Looking for British Expats in Germany?

If you’re a new or soon-to-be expat in Germany, you probably aren’t quite sure yet what it will be like. That’s why we gathered the answers to some key questions you may have about life in Germany. If you want to ask more specific questions — or even share your own tips — join InterNations! You’ll be part of a community of new and experienced expats who love to help each other out.

What are the most common nationalities in Germany? As an expat in Germany, you'll meet people from many different cultures (especially if you're an InterNations member!) The top nationalities in the InterNations Communities in Germany currently are:

• Americans
• Indians
• Italians
• British

Which cities are most popular among expats in Germany? Some cities attract more expats than others. These are the cities with the largest expat communities in Germany:

• Berlin
• Hamburg
• Munich

How much rent do expats pay in Germany? Your personal situation plays a role here. Single expats spend on average 950 USD on their accommodation per month, while expat families spend around 1.825 USD. And of course, rents can also vary greatly depending on the location and city within Germany.

To give you an idea of what to expect, here are some rent averages for the most popular cities in Germany.

Average rent in Berlin

• Single expats: 1.425 USD
• Expat families: 2.560 USD

Average rent in Hamburg

• Single expats: 1.120 USD
• Expat families: 2.150 USD

Average rent in Munich

• Single expats: 1.565 USD
• Expat families: 2.730 USD

How safe is Germany?
You may be wondering about safety. In general people perceive their personal safety situation in Germany as very safe. People rate the risk of falling victim to petty crime (such as pickpocketing or minor theft) as very low. They consider the chance of being the victim of violent crime (including mugging) very low. And, they rate confidence in the police force and related local authorities as very high.

How safe is Germany for women? Female expats rated the safety situation in Germany as very safe. This is based on the feedback of expat women living in Germany (rather than actual crime statistics). So obviously this can be highly subjective and depends on factors such as where people live.

Is Germany a good move for British expats? These pros and cons come from the InterNations Expat Insider 2026 survey, in which thousands of expats around the world share what they like and don't like about life abroad each year. The points below reflect what British expats in Germany wrote in their own words, backed up by survey percentages from all expats living there.

• It's safe, clean, and well-organised. Safety is the most common pro, and 82% of expats in Germany rate personal safety positively, with 88% rating the natural environment and 87% getting around on foot or by bike.

• Healthcare and quality of life stand out. British expats praise affordable healthcare, good housing, and healthy food, alongside a slower, calmer pace of life.

• Public transport and travel are excellent. 78% rate the availability of public transportation positively and 89% the opportunity to travel across Europe.

• Green priorities and culture appeal. 73% say the government protects the environment, and there's a rich cultural scene and easy access to the outdoors.

• Bureaucracy is the biggest gripe by far. Red tape and long waits dominate, and just 20% of expats in Germany find it easy to deal with local authorities (vs. 38% globally).

• Locals can feel unfriendly. Only 23% say making local friends is easy and 48% feel welcome, and Britons often describe reserved or blunt locals.

• The language is tough. Just 17% say German is easy to learn, and only 30% find it easy to get by without it.

• Costs and housing. Only 31% rate the general cost of living positively and 19% housing affordability, especially in cities like Munich.

For Britons, Germany offers safety, healthcare, infrastructure, and an affordable, well-run quality of life close to home. The catch is social and administrative: reserved locals, a hard language, and heavy bureaucracy. Overall happiness (60%) sits below the global average of 70%.

Every year, we publish one of the biggest global surveys among expats — asking them about various aspects of their life, from work to leisure. Learn what motivated our British members to move abroad, what keeps them there, and what they struggle with or miss about home.

Of course, expat living in Germany is not just about shipping your belongings and filing in some bureaucratic papers. Regular socializing with fellow Brits is an essential part of expat life and helps getting accustomed to the German way of life and mentality. InterNations helps you connect and meet up with other Brits in Germany, residing in Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and many other places throughout the country. Just take a look at our group of Brits in Munich or Brits in Berlin.

If you ever wish to have a chat in your native language, discover where to shop for British food or discuss your favorite sports team's latest match, become a member of the German InterNations Community:

• Look up our top quality network to get to know open-minded expats from United Kingdom in Germany.
• Obtain and share insider tips in our Germany Expat Forums – e.g. how to hire a babysitter fluent in your native tongue for your children or where to get roast beef in Hamburg.
• Search the InterNations Places database for Germany to get information on institutions from your home country, including the British embassy.

From the picturesque islands off the Frisian coast to beautiful Bavaria, we’ll help you connect with supportive and friendly British expats in Germany.

Moreover, please feel free to attend our regular expat events and activities in Germany. Our get-togethers are very diverse and range from a cozy gathering to enjoy the traditional German roast pork with Knödel, to big expat celebrations with hundreds of participants in Berlin’s best locations. You can also participate in one of our expat trips to go and see the beaches at the North Sea and the Baltic coastlines as well as other beautiful landmarks in Germany.

Our meet-ups and activities are a great opportunity to mingle with expats from United Kingdom and various other countries in a casual setting. Interested? Just sign up and you’ll soon be receiving a cordial Hello from our Brits living in Germany!