Looking to move to Germany? Check out our guide to the best cities in Germany for international citizens to live and work in. Discover top employers, cultural attractions, and more in cities like Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt. Perfect for anyone planning to study MS in Germany or work abroad.
Germany is known as 'the Land of the Free' for good reason. No matter what your religion, race, or gender, you are always welcome in Germany. The country boasts top universities, world-class companies, a vibrant culture, an efficient transportation system, and more. In this blog, we will discuss some of the best cities in Germany to live and work in.
Germany is a developed nation which works on the principles of welfare and hence its citizens are always taken care of. The country has always been at the helm of significant technological advancement and job opportunities. These are a few reasons that millions of students apply for a Masters in Germany every year. To learn more about studying in Germany, read:
Berlin, with a population of approximately 3.7 million, is the largest city in Germany. It is home to a diverse group of people from various races and religions. The city has been ranked highly for both cost and quality of living, among all the capital cities in Europe. Furthermore, its public transport system is one of the best in the world, providing easy and affordable access for residents and visitors alike.
Berlin hosts some of the best universities in the world. As more and more companies invest in establishing their base in Berlin, it is considered an excellent place for young graduates and job seekers to gain employment. Although German is the official language, you will find considerable people with a basic knowledge of English.
Berlin contains three world heritage sites, including the Museum Island. The Brandenburg Gate is one of the defining landmarks of Berlin. Thriving nightlife and extravagant shopping centres such as the Mall of Berlin and the Potsdamer Platz Arkaden means that whether you are a student or a working professional, there is something for everyone.
Prestigious Universities in Berlin
Humboldt University (HU Berlin)
Free University of Berlin
Technical University Berlin (TU Berlin)
University of the Arts (UdK)
European School of Management and Technology (ESMT Berlin)
Prominent Landmarks and Cultural Attractions
Brandenburg Gate
Charlottenburg Palace
Gendarmenmarkt
Berlin Television Tower (Fernsehturm)
The Berlin Wall Memorial and Documentation Centre
Top employers in Berlin
SAP
Siemens
Amazon
HubSpot
Deutsche Bank
Approximate cost of living per month – €1800-€2500
2. Munich: The Home of BMW, Beer and Bayern
Source : Themanual
Munich is the third-largest city in Germany, with a population of over 1.5 million. Its excellent public transportation system, good housing, and beautiful parks and gardens make it one of the best cities to live and work in Germany.
However, what draws younger people to Munich is the quality of education and opportunities to work for some of the world’s biggest companies. The city is home to some of the best universities in the world like TU Munich and the University of Munich and is the home of corporate giants such as BMW, Siemens and Allianz.
The Marienplatz is the heart of the city and offers an insight into what Munich is all about. Munich provides a lively football culture for football enthusiasts, with the Allianz Arena hosting Bayern Munich, one of the most successful football clubs in Europe, and TSV 1860 Munich, one of the oldest professional football clubs in Germany. Munich also hosts the famous Oktoberfest, the Bavarian beer festival. Young professionals and students may find a lot to do while studying at world-class universities in Munich.
Prestigious Universities in Munich
Technical University of Munich (TUM)
Ludwig Maximilian University Munich (LMU)
Prominent Landmarks and Cultural Attractions
Marienplatz
Nymphenburg Palace
Munich Residenz
Allianz Arena
BMW Welt
Top employers in Munich :
PUMA
Microsoft
Airbus
BMW
Intel Corporation
Approximate cost of living per month – €2,000-€2500
3. Frankfurt: The Culture and Business Hub
Source : worldtravelguide.net
Frankfurt, also known as Frankfurt am Main, is the fifth-largest city in Germany with a population of approximately 750,000. The city was rebuilt after being destroyed during the Second World War and today is one of Germany's most important cities, especially in terms of economic growth. Frankfurt is also one of the most diverse cities in both Germany and Europe.
Frankfurt is a hot job market not only because of the vast number of job opportunities but also because of the high salaries. Major companies and financial institutions such as the European Central Bank and the Deutsche Bank are headquartered here.Frankfurt also has some of the best educational institutes in the world.
The city hosts some of the world’s largest cultural fairs. There is no scarcity of restaurants, entertainment hubs and sports clubs, meaning you will never be bored in the city. It is one of the best cities in Germany to live and work in.
