Top 10 German Cities

1. Berlin

Pros

• Diversity and activity
• Relatively more job openings for foreigners
• Hardly any problems speaking English in daily encounters
• International city, some consider it the heart of Europe

Cons

• Living costs are high compared to most other German cities & increasing
• High competition for English-speaking roles as this is where most English speakers look first
• Streets are dirtier compared to other large cities in Germany
• Some areas like Neukölln are very densely populated

2. Hamburg

Pros

• One of Europe’s most active harbors, with a mix of modern and classic neighborhoods
• Plenty of job opportunities – the highest increase in the last year in Germany
• Waterways all over, and excellent public transport
• Close to the ocean, beaches & islands in North Germany 

Cons

• Weather most of the year is dark and rainy. The wind coming off the coast is always a factor!
• Population is considered reserved and not as outgoing 
• Less English speaking jobs

3. Munich (München)

Pros

• High quality of life
• Relatively safe
• Beautiful parks and outdoor mountainous activities
• Many multinational companies
• Easier train connections to central Europe + more countries

Cons

• Most expensive city in Germany (Check the cost of living blog post)
• Conservative culture may not appeal to everyone
• Dialect can be harder to understand depending on how you learned German before

4. Cologne (Köln)

Pros

• Many festivals
• Rich history and traditional architecture
• Media and business hub

Cons

• Not as many international corporations
• High demand for housing
• Traffic is relatively bad

5. Frankfurt

Pros

• International atmosphere and air transport hub
• High salaries and plenty of job opportunities in finance
• Growing cultural scene

Cons

• High cost of living, particularly rent
• Not as much diversity in neighborhood types compared to the above cities
• If you are looking for old world Europe, this isn’t the place. Frankfurt is defined by skyscrapers and is quite modern.

✅ For anyone looking to work in one of these cities, we’ve also put together a list of 100+ companies hiring English speakers in Germany. It’s free and updated regularly.

You can get access below: