Expat Topics
Moving Abroad from Germany
Beyond the Fatherland — where Germans are moving for better weather, lower taxes, and new horizons
Last updated March 2026
3.4M
Germans Abroad
Switzerland
Top Destination
Austria & Spain
In Europe
Up to 45%
Income Tax
Germany's high taxes (up to 45% income tax), cold winters, and bureaucratic culture drive a steady stream of Germans abroad. An estimated 3.4 million German citizens live overseas, with Austria, Switzerland, and the US as traditional favorites. But increasingly, German expats are choosing Spain, Portugal, and Southeast Asia for lower costs and sunnier lifestyles.
Top 8 Destinations for Germany Expats
Where Germany citizens are actually moving — with honest reasons why.
🇨🇭Switzerland
Higher salaries, German-speaking, and lower taxes. Zurich and Basel attract German finance and pharma professionals.
🇦🇹Austria
Same language, similar culture, Alpine lifestyle. Vienna consistently ranks as the world's most livable city.
🇪🇸Spain
Mallorca is nicknamed 'the 17th German state.' Costa Brava, Canary Islands, and Andalusia have large German communities.
🇺🇸United States
Career opportunities in tech, finance, and engineering. German engineering expertise is highly valued in US manufacturing.
🇵🇹Portugal
Growing German community in Lisbon and the Algarve. D7 visa, affordable living, and EU freedom of movement.
🇹🇭Thailand
Large German retiree community, especially in Pattaya and Chiang Mai. LTR visa and affordable healthcare.
🇳🇱Netherlands
Dutch-German cultural affinity, excellent English, and thriving tech sector. Amsterdam and Eindhoven are popular.
🇦🇪UAE
Zero income tax — a massive draw for high-earning Germans. Dubai's German Business Council has 800+ member companies.
Why People Leave Germany
- 1Tax burden: combined income tax + solidarity surcharge + church tax can exceed 50% for higher earners
- 2Bureaucracy: Germany's paperwork culture (Bürokratie) is legendary — even Germans find it exhausting
- 3Weather: Berlin averages only 1,626 sunshine hours/year vs. Málaga's 2,965
- 4Housing crisis: German rents rising 10%+ per year in major cities, with apartment hunting taking months
- 5Digital infrastructure: Germany lags behind Estonia, Romania, and others in internet speed and digital services
- 6Risk aversion culture: the entrepreneurial environment is less dynamic than in the US, UK, or Netherlands
Important Considerations Before Leaving
- Germany allows dual citizenship as of June 2024 — you can now hold a German passport alongside another nationality
- German pension (Rentenversicherung): contributions are generally not refundable, but pensions are payable worldwide
- Tax treaty network: Germany has agreements with 90+ countries to prevent double taxation — consult a tax advisor
- EU freedom of movement: as an EU citizen, you can live and work in any EU/EEA country without a visa
- Language advantage: German is spoken in Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and parts of Belgium and Italy
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Germany citizens live abroad?
An estimated 3.4M Germany citizens currently live abroad. The top destination is Switzerland.
What are the best countries to move to from Germany?
The most popular destinations for Germany expats are Switzerland, Austria, Spain, United States. Each offers different advantages from career growth to lifestyle and cost savings.
What should I consider before leaving Germany?
Germany allows dual citizenship as of June 2024 — you can now hold a German passport alongside another nationality German pension (Rentenversicherung): contributions are generally not refundable, but pensions are payable worldwide
Not sure where to move from Germany?
Take our free AI quiz — answer 7 questions and get personalized country matches based on your budget, lifestyle, and priorities.
Get Germany Expat Updates
Visa changes, cost comparisons, and real expat stories — weekly.