Germany
Innovation-driven economy with excellent infrastructure, social safety nets, and rich culture.
Important Notice: No Individual Advice
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute individual legal, tax, or financial advice. Please consult qualified professionals for personal decisions.
Key Metrics
Cost of Living
Cost Breakdown
Quality of Life
Taxes
Tax information for Germany
Tax resident after 183 days or if main residence is in Germany
2024
July 31 of the following year
No - worldwide income
🇩🇪 The German Tax System: Tax Classes, Soli & Church Tax
6 tax classes determine monthly wage tax withholding. I: Single. II: Single parents. III/V: Married couples (combination). IV: Married couples (equal). VI: Second job. The class does NOT change annual tax burden – only monthly prepayment!
Married couples can file jointly. Total income is halved, taxed, then doubled. Advantage with different incomes: up to €15,000+ savings/year with large income gap!
Since 2021 only for high earners: Allowance €18,130 (single) / €36,260 (married). Below = 0% Soli. Above: Sliding zone up to full 5.5% on income tax. Only affects ~10% of taxpayers.
Only for church members! 8% (Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg) or 9% (other states) on income tax. Exit at registry office possible – saves approx. €1,500/year at €60,000 income.
Tax-free income (parental allowance, short-time work benefits, foreign income under DTA) increases the tax rate for remaining income! Example: €40,000 salary + €10,000 parental allowance → tax rate as if €50,000.
Capital income (interest, dividends, gains) taxed flat at 25% + 5.5% Soli = 26.375%. Saver's allowance: €1,000 (single) / €2,000 (married) tax-free. Lower rate check possible for low income.
On emigration: Extended limited tax liability for 10 years if substantial economic interests in DE. Exit tax on company shares >1% (deferral possible in EU/EEA). German pensions remain taxable in DE (check DTA!).
Income Tax
Progressive tariff 2024: Basic allowance €11,604. Zone 1 (€11,605-17005): 14→24%. Zone 2 (€17,006-66760): 24→42%. From €66,761: constant 42%. From €277,826: 45% (wealth surtax). Solidarity surcharge only for high earners.
| From | To | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| €0 | €11,604 | 0% |
| €11,604 | €17,005 | 14% |
| €17,005 | €66,760 | 24% |
| €66,760 | €277,825 | 42% |
| €277,825 | Unlimited | 45% |
Marginal Tax Rate by Income
Income Tax Base Tariff 2024 (Tax Class I)
Pension Tax
Pensions taxed at taxable portion: Retirement start 2024 = 83% taxable (Growth Opportunities Act). Percentage increases by 0.5 points annually until 2058 (100%).
Capital Gains Tax
Capital gains tax 25% + solidarity surcharge = 26.375%
| From | To | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| €0 | €1,000 | 0% |
| €1,000 | Unlimited | 26% |
Dividend Tax
Dividends taxed via 25% withholding plus solidarity surcharge (church tax optional)
Wealth Tax
No wealth tax (abolished 1997)
VAT
19%Important Notice
This is not tax advice. Consult a Germany-licensed tax advisor.
This is not tax, legal, or investment advice. Tax laws change frequently and can be complex. The information provided is for general informational purposes only. Please consult a tax advisor licensed in Germany for your specific situation.
Healthcare
Healthcare in Germany
Statutory health insurance (GKV) + private
Mandatory for all residents (GKV or PKV)
Expat Access
World-class, immediate after registration
Premium care, expensive
GKV sufficient (~€180-900/month)
Education & Childcare
Education system in Germany
Excellent public education system with free schools and universities. Highly qualified teachers and strong vocational training. State-subsidized childcare.
Childcare
In major cities like Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, waiting lists of 6-12 months are common. Better availability in rural areas. Early registration recommended.
Primary & Secondary School
International schools
Higher Education
EU students: no tuition fees. Non-EU: Baden-Württemberg €1,500/semester, elsewhere only semester fees (~€250). English-taught Master's programs available.
For Expat Families
Very accessible. Public schools accept international children. Many international schools in all major cities. Integration well supported.
German as a Second Language (DaZ) in public schools. Adjustment classes for newcomers. Many kindergartens with multilingual staff.
