You have made up your mind to study in Germany. Impressed with the fantastic landscape and high standard of living, and now thinking about part-time work and earning in euros. Sounds interesting, right? But did you also spend time researching and selecting a suitable city, which you did while selecting the university or the program? Of course, choosing the best city in Germany is as important as picking the right university because this decision would impact you 24/7, as you are going to spend all your time in that particular area.
Every city in Germany has a different forte; some cities are high in budget when it comes to renting a house, buying groceries, using transportation, etc., whereas some cities are budget-friendly or, as in some cities, offer a student-friendly environment, whereas some of them do not. In this blog, we will understand the top 5 best cities in Germany for international students to live in.
The selection of the best city for your studies is based on so many factors, such as field of study, university campus, financial factors, lifestyle preference, and career goals. Germany is the seventh-largest country in Europe by area, and there is no shortage of amazing cities for international students. It is a developed country with robust infrastructure and an amazing healthcare system, so let’s find out which city you should pick while considering studying in Germany.
Here are the top 5 best cities in Germany for international Students
1) Munich
Munich is the second largest city in Germany and is located in the southern part of Germany. If you are considering Germany for higher education, then Munich should be your first preference for sure, as it provides the best of both worlds: modern-day city life that is closely linked to the environment (such as the surrounding lakes and the Alps).
Pros of choosing Munich
- Top-notch Universities – Munich is home to the finest universities in Europe and the world, such as the Technical University of Munich and Ludwig Maximilian University.
- International Community – Since Munich is the second largest city in Germany after Berlin, it attracts international students from all around the world, which makes it easy for the international community to get involved in student clubs and cultural exchange. Every year, Munich also finds its spot in student-friendly cities across the globe. As per the QS Best Student Cities 2025 report, Munich ranked 4th in the world.
- Quality of Life – Munich provides an extraordinary quality of life; it is known for its clean environment, robust healthcare, and public transportation. As per Mercer’s quality of living data, Munich ranked 11th in the world.
- Hub for business – Munich is home to some of the reputed companies such as BMW, Siemens, and Allianz. It is a hub for technology and business, which makes it the ideal destination for international students to look for jobs and internships.
- Recreational activities – Munich also boasts its theatre, museum, rich cultural traditions, and popular celebrations like Oktoberfest.
Cons of Choosing Munich
- Cost of Living – Munich is an expensive city, and rent is the biggest cost factor for international students. As per the recent report of Mercer, Munich found itself in the 38th spot among the most expensive cities in the world, so if you are ok with taking on some financial burden, then Munich is the best city to live in.
- Weather– The winters in Munich are cold, harsh, and long, which makes it tough for some international community to cope with.
2) Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf is the most underestimated city in Germany when it comes to choosing to study abroad. It has a lot of things to offer, especially for International students.
Pros of choosing Düsseldorf
- Job Opportunities – Düsseldorf is considered a business and tech center as it has some of the most reputable German headquarters, such as L’Oréal Germany, Vodafone Germany, Metro AG, etc. It has strong ties with Japanese firms as well, as of now, around 500 Japanese companies operate in Germany. Its geography also makes it ideal for International trade and business because of its quick access to Belgium, the Netherlands, France, and the rest of European countries. As a result of business and tech hub, International students can easily apply for part-time, full-time jobs in the area.
- Lower living costs – Düsseldorf is not the cheapest city in Germany, but it is still one of the affordable cities in Germany and way cheaper than other hot study cities such as Munich, Berlin, and Frankfurt.
- International Community – There is a huge International community in Düsseldorf, especially from Japan, India, and China. It provides a student-friendly and multicultural atmosphere.
- Fashion Capital – Düsseldorf is known as the fashion capital of Germany. It boasts luxury retail stores and the presence of some of the finest fashion schools across Germany.
- Robust Infrastructure – Düsseldorf is known for its robust healthcare and public transportation. The city is well-organised and safe for expats; even the crime rate is very low.
Cons of choosing Düsseldorf
- Limited Universities – Düsseldorf has a very limited number of reputed institutions when it comes to International students, The students prefer to go only to Heinrich Heine University, which indicates there is less diversity in the city’s academic settings.
- Difficult to fit in with locals – Although the local community of Düsseldorfis friendly and speaks good English yet to having full social participation requires a basic understanding of the German language.
3) Berlin
Berlin is the perfect location for personal and professional development because of its fascinating history, vibrant music and art scene, and friendly international community. As Germany’s capital boasts world-class institutions, creativity, and innovation. Let’s understand the offerings of Berlin to international students.
