Moving to Hong Kong from Germany

moving to

What to Expect

Considering a move from Germany to Hong Kong? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Germany to Hong Kong, you would find that Hong Kong is 20.4% more expensive than Germany overall. A €65,577 salary in Germany would need to be roughly HK$803,369 in Hong Kong to maintain the same lifestyle, and you’d need to navigate life in Chinese and English. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Hong Kong averages 79°F vs 56°F in Berlin, making it significantly warmer.

Planning this move? Get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from vetted international movers. Get free quotes ↓

How Far Will Your Money Go?

A breakdown of how everyday costs differ between Germany and Hong Kong.

What does your salary buy?

€65,577 HK$803,369

To maintain the same standard of living in Hong Kong

Calculate with your salary →

How key spending categories compare

Restaurants

pay 54.3% less

Groceries

pay 30.6% more

Transportation

pay 9.7% more

Housing

pay 56.4% more

Childcare

pay 71.7% more

Entertainment and Sports

pay 36.5% more

See full cost of living breakdown
Exchange rate: 1 EUR = 8.97 HKD (July 2026)

Data: MyLifeElsewhere's crowdsourced cost of living database, with prices submitted and updated by users worldwide. Exchange rates are refreshed regularly from public sources.

Get free moving quotes to Hong Kong

We've teamed up with a vetted network of international movers to help MyLifeElsewhere readers plan their move with confidence. Tell us about your move and get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes in under 2 minutes.

  • ✅ Up to 5 quotes from screened movers
  • ✅ Licensed and insured providers only
  • ✅ 100% free — you choose who contacts you

Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from Germany to Hong Kong.

Living there in 2020
2,058 ↑ 4% vs 2015

people born in Germany live in Hong Kong · UN DESA

Who's moving to Hong Kong?

Top countries of origin for Hong Kong's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Hong Kong compared to Germany.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

DE
0.8
HK
0.4

Hong Kong performs significantly better than Germany across all safety metrics.

What about the environment?

CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

DE
6.9t
HK
4.6t

Hong Kong performs significantly better than Germany across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

DE
45.0
HK
39.8
Electricity per capita World Bank, 2023

annual consumption — reflects grid capacity

DE
5,947 kWh
HK
6,375 kWh

Hong Kong generally does better on infrastructure, though Germany leads in broadband per 100 people.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

DE
3.0%
HK
3.9%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

DE
$61,900
HK
$64,400

Germany generally does better on employment & economy, though Hong Kong leads in gdp per capita.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

DE
81.5 yrs
HK
83.6 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

DE
3.2
HK
2.5

Hong Kong generally does better on family life, though Germany leads in education spending.

Data: Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt), The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Berlin Rain: 22.5 in/yr (571 mm)
56° / 43°F

Avg. annual high / low

Hong Kong Rain: 95.7 in/yr (2431 mm)
79° / 71°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Berlin Hong Kong
Jan–Mar 41°/31°F (5°/-1°C) 68°/61°F (20°/16°C)
Apr–Jun 64°/47°F (18°/8°C) 83°/75°F (28°/24°C)
Jul–Sep 72°/55°F (22°/13°C) 88°/80°F (31°/27°C)
Oct–Dec 47°/37°F (8°/3°C) 76°/68°F (24°/20°C)
View all months
Month Berlin Hong Kong
Jan 37°/29°F (2.9°/-1.9°C) 66°/58°F (18.7°/14.6°C)
Feb 40°/29°F (4.2°/-1.5°C) 67°/60°F (19.4°/15.3°C)
Mar 47°/34°F (8.5°/1.3°C) 71°/64°F (21.9°/17.6°C)
Apr 56°/40°F (13.2°/4.2°C) 78°/70°F (25.6°/21.1°C)
May 66°/48°F (18.9°/9.0°C) 84°/76°F (28.8°/24.5°C)
Jun 71°/54°F (21.6°/12.3°C) 87°/80°F (30.7°/26.5°C)
Jul 75°/58°F (23.7°/14.3°C) 89°/80°F (31.6°/26.9°C)
Aug 74°/57°F (23.6°/14.1°C) 88°/80°F (31.3°/26.7°C)
Sep 66°/51°F (18.8°/10.6°C) 87°/79°F (30.5°/26.1°C)
Oct 56°/44°F (13.4°/6.4°C) 83°/75°F (28.1°/23.9°C)
Nov 45°/36°F (7.1°/2.2°C) 76°/69°F (24.5°/20.3°C)
Dec 40°/31°F (4.4°/-0.4°C) 69°/61°F (20.4°/16.2°C)

Data: Deutscher Wetterdienst Deutscher Wetterdienst, Hong Kong Observatory Hong Kong Observatory

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Germany and Hong Kong. To live, work, or study long-term in Hong Kong, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Hong Kong's immigration authority.

Germany passport

Germany passport holder visiting Hong Kong

Visa Free
Germany passport holders can enter Hong Kong without a visa.
Hong Kong passport

Hong Kong passport holder visiting Germany

Visa Free
Hong Kong passport holders can enter Germany without a visa.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Hong Kong than Germany?

On average Hong Kong is around 37% pricier than Germany, with notable variation by city.

How much money do I need to move to Hong Kong?

Budget about HK$200,842 for 3 months in Hong Kong (based on a €65,577 comparable annual salary), then add the one-off costs: flights, shipping, a rental deposit, and visa fees.

Can I work remotely from Hong Kong?

Connectivity is usually fine (Hong Kong: 39.8 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Hong Kong offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Hong Kong safe for expats?

Hong Kong performs significantly better than Germany across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Hong Kong is 0.4 per 100,000 people, compared to 0.8 in Germany.

What's the weather like in Hong Kong compared to Germany?

The average high temperature in Hong Kong is 79°F, compared to 56°F in Berlin. Hong Kong receives around 95.7 in of rainfall per year, while Berlin gets 22.5 in.

What language do they speak in Hong Kong?

The official languages in Hong Kong are Chinese and English. In Germany, the official language is German.

Share this

At a Glance

DE HK
Population 84,316,622 7,276,588
Currency Euro (€) Hong Kong Dollar (HK$)
Languages German Chinese, English
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +49 +852
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 112 999