Which city is best to live in Germany for expats?

See why Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, and others made the list of Germany’s best cities for expats. Compare career, lifestyle, and community insights.

Marle

8 minute read

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Updated on 6 Oct 2026

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Moving

Most expats in Germany move here because the economy is thriving and it’s a great place to climb the career ladder.

If you want to compare Germany’s best cities side by side, take a look at our full comparison to see all your options.

Key takeaways:

• For young professionals: Düsseldorf and Frankfurt are your best bets for job security and moving up the ladder, though Hamburg is the winner if you care about work-life balance.
• For students or anyone on a budget: Berlin is surprisingly the cheapest major city, meaning your money goes a lot further there.
• For families staying long-term: Hamburg is the easiest place to "get settled." Expats there find it much easier to make friends and actually integrate.
• For the best quality of life: Munich wins for healthcare, leisure, and even the weather—but it’s also the most expensive city on the list.

If you're looking for the top spot, Düsseldorf actually takes the crown. According to the InterNations Expat City Ranking, it’s the best city in Germany for expats, mostly because the job market is booming and career opportunities are everywhere. Following close behind are Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Munich, Berlin, and Stuttgart.

1. Düsseldorf: Best for career opportunities

If you're looking to level up your career, Düsseldorf is a massive economic hotspot. It's the kind of place where you can really find your footing professionally. It’s no surprise, Düsseldorf is a magnet for big industries, with giants like L'Oréal and Henkel sitting right alongside German Airways. It’s a genuine hub for international trade.

Long story short, you won't struggle to find job opportunities here. However, there’s a catch, the city falls short in international rankings is the social side of things. While the quality of life is high, many expats feel like the city can be a bit "transient" and find it tough to settle in because the locals can come across as a little unfriendly.

2. Frankfurt am Main: Best for finance careers

Frankfurt am Main is right on Düsseldorf’s heels, and it’s a pretty similar story. Expats give the working life in Frankfurt two thumbs up, but actually feeling "at home" is a different struggle altogether.

As a global financial powerhouse, the city is packed with high-caliber career opportunities. From Commerzbank to Lufthansa, there’s no shortage of big names for those who live to work. But when you look at life outside the office, things get tricky. It’s not just the nightmare of finding an apartment; socialising is tough too. If you don’t have solid German language skills, making friends in Frankfurt can feel like an uphill battle.

3. Hamburg: Best for settling in and work-life balance

When it comes to living as an expat, Hamburg is a good city to choose. Expats here seem really happy with their job security, the local economy, and most importantly, work-life balance.

There’s an old stereotype that people in Northern Germany are colder than those in the South, but Hamburg completely proves that wrong. It actually ranks the best for expats trying to settle in. Compared to other cities, expats in Hamburg find it way easier to make friends and actually start enjoying their new life.

Between the great healthcare, the focus on the environment, and the overall vibe, it’s easy to see why people love it there. So, why didn't it snag first place? To be honest, it's the climate and the weather that dragged Hamburg down into the bottom 5. Plus, when you look at the housing market, things aren't much better.

4. Munich: The go-to for quality of life

Expats heading to Munich are usually after one thing: a high quality of life. Munich is pretty much the gold standard for this in Germany. Between the sunnier southern climate and the top-tier healthcare, it easily takes the #1 spot, giving people plenty of reasons to make the move.

However, the cost of living in Munich is a total dealbreaker for the city's ranking. It sits at the very bottom of the list when it comes to affordability, and anyone searching for a flat is usually hit with some serious shock. It's a good idea to estimate your monthly costs before you pack your bags so you know what you're getting into.

Munich is not just "expensive", it’s notoriously tough. 5 out of 6 expats rate the housing situation here negatively.

About 73% of people surveyed think finding a flat in Munich is a struggle, and 39% would even go as far as to say it's "very difficult."

There is a bit of a silver lining, though. Even if the housing market feels like a financial mountain to climb, three-quarters of expats feel their household income is enough to cover their expenses. So, while the overpriced housing market keeps Munich lower on the overall list, it still reigns supreme for actual quality of life.

5. Berlin: The winner for low cost of living

Where can you find beer that’s cheaper than water? Berlin, of course! It’s actually known as the most affordable Western European capital.

Expats usually find that their salary covers the cost of living in Berlin without much trouble.

