5 Best Cities to Live in Germany in 2025

Germany remains one of the most desired destinations for Brazilians seeking quality of life, professional opportunities and security. With its stable economy and increasingly favorable immigration policies, 2025 represents an ideal time for those who dream of building a new life on German soil. But which city to choose? Discover the 5 best options for living in Germany in 2025.

‍

Munich: the city with the perfect infrastructure

Considered the city with the best infrastructure in Germany according to Mercer Quality of Living ranking, Munich offers an unparalleled quality of life. The capital of Bavaria combines tradition and modernity, being home to giants such as BMW and Siemens, making it a hub of professional opportunities, especially for those working in the areas of technology and engineering. With the program Study and Work in Germany, you can combine language learning with professional experience in this vibrant metropolis.

• Population: 1.5 million inhabitants in the city and 6 million in the metropolitan area (2025)
• Geographic location: Southern Germany, capital of the state of Bavaria, close to the Alps
• Average age: 41 years old, with a growing young population due to universities and startups
• Main tourist attractions: Marienplatz, English Garden, Residenz, German Museum and Allianz Arena
• Average rent: €1,400—€1,800 for 1 bedroom apartment in the center (2025)
• Safety Index: 85/100, with a crime rate 30% below the national average
• Best neighborhoods for international students: Schwabing, Maxvorstadt, Haidhausen and Sendling

One of the great highlights of Munich is its exemplary public transport system, with perfectly integrated U-Bahn (subway), S-Bahn (city train) and buses. For lovers of outdoor activities, the proximity to the Alps is a differential that allows weekend excursions for skiing in winter or hiking in summer. The city also hosts the famous Oktoberfest, the world's largest beer festival, which attracts millions of visitors annually and represents the rich Bavarian culture that you can experience living in this enchanting metropolis.

For those planning to study, the city has renowned academic institutions, such as Macromedia university, which offers several programs in English and German.

‍

Hamburg: between the port and green areas

Hamburg impresses with its perfect balance between urban development and nature. The second largest city in Germany and the second richest in the country has a unique cosmopolitan atmosphere, shaped by its centuries-old port and commercial tradition. With a striking contrast between the modernity of its corporate buildings and the historic charm of its canals and warehouses, Hamburg offers an exceptional quality of life for its residents.

• populace: 1.85 million inhabitants in the city and 5.3 million in the metropolitan area (2025)
• Geographic location: Northern Germany, on the banks of the Elbe River, 100 km from the North Sea
• Average age: 42.5 years, with a remarkable cultural diversity
• Main tourist attractions: Speicherstadt (Warehouse City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Elbphilharmonie, Port of Hamburg, Reeperbahn and Rathaus (City Hall)
• Average rent: €1,200—€1,500 for 1 bedroom apartment in the center (2025)
• Safety Index: 83/100, with crime 12% lower than the average of large German cities
• Best neighborhoods for international students: Sternschanze, Altona, St. Pauli and Eimsbüttel

The port city offers excellent opportunities for logistics, foreign trade, and technology professionals. With 40% of its area covered by green spaces and parks, Hamburg provides a rare quality of life for a metropolis of its size. For international students, Hamburg offers a cosmopolitan experience with the advantage of slightly more affordable costs than Munich, combining German professionalism with the opening of a globalized city.

For those planning to study, the city has renowned academic institutions, such as University of Europe for Applied Sciences (EU) and Berlin School of Business and Innovation (BSBI), which provide a dynamic and professional learning environment.

‍

Leipzig: the “New Berlin” with an affordable cost of living

Leipzig has stood out as one of the most promising destinations in Germany, attracting young professionals and artists from around the world. Known as the “New Berlin”, the city has experienced a population growth of 12%, according to data from Statistical Bundesamt, with emphasis on the increase in creative young people seeking a more affordable cost of living. This city in eastern Germany perfectly combines historic charm with a vibrant alternative cultural scene.

