Study in Germany
Highlights
- Population: 84 million
people live in Germany (2021). The majority of the people live in cities
and towns.
- Capital: Berlin
with 3.5 million inhabitants is not only Germany's capital city but also
the biggest city.
- Name: Bundes Republik
Deutschland (Federal Republic of Germany)
- Government: Democracy,
Republic
- Language: German
- Literacy: More than
99% can read and write.
- Religion: mainly
Christians (Protestants 34%, Roman Catholics 34%)
- Currency: 1 Euro =
100 cents, before 2001 German Mark/Deutsche Mark (DM)
- Flag
colors:
black, red and gold
- Population: 84 million
people live in Germany (2021). The majority of the people live in cities
and towns.
Germany is a country in the
heart of Western Europe. It borders Denmark, Poland, the Czech Republic,
Austria, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, the Baltic
Sea and the North Sea. Moreover, while pursuing your education in Germany, you
can benefit from the excellent transport links from Germany to other European
countries that give students the option of traveling and sightseeing other
popular cities in Europe, broadening your study abroad experience.
Germany, due to its high
academic level and free public universities, is one of the most popular
destinations for students to study
abroad in
in the world. There are hundreds of universities in Germany that have free
or very low-fee tuition programs available for international students. This is
why many people choose Germany to increase their academic level. Follow this
article and learn everything you need to study in Germany.
Home to 83 million
inhabitants, Germany is a land of diverse beauty, historical splendor, and
state-of-the-art innovation. If you like skiing, then Germany's mountains are
for you. Equally, those who love urban bustle, will be drawn to Germany’s
cities - the new pinnacle of cool in Europe. Tradition coexists with techno in
these pulsating centers of culture and counterculture, where you can enjoy
on Bratwurst and Stollen cake by day and dance in clubs by night.
Why
Study in Germany
1 - Outstanding universities
German universities are famous for delivering high-quality
education - a lot of these universities even rank among the best in the world.
By choosing to study in Germany, you can be sure to get an
education that is well above the global average, which will come in very useful
when looking for a job after graduation.
For the third time in a row, CBS has been voted the best private university of
applied sciences in the field of business administration in
Nordrhein-Westfalen und Rheinland-Pfalz in Germany and top digital education provider in
Germany in the current ranking of the magazine "WirtschaftsWoche".
All our study programmes are regularly accredited by FIBAA and the German Council of
Science and Humanities. Since 2018, it is the only university in Germany to
hold the international accreditation of the IACBE.
2 - Germany
is a safe country
Compared to other study destinations, Germany is a very safe
country.
No matter if it’s day or night, or if you're in the city or the
countryside, being out and about is fairly safe taking common sense
precautions.
3 - Stable
country
Germany is very stable when it comes to its politics and economy.
In recent polls, Germany was ranked 9th in the world for its perceived
stability.
Choosing to study in a stable country is a good choice for
your future prospects when you finish your studies.
4 - Diversity
Germany is a liberal and welcoming country that is full of
diversity.
At CBS International Business School, people from more than 75
different nations come together to study, work and develop. The slogan Creating tomorrow is the focus of the CBS
vision: We want to create a better tomorrow, to positively change the future.
This mission includes the equal treatment of all individuals and their
inclusion in the CBS family.
We were also recently voted the 3rd most LGBTIQ-friendly
University in Germany. Our main campus is located in Cologne - some call "the gay
capital" of Germany.
5 - Wide
range of study programmes
No matter what point of your studies you’re in, there’s a study
programme for you in Germany.
Because we have so many universities, there’s a large number
of Bachelors, Masters, PhD, language courses, etc. to
suit every students’ needs.
6 -
English-taught programmes
Just because you’re studying in Germany doesn’t mean that you have
to stury in German! You’ll easily be able to find English-taught programmes at
most German universities suited for international students.
7 -
Practice-orientated studies
Most German universities believe that the best way to learn is by
applying your knowledge in practice, so a lot of the study programmes -
especially at Universities of Applied Sciences - will be very
practice-orientated.
At CBS we collaborate with German companies in our business
projects where students experience
real-life work situations preparing them for life after university.
8 - Lower
tuition fees
University fees can be expensive, but luckily in Germany the
tuition fees are a lot lower compared to other countries like the US or the UK.
