Cookie policy

What are cookies?

Cookies are small files stored on your device that help websites function better. Think of them as tiny notes that help our website remember things about your visit and work more smoothly.

How GermanyCompass uses cookies

We use Google Analytics to understand how people use our site and we use Google Analytics cookies to analyze website usage and improve our Service. We also show advertisements through Google AdSense, and some outbound links are affiliate links whose networks may set a cookie when you click them. Each is explained below.

Types of cookies we use

Based on our service, we use four main categories of cookies:

1. Google Analytics cookies (performance cookies)

Google Analytics cookies - These help us understand how our website is used

What they do:

• How many people visit our website
• Which pages are most helpful
• How people navigate through our site
• General location data (country/city level)

What they DON'T do:

• Your personal identity
• Your specific browsing habits across other websites
• Any sensitive personal information

2. Essential cookies (strictly necessary)

Essential cookies - These make our website work properly

These cookies are necessary for our website to function and cannot be disabled. They help with basic functions like:

• Keeping the website secure
• Remembering your cookie preferences
• Ensuring pages load correctly

3. Google AdSense advertising cookies

We show advertisements through Google AdSense on parts of the website. Google and its certified partners may set advertising cookies to measure ad performance and, depending on your consent choices, to personalize the ads you see.

You can manage ad personalization in your Google Ads Settings, and you can refuse these cookies via our cookie banner.

4. Affiliate network cookies

Some outbound links on GermanyCompass are affiliate links (marked near the link). When you click one, the affiliate network involved (for example Awin or Daisycon) may set a cookie in your browser so the retailer can attribute your visit or purchase to GermanyCompass and pay us a commission.

These cookies are set by the third party, follow that network's own privacy policy, and only activate when you actually click an affiliate link.

Why we use cookies

We use cookies to:

• Improve Our Service: Google Analytics helps us make our site more useful for expats
• Understand Usage: Your feedback helps us understand what information is most valuable
• Website Functionality: Essential cookies ensure our website works properly for all users
• Keep the site free: Advertising and affiliate cookies fund the site so all our guides stay free to read

Your cookie choices

Managing cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling cookies might affect how our website works for you.

Google Analytics opt-out

You can disable Google Analytics tracking using browser settings or opt-out tools. Visit Google's opt-out page to stop Google Analytics tracking at: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout

Browser settings

You can delete or block cookies in your browser settings. Here's how to manage cookies in popular browsers:

• Chrome: Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and other site data
• Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
• Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data
• Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Cookies and site data

Consent and legal basis

By using this website, you consent to the use of these cookies. Our legal basis for using cookies is:

• Essential Cookies: Legitimate interest (necessary for website functionality)
• Google Analytics Cookies: Consent (consent can be given or withdrawn in the cookie banner)
• Google AdSense advertising Cookies: Consent (personalized ads only run if you accept them in the cookie banner)
• Affiliate network Cookies: Only set by the third party when you click an affiliate link

Third-party cookies

Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics cookies to analyze website usage and improve our Service. Google may process your data in the United States. Google is certified under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework.

Data Transfers: Since we use Google Analytics, some of your data may be transferred to the United States where Google processes it. Google provides appropriate safeguards for these transfers under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework.

Google AdSense

Google AdSense delivers the advertisements on our site. Its cookies are governed by Google's advertising privacy policy. The same EU-US Data Privacy Framework safeguards apply.

Affiliate networks

Affiliate cookies (for example from Awin or Daisycon) are set and controlled by the network, not by us, and only after you click an affiliate link. See the network's own privacy policy for details and retention periods.

Data retention

Google Analytics data: This is automatically deleted after 26 months

No personal data collection

Important to note: We do not collect personal data from users browsing the website. You can read our guides, check our service directory, and use our interactive checklist completely anonymously.

Website browsing: We don't store any personal information from your browsing

Your rights

Under GDPR, you have the right to:

• Object: Ask us to stop processing your information
• Control: You can delete or block cookies in your browser settings
• Opt-out: Use Google's opt-out tools to stop analytics tracking

Children and cookies

There are no age restrictions for using this Service. However, minors should use the Service under appropriate adult supervision. We don't knowingly collect personal information from children under 16 without parental consent.

Updates to this cookie policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. When we do: We'll post the new version on this page, We'll update the "Last Updated" date, If there are significant changes, we'll make this clear on our website.

Contact us

If you have questions about our use of cookies:

For complaints about cookie usage, you can contact the German Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (BfDI) at www.bfdi.bund.de or the data protection authority of your federal state (Landesdatenschutzbehörde)