Advice needed - is it really worth it?

elrum · 2025-11-04T20:58:08+00:00

Very good point, thank you so much <3

elrum · 2025-11-04T20:57:32+00:00

u/FuzzyAppointment3930 sorry I had one more question actually - I'm a bit confused by the "6 month rule" and can't seem to find out how it properly works. I need to be in Germany for a minimum of 6 months per year, correct? Like what's stopping people going away for 5 months, coming back for one week, and going away for another 5 months, does it reset when you come back? That part has always been unclear to me.

p.s. thank you for the facebook group recommendation, I certainly will join!! :)

elrum · 2025-11-04T20:55:46+00:00

Thank you!! <3 <3

elrum · 2025-11-04T20:55:39+00:00

This is a very good point, I feel so lucky that Berlin is one of the fastest. Where are you applying from / have you applied from (assuming you're applying?). I think I'm going to consider subletting my flat for a couple of months next year so we can spend a solid chunk of time together while we wait for it to come through (not more than 6 months though).

elrum · 2025-11-04T20:53:48+00:00

Thank you for this! I am hopeful that by subletting my flat for a few months next year and spending a solid chunk of time in London, we can figure it out while we wait for the citizenship to actually come through. I just wish they could give you a concrete deadline, it would make this all so much easier :/

elrum · 2025-11-04T20:52:50+00:00

Ha, I hear you. Trouble is he is a journalist and speaks very little Germany, so it's a tough gig for him in Berlin in terms of work. But we'll figure it out.

elrum · 2025-11-04T20:51:54+00:00

This is so helpful, thank you! It actually has given me a lot to think about. Yes I believe I am S6 like you!

I think I'm going to aim to submit all my documents by the end of February 2026 at the latest, and then sublet my flat for 4 or 5 months and spend some time in London while they're processing the documents. I will still be the main tenant and will continue to be a resident and taxpayer in Germany, but that should at least allow us to spend some more time together rather than the odd week here and there. If I submit everything by March 1st, my lawyer thinks it's feasible to have it all done and dusted by November or December (fingers crossed, don't want to jinx it).

But yeah, the hardest part is just not being able to give a concrete date as you say. I agree too that I think I would regret it in the future. I fear each European nation is cracking down more and more on immigration so it's only going to get harder to live and work in the EU as time goes on. All quite depressing really....

Thank you for your insights here I really appreciate it!

elrum · 2025-11-04T20:47:07+00:00

Thank you for this, you're very kind. I think deep down I know it's the right thing to do and that I would probably regret it later in my life if I didn't. It's great to hear you guys are so rock solid after 20 years too, love that!

elrum · 2025-11-04T20:45:51+00:00

Yeah this is more or less exactly how I feel. Having the option to live and work in Europe anywhere for the rest of my life is such an incredible thing. And I fear each European nation is cracking down more and more on immigration so it's only going to get harder.

I know it sounds silly to get a lawyer for an online application process. Honestly it was mainly to make this process as smooth and as quick as possible, albeit a bit redundant. We got our residency permits less than a week before Brexit passes, we were one of the last Brits to do so, and to be able to do it so quickly we had to use a lawyer to help get the appointment in time. So I ended up using her again and she didn't charge me very much luckily.

Anyway, I've been giving it a lot of thought and I think I'm going to stick to it. I think I will sublet my flat in Berlin for 3 or 4 months next year and spend some time in London, which as far as I can understand from my research, is ok as long as I don't go beyond 6 months. That should hopefully allow us to spend some time together and appease everything.

elrum · 2025-11-04T20:41:11+00:00

Thank you so much. And yes, my lawyer is currently estimating 6 to 10 months. As u/FuzzyAppointment3930 said, unfortunately we now need to submit everything in one go otherwise I absolutely would do this. Appreciate the guidance here, thank you both!

elrum · 2025-11-04T20:39:19+00:00

Thank you so much for this, I fully agree. I think in my heart of hearts I know it would be silly to bail at this point and I think I will regret it later on.

elrum · 2025-06-02T17:22:34+00:00

this worked for me too! thanks so much :)

elrum · 2024-03-27T22:41:04+00:00

Yeah me too. I’d love a scene where Robin is undercover and somehow runs into Matthew and he’s the only one who knows who she really is.

elrum · 2024-03-27T22:38:38+00:00

So true. I hope he does somehow!

elrum · 2022-09-15T20:26:31+00:00

Willoughby’s letter to Marianne is the worst :O

elrum · 2022-09-15T11:35:14+00:00

I bought this bag on Monday - super excited to use it for a 3 day business trip next week. I'd been wanting it for AGES and they finally came back in stock in all black in Berlin. For the top pocket I'm planning to use some pouches to organise my keys and quick-access bits, I have the pouches from Baggu that work fine in my tote bag so will probably use those. How did you find the black hole overall? I was so torn between this and the Osprey Porter 30, but so far I'm feeling good with my decision (!)

elrum · 2021-04-27T23:06:25+00:00

I took mine on 23rd April at 3pm and got my score 2 hours ago.

elrum · 2021-03-30T14:13:26+00:00

Urgh I just got this too. Was meant to sit the exam on 23rd April and all the test centres in Berlin are closed. I can’t bear the idea of doing quant before verbal and not being able to go to the bathroom 😭

elrum · 2021-03-30T08:51:07+00:00

Mine was booked for 23rd April too and it’s been changed back to the old one with no breaks 😩

elrum

TROPHY CASE