So here in Germany, you can study at top-ranked universities at affordable
tuition fees.
9 -
Scholarships
Depending on your situation, you may need to use financial aid or
apply to a scholarship programme to help finance your studies.
In Germany, there are lots of different options for financing your
studies - both from private institutions and from the state government.
10 -
Affordable cost of living
The cost of living in Germany is surprisingly low when you compare
it to other nearby countries like France, The Netherlands, and the UK. It’s
even lower if you are a student due to various student discounts.
11 - Social
life
When you move to Germany you’ll quickly realise that it’s the
perfect place for young people, especially if you live in one of the major
cities.
A lot of the cities have a vibrant nightlife, plenty of
restaurants and bars, as well as lots of festivals and events throughout the
year to keep students entertained.
We’re sure you’ll never be bored studying abroad in Germany!
Learn more about campus & student life at CBS
12 - Work
while you study
Unlike some other countries, international students are allowed to
work part-time during their studies in Germany. You can work up to 20 hours a
week, or 120 full days a year.
Working alongside your studies is a good option for those who may
need extra money to fund their time abroad, but it can also be helpful to gain
work experience and increase your employability.
Some common jobs for students in Germany include babysitters,
administrative staff in universities, bartenders, or English tutors.
13 - Powerful
student visa
The visa for international students in Germany is particularly
strong, especially when it comes to the rules on staying in the country and
traveling.
Once you get your visa, you will be allowed to travel visa-free
around the whole Schengen area and apply for a German residency permit that can
last until well after you graduate.
14 - Lots of
other international students
As Germany is such a popular study destination, there will be lots
of other international students to make friends with.
Most other students will be in the exact same position as you -
starting life in a new country where they probably don’t know anyone - so most
people are always up for making friends and hanging out after class.
15 - Links to
the rest of Europe
Germany is in the heart of Europe and has excellent travel links
with surrounding countries like France and The Netherlands. There are lots of
great cities that are no more than a few hours away that you could easily make
a day trip to visit.
Once you’re in Europe it’s relatively easy to travel around
countries by plane or train, so make the most of it while in Germany.
16 - Learn
German
There’s no better way to learn German than by living in Germany.
Even if you’re not taking language lessons, you should find it easy to pick up
some phrases throughout your daily life.
Not only will knowing German help you when meeting new people, or
going to the supermarket, but it will also help with your future employability.
If you plan to work for a German company, you’ll definitely stand out from the
crowd if you know German.
Even if you don’t work for a German company, having an extra
language is an impressive skill that lots of employers look for.
17 - German
culture
Germany has a rich and diverse culture that you can easily soak up
while living here. Some of the most important literature, inventions, and
scientific discoveries came from Germany so there are lots to learn about.
18 - Lots to
explore
Germany is a big country with many major cities that are all
unique and special in their own ways, so make the most of it and visit as many
as you can.
You can check out the banking hub in Hamburg, the history in
Berlin, Oktoberfest in Munich, and the famous cathedral and carnival in Cologne
- and so much more.
19 - Career
opportunities
Germany has a thriving economy and high employment rates for
international students, and by studying in Germany you will increase your
chances of being able to take advantage of this.
There are lots of big companies in Germany, from fashion companies
like Adidas to car manufacturers like BMW, all looking to hire the best new
graduates.
20 - Staying
in Germany
Finally, once you’ve finished your study programme at a German
university, there is a good chance you will find employment.
German Education System
There are over 500
officially recognized institutions of higher education in 165 towns and cities
in Germany that offer over 15000 study programs.
German higher education institutions are internationally
accredited - according to the Institutional Ranking of World University (ARWU),
6 of the top 100 and 18 of the top 200 universities in the world are German.
The readings here will place you among the oldest and most established
universities in the world, as well as some of the most innovative and
innovative universities.
Public and
Private Universities:
There are 400 public
universities in Germany, which are available to 95% of university students.
These institutions are funded by state funding, which means students do not pay
tuition fees (except for small administrative expenses at the beginning of each
week). There are also about 120 private institutions that do not receive
government subsidies and are not state-owned, which means that they have to
raise their own funds.
