on startup support & entrepreneurship to guide individuals and enterprises in personal coaching sessions or workshops. Most expatriates move to Frankfurt for employment reasons, but what about the (life) partner that has to join moving and maybe even to give up the own career? Self-employment could be your way!

Idea workshop - Training workshops - Individual consultancy - Access to finance - Co-working and office spaces - Access to the heart and soul of our project - Our network

CONTACT

Kompass - Zentrum für Existenzgründungen

Frankfurt am Main gGmbH Hanauer Landstraße 251 60386 Franfurt +49 69 21978-0 info@kompassfrankfurt.de, www.kompassfrankfurt.de

#gemeinsamdeins

Thriveup!

BOOST SALES & GROW SUSTAINABLY

Our refined approach supports self-employed and small businesses through these challenging times with swift, effective measures. We're focused on sales, digitization, and sustainability, optimizing business models, especially in the crucial post-startup phase, to ensure long-term market success. In Frankfurt, we bridge a vital gap by offering free advice in the postfoundation phase. Our program, #gemeinsamdeins Thrive Up, provides: Workshops Consultations, and Learning videos on increasing revenue, achieving sustainable growth, and leveraging networks for competitive advantage in times of crisis.

With the support of:

FRANKFURT FOOD PARADISES

Fressgass

Elegant shopping and elegant dining City, S1-6/,8/9, U1-3/6/7/8 Hauptwache; U6/7 Alte Oper

Eating out and shopping, higher end prices. Right in the modern centre with old-town flair.

Schweizer Straße

International eateries rubbing shoulders

Sachsenhausen, U6/7 Schweizer Platz

Great variety of eating places next door to each other.

Local businesses, not chains.

Kleinmarkthalle

Retail fruit and vegetable market

Altstadt, Hasengasse 5, kleinmarkthalle.de, Mon – Fri 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sat 8 a.m.– 4 p.m., S1-6, S8-9, U1-3/6-8 Hauptwache

New York has Chelsea Market, Frankfurt has the Kleinmarkthalle. Assorted local food at 60 stalls.

Oeder Weg

Fashions, delicatessen and eateries Nordend, U1–3/8 Eschenheimer Tor Snacks, meals and sweets from across the world, alongside fashion boutiques, delicatessen and everyday needs.

Discover more: www.BestOfFrankfurt.de

because he hadn‘t made it clear how the project was going to proceed. It‘s not common for Germans to be happy about letting a project or anything else develop naturally. They‘d rather stick to a set plan or contract.

Germans see contracts as the final word, the end of negotiations. When they start work on a project, the contract for that project is like the holy grail. For a lot of people, especially those from Asian cultures, the contract is just the start of serious negotiations. Many top people in German companies are still pretty frustrated with clients from Middle Eastern and Asian firms who they feel are trying to change signed contracts, which the Germans find difficult to deal with.

BUSINESS MEETINGS

It‘s probably best to look at the nature of business meetings in Germany from the perspective of negotiations. The rules are pretty straightforward: Germans like to get down to business quickly and don‘t tend to go in for any special rituals. There‘s not much small talk in German business meetings. The style here is to get down to business quickly. Germans also don‘t like to go off on tangents in business meetings. You‘ll also see lots of demonstrations, including video and other media. These can be really interesting, and you might get to see some multimedia presentations showing a company‘s products or abilities.

Meetings here are definitely not stuffy affairs. German business meetings are usually pretty formal, but they‘re also friendly and funny. For example, you‘ll probably find a range of soft drinks, mineral water, and juices on the table at the start of a meeting, and coffee and tea will also likely be served.

It‘s also seen as good form to laugh and smile in roughly the same situations as in North America or Britain. Germans like to laugh, and they‘ll let you know when something‘s really funny. But it‘s not really the done thing to bring a North American sense of familiarity or comedy club banter into a business discussion.

Even in a business context, small talk is important in Germany. In the business world, though, it‘s mostly limited to lunch and dinner. Typical topics include families, holidays, places they‘ve visited and maybe the arts. Many top German businesspeople are well-informed with a broad range of interests and knowledge, so they can easily find something to talk about.

Just a heads-up: appointments are usually made with a fair amount of lead time, around one or two weeks. It‘s pretty unusual to get an appointment at short notice, and if you call up a day or two before you need a meeting, you‘re pretty much rolling the dice – and the odds are stacked against you.

However, you don‘t need to have a local contact or intermediary to schedule meetings and conduct business, as in some cultures. Germans are pretty open and honest about most of these things. Once again, it‘s the task and the outcome that matter, not who you know.

Here, business meetings, written proposals and task orientation are all part and parcel of the focus-on-facts mentality. It‘s all about the facts when it comes to making decisions and solving problems in Germany. In business, this means that making decisions is more about using logic and analysing in-

formation than it is about following your gut or relying on personal connections. If you make a proposal in a meeting, you‘d better be ready to back it up with solid facts and examples.

GERMAN CORPORATE STRUCTURE

The basic German business structure is pretty hierarchical with clearly defined roles. It‘s clear who‘s responsible for what in a company. Once Germans have their roles in the company, they try to stick to them and follow the rules. That‘s why it‘s so tricky to get workers – from salespeople in a big store, guards at a building, tellers at a bank, clerks in an office, all the way up through those in middle or even upper management positions – to do something that falls outside their defined roles. Germans are happy to move up the ladder, but they don‘t like to move outside the scope of their current role.

Also, management in German companies is still much more of a top-down affair than a bottom-up one. The senior management team makes the decisions and then passes them down the chain of command. Those below them are usually just responsible for carrying out the policy, rather than formulating it. Or to put it another way, the senior management team makes the big-picture decisions, while the line management team handles the day-to-day operational stuff. And then the work teams get on with making these operational decisions.

ADVERTORIAL

The Ultimate Business Card - Digital & Physical

Step into the future of networking with ContactMeCard! Imagine a business card that’s not only innovative and eye-catching but also economically and ecologically sustainable. The German trailblazer, Contact Me Solutions GmbH, introduces its lifestyle brand ContactMeCard, setting the gold standard for physical-digital business cards worldwide using QR code and NFC technology.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE CONTACTMECARD:

Digital Meets Physical: Say goodbye to boring paper cards! Our cards are crafted from steel or carbon, giving you that premium, exclusive edge. Fashionable tags made of leather compliment the offer in an unusual way.

Eco-Friendly: Save the planet while making a statement. No more paper waste!

One Card to Rule Them All: No subscriptions, no apps. Just one card at a single price.

Share More Than Ever: From your basic contact info to social media profiles, weblinks, and your entire product or service range, ContactMeCard has you covered.

Instant Updates: Change your contact details anytime, anywhere with internet access. Cool Features: Enjoy unique functionalities like multiple profiles and direct downloads to the “Contacts” app.

Customization: Choose from corporate editions that match your company’s CI, personalized cards with your name or logo, predesigned “Ready to Go” options, exclusive

leather tags and even the world’s most extravagant card made of pure gold.

Networking with ContactMeCards isn’t just smart – it’s stylish, memorable, and sustainable. Stand out from the crowd, and leave a lasting impression.

Ready to join the revolution? Visit www.contactmecard.com for more information.

CONTACT

Julia Schlecker

Taunustor 3 60310 Frankfurt am Main +49 179 4507478 www.contactmecard.com

While those hierarchical structures are really important in most German companies and the chain of command usually moves up, a sense of „teamwork“ is also very important in German business. I think the right way to describe German „teamwork“ is probably „consensus-seeking“. While many Germans are very independent, they also have a strong sense of responsibility for „the

FIND IT IN FRM –WORKING

If you are looking for work in our region, you will quickly discover that German language skills are not just a bonus but often a requirement. German courses are on offer from various language institutes, but it is important to check that official qualifications are included. Your professional qualifications from abroad may also have to be recognised, in particular for regulated professions such as nursing or engineering. It is worth looking at small and medium-sized companies which may have interesting vacancies, as well as the large, international corporations. You will find more tips on our website and relevant services on our interactive map. www.find-it-in-frm.de/en

good of the community or group“. A lot of business decisions are looked at not just in terms of the company‘s finances, but also in terms of what‘s good for its employees. In Germany, business decisions are often made with input from both employers and employees, which helps to create longer-lasting solutions.

SMALL STUFF COUNTS, BIG-TIME

Another thing that comes from this „the good of the group“ mindset is that being on time is really important in Germany. It‘s considered rude to be late for a meeting, even by just a few minutes. So, if you‘re running late for a meeting, it‘s best to let the person in charge know.

It‘s not just your expertise and skills that will help you succeed in your business in Germany. One way to give yourself the best chance of success is to learn a few of the small but important German customs that cross over into office life.

For example, if it‘s your birthday, you‘re the one who throws the party – even in the office. You‘ll probably be expected to provide finger food like rolls, cold cuts, and maybe some small cakes or cookies, or even pretzels. When it comes to drinks for the party, it‘s probably best to bring a bottle or two of sparkling wine, plus some juice or mineral water for those who don‘t drink alcohol. The amount you buy will depend on how many people are in your core group. (Don‘t go overboard with the sparkling wine, because you want the staff to get some work done that day. But each person in your group should get at least one small plastic cup of the bubbly to toast you.)

“Your Trusted Financial Partner in Frankfurt”

Seamless solutions, personalized care – ensuring your financial success in your new home

Welcome to Frankfurt, a dynamic city rich in culture, innovation and opportunities. At Hansen & Heinrich, we understand that relocating to a new city is a pivotal moment in your life, often accompanied by financial challenges. That’s where we step in.

As an independent financial advisor our philosophy is based on the belief that everyone deserves the financial means to achieve

the lifestyle, they envision for themselves and their families. We take the time to listen closely to your needs and aspirations, ensuring that our services align perfectly with your goals. Whether you are an expatriate or consulate employee we are happy to assist you opening a bank account, secure insurance, plan for longterm financial growth or explore options in real estate.

We also provide comprehensive financial planning, guiding you through the complexities of managing your finances in a new environment allowing you to save both time and money. Our holistic approach and strong partner network ensure nationwide that your financial matters are handled to your complete satisfaction.

We are committed to acting in your best interests, offering reliable support that adapts as your life evolves. By focusing on sustainable, lasting growth, we aim to enhance your quality of life, making your tran-

sition to Frankfurt not just smooth, but truly enriching.

Welcome to your new home – Hansen & Heinrich is here to help you thrive.

CONTACT

HANSEN & HEINRICH AG

Schweizer Straße 1 60594 Frankfurt am Main

Michael Craatz 49 (69) 589965223 michael.craatz@hansen-heinrich.de www.hansen-heinrich.de/en www.linkedin.com/company/hansen-&heinrich-ag

Elevate Your Career in Germany with the EBS Universität Business Network

As an expat in Germany, building a strong network and advancing your career are crucial. EBS Universität for Business & Law is here to offer more than education – it‘s your gateway to a thriving professional life in Germany.

The Power of the network

At EBS, you’re joining a community that spans industries, borders, and cultures. Founded in 1971 by Prof. Dr. Klaus Evard, EBS was Germany‘s first business school focused on shaping leadership personalities. With over 200

business partners, more than 200 top-tier international partner universities, and a robust alumni network exceeding 12,000 professionals, the EBS network Is a gateway to endless opportunities.

Whether you‘re looking to collaborate on joint projects, exchange ideas at the intersection of economics and science, or simply connect with like-minded professionals, EBS provides a platform that supports your ambitions. The strength of this network lies in its diversity and reach, offering you access to resources and connections that can significantly boost your career in Germany.

Executive Education: Lifelong Learning for Lifelong Success

The Executive School at EBS is designed for professionals who are not only seeking to advance their careers but are committed to continuous personal and professional development. In today’s dynamic VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) world, it’s essential to have the skills to navigate change and lead effectively.

Our programs offer state-of-the-art tools and individual coaching, providing transformative experiences that equip you with the knowledge and confidence to excel in your field. With a commitment to lifelong learning, we ensure you and your team consistently stay at the forefront of industry trends and leadership practices.

For more on shaping tomorrow‘s leaders, visit our website or contact Jannes.Schreiber@ebs.edu

Corporate Solutions: Tailored Partnerships for Success

EBS Universität is more than a place of learning; it’s a partner for businesses aiming to thrive in today’s competitive landscape. Our Corporate Solutions are designed to meet the specific needs of organizations, helping them stay ahead by developing leadership teams.

Our professional team collaborates with corporate partners to design and deliver tailored programs that address the unique challenges faced by your organization. Beyond tailored executive education, EBS offers a range of corporate solutions including research cooperations, scholarship programs, recruiting channels, and cobranding opportunities, focusing on shaping the future proactively.

For corporate inquiries, visit our website or contact Waibin.Yip@ebs.edu

Dear Friends of gold

Welcome

If you’re new in a city or haven’t been there for long, then there are any number of things you have to do. Meaning it’s great to have a strong partner at your side for help. We, philoro EDELMETALLE, want to be your strong partner when the focus is on physical gold and silver and private deposit boxes.

Our motto is great gold for a great future. Our philoro branch in Frankfurt is located at Schillerstrasse 15–17, just round the corner from the stock exchange building. Easy to get to, as the office is directly next to a car park and there are two subway and LRT stations in the immediate vicinity.

philoro is a made-up word that means ‘friend of gold’. We are friends of physical precious metals. And we’re specialized in buying and selling bullion coins and ingots made by internationally certified manufacturers and that we make ourselves. In our seven offices in Germany, and specifically in the Frankfurt branch, you can, for example, obtain gold ingots and coins. We offer non-bank deposit boxes for the safekeeping of your precious metals and other valuables, and also offer precious metals savings plans. As regards deposit boxes, in Frankfurt we make them available in four different sizes. Through us, you can also book international duty-free storage with all the

fiscal benefits this brings. Our company originated in the Austrian capital of Vienna, our headquarters in Germany is in Leipzig. The company is managed by two brothers which is why we can rightly say that we are a family-owned company that is firmly still in family hands.

We recently set up our own GOLDWERK, not only a gold refinery, but the most modern one in Europe. Which is why we’re interested in buying a lot of old and scrap gold. We analyze it for you free of charge. It may be old jewelry you inherited, old coins, dental gold, silver tableware or the like. At the moment, this is particularly worthwhile for our clients, as the price of gold has been at a very high level since early 2024. If you sell your old gold to us and get a very fair and transparent price for it, we then melt it down and turn it into new gold pieces. That is highly sustainable as gold mining often does not meet the best of standards. We therefore resolved to take a different approach and recycle old gold, making our company more sustainable and more valuable.

Our plan for GOLDWERK is to produce up to 120 tonnes of gold a year, mainly in the form of gold bars. Old gold and gold granulate will form the raw material for them. We expect to receive official certification within the space of

three years and the generally accepted industry standard awarded by the London Bullion Market Association or LBMA for short.

We operate not only in Germany and Austria, but also have branches in Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Hong Kong, and a Web shop in the USA. Our family-owned company now has more than one million customers and 17 offices in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Doing business with philoro means doing business with a superb company. We have often come out test winner in independent rankings, such as those compiled by Fokus Money, where we were voted best precious metals dealer seven times in a row. We also won the gold dealer test by Euro am Sonntag. Our despite boxes repeatedly top the rankings or place in the top three.

Countless positive ratings on Google or other key online opinion and applications portals show that the lion’s share of our clientele is very satisfied with us and our services. And that applies to Frankfurt, too. So why not test us! Simply drop by! We look forward to welcoming you at Schillerstrasse just round the corner from the stock exchange. Great Gold. Great future.

Holger
Ullmann

GETTING MONEY

b anking , F inances , and taxes

Even though we live in a global digital world, each country has its own way of doing things when it comes to banking and finance. It‘s important for newcomers to get to grips with the German system.

It’s pretty much essential to have a bank account if you want to live in Germany. You can’t pay the rent without one, or get paid by your employer. One of the first things you should do when you start your new job here is go down to your local bank and open an account.

There are three main types of bank: large commercial banks, full-service savings banks (Sparkassen) and credit cooperatives (Kreditgenossenschaften). The latter are the smallest of the three, with their offices located in the neighbourhoods of towns. When you go to open an account at a bank, make sure you take your passport and your residence permit or similar documents with you.

THE GIRO OR CURRENT ACCOUNT

The most common and convenient account is the current account or checking account (Girokonto), which allows you to put in and take out money as you need it. Banks will even give you a credit line, which can be up to thousands of euros depending on your regular monthly income. Most banks charge a monthly management fee for your current account, which is usually billed quarterly. If you’re used to current or checking accounts being free, you might find this practice strange.

Just a heads-up: these fees and additional charges can vary from bank to bank and sometimes add up to €300 a

year. Also, some of the extra charges are tricky to spot, so it can be tough to find the best deal. The best way to find the best deal is to check out the magazine Finanztest, which is published by Germany’s leading consumer watchdog, Stiftung Warentest. Each year, Finanztest puts together a comprehensive list of banking charges. On top of that, more consumer-focused banks and most direct banks now offer free current accounts and online banking.

INTEREST BEARING ACCOUNTS

If you’re looking to earn more interest on your savings, there are options that don’t require immediate access to your money. These include fixed-term deposits and money market accounts, with terms ranging from one month to five years. The longer you leave your money in these accounts, the more interest you’ll earn on it.

It’s also worth noting that you won’t automatically get your money back with higher interest when the fixed term runs out. If you want to get the full amount, you have to give the bank official notice before the term expires. Some banks will send you a written reminder about the end of the term and your required notice period, but others expect their customers to keep track of all these details themselves. If you don’t submit the official notice form by the right date, the account will either be rolled over for another fixed period or converted to a lower interest-bearing account, with all the aforementioned restrictions.

DIRECT BANKING

The rise of direct banks is a great thing for consumers in the German banking sector. These are no-frills institutions that have made their mark by offering higher interest on savings and even current accounts. There is, however, one slight disadvantage to these higher interest payouts. Direct banks have cut costs by reducing their service personnel and retail branch offices. So, you can’t expect the full service you get with the more traditional institutions. As you’d expect, direct banks tend to attract customers who do their banking online.

In the middle of Frankfurt, in the center of the banking district, “FOUR Frankfurt” will be Germany‘s most spectacular high-rise ensemble by 2025.

As a rule of thumb, direct banks offer the best interest rates on current accounts. It’s worth noting that the benefits of choosing a direct bank over a traditional one may not be as clear-cut as they initially seem. Some direct banks don’t charge a management fee, but others charge up to €10 a

GETTING

month or only pay high interest to clients who keep a certain minimum amount in their accounts.

When you’re choosing your direct bank, it’s also a good idea to check that some of their ATMs are located nearby. Some direct banks have just a few ATMs, so the fees for withdrawing from another bank’s ATM (which can be more than €6) can end up being more than the fees for having an account with a traditional bank.

DIRECT DEBITS, CHECKS AND BALANCES

Most payments in Germany are made via direct debit from one account to another. As of 2014, all transfers within Europe have to be made using both the IBAN (International Bank Account Number) and the BIC (Bank Identifier Code). This is the rule in Germany, as well as in another 32 countries in the EU that are part of the Single European Payment Area (SEPA).

Your IBAN is basically your account number and it can have up to 34 alphanumeric characters. The BIC is the code that identifies your bank or financial institution. It has 12 alphanumeric characters. You can find both codes on your bank statement or on the back of your Maestro/EC card.

REGULAR PAYMENTS

If you’re making regular payments for things like utilities, insurance, rent, phone bills, tax payments, some membership fees or magazine subscriptions, it’s a good idea to set

„Secure Your Financial Future in Germany“

Navigating your financial future as an expat in Germany can be complex. At HORBACH, we specialize in making that journey smoother and more secure. With over 35 years of experience, we understand the unique needs

of expats and offer tailored solutions aligned with your goals.

Whether you’re adapting to the German tax system, planning for retirement, securing a home loan, or investing in real estate, our expert advisors are here to help. We provide strategies in key areas such as:

• Tax Planning: Maximize your benefits and minimize liabilities.

• Retirement Solutions: Secure your future, wherever life takes you.

• Investment Advice: Grow your wealth with strategies suited to global markets.

• Real Estate & Home Loans: Make informed decisions on property investments and financing.

• Insurance: Protect what matters most with tailored coverage.

At HORBACH, trust and transparency are at our core. We develop financial strategies that address your current needs and set you up for

long-term success, providing clarity and confidence as you navigate your financial life in Germany.

Take the next step towards financial peace of mind. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and see how our services can enhance your expat experience.

CONTACT

Center Frankfurt

Darmstädter Landstraße 110 60598 Frankfurt + 49 176 30304991

Namrta.kishore@horbach.de www.horbach.de/namrta-kishore

up a standing order. It’s also pretty convenient. There are two main types:

1. Einzugsermächtigung: This gives your billing party the right to debit your account directly at regular intervals.

2. Dauerauftrag: This specifies a set amount to be credited to the billing party at a frequency you determine.

The great thing about these systems is that you never have to worry about missing a payment (for example, if you’re away on holiday or emergency leave). A standing order can save you from a late payment penalty or, even worse, the embarrassment and extreme inconvenience of having a utility switched off for non-payment. The latter can be particularly painful, as it could mean extra fees for both suspending and reinstalling the service!

Obviously, the Einzugsermächtigung could also be dangerous if someone irresponsible misuses it to take money from your account. So it’s really important to be super careful when you’re giving this power to someone. You can trust reputable, established companies, as well as all government agencies and utilities.

GIRO CARD

Once you’ve opened your Giro account, you’ll be sent a bank card in the post. This bank card was previously known as an EC Card, but is now more accurately referred to as a Giro Card. You’ll also get a PIN number, which you can’t usually choose yourself. You can use the Giro Card to make electronic

Beds & Bed Systems

Duvets & Pillows

Bed linen & terry towels

BOX LIFESTYLESPRING, ERGONOMICSOR–WE‘VETHING!EVERY-

Mattresses & slatted frames

Betten-Zellekens has been offering you the largest selection in all areas of sleep for more than 170 years. Discover the number 1 in Frankfurt and experience a diverse range of products in our stores.

Betten-Zellekens

payments and to withdraw money from ATMs in Germany and throughout Europe.

The Giro Card is accepted almost everywhere in Europe, and it’s been more popular than credit cards. This is because it has lower fees for retailers. It’s a direct debit card, so the payment is taken directly from your current account (although it can sometimes take up to a few days before a transaction is processed). If you go overdrawn on your current account, your bank will charge you their standard annual interest rate (Überziehungskredit). You won’t be charged any fees if you use the Giro Card to make a purchase outside of Germany but still within the Euro zone of the EU.

TAXES

As is the case in most countries, Germany’s tax system is pretty complex. There are lots of deductions, special exemptions, tax breaks for families and much more besides. If you think you might be able to get some money back, which most taxpayers can, you should get in touch with an income tax association (Lohnsteuerverein) or a tax consultant (Steuerberater) to see if they can help. They’ll charge you either a flat fee or a fee based on your total income, but you can deduct this as an expense on your tax return next year.

The tax you pay on your income is based on a progressive system, which means that the more you earn, the more tax you pay. As an employee or self-employed person, you’re responsible for paying income tax on the money you earn.

ERGO, simply because it´s important

Alexander Cascon has been working at the ERGO insurance office in Frankfurt together with Michaela Reinhardt and their team for over 25 years.

What exactly do you offer and why can newcomers benefit from your expertise?

We specialize in tailor-made insurance for private individuals, people who are self-employed and companies, using a wide range of insurance solutions for this.For newcomers, state-subsidized products, exclusion of liability risks, and the topic of health are particularly interesting.

Tailor-made solutions sound promising, can you be more specific?

We take the time to get to know our customers, understand their needs precisely and take all personal factors into account. Because ultimately everyone asks themselves: “Where is my benefit”?

What sets you apart from other providers?

Our combination of specialist knowledge and a high level of service quality makes a difference. Many providers rely on standardized processes, which often comes at the expense of individuality. We don’t just want to offer any solution, but the best solution for each individual.

Thanks to our many years of experience with international customers, we can offer valuable support in selecting the right insurance products, even when language is a challenge, to make starting in Frankfurt easier.

Do you have any final words?

At the end of the day, it is always important that our customers get what they need, that is what we are here for.

Open and clear communication creates trust, the foundation of every long-term relationship.

