Moving to Laos from Germany

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Germany to Laos, and you’d need to navigate life in Lao. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Vientiane averages 88°F vs 56°F in Berlin, making it significantly warmer.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Laos compared to Germany.

Is it safe?

Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

DE
3.3
LA
16.4

Germany performs better than Laos across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2024

annual government + private spending per person

DE
$8,826
LA
$123
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

DE
45.2
LA
3.3

Laos generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Germany leads in doctors per 10,000 people.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

DE
15.0
LA
69.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

DE
6.9t
LA
3.4t

Germany generally does better on environment, though Laos leads in co₂ emissions per capita.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

DE
45.0
LA
2.4
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

DE
35.4%
LA
4.8%

Germany generally does better on infrastructure, though Laos leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

DE
3.0%
LA
1.2%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

DE
$61,900
LA
$8,400

Germany generally does better on employment & economy, though Laos leads in unemployment rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

DE
81.5 yrs
LA
68.2 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

DE
3.2
LA
37.8

Germany performs better than Laos across all family life metrics.

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

Vientiane Rain: 65.4 in/yr (1660 mm)
88° / 71°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Berlin Vientiane
Jan–Mar 41°/31°F (5°/-1°C) 87°/66°F (31°/19°C)
Apr–Jun 64°/47°F (18°/8°C) 91°/76°F (33°/24°C)
Jul–Sep 72°/55°F (22°/13°C) 88°/76°F (31°/24°C)
Oct–Dec 47°/37°F (8°/3°C) 85°/67°F (30°/20°C)
View all months
Month Berlin Vientiane
Jan 37°/29°F (2.9°/-1.9°C) 83°/62°F (28.4°/16.4°C)
Feb 40°/29°F (4.2°/-1.5°C) 87°/65°F (30.3°/18.5°C)
Mar 47°/34°F (8.5°/1.3°C) 91°/71°F (33.0°/21.5°C)
Apr 56°/40°F (13.2°/4.2°C) 94°/75°F (34.3°/23.8°C)
May 66°/48°F (18.9°/9.0°C) 91°/76°F (33.0°/24.6°C)
Jun 71°/54°F (21.6°/12.3°C) 89°/77°F (31.9°/24.9°C)
Jul 75°/58°F (23.7°/14.3°C) 88°/76°F (31.3°/24.7°C)
Aug 74°/57°F (23.6°/14.1°C) 87°/76°F (30.8°/24.6°C)
Sep 66°/51°F (18.8°/10.6°C) 88°/75°F (30.9°/24.1°C)
Oct 56°/44°F (13.4°/6.4°C) 87°/73°F (30.8°/22.9°C)
Nov 45°/36°F (7.1°/2.2°C) 86°/67°F (29.8°/19.3°C)
Dec 40°/31°F (4.4°/-0.4°C) 83°/62°F (28.1°/16.7°C)

Data: Deutscher Wetterdienst Deutscher Wetterdienst, Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH), Lao PDR Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH), Lao PDR

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Germany passport

Germany passport holder visiting Laos

Visa on Arrival
Germany passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Laos.
Laos passport

Laos passport holder visiting Germany

Visa Required
Laos passport holders need a visa to enter Germany.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Laos?

Connectivity is usually fine (Laos: 2.4 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Laos offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Laos safe for expats?

Germany performs better than Laos across all safety metrics.

How is healthcare in Laos compared to Germany?

Laos generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Germany leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 3.3 doctors per 10,000 people in Laos, compared to 45.2 in Germany. Laos scores 52 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Germany: 88).

What's the weather like in Laos compared to Germany?

The average high temperature in Vientiane is 88°F, compared to 56°F in Berlin. Vientiane receives around 65.4 in of rainfall per year, while Berlin gets 22.5 in.

What language do they speak in Laos?

The official language in Laos is Lao. In Germany, the official language is German.

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At a Glance

DE LA
Population 84,316,622 7,749,595
Currency Euro (€) Laotian Kip (LAK)
Languages German Lao
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +49 +856
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 112 191