Bologna program:
Higher education in
Germany has recently evolved into a three-level European Higher Education Area program
established under the Bologna System. Instead of the old one-tier 'long'
programs, Germany now offers postgraduate courses leading to Bachelor's
degrees, and postgraduate studies leading to a Master's or PhD (Doctorate). The
program is designed to be synonymous across Europe, stimulating the movement of
international education and improving the flexibility of learning goals.
Postgraduate
Education:
The German higher
education system distinguishes between different types of universities in
different categories:
·
Technische
Universität (Schools of Technology) teach science, technology and engineering
·
Fachhochschulen
(Applied Sciences) focuses on business, engineering and social sciences
· Kunst-
und Musikhochschulen for universities that are creative and creative, music,
media and communications
Postgraduate
Education:
Master's degrees are
taught by subjects (unlike research-oriented PhDs), and usually for two years
(four semesters). It may be 'chronological' or 'chronological'. The successive
Master’s program builds upon an obtained Bachelor’s - they follow from a
related degree and do not charge a fee. Subsequent programs focus on a specific
area of study. These courses may cost a fortune, and may require work
experience or more than an undergraduate degree.
Universities in
Germany care categorized into the following three groups:
1. Technical
University / Technische Universität (TU)
2. Universities
of Applied Sciences / Fachhochschule
3. Colleges of
Art, Film and Music.
• Technical
University / Technische Universität (TU)
The degrees offered here include Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate
degrees. The technical universities impart theoretical knowledge and also they
are highly focused on research. There is a tremendous focus on research and
this is one of the reasons that Germany is known for cutting edge innovations.
The faculties here include Education, Engineering & Science, Law, Medicine
and Business Management to name a few.
• Universities
of Applied Sciences / Fachhochschule
These universities are more inclined towards imparting practical
knowledge. They offer the bachelors programs in general but some do offer
masters programs as well. Even though research at these universities is gaining
ground, the main focus is yet on application oriented study. They offer
excellent job opportunities due to their close tie up with the industry. They
offer well-founded academic training for degree programs in the field of
technology, business and management, social studies, media and design.
• Colleges
of Art, Film and Music
These colleges offer artistic subjects, such as music,
architecture, visual arts, drama, dance, industrial and fashion design. A
number of directors, cinematographers, screenwriters and other film and
television professionals are trained at these colleges. Admission requirements
for these courses include demonstration of a specific talent through an
entrance examination.
After
the initial period of your residence permit ends, you can extend it for an
additional 18 months while you find a job - once you find a job, you can stay
for even longer!
Types of degrees in Germany
Bachelors:
Bachelor degrees
in Germany are between 3-4 years in duration. Since almost all undergraduate
programs in Germany are taught in the local language and therefor students need
to appear for an exam known as TestDaf (Test of German as a Foreign Language).
The TestDaf is a standardized language test of German proficiency for
non-native German speakers. The students can also take the German Language
University Entrance Examination (DSH) to apply for undergraduate courses in
Germany.
13 years of education:
It is required
for entry in a Bachelors program in Germany. This can be achieved by
successfully completing the first year of a Bachelors program from a recognized
university in India in the relevant subject field or by successfully completing
a foundation year at a university in Germany to compensate for the 13th year of
education.
Masters
Germany is known
to offer a number of masters’ degrees in fields such as engineering, IT,
computer science, management as well as medicine. The masters can be completed
in 1 to 2 years. Students are expected to have a minimum of 70% in their
Bachelors.
English Language Requirement:
You are required
to take the IELTS exam and score a minimum of 6.5 as Germany has very high
standards for admission.
Medium of Instruction – The
courses are taught in English as well as German.
English Language Requirement: You are required to take the IELTS exam and score
a minimum of 7.0 as Germany has very high standards for admission.
German Language – We advise
you to achieve a basic level of German language proficiency by completing the
A1 level, as more and more universities are expecting it apart from it being a
requirement for Visa as well. It is well noted that candidates with German
language skills have a much better chance of getting admission in German
universities as compared to candidates with no German language skills.
Germany Language Proficiency: You are
required to take any of the following three exams to show your German language
proficiency.
1. The Test of German as a Foreign Language (Test DAF): It is held six
times a year in test centers throughout the world.
2. The German Language University Entrance
Examination (DSH): It is administered only at German universities
and will test your proficiency and suitability for university study.
