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Looking for Canadian Expats in Duesseldorf?

  • Meet Canadians in Duesseldorf

  • Get information in our Duesseldorf guide

  • Join exciting events and activities

  • Exchange tips about expat life in Duesseldorf

  • 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!.

Get tips & make friends in Düsseldorf

Learn what life in Düsseldorf is really like for a Canadian expat — and find out how to meet them.

Moving abroad is an exciting adventure where you can experience different cultures, food, and environments. But it’s normal to miss home and want to chat with someone in your native language every once in a while.

Having Canadian expat friends in Düsseldorf can help you with many things, like finding a doctor who speaks English, the best neighborhoods, or if there’s any Poutine in town. So meet the InterNations community!

An amazing community is waiting for you!

Meet international people at local events

Socialize, enjoy hobbies, and make friends

Get info, and feel at home abroad!

Why you'll love InterNations in Duesseldorf

21,065
members in Duesseldorf
165
Canadian members
52
monthly events
49
interest-based groups

and countless possibilities for fun and friendship!

The pros & cons of life in Düsseldorf

Nowhere’s perfect. There’s always the good, the bad, and the ugly. Find out what our Canadian members love about Düsseldorf — but also the challenges they face.

Pros:

  • Good healthcare: Germany offers affordable, high-quality healthcare that’s accessible not only to local citizens but also to expats.

  • Free education: While tuition fees are very expensive in Canada, Germany provides free education at public institutions for all residents, including international students. You may just have to pay a small semester fee.

  • Work–life balance: All employees are entitled to a minimum of 20 days of paid vacation a year (for a 5-day work week). Depending on your employer and industry, you’ll most likely get even more than that, though. Plus, you can look forward to over 10 public holidays, which makes work and personal life in Germany more balanced.

  • Ease of travel: Our Canadian members appreciate how easy and affordable traveling is here — unsurprisingly, considering the far distances between major cities or different provinces in Canada. In Germany, everything’s much closer together, and public transportation is both accessible and convenient. So, you can easily get around Düsseldorf or travel across the country and continent.

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 it as a day to relax. Canadians might need some time to adjust to this.

  • Language barrier: While many people in cities like Düsseldorf speak English, Canadians may still struggle when doing things that require German skills, like making official appointments, doing paperwork, or reading important public information.

  • Cash dependency: Many stores and restaurants still only accept cash payments, not cards or services like tap to pay. This might be an issue for some Canadians who are used to contactless payments.

  • Straightforward communication: German people tend to be very direct. They tend to avoid small talk and get straight to the point, which can come across rude.

I love the ability to travel around Europe easily. Also, experiencing a new culture and understanding the German way of life has been rewarding and enriching. (Canadian expat in Düsseldorf)
Opinion

Why do Canadians move abroad … (and do they like it?)

Every year, we run one of the biggest global surveys among expats — Expat Insider — and ask them about various aspects of life in a foreign country. Learn what motivates our Canadian members to move abroad, what keeps them there, and what they struggle with or miss about home.

Meet Canadian expats at our events in Düsseldorf

Feeling lonely? Don’t worry, that’s common among new expats — and we’ll help you get past that feeling!

At our events, you can meet other Canadians and fellow expats in Düsseldorf. Here, you don’t have to be shy or afraid to approach others first because everyone knows how it is to be new to life abroad and will appreciate your friendliness. Our Newcomers’ Events in particular let you easily connect with others who’re new in the city and make friends.

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to expand your network — you may get some useful information about your new home directly from other expats, too!

Aug 18, 2025, 6:00 PM
2 attendees
Seminar for all those who want to learn to listen carefully what others have to say. This is the introduction to a whole series of seminars in which you learn a lot about communication and careful l
Aug 19, 2025, 6:30 PM
3 attendees
Do you want to have a nice time with people and practice your German Skills? Or are you local, want make friends and share good moments in a multi-culti afternoon? Both ways, you are welcome to join u
We are returning to Bar Retematäng, a nice bar on the famous Ratinger Straße. So please come and join us, bring your friends, family and co-workers for a nice time during the week, interact with other
You are warmly invited for the August Newcomers' Event! Such an event is intended for newcomers in the Düsseldorf InterNations Community to connect, initiate first contacts, and have meaningful conve

Want to meet other Canadians at our events?

Common questions about life in Düsseldorf

Where do Canadians live in Düsseldorf?

