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A new way of life
With a stable, significant, and robust economy much of the population enjoys a good standard of living, and in the cities where living expenses are higher, you’ll find salaries will be too.
Germany has some of the most liveable, and affordable, cities in Europe. Expats will find Germany an interesting and lively country in which to live, but could find the German approach to life a little rigid and quite formal. It’s important to respect the increased sense of privacy and separation of work-life spheres, and not misinterpret this segregation of environments as a personal slight. See our article on business etiquette to understand more about handling introductions and personal space.
A great work-life balance
Germany has one of the lowest official working weeks in Europe and the minimum vacation days offered to employees is 24, although 30 days paid leave is also common.
Transport
Public infrastructure is of a high quality throughout the country, and the transportation systems are exceptional. Trains provide exceptionally easy access to other German cities, and further afield to the rest of Europe. The rail network is, unsurprisingly, clean, reliable, and efficient. You can find up-to-date information on trains for any European city on the Bahn.com website.
Climate
The weather in Germany is temperate, often cool, or cloudy. Winters can be wet and cold, averaging just 3 °c (38°F) in January although this can drop below zero, and summers can reach above 30°c (high 90°F), depending on how far north or south you are. Southwest areas can be almost Mediterranean in feel, and May through to September should provide pleasant weather in most regions.
Everyday life
Media is available in Germany in an enormous range of languages. Many major English-language newspapers and international magazines are available in the larger cities and the most influential daily papers include Die Welt, Frankfurter, Allgemeine Zeitungand, Süddeutsche Zeitung. The most widely read of the weekly publications are Der Spiegel (a current affairs magazine) and Die Zeit (a quality weekly newspaper). The country has one of the largest and most diverse TV markets in the world, supported by the fact that around 90% of Germans subscribe to satellite TV services such as Sky Deutschland.
While settling into everyday life shouldn't be a challenge for the average Westerner, expats will find life and business much easier if they speak and understand the German language, as defaulting into English will not always be possible.
With a stunning landscape and a rich cultural heritage, the advantages of relocating to Germany are not just financial. Take some time to explore the regional variations in food, architecture, and customs shaped by a history of earldoms, monarchies, and grand cities.
The German character is conservative, but an attempt to understand this and learn the German way of doing business, and socialising, and you'll enjoy a rich and fulfilling time there.
Talk to one of our expert advisors about how your new life will affect your health care needs. Our experts can help you with advice and local knowledge of the best choices to make.
"Many major English-language newspapers and international magazines are available in the larger cities and the most influential daily papers include Die Welt, Frankfurter, Allgemeine Zeitungand, Süddeutsche Zeitung."