3. ZOP of Goethe Institute.
GRE:
It is
needed for good and high ranked Universities. A minimum of 310 is considered as
a good score. GRE is a mandatory requirement for some Automobile and Mechanical
courses offered by the highly ranked German universities.
There is no
concept of applying without IELTS or without a final year mark sheet in most of
the universities. It is recommended that you apply once you are ready with all
the documents including the IELTS score card and the Provisional Degree
Certificate. German universities do not offer conditional offer letters to the
students.
Germany Scholarships for International Students
Being the strongest economy and providing the best academic
environment, Germany provides the best chances to achieve your degree with a
unique real cultural experience. Germany also provides relaxation as far as
budget is concerned. Studying in Germany is not a high-cost program as compared
to other European countries. Studying abroad always requires the best financial
management skills. In this regard, Germany proves to be a student-friendly
country for international students in terms of living, traveling, and academic
costs. There are different scholarship programs carried out by well-known
organizations in Germany for foreign students. Scholarships are great
assistance for hardworking and ambitious students who can only dream of
studying abroad. The following are the well-known scholarship options for
foreign students to study in Germany. These organizations are playing a major
role as they offer a stable platform for diligent and deserving students.
DAAD Organization
There is an amazing organization named German Academic Exchange
Service, which is a joint venture of different higher institutions to promote academic
relations at the international level. Their main focus is on the academic
courses, exchange of students, and offering different scholarships. There are
different conditions for offering different scholarships. Most of them require
a bachelor's degree that should not be more than six years old and two years of
work experience. This organization is also known as DAAD Organization. It
provides 850€ to 1200€ monthly depending upon the degree program.
Heinrich Boll foundation
This foundation offers almost 1200 scholarships per year to the
students opting for different educational courses. The students need to be
enrolled in German universities. The scholarships depend upon academic
performance as well as social interests. It provides different amounts of
scholarships for two years, depending upon different programs. The scholarships
can be extended for six months twice on a request.
Deutschland Stipendium National Scholarship Program
They provide scholarships to competent and ambitious students
from all over the world. It also provides scholarships to the students studying
in different universities of Germany without considering the nationality or
income. The scholarship is for two years. However, the university analyses the
performance of the student after two semesters to assess whether the student
still fulfills the standard to get a scholarship or not.
Konrad-Adenauer- Stiftung Scholarships
The scholarships are offered to the students with outstanding
academic performance as well as taking part in political activities. It is
especially to encourage foreign students. It is for those students who want to
do PHD or research work. The Ph.D. students from the developing countries that
are experiencing political evolution are the priority. They offer different
amounts depending upon the academic course. The scholarship program also
strengthens the relationship between different countries and Germany through
cultural networks and dialogues.
Erasmus Scholarship Program
Erasmus is another good choice for foreign students to study in
Germany. This program is funded by the EU and is offered to students coming
from the different continents of the globe. The students need to get registered
from higher education and then signed by the university of their country as well
as German university. The scholarship is provided for traveling, living, and
academic costs. It is provided for one year. Most of the renowned EU
universities along with the German universities are part of this program.
The Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Program
This scholarship is provided for students who want to do a
doctorate in Germany. The students must exhibit good performance. It is offered
to students from all parts of the world but it is not widely given. Only forty
students get the scholarship per year. The eligibility criterion for this
scholarship is to learn the German language.
Admission & Application Procedure for Germany
The application often starts with an online-form which has to be
filled. Subjects in medicine, dentistry, pharmaceutics and animal health, the
application has to be sent to a central office. For all other programs the
application has to be sent so the foreign office of the university or one has
to apply with uni-assist. One can also apply through the university web page.
Step 1 – Research:
The students should do their research on the universities or their
colleges that they wish to apply to along with the programs that they are
interested in applying for. Each university is known for a certain
specialization in which they rank high. So the university selection will depend
on the course that the student is interested in.
We at AM Consulting counsel you to understand your careers goals
and aspirations and accordingly design a custom roadmap for you. We will then
help you in shortlisting of the courses and the universities that you should
apply to, based on a number of factors.
Step 2 – Taking the Required Tests:
Take the IELTS test and score a minimum of overall 6.5 for the
Bachelors programs and 7.0 for the Masters programs. Also a GRE is required in
order to apply to a good German University.
Step 3 – Make online or paper application:
As indicated by each University or apply through UniAssist. You
will need to pay the application fee. We will assist you in filing out the
application form along with sending the required documents to the universities.
