Germany is a top destination for expats and international movers, thanks to its high quality of life, excellent infrastructure, and vibrant job market. Whether you're looking for the best cities in Germany to live in for expats, families, students, or young professionals, this moving guide covers everything you need to know.
We’ll explore the best places to live in Germany for English speakers, the most affordable cities, and even the best places to retire if you're considering moving to Germany.
If you haven't already decided on a location for you international relocation, be sure to check out our guide on the cheapest countries to live in or moving to Australia to help you make a better decision.
Otherwise, Let's dive in!
What you'll find in this article:
Berlin
The capital of Germany is a dynamic metropolis known for its diverse culture, rich history, and bustling startup scene. Expat life in Berlin is vibrant, with numerous international communities and English-speaking opportunities. Here's what to expat from living in Berlin:
Vibrant cultural hub
Affordable cost of living
Abundant job opportunities in tech and creative industries
High quality of life with green spaces and efficient transport
Diverse and inclusive community
Prestigious universities and rich history
Innovative and creative atmosphere
Well-developed public services and infrastructure
Munich
Munich offers a high standard of living with a strong economy and job market, particularly in industries like engineering, finance, and technology. Here's what to expect when living in Munich:
High standard of living
Strong economy and job market in engineering, finance, and tech
Excellent public services, healthcare, and education
Cultural richness with festivals, museums, and theatres
Beautiful architecture and historic sites
Safe, clean environment with green spaces
Efficient public transportation and central location
Frankfurt
Frankfurt is a major financial hub, offering excellent job opportunities, particularly in banking, finance, and commerce. The city has a high standard of living with a modern infrastructure and efficient public transportation. Here's what to expect when living in Frankfurt:
Major financial hub with job opportunities in banking and commerce
High standard of living with modern infrastructure
Blends historic charm with contemporary architecture
Rich cultural scene with museums, theatres, and festivals
International environment and diverse population
Central location with excellent connectivity and a major airport
Hamburg
Hamburg is a vibrant port city known for its high quality of life and rich cultural scene. It offers excellent job opportunities, particularly in logistics, media, and maritime industries. Here's what to expect when living in Hamburg:
Vibrant port city with a high quality of life
Job opportunities in logistics, media, and maritime industries
Beautiful waterfront, historic architecture, and green spaces
Extensive and efficient public transportation
Lively cultural atmosphere with theatres, museums, and music venues
Diverse and international population
Strong economy, scenic beauty, and dynamic culture
Stuttgart
Stuttgart is an ideal city to live in for those in the automotive and engineering industries, It boasts a strong economy and a high quality of life. Here's what to expect when moving to Stuttgart:
Strong economy driven by automotive and engineering sectors
Modern infrastructure with scenic natural surroundings
High quality of life supported by efficient public transportation
Rich cultural scene featuring theatres, museums, and festivals
Highly regarded educational institutions
Vibrant community and inclusive atmosphere
Excellent public services and well-developed infrastructure
2. Best Places to Live in Germany for Expats
Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf stands out as an excellent city for expats due to its strong economic base in finance, fashion, and trade, offering plentiful job opportunities. The city combines a high standard of living with excellent healthcare, education, and public services. Its vibrant cultural scene includes galleries, museums, and theatres, catering to diverse interests.
Düsseldorf's international community fosters a welcoming atmosphere for expats, supported by numerous expat networks. With ample green spaces, a central European location facilitating travel, and a reputation for safety and cleanliness, Düsseldorf provides a comfortable and enriching environment for expatriates to call home.
Cologne
Cologne is a great city for expats because it has lots of job opportunities in finance, fashion, and trade. It's a safe and clean city with good healthcare, schools, and public services. There are many cultural things to do like museums and theaters.
People from all over the world live here, so it's easy to find friends and feel welcome. Cologne has parks and is close to other cities in Europe. It's a nice place for expats to live and enjoy life.