CONTACT

ERGO BERATUNG UND VERTRIEB AG Mainzer Landstr. 349, 60326 Frankfurt michaela.reinhardt@ergo.de +49(0)171-7447555

alexander.cascon@ergo.de +49(0)171-8007378

ADVERTORIAL

FRANKFURT FORWARD MATCHING AM MAIN

Frankfurt Forward, a project by Frankfurt Economic Development, is the independent matchmaker and driving force for the FrankfurtRheinMain startup ecosystem. Frankfurt Forward was initiated in 2015 as part of the Industry Master Plan. It promotes the further development of innovation and digitalization at the Frankfurt location through networking and knowledge transfer.

With “Startup of The Year” – the cross-industry competition featured by a top-class jury and accompanying events – Frankfurt Forward established an important networking platform for startups, companies, investors and politicians in FrankfurtRheinMain. #frankfurtforward

frankfurtforward.com

#wifoeffm

Frankfurt Economic Development advises, supports, and mediates

Our goal is to create growth and jobs in Frankfurt. We offer active company consulting and pursue cluster-related settlement strategies.

We are the consulting and service center for businesses in Frankfurt and foreign investors. We support the necessary steps – from the first contact to the opening of a business in Frankfurt. We offer quick access to well-grounded information and the right institutions and contacts – regardless of company size and industry. We provide information on necessary administrative processes and support smooth market access.

Economic data, industry knowledge, market analyses – we provide customized information on Frankfurt’s economic structure and key industries. Our project managers for specific industries provide an accurate picture of Frankfurt’s market situation and the qualities of the location.

We are the mediator between business and politics. We communicate your needs to the political authorities. We make recommendations

on economic and location policy measures and develop proposals to secure Frankfurt’s economic future.

We initiate networks and industry meetings and provide you with access to associations, organizations, communities, existing networks, and professional consultants. And if we don’t know the right contact person, we know someone who does.

Our team is available especially for small and medium-sized businesses and craft enterprises. The business consultants are specialized in solving all types of location problems. Our project managers from the International Business Communities department are available to assist foreign investors. They provide information on the necessary steps and approvals for moving to Frankfurt, provide information on German labor and tax law, recommend specialist attorneys, and assist with approval procedures.

We work for our Frankfurt am Main and your success!

CONTACT

Frankfurt Economic Development GmbH Hanauer Landstrasse 126-128 60314 Frankfurt am Main frankfurt-business.net, #wifoeffm

Germany has a relatively high income tax rate, like many other European countries. But this is the price you pay for good roads, quality public schools, great healthcare, tuition-free public universities and a broad array of social programmes. Tax rates for individuals start at just 14%, rising to 42% for those with an annual income above €62,810. The top earners have to pay an extra 3% on top of that if their income is over €277,826 for single people or €555,652 for couples.

Once you’ve registered with the German authorities, you’ll be given a Tax Identification Number (Steueridentifikationsnummer). You’ll need to use this number in all your correspondence with the tax authorities and also on your income tax return. You’ve got until the end of May of the year after the tax year in question to get your return in, but you can ask for an extension if you need it. You can also submit your annual income tax return online using the Elster service (www.elster.de).

RETIREMENT, UNEMPLOYMENT AND NURSING CARE INSURANCE

As a general rule, social welfare contributions are split pretty evenly between employer and employee. The biggest slice of the social welfare contributions pie goes towards your retirement insurance (Rentenversicherung), which represents 18.6 percent of your monthly income (2023; you and your employer each pay half). As for unemployment insurance (Arbeitslosengeld), that amounts to 2.6 percent of your gross wage, while nursing care/ long-term care insurance (Pflegeversicherung) represents 3.4 percent.

SOLIDARITY SURCHARGE

The huge task of uniting the two halves of the country after German Unification was partly funded by this solidarity tax (Solidaritätszuschlag), which is a 5.5 percent surcharge on your income tax bill. As of January 1, 2021, the tax is only applied if your income tax or PAYE bill exceeds €18,130 annually for single individuals or €36,260 for couples. This applies to all corporations and individuals. The surcharge is capped at €96,408 for single people and double that for couples. Anything above that figure is in a transition zone where the tax rate is 11.9% of your income tax, and then it drops again to 5.5%.

The first U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt, at Schöne Aussicht 17, active from 1829-1853.

The U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt at Siesmayerstrasse, active 1955-2005.

Photo Credit: Dr. John Provan

UNITED STATES SPECIAL

The cover of the 1929 City of Frankfurt booklet: “100 Years of the American Consulate General at Frankfort o.M.”

The U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt’s present location was once the U.S. Army’s 97th General Hospital. Photo Credit: Dr. John Provan

The U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt has been located on Giessener Strasse since 2005 and is the fourth largest U.S. post worldwide.

A NEW HOME, BUT AN OLD FRIENDSHIP

If you have recently moved to Frankfurt, you are not alone. I am a newcomer myself, having arrived as the U.S. Consul General this August. In my short time here, I have come to appreciate Frankfurt as the most international city in Germany and one that welcomes around 4,000 newcomers like me each year.

While I may be new to Frankfurt, the U.S. Consulate General has been present in Frankfurt for 195 years now! The photos on the opposite page show some highlights from this long history, including from a booklet printed by the City of Frankfurt in 1929 to commemorate the Consulate’s 100th anniversary. The booklet, according to its preface, was “designed to describe the fine, but untearable net of intellectual, economic, and spiritual relations that has been woven between Frankfort [sic] and the United States during the past three centuries.” Today, nearly 100 years later, that same ‘net’ binds us more strongly than ever.

Earlier this year, we celebrated the 75th anniversary of the German Grundgesetz and the intellectual role the United States, Great Britian, and France played in its development. Economically, the United States became Germany’s largest trade partner earlier this year, and Germany is the third largest source of foreign direct investment in the United States. And when it comes to the spirit of our relationship, it is ingrained in the very foundation of the U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt. It is no coincidence the first U.S. consulates in what is now a unified Germany were established in the German Free Cities. Frankfurt – like its sister city, Philadelphia – has for centuries played an integral role in nurturing the promise of democracy and the inviolability of human dignity.

As a diplomat, I have been a newcomer in many places around the world – New Delhi, Karachi, New York City, and Berlin to name just a few. I am especially proud to return to Germany,

to call Frankfurt my new home, and to lead the U.S. Consulate General as we continue to make history together. It is a testament both to the strength of the U.S.-German relationship and the incredible infrastructure in the Rhine-Main region that the United States has chosen to stage its largest consulate in the world right here. These same attributes make Frankfurt fertile ground for U.S. companies, student exchanges, and visiting artists alike.

One of the best parts of being a newcomer is making new friends and learning more about their culture, their interests, and their aspirations. I particularly look forward to engaging with this diverse population – from youth organizations to Rhine-Main leaders in the cultural, political, and business spheres – to share ideas on how best to continue building the transatlantic relationship. It is these person-to-person interactions that make relationships like the one between the United States and Germany excel and flourish.

Whether you are new to the city like me, or have been a Frankfurter your entire life, I am honored to discover and celebrate with you all the city has to offer.

Heath

General of the United States in Frankfurt

NATIONALITY USA

CELINA LUNSFORD

Celina is the Artistic Director of the Fotografie Forum Frankfurt, one of Europe’s most established and longest running photographic art centers. She has been living with her husband in the Bockenheim part of Frankfurt since the 1990s. Taking in the nature via the great parks and keeping attuned to the brilliant cultural offers are what she loves best. Her work involves a lot of travel, writing and consulting for artists, collectors, museums, galleries and students (she is an honorary Professor at Darmstadt’s University of Applied Sciences: h_da). Originally Lunsford comes from the southern United States, where her family has intricate ties to music.

IN RHINE-MAIN SINCE 1992

Heimat (Home) means:

Home is where the most of the things are that have become attached to me but it is also the people which I love to be around. I adapt well to many places and I believe that a feeling of home can also be achieved by looking into the sky when you are laying in the grass anywhere. I did a lot of laying in the grass looking up at the stars and skies, when I was growing up.

A thing I brought from home, which I’d never have left back:

A silver dogwood pin from my birthplace, Asheville, North Carolina, which my Grandmother gave me.

The most exotic place in the world I’ve ever been to: The Bromo Volcano in Indonesia

My first day here …

My first day here I thought things looked too perfect. It took me by surprise to see so many simple buildings from the 1950s throughout the urban landscapes, then I realized how devastating WWII had been.

The strangest german word I learnt: Mahlzeit

German words normally tend to be strange or may sound funny: I love the word “Stau” and “Arbeitsbeschaffungsmassnahme”

A secret about me: I talk to spiders.

MY TOP 3 FRANKFURT RHINE-MAIN TIPS

1 / Fotografie Forum Frankfurt

2 / Botanischer Garten Frankfurt

3 / Kloster Eberbach

Frankfurt Airport Marriott Hotel and Sheraton Frankfurt Airport Hotel & Conference Center is the world´s first dual brand hotel combination of two Marriott International Premium brands under one roof and is one of the largest airport hotels in Europe. Its pole position between the check-in counters of Frankfurt Airport Terminal 1 and the AIRrail ICE long-distance train station makes the hotel a sought-after address in terms of business meetings, conferences and corporate functions in the economic center of the Rhine-Main area.

TWO HOTELS. AT FRANKFURT AIRPORT. PAIRED TO PERFECTION.

• Marriott | 233 rooms and suites

• Sheraton | 784 rooms, suites and apartments

• 2 Lounges | M Club and Sheraton Club

• 3 Restaurants | Flavors, Taverne, The Eatery kitchen and bar

• 3 Bars | The Bar, Davidoff Lounge, The Eatery kitchen and bar

• 58 Meeting rooms | Including a Congress Center for up to 1,200 participants

• 2 Fitness Centers | Huge Fitness Center and exclusive M Club Fitness Center

NATIONALITY German | USA

JULIAN SESSOMS

Julian was born in 1987 at Frankfurt General Hospital. His mother is a local and his father was an American soldier stationed in Frankfurt.

Growing up in the Rhine-Main area, he finished school in 2007 and joined the German Army. After two years, he decided to continue his public service through law enforcement. He joined the German Police in the state of Hesse and is still working in the city of Frankfurt.

IN RHINE-MAIN SINCE 1987

Heimat (Home) means:

Home is very diverse. Home is where you build memories that last forever. Home is where you are given roots and wings at the same time. Home is where you build your character and are loved for who you are.

A thing I brought from home, which I’d never have left back:

Patches – I love collecting them.

My favorite dish, food, sweet – home or Germany: Schnitzel and Grüne Soße – it is a must try in Frankfurt.

My first day here:

It was a cold rainy day – I was born in Frankfurt in October.

The strangest german word I learnt:

For non-Germans everything sounds weird I guess.

This is the App on my phone, which I can not live without:

Work schedule App - when you work in shifts, you tend to mix up the days. You don’t want to be a no show.

Driving in Germany, getting around.

Beautiful scenery, especially with my motorcycle. Most people actually abide to the rules while driving. It never gets too chaotic.

Try to give us one wise, funny or even philosophical sentence

“You need to try everything at least once in your life ... (except for drugs, of course).”

MY TOP 3 FRANKFURT RHINE-MAIN TIPS

1 / Frankfurt, Sachsenhausen Eat, drink, be merry

2 / Try different towns and cities History is all over the place

3 / Schloß Braunfels Not really Rhine-Main area but definitely worth the trip!

Ralph Winter: From Real Estate to Private Equity – A journey of Innovation and Resilience

Frankfurt Native and W5 Group Founder on Transforming the Investment Landscape and Inspiring Future Entrepreneurs

Ralph Winter is one of the most recognized entrepreneurial figures in the real estate and venture capital sectors. Based in Miami and Zug, he has built the W5 Group into an enterprise with investments surpassing 5 billion euros in market capitalization, alongside managing his own family office. For many years, he has also been a steadfast supporter of emerging companies on their journeys to success.

Mr. Winter, what initially drew you to the world of real estate and venture capital? Was there a particular moment or person that inspired you?

Almost everyone engages with real estate at some point, which makes the entry somewhat easier. For me, the turning point was a lecture by Henry Kravis, co-founder of the globally renowned private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co (KKR) in New York. He introduced the concept of debt-financed acquisitions in real estate, and I was so captivated by it that I successfully applied it myself years later. When it comes to innovative financial solutions, the U.S. often leads the way.

What challenges did you face at the beginning?

I started in sales and was never employed in a traditional sense, as this offered the steepest learning curve. After leaving my business administration studies, I faced both successes and setbacks. My background in sports played a crucial role in helping me bounce back repeatedly.

How did the idea for founding the W5 Group come about?

The W5 Group is a culmination of my diverse entrepreneurial experiences. We adopt an opportunistic approach to our international real estate investments, with virtually no boundaries. Gradually, we are expanding this approach to other areas, such as private equity, private debt, and blockchain investments. For me, the key to success lies in the future. We are living in an extraordinarily exciting time—high interest rates, increasing

deglobalization, and the realignment of global power dynamics present enormous potential for entrepreneurs. So why not now?

How do you think the real estate and investment sectors have evolved in recent decades?

The old ways no longer suffice – welcome to the “new normal.” I thrive on change and the unpredictability that accompanies it. Today, the most critical factor is having the right people, and these aren’t the individuals who “work” from home three days a week and disappear after 5 pm. In Germany, particularly, we have grown accustomed to a standard of living that is no longer sustainable. Other countries are catching up and achieving results far beyond our comfort zone.

What principles and values guide your decisions as an entrepreneur and investor?

Risk has never been something unfamiliar or intimidating for me. Entrepreneurs are wired differently. They try, fail, try again, and perhaps fail again, but they remain convinced that this is the right path. I aim to instill this mindset in my children as well. If you want to achieve something, you must fight for it. A good education and robust networks are, of course, of great and growing importance.

What drives you to pursue new projects and invest in new ideas every day?

My motivation has always been my greatest driver. Sitting on the sidelines just isn’t for me. I genuinely enjoy exploring new deals. Today, I focus more on what truly promises success –experience should lead to something tangible. My luxury is to constantly have new ideas and the fortune to pursue them. Wealth brings me security, a great deal of freedom, and, naturally, joy.

PHILADELPHIA’S CAN’T MISS EXPERIENCES

Proud Sister City to Frankfurt

Named one of the best cities in the world to visit in 2024 by Lonely Planet, Philadelphia offers an exciting arts and culture scene, award-winning dining, and bustling neighborhoods. Known as the birthplace of the United States, Frankfurt’s Sister City Philadelphia offers a wealth of experiences during the year that make it a must-visit destination. As a premier East Coast gateway, Philadelphia is easy to get to. Once there, these experiences are just footsteps away from each other thanks to Philadelphia being one of the most walkable cities in the U.S. Here are the top can’t-miss experiences in the city.

Philadelphia’s Essential Sites

Become immersed in Philadelphia’s iconic attractions by snapping a selfie with the iconic LOVE Statue in LOVE Park. Then, enjoy a classic cheesesteak from Reading Terminal Market, a historic landmark dating back to 1893. Housing over 80 merchants, including numerous restaurants, this

National Historic Landmark is a mustvisit destination for anyone eager to experience the vibrant flavors of Philadelphia’s culinary scene.

Explore “America’s Most Historic Square Mile”

A trip to Philadelphia isn’t complete without visiting Independence National Historical Park, known as “America’s most historic square mile.” Step into Independence Hall — where the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were debated and adopted — and see the Liberty Bell, the iconic symbol of freedom. Continue exploring the significance of the U.S. Constitution through interactive exhibits that tell its story at the National Constitution Center.

Climb the Rocky Steps

Become the Italian Stallion and conquer the steps of the Philadelphia Museum

of Art, just as the underdog boxer did in the film. Then, strike a pose and take a picture next to the Rocky Statue Stop at the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation’s Parkway Outpost to pick up exclusive Rocky gear and souvenirs at the legendary Sly Stallone Shop.

Dine at Award-Winning Restaurants

Savor the hottest menus of Philadelphia’s acclaimed dining scene. Discover the 2023 James Beard Award winner for Outstanding Restaurant

Friday Saturday Sunday, an intimate cocktail and dining experience found in Rittenhouse Square. Philadelphia’s Ellen Yin — the force behind a.kitchen, Fork and High Street Philly — took home the 2023 James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurateur. And Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon — head chef and owner of Thai restaurant Kalaya — won the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic.

Have a Spooky Good Time

For spooky fall fun in Philadelphia, visit Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary. This festival-style

event features haunted walks, eerie beer gardens, and live performances, all within the walls of a historic prison. Discover the macabre past of Philadelphia’s most historic sites on a Ghost Tour of Philadelphia. These candlelit walking tours are led by knowledgeable guides who lead guests through historic sites at night and share chilling stories of the past.

Embrace the Winter Season in Philadelphia

At the most wonderful time of the year, Philadelphia is home to events, activities, and attractions that energize

the city. Dilworth Park hosts winter attractions, including the Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink, beer garden, and holiday market. Historic Franklin Square transforms into a whimsical winter destination, complete with a charming carousel and electric holiday light show. Head over to LOVE Park, the holiday home of Christmas Village, an authentic German Christmas market.

America’s Garden Capital

Explore Philadelphia’s expansive park system. Run, bike, or walk the trails in the 2,000+ acre Fairmount Park Admire the historic homes and other landmarks on your journey. Beyond the city limits, visitors will find ample spring hues covering the grounds of Longwood Gardens. They welcome the season with garden-wide Spring Blooms displays, featuring flowering trees, blooming bulbs, and other charming scenes throughout the over the 1,000-acre property.

Start planning your American adventure at

Photo: D.Knoll

NATIONALITY USA

AMY M. CURLEE

Meet Amy Curlee: a California girl who traded vineyard sunsets for Frankfurt’s skyscrapers, and she‘s been blending business and humor ever since! As the director for the North America Team at FrankfurtRheinMain GmbH, Amy brings over 15 years of experience in financial services and a deep passion for economic development. From wrangling vines in wine country to evangelizing Frankfurt’s business benefits, she’s lived in seven countries but found her forever home in the heart of Germany. Armed with a degree in International Relations, a love for spreadsheets, and a talent for cracking jokes, Amy’s on a mission to bring prosperity – and a little laughter – to the RheinMain region.

IN RHINE-MAIN SINCE 2020

Heimat (Home) means:

I feel equally at home in Lodi, California, drinking white zinfandel as in Sachsenhausen drinking a sauer gespritzter. Important is that I can laugh, drink and eat (preferably Mexican food) in good company.

My favorite dish, food, sweet – home or Germany: California style cheese enchiladas, a double double from In-n-out Burger, a 3am döner in Sachsenhausen and a Frankfurter schnitzel on Sunday afternoon.

The most exotic place in the world I’ve ever been to: I spent the night in a hotel carved into the side of a mountain in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It was the quietest and most peaceful experience I’ve ever had.

The strangest german word I learnt:

My favorite german word is Vergangenheitsbewältigung, which is a term that roughly translates to “coming to terms with the past” or “dealing with the past” in English. It specifically refers to the process of confronting, understanding, and acknowledging the historical atrocities, particularly related to Nazi Germany and World War II, and working through their implications for society and culture.

Driving in Germany, getting around.

Well ... the German government doesn’t recognize my California license!!! So ... I’m a public transportation warrior! Going green involuntarily, but loving it. It’s such a joy to live in a region where you can get anywhere you want quickly and easily without having a car!

Try to give us one wise, funny or even philosophical sentence

Being a serious person and not having a sense of humor are two different things.

MY TOP 3 FRANKFURT

RHINE-MAIN TIPS

1 / Landgasthof “Zum Löwen – beim Philipp“ in Linden Family run Restaurant/Hotel since 1858

2 / Marmion Lindleystr. 17 · 60314 Frankfurt am Main

3 / Gutburgerlich A burger joint next to a wine bar owned by the same guy.

CELEBRATING A DECADE OF PARTNERSHIP

Frankfurt am Main and Philadelphia Mark 10 Years of Sister City Ties

In 2025, Frankfurt am Main and Philadelphia will celebrate the tenth anniversary of their sister city partnership, which was established in 2015. This relationship stands as a testament to the enduring friendship between Germany and the United States, reflecting the strong economic, cultural, academic, and political connections that unite these two dynamic cities.

Frankfurt’s Global Network of Sister Cities

Frankfurt am Main, one of Germany’s and Europe’s most significant cities, is part of a vast network of sister city partnerships worldwide. Currently, Frankfurt maintains 18 active sister city relationships across various continents, including cities like Lyon (France), Milan (Italy), Yokohama (Japan), and most recently Lviv (Ukraine). These partnerships underscore Frankfurt’s international outlook and facilitate cultural exchange, economic collaboration, and mutual understanding. Philadelphia: A City of Great Importance in the United States Philadelphia, the largest city in Pennsylvania and one of the most historically significant cities in the United States, plays a pivotal role in American history and culture. As the birthplace of American democracy, where both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed, Philadelphia symbolizes freedom and human rights. With a robust economy, particularly in finance, healthcare, and education, Philadelphia ranks among the most important metropolitan areas in the U.S.

The Similarities Between Frankfurt and Philadelphia

The partnership between Frankfurt and Philadelphia is not only rooted in historical connections but also in notable similarities between the two cities. Both are leading financial hubs in their respective countries. Frankfurt, home to

the European Central Bank and one of the largest stock exchanges in Europe, and Philadelphia, which hosts one of the Federal Reserve Bank’s locations as well as strong financial and service industries, share a significant role as economic powerhouses.

Moreover, both cities are known for their multicultural societies and high quality of life. Frankfurt, often called the “smallest metropolis in the world,” is a city where more than half of the population has a migration background. Similarly, Philadelphia is renowned for its ethnic diversity and rich cultural tapestry, which profoundly shapes its urban landscape.

Cradles of Democracy

Another profound connection between the two cities lies in their shared status as cradles of democracy. Frankfurt is home to the Paulskirche, where the first freely elected German parliament met in 1848, laying the foundation

Looking to the Future

As Frankfurt and Philadelphia reflect on a successful decade of collaboration, the tenth anniversary also opens new opportunities for the future. Both cities are committed to deepening their partnership and initiating new projects in areas such as climate protection, digitalization, and social cohesion. Established exchange programs for students, cultural events, and economic and political collaborations will continue to be strengthened.

The tenth anniversary of the sister city partnership between Frankfurt am Main and Philadelphia is a milestone that illustrates how two cities can grow closer through shared goals and values. It is a powerful symbol of the enduring significance of transatlantic relations in an increasingly interconnected world.

NATIONALITY USA

ALEXANDER MEYER-GOHDE

He grew up in Boulder, Colorado, and obtained his bachelor‘s from Colorado State University in language, literature and culture. He came to Germany in 2002 to pursue his master‘s in economics at the Humboldt-Unversität zu Berlin. His stay became permanent after he married a Frankfurter and started a family in Berlin. Before coming to the Rhein-Main area in 2018, he obtained his doctorate from the Technische Universität Berlin and held various positions in Hamburg, Berlin, and Potsdam.

IN RHINE-MAIN SINCE 2018

Heimat (Home) means:

Well, I’ve spent half my life in Germany and half in the US, so it’s fair to say that I have two. At the end of the day, though, home is where the heart is and mine is always with my family.

A thing I brought from home, which I’d never have left back:

My copy of the Lord of Rings in German – you have to stay motivated to learn a foreign language and German seems easier than Elvish or Dwarvish.

The most exotic place in the world I’ve ever been to:

The Faeroe Islands. These isolated islands in the North Atlantic are so windswept that trees would only grow in a protected valley park in the capital city.

The strangest german word I learnt:

Doch. Strange in the sense that I don’t know how I existed as a teenager in the US without this word.

Driving in Germany, getting around.

It took me a while to realize that I got to know cities here as a collection of islands connected by public transportation.

Try to give us one wise, funny or even philosophical sentence

I will always miss the mountains in Colorado. From the view of the Front Range while on final approach to Denver International or cresting US36 to see Boulder Valley and the Flatirons laid out before me – I will always get goosebumps coming back to Colorado.

MY TOP 3 FRANKFURT RHINE-MAIN TIPS

1 / Senckenberg Museum

2 / Schneiders Hof

3 / Burgfestspiele Bad Vilbel

CREATING GLOBAL CONNECTIONS.

Explore the opportunity to partner with Trailer Bridge Europe, the newest provider of transportation, logistics, and life support services.

The launch of TB Europe is part of the global expansion of Trailer Bridge, Inc., a full-service logistics provider headquartered in the U.S., founded by industry legend Malcom McLean in 1991.

We are looking to establish partnerships with Europe-based service providers who align with our belief that it’s not just business, it’s personal.

Partner with us for a unique opportunity to expand your network and explore how we can grow our businesses together by supporting upcoming opportunities in the logistics industry.

