The global city of Berlin has much to offer expats looking for a unique European experience. Situated in north-eastern Germany, this cosmopolitan metropolis is an international hub for culture, politics, media, and science. A high tech economy with a number of booming industries provides numerous opportunities for ambitious career-minded expats. An abundance of parks, museums, and clubs means there’s always something to do and something to suit every taste. So if you’re considering it, what can you expect from moving to Berlin from the UK?
9 times larger than Paris, Berlin is an enormous city. It’s not all high-rise buildings and busy streets though; around one third of the city’s area is composed of forests, gardens, parks, rivers and lakes. The Botanischer Garten, which contains one of the largest and most diverse of botanical life in the world, is an area of around 43 hectares containing approximately 22,000 different plant species. In central Berlin is the city’s largest park, Tiergarten, which spans 210 acres and is home to the Berlin zoo.
Berlin is also renowned for its art and culture. There are seven symphony orchestras based in the city, around 140 museums, and more than 400 art galleries including The Gemäldegalerie, which focuses on the work of masters from the 13th to 18th centuries. For those with more modern tastes, the Bauhaus archive showcases design from the famous Bauhaus school. The Hamburger Bahnhof is another popular choice for those interested in modern and contemporary art.
The eclectic mix of culinary offerings in Berlin reflects the rich immigrant history of the city. From tapas to currywurst, the range of gastronomic options available is as varied as you can get. As well as variety, Berlin is also renowned for top quality cuisine – in 2015’s Michelin guide, 12 restaurants from the city were included.
As for career options, the choices are as varied as the cuisine. Berlin is home to a great many corporations across all manner of sectors from IT, electronics, and technology to biomedical engineering, pharmaceuticals, and construction. Common to a great many of these organisations – and Berlin business in general – is an emphasis on technology. A fund has even been set up to encourage further implementation of technology in business here.
For entrepreneurially-minded expats, there’s no better place in Europe for startups. In 2015, Berlin generated more venture capital for young startup companies than anywhere else in Europe. If this is a route you’re considering taking as an expat, you’ll find no shortage of like-minded entrepreneurs with whom to network and share ideas.
It’s not all work and no play either. Cadogan Tate recently reported on employee-friendly legislation in France and the German government is not far behind either. Legislation mandates that every employee receives a minimum of four weeks paid vacation leave per year but many companies allow employees more than this. Germany’s employment ministry has also recently banned employers from contacting staff outside of working hours except in emergencies.
With so much on offer, Germany’s capital city has something to offer any potential expat. Festivals, museums, galleries, nightlife, history: Berlin’s appeal is universal. What’s more, a favourable work-life balance means expats who do choose to settle here should have plenty of opportunity to make the most of everything this vibrant city has to offer.
If you are planning to move to Germany from London,  Cadogan Tate’s international removals team have the experience and knowledge to help and advise you. From your initial enquiry to unpacking at your new home, our specialist international removals services from London  take care of every detail.
Information correct at time of publication.