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LOST & FOUND IN DÜSSELDORF

Almost everyone loses something sometime. Yet recovering lost property or taking of urgent protective measures are not quite so easy. Usually the police deliver any lost and found items in their possession to the lost property office within ten to fourteen days. And there they stay for six months or until they are claimed.

If the owner of the item is known and lives in Düsseldorf, then they are informed in writing. Items belonging to those residing in another city are transferred to their municipal lost property office accordingly.

Lost items belonging to foreigners living abroad are often sent to the respective government representation such as the Consulate or Embassy. And if they are aware of contact details, they can inform the owner.

The 24/7 hotline 116 116 for lost cash and credit cards in Germany leads to a central service which helps block any lost or stolen cash or credit cards. It can also apply to other sensitive items like mobiles, smart phones or employee cards. The call is free of charge within Germany.

Any items that you find can be handed in to the municipal lost property office, Fundbüro, to a citizen’s office, Bürgerbüro, or a police station, Polizeirevier. If after six months the true owner cannot be identified then ownership of the found item is normally transferred with notice sent in writing. Some items left in trams or buses such as bicycles and umbrellas are auctioned at regular intervals.

Düsseldorf’s lost property office, Fundbüro, posts all items that have been handed over on their website in the link below. They are categorised in lists according to the item and date found. If the location and item seem to fit, then enter your details into the online form to commence the recovery process. Registration of a lost item is done here too. 

The Rheinbahn, Regio Bahn, Deutsche Bahn , Taxi Düsseldorf and Düsseldorf Airport have their own systems, should you lose something whist travelling.

On a lighter note: Your editor once discovered the script of a gift card in a store in the centre of Düsseldorf that read: I keep trying to lose weight… but it keeps finding me again. Priceless!

By Vincent Green, Jun 2 2020

Landeshauptstadt Düsseldorf
Fundbüro

Erkrather Strasse 1-3
40200 Düsseldorf

+49 211 899 3285

Sandy beach, water and 2 women

BEACHES IN DÜSSELDORF

To the surprise of newly arrived expats, some sections of the Rhine in Düsseldorf offer numerous beaches on both banks. The fine sand and shingle are ideal for walking, playing, relaxing and picnicking. Especially on warm and sunny summer days, people flock to enjoy the river. 

Written text on paper

GERMAN FOR FUN

We stand in a foreign culture finding ourselves pointing, gesticulating and hoping to be understood. Germans mostly speak at least some English. However, some expats relocating to Düsseldorf may wish to carry a few basic but helpful words with them for use in awkward moments.

Artist performing on carpet

EXHIBITIONS IN DÜSSELDORF

Art venues and museums in Düsseldorf regularly present selections of their fine pieces in well arranged exhibitions. Regular exhibits also include fascinating or rare works from across the globe with loaned art and artefacts.

Original language movies are popular among expats in Düsseldorf. Films are frequently screened in English at a variety of cinemas in original with subtitles, known as OmU or Original mit Untertitel and without, portrayed as OV or Original Version