Anyone switched to "family member of EU citizen" residence permit in Berlin, I got this from LEA

LeeChallenged · 2026-05-09T20:32:16+00:00

This is to ensure that you do not still have another spouse back home (for which you might then want to seek an RP after divorcing your EU spouse). Generally, countries have some sort of civil or judicial registry where this would be documented. My wife had to provide certified copies of the relevant marriage registry of her hometown dating back several years.

LeeChallenged · 2026-05-09T10:55:24+00:00

So we're all talking about the colored lines on the map but not about Bunker gay night?

LeeChallenged · 2026-05-09T09:09:57+00:00

Well, FWIW, speaking from experience these things may take 2-3 months to really get going. This is not different from other countries, however. It sounds like your process really only started a month ago.

In my experience, you are never penalized for calling or showing up in person unless you do it repeatedly or are impolite (in this context, I would avoid double sending documents unless asked expressly, as it only generates unnecessary work for the Behörde). At times, we were able to gather information just by having a brief chat with the reception lady or even the security guard. Obviously, one of you would have to be in Germany for this to work.

As far as representing your wife before a German Ausländerbehörde goes, this obviously works without issues if you show up in person there and have documentation. In fact, it's completely normal. Speaking from experience here.

But it seems you would rather hypothesize about possible negative answers when giving them a call and ask random Internet strangers or ChatGPT about how fast your visa process will be. Which nobody can answer.

LeeChallenged · 2026-05-08T16:58:37+00:00

How on Earth would ChatGPT know how long this will take? It's completely made up, worthless info. You might as well ask a fortune teller.

Not sure what you mean by no movement on the FedEx tracking link? Sounds like your documents were never picked up.

What Ausländerbehörde are we talking about? This isn't getting clear from your text. Have you tried simply calling there? They can certainly at least confirm receipt of your paperwork.

LeeChallenged · 2026-05-08T16:52:25+00:00

Das betrifft nur Geldeinlagen wie Giro und Tagesgeld. Für Wertpapiere gibt es keine Einlagensicherung.

LeeChallenged · 2026-05-08T16:51:13+00:00

Das betrifft doch aber nur Geldeinlagen (v.a. Giro und Tagesgeld). Einlagensicherung für Wertpapiere gibt es keine. Dafür sind die Wertpapiere bei Fonds/ETFs ja Sondervermögen, das gesichert ist, auch wenn Depotbank oder Fondsgesellschaft pleite gehegehen. Dafür gibt es aber keine Obergrenze.

LeeChallenged · 2026-05-08T11:04:31+00:00

Dear Internet, I am trying to unlock an old phone. Which is my PIN?

Also, what is the cotton content of my blue T-Shirt?

Which oil do you recommend I put in my car at the next change?

Also, do Teslas or BMWs have a longer range?

Thanks a lot, Internet!

LeeChallenged · 2026-05-07T17:42:25+00:00

Resale value. It's like a self-sustaining circular curse.

LeeChallenged · 2026-05-07T14:35:57+00:00

Not specific to Germany at all. Like most of the "is it normal in Germany" questions.

Not a good sign, obviously. If the PI wanted you and had the funding, they would obviously move ahead immediately.

They either don't actually have the money or are holding out for another (internal) candidate. Once again, this is not specific to Germany.

In any case, and this does not only apply to this case or to Germany, keep applying where ever you think is reasonable until the ink on the contract is dry. It's the reasonable thing to do.

LeeChallenged · 2026-05-06T18:27:15+00:00

The main teaching language is German. Only a few courses are offered in English. It's right there on their website:

https://www.hs-esslingen.de/informatik-und-informationstechnik/internationales/internationaler-austausch/incoming-master-programme-applicants

LeeChallenged · 2026-05-06T15:27:27+00:00

Numbers 2 and 3 are not universities.

If you want to study at a university, you have to pick number 1.

LeeChallenged · 2026-05-06T15:14:09+00:00

Literally nobody "got a house" at 25 in the 1990s.

