Moving to Germany

Countless parts of Germany appeal to expats. From the business-focused Berlin to the cultural hotbed of Munich, through to the romantic countryside of the Black Forest, there are sights, sounds, career prospects and safe spaces suitable for all. Some areas may suit certain demographics more than others, so we’ve highlighted some key areas for you to consider.

Families are made to feel welcome throughout Germany, and whether it’s stunning views, a fabled history or the hustle and bustle of a city that piques your interest, you won’t be short on options. Munich is a wonderfully safe space with an array of excellent international schools alongside its strong job market. Hamburg is a great choice for those who love outdoor space, welcoming neighbourhoods and fewer crowds than Berlin. Stuttgart is also worth considering. It offers a much more relaxed pace of life than many cities and provides great career options for parents working in engineering. Furthermore, it’s also revered for its safety.

As a digital nomad, you can take your work anywhere, but in Germany, it can pay off to be based in certain locations. Berlin is regarded as Europe’s capital for digital nomads. With countless co-working spaces, a creative vibe and a large English-speaking community, it can be a great place to start. Leipzig often goes off the radar, but its relaxed atmosphere, lower cost of living and growing creative scene also make it one to add to the list.

If moving to Germany comes once you’ve retired, there are plenty of options to choose from. For a good quality of life that keeps you close to the vibrancy of a city, Bremen, Trier and Darmstadt all offer a wonderful mixture of green spaces, history and a relaxed pace. If moving out of the city is high on the agenda, Altdorf bei Nürnberg and Calau provide gentle, peaceful surroundings for a quiet retirement.

Germany is generally considered a safe place to move to, but some areas may not provide what you are looking for. The high cost of living in Munich and Hamburg may be best avoided if living on a budget.  Some parts of Essen, Duisburg-Marxloh and Gelsenkirchen-Buhr are often noted for their lower quality of life, higher crime rates and increased anti-social behaviour.

Moving to Germany generally requires non-EU citizens to obtain permission for long-term stays. In most cases, this involves applying for a national long-stay visa (Type D), which allows individuals to live in Germany for work, study, or family reunification.

However, citizens of certain countries, such as the USA, Canada, Japan, and the UK, may enter Germany visa-free for short stays (up to 90 days within a 180-day period) and can apply for a residence permit after arrival if planning to stay longer.

EU citizens do not require a visa or residence permit to live and work in Germany, making relocation within the EU considerably simpler.

Once in Germany, you must register your residency. If you are an EU national, register your address at your local Burgeramt office within 14 days of moving in. For all other nationals, a residence permit is required. This should be done at the earliest opportunity. For those holding a Type-D visa, registration is expected immediately after arrival, and for Visa-exempt nationals, anytime between 2 and 4 weeks is acceptable.

Apply at the Auslanderbehörde in your city, providing your passport, proof of finances and accommodation, health insurance and a Visa stamp (where required). Expats are advised to book an appointment as delays are common.

Once you’ve held a resident permit for five years, you can apply for permanent residence, with citizenship possible after eight years. Exceptions are possible, making the timelines much shorter.

To open a bank account in Germany, you’ll need to be a resident. This does not have to be permanent residency, so expats early in their German experience are eligible for opening a bank account.

Most banks will require you to show a passport with your visa or residence permit, proof of your German address, evidence of employment and proof that you are a student if opening a student account.

Contactless payments are widely accepted in Germany, but not as widespread as in the UK. You’ll find that most retailers and businesses will accept this method of payment, but smaller operators tend to prefer cash for transactions of €20 or less. You may also find that many places prefer debit cards rather than credit cards, so a German bank account will be essential.

Living in Germany is not as expensive as you may think. Compared to many other European countries, it’s considered affordable. Major expenses such as rent, groceries and public transport are often lower than in Paris, London, Zurich and more. There is, of course, some regional disparity. Southern Germany tends to be the most expensive area of the country, while eastern cities are among the most affordable.

The minimum wage in Germany is set to be the second-highest in Europe by 2027. Currently set at €13.90, it will rise to €14.60 in January 2027. This means that a minimum gross monthly wage of €2,500 is possible. The average salary just breaks €50,000, and with high-level tax rates only applying to salaries above €70,000, the average earner in Germany should be able to see their wages go further than in many other countries.

