Can you live in Germany with only a knowledge of English?

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Fenris General of trolls

yes

t_maia2000

Yes, you can, since nobody is going to kill you for not knowing German.

And since many people in Germany speak at least basic English you can go about your everyday business without knowing any German pretty easily.

But it is bloody inconvenient since you still need to deal with German institutions and authorities who insist (rightfully so) upon communicating in German with you. You are going to get letters from your bank, your insurance company, the GEZ, advertisements, German authorities - and in order to understand what they want you either need to read German or have a German willing to translate it into English for you.

You are also required by law to learn German if you are there for the long-haul. This is especially important for non-EU citizens, because not knowing German after having lived in Germany for over a year can be a reason to deny you the residency permit.

frackledJJ

Technically: Yes. Sure. But basically everybody can screw you over, since every contract (lease, telephone, insurance...) is going to be in German. Since, especially in bigger cities, you will almost always find someone who will be able to help you with everyday things, but "contract" German is a thing for itself, as is "contract" English, and not everybody will be able to help you understand what people want from you, even though they might want to and try to. Things will come up that you have never heard of (GEZ, for instance, who are a hassle for everyone, even the Germans) and that make no sense, and the "AuslÃ¤nderamt" is pretty unhelpful in situations like that. So... Yeah, everyday living, especially in bigger cities, might be easily accomplish-able, but really living here, buying a car, renting a house, getting insurance and so on would be extremely difficult without a working knowledge of German.

Biedronka

Not really. I have lived for the past 3 years in Berlin and find that things are so much easier if you speak the local language. People really appreciate it when you try. It took me a few years to speak at a conversation level and find that I use it always, as many people especially from the east still only speak German and Russian (older generation).

I am sure you would rather be speaking with locals than huddling together with other English speakers complaining about everything!

Speculation Retard

You will have a hard time living without the knowledge of German. Talking of my experience, though most people will understand what you are speaking at least in cities, you may have problem in understanding when they communicate back to you. And I am talking about Frankfurt where I needed to find directions. You cannot keep searching for people who understand English when you are asking for directions, can you?

To tell you the fact, I learnt a fair amount of German during my 10 day stay there. You should definitely learn German while you are in Germany.

fieldhockeyfan25

yea it might be hard at first but then u can almost be fluent in the language in about 6 months if ur surrounded by german

I Say, Old Chap!

Yes it is possible, but you will pick it up quickly as English is a Germanic language so there are many, many similarities between the two, making it easy to learn.

Ash

You can but you should really try to learn it!! Its a really fun language to!!

Poppy_I.

Yes, you can. All you need is to have good enough skills to work with an English/American company located in Germany that furnishes you with a German secretary.

Bernd L

Yes you can, because many people in Germany speak better English
than some Americans. And many people will help you; until they find
out that you donÂ´t want to learn anything about the language.

Kaiser Nazi Troll King

Yes you can do it most speak English there but the obvious question is if your going to live there why not try to learn while there? They will appreciate you far more if you try to speak. I know I would.

Mitsukuni Haninozuka

German students start learning English in 4th grade or so, so most of the population knows English. You'll be fine.

meee

yes but it wouldnt always be easy

celebrate_me_home_2000

You can.

You can get a job by the military post if you are lucky workin gin AAFES.

You don't ever have to really speak German the whole time you are here.

You probably will not make any real German friends unless you have a few who like speaking English.

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