Filly Belly — Your guide to Europe, the Indian way

Who we are

Indians making Germany home

We're Filly Belly — a duo of Indians living in Braunschweig, Germany. What started as sharing food finds on Instagram has grown into a full travel & lifestyle channel for one of Europe's most underserved audiences.

Our content is built for Indians in Germany and Indians back home planning their first Schengen adventure. We know the visa stress, the budget hacks, the train apps, and where to find good masala chai in Prague.

We speak your language — literally (Hindi, English, learning German) and culturally.

📍 Braunschweig, Germany 3 years creating Travel Food Expat life Language learning

If our guides helped you plan a trip or move to Germany, you can support the next one:

Students & Job Seekers

Benefits waiting for you in Germany

🚌

Semesterticket

Most German universities include a Semesterticket — free or heavily discounted public transport for the entire semester, usually covering the whole state.

Value: up to €800/semester in savings

💶

BAföG — Student Financial Aid

Government student aid up to €992/month. Half is a grant, half is an interest-free loan repaid later. EU and some non-EU students qualify after a period of study.

Apply via: bafög-digital.de

🍽️

Mensa & Studentenwerk

Student canteens (Mensa) run by Studentenwerk offer hot meals for €1.50–3.50 with a student ID. Also subsidised housing, psychological counselling, and child care.

Typical lunch: €2–3.50 with student card

💊

Student Health Insurance

Statutory health insurance for students costs ~€120/month at funds like TK, Barmer, or AOK. Free if covered under parents' German insurance (Familienversicherung) and under 25.

Best for students: TK (Techniker) or Barmer

🧑‍💻

Werkstudent Jobs

During the semester you can work up to 20 hours/week as a Werkstudent without full social security contributions. Companies actively recruit for these roles. Rates: €12–20/hour.

Find on: XING, LinkedIn, university job boards

🏦

Blocked Account (Sperrkonto)

To get your student visa, deposit ~€11,208 in a blocked account. Released monthly at €934. Providers: Fintiba, expatrio, Deutsche Bank. Setup in 1–3 days online.

Easiest: Fintiba or expatrio online

📋

Recognition of Qualifications

Germany officially recognises foreign degrees. Use anabin.kmk.org to check your degree's status. For regulated professions, apply via the relevant state authority.

Check: anabin.kmk.org or anerkennung-in-deutschland.de

🔍

Job Portals for Germany

LinkedIn and XING are top networks. StepStone, Indeed.de, and make-it-in-germany.com (government portal for international workers) for listings.

Best: LinkedIn + StepStone + company websites

📄

German CV Format

German CVs (Lebenslauf) include a professional photo, date of birth, and nationality. Keep it to 2 pages. Include an Anschreiben (cover letter) and copies of certificates.

Use Europass or Canva for a clean template

🗣️

German Language

B1–B2 German opens most doors. Goethe Institut, Volkshochschule (VHS) courses (€50–150/semester!), and DW Deutsch are great starting points.

Cheap option: VHS courses €50–150 per semester

💰

Minimum Wage & Rights

Minimum wage is €12.82/hour (2024). All workers regardless of visa status are entitled to paid holidays (minimum 20 days/year), sick pay, and maternity/paternity leave.

Minimum wage: €12.82/hour (as of Jan 2024)

🧾

Arbeitsagentur Support

Federal Employment Agency offers free job counselling, language courses (Integrationskurs), and relocation support for qualifying workers. Register at arbeitsagentur.de.

Free German courses via Arbeitsagentur

Immigration & Visas

Which German visa is yours?

Most common
Student Visa · §16b AufenthG
Studienvisum — Student Visa
For anyone admitted to a German university (Uni or Hochschule). You'll need an admission letter, proof of funds via a blocked account (Sperrkonto), health insurance, and a valid passport. Valid for duration of studies + 18 months job search after graduation.
💰 Blocked account: ~€11,208/year (€934/month)
⏱ Processing: 4–12 weeks at German embassy
💼 Work allowed: 120 full days or 240 half-days/year

Job Seeker Visa · §20 AufenthG

Arbeitsuchende — Job Seeker Visa

6-month visa to come to Germany and search for a job. You must have a recognised foreign degree, sufficient German language skills (usually B1–B2), and enough savings for the stay. You cannot work during this period — only interview.

💰 Funds required: ~€5,604 (€934 × 6 months)

⏱ Duration: 6 months, non-renewable

📋 Key: Degree must be recognised in Germany

Skilled Worker · §18 AufenthG

Fachkräftevisum — Skilled Worker Visa

For professionals with a recognised vocational qualification or degree and a concrete job offer from a German employer. Since the 2023 Skilled Immigration Act, qualifications from non-EU countries are more easily recognised.

📋 Required: Job offer + recognised qualification

⏱ Processing: Varies by embassy + employer

🔄 Leads to: Permanent residence after 4 years

EU Blue Card · §18g AufenthG

Blaue Karte EU — EU Blue Card

For highly qualified workers with a university degree and a job offer above the salary threshold (€45,552/year in 2024; €41,042 for shortage occupations like IT, engineering, medicine). Faster route to permanent residence.

