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The beautiful Ore Mountains as a new living region - as with every move, this means arriving, settling in and creating structures for everyday life.
Do you still have questions about living and housing? We will be happy to advise you personally and individually.
You may find the first answers to your questions here:
ARRIVING IN THE ERZGEBIRGELIVING IN THE ERZGEBIRGE INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE ERZGEBIRGEFROM OTHER COUNTRIES TO THE ERZGEBIRGE
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New home: Erzgebirge
Stretching from Seiffen to Stützengrün and from Burkhardtsdorf to Oberwiesenthal, the Erzgebirgskreis is the largest district in the Free State of Saxony. This large region offers you a wide range of opportunities for living and working. Our economy, with one of the highest industrial densities in Saxony, offers you extensive career prospects. The Ore Mountains are also known for their low cost of living, affordable housing and extensive childcare and educational facilities. You can find more information about our beautiful Erzgebirge region here.
Video spot "The world is here with us. Welcome to the Ore Mountains."
Arriving in the Ore Mountains
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Welcome to the Ore Mountains! Have you found an interesting job here and now want to organize relocation, a new kindergarten place or local leisure activities? The Welcome Center Erzgebirge will help you and your family to settle in. Our partners will also be happy to help you feel at home here quickly. Find out more about your new home and get an overview of the many opportunities that await you and your family.
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We are happy to advise you and your family individually from A for arriving to Z for finding a dentist.
Whether it's a personal one-to-one consultation or a social event to make new contacts - we offer a wide range of services aimed at supporting the process of "settling in".
You can find an overview of our events here.
You can also join our Facebook group "New to the Ore Mountains" and subscribe to our welcome newsletter.
Living in the Ore Mountains
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Are you new to the Ore Mountains or planning to return to your old home?
A good job offer is often the reason for the move. But in the end, the whole package has to be right.
In the small towns and communities in the Ore Mountains, with their historic town centers and sights, you will find an environment worth living in.
It's easy to set up home here: Close to nature with a fantastic view? Or would you prefer to live in the center of a tranquil old town?
Whether you are looking for a rental apartment in a town house or your own little house in the countryside, you are sure to find the perfect environment for you and your family.
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We have compiled the most important contacts for you in our "Living in the Ore Mountains" guide. In addition to municipal housing cooperatives and associations, housing and real estate offers from banks and savings banks, private real estate agents and internet exchanges for finding housing and real estate are also listed here. You can also find initial information on the subject of housing onErzgebirge - Thought. Made.and on the website of your desired place of residence.
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Infrastructure in the Ore Mountains
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Affordable living space is certainly part of the appeal of the Ore Mountains. But what about access to work, education and basic services? We have compiled an overview of healthcare facilities and possible alternatives to your own car for you.
Mobility
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In the Ore Mountains, it is often not possible to get to work or the shops on foot due to the great distance from home. We have put together some alternatives to your own car for you here:
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- You can use the local public transportation system (ÖPNV). There is a good range of routes during school hours.
- The Ore Mountains are becoming increasingly popular as a cycling region. Of course, local residents are also benefiting from this, as a lot is being invested in cycle paths. If you don't have your own bike, you can hire one - there are many bike hire options in the region. Bike leasing is also an option if you want to be less dependent on public transport.
- Simson-Leasing - a unique service in Chemnitz offers moped leasing.
- Scheduled services - like the ERZmobil in Zwönitz. This operates exclusively on order between defined entry and exit points and does not serve any fixed routes.
Health - Medical care in the Erzgebirgskreis
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"Because nothing is worth anything without health!"
Medical care centers are operated to provide good healthcare in the Erzgebirgskreis. These are usually integrated into the structure of existing clinics, but serve as independent points of contact for outpatient medical care. Here, various specialists and departments work together on an interdisciplinary basis to ensure optimal care. Hospitals, rehabilitation facilities as well as general practitioners and specialists complete the medical care.
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From other countries to the Ore Mountains - additional information
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Emigrating to Germany to work and live here is a far-reaching decision. The team at the Welcome Center Erzgebirge will be happy to help you take your first steps in your new home.
First steps
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To make your arrival in Germany easier and as pleasant as possible, you should plan and prepare certain steps carefully. You can already start or take care of some things in your home country (e.g. learning the language, looking for a job, finding accommodation, health insurance in Germany). However, you will have to organize and register many things after your arrival in the Ore Mountains. We have compiled the most important things for you in our "First steps" guide.
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You can find more information about arriving and living in Germany here:
Driver's license and car
In the Ore Mountains, the distances to work or to the shops are sometimes long and cannot be covered on foot. It's good if you have a car and a valid driver's license. But are you allowed to drive it in Germany?
