Terms of use

Effective Date: 16.10.2024

1. Welcome to AboutAachen.com

Thank you for visiting AboutAachen.com, a platform dedicated to supporting expats and internationals as they settle into life in Aachen. About Aachen is part of the About Group, a brand from Deutsche Content GmbH, and our goal is to provide reliable, crowdsourced information and community-driven support to help make your journey easier. These Terms of Use (the “Terms”) apply to your use of our website, app, events, and any related services.

By using our platform, you agree to these Terms. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].

2. Who Can Use the Platform?

You must be at least 18 years old to use AboutAachen.com or attend any events, unless you have permission from a parent or legal guardian. By creating an account or attending an event, you confirm that you meet this requirement.

3. Our Services and Subscriptions

We offer a range of free services, including access to public content, reviews, and event information. Some premium features, such as personalized content and exclusive access to certain resources, are only available through a subscription.

Subscription Details:

  • Subscriptions are available on a monthly or annual basis.
  • You can cancel your subscription anytime through your account settings. Please note that cancellations must be made at least 24 hours before the next billing cycle to avoid being charged.
  • If you cancel, your subscription will remain active until the end of the current billing period.

All payments are securely processed through Stripe, and we’ll send you a receipt via email after each transaction.

4. Contributing to Our Community

We love when our community members share their insights! By contributing reviews, posts, or other content, you help fellow expats navigate life in Aachen. When you submit content to the platform, you grant AboutAachen.com a perpetual, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use and share your contributions.

Profile Guidelines:

To maintain a trustworthy community, we ask that you use a recent, real photo of yourself for your profile. No avatars, group photos, or inappropriate images, please. Accounts not following these guidelines may be suspended or removed.

5. Information on Our Platform

Our platform is a collaborative space where users can share experiences and information. While we strive for accuracy, some content may be user-generated or sourced from public data, which could be incomplete or outdated. Always double-check important details like visa regulations, health advice, or housing policies with official sources.

We are not responsible for any loss, injury, or inconvenience caused by reliance on the information provided.

6. Attending Events and Meetups

Our events and meetups are designed to help you connect with fellow expats. However, please note that your attendance at any event is at your own risk. We encourage you to meet in public spaces and take necessary safety precautions. AboutAachen.com is not responsible for any injuries, losses, or damages that occur during events.

Participants must be 18 years old or have parental or legal guardian permission to attend events.

7. Affiliate Links

Some links on our website are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. This helps support our platform, and we only recommend products or services that we believe will benefit our community.

8. Prohibited Conduct

To keep our community safe and welcoming, we ask that you do not:

  • Promote other websites, apps, or services without permission.
  • Post spam or unauthorized advertising.
  • Share illegal, abusive, or harmful content.

We reserve the right to remove content and suspend accounts that violate these rules. In cases of spamming, we may charge a fine of €300 or more to cover the costs of managing the infraction.

9. No Professional Advice

The content on AboutAachen.com is based on personal research, experiences, and user contributions. It is not intended to replace professional advice. We do not provide financial, legal, or any other official advice that requires professional certification. Please consult with a qualified professional before making important decisions.

10. Limitation of Liability

While we hope to provide you with valuable information and services, AboutAachen.com cannot be held liable for any direct, indirect, or consequential damages that may arise from your use of our platform. This includes:

  • Inability to access or use the platform.
  • Issues or disputes that arise from interactions with other users.
  • Injuries or losses incurred during events or meetups.

Our total liability to you, if any, will not exceed €100 or the total amount of fees you have paid to us in the past 12 months, whichever is greater.

11. Intellectual Property

All content, trademarks, and logos on AboutAachen.com are owned by Deutsche Content GmbH or licensed for use. You may not use any of our intellectual property without our express written consent.

12. Changes to the Terms

We may occasionally make changes to these Terms to reflect updates in our services or legal requirements. While we won’t notify users individually, the latest version of the Terms will always be available on this page. We encourage you to review them from time to time to stay informed. By continuing to use our platform, you agree to the updated Terms.

13. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of Germany. Any disputes arising out of or related to these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in Berlin.

14. Contact Us

If you have any questions about these Terms or your account, please reach out to us at:

Email: [email protected]