• Surface Transportation

• Air Transportation

• Ocean Transportation

• Multimodal

• Freight Forwarder

• Material Handling

• Cold Chain

• Warehousing

• Base Camp & Life Services

• Port & Terminal Operator

CHRISTOPHER F. PORTER

Christopher moved to Frankfurt from New York as an expat with the Bank of New York (BNY) in 2000. The high quality of life and flourishing financial industry in Frankfurt inspired him to stay in Frankfurt at the end of his expat assignment, where he has raised three sons and continues to enjoy all that the Rhein Main region has to offer. Away from professional pursuits as a Managing Director with BNY, he is known for both broader engagement in the transatlantic agenda and passionate work in growing the sport of rugby in the Frankfurt community – especially amongst Frankfurt’s youth.

IN RHINE-MAIN SINCE 2000

Heimat (Home) means:

Environs encompassing unparalleled familiarity, sense of belonging and personal identification; the mountains of Central Pennsylvania may be my default Heimat, but Frankfurt has certainly become my adopted version thereof.

A thing I brought from home, which I’d never have left back:

My Rugby memorabilia! I have an amazing collection of rugby ties, old jerseys, signed balls, sentimental mementos… all decorating my home office walls.

The most exotic place in the world I’ve ever been to: New Zealand…. it’s not exactly around the corner, but worth the trip!

My first day here …

My “first” day in Frankfurt was an exciting re-acquaintance with the area, having spent time years prior during a foreign study stint at the university in Marburg. I already had friends in Frankfurt and positive impressions of the city.

The strangest german word I learnt: “Verwahrstellenvergütung”; part tongue-twister, part business model

German words normally tend to be strange or may sound funny:

Weisskopfadler – they make frequent appearances around my favorite fishing spot

What do you consider to be a defining aspect of Frankfurt today?

The diversity of the city and ability to integrate; this offers terrific potential for the region and has made it an inspiring place to live.

MY TOP 3 FRANKFURT RHINE-MAIN TIPS

1 / SC Frankfurt 1880 the country’s greatest rugby club and a Frankfurt institution – come visit us!

2 / Hiking in Taunus my favorite area for enjoying the outdoors, with lovely view’s of Germany’s best city

3 / The vineyards of the Rheingau a regional treasure at our doorstep.

GETTING

ACQUAINTED

g erman culture , customs and clarity

Getting by in a new culture is all about absorbing the new local customs, both inside and outside the office. Getting to grips with them will make your new life in Germany that much more enjoyable.

A big part of a successful stay anywhere is simply enjoying the country and its people. A big step towards achieving this in Germany is to get to know German culture and customs. When we talk about German ‘culture’, we don’t just mean opera, concerts, serious novels and deep-thinking philosophers. We’re using the term broadly to include things like food and drink, sport, holidays and just chilling out and having fun. Germans are understandably proud of their achievements in the arts, and you will find no shortage of “highbrow culture” in the Frankfurt Rhine-Main region. While lovers of ‘serious’ music should keep an eye out for the fantastic Rheingau Musik Festival, which takes place every year in late summer,

here we want to focus on the broader picture. What better place to start than by asking what makes Germany uniquely German? This can be a difficult question to answer these days, as Germany itself is a melting pot and has absorbed the influences of many other cultures over the last half century. However, there are still elements that make life in Germany different from what you’ll find in most other places. Forget the old prejudice that Germans don’t know how to have a good time. The fact is that Germans love to have fun - at the right time and in the right place. Germans believe strongly in the saying that there’s a time and a place for everything. When they work, they work hard. When it is

time to play, they play hard. And as you’ll soon learn, if you haven’t already, there are plenty of opportunities to do so in Germany. After all, standard employment contracts here include 25-30 days of paid holiday, which can be split or taken all at once - it’s up to you.

A popular strategy is to maximise the number of consecutive days off by scheduling holidays around weekends and the many public holidays. For example, May and June - when there are a number of public holidays - are the most popular times for Germans to go on holiday.

GOOD ETIQUETTE

You would be well advised to familiarise yourself with some of the basic customs and etiquette in Germany. You may find some aspects of German behaviour a little strange at first, but do not worry, in time you will see the positive side of why things are the way they are. Just make an honest and good-natured effort and it will help to make your stay more enjoyable.

The legacy of their painful history has made the Germans a somewhat cautious people. They are concerned about security. One side of this need for security is a certain initial reserve in relationships. It is clear that Germans are not as exuberant or open as many other nationalities. For this reason, some people see Germans as cold or unfriendly, when in fact this is a reflection of their need to be cautious before moving

forward in a relationship. Once you’ve actually made friends with Germans, you’ll soon find that they are very good and very loyal friends indeed.

Around 70% and over 2,000 halftimbered houses in the old town were destroyed during the war.
With the reconstruction of the “New Old Town”, Frankfurt has had its heart back since 2018.

A good way to make and keep friends here is to learn the customs and etiquette that govern daily life. As a result of factors such as history, geography and population density, Germany has developed a dense network of customs and etiquette that may seem quaint or unexpected to people from other cultures. However, quickly adopting these rules and customs (even if only partially) will make your stay here much more enjoyable.

GOOD DAY!

Many of the rules of German etiquette are almost universal. Some of them are just common sense.

No custom is so infinitely subtle (as in some cultures) that you have to be constantly hypervigilant not to offend others. German thoroughness comes into play here too: You’ll notice that Germans say Danke! (“Thank you”) and Bitte! (“Please”) quite often. Much of this very obvious politeness can be formulaic, but if you express your thanks and requests with a bit of feeling, you’ll often get a smile in return.

Let us start with the area of personal relationships. These close relationships can take some time to develop. In fact, many Germans - especially those who are older and more traditional - will always keep those outside a close circle at arm’s length. That’s why you’ll find that many people here will always address acquaintances or colleagues as “Frau Müller”, “Herr Schmidt” - even people they’ve known for years, often people they’ve shared the same building with for many years.

Speaking of addressing people, a key point of good etiquette here is to wish everyone in your building or office a good morning, a good day and a good evening. You should also use these greetings (generally without the names) when entering small shops and businesses, although not in supermarkets or department stores. Failure to do so is considered a bit rude and is likely to affect the service you receive. These basic greetings are also still accepted behaviour when getting into a lift where you work, and then you should add a “Wiedersehen” when you or someone else gets out of the lift.

FRANKFURT SPECIALTIES

Apfelwein

Hesse’s “national” drink, similar to French cidre and English cider.

Bethmännchen

Golden, baked marzipan and rose water balls, authentic only with three almond halves.

Frankfurter Kranz

Delicate ring-shaped cake with butter cream, brittle and confiture. Decorated with candied cherries.

Frankfurter Würstchen

Thin boiled pork sausage, especially good with potato salad, bread and mustard.

Grüne Soße

Cultural heritage: green sauce made from seven specific herbs, traditional at Easter, excellent all year round.

Haddekuche

“Hard cake”: diamond-shaped biscuits, with similar flavour to gingerbread.

Handkäse

Acid curd cheese, marinated with caraway seeds, vinegar and oil, also with onions. Good with bread and butter.

Discover more: www.BestOfFrankfurt.de

YOU CAN SAY YOU TO ME

Closely related to this formality is the obligation to use ‘you’ with people you don’t know that well. This applies to both work and social situations. Most Germans still feel somewhat uncomfortable using or being addressed as “you” with people they only casually know. It’s always safest to wait until your German colleague or acquaintance (especially if they’re older than you) suggests that the two of you switch to the “Du” basis. Nowadays, this can happen within weeks rather than months or years, as was often the case in the past.

Once you have established friendly relationships with people here, you may find yourself invited to their homes. Germans enjoy entertaining and the rules of etiquette are fairly straightforward. For example, it’s always a good idea to bring a small gift when invited to someone’s home. Flowers, a bottle of wine or a small souvenir from your home country are considered appropriate. Inform your hosts in advance if you have any special dietary requirements. Germans tend to be very fond of pork, and alcoholic beverages can be an important part of most dinner parties. However, everyone is happy to adapt the menu to welcome guests, so just let them know in advance to avoid any embarrassment and to allow them to have some fruit juice to go with the welcome champagne, for example.

Another subtle difference that can cause discomfort, especially when you’re invited to someone’s home, is the toilet door. Unlike many other societies, Germans prefer to keep the door closed when not in use. Leaving it open can be very offensive to some Germans.

RIGHT TIME, RIGHT PLACE

As you may have noticed, Germans tend to believe strongly in the concept of a right place and a right time for everything. This includes a wrong place and a wrong time. For many people here, the wrong time to phone someone at home is after 10 p.m. Newcomers often get unexpectedly nasty reactions when they make this gaffe. If you want to call someone after this time, ask first. Some Germans have no problem taking calls until midnight, but check first.

Similarly, try not to drop in on people, even friends, unexpectedly; this practice, which survives in many cultures as a sign of affection and trust, is seen as an imposition here. The exception is when there is a real emergency and these friends or acquaintances are the only ones who can help. But the idea of “We were in the neighbourhood, so we thought we would...” is not very popular here.

Another point about timing: Try not to give a birthday present before the actual day, as this is considered bad luck. If you can’t be there, it’s better to give your present after the day. This applies to both friends and work colleagues.

While on the subject of birthdays, remember that it is the birthday person’s responsibility to organise their own party. In the private sphere, this can be as simple as taking a group

of friends to a cafe or pub and treating them to drinks and snacks. For more important birthdays, you might want to take the group to a nice restaurant. While you should expect a present from everyone there, you’ll be expected to foot the bill.

The above is mainly about maintaining good relations with people you’re already friends with. There are other things that are important for people you are meeting for the first time, for example in a business context.

Always look people in the eye, whether it’s your boss, a subordinate or an executive from the company you’re doing business with. Looking down with respect when meeting people of higher rank, which works so well in many cultures, is viewed negatively here. Some may even see it as a sign of dishonesty.

Speaking of dishonesty, make sure you’re sincere in your compliments. Germans, like everyone else, love to be complimented. But they’re also unusually sensitive to what they perceive as false flattery. Mild, friendly exaggeration is fine, but too much of it and people may start to distrust you in general.

Here’s another tip for making a new acquaintance, whether in a social or business context: Most Germans appreciate

a firm handshake on introduction, especially from men. In a business meeting, it’s not unusual to shake hands with everyone at the table. And the deferential, limp handshake favoured in some cultures does not make a good impression here.

Remember that there are two sides to etiquette, and just as you might do something to inadvertently offend Germans, some German behaviour might rub you the wrong way. The best thing you can do is prepare for this and expect it as part of the experience of living abroad.

THE PUB CULTURE

Pub-hopping is a popular activity throughout German society and can be a great way to meet new people or strengthen existing relationships. Representatives of different nationalities regularly make their way to their favourite bar or pub. Beer is the most popular drink here. Germans have been at or near the top of the per capita consumption charts for decades. It won’t affect your social life if you enjoy a pinteven if it’s non-alcoholic!

NOT RUDE, BUT HONEST

One thing to be prepared for is a slap in the face: Germans can be quite blunt when giving tough advice or criticism. Candor is considered a virtue here, and locals rarely bother to wrap criticism in rhetorical bubble wrap.

Advice and instructions can sometimes be a little blunt. Some newcomers assume that because they’re foreign they’ll be spoken to in a stern or condescending manner, but this is generally not the case. Bluntness is common here, but it is not meant to be malicious.

Just walking down a busy street or through the aisles of a crowded shop or exhibition hall can be an annoying experience for many newcomers. Germans have two ways of dealing with strangers who share a crowded public space with them: Either they ignore them altogether by staring straight ahead (with the occasional unintentional bump that this invites), or they stare at them as if there is something wrong with them. Again, these two forms of behaviour are quite common here, so do not take it personally.

One last thing about customs and etiquette here in Germany: You should now have an idea of how to behave with friends, people in your building and neighbourhood shops, and business associates. Most of the people you’ll meet won’t fit into any of the above categories. However, there are some rules for dealing with strangers that will help you adjust to life in Germany.

Firstly, most public transport has special seats marked for the elderly or infirm. If you find yourself sitting in one of these seats (which is perfectly acceptable if the vehicle is not overcrowded), give up the seat without being asked by the elderly or infirm (which obviously includes pregnant women).

And now for what may sound like a strange piece of advice: Do not be overly friendly to strangers. Because it’s not common here, some people may think you’re unbalanced or out to get something from them. With complete strangers, it is best to err on the safe, slightly cool side of politeness.

Also, don’t lean on strangers’ cars or loiter outside the houses of people you don’t know. In the former case, the owners might get angry, as cars are almost sacred in Ger-

Frankfurt famous specialities: Handkäs, Apfelwein, Frankfurter Kranz and Grüne Soße

many, and in the latter case, people might think you’re up to no good loitering outside their house. So don’t get upset if you’re waiting for a friend or colleague who lives there and someone from the building approaches you and asks what you’re doing there. This is a standard precaution many people take here. If asked, just smile and tell them who you’re waiting for.

As the weather warms up, you may notice that many people like to sunbathe naked in the parks, along the rivers or by the lakes. This will undoubtedly come as a shock to many from more conservative countries. Beware: it is considered very rude to stare at nude sunbathers, so do not linger, let alone stare.

If you make an honest, good-natured effort, most people here will forgive your initial faux pas. Before long, doing the right German thing will almost become second nature. In fact, it’s not uncommon for old friends and relatives to remark on how “German” you’ve become when you return home for a visit. In fact, it won’t be long before you pick up on some of the other, less important rules that we haven’t covered here. Remember that German society is not held together by a set of rules that are hard to decipher and hard to follow. Most customs are out in the open and not that difficult to understand or emulate. Germans pride themselves on being guided by reason, and you’ll probably agree that most of the new do’s and don’ts you need to learn are pretty reasonable.

CULTURE & MORE

m useums , music and leisure - time marvels in and around F rank F urt

Frankfurt Rhine-Main offers a wide range of opportunities to leisure time - be it museums, culture, sports or theme parks, culture, sport or theme parks. There‘s something for everyone.

Below is an overview of some of the main attractions the region has to offer you and your family. It is not intended to be exhaustive, but simply to whet your appetite to get out and see what suits you best.

GENERAL OVERVIEW OF CULTURE OF THE REGION

Frankfurt Rhine-Main is so diverse that it’s often difficult to keep track of all the cultural activities on offer. One of the few organisations that provides a comprehensive overview is

KulturRegion Frankfurt Rhine-Main, a non-profit organisation of 54 different municipalities and districts in the region. Under the motto “Culture in the Region - Culture for the Region”, KulturRegion coordinates a wide range of programmes. Projects range from industrial heritage (Route of Industrial Heritage Rhine-Main) to parks and public gardens (GartenRheinMain) to the history of democracy (Geist der Freiheit). Every spring, the KulturRegion also organises an international theatre festival for young audiences (Starke Stücke). The Days of Industrial Culture is a nine-day event held every summer that provides

access to historic, derelict and/or disused industrial sites. The annual programme “Museums and Special Exhibitions” presents exhibitions in about 90 museums in the region. www.krfrm.de

MUSEUMS

Jewish Museum Frankfurt (Jewish Museum Frankfurt)

Two permanent exhibitions enable you to experience more than 800 years of Jewish life in Frankfurt.

Museum Judengasse

Experience Jewish life in medieval and early modern times –in the midst of the foundations of the first Jewish ghetto in Europe. The Judengasse in Frankfurt used to be one of the most important centers of Jewish life in Europe. The permanent exhibition presents that history with a special focus on everyday Jewishlife in the early modern era. The archaeological remains of five houses from Frankfurt’s Judengasse make up the very core of the museum.

The exhibition in the Museum Judengasse provides different views of everyday Jewish life in the early modern era. How did the inhabitants of the Judengasse live? Who lived in the houses whose foundations you can now view in the museum? What did Frankfurt’s Jews live on? What kind of

relationship existed between them, the Frankfurt Council, and the Emperor?

In the midst of the preserved ruins, the exhibition lets objects that were once made or used on site speak for themselves. One room is devoted entirely to the music and literature that emerged, was read, or printed here.

You would like to book an exclusive tour of the Museum Judengasse or the Old Jewish Cemetery? Please write an e-mail to the museum: Besuch.JMF@stadt-frankfurt.de.

MUSEUM JUDENGASSE

Battonnstraße 47 | 60311 Frankfurt am Main Tel: +49 (0)69 212 70790 www.juedischesmuseum.de

Opening hours: Tue – Sun 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The new Jewish Museum Rothschild-Palais

The second part of the permanent exhibition is situated in the renovated Rothschild Palais. The history of Jewish life in modern Frankfurt, ranging from the emancipation of around 1800 to the present, is narrated here on three floors comprising 14,000 square feet in all. The exhibition concentrates on specific topics, with a particular focus on the wide range of Jewish traditions as well as everyday family life. This is an aesthetic mixed-media presentation consisting on the one hand of everyday and ritual objects, photographs, paintings, and contemporary art, and on the

other of media installations, digital applications, and interactive stations.

There are also room-sized media installations on the Rothschild family’s living environment and everyday objects owned by the family of Anne Frank. A special gift, the “Museum to Go,” enables visitors to digitally collect individual aspects of the exhibition and take them home with them.

JÜDISCHES MUSEUM FRANKFURT

Bertha-Pappenheim-Platz 1 | 60311 Frankfurt am Main | Tel: + 49 (0) 69 212 35000 www.juedischesmuseum.de

Opening hours: Tue – Sun 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Thu from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.: only temporary exhibition open

Städel Museum

A must for art lovers, the Städel is one of the leading art museums in Germany and one of the most frequented in Frankfurt. More than 700 years of European history are represented in a collection of 2,700 paintings, 600 sculptures and 100,000 prints and drawings by artists including Dürer, Holbein, Cranach, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Monet, Van Gogh, Cézanne, Matisse and Picasso. Look for Tischbein’s famous painting of Goethe on vacation in Tuscany (strangely with two left feet).

STÄDEL MUSEUM

Schaumainkai 63 | 60596 Frankfurt am Main Tel: + 49 (0) 69 605098200 | www.staedelmuseum.de

Opening hours: Tue, Wed, Fri – Sun 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Thur 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

SCHIRN Kunsthalle

Located directly on the Römerberg in downtown Frankfurt, SCHIRN Kunsthalle hosts outstanding temporary exhibitions. Since 1986 nearly 200 exhibitions have passed through its halls on everything from Vienna Art Nouveau and Expressionism through to the latest cutting-edge contemporary art and photography. Much of what is on display intends to be divisive and explosive, the idea being to encourage cultural discussion about important contemporary issues.The Schirn also has an extensive program for children and young people.

SCHIRN KUNSTHALLE

Römerberg | 60311 Frankfurt am Main Tel: + 49 (0) 69 2998820 www.schirn.de

Opening hours: Tue, Fri – Sun 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Wed, Thu 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Museum of Modern Art

Frankfurt’s most modern museum is perhaps also its boldest. The MMK Museum für Moderne Kunst was designed by Viennese star architect Hans Hollein and is home to changing exhibitions that show all aspects of modern art after 1945. The MMK also has a permanent collection of world repute, among the 5,000-plus items are prime examples of US Pop Art. The MMK expanded its exhibitionspace by 2,000 square meters in theTaunusTurm high-rise office building in the banking district. In partner-ship with real estate developer Tischman Speyer and others, MMK gained new exhibition space. A third annex has also been created in the former city Customs Office (Zollamt).

MUSEUM FÜR MODERNE KUNST

Domstraße 10 | 60311 Frankfurt am Main Tel: + 49 (0) 69 212 30447 | www.mmk.art

Opening hours: Tue, Thu – Sun 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Wed 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

The museum and customs office (Zollamt) are temporarily closed, only the TaunusTurm is currently open

Senckenberg Museum

Located in Frankfurt/Westend, the Senckenberg Museum is one of Germany’s largest museums of natural history. The museum has permanent exhibitions on the evolution of our planet over millions of years as well as of biodiversity today. Senckenberg is also a research institute and its new discoveries in biology, paleontology and geology are presented at the museum, while kids will love the dinosaur collection and the pig-swallowing snake. This museum also has a permanent exhibition of some of the fossil finds discovered at the UNESCO World Heritage listed Messel Pits in South Hessen.

SENCKENBERG MUSEUM

Senckenberganlage 25 | 60325 Frankfurt am Main Tel: + 49 (0)69 754 20 museumfrankfurt.senckenberg.de

Opening hours: Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Wed 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sat, Sun 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Goethe House

No visit to Frankfurt is complete without a stop at the birthplace of the city’s most famous son: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Few of the furnishings in the house actually belonged to the great man himself – indeed, nearly all of the original furniture was sold by the Goethe family over the years, and the house itself was badly damaged in World War II. But the Goethe House does provide a fascinating window into life in the 18th century among the burghers of Frankfurt and is also home to an excellent collection of Goethe artifacts.

GOETHE HOUSE

Großer Hirschgraben 21 | 60311 Frankfurt am Main | Tel: + 49 (0) 69 138 800 frankfurter-goethe-haus.de

Opening hours: Mon – Wed, Fri – Sun and public holidays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Thu 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

DEUTSCHES ROMANTIK-MUSEUM

Großer Hirschgraben 21 | 60311 Frankfurt am Main | Tel: + 49 (0) 69 138 800 www.deutsches-romantik-museum.de

Opening hours: Mon – Wed, Fri – Sun and public holidays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Thu 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

TWO UNIQUE EXPERIENCES, ONE ADDRESS

Welcome to Frankfurt Airport Marriott

Hotel & Sheraton Frankfurt Airport

Hotel – two hotels under one roof

Located in the heart of Europe’s largest airport, the Frankfurt Airport Marriott Hotel and Sheraton Frankfurt Airport Hotel stand as a pioneering dual-brand combination, offering guests the best of both worlds under one roof. This unique pairing of Marriott International’s premium brands boasts 1,017 rooms, making it one of the largest airport hotels in Europe.

Conveniently situated at Terminal 1 and connected via a pedestrian bridge, these hotels are more than just a place to stay—it’s a hub for business and leisure. With 58 meeting rooms spread across 4,100 square meters, including a Congress Center that can accommodate up to 1,200 participants, it’s the ideal venue for conferences and corporate events.

Guests can also indulge in a variety of dining options, with three restaurants (for steak lovers or regional fans) and two bars (from draft beer to the perfect cocktail). The Davidoff Lounge is the only smoker’s bar at Frankfurt Airport, adding a unique touch to your stay. The two distinct Club Lounges, M Club and Sheraton Club, offer exclusive spaces for relaxation and productivity.

Whether your visit is for business or pleasure, both hotels provide unparalleled convenience and comfort at one of Frankfurt’s most vibrant locations.

Frankfurt Historical Museum

The Historical Museum Frankfurt is one of the biggest city museums in Europe. The award-winning museum is located in the heart of Frankfurt’s historic old town and consists of the historic “Saalhof” and the new exhibition complex, opened in 2017. Frankfurt’s oldest museum displays a wide range of topics, from the city’s history to the present day and the future. Special exhibitions and the City Lab are dedicated to current issues, creating space for the many varying views and perspectives of Frankfurt’s citizens. The barrier-free and family-friendly museum makes a visit enjoyable for everyone. Guided tours through the House of Golden Scale (“Goldene Waage”), one of the city’s most beautiful timber-framed buildings from the Renaissance era, are a special museum highlight.

FRANKFURT HISTORICAL MUSEUM

Saalhof 1 | 60311 Frankfurt am Main

Tel: +49 (0)69 212 35154

www.historisches-museum-frankfurt.de

Opening hours: Tue – Sun 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Frankfurt Young Museum

The Frankfurt Young Museum is part of the Frankfurt Historical Museum, developing and presenting exhibitions especially for children on topics of local historical and cultural relevance. It offers not only direct access to authentic historical objects, but also a hands-on learning experience. Every exhibit encourages visitors to play an active role. Touching, testing, trying out: independent thinking and an autonomous learning environment are central to the Young Museum. Come and explore our exhibition or workshop areas!

FRANKFURT YOUNG MUSEUM

Saalhof 1 | 60311 Frankfurt am Main

Tel: + 49 (0)69 212 35 154

www.junges-museum-frankfurt.de

Opening hours: Tue – Sun 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

German Filmmuseum

This is one of the few museums in Europe dedicated exclusively to the medium of film, showcasing its past and present, its aesthetics and its influence in a multitude of ways through permanent exhibits, as well as through a variety of topical exhibitions and screenings in its own cinema. The museum, incorporated into Deutsches Filminstitut (with its collections, archives, film festivals, scholarly projects and library), offers visitors an exceptional venue for intensive engagement with the moving image.