For full integration: public school + DaZ support. For international career path: international school. Register for kindergarten 12-18 months in advance!
Pros
- •Free public schools and universities
- •World-class vocational training system (Dual System)
- •Strong focus on individual support and advancement
- •Well-equipped facilities and modern teaching methods
Cons
- •Early tracking into school types (from grade 4/5)
- •Bureaucracy in school registration
- •Kindergarten spots scarce in major cities
Notes
Germany has one of the world's best education systems, especially in vocational training. Universities are tuition-free with few exceptions.
Language & Communication
Communication in Germany
Germany ranks #10 worldwide for English proficiency. 56% of the population speaks English, especially in major cities communication is no problem.
English Proficiency
Germany has high English competency (EF EPI: 598/800). Most Germans speak English at C1 level (advanced). Especially younger people (21-25 years) show excellent skills.
Excellent in major cities like Berlin, Munich, Hamburg. Less widespread in rural areas, but still good. Karlsruhe has the highest English competency (EPI: 672).
Government Services
Many authorities offer information in English. English-speaking staff often available in international cities. Important documents usually in German.
Major cities (Berlin, Munich) have English websites. Citizen offices partly with English-speaking staff. Service hotlines often only in German.
Daily Life & Communication
Supermarkets mostly in German, but staff in major cities often speak English. Restaurants in tourist areas have English menus. Apps/self-service often multilingual.
Announcements in metro/S-Bahn often in English (Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt). Tickets & apps bilingual. Ticket machines with English option.
Many doctors speak English, especially in major cities. International clinics with English-speaking staff. Prescriptions/documents often only in German.
Major banks (Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank) have English-speaking service. Online banking multilingual. Contracts usually in German (translation needed).
Work Environment
English is the working language in international companies. DAX corporations conduct many meetings in English. Startups are strongly English-oriented.
Many global players (Siemens, SAP, BMW) with English as business language. Tech scene (Berlin, Munich) strongly English-speaking. Remote jobs often in English.
Expat Community
Germany has one of Europe's largest expat communities (approx. 12 million foreigners). Berlin alone: ~800,000 international residents. Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg also very international.
Numerous English-speaking meetups, InterNations Groups, Facebook groups. 'Expats in Berlin', 'Munich Expats', 'Frankfurt International'. Welcome Centers in all major cities.
Learning the Local Language
Excellent offerings: Goethe Institute, Volkshochschulen (VHS), private language schools. Many free/affordable courses. Integration courses for visa holders.
Medium to High. Optional for daily life in major cities, but important for integration. Essential for authorities, work contracts, doctor visits outside international areas.
Tips
- đź’ˇIn Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt you can easily get by with English
- đź’ˇApps like Google Translate help with authorities and contracts
- đź’ˇLearning German opens doors: It's appreciated even in international jobs
- đź’ˇYoung Germans (under 30) almost all speak fluent English
Pros
- •High English competency (Top 10 worldwide)
- •International major cities very English-friendly
- •Large expat community with support networks
- •Excellent German learning resources
Cons
- •Authorities/offices often only in German
- •Outside major cities more difficult without German
- •Important contracts (housing, work) usually only in German
Notes
Germany is very expat-friendly, especially in major cities. English is sufficient for daily life, but learning German is recommended for long-term integration.
Climate Change & Future Outlook
Climate risks in Germany
Germany shows moderate climate risks with increasing tendency. Main risks are rising heat days (+30-40 days >30°C by 2050), summer drought (-20% precipitation), and more frequent heavy rainfall in winter (+15%). As a highly developed country with excellent infrastructure, Germany has very high adaptive capacity (ND-GAIN Rank #9).
Climate Scenarios
Switch between IPCC SSP pathways
SSP2-4.5
Current policy trajectory – ~2.7°C warming by 2100, moderate mitigation.
Values are approximations relative to our SSP2-4.5 baseline. They illustrate directional change, not exact national projections.
Overall Climate Risk
Projected risk index (0 = low risk, 100 = extreme risk)
Risk Categories
City-level climate outlook
Localized projections for the key expat metros in Germany.
Berlin faces intense urban heat and summer drought. Sandy soils store little water, stressing street trees.
