- Andrey Vasilyev
Thanks to InterNations, I joined an after-work soccer team of other expatriates even before moving to Hamburg.
Meet other Brits & learn from their experience
Are you a Brit in Hamburg — or considering living here? Find out everything you need to know about moving from those who’ve done it before: fellow British expats in the InterNations Hamburg Community.
After all, experiencing German culture can be exciting. But it’s normal to also want to (re)connect with people who speak your native language and know what you mean when you talk about the FA Cup.
Keep reading so you don’t miss out on how to connect with fellow Brits at fun InterNations events and let us help you feel at home faster.
We would like to invite you to become a member of InterNations Hamburg. As a member of InterNations, you will have access to an active group of British expats, hailing from London, Cardiff, Glasgow and all regions of the UK.
Why do Brits move abroad? And do they like it?
Every year, we publish one of the biggest global surveys among expats. From work to the quality of life, respondents are asked about various aspects of their expat life. Learn what motivated our British members to move abroad, what keeps them there, and what they struggle with or miss about home.
Why you'll love InterNations in Hamburg
and countless possibilities for fun and friendship!
Meet British expats at our events in Hamburg
Making friends and building a network in a new city can be a challenge if you don’t know anyone yet.
Luckily, people at our events are all in the same boat and happy to make new friends. You’ll find it’s easy to simply introduce yourself and exchange stories about life abroad or get first-hand information about Hamburg. In no time, you’ll meet a bunch of international people, including other Brits.
So don’t miss out on our upcoming events, especially the Newcomers’ Events. Our dedicated event hosts (called Ambassadors) will warmly welcome you and introduce you to other newcomers and more experienced expats in Hamburg.
Want to meet other Brits at our events?
The pros & cons of living in Hamburg
No place is perfect, there’s always the good, the bad, and the ugly. Find out what our British members love about Hamburg as well as the challenges they face.
Pros of living in Hamburg
-
Ease of travel: Public transportation is both accessible and convenient in Hamburg. The city’s location in northern Germany, as well as its international airport and connections to the German railway network mean it’s not only easy to get around Hamburg but also to travel across Europe.
-
Healthcare: Germany offers high-quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare that Brits value.
-
Free education: There are many great public schools and universities in Hamburg that offer free education with very low semester fees. Tuition can be very expensive in the UK, so this a great opportunity for younger expats.
-
Safety: Our British members feel safe walking around at night in Hamburg. Crimes like mugging or theft happen less often here.
Cons of living in Hamburg
-
Taxes: The basic tax rate in Germany is slightly higher than in the UK, and there’s also sizable social contributions (state pension, health insurance, etc.) that will be deducted from your gross salary.
-
Bureaucracy: Bureaucracy in Germany can be very frustrating (not just for Brits). Everything is still done old-school with lots of paperwork, while online options to handle administrative tasks are few and far between. Getting an appointment can take a long time, too.
-
Language barrier: Not knowing German can make it hard to form friendships with locals; and German is not necessarily an easy language to learn. Official appointments like city registration, going to the doctor, or finding accommodation can also be a struggle with only English.
-
Cash dependency: There are still many places in Hamburg that only accept cash. This is particularly annoying when you’re used to online payments, credit cards, and other cashless payment options being readily available.
Frequently asked questions about life in Hamburg
Paddy’s Bar is a nice sports bar in Hamburg to watch British sports, from Premier League games to rugby matches. They serve Irish whiskeys and the staff speaks very good English, which is why a lot of British people love hanging out there.
But if you’re looking for more than just trying your luck in a bar, the easier way is to attend specific events for expats from the UK and around the world. Our InterNations events are a great place to meet other internationals in Hamburg. So why not join one of our Newcomers’ Events — they’re specially designed for people new to the community. Making your first friends won’t be hard at all!
The income you’ll need to cover costs of course depends on your individual situation and lifestyle, whether you’re a student, a single person with a full-time job, or a family with kids.
