There’s no doubt that Germany is an exciting place to live and it can offer quite a few benefits to anybody who wants to put down roots there. From a high standard of living to a generally safe community, there are quite a few benefits when it comes to starting a new life in Germany, but there’s also more than a few things to keep in mind.
As is the case with anywhere, there are pros and cons to living in Germany, and we thought it was important to take a look at all of them to help you make a balanced decision. If you are looking to move your household belongings to Germany, make sure to visit our removal to Germany page to get started.
Advantages of living in Germany:
1. Good Standards of Living
One of the main reasons why people choose to live in Germany is because the standard of living is very good. Germany offers a lot to a prospective expat, with affordable costs and entertainment.
You can look forward to things like affordable healthcare, plenty of housing options and good jobs. Unlike a lot of places in the world, Germany shuts down quite a lot on Sundays, so most people only work five days a week and nearly everybody is guaranteed a day off on Sunday.
2. Diverse community
It’s normal to feel isolated and concerned about the future when you move to Germany. You might feel like you don’t fit in or that you’re not going to be popular. Thankfully, these are all baseless concerns. Germany is a multicultural and incredibly diverse place to live, so you’ll feel right at home.
Germany is home to a lot of expats who move there for a high quality of living. They come from all over the world - not just the UK- and this means that you’ll be able to benefit from experiencing everything they have brought with them. You’ll see different parts of culture be integrated into the local community and still be able to appreciate what Germany itself can offer.
3. English is Spoken Everywhere
Learning a new language can seem like an ambitious task for some people, and it’s perfectly acceptable to worry about it. However, anyone who tries to move to Germany will be pleased to see that the country is mostly bilingual, and the majority speak English as clearly as you do.
Nearly all German students are taught English as a second language these days, so they grow up with English at their fingertips. You’ll be able to learn German at your own pace, which can help a lot with acclimating to your new life.
4. Germany is a Safe Place
Lots of expats worry when moving to a new country because crime can be much
higher. You’ll be pleased to know that Germany is, for the most part, a safe place to live. It has a low crime rate, and violent crime isn’t a worry. It's overall a very safe place to raise kids.
Disadvantages of living in Germany:
1. The Cost of Living Tends to be Higher
For all that Germany has gotten right regarding quality of life and other similar things, it struggles a little bit with living costs. Generally, living in Germany is more expensive than in other parts of Europe.
This is not a deal-breaker but a warning for people seeking wealth. Germany is a hard place to become rich, but the trade-off for this is that you’ll afford a good standard of living. Ultimately, if you value a comfortable life over a wealthy one, Germany is the place for you.
2. Rigid Rules and Laws
The lower crime rates that make Germany a nice place to live are the result of strict and rigid laws and rules. Germany is a country with laws that are followed, which, if you’re an expat who isn’t familiar with the nuances, can be tough to navigate. You’ll find that ignorance isn’t a viable defence for breaking rules, and you’ll face consequences for doing so. Some may call it harsh, but it is simply how the country has elected to do things.
3. The Work-Life Balance
Most places have differing stances on the work-life balance. Depending on where you go, it is possible to enjoy a comfortable split between your professional duties and the downtime you have.
However, Germany is one of those places which is a little heavier on work and lighter on play. The norm in Germany is to work hard and achieve a lot, but this does mean longer hours. You may find that you don’t get as much downtime as you’d like - navigate this as you see fit.
4. Higher Taxes
Taxes are an issue wherever you go in the world. However, Germany has higher taxes than other places, which can lead to some issues. These taxes help keep the country's social services running as well as they do, so it isn’t unreasonable to be taxed more, but you’ll probably be shocked at the numbers when you first experience it for yourself.
Moving to Germany - Our Thoughts
Moving to Germany can be an incredible experience and one we would definitely recommend; however, it is worth noting that there are a few things to keep in mind when you do. For every good point, there is usually something to balance it - this realistic look at the country helps you to understand what you’re signing up for.
However, for many expats, the benefits of Germany outweigh the negative aspects of life there. It’s worth looking into, so we sincerely recommend checking out what’s on offer.
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