Get tips & meet other Brits in Düsseldorf
Are you wondering how is it really like to live in Düsseldorf? Hear about the ups and downs from British expats in our community and find out how you can meet them.
After all, it’s always exciting to experience new cultures. But sometimes, you just miss home and want to chat with someone about life back in the UK or make jokes in your native language. Don’t worry, you can do all that easily in our community!
Get tips from other British expats about life in Düsseldorf and learn from their experiences — from where to find the best authentic British food to recommended tax advisors who speak English and more.
Advertisement
Thomas Crawford
I knew that there is a big international community in Cologne, but where to find them? Yes, I did indeed find them on InterNations!.
Paula Covington
With InterNations I found other Canadians really quickly. They showed me all the sights and helped me to settle in Bonn. Great!
Why you'll love InterNations in Duesseldorf
and countless possibilities for fun and friendship!
Advertisement
Advertisement
Why do Brits move abroad? And do they like it?
Every year, with Expat Insider we publish one of the biggest global surveys among expats and ask them about various aspects of expat life. Learn what motivated our British members to move abroad, what keeps them there, as well as what they struggle with or miss about home.
The pros & cons of living in Düsseldorf
No place is perfect, there’s always the good, the bad, and the ugly. Read on to find out what our British members love about life abroad but also the challenges they face in Düsseldorf.
Pros:
A safe place: Düsseldorf is a comparatively safe place with a low crime rate, especially compared to major cities in the UK. It’s generally safe to walk around alone at night, also for women. Though it’s of course always wise to exercise some caution.
Good healthcare: Germany offers affordable, high-quality healthcare that’s accessible not only to local citizens but also to expats, including British residents.
Free education: While tuition fees are very expensive in the UK, Germany provides tuition-free education at public institutions for all residents, including international students.
Active lifestyle: On a sunny day, you can find many people bicycling, running, jogging, or playing football in Düsseldorf’s many green parks.
Cons:
Sunday shutdown: Almost every place, including stores, banks, and government services, is closed on Sunday. It’s even a legal requirement to stay quiet and avoid making loud noises (e.g., mowing your lawn, loud parties), because Germans use Sundays to relax. This might take some time to adjust to.
Cash is king: Many stores and restaurants still only accept cash payments, not cards or mobile transfers. This might be an issue for British people who are used to contactless payments.
Trains: Contrary to rumors of “German efficiency”, trains in Germany, especially long distance, are known for frequent delays, which can be very annoying not only for expats.
Advertisement
Meet British expats at our events in Düsseldorf
Attend our monthly events and activities and join various interest-based groups to get to know like-minded expatriates and fellow Brits in Duesseldorf.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Frequent questions about life in Düsseldorf
You can try your luck at O’Reilly's or Suttons, Irish pubs and restaurants in Düsseldorf that serve British drinks and bar food like nachos and BBQ ribs. They also show top live sports, including British favorites like the FA Cup, and even the American Super Bowl and NFL. But your luck might not always work out when it comes to meeting new people there.
It’s much easier to make friends by attending specific events for expats, like our InterNations events. These are great opportunities to meet British people and other English-speaking expats in Düsseldorf. We even have dedicated Newcomers’ Events with friendly hosts who will gladly introduce you to the community — so you don’t have to rely solely on your luck in finding a friend in a pub!
The income you’ll need to cover costs of course depends on your individual situation and budget.
The average salary for jobs in Düsseldorf is 54,000 EUR per year. If you’re making at least this amount, you can live comfortably here. However, if you have a family and kids to support, you’ll need to aim higher or have a partner who’s also working. Between 65,000 and 80,000 EUR is considered a good household income for a family.
To give you some idea, here’s an overview of the monthly cost of living in Düsseldorf you should consider:
| EUR | GBP (approx.) | |
Utilities (power, water, etc.) | 300 | 250 |
Rent for a studio apartment | 800–900 | 670–750 |
Rent for a small family home | 1,450–1,900 | 1,220–1,600 |
Public transport | 50 | 40 |
Mobile phone & Internet | 60 | 50 |
Meal at a restaurant (per person) | 15–30 | 12–25 |
Groceries (per person) | 200–350 | 170–300 |
Basic health insurance (public) | min. 7.3% of gross salary |
Düsseldorf is a very international city, with around a quarter of its residents having foreign roots. Many people speak English, so getting around or handling basic interactions won’t be too hard.
However, this can still feel limiting at times, and you’re bound to hit the language barrier now and then — especially when handling paperwork, looking for accommodation, needing to see a doctor, and similar.
So, you might want to use your time in Düsseldorf to pick up as much German as possible or better yet, learn some basic German in advance. There are various affordable language courses available, or you can try your luck with free language apps or websites.
We’ve also collected some services that cater to English speakers for the most important aspects of life (these services are not affiliated with or endorsed by InterNations):
Hausarzt Dr. Bernhard Hoff — Medical practice of Doctor Bernhard Hoff; all the staff there speak English very well
Didenta — Dentist with multiple English speakers on staff and great reviews
Uniklinik Düsseldorf — University hospital with a dedicated multilingual approach
PROGEDO Relocation Service Düsseldorf — They offer relocation, visa, and immigration support with a full-service approach
AKTUELL Verein — Tax advisory service that can assist you with tax returns and give advice in multiple languages, including English
DayInterpreting — Get connected to a native German speaker on your phone and use the phone’s loudspeaker to have an instant interpreter with you
Advertisement
Our Global Partners
Advertisement
Find friends to pursue your passions with
Are you afraid you might not be able to continue your hobbies because you’re moving to a brand-new city? Don’t worry! Our various InterNations Groups let you do what you love to do — or even discover a new passion.
These groups are led by dedicated Consuls who organize at least one activity each month, such as running, fitness, traveling, and our most popular one: food tasting! Get ready to enjoy delicious meals at local and international restaurants with other expats. Whether it’s exploring authentic Japanese cuisine in the famous “Little Tokyo” area, trying unique desserts at aesthetic cafes, or just sampling street food and snacks, you can do it all with our groups in Düsseldorf!
Advertisement
Advertisement
Enjoy the international experience with InterNations
We’re not just active in Düsseldorf — InterNations offers lively communities in most of Germany’s major cities. So if you’re traveling or moving to another German city, check out our British communities in Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Cologne, Berlin, Stuttgart, Essen, Bonn, Regensburg, or Heidelberg.
But that’s not all: if you’re in the mood for a nice night out while traveling further abroad, InterNations is there for you. We have communities in 420 cities worldwide, and you’re welcome to join their events, too. Browse all InterNations Communities worldwide.
Advertisement
British expats in Germany
Other Nationalities in Duesseldorf
Germany Guide Topics
Advertisement