I was recently interviewed by Bayerischer Rundfunk regarding a global survey that ranked 53 major cities in terms of expat living conditions—including affordability, safety, housing availability, administrative ease, and local friendliness. Surprisingly, Berlin (46th), Munich (50th), and Hamburg (52nd) ranked near the bottom.
🔗 Link to survey
As someone who has lived in Munich for over 20 years, I was asked for my perspective as a long-term foreign resident. While the televised segment highlighted only one part of my interview—how newcomers can feel excluded due to Germany’s blunt communication style, especially in Bavaria—I believe the core issue lies deeper: the country’s strong prioritization of rules.
Foreigners are immediately faced with Germany’s inflexible bureaucracy. Even registering one’s address can involve long waits and excessive paperwork. It’s not uncommon for residence permits to take 7–12 months to be issued, even when the employer fully supports the process. Germany’s slow digitalization means most procedures are still paper-based. During this waiting period, expats receive only a provisional permit, which may restrict their ability to travel internationally, leading to anxiety and a feeling of being in limbo.
This rule-first mentality also surfaces in public transport. There are no ticket gates or staff at stations; tickets must be purchased in advance based on the correct fare zone—something that’s often hard to figure out. Although mobile apps have improved things somewhat, even locals find the system confusing. Once, after 10 minutes of effort, I bought what I thought was the correct ticket, only to find it slightly underpriced during a random inspection. Though I was ready to pay the difference, the inspector insisted on issuing a full fine with no flexibility.
Such rigid enforcement, while intended to ensure fairness, often comes across as cold and impersonal—especially to newcomers unfamiliar with the system or language. Germany’s rule-bound structure can feel daunting, yet in one-on-one interactions, many Germans are in fact sincere and kind. That’s why, as expats, perhaps the key is learning to separate the system from the people and approach the experience with openness and adaptability.