Step 4 – Preparing the Documents:
Next the students need to put together the following documents for
the application process:
Transcripts & Degree Certificate:
Transcripts
are mark sheets presented in a certain format. Transcripts
are mark sheets presented in a certain format. A student will need to apply at
their respective schools or colleges for getting their transcripts issued. Each
transcript and degree will be attested from School/College/University and after
that attest from IBCC, HEC and MOFA.
Statement of Purpose/Essays:
Each university will need the student to submit a Statement of
Purpose (SOP) as part of the application packet. The SOP is a life story of a
student in around 800 words which allows the admission committee to separate
the best applications from the average ones. An SOP will contain answers to
questions such as what have you studied till now and why? Why are you
interested in the particular course that you are applying for? What have you
chosen that university? What are you short and long term goals? And so on. All
the students applying for a Bachelor’s degree as well as a Master’s degree will
need to submit their Statement of Purpose specific to each university. MBA
applicants will have to answer 3-4 university specific essay questions. An SOP
can make or break a student’s application and is one of the most important
parts of the application process, especially when a student is targeting the
top 10-15 universities. A crisp and well-crafted SOP can make up for a low GRE
or GMAT score or even low academics.
AM Consulting specializes in drafting solid SOP’s which have
helped our students secure admits into some of the top universities in Canada.
You can contact us here to know about our SOP packages.
Letters of Recommendation:
Universities require you to submit a minimum of two letters of
recommendation (LOR) as a part of your application. One is a professional one
and the other is an academic one. You need to nominate your manager at your
workplace and a professor at your college for writing these letters for you.
These LORs are also one of the most important parts of your application wherein
your referees make a case for your selection to that particular university. You
need to nominate referees who know your well and under whom you have grown
professionally or academically.
We at AM Consulting provide assistance in writing LOR’s for our
students. You can contact us here to know more about our LOR packages.
Resume:
The students need to prepare a professional looking resume which
is no more than 2 pages, as part of their application. The resume should
contain the student’s academic as well as professional information.
Germany Language Proficiency:
You will also need to furnish your German language test results
for indicating proficiency.
Proof of Work Experience/Internships/Social Work:
In order to strengthen the application, a student can submit
additional documents such as an offer letter, internship experience letter or a
certificate for completion of social work done at a local non-governmental
organization (NGO).
Step 5 – Application submission:
The application needs to be submitted by filing in the application
forms and submitting the documents along with paying the university application
fees.
Step 6 – Test Score Reporting:
After applying to the universities, the student will need to
report his or her GRE/GMAT and the IELTS/TOEFL scores to the various
universities that they have applied to. The universities ask for the scores to
be directly sent to them via the testing authorities. Reporting to each
university will require a certain fee to be paid to the testing authorities.
Step 7 – Finalizing the University:
After receiving admits from universities, finalize one university
and the required deposit there thereby confirming your place.
Visa Requirements
for Germany
Students
in Pakistan must obtain a visa for German students to be allowed to study in
Germany. Once you have received your university admission letter you should
reach the German ambassador to Islamabad or the German Consulate General in
Karachi to begin the process of applying for a German student visa.
The
authorities will explain the details to you, but usually, the ambassador will
need the following documents:
·
The university’s admission
letter
·
Resume
·
Proof of Financial Resources –
(a minimum of €11,208)
· From 1 January 2023, the presumed annual requirement that
must be paid into the blocked account when applying for a visa amounts to 11,208 euros. The account may only permit the withdrawal of
a certain amount per month (for students this is currently 934 euros).
·
Proof of Health Insurance in
Germany
·
University Entrance
Qualification
·
Certificate of Language
Proficiency
·
Two applications form filled properly
·
Degrees & Transcripts
·
A valid passport
·
Photograph
·
Two biometric portrait
photographs
·
Proof of Paid visa fee – €75
(Euro)
· The German student visa is EUR 75 or PKR 20,430.36— the visa
fee is reduced to EUR
37, 50 for minors or PKR 10,215.18. You must pay the visa fee in cash at the embassy/consulate.
Important note: As for proof of financial
resources you can use a number of ways to prove your money to cover your
studies in Germany, but the most effective and popular way for Pakistani
students remains a blocked German account. Learn more about the process of
opening a blocked account in Germany.
