Regional differencesGermany

Regional differences in Germany

Regionale Unterschiede in Deutschland

Sixteen states, many dialects and traditions: north and south, east and west, city and countryside differ.

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Overview

Germany is a federal state of sixteen states, and each region has its history, dialect, dominant religion, food and customs. Differences between Munich, Hamburg, Berlin, Dresden and Cologne are large and affect daily life, costs and opportunities.

States have wide powers over education, police and public holidays, so procedures differ from state to state. These generalisations are useful as an introduction but are simplifications. This guide explains the states and big cities, north and south, east and west, dialects, differences between city and countryside, living costs and opportunities, and how to choose where to live.

1

States and big cities

Berlin the capital is a diverse world city with rising prices, Hamburg is a trading port in the north, Munich is the capital of Bavaria, rich in industry, Frankfurt is a financial centre, Cologne and Düsseldorf are in the industrial and media west, Stuttgart is a centre of cars and industry, and Leipzig and Dresden in the east are places of culture and universities.

  • Some states are city-states: Berlin, Hamburg and Bremen.
  • Each state has its government, parliament and laws on education and security.
  • When moving check the administrative differences.
2

North and south

The north (Hamburg, Bremen, Schleswig) is described as apparently cool, quiet and frank, with a mild maritime climate, and the south (Bavaria and Baden) as traditional, Catholic, with neighbourhood festivals and rich foods such as sausages, pretzels and beer.

  • Weather also differs: winter in the south is colder and snowier and its summer warmer.
  • Bavaria is distinguished by attachment to traditions such as traditional costume (Tracht) and additional Catholic holidays.
  • It is said that southerners are friendlier and more open in conversation, and northerners more reserved, but it varies between individuals.
  • Both are known for generosity once you really get acquainted.
3

East and west

After reunification in 1990 there are still differences between the eastern states (Brandenburg, Saxony, Thuringia, Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg) and the western ones: wages and rents are generally lower in the east, the foreign population is smaller, and small towns are quieter and cheaper.

  • But the east has a vibrant cultural scene in Leipzig, Dresden and East Berlin.
  • In some eastern areas anti-foreigner attitudes and extremist parties are more widespread, so take care to research the general atmosphere and available support before choosing, though many residents are welcoming and helpful.
  • Look for local migrant support organisations.
4

Dialects, city and countryside

You may hear dialects you do not understand even with knowledge of standard German (Hochdeutsch), such as Bavarian, Swabian, Saxon, Low German (Plattdeutsch) and Cologne dialect.

  • Everyone understands and speaks standard German in official settings, so ask the speaker to repeat in standard German.
  • Life in big cities is more diverse, open and expensive, with migrant communities, mosques, restaurants of your culture and many jobs.
  • Countryside and small towns are cheaper and quieter, but transport is limited and you may need a car, and social life revolves around clubs and integration may be slower and deeper.
  • The choice depends on your priorities.
5

Living costs, opportunities and choosing where to live

Rents in Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Stuttgart are among the highest, and in eastern cities and the countryside much lower.

  • Job opportunities in tech, cars, finance and health are concentrated in certain cities, and the east has growing opportunities.
  • Foreign applicants may in some asylum cases be assigned to a particular state under the distribution system, and free moving is not always allowed.
  • When choosing compare rent, wages, transport, schools, local community and climate.
  • Check city reports and cost-of-living comparison tools, and ask someone who has lived there before deciding.

Step by step

  1. 1

    Define your priorities: work, study, family, community or cost.

  2. 2

    Compare rents and wages between two or three cities.

  3. 3

    Look for migrant communities, mosques and supportive organisations in the place.

  4. 4

    Visit the place beforehand if possible to assess the atmosphere.

  5. 5

    Check the state's administrative differences in schools and holidays.

  6. 6

    Learn some words of the local dialect to win people's goodwill.

Documents checklist

  • A comparison list between cities (rent, jobs, transport).
  • Addresses of local migrant support organisations.
  • The public transport map of the city.
  • The state's rules for schools and public holidays.

Key vocabulary

  • dasBundesland
    federal state
  • derDialekt
    dialect
  • Hochdeutsch
    standard German
  • derNorden
    north
  • derSüden
    south
  • derOsten
    east
  • derWesten
    west
  • dieGroßstadt
    big city
  • dasLand
    countryside
  • Lebenshaltungskosten
    cost of living
  • derUmzug
    move

Useful phrases

  • Wo kommen Sie her?Where are you from?
  • Können Sie bitte Hochdeutsch sprechen?Could you please speak standard German?
  • Wie ist das Leben hier?How is life here?
  • Sind die Mieten hier hoch?Are the rents high here?
  • Ich überlege, nach Leipzig zu ziehen.I am thinking of moving to Leipzig.
  • Gibt es hier eine Moschee?Is there a mosque here?

A conversation about moving plans

  • Kollege

    Ich habe gehört, du willst umziehen?I heard you want to move?

  • Sie

    Ja, ich überlege zwischen München und Leipzig.Yes, I am considering between Munich and Leipzig.

  • Kollege

    München hat mehr Jobs, aber die Mieten sind sehr hoch.Munich has more jobs, but the rents are very high.

  • Sie

    Und in Leipzig? Wie ist das Leben dort?And in Leipzig? What is life like there?

  • Kollege

    Günstiger und jung, mit vielen Studenten. Besuch die Stadt erst einmal.Cheaper and young, with many students. Visit the city first.

  • Sie

    Gute Idee. Ich fahre nächstes Wochenende hin.Good idea. I will go there next weekend.

Common mistakes

  • Judging everyone by stereotypes about a particular region.
  • Choosing a city just for cheap rent without considering jobs and transport.
  • Moving without knowing residence rules or administrative distribution.
  • Not expecting a strong local dialect so that understanding is hard at first.

Cultural tips

  • Ask people kindly to speak standard German if you do not understand the dialect.
  • Visit several cities on a weekend with an economical ticket to compare.
  • Join migrant groups on social media in the city before moving.
  • Ask about the state in residence or work matters since it affects procedures.
  • Do not forget that diversity within each region is great, since in the same city you may find districts completely different in character, prices and residents, so visit more than one district before signing a rental contract.

Official links

Check yourself

Question 1 of 5

How many states does Germany have?