Driver's license
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To drive a car in Germany, you need a valid driver's license. The driving license authority or driving license office is responsible for this.
If you already have a driver's license from your home country, different regulations apply depending on the country.
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Driving license from the EU, Liechtenstein, Norway and Iceland
You do not need to have anything rewritten or changed; your driver's license is valid without restriction.
Driving license from another country
- Your driver's license is valid in Germany for 6 months (from registration of residence in Germany)
- You need an official translation of your driving license into German for almost all countries of origin
- After 6 months you will then need a German driving license.
- Depending on the country in which you obtained your driver's license, you may have to take another driving test in Germany
- Your local driving license authority or driving license office is responsible for this
- Attention: You always need a certificate of participation in a first aid course and a valid eye test for a German driving license
You don't have a driver's license yet
- You must attend a driving school and pass a theory and practical test there.
- The cost of the driving license varies depending on how many hours of practice you need before the test. There are a number of compulsory hours that you must complete.
Car
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If you already own a car and are allowed to drive it in Germany, you must register it. Please note the following points:
- You need your vehicle registration document and the policy of your car insurance to register your car
- The responsible office is the vehicle registration authority. Here you can also find out whether you need any other documents.
- Every car must pass the main inspection (HU) every 2 years. Every car has a sticker (sticker) on the license plate so that you know when the next inspection is due. The inspection is carried out by a technical inspection body or a recognized inspection organization.
A very important point is the insurance for the car. There are several options here:
Liability
Every car needs motor vehicle liability insurance, otherwise it will not be registered. The insurance covers any damage you cause with your car. You have to pay for the repair of your car yourself.
Comprehensive insurance
Damage to your car is also insured here. The amount and scope vary. There is partially comprehensive and fully comprehensive insurance. It is best to seek advice from an insurance company.
Letter of protection
With a cover note, the insurance covers the costs if you need a towing service or a rental car because you have a breakdown or an accident.
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A vehicle tax (motor vehicle tax) must also be paid for each car. This tax varies in amount. When you register your car, you will be registered for this. We will be happy to help you find the right offices and contacts.
Further steps
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Information and further links on the subject of family reunification, jobs for the partner, banks and insurance companies, offers especially for women and information for people returning to Germany can be found in the box below.
Further steps
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Learn German
A good knowledge of German is important - both in the workplace and in everyday life. For most companies in the Ore Mountains, it is very important that their employees speak German very well, especially in jobs with customer contact. You need German to be able to communicate and integrate well in a team, but also to get to know new people in the Ore Mountains and find your way around better. Many professions also require specialist language skills.
There are many ways to learn the language.
Learning German before arrival
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The best place to start learning German is in your home country. The best-known provider is the Goethe-Institut, the cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany. The Goethe-Institut offers German courses in 92 countries around the world.
There is also a wide range of online courses to acquire or improve your German language skills before you arrive in Germany. You can find an overview in our guide "Learning German with smartphones and the internet".
Learn German in Germany
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The Welcome Center Erzgebirge will be happy to help you find a suitable offer and answer any questions you may have.
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Integration courses
In an integration course, you can learn German or improve your German. You will also learn a lot about Germany and German history as well as important topics from everyday life such as work and career, shopping and housing.
Integration courses can be financially supported and consist of two parts: a language course and an orientation course. The courses are offered full-time and part-time. The general integration course comprises 700 hours, with the language course comprising 600 hours and the subsequent orientation course 100 hours. In the language course, you will learn German up to level B1. You will complete it with the "German Test for Immigrants" (DTZ) exam. After the orientation course, you will take the "Living in Germany" (LiD) test.
You can find integration courses in your area in BAMF-NAvI, the information system of the BAMF.
Professional language courses
The vocational language courses (BSK) build on the integration courses and teach German for the workplace in basic and special modules. They are very helpful in the workplace and for training in Germany. German language skills are taught for all professions. However, there are also special courses, e.g. for people in the recognition procedure for academic medical professions and healthcare professions or for various specialist fields.
Depending on the course, you can reach level B2, C1 or C2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Each course concludes with a certificate examination.
Further information on the course schedule, requirements and possible costs can be obtained directly from the course provider.
You can find an overview of current and planned vocational language courses on KURSNET
Self-pay courses & online offers
In addition to the subsidized integration and vocational training courses, there are a large number of so-called self-pay courses. These are offered online and face-to-face as well as some intensive courses. In addition to the Goethe-Institut, you can also find other language courses for all language levels at the Volkshochschule (VHS). You can find numerous private providers of German courses by searching the internet - it's worth comparing!
In addition to self-pay courses, you can also access a wide range of online courses.
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