What You Need to Know When You’re Moving to Regensburg

Relocating to Regensburg

About the City

Situated at the meeting point of the Danube, Regen and Naab rivers in Eastern Bavaria, Regensburg covers roughly 80.76 square kilometers of area, and has a diverse population of over 140,000, with a large expatriate community and residents from Turkey, Serbia, Hungary, Poland, and Romania. In total, 12% of the city’s population was born outside of Germany.

The main language spoken in Regensburg is German, although many of the younger generations speak English as it is taught in schools. However, it would be advisable for expatriates living in Regensburg to learn at least a few German phrases.

The Climate in Regensburg

Regensburg has a continental climate; however, due to its proximity to a number of rivers and the Alps, its climate also has distinct maritime influences. This means that as well as experiencing dry, stable summers with comfortably warm temperatures around 18°C, those living in Regensburg can also expect wet, cold winters with temperatures around -1.5°C on average.

Unlike many regions located near the foot of the Alps, Regensburg is just far enough away to not experience rainy summers, but this also means that the warm Alpine winds are less common. As it is situated in a valley, winters also bring a high chance of fog, smog, and mist, which can often shroud Regensburg for days at a time.

Visas for Germany

As Germany is an EU member state, any expatriate moving to Regensburg from another Schengen state will not need a visa or a residency permit to do so. However, if you are moving to Regensburg from outside of the EU and are planning to stay for more than 90 days, you will need to apply for a visa and a residency permit at your embassy or consulate.

These permits will usually be issued for one year, or up to three in some cases, even if your employment contract is set for a longer period. Obtaining a visa and residency permit for Germany can be difficult, and you will find it much easier if you have employment already arranged in the country. For more information on visas, take a look at our in-depth article on How to Get a German Visa.