From world-class companies to a high quality of life, Germany has a lot to offer foreigners - but when it comes to that local warmth and friendliness, there seems to be a lot left to be desired.
In the latest Expat City Ranking 2024 by InterNations, five major German cities have won an unenviable accolade, being ranked among the world's 10 least welcoming cities. According to the survey's international respondents, the Bavarian capital of Munich should be crowned the least friendly city in the world, followed by three other German cities that make up the top four.
The ranking, based on responses from more than 12,000 people living abroad worldwide, evaluates how easy it is to settle into life abroad.
One of the key measures is the "Ease of Settling In Index", which includes indicators such as local friendliness, feeling at home, and how easy it is to build a social life. Unfortunately for Germany’s metropoles, they scored particularly poorly across the board.
Munich: No Bavarian hospitality for newcomers
Despite its stunning scenery and the beer-guzzling antics of Oktoberfest, Munich stands out in the rankings as the least friendly city for foreigners, landing in 53rd place.
The Bavarian capital received the lowest marks for local friendliness, with nearly half of respondents rating locals as unfriendly.
Many of the respondents also reported problems in building an active social life: 65 percent said they found it hard to make friends, and only 37 percent said they were satisfied with their current social circle.
In a survey of Munich residents conducted by The Local a few years ago, readers also described locals in the Bavarian capital as a little too cool and reserved.
"It is too expensive and boring and its inhabitants are quite unfriendly," said reader Meli, while other readers alternately described the locals as "closed-off", "conservative" and "rude".
READ ALSO: 'Not unfriendly' - Is Munich really an unwelcoming city for foreigners?
These views were echoed in the InterNations survey. “It’s difficult to form genuine connections with locals,” reported one Italian living in the city.
Others noted that the famed Bavarian Gemütlichkeit (cosiness or warmth) seems reserved for long-time residents, rather than new arrivals.
Hamburg: Cold weather and even colder people
The northern port city of Hamburg fared only slightly better than Munich, landing in 52nd place out of 53. While a vibrant cultural scene and walkable city centre can be attractive to international newcomers, it seems many are disappointment by the welcome they receive.
According to the InterNations survey, just 42 percent of foreigners found locals friendly - well below the global average of 63 percent. Even more concerning, almost half (44 percent) said they didn’t feel at home in the city, with many struggling to settle in.
This impression was backed up by a recent survey carried out by The Local, in which readers praised Hamburg's top-class infrastructure and attractions, but lamented the unfriendliness of the locals.
“It is hard to enter social circles and make friends with locals," explained 43-year-old Dannis, who grew up in Hamburg but later moved away. "Almost everyone stays within their established closed social circles."
READ ALSO: 'Beautiful city, unfriendly people' - How foreigners feel about living in Hamburg
Similar perspectives were espoused in the InterNations report. “The locals are cold and not very welcoming toward foreigners,” said one Hamburg resident from Spain.
In the category of “feeling welcome,” Hamburg ranked last worldwide.
Berlin: Social isolation in the midst of a hip city
Contrary to its reputation as a liberal, diverse, and international city, the German capital ranked 51st in the InterNations when it came to the ease of settling in.
In particular, respondents to the InterNations survey were put off by the gruff exterior of the locals, describing Berliners as "unfriendly and hard to approach".
Though in Germany the famed Berliner Schnauze (Berlin snout) is associated with a gritty humour as opposed to straight-up rudeness, it seems these cultural quirks can be difficult to translate.
In fact, the city came bottom of the rankings for “friendliness of locals”, landing in a depressing 53rd place.
Despite its buzzing party scene, foreigners saw Luft nach Oben (room for improvement) when it came to Berlin's social offering as well: 64 percent reported difficulties in making friends, while many lacked a sense of feeling at home.
“Berlin may be exciting, but you’re mostly on your own socially,” one respondent said.
READ ALSO: Why is Berlin a lonely city for many foreign residents?
Frankfurt: Thriving economy and a lacklustre social life
Hesse's financial capital was also presented in an unflattering light when it came to local friendliness, landing in 50th place out of 53. Though Frankfurt is one of Germany's most international cities, it seems to present few opportunities to integrate fully with the locals.
In the InterNations survey, foreigners cited difficulty adapting to the local culture and forming friendships as two of the biggest issues they faced. Just 38 percent said they felt at home, and most described their social networks as dominated by fellow expats.
“People here are polite but distant," said one British respondent. "It’s hard to go beyond small talk."
Despite the high salaries and job opportunities, many said they felt isolated outside of work.
Cologne: No Carnival spirit for most of the year
A surprising addition to the rankings this year was the Rhineland city of Cologne, which is often seen as a laid-back, fun-loving and open place to live. Though its colourful carnival celebrations see visitors flocking to the city from far and wide, the daily reality for foreigners seems to tell a different story.
According to the survey, Cologne struggles with welcoming newcomers, scoring near the bottom for cultural openness and friendliness. In the Ease of Settling in, it achieved a lacklustre 48th place, making it the 6th least friendly city in the world according to foreigners.
Despite its reputation for Rheinische Fröhheit - a jolly and chatty temperament among Rhineland natives - 41 percent of expats said they found it difficult to make local friends, and many described their social lives as sub-par.
One Canadian respondent summed up the situation: “It’s friendly during Carnival," they said. "But the rest of the year, it’s harder to connect."
READ ALSO: What to do, see and eat on a budget-friendly break in Cologne
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