• populace: 610,000 inhabitants, with constant growth in recent years (2025)
• Geographic location: East Germany, state of Saxony, at the confluence of the Pleisse, Parthe, and Weisse Elster rivers
• Average age: 38 years old, one of the youngest in Germany due to the influx of students and young professionals
• Main tourist attractions: Monument to the Battle of the Nations, St. Thomas Church (where Bach was musical director), Spinnerei (art gallery complex), Bach Museum and Leipzig Zoo
• Average rent: €700—€900 for 1 bedroom apartment in the center (2025)
• Safety Index: 78/100, 18% lower crime than in Berlin
• Best neighborhoods for international students: Plagwitz, Connewitz, Südvorstadt and Zentrum-Süd

What makes Leipzig special is the combination of still reasonable prices with an effervescent cultural scene. With prestigious universities and a welcoming environment for the international community, Leipzig represents a more economical and authentic alternative for those who want to experience the German lifestyle without the high costs of the largest metropolises.

Accelerated German learning: Our unique online program allows you to achieve fluency in just 12 months, with daily live classes and internationally recognized certification.

‍

Frankfurt: the financial center with global connections

Frankfurt stands out as the financial heart of Europe, home to the headquarters of the European Central Bank and the German Stock Exchange. With its distinctive skyscraper skyline, often referred to as “Mainhattan” (a reference to the Main River that cuts through the city), Frankfurt combines the charm of a historic European city with the dynamics of a global financial center. This cosmopolitan metropolis offers excellent opportunities for professionals in the financial, technological and service sectors, in addition to having one of the best transport connections in Europe.

• populace: 765,000 inhabitants in the city and 5.8 million in the metropolitan region (2025)
• Geographic location: Midwest Germany, in the state of Hesse, on the banks of the Main River
• Average age: 40.8 years, with a large international population and expatriates
• Main tourist attractions: Römerberg (historic square), Museumsufer (museum edge), Main Tower, Palmengarten and Goethe-Haus
• Average rent: €1,300—€1,600 for 1 bedroom apartment in the center (2025)
• Safety Index: 82/100, with areas like Westend and Nordend being extremely safe
• Best neighborhoods for international students: Bockenheim, Nordend, Bornheim and Sachsenhausen

Frankfurt's international profile makes it ideal for foreigners, with more than 180 nationalities represented and approximately 30% of the population having a non-German origin. Frankfurt Airport, one of the busiest in Europe, offers connections to virtually anywhere in the world, making the city an excellent base for exploring Europe. The combination of professional opportunities, quality of life and multiculturalism makes Frankfurt an exceptional choice for Brazilians who wish to build an international career.

‍

Freiburg: the ecological capital for sustainable living

Freiburg im Breisgau, or simply Freiburg, is considered Germany's ecological capital and a global model of urban sustainability. With its ambitious plan to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2030, the city stands out for its environmental commitment, excellent quality of life and the presence of important universities. Located in the southwestern region of the country, Freiburg offers a perfect balance between high-quality urban life and proximity to lush nature.

• populace: 230,000 inhabitants (2025)
• Geographic location: Southwest Germany, state of Baden-Württemberg, close to the borders with France and Switzerland
• Average age: 39.5 years, with a strong presence of a university population
• Main tourist attractions: Freiburg Cathedral (Münster), Bächle (small water channels), Schlossberg (hill with panoramic view), Altstadt historic quarter
• Average rent: €900—€1,200 for 1 bedroom apartment in the center (2025)
• Safety Index: 88/100, one of the safest cities in Germany with a violent crime rate of just 0.8 per 1,000 inhabitants
• Best neighborhoods for international students: Vauban, Wiehre, Stühlinger and Rieselfeld

The city is famous for its ecological neighborhoods like Vauban and Rieselfeld, where cars are limited and solar energy is widely used. With over 400 km of bike paths, Freiburg encourages sustainable transport, while its proximity to the Black Forest provides numerous opportunities for outdoor activities. For students and professionals who value a healthy lifestyle, environmental awareness and academic excellence, Freiburg represents an ideal choice to live in Germany in 2025.

‍

‍

Be Easy

Regardless of the city chosen, Germany remains a destination that offers security, economic stability, and excellent opportunities for Brazilians who want to build a new life in Europe. With Be Easy, you have full support to make your dream of living in Germany a reality, from language preparation to cultural adaptation in the country. Contact us, we can ease your transition to Germany!

‍