- Daiki Saito
When my company decided to send me to Essen, I took a quick look at the local community and said: Please do!
Russian Expats Moving to Germany: Your Questions, Answered
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.
Meet other Russians at our events in Germany
Attend our monthly events and activities for Russians expatriates to get to know like-minded expatriates in real life.
Want to meet other Russians at our events?
Why Russian expats move abroad (& how they like it)
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 Russian members to move abroad, what keeps them there, and what they struggle with or miss about home.
Meet other Russians in Germany
Our Global Partners
Pursue your hobbies with amazing new friends
Do you want to continue with your hobbies — or discover new ones — while living abroad? There’s a variety of InterNations Groups you can join, including everything from sightseeing to hiking. These are run by dedicated Consuls with at least one activity each month, such as dinners in the cities finest restaurants, sports or outings with other expats to explore all that your new home has to offer.
Find other Russians to share your hobbies with
Find Tips and Advice on Germany from Russian Expats
Of course, expat living in Germany is not just about shipping your belongings and filing in some bureaucratic papers. Regular socializing with fellow Russians 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 Russians in Germany, residing in Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and many other places throughout the country. Just take a look at our group of Russians in Munich or Russians in Berlin.
If you ever wish to have a chat in your native language, discover where to shop for Russian 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 Russia 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 borscht in Hamburg.
- Search the InterNations Places database for Germany to get information on institutions from your home country, including the Russian embassy.
From the picturesque islands off the Frisian coast to beautiful Bavaria, we’ll help you connect with supportive and friendly Russian expats in Germany.
Join Our Expat Activities and Mingle with Fellow Russians 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 Russia and various other countries in a casual setting. Interested? Just sign up and you’ll soon be receiving a cordial Privet from our Russians living in Germany!
- Daiki Saito
When my company decided to send me to Essen, I took a quick look at the local community and said: Please do!