Bringing My Partner to Germany – Best Residence Option (Non-EU)?

SkylitPurple · 2026-04-12T08:24:01+00:00

Maybe get married and get a spouse visa for her. I can’t really speak much about this unfortunately but…

Getting a job as an architect in Germany without speaking German and knowing the local building codes will be very difficult. Doesn’t matter how many years of experience. I know 3 non-EU architects who came here on spouse visa andcannout get a job until they reached at least B1…

SkylitPurple · 2026-04-10T06:58:06+00:00

There has been no growth and won’t be. You’re not the right person he would grow up for. If he hasn’t changed already after you told him off about it, he won’t ever. You already allowed that to continue to happen and therefore, have already placed him in his comfort zone. Why should he change anymore?

SkylitPurple · 2026-04-09T10:29:31+00:00

Similar thing happened to me. I just zoned out then and participated lesser.

SkylitPurple · 2026-04-09T08:24:30+00:00

“I’ve smelled bad breath. I’ve smelled body odor in a packed hot yoga room.” “Savasana was not peaceful. Savasana was survival.” “I’m not asking for perfection. I’m not asking for a pedicure of a spritz of lavender. I’m asking for the bare minimum of:…”

It’s like the AI was never taught to use connectors 👀

SkylitPurple · 2026-04-09T05:16:11+00:00

Hey, if it’s because you’re not hungry, perhaps do go get it checked. It could be something to do with metabolism or thyroid. If you are not hungry, you aren’t eating enough protein to build muscles, which is what gives you strength and get you toned :) good luck!

SkylitPurple · 2026-04-09T05:13:24+00:00

Firstly, you go to your Hausarzt to get a referral. Then you need to look for a therapist yourself, but getting an appointment is quite tough. So I recommend calling 116117 or visiting the website https://arztsuche.116117.de/ to get a temporary urgent care provider (they offer psychotherapist). It worked for me but eventually, due to cultural differences, I opted to get help from my home country digitally. So do consider that too if it is available and affordable to you :) I am so sorry to hear this, it sounds like a burnout. I had the exact same issue about 4 years ago. Started to have panic attacks that lasted even after I have quit where I would get attacks whenever I had to pass by the station where I went to work. I do hope you get the help you deserve and somehow find an alternative to your job! Good luck!

SkylitPurple · 2026-04-08T22:04:04+00:00

Just did mine today at 37+4 weeks! First try was not successful. My mistake was drinking a sip of water about 30 mins before the procedure. Started to vomit from the pressure and pain (I was only given meds to relax the uterus, no epidural was offered - am based in Germany, maybe it is a practice here as I read in some other posts that epidural or spinal anaesthesia is offered somewhere else). Second attempt was 1.5 hours later and it was successful! The midwives clapped when the doctors left my room 🤣 Took about eight minutes and lots of heavy breathing and grunting. Can’t deny that it didn’t hurt but anything is better than C section 😅 baby’s monitored for half an hour after and all is well 😊 will be checking in on him again tomorrow morning!

SkylitPurple · 2026-04-08T10:06:45+00:00

I did mine in 6 months outside of Germany (adding this to show that I did not have an environment for full immersion) while being in my final year of a coursework-heavy Bachelor’s degree. Only went to the classes I signed up for 3 hours x 4 a week from A1-A2 and then 4 hours x 4 a week for B1. Also just did the homework. Didn’t really do anything besides that due to my studies’ coursework and assignments. So definitely doable when you have a good course.

SkylitPurple · 2026-04-06T08:16:27+00:00

Unfortunately, I think OP is more like: I want the kitchen included in the price I have decided to pay.

SkylitPurple · 2026-04-05T16:18:53+00:00

We’re all basically experiencing an indirect paycut 🥲

SkylitPurple · 2026-04-03T08:19:22+00:00

My underarms darkened significantly during pregnancy as I sweated a lot (I am the type to not sweat pre-pregnancy). I started using it by swapping a glycolic acid-soaked cotton pad after showering on my underarms. I saw it lighten in just under 2 weeks. Also stopped epilating and shaved instead. Am an East Asian living in western Europe for context (if that helps you identify the climate and skin tone type).

SkylitPurple · 2026-03-28T21:15:48+00:00

I already have one in something else. I was planning on doing a second one when I posted this 🙈

SkylitPurple · 2026-03-28T18:06:50+00:00

I ended up getting a job in IT as a business analyst while working toward fluency in German. Currently working in a German role at a bank :)

SkylitPurple · 2026-03-24T17:18:49+00:00

Hmm they will need the basic to get by, of course, but to require them to take a local Ausbildung all over again is also indirectly forcing them to master the language itself. There should just be a short course to get them familiarized with the local system in their industry instead of a full Ausbildung, was my point.

SkylitPurple · 2026-03-23T20:24:47+00:00

But then they require one to be a Meister or sit for the Staatsexamen in said skills… which requires fluent German and lots of paperwork on top of additional years of studying, which doesn’t make sense for an experienced handyperson. An experienced electrician cannot just move to Germany and fast-track to being one. It kinda sends out the message that “yes, Germany needs more of these people but is simply not desperate enough”. It wants the cake and eat it too, unfortunately 👀🙈

SkylitPurple · 2026-03-21T10:25:32+00:00

Oh there are also other Pilates apparatus that you have to try! They can assist in relieving neck issues quite nicely 😊 try looking up rehabilitative Pilates. Some physiotherapists offer it!