Compared to other cities, Berlin actually struggled quite a bit in the urban work-life category. This probably comes down to the fact that Berlin is a total startup heaven. Startups aren't exactly famous for a chill work-life balance. Long hours and shaky job security are kind of the norm there, so it makes sense that Berlin ranks a bit lower than other German cities in that department. Quality of life is another area where there’s room to grow. Many expats in Berlin mentioned they aren't exactly thrilled with how things compare to other German hubs.

There are still tons of reasons to move to Berlin. If you're planning to move, you might want to get to know German supermarkets to help make your daily life in Berlin (or anywhere else in Germany) a bit easier.

6. Stuttgart: Great for your career, even if it’s a bit hard to settle in

Stuttgart actually ranks as one of the toughest cities to settle into, even on a global scale. Expats often mention that people can be a bit cold and that making friends is very difficult.

In fact, 33 percent of expats don't really feel at home in Stuttgart. To be fair, the locals aren't exactly known for their warmth and can be a little quirky. That said, there are loads of other expats in the area, so you can always find your own community.

So, if it’s the 6th best city for expats in Germany, it has to have a "win" somewhere, right? Well, the Career Opportunities Index is where it really shines. The Swabian metropolis stands out for its Urban Work Life Index, boasting incredible job prospects thanks to all the massive automotive and engineering companies in the region.

Places like Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, Berlin, and Stuttgart always seem to dominate the rankings, but they aren't your only options. Smaller cities offer a totally different pace and, honestly, much better rent prices.

Take Freiburg, for example. It's tucked right against the Black Forest and is one of the sunniest, greenest spots in the country. It’s a university town with a massive bike culture and a much slower vibe than the "big six." It’s perfect if you want a great quality of life without the hefty price tag or the stressful "settling-in" phase you find in cities like Frankfurt.

Then there’s Aachen, sitting right on the border of Belgium and the Netherlands. It’s centered around RWTH Aachen University, which is one of the best technical schools in Europe. Because of that, it’s a huge draw for international students and engineers, and the campus community feels genuinely global. Plus, rooms are actually affordable. But bear in mind that the job market is a bit narrow if you aren't in academia or engineering, so it’s really a better fit for specialists than general career-seekers.

Neither of these will likely beat Düsseldorf or Hamburg in a broad survey, but if you care more about community size, cost, or a specific industry, they’re definitely worth looking into.

Berlin has the biggest and most obvious expat community, mostly because of its startup reputation and lower costs. Munich is a close second with a solid international corporate network, thanks to all the big multinational companies there. Interestingly, Hamburg seems to have the easiest social to actually break into. Expats there report the least amount of trouble making friends and getting settled.

Regardless of where you go, don't forget to sort out your housing in Germany and join expat communities in Germany as soon as you can.

Is Berlin a good call for international students?

Definitely. Berlin’s lower cost of living makes it one of the most affordable big cities in Germany for students. It’s got a massive international scene and a huge startup community, so it’s easy to find people who are in the exact same boat as you. While it doesn't rank as high for work-life balance or general quality of life, that usually matters way less when you’re there to study rather than work a 9-to-5.

Which German cities are the most affordable?

If we're talking about the major hubs, Berlin is your best bet for staying on budget—it’s ranked number one on the Local Cost of Living Index. Now, if you're willing to go smaller, cities like Freiburg and Aachen can be even cheaper when it comes to rent, though the job market there is a bit more niche outside of the universities.

Which cities are growing the fastest for expats?

Berlin and Munich are still the heavy hitters for international talent and startups. Meanwhile, Frankfurt is steadily growing as Europe’s financial heart post-Brexit. We’re also seeing smaller tech-focused university towns like Aachen draw in more international students and engineers every year.

What should I keep in mind before moving to Germany?

First things first: prioritize your career fit and job security, as that’s really where German cities shine. You’ll also want to be realistic about your budget for whichever city you choose. Just a heads-up—making local friends can be a bit of a slow process here. Most importantly, start your housing search early so you have a confirmed home waiting for you when you arrive.

How’s the job market in Stuttgart for expats?

It’s strong, especially if you’re in engineering or the auto industry.That’s especially true if you’re in automotive or engineering. Stuttgart actually lands in 6th place for career opportunities out of these six cities, mostly because of all the big-name manufacturers based right there. Just keep in mind that, socially, it can be a bit tougher for expats to settle in compared to places like Hamburg or Düsseldorf.