I am periodically asked what is Antolin, as people have heard that it’s a good thing or that it’s recommended to use it at school. Most of my children’s teachers, however, are not enthusiastic about Antolin, and I will briefly explain why below.
Expat’s life
Special schools and inclusion for kids with speech delay in Germany
In Germany, there are different forms of education for kids with speech delay and speech development problems. These can be pure special schools for children with speech problems, general special schools for children with special needs, and inclusion (education in regular classes). In each specific federal state, this can be only one of the options or a combination of them.
In this post I will explain why these special schools for kids with speech delay are nothing to be afraid of, what is good about them, how they differ from regular schools and inclusion and where to find them in different federal states in Germany.
Сommunal and European parliamentary elections in Germany 2024
As usual, municipal elections and European parliamentary elections in Germany are held jointly. I don’t know what the level of participation will be, but the level of advertising for these elections is very high: literally every pillar is covered with posters. In this topic, we will sort out all small and big parties, study the unusual principle of communal voting and find out who votes for what. You may be surprised and learn something new about your favorite political party, and adjust your preferences not only for the European level.
Is interest income taxable in Germany? Bank bonuses and interest income in declaration
After a fairly long period of interest rate drought, the banking situation has returned to more normal. Interest income began to flow into savings accounts again, and banks began to lure clients with bonuses. What does Finanzamt think about this? In this topic, we will consider when and how to document interest income and bonuses in the German tax declaration.
Vocational training in Germany – looking for Ausbildung
Have you considered pursuing vocational training in Germany because you can’t find a job in your field and don’t know where to start?
This information will also be useful if your child is approaching 10th grade, and it’s time to decide what path to take. Remember, Abitur, the university admission qualification, can be obtained not only at the gymnasium. Let’s explore what official sources offer us. By the way, a lot.
What is Aufhebungsvertrag
In this topic, we will find out what is Aufhebungsvertrag (termination of an employment contract by agreement of the parties), what pros and cons it has. In addition, we will explore what is Abfindung and Sperrzeit.
Secondary schools in NRW (North Rhine-Westphalia)
Secondary schools in NRW are a diverse system with several pathways into higher education. NRW is one of the few states with an almost comprehensive website on secondary education.
Deductible expenses for second home for work in German tax return
Are you renting (buying) a second home to spend the night closer to work? This will be called Doppelte Haushaltsführung. There are a number of deductible expenses for second home in Gerrman tax return. Let’s take a closer look at how this is done using the example of an employee. An individual Self-employed can also rent a second home (and write them off as Betriebsausgaben). The principles of deduction will be the same.
It also makes sense to review the rules and restrictions for those who are just thinking about whether or not to take such a job that you will have to rent a second home.
Changes in Germany 2024. Finance, tax, insurance
We continue to study the changes in Germany 2024. The previous post was rather sad – there they take our money and demand new demands. Let’s see if there will be any compensation in the financial, insurance, taxes and benefits.
What’s new in Germany in 2024. Mobility, energy, ecology, consumption
Traditional review “What the coming year has in store for us.” Obviously, nothing good, but maybe a couple of positive moments will sweeten the pill. This part is mainly about energy, ecology and consumer news: railways, cars, shopping.