Like most expats, many of our Canadian members live in the more international areas of town. The city center hosts both international companies and plenty of opportunities for socializing.

Here are some of the most popular parts of Düsseldorf:

  • Central Düsseldorf: city center, most lively part of the city, housing mostly expensive
  • Düsseltal: great for families, many green spaces, parks, and zoos, but rather pricey
  • Bilk: one of the most popular neighborhoods among young professionals, also home to international students because the famous Heinrich Heine University
  • Oberkassel: a high-class but also expensive neighborhood that is popular with expat families
How much money should I make to live in Düsseldorf?

Of course, the income you’ll need depends on your individual situation and lifestyle — whether you’re a student, a single person with a full-time job, or a family with kids.

The average salary for jobs in Düsseldorf is 54,000 EUR per year. If you’re making at least this amount and are on your own, you can live comfortably here. However, if you have a family and kids to support, you might want to aim higher. Between 65,000 and 80,000 EUR a year is considered a good household income for a family.

To give you some idea, here’s an overview of the cost of living in Düsseldorf:

CAD per month Local currency per month

Utilities (power, water, etc.)

445 CAD

300 EUR

Rent for a studio apartment

1,200–1,340 CAD

800–900 EUR

Rent for a small family home

2,150–2,830 CAD

1,450–1,900 EUR

Public transportation

75 CAD

50 EUR

Mobile phone & internet

90 CAD

60 EUR

Meal at a restaurant (per person)

20–45 CAD

15–30 EUR

Groceries (per person)

300–525 CAD

200–350 EUR

Basic health insurance (public)

min. 14.6% of gross salary

Will I be able to survive in Düsseldorf without speaking German?

Düsseldorf is a very international city, with around a quarter of its residents having foreign roots. Many people speak English, so getting around and basic interactions won’t be too hard.

However, you’ll still hit the language barrier now and then, which can feel limiting. So, why not use your time in Düsseldorf to learn as much German as possible? There are various language courses available e.g., at the Goethe Institut, or you can learn for free using language apps or websites.

The most challenging moments usually occur when you’re looking for a flat or have to handle official paperwork and doctor visits, for instance. To help you avoid some of these struggles, we’ve collected some services that cater to English speakers (these services are not affiliated with or endorsed by InterNations):

General practitioner (GP)

Med Nordrhein Overview of general practitioners and specialized care providers who speak English (among other languages)

Dentist

Didenta Dentist with multiple English speakers on staff

Immigration assistance

PROGEDO Düsseldorf Relocation, visa, and immigration support with a full-service approach

Tax advisor

AKTUELL Verein Tax advisory service that can assist you with tax returns and give advice in multiple languages, including English

Instant interpreting service

DayInterpreting Get connected to a native German speaker on your phone and use it to have an instant interpreter with you

Urgent care

Uniklinik Düsseldorf University hospital with a dedicated multilingual approach

I love Düsseldorf because I can ride my bike all year round, conveniently get groceries, enjoy public transportation, appreciate the cost of living, and travel around Europe easily. (Canadian expat in Düsseldorf)
Opinion
  • Community Member
    From Canada, living in Duesseldorf
  • Community Member
    From Canada, living in Duesseldorf
  • Community Member
    From Canada, living in Duesseldorf
  • Community Member
    From Canada, living in Duesseldorf
  • Community Member
    From Canada, living in Duesseldorf

Meet other Canadians in Duesseldorf

Our Global Partners

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? No need to worry!

In Düsseldorf, we have various InterNations Groups you can join based on what you love to do. These groups are led by dedicated Consuls who organize at least one activity each month, ranging from wine tasting to classical music. From exploring the famous “Little Tokyo” area for authentic Japanese cuisine to book discussions, concert visits, and more, you’ll always find new activities to do!

InterNations events gave me the opportunity to meet new people, have a laugh with like-minded individuals, and discuss current events and various situations. (InterNations member)
Opinion

Find other Canadians to share your hobbies with

Enjoy the international experience with InterNations

We’re not just active in Düsseldorf — InterNations offers lively communities in most of Germany’s major cities. If you’re traveling or moving elsewhere in the country, check out our Canadian 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, you can find InterNations in 420 cities worldwide. Browse all InterNations Communities.

  • 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!

Our Global Partners

Canadian expats in Germany

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