Germany is widely known for its cultural legacy, from influential composers and poets to a strong tradition of engineering and innovation. It is also home to one of the world’s most advanced education systems, a globally respected automotive industry, and a powerful economy that ranks among the strongest in the world.
But moving to Germany is about more than reputation alone. From career opportunities and high living standards to strong public services and central access to Europe, there are many practical reasons people choose to make the move. This article explores what makes Germany such a popular destination for expats and what you should know before relocating.
Planning Your Move to Germany?
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Each year, the HSBC Expat Explorer survey gives international travelers better insight into where they should relocate.
Data is collected from current expats and compared across the following three categories: Economics, Experience, and Raising Children.
Based on all three categories, Germany ranked in 4th place out of the list of 34 countries, and here are a few reasons why:
In the category of raising children, Germany ranked 3rd overall. A few strong areas include children learning a new language (1st), children’s health and well-being (5th), the cost of education (5th), and the quality of education (6th).
Looking at Economics, Germany was ranked 7th overall. Satisfaction with the host economy ranked 3rd, while personal disposable income ranked 9th.
In reviewing the report on expat experience (10th overall), Germany had several strong categories, including opportunities to travel (2nd), travel locally (3rd), feeling welcome at work (3rd), and healthcare (4th).
Curious as to what Germany did not rank well on? Here they are:
Household income (14th)
Diet (27th)
Enjoying local food (29th)
Making friends (29th)
Assisting children in becoming more outgoing (31st)
Social life (37th)
If you do decide to relocate to Germany and need to know what to keep in mind when keeping your move legal, this will help:
EU/EEA/Swiss Nationals: Great news, you will not need a visa or resident permit in most cases as an EU/EEA/Swiss National.
Non-EU/EEA/Swiss Nationals: If you will be moving to Germany for more than 90 days and are not a citizen of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, or the United States, you will need to apply for a visa and a “residence title” permit. You will also want to review travel insurance for visitors to Germany.
For more information about obtaining a visa for Germany, visit the . You might also be interested in reading our information about hospitals in Germany.
If you are looking to relocate to a European country to pursue a career change, you will want to investigate Germany.
Although at a slow pace, the German economy continues to show growth according to reports from the .
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rose 0.4 percent in the second quarter of 2015 in comparison to the second quarter of last year.
Many expatriates reported moving to Germany for career-driven reasons and have a positive outlook on the country’s current economic situation, according to the .
91% of expats believe the German economy is either staying the same or improving, and 86% are satisfied with the current economic situation.
Many individuals who become expatriates in Germany have relocated specifically to pursue a career transition, rather than to pursue a new expat experience or to retire, as expats in many other European countries, such as France and Spain, do.
Relocating to Germany for Work?
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Percentage of Expats who Relocated to Germany for Their Career
In Germany: 55%
In France: 33%
In Spain: 29%
Those who become expatriates in Germany can also see the financial benefits of this transition. One in every four expatriates in Germany has an annual salary of $100,000-$200,000.
The top three occupation fields for expats in Germany are IT (14%), science/research (10%), and construction (12%).
Individuals who become expats in Germany find that there are financial benefits, but it doesn’t stop there; many find it to be a well-rounded experience and a great place to raise a family as well (52%).
Germany’s Famous Christmas Markets
Are you looking for a memorable winter experience? With the plethora of festivities and natural scenery about, it isn’t difficult to find something to do to pass the time in Germany in December.
Perhaps one of the biggest draws to Germany in December is the numerous Christmas Markets. Throughout Germany, in small villages and large cities alike, many gather for this annual gathering.
Christmas Markets bring a variety of handmade crafts and tasty German treats together for an experience all in one place.
For those visiting Germany in December, the Christmas Market might seem like a crash course or sneak peek into German Tradition.
Whilst browsing the intricate handmade items, such as wooden smokers and ornaments, you can sip warm mulled wine while nibbling on sausages and chestnuts. Most of these items are freshly prepared by local residents.
Although most Christmas Markets will have similar goods, visiting just one Christmas Market might not give you a good enough glimpse into this extraordinary pastime.
From the most elaborate Markets in the bigger cities to the more personal Markets in the smaller villages, all have their unique touch, making the shopping experience fresh with each visit.
If you are visiting Germany in December solely for Christmas Market hopping, the Atlas Travel Insurance plan can provide international travel health insurance that includes doctor visits, hospitalization, lost luggage, emergency medical evacuation, trip interruption, and more.
Only have one or two markets in mind you want to visit? You can purchase the Atlas Travel plan for as short as 5 days.
Whether your plans include visiting the markets in Frankfurt, Munich, or Berlin, each brings its own unique spin on the holiday-season tradition of the Christmas Market in Germany.
Ready to Start Your Move to Germany?
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