Is Cologne a good place to live in Germany? What can you get from living here! Find out with My Career!

Located on the Rhine River between the cities of Bonn and Düsseldorf, Cologne (Köln) is the largest city in North-Rhine Westphalia and the fourth largest city in Germany.

Despite being Germany’s ?oldest city?, Cologne is often known for its laid-back, bohemian culture, combining Roman history and medieval architecture with beer halls, carnivals and chocolate museums. Cologne’s residents are not only friendly and welcoming, but also know how to have a good time.

1. Why should you move to Cologne?

The city of Cologne tops the list as one of the best places to live in Germany.

The people here are friendly, polite and welcoming, it’s a great place to visit, a great place to live and a great place to call home.

It’s also one of the most laid-back and liberal cities in the country, so no matter who you are or where you’re from, you’ll always be welcomed in Cologne. The city’s residents are known for being super warm and friendly… and while it offers all the perks of a big city, it also has a small-town community feel.

And on top of that, Cologne has a lot to offer. Some highlights include a massive cathedral, running and cycling on the Rhineside, a historic old town, numerous museums and galleries, endless events, a vibrant nightlife and plenty of great green spaces.

2. Do you need a visa to live in Cologne?

It depends on where you’re coming from, what your plans are, and how long you’ll be there.

If you have an EU passport, you do not need a visa to move to Germany. That said, if you are from the EU and you will be staying in Germany for longer than three months, you will need to register with the local registration office.

If you are not from the EU, you will probably need a visa. Some passports allow you to travel visa-free to Germany for up to three months. So if you are not from the EU and you want to stay in Germany for longer than three months, you will definitely need a visa and a residence permit.

The visa you need will depend on where you’re coming from, what you’re doing in Germany, and how long you’ll be staying. For example, family members of German residents need a different visa than people moving to Germany to study. Here’s an in-depth look at all your different options.

3. Do you need a job to move to Cologne?

You usually don’t need a job to enter Germany—but you may eventually need to find one.

If you are moving to Germany from outside the EU, you may already have a job… and your registration and entry will be much easier if you do.

But you can also move to Cologne (or any other part of Germany) from outside the EU using a so-called ?job-seeker visa?. If you qualify for this relatively strict program, you need to find a job within six months of arriving in Germany.

Of course, things are different if you are moving from within the EU. If you are moving to Cologne from another EU country, you do not need a visa and therefore you are not obliged to find a job.

To find jobs in Cologne, three of the best sources are Stepstone (founded in Germany), Monster and Indeed (both not founded). If you are specifically looking for an English-speaking job in Cologne, Englishjobs.de is a good place to start.

Facebook can also be a good place to start your job-hunting adventure in the city. On the platform, you’ll find a ton of Cologne-specific groups… and many of them have a variety of job opportunities. Although, as you might expect from Facebook, most of those jobs are low-paying and unskilled.

In any case, here’s more information on how to find a job in Germany.

If you’re a digital nomad living in Cologne, the country offers a freelance visa. But it has its own rules, requirements, and tax obligations depending on where you’re from—despite what some people believe, you can’t just walk into Germany and start fiddling with your laptop in a coffee shop (well, you can, but you’ll probably get in trouble for doing so).

4. What is the average cost of living in Cologne ?

As My Career mentioned, Cologne is quite a bit cheaper than some of Germany’s more popular cities. So if you want to move to the country without spending a fortune, living in Cologne is a reasonable option.

When you live in Cologne, these are the types of prices you can expect:

1 bedroom apartment in city center: €788

1 bedroom apartment outside city center: €631

3 bedroom apartment in city center: €1,592

3 bedroom apartment outside city centre: €1,143

Basic monthly utilities for an average sized home: €244

Typical monthly internet bill: €34

Average monthly gym pass: €32

One-way ticket on public transport: €3

Monthly public transport card: €95

1 liter of milk: 0.98 €

1 fresh loaf of bread: €1.62

12 regular eggs: €2.36

1kg local cheese: €10.64

1kg chicken tenderloin: €7.40

Half litre bottle of local beer from the supermarket: €0.54

Meal for one at a cheap restaurant: €12.50

3 course meal for two at mid-range restaurant €50

Half a pint of beer in a bar or restaurant: €3.70

Regular cappuccino in a coffee shop: €2.69

 All figures have been taken from crowd-sourced information by the trustworthy Numbeo.

As you can see, prices are quite reasonable and living in Cologne can be a relatively affordable option (by German standards anyway!).

And here’s some good financial news about moving to Cologne: the city is also a pretty good place to save money. It’s bike-friendly, supermarkets and grocery stores are affordable, and the German government often offers money-saving public transportation schemes across the country.

5. What are the best areas to live in Cologne?

Like any major city, Cologne is divided into different districts, areas, and neighborhoods. So no matter who you are, what you’re looking for, or who you’re moving to Cologne with (if anyone!), the city is sure to have an ideal neighborhood to get you started, here are some of the top neighborhoods you might want to consider living in Cologne:

Altstadt/Heumarkt: Right in the heart of the city, Cologne’s old town is the historic heart of the city, and it offers all the famous things… plus a ton of places to eat. If you’re only in town for a short time, you’ll probably enjoy living here.

Rodenkirchen: one of the largest districts in the city and one of the best areas for families, Rodenkirchen is the perfect place for a laid-back lifestyle. The neighbourhood offers great green spaces, excellent international schools and a peaceful escape from the bustle of the centre.

Chlodwigplatz: located between the two locations My Career just listed, Chlodwigplatz is a popular choice for young professionals and offers a central yet suburban compromise in all the best ways. It has a great music scene, and plenty of bars, eateries and events.