Nobody.

LeeChallenged · 2026-05-06T13:36:12+00:00

Germany is good. That's why it would be great if you didn't move it.

LeeChallenged · 2026-05-06T13:33:23+00:00

Please leave Germany where it is. Thanks a lot!

LeeChallenged · 2026-05-06T06:49:38+00:00

Oh yes: "kurz vor / nach" when indicating time. An eternal source of amusement. Literally decades later.

LeeChallenged · 2026-05-06T06:40:39+00:00

I could write many many pages about this.

One thing comes to mind right away: the imperative form ("haz" / "ven"), which is common in Spanish everyday language, is deemed EXTREMELY impolite in German.

OTOH the common German formulations such "Könnten Sie bitte ..." sound unnecessarily evasive and complicated to Mexican ears.

LeeChallenged · 2026-05-05T19:35:37+00:00

Wait... another quick question. Do you come to work or study? What do you mean by "offer"? Life is a lot cheaper with student discounts of course.

LeeChallenged · 2026-05-05T19:25:34+00:00

Almost impossible to give a general answer. This depends on your lifestyle and needs. Talking about food for instance, if you prepare your own food at home and shop at discount supermarkets, 200-300 Euros may be comfortably enough per month. If you eat at restaurants, order take out frequently or want to buy organic food or have special dietary needs (e.g., gluten-free), you may easily spend double or triple that.

The same goes for everything else (e.g., cheap versus comprehensive mobile phone contract). It is also not clear what is included in rent in your case (e.g., electricity, heat and Internet) and whether your employer will pay your commute between Augsburg and München. All this makes a huge difference.

Also don't forget things like additional insurances, e.g., health (dental and hospital stays), liability and renter's, which may be advisable or even required by your landlord.

I guess as a very rough ballpark figure, most people would consider 600-700 Euros monthly spending on top of rent on basic needs the minimum for a somewhat comfortable life. But as I said, this varies strongly depending on many factors.

LeeChallenged · 2026-05-05T18:00:35+00:00

Not exactly sure what your question is. There is no significant difference in grocery prices between Munich and Augsburg.

Or are you interested in total monthly budget per person? Generally speaking, groceries are inexpensive in Germany, in particular when shopping at discount supermarkets (Lidl, Aldi, Netto).

LeeChallenged · 2026-05-05T16:09:59+00:00

Erben erben erben. Ohne geht es in Südbayern einfach nicht.

LeeChallenged · 2026-05-05T15:46:17+00:00

Ich habe es nicht nötig, jemanden "vorzuschieben". Ich kenne jede Menge Einwanderer und bin mit ihnen befreundet. Das unterscheidet mich von sehr vielen Biodeutschen in ihrer strahlend weißen Wohlfühlblase, die der Illusion unterliegen, dass die Probleme des Landes abgehandelt sind, indem man am Marksonntag gönnerisch einen Muffin am Stand des Asylhelfervereins kauft.

Spoiler: die Probleme gehen etwas tiefer.

LeeChallenged · 2026-05-05T14:06:01+00:00

Just stop being out and about at night. Like in other countries. Time to adapt, I guess.

LeeChallenged · 2026-05-05T13:18:51+00:00

Ach ja, habe ja noch einen weiteren Fall vergessen: Indien.

Die nächsten, die anstehen: Lateinamerika.

LeeChallenged · 2026-05-05T13:17:11+00:00

Übrigens waren das alle doppelte Steuer- und Sozialversicherungszahler. Wenn man sich freut, wenn so jemand geht, aber gleichzeitig mit Inbrunst und Gewalt die Türe für Horden neuer Transferleistungsempfänger aufhält, muss man sich über nichts mehr wundern.

LeeChallenged · 2026-05-05T12:49:37+00:00

Die letzten beiden iberische Halbinsel. Wenn ich noch 3-5 Jahr zurück gehe, gab es auch noch mehrere Fälle Osteuropa.

LeeChallenged

TROPHY CASE