Moving to Germany from Hong Kong
What to Expect
Everything you need to know before relocating from Hong Kong to Germany — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.
If you moved from Hong Kong to Germany, you would find that Germany is 28.3% cheaper than Hong Kong overall. A HK$590,000 salary in Hong Kong would need to be roughly €48,100 in Germany to maintain the same lifestyle, and you’d need to navigate life in German. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Berlin averages 56°F vs 79°F in Hong Kong, making it significantly cooler.
Planning this move? Get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from vetted international movers. Get free quotes ↓How Far Will Your Money Go?
What to expect for your wallet after moving from Hong Kong to Germany.
What does your salary buy?
HK$590,000 → €48,100
To maintain the same standard of living in Germany
Calculate with your salary →Where you'll feel the difference day-to-day
Restaurants
pay 2.1 times more
Groceries
pay 31.0% less
Transportation
pay 28.9% less
Housing
pay 49.0% less
Childcare
pay 41.4% less
Entertainment and Sports
pay 31.2% less
Data: MyLifeElsewhere's crowdsourced cost of living database, with prices submitted and updated by users worldwide. Exchange rates are refreshed regularly from public sources.
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Key Indicator Comparison
Key indicators for anyone considering a move from Hong Kong to Germany.
Is it safe?
per 100,000 people per year
Hong Kong performs better than Germany across all safety metrics.
What about the environment?
tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year
Hong Kong performs better than Germany across all environment metrics.
Will I have good infrastructure?
fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work
annual consumption — reflects grid capacity
share of households with internet
Hong Kong generally does better on infrastructure, though Germany leads in broadband per 100 people.
What are the job prospects?
percentage of the labour force without work
a broad measure of economic output per person
the highest marginal rate on personal income
share of people below the poverty line
Hong Kong generally does better on employment & economy, though Germany leads in gdp per capita.
Is it good for families?
average years of life at birth
deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better
government spending on education as % of GDP
Hong Kong generally does better on family life, though Germany leads in education spending.
Sources: World Bank (2021–2025), The World Factbook (2016–2022), Inland Revenue Department, Hong Kong (2016), Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt) (2016). How we calculate this
What's the Climate Like?
Monthly averages — select a city to compare.
Avg. annual high / low
Avg. annual high / low
| Months | Hong Kong | Berlin |
|---|---|---|
| Jan–Mar | 68°/61°F (20°/16°C) | 41°/31°F (5°/-1°C) |
| Apr–Jun | 83°/75°F (28°/24°C) | 64°/47°F (18°/8°C) |
| Jul–Sep | 88°/80°F (31°/27°C) | 72°/55°F (22°/13°C) |
| Oct–Dec | 76°/68°F (24°/20°C) | 47°/37°F (8°/3°C) |
View all months
| Month | Hong Kong | Berlin |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 66°/58°F (18.7°/14.6°C) | 37°/29°F (2.9°/-1.9°C) |
| Feb | 67°/60°F (19.4°/15.3°C) | 40°/29°F (4.2°/-1.5°C) |
| Mar | 71°/64°F (21.9°/17.6°C) | 47°/34°F (8.5°/1.3°C) |
| Apr | 78°/70°F (25.6°/21.1°C) | 56°/40°F (13.2°/4.2°C) |
| May | 84°/76°F (28.8°/24.5°C) | 66°/48°F (18.9°/9.0°C) |
| Jun | 87°/80°F (30.7°/26.5°C) | 71°/54°F (21.6°/12.3°C) |
| Jul | 89°/80°F (31.6°/26.9°C) | 75°/58°F (23.7°/14.3°C) |
| Aug | 88°/80°F (31.3°/26.7°C) | 74°/57°F (23.6°/14.1°C) |
| Sep | 87°/79°F (30.5°/26.1°C) | 66°/51°F (18.8°/10.6°C) |
| Oct | 83°/75°F (28.1°/23.9°C) | 56°/44°F (13.4°/6.4°C) |
| Nov | 76°/69°F (24.5°/20.3°C) | 45°/36°F (7.1°/2.2°C) |
| Dec | 69°/61°F (20.4°/16.2°C) | 40°/31°F (4.4°/-0.4°C) |
Hong Kong Observatory
Deutscher WetterdienstVisitor Visa Requirements
Short-stay tourist visa rules between Hong Kong and Germany. To live, work, or study long-term in Germany, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Germany's immigration authority.
Hong Kong passport holder visiting Germany
Visa Free
Germany passport holder visiting Hong Kong
Visa FreeData: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to live in Germany than Hong Kong?
Yes — Germany is on average about 28% cheaper than Hong Kong. City-level variation can be significant.
How much money do I need to move to Germany?
Plan for at least 3 months of living expenses — roughly €12,025 in Germany on a HK$590,000 comparable salary — plus one-off moving costs (flights, shipping, a rental deposit, and visa fees).
Can I work remotely from Germany?
Internet is rarely the blocker — Germany has 45.6 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people. The real questions are legal: digital nomad visa eligibility, your employer's overseas-work policy, and tax residency in both countries.
Is Germany safe for expats?
Hong Kong performs better than Germany across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Germany is 0.9 per 100,000 people, compared to 0.4 in Hong Kong.
What's the weather like in Germany compared to Hong Kong?
The average high temperature in Berlin is 56°F, compared to 79°F in Hong Kong. Berlin receives around 22.5 in of rainfall per year, while Hong Kong gets 95.7 in.
What language do they speak in Germany?
The official language in Germany is German. In Hong Kong, the official languages are Chinese and English.
