Living in Germany

Germany consistently scores very well across many economic and lifestyle categories. So it's no surprise that it's long been a popular expat destination.

High living standards and an efficient infrastructure are also major benefits. But they come at a price as real estate is expensive. The more restrictive aspects of German society can also be too much for some people. That said, most locals are easy-going, speak good English and welcome expats to their country.

Most expats rent, as buying property in Germany is pricey, even by European standards. Tall apartment buildings called Wohnsilos dominate German cityscapes. What they lack in character, they make up for with sleek, modern amenities. They’re the most popular inner-city choices, but you’ll also find single and 2-storey townhouses in central areas. Larger family homes are usually located in the suburbs.

Most apartments are unfurnished and often don’t even have light fixtures, wardrobes or a cooker – so ask your landlord what you need to buy before you move in. If you don’t plan to stay for a long time, it’s easy to rent furniture for your new home. Some landlords cater specifically for expats and rent out semi-furnished apartments, but you can expect to pay extra for these.

Renting in Germany has its quirks, so it’s a good idea to get legal advice before you sign a lease. There are 2 main types of rental contract. Warmmiete contracts include maintenance and utilities, but with Kaltmiete contracts you only pay for the space and you’re responsible for your own heating, water and electricity costs. If utilities aren’t included in your rental contract, you’ll have to set them up yourself. Ask the landlord to help you find gas, water and electricity suppliers.

If you’re from Europe or North America you’ll be familiar with many aspects of the German way of life, although certain things can take some getting used to. Although a lot of locals speak English, learning German is important. Even if you don’t speak it well, making the effort goes a long way to helping you integrate into your community.

Germans value efficiency and like to follow the rules, so you’ll quickly learn to get on the bus using the right door and not to jaywalk. An exception to this is queuing, which often involves a lot of jostling and pushing in. Germany recycles more than most European countries. How waste is collected differs from place to place, so check your local council’s website to find out what happens in your area.

Many expats send their children to state schools where independence is encouraged and students are allowed to develop their natural talents.

The school year varies between states, but usually starts in July with a six-week summer break and five shorter holidays during the year.

You can use international roaming in Germany, but a local SIM will be cheaper. The main network operators are Telekom, Vodafone and Telefónica Germany. You’ll need a valid ID, bank account and residence registration card to apply for a long-term contract. Even prepaid SIM cards must be registered online.

Some operators have various packages that combine internet services with a landline phone. Look carefully at what each package offers – some don’t charge connection fees while others have better deals for long-distance calls.

You won’t struggle to find English media in Germany. Local news sources such as Der Spiegel and Die Zeit publish English editions online. And you can buy British and American newspapers at train and U-Bahn stations in bigger cities.

Deutsche Post is the national mail service. It’s reliable, efficient and you can easily track your mail.

Germany’s healthcare system is excellent. Standards in its hospitals are among the best in the world and the country is a popular destination for medical tourism – it’s often called ‘the hospital of Europe’. There are more than 2,000 hospitals in Germany. Around half of these are public while the rest are privately owned. All hospitals have well-trained staff and state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. And most have cardiology and radiology departments, along with other specialist services.

Medical insurance is compulsory for all residents. If you’re employed by a company in Germany, you’re eligible for subsidised medical insurance that covers all basic treatments and emergencies. If you’re self-employed or work as a freelancer, you’ll have to take out a private insurance policy.

Pharmacies (Apotheken) are widespread in all German towns and cities. They’re easy to spot – look for the big red ‘A’ on their doors and windows. Medicines can be expensive, but most are covered by medical insurance.

You don’t need a car in most cities, but Germany is home to some of the world’s best-known motor manufacturers and the famous Autobahn, as well as well-kept, scenic roads, which make driving long distances a pleasure.

The country’s public transport systems are reliable and integrated, making it easy to get around. All German cities have a combination of light rail (Stadtbahn), underground (U-Bahn) and suburban commuter rail (S-Bahn) services. Frequent intercity and EuroCity trains cover longer distances. Most German cities also have buses that will take you to the few places the trains don’t reach. Intercity bus travel is a more affordable but slower alternative to trains.

Getting around on 2 wheels is becoming increasingly popular and more than 75,000km (46,603 miles) of cycle routes criss-cross Germany. Most of these are in the countryside, but cities such as Berlin, Bremen, Munich and Münster are cycle friendly.

German taxis are light beige with a yellow light on the roof. Residents tend to prefer other modes of transport, but if you want the comfort and convenience of a cab, you can book one in advance or catch a ride at a taxi stand. Ride-hailing services, such as Uber, are also available in Germany.

Although the cost of living in Germany may seem high, it’s close to the average for Western Europe. City life is more expensive than in rural areas, but your travel costs will be low thanks to extensive and affordable urban public transport systems.

Private healthcare is pricey, as are fees for international schools. Taxes are also high, but these are offset by high expat salaries.

See what people responding to our Expat Explorer Survey think about living in Germany.