11 Reasons to Move to Germany

Thinking about moving to Germany? Smart idea. If you needed a little more convincing, read our list of 11 reasons why we think moving to Germany could be the best decision you ever made.

1. There’s a very good chance you will get a job! Germany has the strongest economy in Europe and the fourth largest economy in the world. If you’re a skilled worker with a university degree, you should consider a move to Germany, because there’s a good chance you’ll get a job. Unemployment is low, and companies across the board are always seeking skilled workers in Germany, especially in the IT, engineering, business management, and health industries. Learn more in our article: Germany Needs Skilled Workers. 

2. You could start your own company! Germany consistently ranks number one for entrepreneurs in polls such as US News & World Report. The country’s highly skilled labour force and beneficial regulations for starting a business make it a great place to launch a new start-up or open a new satellite office. If you’re thinking about moving to Germany to open a business, we can help you get your Germany entrepreneur visa.

3. You’ll have your choice of cities! With so many big cities spread out across the country, Germany offers a diverse metropolitan landscape. From Berlin with its flourishing arts scene and bourgeoning start-up sector, to Munich with its laid back Bavarian vibe and access to the mountains, to Frankfurt the country’s financial center, you’ll find an abundance of different historical cities from which to choose if you move to Germany.

4. The quality of life is top-notch in Germany! Even people who don’t go for the speed and excitement of big city life can easily find their place in Germany where metropolitan areas are full of parks and green spaces. Berlin for example is home to vast parks, known as “Volksparks” right in the urban center. More outlying districts, such as Grünewald, Zehlendorf, and Köpenick offer residents the chance to live a more suburban life with a house and a yard within access to everything the city has to offer.

Volkspark Friedrichshain, Berlin, Germany.

5. Small cities are in abundance! Leipzig, Weimar, Heidelberg, and Bonn are just a few examples of some of Germany’s small, historically rich cities with a lot to offer. These little cultural gems often feature town squares with “fairytale” settings — wonderful places to enjoy the traditional German Christmas markets. Some are dominated by iconic castles, while others are home to historic libraries where German authors and philosophers like Goethe and Schiller once studied.

6. German public transportation is among the world’s best! Germany’s public transportation system consists of metro lines like the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, and tram, which traverse most major cities. Smaller urban areas usually have a good network of buses and sometimes trams as well. All are clean, efficient, and easy to use. Get more information on riding the metro in Berlin here: How to Ride the Berlin Metro.

Georg-Brauchle-Ring U-Bahn sation in Munich, Germany

7. Germany offers convenient access to countries across Europe and beyond! Bordering nine countries, Germany is well connected to the rest of the world via train or airplane. All of Germany’s cities and commercial hubs are well connected by train, and high speed rail service gets travelers from places like Berlin to Hamburg in under two hours, and Berlin to Munich in four. If you move to Germany, you’ll have convenient access to cities like Zurich, Prague, Brussels, Amsterdam, and Copenhagen. Air travel routed through major hubs like Frankfurt and Munich puts the rest of Europe, Asia, and the Americas within easy reach. And when the new Berlin-Brandenburg airport opens in Berlin (slated for October 2020), more direct flights will be available in and out of the capital as well.

8. Germans care about the environment! Recycling in Germany is prevalent. Paper and plastic products are separated into blue and yellow bins, which you’ll usually find in the courtyard of your apartment building. There are also compost bins for dumping your leftover food scraps. Many Germans bicycle or take the train to work instead of drive; and the German government has pledged to become carbon neutral by 2050 in alignment with the European Union’s grand scheme. Get more info on recycling in Germany here: How to Recycle in Germany.

9. Families are well supported in Germany! If you move to Germany, especially to a city with many young families, such as Berlin, you might be surprised how challenging it can be to find a daycare spot (Kita). But once you do, the fees are subsidized making the cost of daycare very affordable for families in Germany. Additionally, the country supports families with a monthly payment for each child (€204 for the first child, €204 for the second child, €210 for the third child, €235 for the fourth child), known as Kindergeld. New parents are encouraged to take time off after the birth of a child, and while your company is not required to pay your salary during maternity leave or paternity leave, the government will pay you Elterngeld (Parent subsidy). Elterngeld payments are typically 65 percent of your salary (up to €1800 per month). Speaking of paternity leave, you do tend to see a lot of dads pushing strollers and carrying babies to the playground in Germany. Yet another plus!

10. Some of the world’s best universities are in Germany! If you’re thinking about getting a new degree, or if you’ve got kids who will be getting ready for college soon, you should consider moving to Germany. In Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich) is considered one of Europe’s premier academic and research institutions. The Technical University of Munich, Heidelberg University, and Humboldt University in Berlin are also top-ranked schools. And they’re free!! If you’re thinking about moving to Germany to pursue higher education, talk to us about helping you with your German student visa.

11. History and culture can be encountered at every turn! While the actual unified country of Germany is quite young (the German Empire was founded in 1871), the region’s history goes much farther back. In western Germany, the Rhine River was an important trading routes during the Roman Empire and several cities still retain traces of that time. Meanwhile, medieval and Baroque towns are in abundance, many of which are famous for their typical “fairytale” character. And of course World War II and Cold War sites can be encountered throughout Germany, especially in the capital city of Berlin, which was famously divided by the Berlin Wall. So if you’ve got a hankering for some history, a move to Germany may be just what you need. 

Are you ready to make the move to Germany? We’d love to help you through the relocation process. Schedule an online consultation with us.

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Archer Relocation has been providing relocation services to families, individuals and companies in Berlin since early 2015.  Managing Director, Emily Archer, founded the company desiring to use her first-hand experience as an expat to make the relocation process as smooth as possible for others moving to Berlin.  Read other useful information about moving to and living in Berlin, such as ‘How to Find a Berlin Apartment’, on our Berlin Blog.  

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