Why skilled workers come to Germany and then leave again
Germany’s push to attract skilled immigrants is running up against everyday realities that drive many of them away again: opaque bureaucracy, strict language requirements, rigid work hierarchies and difficulty integrating socially. Commenters describe subtle but persistent discrimination in housing, jobs and policing, a glass ceiling for non-natives, and a culture that can feel reserved or exclusionary, especially compared to North America or the Netherlands. While many praise public transport, safety and social benefits, they argue that without easier paths to residency, clearer upward mobility and more genuine inclusion, Germany will struggle to keep the workers it says it needs.
Perceived discrimination and racism
- Many describe Germany as highly discriminatory toward migrants and visible minorities, citing everyday racism, biased policing, and housing/job rejections based on names or appearance.
- Visible Muslims (e.g., hijab-wearers) are reported as facing particular hostility, even when skilled and well-paid.
- Some argue this is not uniquely German—most countries favor their own and are harsh to low‑status migrants—but others say expectations are higher for an EU democracy that “should know better.”
- There is debate over whether cautiousness toward “outsiders” in promotions and housing is just cultural conservatism or straightforward xenophobia.
- Several note tension between Germany’s aging‑society need for migrants and a public discourse that frames migration itself as a “problem.”
Culture, social integration, and daily life
- Many newcomers find Germans distant, slow to form friendships, and strongly rule‑bound; integration is said to take years and often never feels complete.
- Joining local clubs (Vereine) is cited as one of the few effective ways to make friends.
- People from “warmer” cultures often feel isolated and end up socializing mainly with other migrants.
- Complaints include Sunday/early store closures, strict waste rules, and a general lack of “convenience culture,” though some Germans value this as preserving family time and social order.
Language requirements and barriers
- For many non‑software roles C1 or higher German is required; some employers demand C2, which commenters say effectively excludes most immigrants and even many natives.
- Permanent residence normally requires at least B1; some see this as a fair, modest standard, others as a major burden for full‑time workers and parents.
- There is broad agreement that without solid German you remain an outsider professionally and socially; some insist learning the language is a basic obligation if you want to settle.
Careers, mobility, and the labor market
- Multiple skilled workers report a “glass ceiling” for non‑natives: slower promotion, preference for Germans in leadership, and reliance on foreigners as cheaper labor rather than future managers.
- Germany is described as good for a “middling but comfortable” life, less attractive for ambitious people seeking rapid wealth or senior roles.
- Declining real wages, housing shortages, and perceived deterioration of infrastructure and public services are said to erode even that comfort.
Macro issues and alternatives
- Commenters link current problems to years of austerity and under‑investment, plus political backlash over refugee inflows.
- Some Eastern Europeans now find the income gap too small to justify the frictions of moving.
- A number of participants say they chose or would choose the Netherlands, US, Canada, or other American countries instead, viewing them as more open to integration and upward mobility.