Pros of choosing Berlin
- Top Rated Research & Education – The capital city is home to some of the finest universities in Germany, such as the Technical University of Berlin, Humboldt University, and Freie Universität Berlin. All of these universities offer programs in humanities, engineering, technology, and natural sciences, and a spot under 150 in the QS ranking.
- International and Multicultural Setting – As the capital and metropolitan city of Germany, Berlin attracts students from different nationalities, such as India, China, Vietnam, Japan, etc., which makes it an ideal location for multiculturalism and having an international vibe. It has Street cuisine, nightclubs, cafés, student pubs, and festivals abound. It probably has the most vibrant nightlife and creative scenes in Europe.
- Opportunities for Careers and Networking – Since Berlin is a metropolitan location, International firms and English-fluent jobs are more prevalent here. Berlin is also tagged as the startup capital of Europe and has one of the largest and fastest-growing startup scenes in Europe. Local people are welcoming, and networking appears more comfortable and friendly.
Cons of Choosing Berlin
- High Living Cost – The costs are gradually rising in Berlin, and it is also considered one of the expensive cities not only in Germany but also around the world. A typical individual requires around 2,260 euros a month.
- Need Local Language Understanding – Although Berlin has huge international communities such as Indian, Chinese, and Japanese, the bureaucracy is real, and you would need basic German understanding to make things smooth, whether it is renting an apartment, a driving license, or a residence permit.
- Overcrowded – Berlin is getting overcrowded not only on the streets but also when it comes to attending classes; some of the renowned universities are over-enrolled. In recent years, the population has been growing rapidly, Thanks to the international student community and other immigrants because of top-notch universities. This is the reason the rent prices have gone up, and the housing crisis is going on.
4) Frankfurt
Frankfurt is based in the central part of Germany, and offers a dynamic and urban city that combines German charms with worldwide possibilities, making it a top choice for International students.
Pros of choosing Frankfurt
- Financial Hub – Frankfurt is known as the financial capital of Germany. It is home to the European Central Bank, the Deutsche Bundesbank, the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, and several large commercial banks, which makes it an ideal location for networking and job opportunities, especially in finance and business.
- Top Notch Institutions – Goethe University is a top-notch institution based in Frankfurt that has an amazing QS world ranking of 309 in 2025. Frankfurt is also home to institutions like the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management and Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, which have a strong reputation across the globe.
- Robust Infrastructure – Frankfurt is known for its robust infrastructure, such as skyscrapers, excellent public transportation, and healthcare. Frankfurt Airport is one of the busiest in Europe, which makes it ideal for rapid and inexpensive travel throughout the continent.
Cons of Choosing Frankfurt
- More Inclination towards business hub – As mentioned above, Frankfurt is considered a financial hub for business and technology, which sometimes gives a feel of a more business-oriented than student-friendly location.
- Housing Crisis – There is fierce competition for the few available public student residences in Frankfurt, which compels the students to live in shared apartments, which are expensive and far away from the campus.
5) Stuttgart
The one city that can brag about high-quality education, greenery, and a powerhouse in the technology and engineering industry, then only one name pops up that would be Stuttgart. Let’s understand why it is one of the best cities in Germany for International students.
Pros of choosing Stuttgart
- Strong Ties with Renowned Industries – Stuttgart is the location of some of the reputed universities, such as the University of Stuttgart and Hochschule der Medien (HdM), which are recognised for technical programs such as engineering, architecture, computer science, and media programs.
- Industry Powerhouse – Just as Germany is known for technology and automobile, Stutgart is widely known for innovation with worldwide companies like Mercedes- Benz, Bosch, Porsche, Siemens etc. A wide range of job opportunities can be found in these reputed firms.
- High Standard of Living – Stuttgart is a safe city with a high quality of life and plenty of greenery. Plus, it offers extraordinary public transportation.
Cons of Choosing Stuttgart
- High Cost of Living – Stuttgart is very expensive due to its high standard of living, and sometimes it gets very challenging to find accommodation at a reasonable price.
- Language Barrier – Though English speakers can be found in Stuttgart because of many multinational companies yet understanding German makes life easier, whether it is in a daily routine or government work.
- Weather – The weather in Stuttgart is very unpredictable and rainy in winter.
Since every country has its own pros and cons, it is very important for students to consider all the factors while choosing to study abroad. The above-mentioned cities are preferred by the students on the basis of their requirements. The selection of the best city is based on finance, university campus, language understanding, program scope, job opportunities, etc.
Curious to know about high-paying jobs in Germany for International Students??? Check the link below
- Düsseldorf
- Berlin
- Frankfurt
- Stuttgart
- Nuremberg
- Hamburg
- Cologne