DEUTSCHES FILMMUSEUM

Schaumainkai 41 | 60596 Frankfurt am Main

Tel: + 49 (0)69 961 220 220 www.dff.film

Opening hours: Tue – Thu, Sat, Sun 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Fri 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Fri from 6 p.m. only special exhibition.

German museum for architecture

A museum devoted completely to architecture, and itself a prime example of how exciting (post-) modern architec-

ture can be is to be found in this turn-of-the-20th-century villa on the South Bank of the River Main. The museum has a permanent exhibition showing the evolution of architecture from the primordial hut to the present, and features regularly changing exhibitions on trends and movements in architecture or the oeuvre of individual architects.

DEUTSCHES ARCHITEKTURMUSEUM

Schaumainkai 43 | 60596 Frankfurt am Main

The Museum at Schaumainkai 43 is currently closed. You can find us at guest locations and at DAM OSTEND at Henschelstraße 18 | 60314 Frankfurt

Tel: + 49 (0)69 212 38 844 www.dam-online.de

Opening hours: Tue, Thu, Fri noon – 6 p.m., Wed noon – 7 p.m., Sat, Sun 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Gutenberg Museum Mainz

One of the world‘s oldest museums for printing, the Gutenberg Museum invites visitors on a journey through four millennia of book, printing, and script culture. From cuneiform inscriptions to modern typography, from manuscripts to printing presses, from a reconstruction of Gutenberg‘s workshop and two original Gutenberg Bibles to the print shop (Druckladen), the museum‘s educational project

space, the permanent and special exhibitions offer a comprehensive overview of all aspects of the „black art“.

GUTENBERG-MUSEUM

Liebfrauenplatz 5 | 55116 Mainz Tel: + +49 6131 – 12 2640 / 2644 gutenberg-museum@stadt.mainzde www.mainz.de/microsite/gutenberg-museum

Freilichtmuseum Hessenpark

This reconstructed village gives visitors a unique insight into life and work in Hessen through the centuries. Numerous half-timbered homes and historical buildings from Hessen’s villages were moved to the Hessenpark in Neu-Anspach and carefully restored. The park also connects to hiking trails through the Taunus Mountains. Open daily from March to October.

FREILICHTMUSEUM HESSENPARK

Laubweg 5 | 61267 Neu-Anspach

Tel: + 49 (0)6081 5880 www.hessenpark.de

Opening hours: March – October: Mon – Sun 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. November – February: Sat, Sun, Public Holidays 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Through touch, smell, taste or hearing –the best way to learn is with all our senses. The children’s program at the Jewish Museum provides young visitors the opportunity to discover the diversity of Jewish culture through interactive play. Whether it’s a scavenger hunt through the Rothschild Palais, a crafts and ‘read aloud’ Sunday, or a creative workshop.

In our workshops, we craft, bake, design and spend a wonderful time together.

PERFORMING ARTS, FILM & MUSIC

Opera

If you’re an opera fan, then you are in the right place. Frankfurt Rhine-Main is home to four different opera companies which offer a wide range of performances, premiers, revivals and recitals. The Oper Frankfurt operacompany has the most extensive schedule, with performances held in the purpose-built opera house on Willy Brandt Platz. Wiesbaden’s Staatstheater, which is housed in an ornate theatre in the Kurpark, covers classical opera, modern music and dance, and contemporary plays. Each season offers a wide-ranging program that includes more than 20 new operas, plays, ballets and youth concerts. To the south, the Staatstheater in Darmstadt puts on more than 40 productions annually. Thanks to a massive renovation, the main hall seats over 1,000, with three other halls serving small performances.

OPER FRANKFURT AM MAIN

Untermainanlage 11 | 60311 Frankfurt am Main www.oper-frankfurt.de

HESSISCHES STAATSTHEATER WIESBADEN

Christian-Zais-Str. 3 | 65189 Wiesbaden www.staatstheater-wiesbaden.de

STAATSTHEATER DARMSTADT

Georg-Büchner-Platz 1 | 64283 Darmstadt www.staatstheater-darmstadt.de

Schauspiel Frankfurt

Schauspiel Frankfurt is the largest dramatic theater in the Rhine-Main region and is considered one of the most prominent production theaters in Germany. The theater has four venues (Schauspielhaus, Kammerspiele, Box and Bockenheimer Depot) and works with leading German and international directors. The Schauspiel presents selected plays with English surtitles every month.

SCHAUSPIEL FRANKFURT

Neue Mainzer Straße 17 | 60311 Frankfurt am Main www.schauspielfrankfurt.de

39 MUSEUMS, ENDLESS DISCOVERIES

Are you dreaming of a unique journey of discovery?

Welcome to the Museumsufer Frankfurt, one of the most important museum locations in the world. Use your MuseumsuferCard to discover our 39 museums as often as you want. Enjoy permanent and special exhibitions in Frankfurt and the surrounding area for 12 months. Both large institutes such as Schirn and MMK with their special exhibitions and insider tips such as the Kuhhirtenturm in Sachsenhausen, the Eintracht Frankfurt Museum at the stadium and the German Leather Museum in Offenbach are included.

The MuseumsuferCard costs only 89 EUR for 1 year or as a family card only 150 €. You can get them at the ticket office in all museums or online at www.museumsufercard.de

English Theatre Frankfurt

The English Theatre is one of Frankfurt’s oldest and most important international cultural institutions. Located in the Commerzbank’s“Gallileo” building at Gallusanlage 7 (corner of Kaiserstraße), the 300-seat theater imports shows, actors and directors from London and other English-speaking countries. It usually presents six top-rated theatrical productions annually, ranging from contemporary plays, comedies, thrillers and musicals, plus other shorter engagements. The theater also hosts a Young Drama Club, which gives students a chance to perform and stage plays under the guidance of professional directors.

ENGLISH THEATRE FRANKFURT

New temporary location:

Theater im Zoo (former Fritz-Rémond-Theater) Bernhard-Grzimek-Allee 17 | 660316 Frankfurt www.english-theatre.de

Fortuna Irgendwo

Fortuna Irgendwo has created a unique venue in Frankfurt, where people gather to meet, dance, drink, celebrate, and flirt. It’s a place where art, concerts, parties, and performances take center stage. It’s more than just a disco or an ordinary club; instead, it embodies eternal summer, with warmth, sunshine, sea, and a laissez-faire attitude towards life. Located in Frankfurt’s Ostend, within sigth of the ECB, it exudes civility, cultivation, cosmopolitanism, and humor. Every Friday and Saturday, the goddess of luck, Fortuna, showers her endless summer blessings upon you. It’s a sensory therapy that transforms into something magical, wild, colorful, sexy, and uniquely different each night. If you’ve been there for one evening, you’ve experienced nothing, for Fortuna tastes different, smells different, looks different, and feels different every night. Additionally, cultural enthusiasts can also enjoy concerts and other cultural events on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

FORTUNA IRGENDWO

Hanauer Landstraße 192 | 60314 Frankfurt am Main Reservation via: www.fortuna-irgendwo.de

Opening Hours: Fri 10 p.m. – 4 a.m., Sat. 9 p.m. – 4 a.m. Wed. & Thur. Live Concerts & more

Also included:

❚ Night of the museums: Every year in spring, the night of the museums takes place and you are invited.

❚ Museumsuferfest: Your MuseumsuferCard is also valid during the Museumsuferfest, which takes place every year at the end of August.

❚ art kaleidoscope: You get the culture magazine for Frankfurt and Rhine-Main every three months, free of charge, directly in your mailbox.

The terrestrial globe by Johannes Schöner from 1515 is one of the oldest in the world. It depicts the European world view as it was 500 years ago.

Travel through time.

The huge snow globe under the museum courtyard contains eight remotely controlled scale models of the city, displaying what moves Frankfurt am Main in these times of rapid change.

Ein Museum der Stadt Frankfurt am Main

Enjoy history recounted in stories

The Jewish Museum Frankfurt offers a varied program for all ages

Old, but new: Germany`s first municipal Jewish Museum in Frankfurt am Main (opened in 1988) has been under major construction since 2015 and reopened its doors on October 21, 2020. The museum complex with its tree sculpture “Untitled“ by Ariel Schlesinger is a landmark of the City of Frankfurt.

The historical Rothschild-Palais has been thoroughly renovated and complemented with a new, spacious building designed by the prominent Staab architects. In the new building you’ll find different temporary exhibitions, a multi-functional room for events and workshops, the first vegan kosher deli in a Jewish Museum in Germany, a public library and a museum shop for Jewish literature and fine Judaica. Deli, shop and library are accessible without an admission ticket.

WE ARE NOW

The Rothschild-Palais, a neoclassic palace and former residential house of the Rothschild family and therefore a historical object in itself, hosts the permanent exhibition on Jewish Modernity.

Displayed on three floors of the Rothschild-Palais, the new permanent exhibition “We are now” offers different approaches to Jewish history and culture as one of the main centers of Modern Jewish life in Europe: Starting in the present, the exhibition outlines major historical events and conflicts, reflects on modern changes of traditions and rituals, and tells individual stories in a mixed media setting, from a Jewish perspective.

Our tour of the permanent exhibition begins on the third floor in the present: It starts with the story of how Frankfurt’s Jews built a new life for themselves after the Shoah.

In the second floor “Tradition and Ritual” you’ll learn how Judaism became a religion with different branches in the modern period. Instead of the traditional lifestyle observed for centuries, Jews now had choices: they could support or oppose a specific interpretation of religious law, changes to the liturgy, or secular ways of life.

The first floor tells the history of the families Senger, Rothschild and Frank (the family of Anne Frank).

A special focus of the permanent exhibition lies on renowned fine artists, such as Moritz Daniel Oppenheim, and scholars Samson Raphael Hirsch, Martin Buber, Max Horkheimer and Theodor W. Adorno.

The courtyard between the two buildings provides the address of the museum, Bertha-Pappenheim-Platz 1, and presents an impressive sculpture by the illustrious Israeli artist Ariel Schlesinger.

Discussions, concerts, film screenings

The museum defines itself as a vivid center for Jewish culture in history and in the present. It offers an extensive program of events (discussions, lectures, concerts, film screenings, dinners) and educational activities (tours, workshops, creative classes).

Museum Judengasse

Complemented by its second venue, Museum Judengasse (Battonnstraße 47), the Jewish Museum constitutes an extraordinary site of European Jewish heritage. The beginnings of Frankfurt’s history as a renowned center of Jewish scholarship are presented in the foundations of the first Jewish ghetto in Europe, in the permanent exhibition „Mazel and Broche“ at Museum Judengasse. Right next door you’ll find one of the oldest Jewish cemeteries in Germany.

The Jewish Museum welcomes you to learn about Frankfurt’s 850-year Jewish history and to enjoy its broad program.

CONTACT

JEWISH MUSEUM FRANKFURT

Bertha-Pappenheim-Platz 1 60311 Frankfurt

Juedischesmuseum.de/en

Opening hours:

Tuesday-Sunday 10 am – 6 pm

On thursdays the temporary exhibition and the shop are open until 8 pm, the Deli until 9 pm.

Gibson

From Gibson Club to: The Club Formerly Known as Gibson. The time has finally come: After 1.5 years of the pandemic, the Gibson Club celebrates its exclusive reopening on July 2nd & 3rd, 2021. True to the new motto #TheirNightIsOurDay. With a lot of creativity and expertise, the Gibson Club has created a completely new, fine club concept at the highest level, which perfectly masters the balancing act between excellent Gibson entertainment and official requirements.Until the return to “normality”, the club appears with its temporary naming and logo: The Club Formerly Known as Gibson. For an completly new club feeling. New and with immediate effect: Exclusive table reservations for every club visit: Thanks to complex renovation work, all guests can enjoy such an extraordinary club experience despite strict requirements. Gibson Entertainment like never before brilliant line-ups, more performers, cool walking acts, international DJs, new design, and a spectacular light show.

GIBSON

Zeil 85 – 93 | 60313 Frankfurt am Main

Reservation: gibson-club.de/book-a-table

Opening hours: Thur 9 p.m. – 4 a.m., Fri, Sat, before bank holiday 11 p.m. – 5 a.m.

Internationales Theater Frankfurt

The 160-seat theater in Frankfurt’s Zoo Passage offers a wide array of foreign language performances throughout the year. The theater is home to regular productions in German, English, French, Turkish as well as Spanish, Italian and Russian on a sporadic basis.The selection ranges from drama, music and dance theater, to concerts, readings and even art exhibitions.

INTERNATIONALES THEATER FRANKFURT

Hanauer Landstraße 5–7 | 60314 Frankfurt am Main www.internationales-theater.de

Astor Lounge

The ASTOR Film Lounge offers all film fans a special experience with five cinema screens, state-of-the-art cinema technology, visitor-friendly service and exceptional comfort: welcome

drink, cloakroom, leather armchairs with variable backrests and movable seats, generous row spacing and, in the boxes, comfortable armchairs with a reclining position at the push of a button. In addition, a service takes care of the guests directly at their seat. Relax and enjoy – in your ASTOR Film Lounge MyZeil!

ASTOR FILMLOUNGE

Zeil 106 | 60313 Frankfurt am Main www.frankfurt.premiumkino.de/

CineStar Metropolis

Home away from home – that’s how many newcomers would describe their favourite multiplex cinema: Located opposite Eschenheimer Turm, CineStar Metropolis offers Frankfurt’s largest range of undubbed films. Native speakers and friends can indulge in original English versions of all genres – action, romance or comedy, you name it. Apart from other original language versions, CineStar Metropolis is a specialist for live broadcasts, e.g. from Metropolitan Opera New York or Bolshoi Ballet Moscow. Along with rockumentaries, Anime specials, and previews, the watch list is endless.

CINESTAR METROPOLIS

Eschenheimer Anlage 40 | 60318 Frankfurt am Main www.cinestar.de

Filmforum Höchst

Filmforum Höchst has earned a reputation as one of the best art house film theatres in the region. The small theater specializes in European cinema, ranging from special themes, countries, filmmakers, film classics, documentaries and shorts. Throughout the year, Filmforum Höchst organizes film festivals such as Cuba in Film, Africa Alive or Verso Sud. Special guests are often invited to discuss the content of the films with the audience. Films are shown in their original version with German subtitles, but during festivals they are often shown in English.

FILMFORUM HÖCHST

Emmerich-Josef-Str. 46a 65929 Frankfurt am Main www.filmforum-höchst.com

Historical Museum Frankfurt

The award-winning Historical Museum Frankfurt (HMF) is the modern city museum of the Main metropolis and one of the largest in Europe. Located in the heart of Frankfurt’s historic district it consists of the 800 year-old Saalhof as well as the new exhibition complex opened in 2017. Eight exhibitions spanning 6,000 m² present topics from the past, present and future of the city. Special exhibitions and the City Lab are dedicated to issues of current interest. It transformed back from being a specialized museum to an all-round museum for the city: the Frankfurt Museum. The linkages forged between the deep historical strata and our immediate present are unique: Frankfurt’s citizens have the unprecedented opportunity not just to find out most vividly all about their city’s history, but also to exchange opinions on how we want to live in Frankfurt today.

The Young Museum makes special offers for children, young people and their families, also for schools. Its interactive exhibitions are always accessible. Weekend workshops allow visitors to try out their handicra skills, or explore everyday life around 1900 in historical play areas.

HMF locations include the museum rooms in the Haus zur Goldenen Waage (House of the Golden Scales) – one of the most beautiful timberframed Renaissance structures in the new Frankfurt historic district.

The HMF strives to be inclusive and welcomes all visitors.

FESTIVALS

Museumsuferfest

Held every August, the Museumsuferfest is an international gala of food, music, theatre and museum exhibitions that straddles both banks of the River Main. The three-day festival first saw the light of day in the late 1980s to highlight Frankfurt’s unique museum embankment. During the festival, museums open their doors free of charge to thousands of visitors from all over the world - in 2018, the open-air party attracted around 1.8 million visitors. A popular event is the Chinese dragon boat races on the river - many companies enter teams - and the concerts on the 10 or so stages on either side of the river. The festival is usually held at the end of August.

www.museumsuferfest.de

Jazz Festival in Idstein

The Hessen Jazz Festival in Idstein is traditionally held on the first weekend of the state’s summer school holidays. Shows are held on 5 stages throughout the town and all styles of jazz are represented - blues, swing, fusion, modern, etc. Activities for children and other jazz related events complete the programme.

www.idstein-jazzfestival.de

Weilburger Schlosskonzert

The classical music concerts at Weilburg Castle are one of the highlights of the Hessian Cultural Summer. The series of around 40 concerts from June to August takes place in the opulent and extremely acoustically rich Renaissance hall of Weilburg Castle, in the castle church or in the conservatory (Orangerie). The patron of the series is traditionally Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg, great-grandson of the last Duke of Nassau, in whose castle the concerts are held. www.weilburger-schlosskonzerte.de

Rheingau Musik Festival

What began as a small series of classical music concerts in 1988 has grown into an internationally recognised summer music event over nine weeks from June to September. More than 150 concerts are held at nearly 30 different venues throughout the Rheingau - one of Germany’s most beautiful wine-growing regions - including Eberbach Monastery, Schloss Johannisberg and Schloss Vollrads. Classical music remains the main attraction, but in recent years the festival has also included cabaret, jazz and readings. Many of the performances are accompanied by exceptional culinary delights, washed down with the region’s finest wines. www.rheingau-musik-festival.de

PARKS & GARDENS

Regionalpark RheinMain

Frankfurt Rhine-Main is defined by its diversity, and while each of the cities and towns has its own cultural heritage, there have been numerous regional projects in recent years to create a sense of togetherness. An excellent example of this cooperative spirit is the RheinMain Regional Park. Now, more than 15 years after its launch,

Außenansicht Historisches Museum 2024, Foto: Jan Hassenpflug

The Deutsches Romantik-Museum presents unique originals with innovative exhibition forms that make it possible to experience the Romantic period as a key epoch.

KARSTEN GREVE, ANDREA UND CARL-L. VON BOEHM-BEZING, DIRK IPPEN, DR. CHRISTOPH GRAF DOUGLAS UND BERGIT GRÄFIN DOUGLAS U. V. A.

ASTOR Film Lounge Frankfurt

Going out and enjoying – cinema experience in unique quality

The ASTOR Film Lounge in the MyZeil brings the advantages of enjoying a film in a cine ma closer to the people – via exceptional service and comfort. Offering comfortable, spacious seating, a good range of original version movies, free cloakroom and wel

returned to the German government. The 76-hectare site, nestled between the towns of Schwalbach, Sulzbach and Eschborn, was then converted into an arboretum as an ecological compensation for Frankfurt Airport’s expansion plans. The result is a sprawling natural park with a collection of over 600 trees, shrubs and plants from Europe, Asia and North America. The Arboretum also offers riding trails and ecological nature walks. www.hessen-forst.de/freizeit/aboretum

FRANKFURT CITY LIBRARY SERVICE

The Stadtbibliothek is a public institution of the City of Frankfurt am Main, responsible for providing and indexing a complex, up-to-date collection of print and non-print media designed to meet the diverse needs and demands of the city’s residents.

The assortment

The range includes non-fiction and specialist books in all areas of knowledge, fiction, children’s and young people’s literature, e-books, e-paper, newspapers and magazines, multilingual articles, sheet music and audio-visual media.

The libraries

The collection comprises approximately 790,000 items and is accessed through an extensive library system comprising the Central Library, the Music and Media Resource Centre,

the Central Children’s and Young People’s Library, 4 Area Library Service Centres, 12 branch libraries, 2 mobile libraries and the School Library Service Centre, which supports over 100 individual school libraries.

Visitors

The Stadtbibliothek is the most frequented public library in Frankfurt. The library has around 50,700 users from the Rhine-Main area, many of whom are children and young people. Within the library has a highly developed user-defined programme of events and activities. Other priorities are the library’s event work, with lectures, discussions and music, literacy and educational activities, and community work in the branch libraries. www.stadtbuecherei.frankfurt.de

CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES

Schloss Freudenberg

Built at the turn of the 20th century, this Neo-Classical mansion cultivates the art of perception. Located near Wiesbaden, the manor provides the perfect setting for a unique experience – and not only for children. More than 80 interactive “experience” stops awaken your senses: It is all about touching, smelling, thinking and discovering. One of the highlights is

ADVERTORIAL

Deutsches Romantik-Museum

The Deutsches Romantik-Museum is the first museum in the world dedicated to the entire period of Romanticism of German-speaking countries. Valuable originals are presented in innovative exhibition formats allowing visitors to experience the Romantic period as a key epoch. In dialogue with the Goethe-Gallery and the neighbouring Goethe-Haus manuscripts, graphic art, paintings and everyday objects are on display. Ideas, works and personal constellations are presented in a multimedia format. Even Goethe will appear in a different light. Exhibits include manuscripts by Clemens and Bettine Brentano, Novalis and the Schlegel brothers, Joseph von Eichendorff ’s handwritten draft of his famous poem ‘Wünschelrute’, the manuscript of Ludwig Tieck’s novella ‘Des Lebens Überfluss’ and Robert Schumann’s handwritten composition sketches for his ‘Scenes from Goethe’s Faust’. In addition, there are well-known paintings such as Caspar David Friedrich’s ‘Der Abendstern’, paintings by Carl Gustav Carus, prints by Philipp Otto Runge and many more.

Visitors are invited on a multifaceted quest to discover the dazzling phenomenon of Romanticism and get to know its ideas, works and constellations of people. The stories told by 35 installations relate to and complement one another. They show Romanticism in all its facets: as an epoch in the history of culture, an aesthetic programme, a frame of mind, or simply a feeling.

CONTACT

DEUTSCHES ROMANTIK-MUSEUM

Großer Hirschgraben 21

60311 Frankfurt am Main

Opening hours Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun, Public Holidays 10 – 18, Thu 10 – 21 h www.deutsches-romantik-museum.de

undoubtedly the Dark Bar, where drinks and food are served in complete darkness by blind waiters. This unique concept has inspired other similar venues in Germany and worldwide. Outdoors, the enchantment continues with an Aeolian harp, played by the winds, a stone labyrinth and numerous playgrounds.

SCHLOSS FREUDENBERG

Freudenbergstraße 224 – 226 | 65201 Wiesbaden www.schlossfreudenberg.de

Opel Zoo

The Opel Zoo is a long-standing favorite among families in the region. Thanks to reasonably-priced annual family passes, many parents have visited the zoo more times than they care to remember. The zoo, which is located between Königstein and Kronberg, offers spacious habitats for elephants, giraffes, zebras and monkeys. In addition, there is a petting zoo and a play area, which smaller kids are bound to enjoy. A great place to spend the day.

OPEL ZOO

Am Opel-Zoo 3 | 61476 Kronberg im Taunus www.opel-zoo.de

Freizeitpark Lochmühle

At Freizeitpark Lochmühle, a vast array of rides spin about, fly through the air and otherwise give kids a thrill. This is a large

family-owned amusement park with countless playgrounds, petting zoos and water games. Pony rides and some of the attractions are at an additional price to the general admission price. There are also large picnic and grill areas, which have to be reserved in advance. Open daily from March to October and located in Wehrheim (off the B 456).

FREIZEITPARK LOCHMÜHLE

Lochmühle 1 | 61273 Wehrheim lochmuehle.de

Taunus Wunderland

One of the most popular amusement parks in Hessen is Taunuswunderland in Schlangenbad just outside Wiesbaden. This privately-owned park, spread over 40,000 sqm, has all the activities that guarantee a good time for the children. The park offers a white-water roller coaster, a fairytale forest, a petting zoo (with kangaroos!) and plenty of other attractions for the entire family. There are several restaurants on site, but you can also bring your own lunch and enjoy it in the picnic area. The park is open daily from March to October.

TAUNUS WUNDERLAND

Haus zur Schanze 1 | 65388 Schlangenbad www.taunuswunderland.de

WELLNESS RESORTS & SPAS

Taking the Waters

Dating back to the Roman era, the European tradition of thermal baths is alive and kicking in Frankfurt Rhine-Main. Whether you wish to spend a few hours in a spa to relieve stress or dedicate several weeks to invigorating your body and soul, the region has more than 30 thermal springs and health resorts for you to choose from. To make a day of it, try one of the three largest spas in the region: Rhein Main Therme in Hofheim (www.rheinmaintherme.de), the Taunus Therme in Bad Homburg (www.taunus-therme.de) or the Titus Thermen in Frankfurt (www.frankfurter-baeder.de). If you want to getaway for the weekend or longer, there are also numerous spas in peaceful, smaller towns, which offer special packages.

