The incredible European city famous for its beer that's 'least friendly to expats'
The city is known for its stunning architecture and vibrant beer scene - but it ranked bottom in terms of friendliness in a survey involving expats around the world.
A stunning European city among the continent's most famous beer capitals is also the "least expat friendly", a study found.
InterNations, a global network set up by - and for - expats, asked people living outside their country of citizenship around the world to rate their city on various factors to establish an Ease of Settling In Index back in early 2024. The Ease of Settling In Index is made up of three subcategories with two to three factors each, including:
- Whether expats feel at home and welcome in a city, and how easy it is to get used to the culture there
- The friendliness of the local population, (in general and especially towards foreign residents)
- Whether respondents feel that they have a personal support network in their new city; if they're happy with their social life; and how easy they find it to make local friends
You can find out more about the methodology of the study, which was carried out in early 2024 here.
Munich, the capital of Bavaria in southern Germany came bottom in the Index, based on its perceived friendliness - or lack of it - among respondents.
Around two in five of the expats in the city they spoke to (41%) said they find find it difficult to get used to the local culture, compared to the 21% global average.
People they surveyed also said they don't feel welcome (52nd in the rankings) or at home (50th) there, and 46% said they felt that local people weren't friendly towards expats.
One Italian expat said: “It’s difficult to make any sort of social contact with locals.”
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But others online push back on the idea that Munich residents weren't friendly. A question was raised on Quora about whether they seemed more friendly than Berliners. One person reponded last year that they have worked in both cities "and people were MUCH friendlier in Munich".
"It seems to depend on what you intend to do in these cities," they continued. Apparently, if you want to go partying, “party people” in Berlin are more outgoing and willing to accept you into your culture.
"But as far as everyday daytime interactions are concerned, I absolutely hate Berlin, people are extremely rude and cold whereas people in Munich may not be willing to become your personal friends but are very polite," they claimed.
Another Quora user, a one-on-one German language teacher, said: "Munich ( Bavaria) is a place with a lot of tradition. That is important to know.
"They have customs and their own way of Life and it is quite important and vital to engage in their activities to be “seen” and to make friendships.
"That means there are many “Vereine” (communities with sport and free time activities) and as an advice from me I would engage in those communities."
She added that by getting involved, "Germans are easier to approach" and it's much "easier to engage and make friendships".
Munich is known for being having pedestrian-friendly city centre, stunning architecture public buildings, and various parks, providing plenty to explore.
Some of the city's most iconic features includingthe Marianplatz, literally meaning Mary’s Place, which has been the city’s main square since 1158 and features the Glockenspiel, a mechanical clock, in the facade of the Town Hall
Munich also boasts famous Bavarian cuisine across its pubs and restaurants, including the Hofbrauhaus where a band in lederhosen sings for the crowds.
And if you're partial to a tipple, the city is a famous destination for beer drinkers, home to the world-famous Oktoberfest.
