- Andrey Vasilyev
Thanks to InterNations, I joined an after-work soccer team of other expatriates even before moving to Hamburg.
Feel at home: Your American community in Hamburg
Are you an American in Hamburg — or are you considering living here? Imagine you could meet fellow Americans who miss the same traditions from home, like celebrating the 4th of July or Thanksgiving. American expats are also a great source of first-hand tips to help you get settled in Hamburg. Whether you want to know where to shop for authentic American snacks or want some buddies to watch the Superbowl with, the InterNations Hamburg Community has you covered! Learn more about the ins and outs of life in Hamburg and discover how you can meet Americans living here.
Why Americans move abroad … ( & do they like it?)
Every year, we publish one of the biggest global surveys for expats — Expat Insider — where we ask people living around the world about every aspect of expat life.
We’ve rounded up key facts about the typical American expat: what motivated them to move to a new country, what they enjoy about life abroad, as well as what they struggle with the most.
Why you'll love InterNations in Hamburg
and countless possibilities for fun and friendship!
The pros & cons of living in Hamburg
Of course, no place is absolutely perfect. There’s always the good, the bad, and the ugly. Read on and discover what American expats love about Hamburg — and the challenges they face.
Pros of living in Hamburg
Cost of living: Despite being one of the biggest cities in Germany, the cost of living in Hamburg is still relatively cheap compared to major cities in the US, including rent, groceries, internet, etc.
Healthcare: It is mandatory for every resident to have health insurance, so you don’t have to worry about lacking coverage or access. As the contributions are income-based, it’s also much more affordable than in the US.
Walkability & transportation: Sidewalks on every street make Hamburg a walkable city, and there are also a lot of bike paths. Our American members love the public transportation options with affordable prices, unlike major cities in the US where it’s often necessary to drive a car.
Charm: With canals, bridges, parks, and gardens, Americans appreciate the many outdoor activities you can do. Or even just relaxing and chilling, especially when it’s sunny outside. The city also offers a lively nightlife (you can even find several American bars).
Work-life balance: German companies often have shorter working hours and more vacation days compared to companies in the US. The work culture is more relaxed and less competitive in Germany, leading to a better balance between personal and professional life.
Cons of living in Hamburg
Salaries: While salaries in Hamburg align with the living costs, they’re certainly below the US level.
Bureaucracy: Germany tends to have complex bureaucracy. Appointments are usually required and it can take a long time to get an answer. Everything is done in person at an office — not much is done online. All documents are also sent to you by mail.
Language barrier: Although many people speak basic English in an international city like Hamburg, you’ll still feel limited at some point. It can be challenging to connect with locals and carry out daily tasks without speaking German, especially when dealing with official appointments.
Bad weather: The weather here is very unpredictable. You may get days in summer that are sunny and hot, and then the next day it can be rainy and windy. It’s also very cold in winter.
All your questions about Hamburg, answered
If you want to find buddies to watch NFL games or the Super Bowl with, there are several American sports bars and restaurants that show major matches, like “Old MacDonald” or “Montgomery Champs”. The same goes for Irish pubs like “Fleetenkieker” — you’re sure to bump into other Americans in places like these.
But there’s an easier way to make friends than trying your luck in a bar. Designed for expats, our InterNations Events are a great place for you to meet Americans and other English-speaking expats. Look out for our Newcomers’ Events, which are specifically designed to introduce newbies to the community and give you a shortcut to making new friends.
The average salary for jobs in Hamburg is around 4,500 EUR per month. If you’re making at least this amount, you can live comfortably here. However, if you have a family and kids to support, you might want to aim higher. Earning between 5,000 and 6,000 EUR is considered a good salary for a family.