Kur-Royal in Bad Homburg

In the great European tradition of taking the waters, Bad Homburg is known internationally as a famous spa town. It has a casino, beautifully landscaped gardens and the majestic Kaiser Wilhelms Bad. Built in 1890, the bathhouse has had its share of royal visits – including King Edward Prince of Wales, Bismarck and the King of Thailand. Today, you don‘t have to be royalty to enjoy a relaxing day at the spa. The

Kur-Royal Day Spa offers 15 different types of treatments, therapies and massages ... all amid luxurious settings and high vaulted ceilings.

KUR-ROYAL DAY SPA

Kaiser-Wilhelms-Bad im Kurpark 61348 Bad Homburg v. d. Höhe www.kur-royal.de

GUIDED TOURS

Find a comprehensive list of tour guides with indication of languages available: www.frankfurter-gaestefuehrer.de

FRANKFURTER STADTEVENTS

+49 (0)69 97460-327 | info@frankfurter-stadt events.de | www.frankfurter-stadtevents.de | twitter.com/ffm_stadtevents | www.facebook. com/stadtevents

TOURISMUS+CONGRESS GMBH FRANKFURT AM MAIN

+49 (0)69 24 74 55 400 www.frankfurt-tourismus.de | twitter.com/visitfrankfurt | www.facebook.com/ infofrankfurt

ADRIANE DOLCE | Language: Italian +49 (0) 69 97781785 adriane.dolce@viatour.de www.viatour.de

FRANKFURT ON FOOT

Jodean Ator | Language: English +49 (0)1520 846 4200 | info@frankfurtonfoot.com www.frankfurtonfoot.com

SCENIC ROUTES FOR DAY TRIPS

Bergstraße

Mountains, castles, forests and wines characterise the Bergstrasse tourist route, where the almond blossom is in full bloom while the last of the snow still lies on the slopes of the Odenwald. The Bergstrasse, which runs from Darmstadt to Heidelberg, is a paradise for walkers, canoeists and outdoor enthusiasts. Excellent wines are grown on the sheltered slopes. Zwingenberg, Bensheim and Heppenheim are the most famous ‘pearls’ along the route. The ruins of Frankenstein Castle, where English writer Mary Shelley found inspiration for her novel Frankenstein, are the site of modern-day Halloween parties. In fact, almost every important town along the Bergstrasse has its own mountain fortress (Weinheim even has two). As well as the incredible views, almost all have a restaurant serving food and some of the best Riesling in Germany. www.diebergstrasse.de

The German Fairytale Route

Thanks to the Brothers Grimm, who lived and worked in Hanau, Hesse is closely associated with fairy tales. Perhaps it was the deserted forest of Kaufungen where Hansel and

Gretel lost their way? Didn’t Little Red Riding Hood come from Schwalm, where all unmarried women used to wear red bonnets? And wasn’t Sababurg Castle, in the heart of the deep Rheinhard forest, the ideal place for Sleeping Beauty to slumber for 100 years? To discover romantic destinations, castles and half-timbered houses, travel the German Fairytale Route through much of Hessen. www.deutsche-maerchenstrasse.com

Rüdesheim-Assmannhausen am Rhine

The picturesque town of Rüdesheim on the banks of the Rhine is renowned for its scenic views, steep vineyards and historic town centre. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002, Rüdesheim boasts many cultural attractions including castles, fortresses, abbeys and well-preserved half-timbered houses. You can take a cable car up to the landmark Germania statue for panoramic views, follow the well-marked footpaths that wind through the vineyards towards Assmannshausen, or join the Ringtickettour with chairlift and boat trip. Museums include Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet, which houses a collection of automatic musical instruments from several centuries. The Drosselgasse, a narrow street lined with wine gardens, is a good place to sample Rheingau Riesling and Pinot Noir wines. A special wine attraction is the RheinWeinWelt. Located in the

Public Holidays!

When it comes to enjoying quality leisure time in the great wide open, preferably engaging in sports, there’s no better time than during one of the official holidays. To help you know just how many there are, here’s an overview of the official holidays observed in Frankfurt Rhine-Main.

Neujahr (New Year’s Day)

January 1. This day is mainly spent recovering from the long night before. Some people still uphold the old German tradition of eating either carp or pork with sauerkraut on this day.

Karfreitag (Good Friday)

Good Friday falls any time between late March and late April, depending on when Easter is. Shops are closed!

Ostersonntag und Ostermontag (Easter Sunday and Monday)

The same as above, as Easter always comes two days after Good Friday. In Germany, Easter eggs often take the form of Chocolate bunnies or painted hard-boiled eggs. The latter then get hidden in your garden or in a park for the kids to hunt down.

old Asbach factory opposite the railway station, the wine bar has 160 different wines on offer. Rüdesheim is the home of Asbach brandy, which is traditionally added to the local coffee speciality to make ‘Rüdesheimer Kaffee’. The town also hosts several events throughout the year: the Magic Bike Rally in June for Harley Davidson enthusiasts, the Rhine in Flames riverboat parade in July, the Wine Festival in mid-August and the Christmas Market of Nations, where 110 exhibitors from 12 nations sell local food, mulled wine and handicrafts.

www.ruedesheim.de

Excursions by Boat

One of the best ways to see the German countryside is to take a boat trip on the Rhine. Trips range from onehour cruises to day-long tours and depart from many locations along the Rhine and Main rivers, including Frankfurt, Wiesbaden, Rüdesheim and many smaller towns in between. If castles are your thing, take a cruise up the Rhine from Rüdesheim and see the famous Loreley - a rock on the banks of the Rhine where, according to legend, a beautiful maiden sat on a ledge, tending her golden hair while her haunting songs lured sailors to their watery deaths.

www.primus-linie.de or www.k-d.com

Tag der Arbeit (Labor Day)

May 1. The day is celebrated by trade union parades and rallies – and by everyone having a day off work. More and more, people dance till the early hours starting the evening before to mark the new month (Dancing into May!), but among them you will not find the participants in the May 1 cycle races …

Christi Himmelfahrt (Ascension Thursday)

A moveable holiday. This holiday takes place falls 40 days after Easter, and thus is held between the middle of May and beginning of June. In Germany, it doubles up as Father’s Day!

Pfingstsonntag and Pfingstmontag (Whitsun or Pentecost)

A moveable holiday. Always occurs in late May or early June, about 10 days before the next holiday.

Fronleichnam (Corpus Christi)

A moveable holiday. Celebrated in all the Catholic or quasi-Catholic states (e.g., Bavaria, Hessen and the Rhineland area).

Tag der Deutschen Einheit (Day of German Unity)

October 3. This holiday celebrates German Unification in 1990. In addition to this full slate of official holidays, there are a number of days and celebrations that you cannot ignore if you either have children and/or care to fully experience Germany.

Weihnachtsfeiertage (Christmas)

December 25. and 26. In Germany Christmas is traditional celebrated on the evening of the 24th of December. The following two days are spend by most people with family and friends.

Silvester (New Year´s Eve)

December 31. This is generally celebrated by going to parties or a favorite restaurant. (Many restaurants offer special meals and entertainment programs on this evening.) At midnight, fireworks are set off in the streets, while children twirl sparklers and flares about. The fireworks often last the better part of an hour, after which people return to what they were doing before midnight, or somehow find their way home.

Römerkastell (Roman fort) Saalburg

CASTLES, MONASTERIES AND RUINS

Eberbach Monastery

In 1136, 12 monks began the construction of one of today‘s most impressive monastery structures in northern Europe. Having been dispatched by St. Bernhard of Clairvaux, they started viticulture in the Rheingau and obtained for their wines the highest bids at auctions. Today, the Eberbach Monastery is the seat of the largest wine estate in Germany (220 hectares). The former abbey became famous through the film adaptation of Umberto Eco’s novel “The Name of the Rose” (1985). Every year in September the movie is shown at its actual shooting location. Several times a month, the monastery offers tours and wine tastings, as well as numerous other events held in this heritage-protected site. The Eberbach Monastery and its museum are open daily, and the wine bar, restaurant and hotel offer many special arrangements.

EBERBACH MONASTERY

Kloster-Eberbach-Str. 1 | 65346 Eltville am Rhein kloster-eberbach.de

Seligenstadt

Seligenstadt is a perfectly preserved medieval town located about 25 miles southeast of Frankfurt along the Main River. The streets of this quaint town are lined with cobblestone, and 177 houses and buildings are listed on the German national historical registry. The landmark of Seligenstadt is the Einhardt Basilica. Behind the basilica is an expansive cloister gardens with plants and herbs which were typically used by Benedictine

monks at the time. One of the best ways to visit Seligenstadt is by bicycle; it‘s a leisurely 30 kilometer trip from Frankfurt. www.seligenstadt.de

Schloss Braunfels

The spires of the Braunfels castle stand as an imposing reminder of the town’s medieval history. This baroque castle is home to an extensive collection of artifacts from the period. In the summer, the castle hosts an international jousting tournament. A team of international stunt men reenacts the battle scenes and many sideline attractions contribute to transporting visitors back to the days of old. Open daily from April to October, sporadically the rest of the year.

SCHLOSS BRAUNFELS

Schloss 1 | 35619 Braunfels www.schloss-braunfels.de

Römerkastell Saalburg

Just four kilometers outside Bad Homburg, Saalburg is a painstakingly reconstructed Roman fort that was part of the 615-kilometer-long defensive wall erected by the Romans to protect their empire – it runs from the Rhine to the Danube. Kaiser Wilhelm II excavated and reconstructed the site starting in 1898. The complex also includes a museum with archaeological artifacts.

RÖMERKASTELL SAALBURG

Saalburg 1 | 61350 Bad Homburg vor der Höhe www.saalburgmuseum.de

STREET FESTIVALS

Another popular way for locals to enjoy themselves is at a street or block party. These are fun events organised and sponsored by local governments and local businesses. Although these celebrations vary greatly in size and scope, they usually extend over several streets, sometimes a mile or so along riverbanks (such as Frankfurt’s famous Mainuferfest in August). These street festivals typically feature stalls selling various types of food and drink, games, and public relations or information services. The larger ones also offer children’s entertainment, and all are accompanied by lively bursts of live and/or recorded music.

In Frankfurt Rhine-Main, street festivals are usually held in the summer, when they can take advantage of the good weather and ensure the best turnout. A special type of festival that takes place a little later in the year, when the first harvests come in, are the various wine festivals. These take place mainly in small towns and villages in the wine-growing areas, especially in the Rheingau. The music, good cheer and food are similar to street festivals, but as the name suggests, most of the stalls at a wine festival offer the latest wines, with many local winemakers having their own stalls.

CHRISTMAS MARKETS

One of the most impressive and lively variations of street festivals is the Christmas market. In fact, the Christmas market predates the street festivals by several centuries; originally, they were markets set up in larger towns to allow craftsmen to sell their wares before Christmas. This origin has been preserved in today’s versions, where you’ll find numerous small stalls offering a wide range of crafts, large and small. Fittingly, the Christmas market is also where you’ll find the best selection and deals on Christmas decorations (don’t forget that the Germans started the Christmas tree tradition). There are also stalls selling pottery, woodwork and handmade jewellery. In addition, there are often rows of stalls selling various other winter items.

All this shopping and gazing is bound to leave you hungry and thirsty, so any self-respecting Christmas market will have a plethora of stalls offering seasonal nourishment. A particularly popular drink is glühwein, a sweet, hot, mulled red wine. Many seasonal sweets, biscuits and gingerbread are also a standard part of Christmas markets. More substantial seasonal food is available in the form of potato pancakes or a thick, hearty broth that can be a light meal in itself (common varieties include pea, lentil, Serbian bean and goulash soup).

Frankfurt’s is the largest and busiest in the region. It starts in the small passageway north of the river by the Historisches Museum, then runs up the Römerberg to just below the Hauptwache. These Christmas markets are such an ingrained part of life that they can be found in most small towns. They usually open at the end of November and run for about four weeks. But plan your visits carefully! Christmas markets usually close a few days before Christmas, so if you rush to your local market on the 23rd or 24th to do some last-minute shopping, you could be in for a nasty surprise.

39 MUSEUMS, ENDLESS DISCOVERIES

single or family card

39 museums in Frankfurt, Offenbach and Bad Homburg

The admission to the Night of the Museums in Frankfurt and Offenbach and the Museumsufer Festival is included. The MuseumsuferCard is not transferable, and is only valid in combination with genuine identification.

& MORE SPORTS

s ports , health clubs , and spectator sports in F rank F urt r hine - m ain

Frankfurt Rhine-Main is one of Germany‘s sporting hubs, with a football arena, an Olympic sports centre and countless indoor and outdoor opportunities to keep fit. And there are plenty of spectator sports to enjoy too.

SPORTS FOR LIFE

As in most countries, there are more people in Germany who are fascinated by sport than those who play it. There are plenty of armchair experts, and the airwaves are full of sports shows, sports reports and live broadcasts of sporting events. But there are also countless active players. In fact, the German Football Association (DFB) has no less than seven million members, making it the largest sports association in the world - and it is based in Frankfurt. Fitting for a nation that has won the coveted World Cup four times.

Football fever also spreads in Frankfurt when local first division team Eintracht Frankfurt play at the Commerzbank Arena, located between the city centre and the airport. Frankfurt is also home to a first division women’s football team, 1. FFC Frankfurt, which is part of the Eintracht sports club, and FSV Frankfurt, a regional league men’s team. Eintracht Frankfurt plays in the first division and Darmstadt has a strong 2nd division team. So if you like football, there’s plenty to watch - or take part in. After all, it’s worth remem-

bering that sport has a social value beyond its own virtues: Talking about sport is a good way to quickly integrate yourself into German society. Your colleagues in the office or at the factory will often warm up to you more quickly if you can show that you have a good knowledge of the major sporting events of the day...

If football isn’t your thing, you won’t be left out in the cold in Frankfurt Rhine-Main. After all, have you ever wondered why Germans always excel at international sporting events? One of the reasons is the well-organised network of clubs that offers a wide range of activities at reasonable prices for everyone. Sport cuts across all social and occupational classes, and joining a sports club in Germany is a great way to meet people from all walks of life in a fun atmosphere.

The range of sports offered by these non-profit clubs is enormous - football, tennis, horse riding, athletics, aerobics, swimming and, increasingly, international sports such as baseball, rugby and even American football. Fitness centres are a prominent feature of the German landscape, and tennis and squash courts are available in many areas. As with all things, size and availability depend on where you live; small towns are often lacking in both size and availability, and many clubs allow you to try out several times before formally committing to a membership. Frankfurt’s largest sports club is the Turngemeinde Bornheim, founded in 1860 and located in the north-eastern district of Bornheim. It offers the

traditional range of sports, including hockey, football, golf, gymnastics, football, handball, basketball, weightlifting and swimming. Or get a little more adventurous with activities such as qi gong, oriental dance, aqua aerobics for seniors and even accordion lessons.

Green Frankfurt: 80% of residents have a park on their doorstep within a 300m radius. About half of the city‘s area is not built on.

Membership fees vary greatly depending on the type of sport, the size of the club and the quality of the facilities. But as a general guideline, individual memberships cost between €100 and €250 a year - with discounts for students and children - and are well worth the investment. Family memberships are usually a good deal... much cheaper than several individual memberships. It is important to note that once you become a registered member of a German sports club, you are automatically insured under the club’s policy in the event of injury.

BIKE, HIKE & RUN

Anlagenring (RUN)

Digitale Karte: bit.ly/2pxLt5x

Former city walls, now park area surrounding inner city. The zig-zag route follows the former baroque bulwarks.

Schwanheimer Düne (BIKE)

Digitale Karte: bit.ly/2Px1Rh4

Mediterranean feeling in Frankfurt through the Schwanheim Dunes – one of the fes inland dunes in Europe.

Wald-Walk (HIKE)

Digitale Karte: bit.ly/2qej9oz

Itinerary through the city woods and Oberwald bird sanctuary. See the Jacobi Pond, King’s Spring and the Peeing Tree.

WELL-KNOWN SPORT CLUBS

Eintracht Frankfurt

Commerzbank-Arena

Mörfelder Landstraße 362

60528 Frankfurt am Main www.eintracht.de

FSV Frankfurt 1899

PSD Bank Arena

Richard-Herrmann-Platz 1 60386 Frankfurt am Main www.fsv-frankfurt.de

Sportclub Frankfurt 1880

Feldgerichtsstraße 29 60320 Frankfurt am Main www.sc1880.de

FTV 1860

Ravenstein-Zentrum Pfingstweidstraße 7 60316 Frankfurt am Main www.ftv1860.de

Spiridon Frankfurt

Babenhäuser Landstraße 6 60559 Frankfurt am Main www.spiridon-frankfurt.de

Polizeisportverein

Grünweiß e.V. Frankfurt am Main

Max-Planck-Straße 6 65760 Eschborn www.p-s-v.de

Frankfurter Turn- und Sportgemeinschaft 1847

Marburgerstraße 28 60487 Frankfurt am Main www.ftg-frankfurt.de

Turngemeinde Bornheim

Berger Straße 294 60385 Frankfurt am Main www.tgbornheim.de

Turngemeinde

Sachsenhausen

Babenhäuser Landstr. 6 60599 Frankfurt/Main www.tg-sachsenhausen.de

Below is a list of some of the larger sports clubs in Frankfurt: For a full list of sports clubs in your area, contact the local sports office of your town or district council. You can also contact the Landessportbund Hessen for more information about sports clubs throughout the state. www.landessportbund-hessen.de www.sportkreis-frankfurt.de www.mainova-sport.de

CELEBREAK

Want to play football in Frankfurt but are new to the city? No problem! CeleBreak organises football matches that are open to everyone and no strings attached.

They are a community of footballers who started playing together in Frankfurt in the winter of 2018. CeleBreak was born out of frustration at the lack of opportunities to play football. Just normal guys who want to be able to play football anytime, anywhere. CeleBreak wants to make sure that everyone can play football in a way that suits their preferences and lifestyle.

They offer daily pick-up football, whenever and wherever you want, usually playing simple 7v7 games with the focus on fun, good football and socialising after the games.

All levels of players are welcome! They have developed a mobile app called ‘CeleBreak’ to take care of the organisation side of things - you sign up for a small fee and find a football game hassle free. It’s a great way to meet new people with similar interests and just have a good time!

The main aim is to have a good time, and what better way to make friends than by playing football together and having a beer afterwards?

Info: CeleBreak is available on the App Store and Google Play www.celebreak.eu

FLAG FOOTBALL

Flag Football 5on5 is the low-contact version of American Football. On a 70m x 25m field, a team of five players tries to score a touchdown by getting the football into the opponent’s end zone in a maximum of eight attempts. The team trying to score is called the offence. The five players on the defending team try to prevent the offence from reaching their end zone and scoring.

As in American football, the ball is moved up and down the field by running or passing. In flag football, however, the ball carrier is not stopped by a tackle, but by the defending team pulling at least one of the two flags attached to the offending player’s hip. Flag Football is a fast paced and tactical game. It is growing in popularity around the world and could be part of the 2028 Olympic Games.

In Kelkheim, about 10 km northwest of Frankfurt, the Kelkheim Lizzards have been playing flag football since 2001. They are one of the most traditional flag football clubs in Germany and have won the German Flag Football Championship and the Hessian Youth Championship several times since their foundation. In addition to a competitive adult team, there is also a team for beginners and newcomers. The Kelkheim Lizzards are very involved in youth work. There are teams for children under 10, under 13 and under 16. All Lizzard flag football teams are mixed teams. Interested

children from the age of 6, teenagers, students and adults who want to learn and play this great sport are welcome to join the Lizzards. If you are interested please contact one of the coaches. All coaches speak English. www.lizzards.de, info@lizzards.de

FITNESS STUDIOS

If you want to step up your fitness game, you can choose from the trendy gyms in Frankfurt and the surrounding area. The big advantage of gyms is their flexible schedules and state-of-the-art equipment (sometimes including a swimming pool and sauna). In addition, more and more gyms are offering “ladies-only” studios - with free babysitting. Monthly fees range from €25 a month for a basic studio to €125 and up for high-end studios such as Elements in downtown Frankfurt. Because Frankfurt can be such a transient city, many gyms also offer daily rates. Almost every major community in the Frankfurt Rhine-Main region now has a gym, so the best way to find one that suits your schedule and budget is to surf the web and arrange a trial visit.

WALKING AND HIKING

You don’t have to go all the way to the Alps to go walking in Germany. The Hessian countryside also offers unlimited opportunities for nature lovers. The Hessen Touristik Service has put together a dozen suggestions for walks in

the region, such as the Taunus, around Fulda or along the Bergstrasse. www.hessen-tourismus.de

AROUND THE FRANKFURT GREEN BELT

The Green Belt is a 64km cycle route that consists of a network of regional paths that wind their way around Frankfurt. Along the way, cyclists can visit dozens of historic sites, viewpoints, gardens, woods and playgrounds. The route follows the Nidda River to the north, then climbs over the hills of the Lohrberg and down into Offenbach, where it runs through parkland to Höchst. A free map of the Green Belt is available from the Environment Department. The Rhine-Main Regional Park also has a large number of attractive cycle routes.

www.umweltamt.stadt-frankfurt.de www.regionalpark-rheinmain.de/routen-und-touren

BIKE TOURS IN HESSEN

Over the past decade, Hesse has created an extensive network of cycle paths totalling 2,200 km from the Reinhaldswald to the Odenwald. Detailed maps are available from newsagents and the Hesse Tourist Board. If you want to go further afield, Deutsche Bahn offers discounted weekend train tickets for cycling groups. www.radroutenplaner.hessen.de

Treat your body & soul

Leave it all behind, relax and recharge

Choose from three ELEMENTS fitness and spa locations in the Frankfurt region and enjoy effective workouts and rejuvenating relaxation. Comprehensive fitness combined with an extensive spa offer is waiting for you at our fitness studios at Eschenheimer Turm, in Eschborn and at Henninger Turm. After a hard day at work, it’s all about relaxing and recharging for ELEMENTS member Johanna. “I make sure to take time for myself two nights a week. I love doing a hard workout and then rewarding myself with some time at the spa. Taking time for myself really makes a difference. At ELEMENTS, I can really relax and unwind.”

What do all three ELEMENTS studios have in common? The latest equipment, an extensive class offer and excellent trainers make sure you get the most out of your workout. Our exclusive spa landscape has everything you need to regenerate after your workout. Saunas set at different temperatures, pools and relaxation spaces invite you to relax in style. And, if you really want to pamper yourself,

you can also book a massage. Our services turn every trip to the studio into a vacation for the senses!

GOLF

Germany’s first golf course was built in Bad Homburg in 1899 by an Englishman, the appropriately named R. W. Duff. Hesse, with its rolling hills and verdant countryside, is ideal for golfers. There are now more than 50 golf courses in the state and several more are being planned or built. Golf is becoming so popular that some clubs have waiting lists of two to three years. But many other clubs, especially those in more rural areas, are always looking for new members. Guests who meet certain requirements are welcome on many courses and equipment can be hired almost everywhere. In addition, a number of public courses have been built and some private clubs now offer reasonable green fees and less restrictive membership policies. Alternatively, spend a weekend at one of the resort hotels in the Taunus region, such as the Hotel Georgenthal, and play a round of golf on the championship course. For more information, contact the Hessischer Golfverband. www.hessischergolfverband.de www.hofgut-georgenthal.de

WINTER SPORTS

Skiing and Snowboarding

Skiers and snowboarders can access top resorts across Europe at low cost by joining the Frankfurt Ski, Snowboard, Sports & Social Club e.V. This private, non-profit organisa-

tion organises two- to seven-day trips from October to July. Members of this friendly club meet regularly both on and off the slopes for social events and get-togethers. Alternatively, you can wait for the snow to come and head up the Feldberg to the cross-country trails or out to the Vogelsberg for the same or better downhill skiing. www.fscev.org www.hsv-ski.de

RUNNING & ENDURANCE SPORTS

With so many great running trails in and around the city, it’s no surprise that Frankfurt is home to Germany’s largest running club, Spiridon Frankfurt e.V. There are numerous running clubs in the many towns and cities around Frankfurt Rhine-Main. Many of the members take part in the local half-marathon or marathon. With its hills and plains, the region is ideal for road cycling and has a long history of major cycling events and clubs. One of these clubs, RV Sossenheim, has produced many national cyclists and even Tour de France participants. The region has also become a haven for triathletes, with three outstanding clubs. www.spiridon-frankfurt.de triathlon.eintracht.de www.mtv-kronberg.de/triathlon www.triathlon-darmstadt.de/verein www.rv-sossenheim.de

Immerse yourself in the most popular bathing landscapes in Frankfurt!