Using the latest Numbeo data, we’ve highlighted some common expenses you’ll encounter in Germany and compared them to those of one of the most expensive countries in Europe, the UK.

Before moving to Germany, you will need to organise somewhere to live. Both the rental and ownership markets are open to expats, but you’ll likely have larger deposits and higher interest rates to deal with. Aside from that, the process for renting or buying property in Germany as an expat is quite simple.

Renting property in Germany as an expat is easy. There are a host of property portals, all filled with a range of properties. As mentioned earlier, rent varies greatly by region, so research beforehand is imperative. Once you have found a house or apartment, provide ID, proof of funds, references and a valid visa or residence permit to a letting agent or landlord, and you’ll be good to go. Properties are often unfurnished and sometimes even require you to install the kitchen. A deposit of 3 months’ rent is common, but this can be paid in instalments.  Tenants do have a degree of protection, and German law states that a landlord must keep the rent within 10% of the local average.

Buying property as a foreigner in Germany has no restrictions for EU and non-EU citizens, but they are advised to remain aware of surprise fees and the high deposits often required.

Property prices in Germany vary, with properties in cities such as Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt costing much more than similar properties in more remote rural areas. It’s also worth noting how much difference there can be by region. Southern Germany tends to have the highest property prices, whereas Eastern German cities are among the cheapest.

To buy a house or apartment in Germany, use online portals such as ImmobilienScout24 or hire an agent. Then secure pre-approval on a mortgage before you make your offer. You’ll then need to source a notary for drawing up the contract. From here, you can finalise your mortgage and sign your contract, paying the property tax within a month. To buy a property, you’ll need proof of funds, a valid passport or ID, proof of employment, a German bank account and a completed Selbstauskunft questionnaire, as well as a notarised purchase agreement.

Moving to a new country can be challenging, and it’s not just about buying property or enrolling the children in a school. Cultural differences and language barriers can all make settling into life in Germany a little harder.

German is the primary language of Germany, but English is widely spoken throughout the country. This can make integration much easier, but expats should be aware that the prevalence of English speakers is reduced in remote rural areas of Germany.

Germany has a reputation for being a serious, focused, hard-working country, and the German people are rightfully proud of this. Expats will notice that Germans are very direct and honest; this may sometimes feel blunt or rude, but it is never personal.

You may also notice you don’t see much of your colleagues either. Clear boundaries are set between work and private life, meaning socialising outside of work hours with them is rare.

You’ll also find that many people seem reserved and quiet, often making it hard for you to break into social circles initially. However, once friendships are formed, there is very little drama but a lot of loyalty.

There will also be clear differences in customer relations. You’ll see less of the “service with a smile” but much more speed, efficiency and professionalism.

Etiquette plays a key role in Germany, and respect is expected. A simple “Guten Tag” goes a long way, whereas no greeting at all is seen as rude.

Addressing people correctly is also very important. Strangers, colleagues and older people should always be Sie, while friends, children and close colleagues may be Du. In professional environments, academic titles are often used too.

Punctuality is also a very serious business. Arriving 5 minutes before an event or on time is acceptable, but just 5 minutes late warrants an apology.

Another form of social etiquette to be aware of is the Ruhezeiten. These quiet hours are expected, especially in apartment blocks and apply to Sundays, evenings after 10pm and midday in some regions. During these times, there should be no loud music, drilling or anything else that could disrupt others’ quiet time.

There is a big focus on separating work from personal life in Germany. Employees benefit from a 35-40-hour work week and enjoy 25-30 days of annual leave. Strict legal protections are also in place against overworking.

Generous sick leave and parental leave schemes are also in place, and employees are encouraged to “switch off” outside of work hours and to ignore emails or calls at weekends or evenings if they occur.

Germany has weather comparable to the UK in many ways. Rain and grey clouds are common, but summer months can be pleasantly warm, but not excessively so. Snow is, of course, common in more alpine regions but can be found throughout the country in the cold months.

In 2026, the public holidays in Germany are as follows.