As a candidate, it is essential to have all the necessary information to aid you in your relocation decision. The German market is a particularly fruitful one, especially for Digital and Data experts, due to the up and coming nature of business and technical development. However, relocating to a different country, especially one where there are significant daily challenges (such as language), can be a daunting prospect. Hamburg is the second largest city in Germany and is a beautiful port city and an important commercial hub.
Here are some other reasons Hamburg is ideal for job relocation...
1. What the city has to offer...
As a city it has a rich culture and arts offering with impressive art collections and special exhibitions from international artists. If museums and galleries are not for you Hamburg has a lot to offer outside with green spaces, surrounding countryside and nature for you to enjoy. You will always be near water, with the river and lakes nearby you can enjoy walks or bike rides to soak up everything the city has to offer.
2. Work
There are many opportunities in Hamburg, with its position and port making it a fundamental commercial hub. Being Germany's wealthiest city it is also a very important banking city and as a result is popular within the financial sector. There are also a number of companies from varying industries who are always on the lookout for certain technology skill sets to add to their growing teams.
3. Accomodation
Hamburg has many options. The city centre has a range of 1 and 2 bed apartment options right up to larger family homes in the quieter suburbs. Online property sires are a great source of information in your initial search, however, it is a good idea to enlist the help of an estate agent in helping you find your ideal place to live as they have more information on the areas and points of interest nearby. As an example the monthly rental on a 1 bed apartment in Hamburg is approx. €760 per calendar month.
4. Finances
Opening a bank account in Germany is relatively easy, expats will need to provide their residence card, proof of address and a passport in order to get one setup. Tax will have to be paid on any income earned from German sources and when you start working you must get a tax card. Most debit and credit cards are accepted but there will be transaction charges if you use international cards in the country, so it is beneficial to setup a German account.
5. Healthcare
Germany has over 2,000 hospitals across the country, offering an excellent standard of healthcare and with both public and private options available. If you move to Hamburg, health insurance is compulsory so you will need to arrange this, which can be either 'Private' insurance through a company or the 'Statutory' option provided by the state. Pharmacies in Germany are known as Apotheken and they can be identified by a large red 'A' on their signs.
6. Transport
Hamburg has a comprehensive network of services on rail and bus around the city and surrounding areas, as well as harbour ferries, making it very easy to get around. As an example a monthly transport pass costs approx. €86. Getting about on a bike is also very popular as the city has separate bike lanes, wide roads and car-free areas, making it a preferred option. You can drive for a period of 6 months on any foreign driver's license before you're required to get a German license.
Gathering as much information as possible on various potential options for relocation will enable you to make better informed decisions about job placements in different countries. Even if these 6 points simply made you consider something that you hadn't previously thought about, in Hamburg or any new city, we are pleased we could help.
If you like what you have read so far about Hamburg or are looking for a Digital or Data role, get in touch with our dedicated team today to discuss the opportunities we have available and gain further insight into relocation and options available to you.