Looking for American Expats in Germany?

InterNations – Uniting Americans living in Germany

Would you like to get in touch with other Americans in Germany? Are you in need of help and advice from your American compatriots? Or would you like to join other American expats on an excursion to discover sights and landmarks – e.g. the picturesque islands off the Frisian coast?

Whether you have settled as an expat in Germany or are still living in the United States of America and planning your upcoming foreign assignment, InterNations Germany offers everything you need: Established in 2007, our trusted community soon became the leading platform for international networking among expatriates and global minds around the world. Our network also counts a considerable number of American expats in Germany, coming from all corners of United States of America - from New York City, over Washington D.C. to Los Angeles.

The social services provided allow me to live my life without the stress of crippling medical bills, student loans, fear of unemployment, etc. I know that the government here will protect me and my rights as a worker, woman, immigrant, and tax paying employee in Germany. I also have access to a great public transportation system that allows me to live without a car. I feel like Germany's values align quite closely with mine. Munich is a relatively bike friendly city, there are ample recycling facilities, and an effort to continue to make the city more climate friendly. - Female expat in Munich

The culture promotes and fosters a much more balanced relationship between work and personal life, allowing for more free time and holidays. And I adore the medical system, which makes it easier to maintain overall health and wellness. German culture is also kinder to the female form than my own culture, and I appreciate the reduction in demands for feminine perfection that have been such burdens for me as I’ve navigated the globe up until now. -Female expat in Göttingen

I like the work-life balance, as well as the challenges and opportunities presented by living in a country where I must learn the language to improve my level of communication and understanding of the people around me. -Female expat in Munich

There is a healthy balance of personal and work time as well as an equally healthy balance of personal responsibility and government-funded social services and quality healthcare. **-Female expat in Karlsruhe

What American Expats Don't Like about Living in Germany

Technology is behind other countries and progresses very slowly. Internet access is unreliable, some merchants don’t accept digital payments, and many government and health offices do not take appointments online. Postal mail is used for a lot of communication and it’s more difficult to translate than digital communication. - Male expat in Munich

The language is difficult to learn. Munich is slow to modernize payment options or online visa services. Customer service is almost non-existent and grocery stores have little variety or healthy prepared foods. Limited opening hours in Bavaria make running errands hard if you work long hours. - Female expat in Munich

The governmental red tape is really hard, especially with the language barrier. Small things, like changing your address or getting a business license, are so difficult and cannot be done online. - Female expat in Munich

The grey and dreary winters are difficult; I've also had some difficulties with understanding how services work and finding out how to get questions answered. Also the TV tax (seriously??) - Female expat in Frankfurt

Which cities are most popular among expats in Germany? Some cities attract more expats than others. These are the cities with the largest expat communities in Germany:

• Berlin
• Hamburg
• Munich

How much rent do expats pay in Germany? Your personal situation plays a role here. Single expats spend on average 950 USD on their accommodation per month, while expat families spend around 1.825 USD. And of course, rents can also vary greatly depending on the location and city within Germany.

To give you an idea of what to expect, here are some rent averages for the most popular cities in Germany.

Average rent in Berlin

• Single expats: 1.425 USD
• Expat families: 2.560 USD

Average rent in Hamburg

• Single expats: 1.120 USD
• Expat families: 2.150 USD

Average rent in Munich

• Single expats: 1.565 USD
• Expat families: 2.730 USD