Living in Germany brings a mix of opportunities and challenges, as reflected in a recent poll of The Berlin Life community. In our last newsletter, we posed a question: “As a foreigner in Germany, how good do you feel about living here right now?”

229 people responded to the poll, and the results revealed a wide spectrum of emotions ranging from optimism to uncertainty. While 44% of respondents said they felt “mostly good but sometimes worry,” others were divided between hope, ambivalence, and complete dissatisfaction. These results shed light on the reality and diversity of experiences foreigners face in Germany.

In this guide, we’ll:

⭐ Dive deeper into the sentiments and their meaning in a broader context.

⭐ Look at changes from the same poll conducted six months earlier.

⭐ Explore the factors shaping the evolving perspectives.

Let’s dive deeper and take a closer look at the sentiments of foreigners living in Germany.

As a foreigner living in Germany for 10 years, I’ve mostly felt good about my decision to move here. There were moments over the years when I thought about moving back to Canada, but my desire to stay has always won out. I plan to spend the rest of my life here, and not much could convince me to move home. Everyone’s situation differs, but I’m far happier and healthier here than elsewhere. 

That said, I worry about the current economic situation and the growing popularity of the far right, and most people I speak with feel the same way. Finding out that AfD had a conference to deport people, even those who are citizens, doesn’t sit right. Watching extremist groups come to Pride parades in different German cities with violent intent to disrupt a loving celebration is much the same. Seeing people openly desire to cede European sovereignty and freedom to fascist dictators makes you wonder if large swathes of our society have collectively lost their minds. While people like me have the privilege to get up and leave, it’s not like that for everyone. Others have migrated to Germany to escape wars, oppressive regimes, and more. They can’t just move back home, and their worries loom much larger. 

The findings from our polls highlight the dynamic and multifaceted experiences of foreigners living in Germany. While many find moments of positivity and stability, the growing sense of ambivalence and dissatisfaction points to challenges that need attention—be it personal, societal, or systemic. As we compare sentiments over the past six months, it is clear that external factors and personal circumstances play a significant role in shaping these perspectives. Whether individuals feel optimistic, uncertain, or ready to leave, their stories are a testament to the complexity of living abroad. Moving forward, fostering dialogue, building supportive communities, and addressing key concerns can help create a more inclusive and fulfilling experience for everyone navigating life in Germany.

Key Insights

If you analyze the results, there are some key insights that can be derived.

1) A Spectrum of Experiences

⭐ The responses reveal a diverse range of experiences among foreigners in Germany, with a balance between optimism and ambivalence. Nearly 44% feel mostly good about life, which is encouraging and indicates that many find comfort and stability despite challenges.

⭐ However, the significant percentage who are “undecided” (39%) highlights that many community members might be grappling with uncertainty, perhaps due to cultural, professional, or personal adjustments.

2) Optimism Exists, But It’s Limited

⭐ While 7% are optimistic for the future, this relatively small number suggests that systemic or personal hurdles may prevent many from fully embracing long-term prospects in Germany. 

3) The Role of Worries and Doubts

⭐ The majority of respondents (44%) are positive yet still carry occasional worries. This reflects the common experience of immigrants facing day-to-day challenges—such as language barriers, bureaucracy, or adapting to Germany’s cultural norms.

4) Ambivalence is a Clear Theme

⭐ The 39% “undecided” is a compelling figure. It suggests that for many, Germany may not yet feel like “home,” even if they are not actively unhappy. This could be due to temporary work contracts, plans to move elsewhere, or uncertainty about integration. 

5) Recognizing the Outliers 

⭐ The 11% who have left or want to leave represent a smaller but important subset. Understanding their reasons could highlight areas where Germany could improve for foreigners, such as better job opportunities, inclusivity, or overcoming a sense of isolation.

Trends and Shifts in the Sentiments

In addition to running this poll in November 2024, we also ran the poll in June 2024. Unfortunately the sentiments have since shifted to a more pessimistic outlook.

Here are some of the main takeaways that highlight the shift in people’s feelings.

Main Takeaways

1) Decline in Optimism

⭐ The percentage of people who feel “optimistic for the future” dropped significantly from 14% to 7%.

⭐ This halving of optimism might suggest growing concerns or frustrations among the community, perhaps due to external factors like economic uncertainty, bureaucracy, or cultural challenges.

2) Slight Decrease in “Mostly Good” Responses

⭐ The “mostly good, but sometimes worry” group has shrunk from 49% to 44%.

⭐ While still the largest group, this decline suggests that some individuals who previously felt “mostly good” might now be more uncertain or dissatisfied.

3) Increase in Ambivalence

⭐ The “undecided” group grew from 32% to 39%, another significant increase.

⭐ This shift indicates a growing sense of uncertainty or neutrality, with many people feeling stuck or in limbo about their lives in Germany.

4) Doubling of Dissatisfaction

⭐ The “want to leave/already left” group jumped from 6% to 11%, nearly doubling.

⭐ This change signals an increase in dissatisfaction or disillusionment among some foreigners. Examining the reasons for this shift could highlight pain points that might not have been as pronounced six months ago—such as economic pressures, cultural adaptation difficulties, or lack of long-term opportunities.

5) Overall Sentiment Shift

⭐ Over the past six months, the community has seen a shift from generally positive or hopeful sentiments to more neutral or negative ones.

⭐ The combined percentage of those who are optimistic or “mostly good” decreased from 63% to 51%, while those who are undecided or dissatisfied increased from 38% to 50%.

⭐ This indicates a notable balance shift, where more people are moving toward feelings of uncertainty or frustration.

Causes of the Shift

Why is there a shift in sentiments, especially one showing a decline in optimism? Likely causes include:

⭐ Ongoing economic pressures like rising inflation, cost of living, or housing challenges.

⭐ Cultural and/or bureaucratic frustrations such as prolonged struggles with integration, language barriers, or navigating German bureaucracy.

⭐ Broader geopolitical or economic instability.

What We Can Do About It

Despite a worsening outlook, there are things we can all do to make it at least somewhat better:

⭐ For those who feel good: Celebrate the small victories and focus on maintaining your sense of stability while addressing occasional worries. It might help to connect with others who feel similarly for mutual encouragement.

⭐ For the undecided: Reflect on what would make Germany feel more like “home.” Are there steps—joining communities, learning the language, or finding hobbies—that could help?

⭐ For those considering leaving: Acknowledge that it’s okay to explore options. Every experience is a stepping stone, whether it leads to deeper roots in Germany or opportunities elsewhere.

⭐ Acknowledge the Shift: It’s okay to feel differently about living in Germany now compared to six months ago. External and internal factors play a role, and change is part of the immigrant journey.

⭐ Build Connection: Fostering community connections can provide support, new perspectives, and practical advice helping us to embrace solidarity through our shared experience.

It’s difficult to assess how the situation in Germany will develop, but in the meantime, it’s important to keep talking and checking in on how people are feeling. In this way, we can offer support to one another and hopefully, you can find that through The Berlin Life be it coming to one of our community events or taking advantage of some of our recommended resources. 

A Disclaimer

While the information here provides valuable insights into the sentiments of foreigners in Germany, interpreting the results requires caution due to the uneven sample sizes, the non-representative sample of the foreign population, the obvious self-selection bias, and the lack of detailed contextual data.

What do you think about this guide on the sentiments of foreigners living in Germany? Does the data surprise you or confirm what you already thought to be true? Share your thoughts with our community by leaving a comment.