German states Discover Germany! Get to know more about the industries and the services offering their help in each federal state. German federal states at a glance Welcome to the Federal Republic of Germany. Due to its central location, Germany shares borders with a total of nine neighbouring European countries. The Federal Republic extends from the Alps in the south to the North and Baltic Seas. As a federal system, the German Federal Republic consists of 16 federal states whose state governments partly take on their own state duties. Explore Germany on our interactive map of federal states. Find out about their capitals, populations and economic sectors. Select state Baden-Württemberg Baden-Württemberg is one of the most modern industrial locations in the world. Its economic strength and low unemployment levels contribute to its attractiveness. Further information Bavaria Beautiful natural landscapes, friendly people, attractive economy: Bavaria is a truly fascinating state. Its economy is booming, and its labour market offers plenty of opportunities for international professionals. Further information Berlin The capital posts record numbers of business start-ups. This is where the greatest number of new jobs are created in Germany. People from all over the world move to Berlin to live and work and many companies are setting up their headquarters here. Further information Brandenburg Together with Berlin, Brandenburg forms Germany's capital region. The state has plenty to offer

Hamburg Hamburg is a green city located in close proximity to the sea. The metropolis offers plenty of things to do in your free time, including a variety of cultural activities. Its international flair and comparatively young population from all around the world make it a very pleasant place to be. Hamburg prides itself on its economic performance, above-average levels of income and its high level of education. The larger metropolitan region of Hamburg includes parts of the adjacent states of Schleswig-Holstein, Mecklenburg-West Pomerania and Lower Saxony and is home to 500,000 companies with around 1.9 million jobs. Keyfacts for Hamburg Capital Hamburg Important industries Logistics Second largest port in Europe Maritime industry, such as specialised shipbuilding, shipbuilding suppliers, marine and offshore engineering Civil aviation industry Media and IT, e.g. games industry Renewable energies Life Sciences – research and production location for medical technology, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries Population 1,910,160 Particularities Hamburg's port is considered the gateway to the world: ships from all around the globe find their way to the Hanseatic city. Additional contacts The official portal of Hamburg Get to know the multifaceted state and learn what makes it special. Points of contact for qualified professionals Here you can find service centres for immigrants in your federal state. Authority finder BAMF-NAvI Find contact details and other offers from

Brandenburg Brandenburg and Berlin form Germany's capital region. While it is an industrial state located at the centre of major European routes, it also benefits from beautiful natural landscapes, which are perfect for recreation and leisure. Brandenburg's 3000 lakes contribute to its high quality of life. As a business location, Brandenburg has made considerable progress over the last couple of years. It has been awarded the most dynamic business region in Germany three times and is a pioneer in renewable energies. Brandenburg has a lot to offer – not only for people of different professional backgrounds, but also for national and international companies. At this moment in time, more than 400 companies with international participations are headquartered in Brandenburg. Keyfacts for Brandenburg Capital Potsdam Important industries Healthcare Trade and commerce Logistics Aeronautical engineering Energy Automotive engineering Food industry Craft business Population 2,581,667 Particularities With 3,000 lakes, the state of Brandenburg offers the most water bodies in the Federal Republic. Additional contacts The official portal of Brandenburg Get to know the multifaceted state and learn what makes it special. Points of contact for qualified professionals Here you can find service centres for immigrants in your federal state. Authority finder BAMF-NAvI Find contact details and other offers from important German authorities.

Mecklenburg-West Pomerania Northern landscapes, the beautiful Baltic seaside, clear lakes, open fields, untouched nature, maritime flair and lots of space – all of that defines Mecklenburg-West Pomerania as a place to live. As a business location, Mecklenburg-West Pomerania relies on a healthy mix of innovative, future-oriented industries and traditional businesses, global players and SMEs. Together, they offer interesting opportunities and perspectives for skilled workers and managers. Keyfacts for Mecklenburg-West Pomerania Capital Schwerin Important industries Tourism Healthcare Trade and commerce Construction industry Agricultural and food industries Population 1,629,464 Particularities With over 2,000 castles, Mecklenburg-West Pomerania has the highest density of castles worldwide. Additional contacts The official portal of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania Get to know the multifaceted state and learn what makes it special. Points of contact for qualified professionals Here you can find service centres for immigrants in your federal state. Authority finder BAMF-NAvI Find contact details and other offers from important German authorities.

Hesse Home to one of the largest European airports, Hesse offers an excellent transport network. The international financial centre Frankfurt has a strong influence on Hesse as a service region. Similarly, well-known international industrial companies define Hesse as a technology location at the heart of European markets. Hesse also boasts beautiful nature reserves, historical castles and palaces, as well as the Rheingau vineyards which are renowned for their excellent wines all over the world. Keyfacts for Hesse Capital Wiesbaden Important industries Aerospace engineering Automotive and supply industries Biotechnology Cultural and creative industries Financial services Mechanical and plant engineering Medical technology Tourism Population 6,420,729 Particularities In Hesse, "Ebbelwoi" stands for apple wine. The drink has been a part of Hesse's culture for centuries. Additional contacts The official portal of Hesse Get to know the multifaceted state and learn what makes it special. Points of contact for qualified professionals Here you can find service centres for immigrants in your federal state. Authority finder BAMF-NAvI Find contact details and other offers from important German authorities.