Here is an overview of the cost of living in Hamburg:
| USD per month | Local currency per month | |
Utilities | 335 USD | 310 EUR |
Studio apartment | 810–1,115 USD | 750–1,030 EUR |
Small family home | 1,500–2,160 USD | 1,400–2,000 EUR |
Public transport | 55 USD | 50 EUR |
Mobile phone & internet | 65 USD | 60 EUR |
Meal at a restaurant | 15–30 USD | 15–30 EUR |
Groceries | 215 USD | 200 EUR |
Health insurance | 14.6% of gross salary | 14.6% of gross salary |
Hamburg is a very international city, with 20% of its residents being expats. Many people speak English, so getting around or handling basic interactions won’t be too hard. But this will feel limiting at some point. You’ll hit the language barrier now and then, and it can be frustrating. The most challenging moments usually occur when you handle official paperwork, find a flat, see a doctor, or make an official appointment.
Ideally, use your time in Hamburg to learn as much German as possible — or learn at least some basic German in advance. There are affordable language courses available, or you can learn for free using language apps or websites that provide free lessons.
To help you avoid some of these struggles, we’ve collected some services (not affiliated with InterNations) that cater to English speakers:
Avi Medical Hamburg A full-service clinic (Hausarzt). The clinic caters to English speakers.
Zahnarzt Hamburg – Dental 21 The dentists and staff speak good English with many different locations in Hamburg.
University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) One of the largest and most modern hospitals in Europe, with multilingual staff.
Immigration-Germany.co Offers relocation and visa services with a full-service approach.
Bakertilly A tax advisory with experience in both the US and the German tax system.
DayInterpreting Get connected to a native speaker on your phone and use the phone’s loudspeaker to have an instant interpreter with you.
Meet American expats at fun events
Making friends and building a network in a new city can be hard. Luckily, at our events, everyone is from somewhere else! So it’s completely normal to introduce yourself to people and ask them about their own expat journey. Check out any of our upcoming events and you’ll soon feel like part of Hamburg’s expat family.
And look out for Newcomers’ Events — they’re a great way to get to know the community. Our welcoming Ambassadors will introduce you to other newcomers and more experienced expats living in Hamburg.
Want to meet other Americans at our events?
Why Americans move abroad … (and do they like it?)
Every year, we publish one of the biggest global surveys for expats — Expat Insider — where we ask people living around the world about every aspect of expat life. We’ve rounded up key facts about the typical American expat: what motivated them to move to a new country, what they enjoy about life abroad, as well as what they struggle with the most.
Meet other Americans in Hamburg
Our Global Partners
Pursue your hobbies with amazing new friends
Do you want to continue with your hobbies — or discover new ones — while living in Hamburg? You can join a variety of InterNations Groups based on your interests. Groups are run by dedicated Consuls who host at least one activity per month. They organize everything from dinner in Hamburg’s restaurants to excursions to board game nights. For example, you can visit a museum with the popular Arts & Culture Group, enjoy vegan food with the Vegetarian & Vegan Group, or explore Hamburg’s waterways with the Sailing Group. Pursue your passion — there’s something for everyone!
Find other Americans to share your hobbies with
Enjoy the international experience with InterNations
We’re not just active in Hamburg! InterNations has lively communities in most of Germany’s major cities. If you’re traveling or moving to another city in Germany, check out our American communities in Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Essen, Cologne, Bonn, Regensburg, Heidelberg, or Stuttgart.
But that’s not all: If you’re in the mood for a nice night out while traveling further abroad, InterNations is your go-to platform. As an InterNations member, you’re always welcome to join events in any of our communities in over 420 cities worldwide. You can find the list here: Browse all InterNations Communities worldwide.
Mix and Mingle with Americans in Hamburg at Our Events
Our Hamburg community is also lively and welcoming offline. The InterNations Ambassadors host regular get-togethers and a range of expat activities, e.g. a chic dining experience in Hamburg’s trendiest restaurant or a get-away with fellow American expats to discover beautiful Bavaria. These activities make it easy for you to get to know other expats from the United States of America in your local community and meet Americans in Germany in a comfortable setting. If this sounds interesting to you, simply sign up for membership – we are looking forward to welcoming you among our Americans living in Hamburg!
- Andrey Vasilyev
Thanks to InterNations, I joined an after-work soccer team of other expatriates even before moving to Hamburg.
- Hannah Steele
During my first week in Hamburg, I went to an InterNations event and immediately felt connected. Many members are now close friends of mine.
