Moving to Germany

10 Challenges Foreigner WILL Face in Germany

Germany is a great country to live and work in, with its rich culture, history, and economy. However, moving to Germany as a foreigner can also pose some challenges and difficulties that you might not expect. Here are the top ten problems that foreigners will 100% meet when they move to Germany, and some tips on how to deal with them.

Our company, Nexus-Europe GmbH, assists foreigners with starting and developing their own business in Germany and moving to Germany through business. Over 20 years of operation we have helped more than 7000 customers.

Challenges of moving to Germany

Let’s see what challenges foreigners are bound to face when relocating to Germany.

1. No appointments in the immigration authority in Germany: Getting an appointment can be very hard, as the demand is high and the slots are limited. You might have to wait for months to get an appointment. This is unfortunately a huge issue in Germany.

2. No affordable apartments in big cities: Finding a place to live can be a nightmare of relocation to Germany, especially in big cities like Berlin, Munich, or Hamburg. The housing market is very competitive and the prices are very high. You might have to pay a lot of money for a small and old apartment, or even share a room with strangers. You might also face discrimination or scams from landlords or agents who prefer German tenants or ask for illegal fees.  

Check out other articles in our Knowledge Base. You’ll find lots of useful tips there on how to overcome challenges in Germany and other topics.

3. No bank account: When it comes to moving to Germany, having a bank account in Germany is essential for many things, such as paying your rent, bills, taxes, or online purchases. However, opening a bank account in Germany can be tricky, as you need to have a residence permit and a registration certificate. To get a registration certificate, you need to have an apartment. To get an apartment, you often need a German bank account and credit score which people who never lived in Germany would not have. This is a vicious circle that can make you feel frustrated and helpless.

4. Language barrier: Although many Germans can speak English, they might not be fluent or willing to use it. In smaller cities or rural areas, you might have a hard time finding people who can speak English at all. This can make your relocation to Germany and daily life difficult, such as shopping, ordering food, asking for directions, dealing with authorities or other aspects of moving to Germany.

5.  Different working and business culture: Working or doing business in Germany can be very different from what you are used to in your home country. These cultural differences can cause misunderstandings, conflicts, or mistakes if you are not aware of them. To better adapt to the German culture, read our article.

6. Health insurance: If you are hired by a German employer, you will normally be covered by the public health insurance system, which is mandatory and covers most of the medical costs. However, if you are self-employed, you will have to find your own private health insurance, which can be expensive and complicated. You will also have to pay the premiums yourself.

7. Bureaucracy: Germany is known for its bureaucratic processes, which can be overwhelming for foreigners trying to navigate the system and obtain the necessary permits and licenses to start a business.

8. No appointments on short-notice: If you’d like to have an appointment with a specialist, such as a lawyer or a doctor, often you’d need to wait for a really long time, sometimes even months.

9. No German friends: Unfortunately, when moving to Germany, many foreigners struggle with this aspect of integration. Due to cultural differences and the language barrier, it can be challenging to become friends with Germans.

10. Taxation: Germany has a complex tax system, and understanding and complying with the tax laws can be difficult for foreign business owners.

Moving to Germany can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it can also be challenging and difficult. It's important to recognize that the challenges discussed here are not unique to this country but are common when moving to a foreign place.  

Our company, Nexus-Europe GmbH, assists foreigners with establishing their own successful business in Germany and moving to Germany as well as with adapting to the German culture and lifestyle.