💰 Min salary: €45,552/yr (or €41,042 for shortage jobs)

🏠 PR after: 21 months with B1 German, 33 months otherwise

👨‍👩‍👧 Family: Spouse gets immediate work authorisation

Opportunity Card · §20a AufenthG

Chancenkarte — Opportunity Card

New since November 2023. A points-based visa to come to Germany and look for work — even without a confirmed job offer. Points awarded for language skills, work experience, age, and previous ties to Germany. Can work part-time (up to 20h/week) while searching.

⭐ Points needed: 6 points from the criteria catalogue

💼 Part-time: Up to 20h/week while on this card

⏱ Duration: 1 year (extendable once)

Family Reunion · §28–30 AufenthG

Familiennachzug — Family Reunion

Join a spouse, parent or child already living legally in Germany. Spouses generally need basic German (A1 level) before the visa is issued. Children under 16 can usually join without language proof. Immediate work authorisation granted.

🗣 German needed: A1 for spouses (Goethe A1 certificate)

💼 Work rights: Immediate work authorisation granted

📋 Sponsor needs: Valid residence permit + adequate housing

Useful links

Official information for German visas

First 30 days

After you land — what to do first

Anmeldung — City Registration

Register your address at the local Bürgeramt within 14 days. You'll need your passport, rental agreement, and a filled Anmeldeformular. You'll receive a Meldebescheinigung — the key document for everything else.

→ Book your slot online — walk-in queues are long

Bank Account

Open a German bank account as soon as you have your Anmeldung. Best for newcomers: N26 (fully online, English), DKB (free, wide ATM network), or Commerzbank (branches everywhere).

→ N26 or DKB: open entirely online in 1–2 days

Health Insurance

Health insurance is mandatory. As a student apply through TK, Barmer, or AOK (~€120/month). As an employee your employer registers you automatically. Choose your Krankenkasse before starting.

→ TK and Barmer have English-speaking support

SIM Card

Get a German SIM immediately — you need a local number for almost all registrations. Best prepaid: Aldi Talk (Telekom network, best coverage), Lidl Connect, congstar, or O2. All available without a contract.

→ Aldi Talk: €9.99/month, 10GB on Telekom network

Steuer-ID (Tax ID)

Your 11-digit Steueridentifikationsnummer arrives by post 2–4 weeks after Anmeldung — automatic, no application needed. Give it to your employer so tax is calculated correctly.

→ Keep this number safe — it's yours for life in Germany

Finding Housing

WG-Gesucht.de for flatshares (WGs). ImmobilienScout24 and Immowelt for full apartments. eBay Kleinanzeigen for private listings. Studentenwerk housing for students (waitlists exist). Never pay before viewing.

→ Start WG-Gesucht searches 6–8 weeks before arrival

Deutschlandticket

€58/month for unlimited travel on all regional trains, S-Bahns, U-Bahns, trams, and buses across Germany. No distance limit on regional services. Cancel anytime. The single best value purchase in Germany.

→ Buy via any transport app or DB website

Integration Course

Government-subsidised German language + orientation course — 700 hours total, ending in a B1 exam. Cost: ~€1.95/hour after subsidy (or free if registered with Arbeitsagentur). Register at bamf.de.

→ Register at bamf.de or your local Arbeitsagentur

Travel guides

Real itineraries, real budgets

France

4 Days

Europe · Paris, France

Paris on a Budget — The Indian Way

From the Eiffel Tower to hidden boulangeries — covering Paris without tourist trap prices. Plus where to find Indian food when you miss home.

Budget: ~€350–450 per person

View full itinerary →

Czech Republic

3 Days

Europe · Prague

Prague — Europe's Best Budget City

Stunning, cheap, and easy from Germany. A weekend trip that punches way above its price tag.

Budget: ~€200–280 per person

View full itinerary →

France

2 Days

Europe · Dunkirk, France

Dunkirk — History on the Beach

Operation Dynamo, WWII bunkers, and fresh seafood on the French coast. Way more than a Christopher Nolan movie.

Budget: ~€180–260 per person

View full itinerary →

Croatia

7 Days

Europe · Split & Dubrovnik

Split & Dubrovnik — Summer 2026

The Adriatic coast, scuba diving, Game of Thrones walls, and the freshest seafood. Coming this July.

Budget: ~€700–900 per person

View full itinerary →

Luxembourg

2 Days

Europe · Luxembourg City

Luxembourg — Tiny Country, Big Views

One of Europe's smallest countries with insane fortress views — and free public transport nationwide.

Budget: ~€150–220 per person

View full itinerary →

Poland

4 Days

Europe · Warsaw & Kraków

Poland — Pierogi & Palaces

Kraków and Warsaw — medieval history, incredible food, and extremely wallet-friendly.

Budget: ~€250–350 per person

View full itinerary →

Germany

Day Trips

Germany · From Berlin

Germany Day Trips from Berlin

Hamburg, Hanover, Berlin — perfect day trips using the Deutschlandticket.

Budget: ~€50–100 per person/day

View full itinerary →

Work with us

Reach India's European audience

Our audience is a niche no mainstream European creator owns — Indians living in Germany, and Indians in India planning their first Europe trip. 99.2% non-follower reach means every Reel is a discovery engine, not just a follower update.

UGC Only

€150–300 / deliverable

1 short video (15–60s)
Raw files handed over
No posting required
Brand owns usage rights
Best for: apps, food, products

Your guide to Europe,
the Indian way

Indians making Germany home

Everything you need, in one place

Tour Itineraries

Visa Types

Students & Job Seekers

After You Arrive

Ask Us Anything