Germany is a great place to work and live in as an international. With its abundance of world-class companies and a strong economy, Germany is an attractive destination for skilled professionals from all over the globe. You’ll be able to find a place perfect for your career with many vibrant and globally-oriented cities.
But which German city is the best place to work and live in as an international?
In this blog post, we look at some of the top cities in Germany for internationals. We also offer some tips on how to find a job in Germany. So read on to learn more!
The best cities for work and life in as an international in Germany
With a population of over 80 million people, Germany has a lot of big cities. This why it is important to think about which is the right one for you.
In the following overview, we want to introduce certain cities to you that are worth considering, especially due to their high number of available jobs to internationals as well as a their high standard of living. This is why we’re also pointing out the top employers for internationals in each city.
Of course, we also encourage you to stay open-minded regarding your place to be, especially when looking for a job. The more cities you consider, the more jobs you have available to you. Still, it makes sense to assign priorities so that you can focus.
So which cities are your top priorities?
Berlin
The capital of Germany, Berlin is the top destination for international talent in Germany. The city is known for its vibrant start-up scene as well as many multinational companies. Many people speak English and are used to international culture. There are a lot of jobs available for internationals as fluent German is often not a requirement, especially in the tech world. Berlin is also great place to live, with a lively nightlife and cultural and historical attractions. Berlin is the place for you if you are looking for an exciting and fast-paced environment.
Top companies for internationals in Berlin: Zalando, HelloFresh, Amazon, Babbel, Auto1
Munich
A close second to Berlin, Munich has become a great destination for international talents in Germany in the last years. Munich has a strong economy and is ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world. Top companies from all over the world are currently considering Munich a great talent hub due to it’s strong university landscape, especially for tech & engineering. Munich is worth considering if you’re looking for a high-standard and cosmopolitan place to work.
Top companies for internationals in Munich: Microsoft, Apple, Intel, BMW
Frankfurt am Main
Located in the middle of Germany with Germany’s largest airport, Frankfurt am Main is a great location to start your adventure in Germany. It also has a strong economy, especially in Banking. But also a lot of international tech and consultancy companies have made Frankfurt the home for their German or European operations. Frankfurt might be right place for you if you like to be in the middle of things and have a short travel to all other parts of Germany or Europe.
Top companies for internationals in Frankfurt am Main: Deutsche Bank, Tata Consultancy Services, Samsung, Nintendo of Europe
Hamburg
Hamburg is a major city in nothern Germany and has Germany’s most important port. The city is also home to some leading companies from the airflight section, including Airbus and Lufthansa. Hamburg has a strong economy, especially in the Logistics sector, and is one of the world’s most livable cities for students. If you’re looking to move to a place with more opportunities to work and study, Hamburg is one of the top cities in Germany, especially if you enjoy being near water and the sea.
Top companies for internationals in Hamburg: Airbus, Lufthansa, Beiersdorf, Adobe, AboutYou
Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf is another major city in Germany and the capital of the state of Nordrhein-Westfalen. Düsseldorf is known for its international culture. Düsseldorf also has a large Japanese community that everyone is very proud of. Located beautifully at the river Rhein, Düsseldorf also offers a great place to enjoy your life after work at the “Rhein-Terasse”. Düsseldorf is perfect for you if you enjoy an exciting city and are drawn to Japanese culture.
Top companies for internationals in Düsseldorf: CGI, Trivago, Henkel, L’Oreal, Vodafone
Stuttgart
Stuttgart is the capital of the German state of Baden-Württemberg and is one of the largest cities in the country. The city is home to many international companies, including famous automobile companies Daimler and Porsche. Stuttgart is a great place to work as a global talent, as it offers many jobs in various industries, especially for engineering talent. The live outside work is also great, as Stuttgart offers a great cultural scene and parks where you can enjoy your days off.
Top companies for internationals in Stuttgart: Daimler, Porsche, Bosch, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Valeo
Tips for finding a job as an international in Germany
Finding a place in Germany that you like is of course only on part of what you have to do. The other is to actually find a good job! That’s why we want to give you some tips for your job search a well.
Search for fitting jobs online
Every company posts their jobs online these days. This allows you to filter through them very effectively. Make sure to always read the described requirements to check if you really fit before you apply to avoid unnecessary rejections.
Here are some great websites to search for jobs online as an international because they allow to filter for english job ads: Stepstone.de, indeed.de, arbeitnow.com, englishjobs.de
Go to local meet-ups
Especially if you already live in one of those cities we have discussed, going to local meet-ups is a great way to connect with other people and also recruiters from companies. For example, you can use websites like eventbrite.de or meetup.com for your search
Create good application documents
Having great application documents is very important in a competitive market like Germany. For example, you can check out how to write a CV for applying in Germany or download our CV template here. If you want a full step-by-step video course guide, you can also check out our Job Search MasterClass for Germany.
Summary: The best cities for internationals in Germany
Germany is an excellent option if you’re looking for a great place to work as an international talent. The top 3 best cities in Germany for jobs in our opinion are Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt am Main These cities offer a variety of job opportunities for talented workers from all over the world. But also cities like Hamburg, Düsseldorf, or Stuttgart can be interesting to you.
No matter what your favorite city is: If you want to live and work in a town with a high quality of life, plenty of jobs available, and a thriving economy, Germany has a lot of places to offer for you.