Leipzig
Leipzig is a wonderful city for expats because it offers growing job opportunities in various sectors. It's known for its affordability and quality of life, with good healthcare and schools. Leipzig has a rich cultural scene with museums, theatres, and music festivals.
It's also a diverse city with people from many countries, making it easy to meet new friends. The city has parks and is well-connected for travel within Germany and beyond. Overall, Leipzig provides a welcoming and vibrant environment for expats looking to settle and enjoy a balanced lifestyle.
Berlin
Berlin is a fantastic city for expats for several reasons. It offers a wide range of job opportunities, especially in tech and creative industries. The cost of living is relatively affordable compared to other major European cities.
Berlin is rich in culture with museums, theaters, and a lively arts scene. It's a diverse and inclusive city where people from all over the world feel at home. Berlin has plenty of parks and green spaces for relaxation, and its public transport system is efficient. Overall, Berlin provides a dynamic and welcoming environment for expats to live, work, and explore.
3. Most Affordable Cities to Live in Germany
Leipzig
Leipzig offers a lower cost of living compared to major cities while still providing excellent amenities and job opportunities.
Cost of Housing: Rent and property prices in Leipzig are significantly lower compared to larger German cities like Berlin or Munich.
Lower Living Expenses: Everyday expenses such as groceries, dining out, and entertainment are generally more affordable.
Transportation Costs: Public transportation costs are lower, contributing to overall savings.
Cultural Offerings: Despite its affordability, Leipzig offers rich cultural amenities including museums, theatres, and festivals.
Quality of Life: Despite lower costs, Leipzig maintains a high quality of life with good healthcare, education, and recreational facilities.
Dresden
Dresden is known for its beautiful architecture and lower living expenses, Dresden is a great option for those on a budget.
Housing Affordability: Dresden offers relatively lower rent and property prices compared to larger German cities, making it more affordable to live in .
Cost of Living: Daily expenses such as groceries, dining, and entertainment are generally more budget-friendly compared to major urban centres.
Transportation: Public transportation costs are reasonable, contributing to overall affordability and accessibility within the city.
Cultural Scene: Despite its affordability, Dresden boasts a rich cultural heritage with museums, galleries, and historic sites, offering enriching experiences.
Quality of Life: Dresden maintains a good quality of life with access to healthcare, education, and recreational activities, making it an attractive option for residents seeking affordability without sacrificing amenities.
Hannover
The city of Hannover provides a good balance between cost and quality of life, with affordable housing and a strong job market.
Housing Costs: Hannover offers relatively affordable rent and housing prices compared to larger German cities, contributing to lower overall living expenses.
Living Expenses: Daily costs such as groceries, dining out, and entertainment are generally more budget-friendly compared to major urban centres.
Transportation: Public transportation in Hannover is efficient and affordable, making it easy to navigate the city and its surroundings.
Cultural Scene: Despite its affordability, Hannover boasts a diverse cultural scene with theatres, museums, and festivals, providing enriching experiences for residents.
Quality of Life: Hannover maintains a high quality of life with access to healthcare, education, and recreational facilities, offering a balanced lifestyle for its residents.
4. Best Cities in Germany for Families
Munich
Munich is an excellent city for families due to its high quality of life, excellent healthcare, and top-tier education. The city is safe, clean, and offers numerous parks and recreational areas for children.
Munich's strong economy provides stable job opportunities, and its family-friendly events, ensure plenty of activities for all ages. Additionally, efficient public transportation makes getting around the city easy and convenient for families.
Hamburg
Hamburg is a great city for families thanks to its high quality of life, excellent healthcare, and top-notch education system. The city is safe and clean, with numerous parks, playgrounds, and waterfront areas perfect for family outings.
Nuremberg
Known for its historical charm and family-oriented community, Nuremberg is perfect for raising children. It also offers a reputable educational system and great healthcare. Not only that, but it offers numerous parks, landscapes and activities for children and families alike.
5. Best Places to Live in Germany for Students
Berlin
Home to several prestigious universities and a vibrant student life, Berlin is perfect for international students.
