Temporary loaner furniture is available at most installations. This includes tables, chairs, sofas, beds and dressers. In addition, major appliances like washers, dryers, and some transformers are available to borrow for the duration of your tour. Schedule delivery of loaner furniture as soon as you’ve found a home.

The Utilities Tax Avoidance Program (UTAP) helps to offset the taxes added to German utility bills and is available through most installations in Germany. Water, electricity and natural gas can be included in UTAP; garbage, cable/satellite TV, sewage, telephone, Internet, heating oil or propane gas deliveries cannot be included in UTAP (see VAT office for exceptions). Signup at your on-installation UTAP office.

UTAP The Utilities Tax Avoidance Program (UTAP) helps to offset the taxes added to German utility bills and is available through most installations in Germany. Water, electricity and natural gas can be included in UTAP; garbage, cable/satellite TV, sewage, telephone, Internet, heating oil or propane gas deliveries cannot be included in UTAP (see VAT office for exceptions). Signup at your on-installation UTAP office.

Savings

• Electricity: 19 percent VAT and energy tax

• Natural gas: 19 percent VAT and energy tax

• Water: 7 percent VAT

• Deposits waived

INTERNET SERVICE If you live on-installation, your internet choices may be limited to the one that the installation has a contract with. Also, if you live in a smaller village off-installation, you may only have one or two choices for internet.

• Digital Subscriber Line (DSL): Many providers offer plans with flat-rate monthly fees based on transmission speeds.

• Cable internet: Offers high-speed access and continuous connectivity but is not as widely available as DSL.

TELEVISION SERVICE

AFN (American Forces Network)

• Provides programming from current U.S. networks and prime channels.

• You can use a decoder and satellite for AFN when living on the German economy or sign up for the AFN Now streaming service.

Satellite

• Visit www.sky.com.

• You will need a satellite and a decoder.

Streaming services

• Examples—AFN Now, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Netflix, etc.

• Show variety and availability may be limited because you are outside the U.S.

• Some offer a unique German option with the internet suffix .de

Welcome to Germany