Lindenthal: Home to Cologne City University, Lindenthal is popular with students and other young people. It also has affordable housing, great green spaces, a surprisingly large population and a great cafe culture.

Ehrenfeld: hip, modern and trendy, Ehrenfeld is Cologne’s answer to Kreuzberg. If you like to slurp craft beer and munch on butter, this is the place to be. You’ll always find something fun to do and someone fun to do it with.

Nippes: One of the most multicultural areas of the city, quiet Nippes offers varied food, diverse faces and a very warm welcome. Largely quiet and peaceful, it’s a good choice for families and older people, and has some very affordable housing.

6. How to find accommodation in Cologne?

This is of course one of the most important parts of moving to Cologne. But sadly, it can be a little more complicated and stressful than most people expect.

Some of the best websites for finding property in the city include Homelike, The Local, WG-Gesucht, Immobilienscout24 and Immowelt. Physical newspapers can also be useful, but of course they are only an option once you have arrived in the city.

There are a number of Facebook groups dedicated to Cologne… and many of them offer houses, apartments and rooms in the city (both long-term and short-term). These groups are particularly useful if you are looking to rent a room in an apartment rather than renting an entire property to yourself.

Another option (of course) is to enlist the help of some sort of real estate agency, just as you would anywhere else in the world. These people can help you find the specific type of place you’re looking for and can help you arrange viewings. Again, this is only worth doing after you’ve arrived in Germany. 

No matter how and where you decide to find a place to live in Cologne, competition can be stiff… so it can be very difficult to find a place to live before you arrive (and sometimes, even after you arrive!).

For that reason, it’s best to look for short-term rentals in Cologne for the first two or three months, which you can use as a base while looking for a long-term place to stay.

Serviced apartments are also a good solution if you are only in Cologne for a few short months. If you are not staying in Cologne long term, the process of finding a home is not worth the stress or hassle.

7. Do you need to learn German to live in Cologne?

No, you don’t need to learn German to live in Cologne. The vast majority of young people in Cologne speak English, and even many older people in the city have a pretty good grasp of the language.

That said, it’s always good to immerse yourself in life… so if you want to have a richer life and you’re going to be living in Cologne for a while, it might be worth learning German. With a good grasp of the language, you’ll be able to make more friends, learn more about German culture, and get through your administrative tasks more easily.

To learn basic German, the ever-reliable Duolingo always provides a useful foundation. To start here, you might want to look into an online course or an in-person one—the hugely popular Goethe-Institut is always a good place to look.

8. What do you need to know about healthcare in Cologne ?

Germany is regularly voted as having some of the best health care in the world—and it offers both public and private treatment (both of which are excellent). 

And it’s no different in Cologne—as a large, modern city, the city’s healthcare is excellent, and there are plenty of hospitals and medical facilities.

All German residents are entitled to free healthcare in the country, but some people prefer to use private healthcare instead. As in any country, private healthcare is often better and offers much shorter waiting times.

But things are a little different for you. Since you are not (yet) a German resident, you will need to take out some form of private health insurance (even to access public health care in Germany). If you later become a full-fledged tax resident of Germany, you will be entitled to public health care without needing private insurance.

Of course, if you’re visiting for a short time from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, your handy little EHIC card will keep you covered. Even EU/EEA/Swiss citizens need to register if they’re staying in Germany for longer than three months—and if that’s the case, your EHIC card no longer provides adequate coverage.

9. Can you bring pets when moving to Cologne?

Yes! Your cute little critter will definitely be welcome in Germany, no matter which city you live in. The country is one of the most pet-friendly in the world and your furry friend will easily find plenty of furry homies.

Cologne in particular has a lot of dog-friendly places to hang out, including cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants… and you’ll always see people wandering around with their four-legged friends. So yes, moving to Cologne with your pet is totally possible (and totally worth it)

But to bring your pet to Cologne, you will of course need to go through some (quite strict) bureaucracy. Here are the basics you need to know:

When moving to Germany, you can bring the following animals with you: dogs, cats, horses, guinea pigs, ferrets, rabbits, turtles, fish, rodents and (some!) birds. Other animals may be accepted, but you will need to consult your embassy for further advice. Additionally, you can only bring a maximum of five separate animals.

Your animal must be vaccinated against rabies (and must have been vaccinated more than 30 days before your arrival). You will need to provide proof of this vaccination through some official documentation.

Your furry friend may need to quarantine, depending on where you are coming from, what paperwork you have, and what type of animal you are bringing with you. If you are coming from the European Union and have a “normal” animal with all the correct vaccinations and paperwork, you may be able to bypass any quarantine requirements.

All dogs and cats must be microchipped (or have an ID number tattooed somewhere on their body).

It should also be noted that certain dog breeds (such as pit bulls, Staffordshire bull terriers and American Oxfordshire terriers) are banned in Germany.

Hopefully My Career has covered everything you need to know and encouraged you to live here.

Frequently asked Questions:

Question: Can you bring pets when moving to Cologne?

Answer: When moving to Germany, you can bring the following animals with you: dogs, cats, horses, guinea pigs, ferrets, rabbits, turtles, fish, rodents and (some!) birds. Other animals may be accepted, but you will need to consult your embassy for further advice. Additionally, you can only bring a maximum of five separate animals.

Question: Is it expensive to live in Cologne?

Answer: Cologne is quite a bit cheaper than some of Germany’s more popular cities. So if you want to move to the country without spending a fortune, living in Cologne is a reasonable option.