Heidelberg
Known for its world-famous university and picturesque setting, Heidelberg is a top choice for students.
Freiburg
Freiburg offers a lively student community and beautiful natural surroundings making it ideal for international students.
7. Cost of Living in Germany
The cost of living in Germany varies by city. Major cities like Munich and Frankfurt are more expensive, while cities like Leipzig and Dresden offer more affordable options.
Germany, renowned for its robust economy, high quality of life, and rich cultural heritage, offers a cost of living that varies significantly across its cities and regions.
Understanding the various factors that contribute to the cost of living can help individuals and families budget effectively and make informed decisions about relocating to Germany.
Housing Costs
Rent: Housing is typically the largest expense. Rent prices vary greatly depending on the city. Major cities like Munich, Frankfurt, and Berlin have higher rents, with Munich being the most expensive. For example, a one-bedroom apartment in Munich’s city center can cost around €1,200 per month, while in smaller cities or rural areas, it can be as low as €500-€700.
Utilities: Monthly utilities (electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage) for a 85m2 apartment average around €220. Internet costs about €30-€40 per month.
Groceries and Food
Groceries: On average, a monthly grocery bill for a single person can range from €150 to €250, depending on dietary habits and shopping preferences. Supermarkets like Lidl, Aldi, and Edeka offer a wide range of products, with discount chains being more affordable.
Dining Out: Depending on the venue, eating out can be economical or expensive. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about €10-€15, while a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant can be around €50-€70.
Transportation
Public Transport: Germany’s public transportation is efficient and well-connected. Monthly passes range from €70 to €100, varying by city. For instance, a monthly pass in Berlin costs around €81.
Car Ownership: If you prefer driving, fuel prices are approximately €1.50 per liter. Additionally, car insurance, maintenance, and parking fees need to be factored in. Owning a car can add significant expenses, ranging from €300 to €500 monthly.
Healthcare
Insurance: Health insurance is mandatory. Public health insurance (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) costs about 14.6% of your gross income, split between employer and employee. Private health insurance costs can vary widely based on coverage.
Out-of-Pocket Costs: Visits to the doctor, dental care, and medications are generally affordable. With public insurance, most basic healthcare services are covered.
Education and Childcare
Schooling: Public schools are free, but private international schools can be costly, with fees ranging from €5,000 to €20,000 annually.
Childcare: Kindergarten fees vary by city and income level, generally ranging from €100 to €300 per month per child.
Miscellaneous Expenses
Entertainment: Movie tickets cost around €10-€15. A monthly gym membership averages €30-€50. Cultural activities, such as museum entries and concert tickets, range widely in price.
Clothing: Prices for clothing are comparable to other Western European countries. Shopping at high street stores like H&M, Zara, and local boutiques provides various pricing options.
Taxes
Income Tax: Germany has a progressive tax system. The tax rate starts at 14% and goes up to 45% for high earners.
Value Added Tax (VAT): The standard VAT rate is 19%, with a reduced rate of 7% for certain goods and services, including food and books.
Cost of Living in Germany vs UK
The cost of living in Germany is generally lower than in the UK, particularly in terms of housing and transportation. Rent in German cities like Berlin and Munich, while high, is still more affordable compared to London, where housing costs are notoriously steep.
Public transportation in Germany is efficient and less expensive than in the UK, where fares are higher. Groceries and dining out are also more budget-friendly in Germany. However, both countries have similar costs for healthcare due to their robust public health systems, although Germany's health insurance system requires contributions based on income.
Overall, Germany offers a more cost-effective living environment, especially outside its major urban centres, compared to the higher living expenses in much of the UK.
Final Thoughts
Germany offers many cities that cater to different lifestyles and preferences. Whether you're an expat, a student, a young professional, or a family, there is a city in Germany that will suit your needs. From the vibrant life in Berlin to the traditional charm of Munich, Germany is a fantastic place to call home.
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