Shenandoah

Colincostello,   Are you using the sim card from your Mother's old phone?  If so the number goes with the sim card as long as that sim card is still active.   If you are activating a new German sim card, the German phone number will be assigned or included with the sim card.     S.

Colincostello,   If you're interested, here is an inexpensive Nokia phone that I just purchased for my uncle from Saturn.  It was 20 Euro.  He says it works fine for him.  It also takes the full size sim card.     https://www.saturn.de/de/product/_nokia-105-2019-2647777.html   S.

colincostello,   There are three sim card sizes (smallest to largest):  nano, micro and standard.  Yes, when using an adapter to make the sim card larger, it is sometimes difficult to keep the adapter around the sim while trying to insert it in the phone.  One thing you could try is using a piece of tape (transparent desk tape) on the top of the sim card and adapter to keep it together.  The tape would be on the side with the writing/numbers, not the gold/metal contact side.  Good luck.     S.

I don't think there are any "free" German sim cards?  There are monthly plans that don't cost anything if you don't make any calls/texts or use any data.  For most German prepaid sim cards you pay 10 Euro for the sim card and the sim card has a 10 Euro credit on it when you activate it.  With a German prepaid sim, you'll need to do a video activation showing your passport.     Some of the best prepaid plans are Aldi Talk (on the o2 network), Edeka Smart (on the Telekom network) and Lidl Connect (on the Vodafone network).  Here's a link that covers many of the German prepaid companies:  https://prepaid-data-sim-card.fandom.com/wiki/Germany   You'll need to check what the plans currently offer as they usually change over time on the amount of data offered for each four week period.     S.

PandaMunich,   Thanks for posting the link, and a working link at that.     S.

PandaMunich,   Thanks for posting the link, and a working link at that.     S.

Markfusara,   I just tried the link and get the same message.  Not sure what changed when accessed the link/document a month or so ago?  I'm sorry about that.  I have a copy of the pdf and tried to send it to you in a private message, but it's larger than .24mb.        S.

Markfusara,   I just tried the link and get the same message.  Not sure what changed when accessed the link/document a month or so ago?  I'm sorry about that.  I have a copy of the pdf and tried to send it to you in a private message, but it's larger than .24mb.        S.

Folks,   I posted this link earlier in this thread:  https://www.finanzverwaltung.nrw.de/system/files/media/document/file/Klickanleitung_Elster_Wohngrundstuecke.pdf I read through this pdf and was able to enter the information in Elster without to much trouble.  Thanks.   S.

Folks,   I posted this link earlier in this thread:  https://www.finanzverwaltung.nrw.de/system/files/media/document/file/Klickanleitung_Elster_Wohngrundstuecke.pdf I read through this pdf and was able to enter the information in Elster without to much trouble.  Thanks.   S.

Colincostello,   Chromebooks usually have at least one USB A and USB C connector along with a micro SD memory card slot and a 3.5 mm headphone jack.  Chromebooks support Bluetooth, so you can connect a wireless mouse, Bluetooth speaker etc.  You can also use a wired mouse.     S

I'll second what Kaffeemitmilch suggests:  Chromebook.    Here's what I like about Chromebooks: They have excellent battery life, usually around 8-10 hours They are inexpensive They are durable They have a simple operating system with no extra programs or applications You can connect a USB C hub to the Chromebook and then connect an external monitor and keyboard, making it just like a desktop computer. I travel with an 11.6" Chromebook.  It is small, lightweight and I can power it with a USB C travel charger.    If you need to run special software that only works with Windows, then a Chromebook will not work.     S.

pete berlin,   I am also a non-resident property owner.  The only option available is to fill the Grundsteuererklaerung under Elster.  Do you have a logon/certificate for Elster?  If not, you should apply for one as soon as possible.     Take a look at the pdf link I listed in my earlier post.  It shows how you enter the information in Elster when you own a condominium.  You should be able to find the Flurstueck Zaehler and Nenner along with the Flaeche from the FIS broker website (https://fbinter.stadt-berlin.de/fb/index.jsp).    The "Zur wirtschaflichen Einheit gehoerender Antell Zaehler and Nenner" is found in the Grundbuch.  IF you do not have the pages from the Grundbuch, you can calculate the "Zur wirtschaflichen Einheit gehoerender Antell Zaehler and Nenner" from one of your Jahresabrechnung statements for your apartment.  On the Jahresabrechnung you should see the total build size (square meters) and your apartment size (square meters).  Divide your apartment size by the total building size to come up with your percentage/share of the building:  For example, apartment is 75 square meters; total building size is 1450 square meters.  75 / 1450 = 0.05152414.  For the "Zur wirtschaflichen Einheit gehoerender Antell Zaehler and Nenner" you would enter 51 and 1000; or 515 and 10000.   It's not too difficult, just a little confusing.   S.

pete berlin,   I am also a non-resident property owner.  The only option available is to fill the Grundsteuererklaerung under Elster.  Do you have a logon/certificate for Elster?  If not, you should apply for one as soon as possible.     Take a look at the pdf link I listed in my earlier post.  It shows how you enter the information in Elster when you own a condominium.  You should be able to find the Flurstueck Zaehler and Nenner along with the Flaeche from the FIS broker website (https://fbinter.stadt-berlin.de/fb/index.jsp).    The "Zur wirtschaflichen Einheit gehoerender Antell Zaehler and Nenner" is found in the Grundbuch.  IF you do not have the pages from the Grundbuch, you can calculate the "Zur wirtschaflichen Einheit gehoerender Antell Zaehler and Nenner" from one of your Jahresabrechnung statements for your apartment.  On the Jahresabrechnung you should see the total build size (square meters) and your apartment size (square meters).  Divide your apartment size by the total building size to come up with your percentage/share of the building:  For example, apartment is 75 square meters; total building size is 1450 square meters.  75 / 1450 = 0.05152414.  For the "Zur wirtschaflichen Einheit gehoerender Antell Zaehler and Nenner" you would enter 51 and 1000; or 515 and 10000.   It's not too difficult, just a little confusing.   S.

Jamiegw,   A big expense in the purchase costs is the Grunderwerbsteuer.  I believe that is around 6% of the purchase price (in Berlin) paid to the Finanzamt. You'll have to check what the percentage is where you bought.     S.