Whether you want to enjoy the interplay of refreshing swimming fun and soothing sunbathing, improve your health and well-being with an active sporting program or a revitalizing wellness offer, or want to go on a unforgettable trip to our adventure worlds with the whole family: at the attractive outdoor – and adventure pools, indoor swimming pools, sauna and fitness facilities of the BBF are simply not to be missed in Frankfurt. From the Titus Thermen and the Panoramabad Bornheim to the indoor

pools in Textorbad, Riedbad and Höchst, the indoor and outdoor pools in Riedbad, the outdoor pools in Hausen, Brentanobad, Silobad, Stadionbad, Nieder-Eschbach and Eschersheim to our sauna facilities and fitness studios –more variety ist not possible! „Where everyone swims, there is no need for a bridge.“ (German proverb). Sporting activities connect people across all borders – so it´s no wonder that young and old alike get their money´s worth with a wide variety of activities at the public

baths in Frankfurt. And that´s why even the birthday party is only really fun with us when it „falls into the water“ with all the guests!

www.frankfurter-baeder.de

I love our restaurants in town.

My top 3 are: Rama V at Vilbeler Landstraße. I am obsessed with the authentic thai cuisine there. For me Rama V is one of the best restaurants in town and I love to eat there together with my family and friends.

Another culinary hotspot is Nico’s Kitchen in the Europaviertel. You can have breakfast there and of course you can go for lunch or dinner. Try the Rinderfilet. It’s so delicious!

And if you like Italian food you have to go to Alte Kanzelei near Mainzer Landstraße. I can’t get enough of their risotto with scallops. These are my top 3 - I don’t want to miss them.

Over the years, Frankfurt has emerged as the host of four major endurance sports events:

JPMorgan Corporate Challenge

One of the biggest sporting events in Germany is the annual JPMorgan Corporate Challenge in Frankfurt. The 5km race typically attracts more than 54,500 participants from nearly 3,000 companies, making it the largest road race in the world. Participants come from all over Germany to take part in the race, which winds through the centre of Frankfurt. Many large companies use the event as a team-building exercise. www.jpmorganchasecc.com

Frankfurt Marathon

For more experienced runners, the marathon is the ultimate running event. Held at the end of October every year since 1981, the Frankfurt Marathon is one of the oldest marathons on the continent. It regularly attracts more than 10,000 runners - no doubt some come for the flat course, which is ideal for running fast times. A glamorous feature of this marathon is that you’ll run the last few metres on a red carpet before crossing the finish line at the Frankfurt Festhalle. It’s also possible to take part in other competitions, such as the marathon for inline skaters, the relay or the mini-marathon (4.2 km) for children aged 8 to 17. www.frankfurt-marathon.com

join us at our International Day & order your Free tickets Here:

Frankfurt IronMan

The pinnacle of triathlon performance - the IronMan - attracts competitors from all over Europe and beyond every July. Some are competing to qualify for the Hawaii event, others just want to finish the course, and the elite want to become the next European champion. Nearly 3,000 people take part, swimming in the lake in Langen, cycling around the Wetterau on a double loop and then running the marathon through the city centre along the banks of the river, cheered on by thousands of spectators. www.ironman.com/im-frankfurt

Eschborn Frankfurt

This is a UCI WorldTour race held every year on 1 May. The main event is preceded by open races for youngsters, amateurs and hobby cyclists - over 10,000 cyclists took part in 2024. The pro race is broadcast live on local television and covers 202 kilometres with 3,000 metres of climbing in the various loops up and down the Taunus hills, including the brutal Mammolshain ramp. In 2024, 14 UCI WorldTeams and 5 UCI ProTeams took part. www.eschborn-frankfurt.de

SWIMMING

Almost every town and city in Germany has its own swimming pool - either indoor or outdoor. These facilities range from municipal pools for families to luxurious water parks. If you live in Frankfurt, the best way to find a facility that suits your needs is to contact Bäderbetriebe Frankfurt to find out where you can take a dip in one of the more than

90 pools in the metropolitan area. NB: Children under the age of 14 can use the pools free of charge. www.frankfurter-baeder.de

If you’d rather swim in a more natural setting, there are dozens of lakes throughout the region. In Frankfurt Rhine-Main, the largest is Langener Waldsee, where you can swim, sail and camp. Open daily from 8am to 8.30pm, mid-May to mid-September. www.waldsee-langen.de

AQUATIC SPORTS IN FRANKFURT

The River Main is a perfect playground for water sports enthusiasts, whether beginners or experienced. If you don’t speak German, all the clubs listed below offer activities in English. The simplest activity will be water-biking: very stable thanks to the inflatable tubes on each side, these unusual bikes are very easy to ride and are your best option if you want to discover the city from the river, but prefer to stay safe and dry. Info: www.waterbike-germany.de - Bookings via frankfurter-stadtevents.de (search for “Wasserfahrrad”)

- Price: €69 for a 2-hour ride

Stand-up paddle boarding, or SUP, is all the rage, and for good reason: it’s something everyone can do, whatever their age or level of fitness. Join a beginner’s course at one of Frankfurt’s SUP clubs, find your balance on the board, learn the basic techniques and enjoy a tour on the River Main with views of the skyline. Are you hooked? Perfect! Both clubs also have rental equipment so you can go paddling on your own. Info: SUP-Verein, sup-verein.de (near Alte Brücke) and www.main-sup. de (Rudererdorf) Course prices at both clubs: 49 € for 2 hours.

Frankfurt Galaxy: American Football in the Heart of Europe

Experience more than just a football game

The Frankfurt Galaxy is an American Football franchise of the European League of Football (ELF). With a long tradition dating back to the 90s, Frankfurt Galaxy is one of the first American Football teams in Germany.

Over the last decade, American Football has seen a great increase in popularity around the world and particularly Europe. With rising viewership and TV ratings in Germany, the sport is becoming ever more popular, with Germany developing into one of the biggest markets outside North America. Especially Frankfurt is becoming a hot spot of the sport, with the National Football League (NFL) hosting two of its international games in the Deutsche Bank Park. Even local celebrities, including soccer star Sebastian Rode, fashion designer Samuel Gärtner and rap artist Vega, have shown a keen interest in the game and are already actively collaborating with us.

Fielding a football team requires a substantial, consisting of over sixty players and multiple position coaches. This diversity is necessary, as the sport encompasses specialized roles that require a broad spectrum of skills and physical attributes. In addition to the athletes, a dedicated support staff—including team doctors, physiotherapists, trainers, equipment managers, a video crew, and volunteers—plays a crucial role. These committed individuals work tirelessly to

ensure that our players are positioned for optimal success on the field.

The appeal of American Football not only lies in its exciting mix of tactics, athleticism and teamwork but also the event surrounding the game. Several hours before kick-off, fans of both teams gather at the stadium to celebrate together. This camaraderie and cordiality between fanbases creates a welcoming environment for both fans and newcomers.

To enhance the pre-game experience, we host our Galaxy Power Party before every home game. Kicking off three hours prior to the game, this lively event invites fans and passersby to enjoy a variety of stands, stage performances, and entertainment options. Whether it’s participating in Quarterback Skill Challenges, watching our Galaxy Dancers perform live, spending time with your children at our Kids Club or dancing along to DJs and live bands, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. A game day becomes an unforgettable outing for groups and families alike!

Our Power Party presents an excellent opportunity for our partners to participate in the celebration by setting up their own stands and activities. In addition to our business partners, we feature Community Partners to promote their cause. Each home game also features a unique game day theme, like our MPS or Salute-

The-Troops game days, making no two games feel alike.

All of these different operations converge at the Frankfurt Galaxy office, where every element converges to guarantee a seamless and successful season. Characterized by a young and dedicated team of employees, each member brings a passion for the organization and commitment to its success. Together we develop exciting new projects and campaigns that leverage the diverse expertise and knowledge of everyone involved. The close collaboration fosters a tight-knit atmosphere where colleagues uplift one another. There is always room for growth and new ideas, making it an ideal environment to bring in your own ideas and leave a mark.

info@frankfurt-galaxy.eu www.frankfurt-galaxy.eu

Want to try your best downward dog on the water? Then SUP Yoga is for you! Book your SUP Yoga course on the MainSup website. Info: www.main-sup.de - Course price: €35 Close to Frankfurt, in Raunheim, you can try wakeboarding at Wakeport. There is only one person at a time on the cable system, an operator will adjust the speed according to your ability and give you all the necessary instructions so that you can improve quickly. Info: wakeport.com - Beginner session: €58

TENNIS

The popularity of tennis in Germany may have peaked in the glory days of Boris Becker and Steffi Graf, but the sport remains hugely popular. The German Tennis Federation has 1.8 million members, making it the largest in the world. Excellent tennis facilities can be found in most towns and cities and cater for all levels - junior, recreational and competitive. Most outdoor courts are available through sports clubs, while many indoor facilities can be booked by the hour. The largest and most successful tennis academy in Germany is the Alexander Waske Tennis University. Many of Germany’s leading professionals have trained here, including 2018 Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber, as well as Andrea Petkovic and Tommy Haas, to name but a few. The Academy offers a full range of courses, including junior and amateur programmes. There are also summer camps and team building events for all levels and ages. More than 70% of the players come from an international background and the academy is known for its holistic approach to young, international tennis players. www.tennis-university.com

Yoga, Creativity and more Explore Yoga and Mindfulness and meet new People at Singing Circles, ArtNights, Creativity Workshops and more. We also offer regular international Circles for expectant Women and new Moms.

www. SpiritWoMenZentrum.de

@spiritwomenzentrum

Football – it’s a part of the German Culture with 125 years of tradition in Frankfurt

In Germany football is more than just a sport - it’s an essential part of the nation’s culture and identity. There is a long history of success and glory: Germany’s senior male team won 4 World Championships and 3 European Championships while Germany’s senior female team won 2 World Championships and 8 European Championships. Furthermore, the nation won countless junior World – and European Championships.

In Frankfurt the traditional soccer Club FSV Frankfurt is celebrating it’s 125th birthday this year. As they they proudly say: “with our own strength” – the FSV has always been one club and one team. Opposed to many other traditional clubs, there have never been any mergers with other clubs.

The Frankfurt Metropolitan area, one of Germany’s main economic centers, hosts a great variety of football clubs with different setups and different ambitions. One of the nation’s most senior football clubs, FSV Frankfurt 1899, runs a very strong concept by emphasizing the training and education of youngsters aged 6-18 and to develop them into senior professional players – ideally for FSV’s own senior team. FSV has a very high quota of people managing to make the step from the youth academy to the senior team.

Kids start at the FSV Frankfurt powered FFH Fußballschule (football school) at an age as early as 6 years to develop fundamental physical, mental and technical skills. This can be done in holiday courses and special camps at various locations in the Frankfurt Metropolitan Area. The most interested and talented players are invited to enter the DFB (German Football Association) licensed youth academy where a large number of specialized staff (coaches, medical staff, educational staff, psychologists etc.) take care of the holistic training of these ambitious players to facilitate them to develop into highly skilled and personally firm individuals. FSV Frankfurt’s youth academy is amongst the nation’s best and players compete at the highest level.

In fact the youth section of the FSV – the FFH Fußballschule – is the largest football school worldwide. Via this platform and initiative, the FSV contributes a strong value to society. The kids learn sports but they also learn how act in a team – probably one of the post important values for the future of society. And on top of that: They do that in the City of Frankfurt which is amongst the most international cities in Germany with approximately 50% of the population having a migration background, representing approximately 90% of the world’s countries. At FSV Frankfurt’s youth academy the share of

individuals with a migration background stands even higher at 60% and FSV’s educational program aims to fully integrate all humans and to foster attributes like team spirit, respect and tolerance. One of FSV’s aspiring players with migration pointed out: ‘coming from a foreign country is sometimes disadvantageous for me but at the football field there are no differences and for me FSV is like a great family where I feel save and protected’. The club not only promotes a very diverse player squad but also makes an effort to attract families and international guests to its games.

Football is unique: it’s global, it’s affordable, it unites! Everyone coming to Frankfurt should experience that very important part of German Culture!

CONTACT

FSV Frankfurt 1899

Richard-Herrmann-Platz 1

60386 Frankfurt am Main

www.fsv-frankfurt.de

SPECTATOR SPORTS

Eintracht Frankfurt

Frankfurt’s popular football team, Eintracht, has had its ups and downs. In the past decade, the team has been relegated to the second division, only to rise like a phoenix from the ashes to win the German Cup in 2018 and the European League in 2022. In a country that’s almost as crazy about football as Brazil (it’s by far the most popular spectator and participant sport in Germany), attending an Eintracht match is an experience not to be missed. The team plays in the 52,000-seat Commerzbank Arena, and matches are attended by a true cross-section of Frankfurt - from family fathers to the most ardent fans. www.eintracht.de

FSV Frankfurt

Founded 124 years ago, FSV Frankfurt is synonymous with peaceful, family-friendly football. At FSV’s modern stadium, the PSD Bank Arena, you will find a dedicated family area at affordable prices, a high-quality hospitality area and up to 12,500 cheering fans from all over the world. Our youth teams compete at the highest national level and our professional team stands for attractive and high-quality football. An experience you don’t want to miss! www.fsv-frankfurt.de

Fraport Skyliners

The Fraport Skyliners play in Germany’s first basketball league. Their home court is the Fraport Arena in Höchst, which holds up to 5,000 spectators. They also regularly play in various European leagues. Tickets for home games sell out quickly, so be quick ... www.fraport-skyliners.de

Frankfurt Galaxy American Football

The Frankfurt Galaxy American football team was once part of the World League, the fledgling European expansion league of the American NFL. After 15 years of ups and downs, the league finally folded in 2007. But the most successful European team was undoubtedly the Galaxy, thanks to their fiercely loyal fan base. The resurrected Frankfurt Galaxy are now part of the European League of Football, which comprises 17 teams from Austria, Germany, Poland, Spain and Turkey, with the Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Milan and Switzerland joining in 2023. Home games are played in the renovated PSD Bank Arena in Riederwald. The games typically attract up to 7,000 boisterous fans, complete with face painting, cheerleaders and tailgate parties. www.frankfurt-galaxy.eu

Welcome to Outdoor Kids: Your Child’s Gateway to Sports in Frankfurt!

At Outdoor Kids, we are dedicated to nurturing young athletes, offering high-quality sports education for children aged 3-12 in Frankfurt am Main, Darmstadt, and Wiesbaden. Our mission is to inspire a love of sports in every child, regardless of their background, with a special focus on the international community.

We understand the challenges of moving to a new city, and we’re here to make the transition smoother for your family. Our wide range of activities, from soccer and gymnastics to holiday camps and special events, ensures there’s something for every child. With flexible schedules and a variety of programs, we make it easy to keep your kids active, engaged, and connected.

What sets us apart? It’s our commitment to quality and our deep understanding of the needs of expat families. All our coaches are highly trained and passionate about working with children, ensuring that every session is not only fun but also educational. Plus, our programs are designed with flexibility in mind, perfect for busy families adjusting to a new life in Germany.

Join us at Outdoor Kids and give your children the opportunity to thrive, make new friends, and develop lifelong skills in a welcoming environment. Let’s build a healthy, active future together!

Outdoor Kids – Where International Families Come to Play!

CONTACT

Outdoor Kids

Brückenstraße 41, 60594 Frankfurt am Main

Phone: +49 17631535035

www.outdoorkids.de, Email: info@outdoorkids.online

3x IN THE FRANKFURT AREA

Offer valid until 31 December 2025. This free pass can only be redeemed one time per person and cannot be exchanged for cash.

RELIGION & MORE

r eligious services in F rank F urt r hine - m ain

International religious institutions give newcomers a way to connect with a community of like-minded people and to feel at home. Frankfurt Rhine-Main is a place where people of all faiths can worship together.

For some people moving to a new country means giving up activities that are important to how we see ourselves and how we want others to see us. It doesn’t have to be that way at all. The organisations listed below, including churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and more, are all committed to supporting families and communities of all faiths. You’ll be pleased to know that many of the spiritual activities you enjoyed at home can be continued here in Germany. As many people in the international community are only here temporarily, religious communities in Frankfurt Rhine-Main are well aware of the needs of newcomers. Many of these

places offer a diverse and dedicated parish or congregation, which brings a very international element to services and observances.

Some of the institutions go to great lengths to include the local German population alongside their international members. Many share their houses of worship with a German congregation, and that can sometimes mean there are dual services and clerics to meet the needs of both the German-speaking and non-German-speaking communities. What follows is a listing of English-speaking and foreign language religious services.

ANGLICAN EPISCOPAL SERVICES

Church of Christ the King

Services: Sundays 11 a.m.; nursery service and Sunday School 10.45 a.m.; parish choir; Young Singers; senior and junior youth groups.

CHURCH OF CHRIST THE KING

Sebastian Rinz Straße 22 | 60323 Frankfurt am Main www.christ-the-king.net

Church of St. Augustine of Canterbury

Services: Sunday 10 a.m., with Sunday School and Creche; Wednesday, 11 a.m. Eucharist and Healing Prayer (only Online)

CHURCH OF ST. AUGUSTINE OF CANTERBURY

Frankfurter Straße 3 | 65189 Wiesbaden www.staugustines.de

BAHÁ‘Í SERVICES

Bahá‘í House of Worship

Services: The Bahá‘í House of Worship is open daily from 9 a.m. to sunset to people of every religion. A devotional service is held every Sunday at 3 p.m. It is a 20 – 30 minute program, which consists of readings from the sacred texts

of various world religions. Sometimes it features music from the “House of Worship Choir”.

BAHÁ‘Í-HAUS DER ANDACHT

Eppsteiner Str. 95 | 65719 Hofheim www.bahai.de

BAPTIST SERVICES

Bethel International Baptist Church Service: Saturdays 10 a.m. – 12 a.m. Youth Group (ages 12 – 15) meets every second Wednesday at 5 p.m. All servicesare held in English with simultaneous translation into German via headsets. Saturday school for children ages 3 – 11 is offered in parallel with the sermon.

ADVENTGEMEINDE

Eschenheimer Anlage 32 | 60318 Frankfurt am Main www.adventgemeinde-ffm.de

Converge International Fellowship

Sunday Services: 5 p.m.

CONVERGE INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP

Ahastraße 12 | 64285 Darmstadt www.convergedarmstadt.com

Immanuel Baptist Church

Sunday Services: Bible study for all ages 11.30 a.m.; Prayer 12.10 p.m.; Worship 12.30 p.m. Weekday Services: Bible study for adults. This church is a member of the International Baptist Convention.

IMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH

Friedrich Naumann Straße 25 | 65195 Wiesbaden www.ibc-wiesbaden.com

BUDDHIST SERVICES

Buddhistisches Zentrum Frankfurt

This Buddhist center has several other branches across Hessen, in Wiesbaden, Darmstadt, Giessen and Kassel. Contact the Frankfurt branch for more information.

BUDDHISTISCHES ZENTRUM FRANKFURT

Saalburgstraße 17 | 60385 Frankfurt am Main www.diamantweg-buddhismus.de

Internationaler Buddhistischer Kultur Verein

FO GUANG SHAN-ANDACHTSSTÄTTE

Hanauer Landstraße 11 – 13 | 60314 Frankfurt am Main | www.foguangshan.de

Soka Gakkai International-Deutschland

KULTURZENTRUM WALLDORF

Farmstraße 121| 64546 Mörfelden-Walldorf www.sgi-d.org

Jetsün Sakya Foundation e.V.

Buddhistisches Zentrum Sakya Kalden Ling

JETSÜN SAKYA FOUNDATION E.V.

Linkstraße 66 | 65933 Frankfurt am Main www.sakya-foundation.de

ROMAN CATHOLIC SERVICES

St. Leonhard‘s International English-Speaking Roman Catholic Parish First Communion and Confirmation Classes; RCIA program (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults). Baptisms arranged by appointment. Confessions upon request before Mass or by appointment.

HOLY CROSS CENTER FOR CHRISTIAN MEDITATION & SPIRITUALITY

Kettelerallee 45 | 60385 Frankfurt am Main www.parish-frankfurt.de

St. Mary’s Parish of English-Speaking atholics Mass: Sunday at 5.00 p.m. First Communion and Confirmation Classes; Baptisms and reconciliation by appointment.

ST. MARY’S PARISH OF ENGLISH-SPEAKING CATHOLICS Wachenheimer Straße 58 | 65835 Liederbach am Taunus | www.parish-frankfurt.de

In addition to the St. Leonhard’s and St. Mary’s parishes, there are several other parishes catering to the non-English speaking international circles. For more information please contact:

PUNCTUM KATHOLISCHE KIRCHE FRANKFURT

Liebfrauenstraße 2 | 60313 Frankfurt am Main www.punctum-katholisch.de

HINDU

Frankfurter Hindugemeinde e.V.

SRI KADPAHA VINAYAGAR TEMPEL

Intzestraße 26 60314 Frankfurt am Main

Hinduistischer Kulturverein Inthumantram e.V.

Usual opening time of the temple is 6.30 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. Tuesday and Friday opening time of the temple is 6.30 p.m. – 8.30 p.m.

SRI NAGAPOOSANI AMMAN KOVIL

Schlitzer Straße 4 | 60386 Frankfurt am Main www.ammankovil.de

Vishwa Hindu Parishad

VISHWA HINDU PARISHAD

Morsestraße 32 60486 Frankfurt am Main

INTERDENOMINATIONAL CHRISTIAN SERVICES

Atterberry Chapel Multicultural Christian Church

Sunday School every Sunday at 9.45 a.m., Sunday Worship Service every Sunday at 11.00 a.m.

ATTERBERRY CHAPEL MULTICULTURAL

CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Rossittenerstraße 19 | 60487 Frankfurt am Main www.atterberrychapel.org

Church of the Nazarene

Services: Sunday 10.30 a.m. Nursery and children‘s Sunday school during Sunday services. Services are in German and English.

CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE

Hügelstraße 143 | 60431 Frankfurt am Main www.kirchedesnazareners.de

International Christian Fellowship (ICF) of the Taunus

ICF is a diverse English-speaking Christian community. Sunday Service: 10.30 a.m. with programs for children and youth.

EVANGELISCH-FREIKIRCHLICHE GEMEINDE (ICF) Hohemarkstraße 75 | 61440 Oberursel www.icf-frankfurt.com

Internationaler Konvent

In the Internationaler Konvent Christlicher Gemeinden RheinMain e.V. (International convention of Christian communities Rhein-Main e. V.) about 30 congregations and church communities from Asia, Africa, Europe and the USA active in the Rhine-Main area work together.

INTERNATIONALER KONVENT CHRISTLICHER GEMEINDEN RHEIN-MAIN E.V. geschaeftsstelle@internationaler-konvent-frankfurt.de www.internationaler-konvent-frankfurt.de/blog

River of Life Church

An English-speaking, international church in the city of Frankfurt. Join us every Sunday at 10:30 am.

Best Western Plus Welcome Hotel Leonardo-da-Vinci-Allee 2 60486 Frankfurt am Main www.rol-frankfurt.com

MUSLIM SERVICES

There are several organizations catering to the local Muslim population in Frankfurt. The following groups coordinate Muslim activities and serve as access points into the community, starting with the central Friday mosque.

DITIB ZENTRALMOSCHEE FRANKFURT –

DITIB MERKEZ CAMII FRANKFURT Münchener Straße 21 | 60329 Frankfurt am Main www.ditib.de

Hamidiye Moschee Verein der Guten Sitten

HAMIDIYE MOSCHEE

Hinter der Schönen Aussicht 5 60311 Frankfurt am Main

African Muslim Association

AFRICAN MUSLIM ASSOCIATION

Sontraer Straße 15 60386 Frankfurt am Main

Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Deutschland

Genfer Straße 11 60437 Frankfurt am Main www.ahmadiyya.de

ALEVITE SERVICES

Alevitisches Kulturzentrum Frankfurt e.V. .

An der Steinmühle 16 65934 Frankfurt am Main www.alevi-frankfurt.com

Shiite services

IMAM SADJAD KULTURZENTRUM E.V. Orber Straße 49 – 51 | 60386 Frankfurt am Main www.imam-sadjad.de

Sunni services

ISLAMISCHER VEREIN TARIK BEN ZIAD E.V. Mönchhofstraße 24a | 60326 Frankfurt am Main www.tarik-moschee.de

Deutsch-Islamischer Verein e.V. –Sunnitische Gemeinde Omar Moschee

August Schwarz Straße 33 – 35 60433 Frankfurt am Main www.omar-moschee.de

Islamische Religionsgemeinschaft Hessen

Postfach 10 05 45 35335 Giessen www.irh-info.de

Islamische Informations- und Serviceleistungen e.V.

