Packstation - not for foreigners!

Remember the article about the Deutsche Post? Back then I was pretty happy with the services of the postal bureaucracy. Not today!

After I wrote about the Packstation, I thought I could try it and registered myself for this service. Several days later I received the yellow slip from DHL in my postbox telling me that someone has sent me a package. Even though it was clearly written that I can get it on the next day after 10:00 in the morning, I drove to the Filiale anyway. 

As half-expected, the woman at the sales-point could not tell me anything and advised me to come tomorrow. Fine, I packed my ID and drove away in a cloud of mystery (I still did not know who sent me the "package"). Today I went again to the post office, missing my lunch in the meantime, but proud that I will solve the case.

I gave my ID to the employee, he clicked a few times on the computer and went away to fetch it. Coming back from the store room, he asked to see my ID. The moment he saw that it is not German, he started a discussion with his colleague if he could AT ALL give me my package! After a short exchange, they decided that they cannot release it, because my German address is not on my Bulgarian ID. I told them that this will never happen and asked who will pay for my gas: driving 2 times to the post office and getting nothing! Of course, they could not do anything and gave me a free hotline to complain to. 

If this rule with the address on the ID is indeed existing*, then no foreigner can use this service. I understand the need for 100% security, but they should really think it through next time, as foreigners will be an ever-increasing part of the population.

Comments are as usual welcome below!

* It often happens that bureaucrats in Germany are not fully familiar with all the existing rules. It can also happen that out of fear not to do something wrong, they will often deny you something that is actually allowed. 

Taxation without representation

Germany pretends that it wants to attract as many foreigners as possible. A couple of years ago it was even ranked in the top for countries chosen by foreign students. Furthermore, it opened its job market to Romanian and Bulgarian university students before the deadline established by the EU. This all points to the conclusion that the government is thinking how to attract qualified personnel to Germany.

Great!

But, they should also think about giving some rights to those long-term immigrants that do not want to give up their nationality or do not need to (EU citizens). I, for one, after living since 2005 in this country and having paid diligently my taxes since 2008, would like to have a say in who is governing Germany. Granted, I can vote in the local elections (for city mayor) because I am an EU citizen, but I would also like to determine the national policy with my vote. If you tax me, then let me choose the people who determine how high the taxes are! 

There must be, of course, some limitation to this: be it measured by years spent in Germany, be it by the amount of taxes paid, etc. But foreigners who contribute to the German economy should also be given the most basic of human rights: the right to elect their representatives!

What do you think? Would you vote if given the opportunity?

Tagesgeld

As promised, here is the article on the best possibility to save your money in Germany.

What is Tagesgeldkonto?

It took me some time until I understood this concept, but once I learned about it and read online about it, it becomes quite clear. This is a savings account with full money availability and with higher interest rate than a normal Sparkonto! 

Differences with other offers 

A normal savings account will limit your liquidity, i.e. it will freeze almost all your money. Postbank for example offers you the possibility to withdraw only 2.000 Euro per month from your savings account.  A Tagelsgeldkonto has not limits on withdrawal - all your money are immediately (within 2-3 working days because of the bank transfer time) available. 

Furthermore, the best Tagesgeld banks offer 2,7% - 2,75% annual interest rate. Normal savings accounts offer you a lot less, around 2%. 

Festgeldkonto, on the other hand is a deposit account, in which you completely freeze your money for a given period. It offers higher interest rates: up to 3-4% per year. Generally, the longer the period you choose, the higher the interest. My opinion is that it is not worth the risk to have no liquidity for an additional 0,25% more than a Tagesgeldkonto.

Things to consider

When you are choosing a Tagesgeld bank, look how often the interest is paid: annual or quarterly Zinsgutschrift. This would be important if you invest higher amounts, as you can benefit from the interest effect. Also look at the Einlagesicherung: up to what amount your money will be guaranteed in case of a bank default. Most banks in Germany are members of special security organizations and guarantee up to 1 or even 250 Million Euro per customer. If you have 250 Million Euro in the bank, you should not be reading this blog for financial advice :)

Recommendation

I have been using the Bank of Scotland since 2-3 years and I am so far very satisfied. They have annual interest rate payment and one of the highest interest rates out there: 2,7%. I have tried various other banks that for a short period were offering more than that, but after the initial money gathering round, they have not been able to keep their rates higher than the Bank of Scotland.

Questions? Leave a comment