Bavaria Beautiful landscapes, friendly people, attractive economy: Bavaria is a truly fascinating state. Its economy is booming and its labour market offers plenty of opportunities for international professionals. In addition to well-known global players, many SMEs with an international focus and renowned businesses with a long-standing tradition also call Bavaria their home and are always looking for qualified staff. Keyfacts for Bavaria Capital Munich Important industries Automotive engineering Mechanical engineering Healthcare Metal industry IT Biotechnology Medical, energy and environmental technology Electrical engineering Population 13,435,062 Particularities Brass music, Dirndl & Lederhosen: The Oktoberfest in Munich connects people from all over the world. Additional contacts The official portal of Bavaria Get to know the multifaceted state and learn what makes it special. Points of contact for qualified professionals Here you can find service centres for immigrants in your federal state. Authority finder BAMF-NAvI Find contact details and other offers from important German authorities.

Berlin The capital posts record numbers of start-up businesses. This is where the greatest number of new jobs are created in Germany. People from all over the world move to Berlin to live and work here. Many companies are setting up their headquarters in the capital: The city state of Berlin offers a unique research infrastructure, highly qualified professionals and a lively and inspiring creative scene. Modern, strong on technology; and open to innovation are the catchwords that best describe Berlin. Keyfacts for Berlin Capital Berlin Important industries Health Life sciences Information, communication, media, creative industries Research and development Manufacturing trade Population 3,782,202 Particularities Berlin is an attitude towards life. People from over 190 different nations come together here. Additional contacts The official portal of Berlin Get to know the multifaceted state and learn what makes it special. Points of contact for qualified professionals Here you can find service centres for immigrants in your federal state. Authority finder BAMF-NAvI Find contact details and other offers from important German authorities.

Bremen Bremen is innovative and creative, but laid-back at the same time – as it is typical for northern Germany. Positive people as well as performance-driven business and research make Bremen an attractive location for professionals. Parks, cultural diversity, lively neighbourhoods and the city's close proximity to the sea give you many opportunities to enjoy your free time. Keyfacts for Bremen Capital Bremen Important industries Automotive engineering Healthcare Aerospace engineering Logistics and port Shipbuilding Wind power Food industry Information and communication Population 691,703 Particularities Hanseatic city and high-tech location at the same time: More than 550 companies are located in the Bremen Technology Park. Additional contacts The official portal of Bremen Get to know the multifaceted state and learn what makes it special. Points of contact for qualified professionals Here you can find service centres for immigrants in your federal state. Authority finder BAMF-NAvI Find contact details and other offers from important German authorities.

German society Would you like to learn more about Germany, its culture and its people? Here you will find information about the German society. A diverse and cosmopolitan culture The impression Germany leaves on many visitors is cosmopolitan, culturally diverse and attractive. This is especially true during major events, such as the 2006 FIFA World Cup. The official motto back then was “A time to make friends”. Many of those who visited during the World Cup were genuinely surprised at how friendly, interested and outgoing the people are in the European Union’s most populous country. They saw that Germans focus on more than just economic success; they also place a high priority on family, friends, and time away from work. Moreover, they realised that the vast majority of German people, both young and old, continue to reflect upon Germany’s National Socialist past and the country’s division until reunification in 1990. This process of coming to terms with the past has given rise to a living culture of remembrance and to deep-rooted values such as social solidarity and respect for diversity. It's little wonder that Germany has long been a country of immigration. Some may find it surprising, but the demographics paint a picture of a vibrantly diverse society. Around 83.6 million people live in Germany. Nearly 12.4 million of them hold a foreign passport – more than in any other of the 27 member states of the European Union. Including those who have subsequently acquired German

Employment & earnings Many employee benefits and above-average salaries in various industries: Here you can find out how much life costs in Germany. Low unemployment rates in Germany In 2024, the unemployment rate among people aged 25 and over in Germany was 3.1 per cent. The country therefore has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world. While elsewhere in Europe, youth unemployment has risen significantly in the past few years, Germany's dual education system has paid off. In 2024, only 6.4 per cent of 15- to 24-year-olds were registered as “unemployed”. Gross is not the same as net When signing a work contract for employment subject to social security contributions in Germany, your contract states your gross salary . But gross is not the same as net. It means that you will receive less than what is stated in your work contract. For instance, in 2025 the average gross salary across all salary levels ranged between €4,025.00 and €3.622.50 per month. In the case of employees in jobs subject to social security contributions, employers automatically deduct income tax and the statutory social security contributions. The advantage is that your social security contributions cover any financial burdens in case of losing your job, falling ill, or in need of care (in old age). The employers themselves cover some costs as well. The amounts deducted may vary depending on your income, federal state , tax bracket, health insurance fund and family status. The solidarity surcharge (