Wächtersbacher Str. 95

60386 Frankfurt am Main www.iisev.de

JEWISH SERVICES

Jüdische Gemeinde Frankfurt Westend-Synagogue

Westendstraße 43

Gemeinderatssaal – 5. OG 60325 Frankfurt am Main www.jg-ffm.de (Orthodox; services held in Hebrew)

In addition, there are three smaller synagogues in Frankfurt, but their services are limited to Shabbat, some high holidays and special occasions. The Frankfurt Jewish Community can provide more details and is also the main source of information for events and happenings within Frankfurt. For Shabbat and holidays there is a liberal service offered by the Egalitäre Minjanalso located at the Westend-Synagogue. There are two women’s groups which meet regularly: WIZO and the Jewish Women’s Club Jüdischer Frauenverein. The Jüdische Gemeinde Frankfurt also offers a broad spectrum of facilities and services for every age group.

EGALITÄRER MINJAN

This group meets weekly in the Westend Synagogue (left part of the building), Freiherr vom Stein Straße 30, alternating Fridays (6.30 p.m. Shi‘ur on the weekly Torah portion, 7.00 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat services followed by Kiddush) and Saturdays (11 a.m. Shabbat Shacharit services followed by Kiddush, 1.30 p.m. Shi‘ur on religious, political, cultural and socioeconomic topics.) Further information and schedules: www.minjan-ffm.de

SYNAGOGE BAUMWEG

Baumweg 5 – 7 | 60316 Frankfurt am Main www.jg-ffm.de/de/religioeses-leben/synagogen (Orthodox services held in Hebrew)

LATTER-DAY SAINTS (LDS) MORMON

There are 13 LDS (Mormon) congregations in Frankfurt Rhine-Main, two of which hold services in English.

Frankfurt 2nd Ward (English)

Sacrament meeting: Sunday at 9.30 a.m.

FRANKFURT 2ND WARD

Eckenheimer Landstraße 262 – 264 60435 Frankfurt am Main

Gemeinde Wiesbaden 2 (English)

GEMEINDE WIESBADEN 2

Arthur Zitscher Straße 7 | 63065 Offenbach Additional info at www.mormon.org

LUTHERAN SERVICES

Trinity Lutheran Church

Sundays: Worship: 11 a.m. Children‘s Sunday School, Adult Bible Class, Youth Bible Class, Confirmation Class: 9.30 a.m. (September – May). Children are welcome in the service; childcare is provided. The church also has an active music program. Sanctuary Choir rehearsals are Wednesdays from 7.00 p.m. – 9.30 p.m. Trinity International Concert Choir (TICC) rehearsals are Thursdays from 8 – 10 p.m. Handbell Choir Rehearsals are Wednesdays from 5.45 p.m. – 7.15 p.m.

TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH

Nibelungenallee 54 | 60318 Frankfurt am Main www.trinity-lutheran.de

WELS Civilian Chaplaincy in Europe

Services: 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month, 11 a.m.: Worship in Wicker (near Frankfurt) followed by Bible Study and Sunday School. www.welseurope.net

METHODIST SERVICES

New Hope United Methodist Church

Services and Fellowship: Sundays 10.15 a.m.

NEW HOPE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Merianplatz 13 | 60316 Frankfurt am Main www.newhopegermany.umcchurches.org

KOREAN LANGUAGE CHURCHES

Frankfurt Korean Methodist Church

FRANKFURT KOREAN METHODIST CHURCH

Kaiser Sigmund Straße 50 60320 Frankfurt am Main

Grace Korean Church

c/o Pfingstkirchengemeinde

GRACE KOREAN CHURCH

Badener Str. 21 65824 Frankfurt am Main frankfurtgracechurch.com

Hanmaum Korean Church

HANMAUM KOREAN CHURCH

Badener Str. 21 65824 Schwalbach

Korean Catholic Church in Frankfurt FFM

Bertramstraße 43 60320 Frankfurt am Main http://www.kkgffm.de

Koreanische Evangelische Gemeinde

Sondershausenstraße 51a 60326 Frankfurt am Main

OTHER CHURCHES & RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS

C3 Church Hanau

As one of over 500 C3 churches worldwide, this German-speaking contemporary church hosts English-speaking pastors from time to time, and many of the songs are sung in the original English. Services: Sunday at 11 a.m. with a children’s program, as well as ministry groups and small groups throughout the week.

C3 CHURCH HANAU

Josef Bautz Straße 12a 63457 Hanau www.c3hanau.de

Christliches Zentrum Frankfurt (CZF)

German-English Church. Sunday Service: 10.30 a.m.

CHRISTLICHES ZENTRUM FRANKFURT

Salzschlirfer Straße 15 60386 Frankfurt am Main www.czf.de

Christ-For-All Evangelistic Ministries

Puetzer-Straße 96A 60488 Frankfurt am Main www.christ-for-all.com/frankfurt.htm

Comunidad Católica de Lengua Española

Thüringer Straße 35 60316 Frankfurt am Main www.misionfrankfurt.de

Deutsch-VietnamesischBuddhistische Gemeinde e.V. Hanauer Landstraße 443 60314 Frankfurt am Main www.phathue.de

Gurdwara Sikh Center e.V.

Silostraße 64 65929 Frankfurt am Main www.gurdwara.de

Eglise Réformée Française

Sunday Services in French: every 1st Sunday of the month at 10.30 a.m. and 3rd Sunday at 2 p.m. Children‘s services simultaneously.

EGLISE RÉFORMÉE FRANÇAISE

Eschersheimer Landstraße 393 60318 Frankfurt am Main www.efrg.de

Hafen Kirche

Sunday Services at 11.00 a.m. and Sunday Services for children 11.00 a.m.

Walter-Kolb-Straße 9 – 11 60594 Frankfurt am Main www.hafenkirche.de

Hope City Church

HOPE CITY CHURCH

Kaiserstraße 70 | 60329 Frankfurt am Main www.c3frankfurt.church

Iglesia Cristiana Latinoamericana (ICL) de Frankfurt am Main

Sunday Services in Spanish: 5 p.m.; Weekly prayer Thursdays 5.30 p.m.; Bible study Thursdays 7 p.m.

IGLESIA CRISTIANA LATINOAMERICANA

Oeder Weg 6 | 60318 Frankfurt am Main www.iglesia-latina.de

Iglesia de la Comunidad Hispano Hablante de Alemania (I.C.H.H.A.)

Sunday Services in Spanish with children’s service: 4 p.m.

IGLESIA DE LA COMUNIDAD HISPANO HABLANTE DE ALEMANIA

Daimlerstraße 5 64546 Mörfelden-Walldorf www.ichha.org

Kingdom Life Frankfurt

Salzschlirfer Straße 15

60386 Frankfurt am Main www.kingdomlifefrankfurt.com

Philadelphia Gemeinde International e.V. Services: Sunday 10 a.m. (German and English)

PHILADELPHIA GEMEINDE

INTERNATIONAL E.V.

Am Industriehof 7 – 9 60487 Frankfurt am Main www.pgi-frankfurt.de

CHURCH TAXES

When you sign up as a German taxpayer, you‘ll see a line on the form asking for your religious affiliation. As you probably know, the large established churches here receive support from the government, which collects taxes on the churches‘ behalf from all registered church members.

So when you fill in a religion on this tax form, you‘re basically giving the state the green light to register you as a church member and then charge you a church tax (Kirchensteuer). This tax is added on as a nine percent surcharge to your tax bill, so you‘re

RELIGION & MORE

paying nine percent of your income tax, not your income. The tax is automatically taken out of your salary and then given to the church of your choice.

If you don‘t want to take part in this church funding scheme, just tick the box marked ‚none‘ (keine) when you register with the Tax Office. However, not being a tax-paying church member will mean you don‘t get certain privileges. Most churches will refuse to perform baptisms, church weddings or funerals if you‘re not a tax-paying member of that religion.

Raja Yoga Meditation

Everyday from 6.30 pm till 7.30 pm we invite for meditation. We also offer introduction cources for meditation. These are free of costs. Raja Yoga meditation is a form of meditation that is accessible to people of all backgrounds. It is a meditation without rituals or mantras and can be practised anywhere at any time. Raja Yoga meditation is practised with ‘open eyes’, which makes this method of meditation versatile, simple and easy to practice.

RAJA YOGA INSTITUT BRAHMA KUMARIS DEUTSCHLAND E.V.

Lindenau 7 | 60433 Frankfurt am Main www.brahmakumaris.de

Svenska kyrkan i Frankfurt am Main/ Swedish Church in Frankfurt

Services are held once or twice a month.

SVENSKA KYRKAN I FRANKFURT AM MAIN

An der Wolfsweide 54 | 60435 Frankfurt am Main www.svenskakyrkan.se/frankfurt

Unitarian Universalist

Services are held the 1st Sunday of the month from 2 p.m. –3 p.m.

CHURCH OF CHRIST THE KING

Sebastian-Rinz-Straße 22 60323 Frankfurt am Main www.wiesbadenuu.weebly.com

Frankfurt Airport Chapel / Flughafenkapelle Frankfurt am Main

At Frankfurt Airport, passengers have the opportunity to practice their faith while on their travels. A total of ten chapels and prayer rooms provide a place to pause and pray in both terminals.

Terminal 1

Concourse B, Gallery (Christian and Muslim)

Terminal 1

Concourse C, next to the counter 731 (Jewish)

Terminal 1 B

Level 2, near Gate B22 (Christian, Muslim and Jewish)

Terminal 1 Z

Level 3, Room of Silence (Undenominational)

Terminal 2 D

Level 3, near Gate D1 (Christian, Muslim and Jewish)

Terminal 2 E arrival area, Level 2 (Muslim)

BUSINESS CONTACTS

v olunteering , international clubs and business contacts in F rank F urt r hine - m ain

One great way to make new friends and find your feet outside of work is to: There are so many ways to get involved and make new connections. You can become a member or get involved in one of the many business associations out there, volunteer with a non-profit organisation, or join a club.

BUSINESS CONTACTS

A list of useful main business associations and clubs in the region

American Chamber of Commerce in Germany e. V.

Börsenplatz 13 – 15

60313 Frankfurt am Main www.amcham.de

American-German Business Club Frankfurt e. V.

Platz der Einheit 2 60327 Frankfurt am Main frankfurt.agbc.org

British Chamber of Commerce in Germany bccg.de/en/region-rhine-main

Business and Professional Women Germany Club – Frankfurt

Comeniustrasse 38 60389 Frankfurt am Main www.bpw-frankfurt.de

Club des Affaires de la Hesse e. V.

Alt-Sossenheim 10 65936 Frankurt am Main clubaffaires-hesse.de

Deutsch-Koreanischer Wirtschaftskreis c/o KPMG AG

The Squaire – Am Flughafen 60549 Frankfurt am Main korea-dkw.de

Frankfurt Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK)

Börsenplatz 4 60313 Frankfurt am Main www.frankfurt-main.ihk.de

Frankfurt Economic Development GmbH

Hanauer Landstraße 126 – 128 60314 Frankfurt am Main frankfurt-business.net

FrankfurtRheinMain GmbH –International Marketing of the Region

Unterschweinstiege 8 60549 Frankfurt am Main www.frm-united.com

German-Asian Business Circle

Robert-Bosch-Straße 32 63303 Dreieich www.daw-ev.de

German Australian Business Council e. V.

Postfach 12 01 43 60114 Frankfurt am Main www.gabc.eu

Hessen Trade & Invest GmbH

Mainzer Straße 118 65189 Wiesbaden www.htai.de

Konfuzius Institut Frankfurt www.konfuzius-institut-frankfurt.de

Korea Trade Center (KOTRA)

Friedrich-Ebert-Anlage 49

60308 Frankfurt am Main kotra-frankfurt.de

Marketing Club Frankfurt e. V.

Mainzer Landstraße 251 60326 Frankfurt am Main www.marketingclub-frankfurt.de

Regionalverband FrankfurtRheinMain

Poststr. 16

60329 Frankfurt am Main www.region-frankfurt.de

Schweizerisch-Deutscher Wirtschaftsclub

Oberhöchstadter Straße 70 61440 Oberursel www.sdwc-ffm.de

Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Germany

Eschersheimer Landstraße 44 60322 Frankfurt am Main www.coeca.de

Vereinigung der Japanischen Unternehmen in Frankfurt e. V.

Roßmarkt 13 60311 Frankfurt am Main www.hojinkai.de

Wirtschaftsinitiative FrankfurtRheinMain

Holzhausenstraße 25 60322 Frankfurt am Main www.die-wirtschaftsinitiative.de

Wirtschaftsjunioren Frankfurt, c/o IHK

Börsenplatz 4

60313 Frankfurt am Main www.wj-frankfurt.de

CLUBS, NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, AND

ORGANIZED FUN

A lot of people in Germany spend their free time in clubs or non-profit organisations that are just there to have fun or do good work. They’re called Vereines, which is German for club. Many Germans head to these officially registered clubs for all kinds of activities – or just to see what’s on offer.

Most of the clubs are legal entities, so they have their own club statutes. As a rule, members have to pay only a small amount in dues. Also, many clubs let non-members take part in a particular event, sometimes even regularly, for a small fee for each event. There are lots of sports clubs, as we’ve already seen in the chapter on “General Information II”. But sports aren’t the only organised activity. In fact, there are hundreds of officially registered non-profit organisations in the Rhine-Main region, including clubs engaged in activities like amateur theatre. There are also clubs for card playing, business relations, conversing in English or another language, promoting ethnic cultures, discussing politics or culture, shooting guns, stamp collecting and trading, and even breeding dogs. In short, there’s a club for everyone.

CLUBS

&

VOLUNTEER GROUPS

The list below focuses on clubs or associations with a strong foreign element.

American International Women’s Club of the Taunus e. V.

Zimmersmühlenweg 62 61440 Oberursel www.aiwcfrankfurt.org

American Football Verband Deutschland

Richard-Herrmann-Platz 1 60386 Frankfurt am Main www.afvd.de

Amnesty International

Leipziger Straße 17 60487 Frankfurt am Main amnesty-frankfurt.de

Asociación Peruana en Frankfurt

www.apecia.de

Australien Stammtisch

Am Gaßgang 29 61440 Oberursel www.australien-stammtisch.de

Baseball and Softballverein

Bad Homburg Hornets e. V.

Usinger Weg 96 61350 Bad Homburg www.hornets-baseball.de

Boy Scouts of America –Transatlantic Council www.tac-bsa.org

Business Club Frankfurt Toastmasters

SAALBAU Gallus, Frankenallee 111 60326 Frankfurt am Main businessclub-frankfurt-toastmasters.de

Centro Argentino Frankfurt e. V.

Postfach 16 02 07 60065 Frankfurt am Main www.centro-argentino-frankfurt.de

Circulo Cultural Español e. V.

Heddernheimer Landstraße 155 60439 Frankfurt am Main

Club des Alsaciens – Freunde des Elsass e. V.

Alt-Sossenheim 10 65936 Frankfurt www.alsacemonde.de

Country-Freunde Rhein-Main e. V.

Berger Str. 277 60385 Frankfurt am Main www.cfrm.de

Deutsch-Britische Gesellschaft e. V.

Theodor-Stern-Kai 1 60596 Frankfurt am Main www.debrige.de

Deutsch-Finnische Gesellschaft Landesverein Hessen e. V. www.dfg-ev.de

Deutsch-Französische Gesellschaft

Adickesallee 13 60322 Frankfurt am Main www.dfg-frankfurt.de

Vereinigung Deutsch-Französische Gesellschaften für Europa e. V. (VDFG-FAFA) www.vdfg.de

Deutsch-Hongkong Gesellschaft e. V.

Kreuzerhohl 5 – 7 60439 Frankfurt am Main www.hongkong-gesellschaft.de

Deutsch-Ibero-Amerikanische Gesellschaft e. V.

Rodheimer Straße 4 61184 Karben www.diag-frankfurt.de

Deutsch-Indische Gesellschaft Darmstadt-Frankfurt/Main e. V.

Kasinostraße 3 64293 Darmstadt dig-darmstadt.de

Deutsch-Indische Zusammenarbeit e. V.

Ordellstraße 43

60486 Frankfurt am Main diz-ev.de

Deutsch-Italienische Vereinigung e. V.

Arndstraße 12

60325 Frankfurt am Main www.div-web.de

Deutsch-Japanische Gesellschaft

Frankfurt am Main e. V.

Amelia-Mary-Earhart-Straße 8 60549 Frankfurt am Main www.djg-frankfurt.de

Deutsch-Koreanischer Wirtschaftskreis e. V.

THE SQUAIRE, Am Flughafen 60549 Frankfurt am Main korea-dkw.de

ELTAF – English Language

Teachers’ Association Frankfurt/ Rhine-Main-Neckar e. V.

Silcherstraße 21 61440 Oberursel www.eltaf.de

F.E.S.T.–Frankfurt English-Speaking Theatre festfrankfurt.org

Federation of German-American Clubs www.vdac.de

Francfort Accueil e. V. www.francfortaccueil.de

Frankfurt 1880 Rugby c/o Sport-Club Frankfurt 1880 e. V.

Feldgerichtstraße 29 60320 Frankfurt am Main www.sc1880.de

Frankfurt Pirates American Sports Club

Gronauer Weg 10A 61184 Karben frankfurt-pirates.de

Frankfurt Scottish Country Dance Club

IGS Herder, Wittelsbacherallee 6 – 12

60316 Frankfurt am Main www.frankfurt-scd-club.org

Frankfurt Ski, Snowboard, Sports & Social Club e. V. (FSC)

Willemerstr. 15 60954 Frankfurt am Main fscev.org

Freundeskreis Frankfurt/Krakau e. V.

Hammarskjöldring 57 60439 Frankfurt www.frankfurt-krakau.de

Freundeskreis liebenswertes Frankfurt e. V.

Bernhard-Mannfeld-Weg 24 60599 Frankfurt am Main frankfurt-liebenswert.de

Fulbright Alumni e. V.

Sandweg 81 60316 Frankfurt am Main www.fulbright-alumni.de

George Marshall Gesellschaft e. V. c/o Main-Taunus-Kreis / Dr. Johannes Latsch

Am Kreishaus 1 – 5 65719 Hofheim www.george-marshall-society.org

German-American Community Choir e. V.

Laurentiusstraße 11 A 60388 Frankfurt am Main gacc-frankfurt.de

German-American and International Women‘s Club Wiesbaden e. V. gaiwc-wiesbaden.com

German-Chinese Friendship Association Frankfurt e. V.

Roßdorfer Str. 22 60385 Frankfurt am Main www.chinaseiten.de

German-Indian Round Table (GIRT) e. V. Eschersheimer Landstr. 14 60322 Frankfurt am Main www.girt.de

Harvard Club Rhein-Main e. V. rhein-main.harvard-club.de

Instituto Cervantes Frankfurt

Staufenstraße 1

60323 Frankfurt am Main frankfurt.cervantes.es

ICF International Choir Frankfurt

Freiherr-vom-Stein Str. 8 60323 Frankfurt am Main www.internationalchoir.de

International Kids‘ English Club

Heinrichstr. 33 64293 Darmstadt www.ikec.de

Japanisches Kultur – und Sprachzentrum e. V.

Roßmarkt 13 60311 Frankfurt am Main www.japanisch-kulturzentrum.de

Korean German Network c/o Euko GmbH

Trakehner Straße 7 – 9 60487 Frankfurt am Main www.kgn2011.wordpress.com

Kroatische Kulturgemeinschaft e. V. c/o Ivica Košak

Ernst-Toepfer-Str. 4 65510 Idstein www.hkz-wi.de

Mexikanisch Deutscher Kreis Frankfurt e. V.

Postfach 110713 60042 Frankfurt am Main www.club-mexico.de

Oxfam Shop Frankfurt

Oxfam Fashionshop Leipziger Str. 54 60487 Frankfurt am Main

Merianplatz 5 60318 Frankfurt am Main

Oederweg 28 60316 Frankfurt am Main www.oxfam.de

Pickwicks-English Speaking Club pickwicks.de

Rotary Club Frankfurt am Main –International (English-speaking) frankfurt-am-main-international.rotary.de

Schweizer Gesellschaft Frankfurt a.M. e. V. c/o Dr. Jürgen F. Kaufmann

Gartenstraße 134 60596 Frankfurt am Main www.sgffm.de

Steuben-Schurz-Gesellschaft e. V.

Siesmayerstraße 12 60323 Frankfurt am Main steuben-schurz.org

Taiwanesisch Deutscher Frauenverein

Engelthaler Str. 45 60435 Frankfurt am Main

The British Club of the Taunus e. V.

Postfach 12 20 61402 Oberursel www.british-club.de

The International Women‘s Club of Frankfurt e. V.

Postfach 102 226

60022 Frankfurt am Main iwc-frankfurt.de

Union International Club e. V.

Am Leonhardsbrunn 12 60487 Frankfurt am Main www.union-club.com

Verein zur Pflege der russischen Kultur

SLOWO e. V.

Stresemannallee 30

60596 Frankfurt am Main www.slowo-ev.org

Yale Club of Germany e. V. www.yaleclub.de

HELP & ADVICE – FOR MANY ASPECTS OF LIFE AS A NEWCOMER AGAH – Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Ausländerbeiräte Hessen

Kaiser-Friedrich-Ring 31 65185 Wiesbaden www.agah-hessen.de

Amt für Multikulturelle Angelegenheiten

Mainzer Landstr. 293 60326 Frankfurt am Main www.amka.de

Frankfurt Psychotherapy Institute e. V.

Myliusstraße 20 60323 Frankfurt am Main www.fpi.de

Frankfurter Anwaltsverein e. V.

Gerichtsstraße 2 60313 Frankfurt am Main www.frankfurter-anwaltsverein.de

Frankfurter Rechtshilfekomitee für Ausländer e. V. c/o Evangelische Studentengemeinde

Siolistraße 7 60323 Frankfurt am Main www.rechtshilfekomitee.de

IAF-Verband Binationaler Familien und Partnerschaften e. V.

Ludolfusstraße 2 – 4 60487 Frankfurt am Main www.verband-binationaler.de

International Family Center e. V.

Hahnstraße 70 60528 Frankfurt am Main www.ifz-ev.de

Mieterschutzverein Frankfurt (tenant’s protection association)

Eckenheimer Landstraße 339 60320 Frankfurt am Main www.mieterschutzverein-frankfurt.de

Verbraucherzentrale Hessen e. V. (consumer protection association)

Große Friedberger Straße 13 – 17 60313 Frankfurt am Main www.verbraucherzentrale-hessen.de

Bahnhofsviertel

Eschenheimer Anlage

CITY TOURS FRANKFURT

CITY TOURS FRANKFURT

Shopping-Tour

(2,5 km / 30 Min., bit.ly/2Nw3VDl)

! Opernplatz

@ Goethestraße

# Hauptwache

$ Schäfergasse

% Stephanstraße

^ Große Friedberger Straße & Zeil

* Hasengasse ( Kleinmarkthalle

BL Liebfrauenberg

Sachsenhausen

Dreikönigsstraße Diesterwegstraße

Sachsenhausen Tour (5 km / 65 Min., bit.ly/2ptfVh6)

! Willy-Brandt-Platz

@ Untermainbrücke

# Schweizer Platz

$ Oppenheimer Landstraße

% Gartenstraße

^ Oppenheimer Platz & Schifferstraße /Brückenstraße

* Wallstraße

( Paradiesgasse

BL Kleine Rittergasse

BM Klappergasse

BN Dreieichstraße

BO Große Rittergasse

BP Elisabethenstraße

BQ Eiserner Steg

Affen-

Kultur-Tour (3,5 km / 45 Min., bit.ly/2qeemDB)

! Paulskirche

@ Römerberg

# Schirn

$ Hinter dem Lämmchen

% Hühnermarkt

^ Dom & MMK

* Fahrgasse

( Alte Brücke/Portikus

BL Sachsenhäuser Ufer

BM Holbeinsteg

BN Willy-Brandt-Platz

Str.

