The Berlin Life Newsletter
Trying to build a life in Germany? Whether you just landed or you’ve been here for years, this Berlin newsletter helps you make sense of a country that doesn’t always make it easy.
The Berlin Life is a community of more than 10,000 internationals across our newsletter, socials, and in-person events in Berlin. The newsletter is where it all comes together.
Every Week You’ll Get
⭐ Who’s hiring right now. A regularly updated list of companies in Germany actively recruiting, including funded startups you won’t find on the usual job boards.
⭐ News that actually affects you. Immigration updates, labour law changes, and job market shifts, explained in plain English so you know what to do about them.
⭐ Career advice from both sides of the table. I’ve spent over a decade as a career coach, and I’ve been the one reviewing the applications. I know what German employers actually look for.
⭐ 60+ free guides to living and working in Germany, covering everything from visas to job hunting to health insurance.
⭐ Events in Berlin. Meetups where you can actually talk to people instead of collecting LinkedIn connections you’ll never message.
⭐ Honest stories from someone who’s been here since 2011. I moved here from Canada, and I’ve dealt with the visas, the job hunts, and the Bürgeramt. I write about all of it.
What’s Inside Each Edition
⭐ Personal News & Musings. I kick off every edition with what’s on my mind, the wins, the frustrations, and the occasional rant about life in Germany. Personal, unfiltered, and written like I’m talking to you directly.
⭐ Sound Off: Your Take on Germany. Each week I run a quick reader poll on something that matters to internationals here, from pensions to rent to work culture, then share the results. Make your voice heard and see how the rest of the community really feels.
⭐ Companies Hiring Right Now. A handpicked list of German companies actively recruiting that week, with roles, locations, and notes on who offers relocation or English-speaking teams. Real openings, curated so you don’t have to dig through the job boards yourself.
⭐ Recently Funded Startups. German startups that just raised new funding, and who’s hiring because of it. More than a list, it’s insights into where the job market is heading, which sectors are growing, what roles are opening up, and where to point your search next.
⭐ Job Search & Work Life Tips. Practical, weekly advice on applications, interviews, salaries, and navigating German workplaces, from someone who’s spent over a decade as a career coach and reviewed the applications from the other side.
⭐ Germany Life Hacks. The small, hard-won things that make life in Deutschland a little easier, from beating the summer heat to saving money on your internet setup. The stuff you usually only learn after years of living here.
⭐ Featured Germany Life Guides. A pick from our 60+ free guides to help you settle in, whether you’re figuring out visas, health insurance, finding a flat, or making friends. Always something useful, whatever stage of the move you’re at.
⭐ Our Events (+ Other Events). A weekly round-up of what’s on in Berlin, our own community meetups plus the best events worth your time. Real ways to meet people offline, not just collect LinkedIn connections.
⭐ News in Germany. The stories actually affecting internationals, immigration and labour law changes, politics, the economy, explained in plain English so you know what they mean for you. The inside scoop, minus the jargon.
⭐ In Case You Missed It. A quick recap of what landed with readers last week, the guides, jobs, and stories people clicked most. An easy way to catch anything you missed.
View Sample Editions
What readers say
⭐ Can I just say, even though I live in Munich and am not looking for a job, I LOVE your newsletter. Anyone who is a German expat should sign up for it, a lot of value, humanity, and humor in there. — Eleanor, Munich
⭐ Thank you, Cheryl! Always find your newsletters brilliantly written and full of useful tips and insights! 🙏 — Liudmyla, Germany
⭐ Always short and sweet. If you want a sharp update on Berlin life, this newsletter will help you keep up with the latest topics. — Alexandra, Berlin
⭐ Just wanted to pop in and say your page on LinkedIn, as well as the newsletter, are amazing and provide so much value, and relatable stories. — Arunima, Berlin
⭐ Great newsletter with info about what is going on in Berlin, what expats should be aware of, and where to look for a job (list of companies that are hiring right now). — Aga, Berlin
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about our Berlin newsletter.
Is the newsletter free?
Yes, The Berlin Life newsletter is completely free. You’ll get every edition delivered to your inbox each week at no cost, no paywall, no premium tier. Just subscribe with your email and you’re in.
How often is it sent?
The newsletter goes out once a week, so you get a regular roundup without your inbox being overwhelmed. Every edition follows the same familiar structure, so you always know where to find what you need.
Who is the newsletter for?
It’s written for internationals living in, moving to, or thinking about Germany, whether you’re job hunting, settling into a new city, or just trying to make sense of German bureaucracy. If you’re an expat or newcomer navigating work and life in Germany in English, it’s for you.
Do I need to live in Berlin to find it useful?
Not at all. While events and some hyper-local tips are Berlin-focused, most of the content, hiring news, funded startups, immigration and labour law updates, career advice, and life guides, applies across Germany. Plenty of readers subscribe from Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt, and beyond.
What kind of jobs does the newsletter cover?
Each week features a handpicked list of German companies actively hiring, along with recently funded startups and the roles they’re recruiting for. Many are English-speaking or relocation-friendly positions across tech, startups, and other industries, roles that are a good fit for internationals.
Do I need to speak German to benefit from it?
No. The newsletter is written entirely in English, and it highlights English-speaking roles and companies wherever possible. It’s designed for internationals who are still learning German or working in English-first environments.
Who writes The Berlin Life newsletter?
It’s written by Cheryl Howard, a Canadian who moved to Berlin in 2011 and has spent over a decade as a career coach, reviewing job applications from the hiring side. The Berlin Life has grown into a community of more than 10,000 internationals across the newsletter, socials, and in-person events.
How do I subscribe?
Just enter your email in the signup form on this page and confirm your subscription. You’ll start receiving the newsletter with the next edition. It’s free, and you can unsubscribe anytime.