Career & Employment
12 EUR/Hour
As
an international student, you are permitted to work for 120 full days or 240
half days in a year while studying in Germany, This will help you in getting a
bit of extra pocket-money to take care of your monthly expenses. After
completing your degree in Germany, you can stay in the country for up to 18
months to look for a job that is in line of your study area.
Once
you have a job offer which corresponds to your qualifications, you can choose
whether you want to apply for a German residence permit or an EU Blue Card for
the next part of your stay. If you intend to live and work in another EU state,
the EU Blue Card may be more beneficial for you than the German residence
permit.
Temporary work is a great way for students to
earn money while studying. If you are from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein,
Norway or Switzerland, you are allowed to work as many hours per week as you
wish. However, if you work more than 20 hours a week, you should pay for
national insurance. To save money, and to make sure their studies take
priority, many students choose to work 20 hours or less a week. If you are from
a non-EU country, you are allowed to work 120 full days or 240 days of the
year. If you wish to work beyond this, you must apply for permission from
Agentur für Arbeit (a local employment agency) and Ausländerbehörde (foreign
registration office). If you choose to work, some German language skills will
help you, and it is a great opportunity to develop those skills.
Post Study Work Permit
Students from non-EU
countries wishing to work in Germany after graduation can extend their 18-month
residence permit to find work related to their studies. To apply for a
long-term permit, you will need:
Passport
· A
Digital University certificate or an official document from your university
that confirms that you have successfully completed your studies
·
Documentation
proving that you have health insurance
·
Proof
that you have earnings of supporting yourself financially
18 months starts as
soon as you get your final exam results, so you should start looking for a job
during your final period. During these 18 months, you can work your best and
take on any type of work to support yourself.
Living & Tradition
People, language and culture are what make
German culture so unique. It has played an important role in Europe's history,
not only. English speakers call it German, Germans themselves call it Deutschland.
Germany is known as a land of poets and thinkers. German culture has been
influenced and shaped throughout Germany's rich history and as an integral part
of the Holy Roman Empire, and subsequently became one of the world's most
stable economies. While today, Germany is home to 82.2 million people including
Germans and a handful of other respectable nations, and together they make
Germany a land of values, unique celebrations and cultures.
In this article, we have provided facts about
German culture, which have its roots in the early first millennium, though in
the long run it lost and gained distinctive features in historical events not
only similar to Germany but the rest of Europe. First, here are some facts
about modern Germany. Although English-speaking countries call it German, the
Germans call it Deutschland. l'Allemagne in French, Germania in Latin and
Almanya in Turkish.
Berlin is its capital, but Hamburg, Munich
and Cologne are also among the major German cities. It is estimated that the
average woman in Germany lives about 83, while the average man lives to 79. The
main language is the German religion and the main religion is Christianity.
There are many sectors of the German population, because they drink a lot of
beer (of course), they work hard and they save time (and that's true), and that
the unemployment rate in Germany is very low (it's true too).
The weather:
Legally spring is between the months of
March, April and May in Germany. Summer is from June to August. Autumn is
between the months of September, October and November and winter is December
through February. However, it is not unusual to have snow in May when cherry
trees with full blossoms or warm and humid days in October are paired with
beautiful autumn colors.
Languages:
Unfortunately, the official language of that
country is German. More than 95 percent of the population speaks German as
their first language, according to the Angelo State University's Center for
International Study. Other languages spoken include Serbia in eastern Germany;
North and West Frisian, spoken near the Rhine region; and Danish, spoken mainly
in the area near the Danish border. Romanian, an indigenous language, is also
Turkish and Kurdish.
Religion:
In Germany 65% of the population professes to
be Christian, 29% of whom are Catholic. There is also a small Muslim group of
4.4%. A high proportion of up to 36% do not identify themselves as religious or
other than Christianity or Islam.
Literature:
Germany is one of the leading countries in
terms of learning, too. The German publishers, publish about 94 billion books a
year, and the International Frankfurt Book Fair, the world's most important
event, is held in Germany. Many do not know, but the first known book was
printed in German, just as it was the first widely known magazine. According to
a study by Allensbach Media Market Analysis, 44.6% of Germans read a book at
least once a week, and 58.3% of Germans buy at least one book a year.