Prestigious Universities in Frankfurt
Goethe University
Frankfurt School of Finance and Management
Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences
Prominent Landmarks and Cultural Attractions
Stadel Museum
Goethe House
Palmengarten
Frankfurt Cathedral
Romerberg
Top employers in Frankfurt
Procter & Gamble
Deloitte
Accenture
PwC
Deutsche Bahn
Approximate cost of living per month – €2,000-€2500
4. Stuttgart: Where Things are Made
Source : Wikimedia
Stuttgart is a vibrant city located in the southwest of Germany, renowned for its industries, trade, and academics. It is the perfect destination for anyone, young or old, and one of Germany's best cities to live in.
The city is full of shops, cafes, restaurants and beautiful parks. You will find both a quiet place to relax by yourself and also a place to celebrate with others during weekends. The city’s wine centres and the Mercedes Benz Museum and festivals are some of the must-visit tourist attractions.
As several world-class companies like Mercedes, IBM and Porsche and top universities are located in Stuttgart, hundreds of people come to Stuttgart every year for the purpose of work, education, and living. According to the latest update, Stuttgart has an overall population of 634,830, making it the sixth-largest city in Germany.
Prestigious Universities in Stuttgart
University of Stuttgart
University of Hohenheim
Stuttgart Technology University of Applied Sciences
Prominent Landmarks and Cultural Attractions
Mercedes-Benz Museum
Schlossplatz
Porsche Museum
Schillerplatz
Ludwigsburg Residential Palace
Top employers in Stuttgart
IBM
Robert Bosch
Deloitte
Capgemini
Amazon
Mercedes-Benz
Porsche
Approximate cost of living per month – €1800-€2200
5. Hamburg: The Port with a Character
Source : Lonely Planet
Hamburg, also known as the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, is the second-largest city in Germany and the seventh-largest in the European Union, with a population of nearly 2.5 million. Its numerous canals and rivers have led to it being called the 'Venice of the North'. The city offers a wide range of amenities, including shopping centers, elegant dining restaurants, and film festivals.
Some of the top maritime, aerospace, media and technology companies are located in Hamburg. The city’s extensive public and private transportation system allow one to navigate anywhere. Hamburg has a lively cultural scene, the Reeperbahn being a fine example of the same. The mix of work and modern culture makes Hamburg one of the best cities in Germany work and live in.
Prestigious Universities in Hamburg
University of Hamburg
Hamburg University of Technology
Hamburg University of Applied Sciences
European University of Applied Sciences in Hamburg
Prominent Landmarks and Cultural Attractions
Elbphilharmonie Hamburg
Elbe Tunnel
Miniatur Wunderland
Planten un Blomen
Alsterarkaden
Top employers in Hamburg
Google
Deloitte
PwC
IBM
Accenture
Approximate cost of living per month – €1900-€2200
6. Cologne: The Rhineland Cultural Center
Cologne is not only the fourth most populous city in Germany, but also the greenest. It's known as the country's capital of the television industry. The Rhine river splits the city into two halves, with the left side being more vibrant and lively, and the right side being more traditional and serene.
However, what attracts international students to Cologne is the world-class educational institutes, companies, the insurance industry and the TV industry. Although full of festivals, events, nightclubs and restaurants, you will always have a small-town feel in Cologne. In addition to this, Cologne is just 30 minutes away from Bonn- a popular job market in Germany.
Prestigious Universities in Cologne
University of Cologne
Cologne University of Applied Sciences
German Sport University Cologne
Prominent Landmarks and Cultural Attractions
Cologne Cathedral
Old Market
Hohenzollern Bridge
Phantasialand
Museum Ludwig
Top employers in Cologne
KPMG
Bayer
IBM
Ford Motor Company
Microsoft
Approximate cost of living per month – €1,900-€2200
Other Notable Cities to Work and Live in Germany
Heidelberg
Dresden
Düsseldorf
Nuremberg
Freiburg
Hamburg
These cities also offer great job opportunities, cultural attractions, and a high quality of life. With a diverse range of industries, from technology to finance to healthcare, there is something for everyone in these cities.
Conclusion
Germany is one of the top destinations for international citizens looking to settle abroad. We have compiled a list of the best cities in Germany for living and working. This list provides information on various aspects such as the cost of living per month, top employers, and tourist attractions. It is especially useful for international students planning to pursue an MS in Germany or for anyone planning to move to Germany for work.