Pros and cons of living in Germany: The unfiltered truth

Germany is the world's third-largest economy with a GDP exceeding 4,470 billion EUR. It's definitely not a bad place to relocate – living in Germany brings comfort and career opportunities. However, there is the other side of the coin. In the Expat Insider’s ‘Best and worst countries for expats in 2025’ survey, Germany ranked 42nd out of 46 destinations. Why? We’ll explore the reasons in this article.

Read on and decide if moving to Germany is right for you.

Pros of living in Germany

Strong economy, work-life balance, high-quality healthcare, great education and safety – these are the reasons Germany is so loved by expats. Explore each in more detail:

Large economy and job security

Germany is the strongest economy in Europe and is the third-largest trading country in 2026. From the expats’ perspective, it means enough jobs and overall stability. Germany's unemployment rate was 6.4% in April 2026, which is not the healthiest number but is considered okayish.

In Germany, you can get an offer from massive corporations (Siemens, Bayer, BMW), as well as small and medium-sized businesses (called Mittelstand in Germany), which offer countless roles for skilled professionals. When you enter your workplace, you have to survive a six-month probation period. If you and the company are a good match and you stay, strict labour laws start to apply, making it exceptionally hard to be fired without cause.

As for the salary, the average gross is 4,851 EUR monthly (according to the 2025 data). Moving to Germany may increase your savings – and help your family back home. Expats often send money to their loved ones after receiving the monthly payout, and we at Profee offer simple and secure transfers. Explore more about money transfers from Germany here.

Exceptional work-life balance 

Germans work for 1,341 hours per year on average, which leaves room for rest, travel and quality time with friends and family. To compare, people in Mexico are busy at work for 2,226 hours annually. As a German employee, you have an official right to take 20 paid vacation days per year. Many businesses increase the vacation period to 25-30 days.

Locals embrace an incredible work-life balance (Feierabend culture) – the sacred time after work when emails are ignored. The welfare state also shines, offering up to three years of parental leave and six weeks of fully paid sick leave.

Explore more: What benefits you can claim as a family in Germany.

High-quality healthcare

Germany's healthcare system is ranked 3rd in global innovations, and all residents are required by law to hold health insurance (Krankenversicherung). If you go with the public option, you contribute 14.6% of your gross monthly income – though some providers may charge you extra. The contribution is split 50:50 with your employer. The medical care you get is modern, effective, and globally recognised. Plus, if you are sick for longer than six weeks, Krankengeld  (sickness benefit) covers a portion of your salary.

Read more: German health insurance, private vs public system.

Affordable, world-class education

Around 50 German universities are in the top 500 in the global rankings. Some of the strongest options are Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, University of Bonn, Humboldt University of Berlin, Ulm University, and many others.

For expats, there is something very special about universities in Germany – most public institutions don’t have a tuition fee. What you must pay for is the semester fee (150-400 EUR on average) and your personal cost of living in Germany. Keep in mind that not all universities and programmes are tuition-free, so verify with the exact institution you’re interested in.

Safety and daily comfort

Germany ranks 20th out of 163 countries on the Global Peace Index 2025, and violent crime is rare. Even though Germany's rank has dropped three places, the country is still a safe place to stay alone or with your whole family.  

On top of safety, major cities in Germany are green, bike-friendly, and comfortable for living. While locals love to complain about Deutsche Bahn delays, the reality is that you can easily navigate most cities in Germany without ever needing a car.

Cons of living in Germany

Infamous German bureaucracy

Germany is placed 46th out of 46 destinations in the Expat Essentials Index 2025 – settling down is tiring and time-consuming. Digitalisation is slow and can’t even be compared to other countries in Europe, as most of your paperwork will be physical. German bureaucracy (Bürokratie) is full of in-person appointments booked weeks in advance. The game begins the moment you arrive with the mandatory residence registration (Anmeldung) at your local town hall. Without this residence registration, you can't get a tax ID, open a bank account, or even sign an internet contract.

Expats on Reddit share stories about lost documents, application delays and confusing rules, so you really have to be prepared.  

What else is waiting for you: notoriously slow Ausländerbehörde (Foreigners' Authority) for visas,  SCHUFA  credit score just to be considered for an apartment and a credit card, and countless documents and applications.

Housing crisis in Germany

Germany is lacking 1.4 million homes, according to the Social Housing Monitor 2026 study. The housing shortage (Wohnungsnot) is now among the biggest issues in the country. When demand is so much higher than the supply, you can imagine what’s happening with the prices. They skyrocket. The average rent in Munich, for example, is 1,207.96 EUR for a one-bedroom apartment as of June 2026 (subject to change).

To keep the prices affordable, the German government has introduced rent control legislation (Mietpreisbremse). However, it wasn’t effective enough.

Be aware: Some German apartments are usually rented without a kitchen. You are fully expected to buy appliances yourself!

High taxes

Approximately 47.9% of what an employer pays for you doesn’t reach you (rates subject to change). This is called the tax wedge – the difference between what an employer pays to hire a worker and the amount that the worker takes home. In simple words, 47.9% of your true salary goes on taxes and social contributions.

Add the hidden costs like the Rundfunkbeitrag (mandatory TV/radio tax) and the optional Church Tax, and you have less money left than you may expect. Careful budgeting is essential to managing the true cost of living in Germany.

Hardships of blending in

Germany is among the ten countries where it’s hardest to make friends, according to the 2025 survey. Locals are direct and may seem cold on the outside. However, once you break the language and culture barrier, they’ll become loyal and good friends. What does this fact have to teach us? Study the place you’re moving to and be ready to adjust to local expectations. Learning a language is the bare minimum to show respect.

Expats and locals on Reddit advise mastering German, avoiding small talk, separating waste, and not being too pushy.

Tips: Learning German in Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich.

Country of rules

Germany enforces some of Europe's strictest public rules, covering noise, recycling, stair-cleaning schedules, and pedestrian behaviour. For example, on quiet Sundays (Ruhetag), shops close and neighbours may complain even if you drop glass in the recycling bin loudly. Without your exact name on the mailbox, the postman instantly returns your letters. You may even have to scrub the building stairs on a schedule (Kehrwoche). You should also stand at a red pedestrian light at midnight with zero traffic. It takes time to get used to this level of structure, but once you do, you’ll see that most of these rules do make sense.