To give you some idea, here’s an overview of the cost of living in Hamburg:
| GBP per month | Local currency per month | |
Utilities (power, water, etc.) | 260 GBP | 310 EUR |
Rent for a studio apartment | 630-860 GBP | 750-1,030 EUR |
Rent for a small family home | 1,180-1,680 GBP | 1,400-2,000 EUR |
Public transportation | 40 GBP | 50 EUR |
Mobile phone & internet | 50 GBP | 60 EUR |
Meal at a restaurant (per person) | 12-25 GBP | 15-30 EUR |
Groceries (per person) | 170-300 GBP | 200-350 EUR |
Basic health insurance (public) | min. 14.6% of gross salary | min. 14.6% of gross salary |
false
The average salary for jobs in Hamburg is 4,500 EUR per month. If you’re making at least this amount, you can live comfortably here. However, if you have a family and kids to support, you might want to aim higher. Between 5,000 and 6,000 EUR is considered a good household income for a family.
Hamburg is a very international city, with 20% of its residents being expats. Many people speak English, so getting around or handling basic interactions won’t be too hard. But you’re bound to hit the language barrier now and then, which can be frustrating. The most challenging moments usually occur when you need to handle official paperwork or appointments, are looking for a flat, or want to see a doctor.
So, you ideally use your time in Hamburg to learn at least some basic German. There are various affordable language courses available, or you can learn for free using language apps or websites.
We’ve also collected some services that cater to English speakers for the most important aspects of life (these services are not affiliated with or endorsed by InterNations):
General practitioner (GP) | Avi Medical Hamburg A full-service clinic (Hausarzt). The clinic caters to English speakers. |
Dentist | Zahnarzt Hamburg – Dental 21 The dentists and staffs speak good English; available in many different locations in Hamburg. |
Urgent care | University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) One of the largest and most modern hospitals in Europe, with multilingual staff. |
Immigration assistance | Immigration-Germany.co They offer relocation and visa support with a full-service approach. |
Tax advisor | GTK Wirtschaftsprüfer, Steuerberater, Rechtsanwälte Tax consultancy firm with experience in both the UK and the German tax system: GeTEx Certified English-speaking tax experts. |
Instant interpreting service | DayInterpreting Get connected to a native German speaker on your phone and use the loudspeaker to have an instant interpreter with you. |
false
Meet other Brits in Hamburg
Our Global Partners
Find friends to pursue your passions with
Do you want to continue with your hobbies — or discover new ones — while living in Hamburg? There are a variety of InterNations Groups you can join based on your interests.
These groups are run by dedicated Consuls who hold at least one activity each month. They organize everything from dinners in Hamburg restaurants to sightseeing activities and excursions. For example, you can visit a museum with the popular Arts & Culture Group, join a walk around the city or a trek into nature with the Hiking and Walking Group, and attend music concerts with the Jazz and World Music Group. Don’t hide your passion!
Find other Brits to share your hobbies with
Enjoy the international experience with InterNations
We’re not just active in Hamburg — InterNations offers lively communities in most of Germany’s major cities. Whether you’re traveling or moving, check out our British communities in Munich, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Berlin, Stuttgart, Essen, Bonn, Regensburg, or Heidelberg.
But that’s not all! If you’re in the mood for a nice night out while traveling further abroad, InterNations is your go-to platform. We have communities in over 420 cities worldwide, and you’re welcome to join in on their events, too.
Browse all InterNations Communities worldwide.
- Look through our Members Network to connect with Hamburg’s British expats.
- Become active in our Expat Forums in order to find insider tips and suggestions from fellow British expats in Hamburg.
- Make full use of the Expat Guide for Hamburg to obtain important information on your temporary home abroad.
Mix and Mingle with Brits in Hamburg at Our Events
Our Hamburg community is also lively and welcoming offline. The InterNations Ambassadors host regular get-togethers and a range of expat activities, e.g. a chic dining experience in Hamburg’s trendiest restaurant or a get-away with fellow British expats to discover beautiful Bavaria. These activities make it easy for you to get to know other expats from United Kingdom in your local community and meet Brits in Germany in a comfortable setting. If this sounds interesting to you, simply sign up for membership – we are looking forward to welcoming you among our Brits living in Hamburg!
- Andrey Vasilyev
Thanks to InterNations, I joined an after-work soccer team of other expatriates even before moving to Hamburg.
- Hannah Steele
During my first week in Hamburg, I went to an InterNations event and immediately felt connected. Many members are now close friends of mine.