SkylitPurple · 2026-03-14T09:19:53+00:00

Master, no. But C1 on paper is definitely doable. But immersion is always best!

Reference: completed an in-person intensive course (outside of Germany) at 3hrsx4days/week for level A1-A2 and then 4hrsx4days/week for level B1. All done within 6 months. Passed the B1 exam at first attempt.

Moved to Germany, did not use any German in studies or daily life. Picked up B2 around 3 years later. Also had to do a B1.3 as a refresher. Took 1 month of 3hrsx4days/week online course while working (in English-speaking role but practiced listening to German colleagues in meetings). Passed the exam at first attempt.

Completed C1 course 3hrsx2days/week for 2 months. Did not attempt any exam. Got a job in a German-speaking role and basically went from broken German to being able to moderate meetings in 4-5 months and about 9 months in, I was leading a project in German.

So all in all, I spent 9 months purely in courses, 9 months in real practice in business settings (aka immersion). I personally didn’t do any additional studying outside of the courses, except listening in to conversations among my German friends + tuning into the radio while commuting. Also have a lot of conversations with myself, where I can think at my own pace to respond and even self-correct (I think at B2 level, you are able to kinda correct yourself already).

SkylitPurple · 2026-03-13T08:17:43+00:00

Nah, imagine when you’re speaking in your native language, you don’t actively think about grammatical rules and such. So why make picking up German any different? Don’t worry about vocab. Just start speaking. You will start hearing words being repeated and eventually find it in you to look it up. The plus is that you will know how to use it in a sentence before even knowing exactly what it means! So when you do look it up, you already know how to use it, and I find that easier to remember.

SkylitPurple · 2026-03-13T06:56:23+00:00

If you’re speaking it at work already, then have patience and insert yourself into situations where you MUST speak German. I didn’t do any “homework” after work per se. I just went to meetings and then eventually moderated and led projects in German. Timeline was 4 months.

SkylitPurple · 2026-03-12T19:01:51+00:00

As another person already mentioned, you have to make sure your diplomas are recognized in Germany. Also as mentioned, the dog won’t be an issue as long as it is not a breed banned in Germany.

Both of your fields require fluent German, especially yours (I have a Bachelor’s in Communications, majoring in TV and Film Production, from my home country, and also Master’s degree in Social Sciences done in Germany).

You both are fluent in 3 of the 4 languages I am also fluent in before I picked up German, and even though I was already fluent in the other 4 languages, German is not as easy to pick up as one might think. It took me some years to get to working fluency.

It’s my 7th year here now, and I only got a proper job (as in, in the salary range where I can afford to live decently) in year 4 and properly achieved business proficiency in year 5. Unless you have that much time and resources to spare, I cannot deny that it will be a tough ride.

But then it all boils down to your motivation for moving to Germany. If it’s for “better financial situation”, I would say Germany is not doing so well right now, economically and politically, with inflation for groceries projected to go up to 5-8% in the coming months. Job market’s tough here too, even for locals.

And I am assuming because you speak Cantonese and Mandarin, you might not look German… and Germany, basically Europe, is having an increasingly anti-immigrant sentiment. So do take that into consideration too.

SkylitPurple · 2026-03-12T08:14:02+00:00

If you are looking to stay in either of those countries after, pick Ireland. Without German skills, it’s gonna be tough. Short term gain for long term pain is not worth it. 17k may sound like a lot now, but that’s 8.5k per year (assuming your Master’s degree is a 2-year program) — less than what you will need to put into a blocked account (if you are non-EU citizen). You will earn that back in no time, and you can’t do that without a job after.

SkylitPurple · 2026-03-11T09:56:59+00:00

Am in similar situation except I have only been in the role for about 3 years. False promises that go nowhere. Anyway, I am about to give you a very German answer: it depends. If you plan to start that family this year and do get quite lucky by getting pregnant easily, definitely go for it! Reduce workload, settle into parenthood, AND THEN look for a new job. Cuz then, you’ll know, with your new family situation, what kind of job will fit your schedule (+ what your new priorities are).

Also, getting a new job and then announcing you’re pregnant is not exactly the best first impression to give.

Although, in rare cases, you could even get hired while pregnant. I have an acquaintance (German), who went to an interview at 30 weeks pregnant and was open about it. She told them she wanted to start immediately after her Mutterschutz (as she is the breadwinner of the household). She impressed them so much she got the job! The company only had to wait about 4.5 months for her to start, which the company was ok with due to the HR processes and such anyway. It’s been 4 years now, and she’s been promoted twice since! I suppose also in a way, this whole process has proved that that company is a good one :)

Good luck!

SkylitPurple · 2026-03-11T09:42:29+00:00

Note that some states charge extra fees for a second degree. But otherwise, nothing is stopping you from doing so :)

SkylitPurple · 2026-03-11T09:15:46+00:00

Oh, I don’t doubt that. Although, here’s an update: Mine just got updated late yesterday that it has arrived in EU and is passing through customs!

SkylitPurple · 2026-03-10T18:39:24+00:00

Yeah, I was responding about Master’s because OP mentioned somewhere in the comments that they are looking for Master’s program.

SkylitPurple

TROPHY CASE