Frankfurt Informationen

+49 (0)69/21238800 www.visitfrankfurt.travel.de www.journal-frankfurt.de www.BestOfFrankfurt.de

Friedberg

Rossertstraße

Feldbergstraße

Friedrichstraße

M yliu sst raße

Liebigst raße

Friedrichstraße

Altkönigstraße

Böhmerstraße

Eppsteiner Straße Grüneburgweg

Oberlindau

Körnerst

Bruchenbrücken

Sightseeing Tour

Nieder-Wöllstadt Okarben

www.frankfurt-tourismus.de/touren www.frankfurter-stadtevents.de

Groß Karben

Dortelweil Bad Vilbel

Bruchenbrücken

Sightseeing Tour

Tourist Information

Nieder-Wöllstadt Okarben

Bad Vilbel Süd Berkersheim

www.visitfrankfurt.travel.de www.frankfurter-stadtevents.de

Dortelweil Bad Vilbel

Preungesheim Gravensteiner-Platz

Alkmenestr.

Bodenweg

Wasserpark

Bornheim Mitte

Schwindstraße

Schubertstraße

Tourist Information

Walter-Kolb-Siedlung

Friedberger Warte

Tourist

Eissporthalle/ Festplatz

Tourist Information Office Main Train Station, Reception Hall, Mon – Fri: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sat, Sun and public holidays: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Preungesheim Gravensteiner-Platz

Walter-Kolb-Siedlung

Freiligrathstr. Habsburger-/ Wittelsbacherallee

Habsburger-/ Wittelsbacherallee

Eissporthalle/ Festplatz

Habsburger-

Parlamentsplatz

Enkheim

Änderungen vorbehalten. Gültig ab 09.12.2018. Stand 10/2018 © traffiQ Frankfurt am Main

Kettenhofweg

Lindenstr aße

Staufenstraße

Brentanostr aße

Feuerbachstr aße

Arndtstraße

Guiollettstraße

Unter

Tourist Information Office Main Train Station, Reception Hall, Mon – Sat: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sun: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Bornheim Seckbacher Landstr.

Bornheim Ernst-MayPlatz

Saalburg-/ Wittelsbacherallee

Bornheim Seckbacher Landstr.

Enkheim

Ostbahnhof/ Honsellstr.

Ostbahnhof/ Sonnemannstr.

Ostbahnhof/ Sonnemannstr.

Lettigkautweg

Lettigkautweg

Bornheim Ernst-MayPlatz

JohannaTesch-Platz

Alt-Fechenheim Mainkur Bahnhof

HessenCenter Kruppstr. Gwinnerstr. Schä estr.

Römer, Römerberg 27, Mon – Fri: 9.30 a.m. – 5.30 p.m., Sat, Sun and public holidays: 9.30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Tourist Information Office Römer, Römerberg 27, Mon – Sat: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sun and public holidays: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

JohannaTesch-Platz

Saalburg-/ Wittelsbacherallee Zobelstr.

Groß Karben HugoJunkers-Str.

Cassellastr.

Alt-Fechenheim Mainkur Bahnhof

HessenCenter Kruppstr. Gwinnerstr. Schä estr. Arthurvon-WeinbergSteg

Corneliusstraße Beeth

Savignystraße

Fechenheim Schießhüttenstr.

Tourist Information Office Höchst, Antoniterstraße 22, Mon: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Thu – Fri: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sat: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Sun: closed

Hugo-Junkers-Str.

Dieselstr.

Cassellastr.

Fechenheim Schießhüttenstr.

Arthurvon-WeinbergSteg

Westendst raße

Wiesenau Niedenau

Guiollettstraße

Niedenau

Klüberstr aße

Rüsterstraße

Oberlindau

Kettenhofweg

Zimmerweg

Weserstraße

Marienstraße

Niddastraße

RMV-Mobilitäts-

Daimlerstr.

Riederhöfe

Fechenheim Hugo-JunkersStr. Schleife

Tourist Information Office Höchst, Antoniterstraße 22, Mon: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Thu – Fri: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sat: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Sun: closed

Dieselstr.

zentrale

Schwedlerstr. Osthafenplatz

Daimlerstr.

Fechenheim Hugo-JunkersStr. Schleife

An der Hauptwache, Zeil 129, D2 www.rmv.de

Schwedlerstr. Osthafenplatz

Balduinstr.

Balduinstr.

Bleiweißstr.

Bleiweißstr.

Ludwigstraße

Erlenstraße

Niddastraße

Moselstraße

Poststraße

Elbestraße

Weserstraße

Kaiserstraße

RMV-Mobilitätszentrale

Mon – Fri: 10.30 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sat and Sun: closed

Marktplatz Kaiserlei

Niddastraße

Poststraße

Moselstraße

Weserstraße

Kaiserstraße

Marktplatz Kaiserlei

Ledermuseum

Bieber

An der Hauptwache, Zeil 129, D2 www.rmv.de

Ledermuseum

Gutleutstraße

Buchrainplatz Wiener Str.

Buchrainplatz Wiener Str.

Mon – Fri: 10.30 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sat and Sun: close

Flaschenburgstr.

Flaschenburgstr.

O enbach Stadtgrenze

O enbach Stadtgrenze

Westendst raße Steinlestraße

FRANKFURT HIGHLIGHTS

Süd

Fichardstraße

Finkenhofstraße

Querstraße

Fellnerstraße

EiserneHand Eiserne Hand

Blumenst

Eschenheimer

Bleichstraße

Taubenstraße

Bleichstraße

Scheffelstraße

Luisenst

Merianstraße

Herderstraße

penhauerstraße

Herbartstraße

Musikantenweg Musikantenweg

Wingertstraße

Städelstraße

IngolstädterStraße

ThüringerStraße Sömm

Stiftstraße

Seilerstraße

Scheidswaldstraße Fischerfeldstraße Arnsburg

WürzburgerSt

Metzlerstraße

Sachsenhäuser

Gutzkowstraße

Brückenstr

BergerStraße AmTiergarten

Waldschmidtstraße

Pfungststraße

Schichaustraße

Lu hansa- basis

Zeils- heim Kolonie

Stadthalle Zeilsheim Farb- werke Sindlingen Bf HöchstIndustriepark Tor West

Jahrhun- dert- halle

HöchstIndustriepark Tor H831

Brüningstr. HöchstIndustriepark Tor K801 RegionalbfFlughafen

Ferdinand- Dirichs- Weg

Stadion

Bürostadt Niederrad Waldau

Waldfriedhof Goldstein Kies- schneise

Tillystr. Linne- graben

Sossen- heim Bf Dunantring

Richtung Kronberg

Wolf-Heiden- heim-Str. Westerbach- siedlung

Oden- waldstr.

Gerauer Str.

DFB-Campus

X17 Richtung N.-I. Gewerbegebiet

Ost X19 Richtung

Beuthener Str. Stresemannallee/ Mörfelder Landstr. Oberschweinstiege Louisa Bf

Sachsenhäuser Warte

Melibocusstr. Nieder- rad Bf Ober- forsthaus

Strese- mannallee

Schwarz- waldstr.

Frauen- hofstr.

Niederräder Landstr. Universitäts- klinikum Vogelweidstr. Heinrich-Ho mann-Str./ Blutspendedienst

Breslauer Str.

Schweizer Str./ Mörfelder Landstr.

Wendels- platz

Südb / Schweizer Str.

Schwan- thalerstr.

Schweizer-/ Gartenstr.

Stresemannallee/ Gartenstr.

Otto- Hahn- Platz

Schweizer Platz

Elisa- bethen- str.

Lokalbf/ Textorstr.

Brücken-/ Textorstr. Lokalbahnhof

Heister-/ Seehofstr.

kautwegLettig-

Blei- weißstr.

Flaschen- burgstr.

O enbach Stadtgrenze

Mühlberg

Balduin- str.

Buchrain- platz

Wiener Str.

alleeJäger- hamstr.BirmingWald- schulstr. Gustavs- platzburgGallus- park Ordnungs- amt Griesheim

Baseler Platz

Brandt-Willy- Platz

Dom/ Römer

Franken- steiner Platz Lokalbf/ Darm- städter Landstr. Hospital zum Hl. Geist

Kaiserlei

Ostend- str.

Ostbahnhof/ Sonnemannstr.

Luth- merstr. Schwal- bacher Str. Kriegkstr.

Wickerer Str. Reb- stöcker Str.

Gallus- warte

Güter- platz

Nied

Allee

An der Damm- heide

Kuh- wald- str.

Str.Speyerer

Platz der Republik

Hbf/ Münchener Str.

Weser-/ Münche- ner Str.

Karme- liter- kloster

Römer/ Pauls- kirche

Börne- platz

Börne- Stoltze-platz/ str.

Aller- heiligen- tor

Zobelstr.

Ostbahnhof/ Honsellstr.

Festhalle/Messe L.-Erhard-Anlage Hohenstaufenstr. Varrentrappstr.

Adalbert-/ Schloßstr. Kurfürstenplatz Nau- heimer Str.

Stern- brücke Alt-Rödel- heim

Kirchplatz

West- end

Taunus- anlage

Markus- Krankenhaus

Stadtbahn- zentralwerkstatt Guerickestr.

Große Nelkenstr.

Leipziger Str. Messe Industriehof Römerstadt Heddernheimer Landstr.

Hausener Weg Krankenhaus Nordwest Weißkirchener Weg Praunheimer SchulzentrumWeg/ Graebestr./ P egeheim Eduard- Bernstein- Weg Friedhof Westhausen Heise-Str.Stephan-

Alte Oper

Uni- WestendCampus

Eschen- heimer Tor

Deutsche Bundesbank Grüneburgpark Frauen- friedenskirche Juliusstr.

Holz- hausenstr. Grüne- burgweg

Konstabler- wache

AdickesalleeMiquel-/

Dt. National- bibliothek

Dorn- busch

Fritz- Tarnow-Str. Hügelstr. Lindenbaum Weißer Stein Eschers- heim Bf

Musterschule Adler ychtpl. Glau- burgstr. Hauptfriedhof SozialzentrumMarbachweg/ Gießener Str. Freud-Str.Sigmund- Ronneburgstr. Theobald- Ziegler-Str.

Wittelsbacher-Habsburger-/ allee

Rohrbachstr./ Landstr.Friedberger PlatzFriedberger Hessen- denkmal

Habs- alleeburgerZoo Wald- schmidtstr. Höhenstr. Merian- platz

Schwedlerstr. Osthafenplatz

Riederhöfe

Nibelungenplatz

Parlaments- platz

Zeilweg

Kalbach Bonames Mitte Uni RiedbergCampus Niederursel Wiesenau Niddapark Fischstein

Günthers- burgpark Rothschild- allee Wasserpark Hom- Landstr./burger Marbach- weg Münzenberger Str. Hartmann-Ibach-Str. Burgstr. Prü ing

Wittelsbacher-Saalburg-/ allee FestplatzEissporthalle/ rathstr.Freilig-

Daimlerstr. Dieselstr.

Junkers-Str.Hugo- Cassellastr. Ostbahnhof

Arthur-von- Weinberg-Steg

Walter-Kolb-Siedlung Alkmenestr. Bodenweg Friedberger Warte

Bornheim Seckbacher Landstr.

Kruppstr. Gwinnerstr. Schä estr.

Alt-Fechen- heim Mainkur Bahnhof

Atzelberg Mitte

StiBudgeung

Marktstr./ Landgraben

Frankfurter Berg

Berkersheim

Hessen-Center

X57 Richtung Hanau X95 Richtung Büdingen

S3 Richtung Bad Soden X97 Richtung Unfallklinik/O enbach

NEWCOMERS FESTIVAL

a n a nnual t radition

Once you’ve settled in, you’ll no doubt enjoy the Newcomers Festival, which has been held every September since 2001 in the Römer, Frankfurt’s town hall - a testament to the cosmopolitan nature of the city. The Newcomers Festival is a family-oriented fair of services and organisations for the expat community - you’ll be able to visit the stands of relocation companies, international schools, health insurance companies, etc. In recent years, the festival has attracted no less than 5,000 visitors from 30 different countries - who have been greeted by a wide range of quality exhibitors. In addition to the exhibition itself, visitors can indulge in the pleasures of the accompanying entertainment programme, ranging from international music and dance groups to local food and drink. The Newcomers Festival also aims to help newcomers who are professionals to overcome the transition period and cultural differences, integrate and make the most of local life.

NEWCOMERS FESTIVAL 2025

Join us for the Newcomers Festival 2025 at the Römerhallen, Frankfurt. Enjoy the hospitality of Frankfurt am Main and the region at this traditional festival. Meet fellow expats from all over the world. Get to know the city and the region, find out about life, education and culture at over 60 information stands. There will be music, food and, above all, a great opportunity to connect with the city. Find out about schools and partners who can help you settle in. Bring your family and friends! Welcome to Frankfurt, we want you to be part of the city and region we love. Registration for your free tickets will open a few months before the festival in September 2025: www.newcomers-network.de

CONTACT

Newcomers Network GmbH Ludwigstr. 33-37, 60327 Frankfurt/Main

T: +49 (0)69 247 41 2312, newcomers@relationing.de

www.newcomers-network.de www.facebook.com/newcomersfra

Instagram: @newcomersfra

twitter: @newcomersfra

LinkedIn: @newcomersfra

Fixed Point in the Cockpit.

Model 156.1

– an icon takes flight again.

Model 156.1, ø 43 mm. The legendary pilot’s chronograph with SINN chronograph movement SZ01. 60-minute stop function from the dial centre. Case made of stainless steel, bead-blasted. Captive pilot’s bezel made of stainless steel with Black Hard Coating on a TEGIMENT Technology basis, smoothly rotatable without detent. Luminescent fixed point as a striking symbol in the marking at twelve o’clock, so that the position of the set reference time can be clearly identified. Luminescent numbers, hour and minute hands, perfectly legible. Sapphire crystal. Water-resistant and pressure-resistant to 10 bar. Low pressure resistant. Warranty two years. VTOL.

Sinn Spezialuhren GmbH · Wilhelm-Fay-Straße 21, 60489 Frankfurt am Main, Germany Telephone +49 (0) 69 97 84 14 200 · vertrieb@sinn.de Available from the showroom at the headquarters in Frankfurt, in the SINN Römerberg branch at Römerberg 34, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, Germany, or from www.sinn.de.

NEWCOMERS NETWORK

W elcome to the n e W comers n et W ork

We’re here to make life in the Frankfurt-Rhein-Main region as easy as possible for newcomers from all over the world. That’s why, for 24 years now, the Newcomers Network has been busy helping newcomers with advice, tips, contacts and information, as well as recommendations on how to enjoy life in the region. We’ve also linked up with a network of more than 120,000 other expats from over 180 countries who now love living in Frankfurt Rhine-Main.

NEWCOMERS NETWORK WEBSITE

www.newcomers-network.de

Your first point of contact with the Newcomers Network will no doubt be online - meaning you can get in touch with us before you become one of the many newcomers here. Just click on the Newcomers Network website and you will find practical information on a wide range of issues that you will need to know how to deal with in order to make a smooth start in your new home. Perhaps more importantly, you can find out about many aspects of life in your new home, such as health insurance, banking and finance, international schools, public transport, non-profit

organisations, clubs, museums, theatres, tourism, sports and much more. You can also sign up for the Newcomers Network’s International Stammtisch, a casual get-together on the first Monday of every month. Of course, you can also sign up here for our Newcomers Newsletter, which comes out at irregular intervals and contains all sorts of relevant information and invitations.

NEWCOMERS GUIDE

The Newcomers Network also produces a very useful A4 book: The Newcomers Guide. Divided into fourteen insightful and objective chapters explaining the ins and outs of life in FrankfurtRhineMain, with additional chapters providing general information on a variety of topics, the Guide is designed to help English-speaking newcomers get off to a good start in the region. Published annually since 2002, it has become an indispensable reference guide that takes readers step-by-step through the process of settling into life in the region. WELCOME

130 SHOPS & FRANKFURTS GRÖSSTER FOODCOURT

BETTER WITH A VIEW

BESTE AUSSICHTEN – AUF TRENDS, VIELFALT, GENUSS UND DIE SKYLINE VON FRANKFURT: DIE SHOPPING-ADRESSE NR.1 DER STADT.

EUROPA-ALLEE 6, 60327 FRANKFURT

U4 FESTHALLE/MESSE 16 +17 FESTHALLE/MESSE ODER 11+21 GÜTERPLATZ

INTERNATIONAL

STAMMTISCH

m eet & m ingle in m ainhatten !

Every first Monday of the month, Newcomers Network puts on the “International Stammtisch,” a relaxed after-work gathering for the international community in Frankfurt Rhine-Main. It’s free to attend! The International Stammtisch is always a great, informative, interesting and, above all, international evening, held in English. Each event focuses on a specific topic, showcasing the best the city has to offer, from museums and culture to music and international clubs. You’ll get an invite automatically with the Newcomers Network newsletter. The International Stammtisch has been a tradition for decades now. The idea is to include new and exciting subjects as the respective monthly topic. We’ve decided on a format where an expert will give a short presentation on a chosen topic, and then we’ll have an open discussion. Some of the topics that have been hotly debated recently include digitisation, education and culture. Rather than staying in one place, the event moves around, giving participants the chance to check out places they might not otherwise visit, like the Frankfurt School of Finance, a basketball game at Ballsporthalle, and other spots. Sometimes we just have pizza or go for a beer together.

It’s not just newcomers who come along, as the topics tend to attract a broader audience too. For instance, when the presentation was about the creative industry in Hesse, lots of local web designers and creative types from the area also took part. And of course people bring along family, friends and guests. The International Stammtisch is a joint effort between the City of Frankfurt, the Frankfurt Chamber of Commerce, Deutsch-Britische Gesellschaft Rhein-Main e.V., the Regionalverband FrankfurtRheinMain, Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, Amt für Multikulturelle Angelegenheiten, Goethe-Institut and Newcomers-Network.de.

INTERNATIONAL STAMMTISCH

Meet & Mingle in Mainhatten!

On the first Monday of every month. www.newcomers-network-frankfurt.de/en/network/ Stammtisch.php

NEWCOMERS

CITYCARD

The Newcomers CityCard is a comprehensive discount and benefits card designed for residents in and around Frankfurt. It offers a wide range of advantages, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to explore and enjoy their city more fully, especially for newcomers eager to discover their new surroundings.

WHAT IS THE NEWCOMERS CITYCARD?

The Newcomers CityCard provides access to numerous discounts, special offers, and exclusive deals at a variety of venues, including restaurants, cafes, museums, theaters, and shops. By simply presenting the card at participating locations, holders can enjoy reduced prices or other perks, enhancing their experience of city life.

BENEFITS OF THE NEWCOMERS CITYCARD

• Cost Savings: The primary benefit of the Newcomers CityCard is the significant savings it offers. With discounts at many popular attractions, cultural institutions, and dining establishments, the card can quickly pay for itself. Whether you‘re enjoying a meal at a local restaurant, catching a show at the theater, or visiting a museum, the Newcomers CityCard helps you make the most of your budget.

• Convenience: The Newcomers CityCard simplifies the process of finding deals and discounts in your city. Instead of searching for coupons or special promotions, you can rely on your Newcomers CityCard to provide consistent value across a wide range of services and experiences.

• Discovery: For those new to a city, the Newcomers CityCard is an invaluable tool for exploration. It encourages you to visit places you might not have considered, thanks to the variety of partners and offers included. This can help you quickly get acquainted with your new surroundings and discover local favorites.

WHY SHOULD YOU HAVE THE NEWCOMERS CITYCARD?

For anyone new to a city, the Newcomers CityCard is highly recommended. It not only helps you save money but also enhances your experience of the city by making it easier to explore and enjoy its many offerings. The card serves as a gateway to the city‘s cultural, culinary, and entertainment scenes, allowing you to immerse yourself in local life from the moment you arrive.

www.newcomers-citycard.de

IMPRINT

Publisher: Newcomers Network GmbH, Ludwigstraße 33–37, 60327 Frankfurt am Main,

Phone: +49 (0)69 97460-0,

E-Mail: info@newcomers-network.de

Managing directors: Aroon Nagersheth, Dr Stefan Söhngen, Stefan Wolff

Advertising Management:

Melanie Hennemann, Tel. 069 97460-360; Antje Kümmerle (stv.), Tel. 069 97460-634, E-Mail: journal-anzeigen@mmg.de

Advertising Department:

Annegret Germer, Tel. 069 97460-366, Susanne Schunk, Tel. 069 97460-368, Dirk Ullmann, Tel. 069 97460-364

Advertising Disposition:

Petra Löb, Nancy Hauck Tel. 069 97460-370

Marketing /Distribution: Michelle Weise (Leitung), Tel. 069 97460-332, Julia Nawin, Tel. 069 97460-321, E-Mail: marketing@mmg.de, Patrick Stürtz, Tel. 069 97460-340,

E-Mail: vertrieb@mmg.de

Cooperation: Bereket Tesfazion

Editor in Chief: Aroon Nagersheth (V.i.S.d.P.)

Translation: Gainestranslations, Hasengasse 10, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, office@gainestranslations.de

Creative Agency: Konzept Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, Ludwigstr. 33-37, 60327 Frankfurt am Main, www.konzept-verlagsgesellschaft.de

Printer: Silber Druck oHG, Otto-Hahn-Straße 25, 34253 Lohfelden, info@silberdruck.de

Distribution Partners: PVG Rhein-Main, Lagardère

Travel Retail Germany, Schmitt & Hahn Buch und Presse, Valora Retail Services GmbH

Copyprice: 8,00 € (incl. 7% VAT)

Single Copy Sales of Newcomers Guide Copy Sales can be ordered directly through the website www.journal-frankfurt.de/service

www.newcomers-network.de

© Newcomers Network GmbH, all rights reserved.

PHOTOGRAPHS

© Photo copyrights

Cover: Jan – stock.adobe.com

stock.adobe.com: page 4-5: Sina Ettmer, saiko3p, Csaba Peterdi / page 6: f11photo / page 8: EKH-Pictures / page 10: EKH-Pictures / page 12: sehbaer_nrw / page 14: Igor Link / page: 16: Photodesign-Deluxe / page 20: magann / page 21: Jan / page 24: travelview / page 26: Igor Link / page 29: M. Schmitz / page 34: Sina Ettmer / page 40: gpointstudio / page 43: Igor / page 44: Louis-Photo / page 48: Alex from the Rock / page 51: rh2010 / page 54: REDPIXEL / page 64: Frank Wagner / page 66: WavebreakmediaMicro / page 80: vegefox.com / page 84: GalakticDreamer / page 92: Sven B / page 94: Sina Ettmer / page 96: Birgit Reitz-Hofmann / page 101: Anselm / page 102: Summit Art Creations / page 105: chaylek / page 106: william87 / page 107: Delmaine Donson – peopleimages.com / page 112: vegefox.com / page 114: opolja / page 115: Andrey Popov / page 116: nmann77 / page 119: fotomek / page 129: SeanPavonePhoto / page 134: rainbow33 / page 136: Studio Romantic, fineart-collection / page 137: helmutvogler / page 138: rainbow33, ninami / page 139: Studio Romantic / page 140: travelview / page 143: mojolo / page 160: BB-Digitalfotos / page 162: gstockstudio / page 164: snaptitude / page 168: lassedesignen / page 170: BalanceFormCreative / page 173: Africa Studio / page175: Csaba Peterdi / page 178: Mr. Note19 / page 181: saiko3p / page 182: ThisDesign / page 184: Rosa / page 186: ContactMeCard / page 189: vegefox.com / page 191: Farknot Architect / page 192: pressmaster / page 206: christian cyfus/EyeEm

Page 3: Stadt Frankfurt am Main, Fotograf: Oliver Tamagnini / Page 5: Städel Museum – Norbert Miguletz / page 42: Wicki58 / page 106: istockphoto – Floortje / page 138: visitfrankfurt_Holger-Ullmann / page 142: Städel Museum – Norbert Miguletz / page 164 OSTILL is Franck Camhishutter stock / page 198: bigstockphoto-viewapart / page 200: bigstockphoto-rawpixel.com

All other photos were provided by the respective companies, organizations, institutions or persons.

The publisher assumes no liability for them.

Become a part of our network!

People from almost 200 nations call FrankfurtRheinMain their home, and everyone who would like to be part of our community is welcome. With its strong economy, great quality of life and cultural diversity, FrankfurtRheinMain is one of the best places to live in Germany. If you would like to discover the region, we are more than happy to help!

+49 (0)69 2577 2577

contact@find-it-in-frm.de

www.facebook.com/finditinfrm

www.instagram.com/finditinfrm

www.linkedin.com/company/ find-it-in-frankfurtrheinmain/

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.