Spree & Brandenburg lakes recede
- •Berlin cooling masterplan: 3,000 fountains, depaving school yards
- •Forest conversion (Grunewald/Kaulsdorf) to climate-resilient mixes
- •Inner districts (Wedding, Kreuzberg) record double the heat mortality of outer boroughs
- •Spree water levels drop – recreation restricted, algae blooms rise
Munich benefits from alpine breezes yet faces more extremes: convective storms dump 60-80mm/h locally while heat waves linger longer.
Especially Westend & Giesing
- •Isar Plan 2030: flood protection & rewilding
- •Roof-greening grants for pre-war buildings
- •Heat stress along the Mittlerer Ring (traffic corridor) up to 4°C higher
- •Isar floodplains remain flood-prone – underground garages affected regularly
Personal climate risk assessment
Tune the analysis to your health profile and comfort level.
Age group
Sensitivity
Risk tolerance
Personalized risk index
Current level: High
Priority risks
Heat Stress
Base 64 → Personal 64
Economic Impact
Base 56 → Personal 56
What to prioritize
- •Prioritise shaded neighborhoods, AC-ready apartments, and early-morning routines.
- •Budget for higher insurance/utilities and diversify income streams against climate shocks.
- •Look for reliable shelter options and emergency communication plans.
Adaptation Measures
- •Climate Adaptation Act (2024): €3.5B for heat action plans
- •Flood protection Elbe/Rhine: €7B dyke reinforcement
- •Sponge City concepts in 50+ cities
- •Forest conversion: 500,000 ha mixed forest by 2030
- •Heat protection: Light facades, external blinds
- •Rainwater management: Cisterns, infiltration
- •Heat precaution: Cool rooms, drinking plans for elderly
Climate Resilience
Very high adaptive capacity thanks to excellent infrastructure, economic strength, and effective governance. ND-GAIN Rank #9 worldwide. Weaknesses: Import dependency, aging infrastructure.
Tips
- đź’ˇPrefer cities with green spaces (Freiburg, Munich are role models)
- đź’ˇAvoid summer heat: Air conditioning becoming standard in new buildings
- đź’ˇUse flood apps: NINA (BBK), Meine Pegel (ELWIS)
- đź’ˇAllergy sufferers: Pollen apps for extended season
Pros
- •High adaptive capacity (Rank #9 ND-GAIN)
- •Strong governance & climate protection investments
- •Air quality continuously improving
- •No extreme risks (hurricanes, earthquakes)
Cons
- •Heat days triple by 2075
- •Summer drought threatens agriculture
- •Insurance costs rising significantly
- •Pollen allergies increasing (25% longer season)
Notes
Germany is well-positioned for climate adaptation, but heat remains the biggest risk. Long-term property buyers should prefer North/East Germany (cooler than Southwest). For retirees: Choose cooler regions or plan for air conditioning.
Data sources
Scientific Disclaimer
Climate projections are based on models with inherent uncertainties. Actual outcomes may differ. We present mainstream scientific consensus (IPCC) but acknowledge uncertainty ranges. This is not financial advice. Consult climate scientists and experts for specific decisions.
Safety & Security
Safety & Crime in Germany
Safety Indicators
Comparison with DACH Region
For comparison: Germany (CPI: 78), Austria (CPI: 71), Switzerland (CPI: 82)
Notes
Standard precautions recommended in urban areas.
Visa & Immigration
Immigration Options for Germany
Visa Options
EU Blue Card
For highly qualified workers
Freelance Visa
For self-employed
Path to Permanent Residency
Permanent residency after 5 years. Citizenship after 8 years (5 with integration).
Important Notice
Visa and immigration regulations change frequently. The information provided is for general informational purposes only. Please consult the official government website or an immigration attorney for current and accurate information.
Climate
Data Sources & Updates
Data Sources
- OECD Tax Database(OECD Terms of Use)
- NOAA Climate Data(Public Domain)
- WHO Global Health Observatory(CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)
- World Bank World Development Indicators(CC BY 4.0)
- Numbeo(User-Generated Data)
- Numbeo Quality of Life Index(CC BY 4.0)