Germany is a great country to live in but there are challenges. We look at some of the reasons foreign residents struggle and share some tips.
Germany is often praised for its high standard of living that’s influenced by factors like strong workers’ rights, a robust healthcare system and plenty of green spaces. But there are downsides – many of which foreign residents know well.
In fact, in 2024, Germany received its worst ever ranking in the InterNations’ Expat Insider Survey. With an overall ranking of 50 out of 53 countries, the Bundesrepublik landed in the bottom three, just ahead of Finland (51st), Turkey (52nd) and Kuwait (53rd).
Meanwhile, Panama, Mexico and Indonesia achieved the top three positions.
Although some aspects of Germany were highlighted as positive such as Quality of Life (where Germany ranked 27th out of the 53 countries) and Working Abroad (23rd), people find it difficult to settle here.
“Germany continues to be among the worst-performing countries worldwide in the Ease of Settling In (51st) and Expat Essentials (53rd) Indices,” said InterNations.
The survey said “a lack of social connections and complicated bureaucratic processes impact overall happiness levels”, noting that 54 percent of immigrants favourably rate their happiness in Germany, compared to 68 percent globally.
Around 12,000 foreign citizens from 175 different countries around the world were to asked about their experience of moving abroad for the study.
Here’s a look at the biggest challenges for foreigners in Germany.
Advertisement
‘Soul-crushing’ bureaucracy and digital challenges
In the Expat Essentials Index – which includes the subcategories Digital Life, Admin Topics, Housing and Language, Germany landed in the the bottom spot.
For Digital Life, Germany got the worst ranking, landing 53rd. Only 53 percent of respondents agree that it’s easy to get high-speed internet at home (vs. 78 percent globally), while just 33 percent said they find it difficult to pay without cash — more than four times the global average of 8 percent.
Another area where Germany landed at the wrong end of the ranking (45th spot) was Admin Topics. Around two in three internationals (66 percent) said they found dealing with the authorities difficult.
One Canadian resident in Germany said: “The bureaucracy is soul-crushing and not easy to navigate as a foreigner. There is little support for expats. Very few services are available online.”
READ ALSO: ‘Nothing is easy’ – How foreigners in Germany struggle to settle
A sign for the immigration office in Frankfurt am Main. Dealing with paperwork is a nightmare in Germany. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Sebastian Gollnow
TIP: Unfortunately we don’t have all the answers on how to tackle German bureaucracy, but we would recommend that talking to a person – rather than trying to decipher a hard-hitting letter – can improve the situation. For example on issues concerning the tax office, sometimes a phone call or in-person visit is a much easier way of straightening an issue out.
If all else fails – ask a German who’s familiar with the system to help you navigate some of these hurdles. This can be very helpful in offices such as the Ausländerbehörde (immigration office).
Advertisement
Finding a place to live
Anyone who’s searched for a flat in one of Germany’s bigger cities will be familiar with this problem. Due to soaring demand and a lack affordable homes, securing a decent rental contract is like gold dust.
On the housing front, Germany landed in 51st spot out of the 53 countries ranked in the Expat Insider survey. Just 16 percent of foreign residents surveyed said they think it’s easy to find housing in Germany compared to 45 percent globally. Meanwhile, 64 percent are unhappy with the housing market prices.
READ ALSO: ‘No end in sight’ – Why is it so hard to find housing in Germany right now?
TIP: If you’re living in a city like Berlin or Munich, it’s going to be really hard to find a flat. Those who’ve been through it say you kind of have to treat it like a full time job. Signing up to websites like ImmoScout24 or Immowelt works for lots of people – but you have to check it almost every moment of the day to be able to apply for a flat quickly before it disappears.
Make sure you have all your documents ready to go in a Bewerbermappe (application pack) and include a friendly introduction letter explaining who you are and why you’d make a fantastic tenant (in German of course).
A view of flats and the Berlin skyline. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Fabian Sommer
Word of mouth is essential so ask everyone you meet to let you know about any openings. If you are really struggling, consider a flat-share (even if it’s temporary). There are also some services that help you find a flat but of course this can be expensive. Keep in mind that finding a permanent place to live can take months or even over a year in some cases so try and not feel disheartened about the whole thing.
READ ALSO: ‘Start early’ – Your best hacks for finding a rental home in Germany
Advertisement
Learning German is super hard
Foreigners in the InterNations survey said they struggled with improving their German skills, with 67 percent of those questioned saying they found it difficult to learn. Around 51 percent said that it’s not easy to live in Germany without speaking the language.
It’s no secret that German is a tough one to master, with grammar proving a particularly tricky aspect.
Some foreign residents also feel that not being fluent enough in the language can be an obstacle to feeling fully integrated and making friends.
TIP: The only way around this is to keep trying. It’s said often but the real key to getting comfortable with speaking a language is to simply do it, and not worry about the mistakes that you make. Try setting up a tandem partner where you can practice your German in a safe environment. Or go to a class – which also happens to be a great way of meeting people.
READ ALSO: ‘Focus on your strengths’ – Readers’ top tips for learning German
Another way to get familiar with German is to travel. Why not arrange a solo trip to a part of Germany where English isn’t spoken widely?
You can get to know a new part of the country while also throwing yourself in at the deep end by speaking German on the trip. And yes, you may also pick up some local dialects that will give you an even greater understanding of the country.
It’s hard to make friends
Germany scored badly in the Ease of Settling in index, which includes building a social circle, landing in 51st spot overall.
“Making connections and building a social circle can be a slow process for expats there, with nearly two in three expats (65 percent) finding it difficult to make local friends (vs. 41 percent globally),” said InterNations.
Given the reputation of Germans being a little closed off, it’s no surprise that international residents feel lonely at times.
READ ALSO: Why is Berlin a lonely city for so many foreign residents?
Advertisement
“I find the culture super isolating and uptight,” a German resident from Ghana told InterNations. “It’s almost impossible to make friends, and I’m always scared I’m breaking some rule.”
TIP: It’s difficult at first but try not to take it personally. When you arrive in Germany from abroad, it’s easy to feel disappointed by the lack of small talk and smiles between strangers (especially if you’ve come from a culture where that is the norm). But the key is to not let it bother you. Germans may not seem friendly in the beginning but they soften up when you get to know them.
We’d recommend joining a Verein (association or club). Whether you’re into chess, knitting, hiking, singing or sports, there will be a club for you. It’s a great way to get involved and meet lots of different people from all backgrounds. Plus you’ll be integrating into the local culture and maybe learning a few German words along the way which will make you feel more comfortable in your new home.
READ ALSO: How to start your own Verein in Germany
And lean on other international residents in your city, too. Meet ups can be a good way of finding people with a similar background to you. Remember that other people are also struggling with settling into life in Germany.
