About Germany

Each person has his or her own story, but many of us are united by the fact that by fate of circumstances we have arrived in a new country where we need to build a new life as soon as possible. We hope that our Expaterra portal can help you!
So, Germany: a land of opportunity and warm hospitality, where everyone will find a home amidst picturesque landscapes and a rich cultural heritage.

Culture and lifestyle

The culture and way of life in Germany is characterised by a rich history, centuries-old traditions and a variety of leisure activities. Germans are known for being organised, punctual and respectful of personal space. It is a society where family and cultural values are highly valued, as well as a commitment to quality and reliability.
Germany celebrates many traditional holidays, many of which are associated with Christian dates. The most important holidays are Christmas and Easter, when families come together to celebrate. Christmas is particularly famous for its Christmas markets, which attract both locals and tourists from all over the world.
Oktoberfest, the world's largest beer festival, takes place in Munich and is a symbol of Bavarian culture and tradition. It attracts millions of people to enjoy beer, traditional music and cuisine.
German cuisine is varied and full of flavours. Traditional dishes include Bratwurst (fried sausages), Sauerkraut (sauerkraut), Schnitzel (schnitzel) and a variety of breads and pastries such as Pretzel (pretzels) and Apfelstrudel (apple strudel). Germans are also known for their love of beer, and many varieties are produced in the country.
Germans are known for their friendliness and willingness to help, especially in rural areas and small towns. Although they may appear somewhat reserved and formal at first glance, they are warm and sincere when you get to know them intimately.
Germany is a secular state with a variety of religious beliefs. The majority of the population is Christian, mainly Protestant and Catholic. However, there is also a significant number of people who practice other religions or are non-religious.
Cultural life in Germany is very rich. Major cities such as Berlin, Munich and Hamburg regularly host music and theatre festivals, exhibitions and concerts. Germany is famous for its operas, theatres and museums, such as the Berlin State Opera, the Alte Pinakothek Museum in Munich and many others.
Germans lead an active lifestyle, love sports and spend a lot of time outdoors. Cycling, hiking and visiting parks are popular leisure activities. In big cities there is a well-developed public transport network, which makes travelling convenient and environmentally friendly.
Overall, the culture and way of life in Germany is rich in tradition, respect for order and quality, and openness to the new and innovative. This makes Germany an attractive place to live and visit, offering residents and tourists alike many opportunities to enjoy the cultural and social aspects of life.
Germany holds high positions in various international rankings reflecting its achievements in various fields:
Education: Germany is highly rated in global education rankings. The country is regularly ranked in the top 20 in terms of educational quality, as confirmed by the PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) rankings. German pupils excel in maths, reading and science.
Human Development Index (HDI): Germany ranks fourth in the world on the Human Development Index, which takes into account indicators such as life expectancy, educational attainment and per capita income. This indicates a high standard of living and a well-developed social infrastructure.
Sustainable development: Germany is ranked fourth in the Sustainable Development Index, which reflects the country's progress in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, such as economic development, social well-being and environmental sustainability.
Military power: Germany is ranked 19th in Global Firepower's world military power rankings, indicating its significant defence capabilities and modern military equipment.
In 2024, Germany ranked 24th on the World Happiness Report's World Happiness Index, which measures several key parameters such as GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom of choice, generosity and corruption levels.
 
Germany also ranks low in several world rankings, reflecting certain problems and challenges the country faces.
Peace Index: Germany is ranked 65th in the Global Peace Index for 2024. This is due to relatively high levels of crime and political instability compared to safer countries such as Iceland and New Zealand.
Intelligence Index: According to the ranking of countries by average IQ, Germany ranks 59th with a score of 100.74. This is not critically low, but still lower than a number of other European countries such as Finland and Estonia.
Climate change: Germany ranks 14th in the Climate Change Performance Index. Despite progress in climate legislation, the country faces challenges in the construction and transport sectors, as well as continued dependence on coal and fossil gas.
These rankings highlight areas in which Germany needs to improve its performance on the international stage.

Local language
Germany, although it remains for many foreigners a country with an unfamiliar and difficult German language, offers many opportunities to communicate in other foreign languages.
English is widely spoken and understood by the majority of the population, especially in large cities and tourist areas. You will not encounter serious problems if you use English in restaurants, banks, shopping centres and even cinemas, where films are often shown in the original version with German subtitles. In schools and universities, English is also often used as a second language of instruction.
French and Spanish, although less widespread, still have their speakers and learners. This is especially true in regions bordering France, where French can be used in everyday communication. Many German schools offer courses in French and Spanish, which favours their spread.
Given the large Turkish community in Germany, Turkish is one of the most widely spoken foreign languages in the country. In some neighbourhoods of major cities such as Berlin and Hamburg, one can often hear Turkish speech and find shops and restaurants where Turkish is used.
The Russian language is also widespread due to the significant number of people from the former Soviet Union. In major cities and some regions you can find schools and courses where Russian is taught, as well as cultural centres supporting the Russian-speaking community.
There are other languages that are used by smaller communities, such as Polish, Italian, Greek and Arabic. These languages are supported by cultural and linguistic communities that organise various activities and courses for their members.
Although the use of foreign languages makes life in Germany easier, it is recommended to start learning German for a long-term stay. This will allow you to better integrate into the local community and understand the culture and traditions of the country. For native speakers of English, French and other European languages, learning German may not be as difficult due to some similarities in grammar and vocabulary.
There are many options for learning German, including individual and group lessons with a teacher, online courses and specialised language schools. Germans welcome and support foreigners who endeavour to learn their language, which creates a positive attitude towards those who seek to integrate through learning German.
Thus, despite the initial difficulties associated with the German language, Germany offers many opportunities to use and learn different foreign languages, which makes the adaptation process more comfortable and interesting.