Looking for German Expats in India?

Is India a good move for Germans? These pros and cons come from the InterNations Expat Insider 2024 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 German expats in India wrote in their own words, backed up by survey percentages from all expats living there.

• Your money goes much further. Low living costs are a big draw, and 69% of expats in India rate the general cost of living positively, against a global average of 40%.

• Culture and daily life are endlessly colourful. Heritage, street food, and diversity come up constantly as what makes India feel alive.

• People are warm and English gets you far. 54% say making local friends is easy (vs. 38% globally) and 62% find it easy to get by without the local language.

• Healthcare is affordable. 68% of expats in India rate healthcare affordability positively, above the global average of 58%.

• Air pollution is a serious concern. It comes up as a health risk, and just 16% of expats in India rate air quality positively, against 64% globally.

• Bureaucracy is slow and opaque. Only 20% find it easy to deal with local authorities, compared with 36% globally.

• Politics unsettles people. Germans mention a political climate leaning toward hardline nationalism as a source of unease.

• Getting around is hard. Public transport rates 46% (vs. 72% globally) and getting around on foot or by bike just 37%.

For Germans, India offers a colourful, affordable life with warm people and healthcare that doesn't break the bank. The trade-offs are the air, the bureaucracy, and a political mood some find uneasy. It rewards those who came for the experience rather than the comfort.

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 German members to move abroad, what keeps them there, and what they struggle with or miss about home.

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

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

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

From the National Capital Territory around Delhi to southern states like Kerala, Goa or Tamil Nadu, we’ll help you connect with supportive and friendly German expats in India.

Moreover, please feel free to attend our regular expat events and activities in India. Our get-togethers are very diverse and range from a cozy gathering to enjoy the traditional Indian bhakri, to big expat celebrations with hundreds of participants in New Delhi’s best locations. You can also participate in one of our expat trips to go and see the country's most vibrant and biggest city as well as other beautiful landmarks in India.

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