- Antoine Mariaux
What I really like about InterNations Munich? The wonderful crowd of outgoing and lively expats at our local events, of course!
Feel at home: Your American community in Munich
Are you an American in Munich — or are you considering living here? Imagine you could meet fellow Americans who miss the same traditions from home, like celebrating the 4th of July, Thanksgiving, or just watching the Super Bowl. American expats are also a source of first-hand tips and info to help you get settled in Munich.
Whether you want to know where to shop for authentic American snacks, need someone to help you with filing those complicated American taxes, or just want some buddies to enjoy classic American cuisine with, the InterNations Munich Community has you covered! Learn more about the ins and outs of life in Munich and discover how you can meet Americans living here.
Why Americans move abroad … (& and do they like it?)
Every year, we publish one of the biggest global surveys for expats — Expat Insider — where we ask people living around the world about every aspect of expat life.
We’ve rounded up key facts about the typical American expat: what motivated them to move to a new country, what they enjoy about life abroad, as well as what they struggle with the most.
Meet the average American expat
Why you'll love InterNations in Munich
and countless possibilities for fun and friendship!
The pros & cons of living in Munich
Of course, no place is absolutely perfect. There’s always the good, the bad, and the ugly. Read on and discover what American expats love about Munich — and the challenges they face.
What Americans like about living abroad
Cost of living: When comparing the average cost of living in the US and Munich, you’ll find Munich is relatively cheaper. Rent is often more affordable, and expenses such as groceries and internet are much cheaper. This is especially true compared with major coastal cities in the US. Smaller US cities in the Midwest or South, for example, might be more comparable to Munich, with even lower rent prices than the Bavarian capital.
Healthcare: Health insurance is mandatory for every resident in Germany, so you don’t have to worry about lacking coverage or access. With income-based contributions and a focus on preventative care, healthcare is more affordable than in the US.
Walkability: Americans often appreciate how easily they can get around in Munich. You can walk or cycle to most places, and public transport is not only inexpensive but also widely available, wherever you need to go. For Americans from large cities where driving is often necessary, this is a significant advantage.
Green spaces & historic charm: Munich blends nature with urban life. The English Garden is one of the world’s largest urban public parks worldwide. You can enjoy many leisure opportunities — from the outdoors to culture — in Munich and its surroundings. Plus, there’s charming architecture and Bavarian traditions to discover (and we don’t just mean Oktoberfest!).
Vacation days: On average, you get about 20 vacation days a year, and Bavaria enjoys many public holidays throughout the year. This allows more time for vacations and relaxation than you might find in the US — and a slower pace of life. For many, this is a welcome difference to the fast-paced life in most US cities.
What Americans struggle with abroad
Salary: Salaries in Munich certainly don’t compare to the higher levels most Americans are used to. But the lower cost of living balances it out.
Bureaucracy: German bureaucracy can be a nightmare. Researching and finding answers to your questions can take a long time and not much is done online. All documents are usually sent to you by post.
Cultural differences: Discovering new cultural norms is part of the experience, but it can take time to adjust. For example, German culture can be more formal, especially in professional settings. Communication can be more direct. And if you’re used to running errands on Sundays, things are different here. Shops are closed on Sundays in Munich.
Language barrier: Outside of touristy spots, it can be difficult to connect with people and carry out daily tasks without knowing at least some German. Living in a country that does not speak your native language can take a toll on some people. Learning as much German as you can before you arrive will go a long way.
Meet American expats at fun events in Munich
Making friends and building a network in a new city can be hard. Luckily, at our events, everyone is from somewhere else! So it’s completely normal to introduce yourself to people and ask them about their own expat journey. Check out any of our upcoming events and you’ll soon feel like part of Munich's expat family.
And look out for Newcomers’ Events — they’re a great way to get to know the community. Our welcoming Ambassadors will introduce you to other newcomers and more experienced expats living in Munich.
Want to meet other Americans at our events?
All your questions about Munich, answered
If you’re looking to watch NFL games or the Super Bowl, try Irish pubs like Killians. They usually broadcast most of the NFL season, so you’re sure to bump into some Americans there. The same goes for other Irish pubs like Goldig and The Keg.
Of course, you can also look for events specifically for Americans or even expats in general. That’s the advantage of InterNations Events — you’ll meet Americans and other English-speaking expats in Munich. Our Newcomers’ Events are designed to introduce newcomers to the community, making it easier to make your first friends than trying your luck in a bar.
The average cost of living in Germany can range from 1500 EUR to 3500 EUR depending on if you’re a single person or a family of four. Most people say to live comfortably in Germany with your family you should earn about 5000 EUR monthly.
Let’s break down the cost of living in Munich:
| USD per month | Local currency per month | |
Utilities (power, water, etc.) | 330 USD | 300 EUR |
Rent for a studio apartment | 1600 USD | 1500 EUR |
Rent for a small family home | 2200–2700 USD | 2000– 2500 EUR |
Public transportation | 55 USD | 50 EUR |
Mobile phone & internet | 65 USD | 60 EUR |
Meal at a restaurant (per person) | 15 USD | 15 EUR |
Groceries (per person) | 215 USD | 200 EUR |
Basic health insurance (public) | Typically 14.6% of gross salary |
Munich is an international city that attracts a substantial number of tourists every year. While, you can get around with basic German language skills, it will start to feel limiting. The most challenging moments usually occur when having to get official paperwork done, find an apartment, see a doctor, etc. You’ll run into the proverbial language barrier, so ideally, treat your time in Munich as an opportunity to learn German.
There’s a wide variety of language schools to get you started. And these days there are several apps that help you to improve on your own time and budget. To make your time in Munich smoother, we collected some services that cater to English speakers (these services are not affiliated with InterNations):
General practitioner (GP) | Doctolib Doctor Search Directories Here you can filter for English speaking doctors. |
Dentist | Zahnarztpraxis Dr. Topp The dentist speaks multiple languages besides English. Easy to access via U-Bahn or bus. |
Urgent care | Helios |
Immigration assistance | Immigration-Germany |
Tax advisor | US Tax advisor Munich-based tax consultancy. |
Instant interpreting service | Dayinterpreting Connect to a native Dutch speaker on your phone and use the phone’s loudspeaker to have an instant interpreter with you. |
Meet other Americans in Munich
Our Global Partners
Pursue your hobbies with amazing new friends
Do you want to continue pursuing your hobbies — or discover new ones — while living abroad? You can do that easily in our InterNations Groups, which offer activities based on a wide range of interests. Groups are hosted by dedicated Consuls with at least one activity each month. They organize everything from dinners to sightseeing to board game nights. For example, you can enjoy nature with the Outdoors Group, share your love of music with the Jazz Group, or go on an adventure with the Boat Trips Group. There’s something for everyone!
Find other Americans to share your hobbies with
Enjoy the international experience — worldwide
We’re not just in Munich! InterNations has lively communities in most of Germany’s major cities. If you’re traveling or moving to another city in Germany, check out our American communities in Berlin, Hamburg , Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Essen, Cologne, Bonn, Regensburg, Heidelberg, or Stuttgart. 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. As an InterNations member, you’re always welcome to join events in any of our communities in over 420 cities worldwide. You can find the full list here: Browse all InterNations Communities worldwide.
- Antoine Mariaux
What I really like about InterNations Munich? The wonderful crowd of outgoing and lively expats at our local events, of course!
- Chen Ming
I had my first "mass" of Oktoberfest beer at the InterNations event for the Munich expat community - thank you, InterNations! :)
