Germany - Top 5 cities for Expats to work

Which are the 5 best cities in Germany for work?

Find a ranking of  where to live in Germany as an Expat or internationa based on costs of living, salary, unemplyment ratio and job opportunities as well as the English speaking community in this article.

1. Work and live in Berlin as an Expat

The capital and the start-up hub of the country. Berlin is not just a home for the start-ups, but it’s the base for a lot of globally recognized companies, some of which are the biggest employers in the world. It has a never-ending pool of job opportunities due to which the number of expats is ever-growing. Berlin is one of the major tourist’s attractions in Germany, so the city is always filled with tourists and the vibe of the city is always lively. The city is also leading in other sectors like energy, environmental technology, manufacturing sector, art, etc.

In short, Berlin has:

Frankfurt is among the biggest cities in Germany. In terms of area coverage, it is the largest city in the state of Hessen. It is also called the financial capital of Germany. All big financial bodies like Deutsche Bank, German Federal Bank, European Central Bank are located in Frankfurt. It also has one of the busiest airports in the world. That is the reason the airport is also one of the biggest employers in Frankfurt. In Frankfurt, due to the variety of industries, the salaries are way above the living costs which makes it one of the best cities in Germany for work. It has a very low percentage rate of unemployment. 

• Financial capital with lot of opportunities in banking sector
• Intercultural ecosystem
• Higher pay scale

3. Work and live in Hamburg as an Expat

Hamburg is the second-largest city in Germany. It is the national center of commerce. Most people associate Hamburg with the seaports. The city has many other sectors. The service sector, tourism, education, and health are the strongest sections of the Hamburg economy. The pay scale in Hamburg is higher than the national averag but also costs of living are higher than average. Even though Hamburg is known as the city with bad weather and a lot of rain, it is often considers as the most beauiful city in Germany. Especially, the newly built Elbphilharmonie is not only the new landmark of Hamburg, it is also worth a visit.

What does Hamburg offer?

• Close to the sea
• Beautiful city with a lot of bridges
• Good job opportunities

4. Work and live in Stuttgart as an Expat

Often referred to as one of the greenest cities in Europe, the capital of Baden-Württemberg offers a perfect contrast between exciting city life and relaxing nature with its many parks inside and breathtaking out-of-town landscapes. For example, nature lovers will find idyllic lakes and vineyards just a few minutes away by car or train, making a holiday in the summery Italy almost superfluous. The slightly hilly landscapes of the Rems Valley or the Neckar Valley are a true paradise for hobby hikers. Particularly in summer and with almost 1814 hours of sunshine a year, this landscape conveys a Mediterranean feeling.

Stuttgart is among the top ten largest German cities in terms of population. In addition to this Stuttgart is one of the strongest commercial metropolitan areas in Germany. Industries like high tech and engineering are widespread in this region with big companies like Daimler, Porsche, Bosch, etc. situated in the Baden-Württemberg’s capital. This creates a lot of job opportunities in Stuttgart in every sector. 

What does Stuttgart offer?

• One of the most profitable and economically relevant cities in Germany and Europe
• The automotive industry in particular is a strong factor
• Good infrastructure with public transport makes a car in the city almost superfluous

5. Work and live in Munich as an Expat

Bavarian tradition meets international business: Munich is known for the Oktoberfest, its art collections, FC Bayern – and above-average salaries.

The largest city in the state of Bavari has a strong international profile in the industrial sector, in Engineering, innovative technology and health industries. In the city of Munich people working, mostly in trade, communication, science, transportation, government, and entertainment. Also, a significant proportion of employees are engaged in the manufacturing industry. Munich is expensive compared to the other cities, the cost of living in Munich is higher compared to the majority of German cities. Fortunately, wages are well above the national average.