Have you ever considered taking your aviation career to Germany? At GOOSE Recruitment we are currently recruiting for aviation engineering opportunities in Stuttgart, so we wanted to bring you an insight into why living and working in Germany as an Aviation Engineer could be a great option for you.
1. The home of Engineering
With a strong economy and an attractive lifestyle, Germany is one of the most desired countries to live in Europe. It is also a world leader in aviation, with every aircraft in the world using technology that has been engineered here. It has been a global aviation hub for the past 20 years and over 110,000 people are currently employed across the industry. *
With world-renowned Engineering Universities, it is also one of the most popular places to study and pursue a career as an engineer, which is hardly surprising as it is home to engineering brands such as Airbus, Lufthansa, MT Aerospace, Mercedes Benz, BMW, Siemens, Audi and Volkswagen.
2. The aviation community
Joining aviation associations will be a fantastic way to fully immerse yourself in Germany’s aviation industry, expand your network and become a part of the aviation community. If you are looking for a meet-up or group, we suggest looking on meetup.com, where you can search for aviation meetups in your area. Facebook and LinkedIn are also fantastic platforms to discover aviation groups in your area. However, it will be beneficial to research the official aviation associations, such as The German Aviation Association (BDL), German Aerospace Industries Association, BBA – Berlin – Brandenburg Aerospace Alliance.
3. Lifestyle and culture
Germany’s strong engineering reputation plays a predominant role in its culture but many traditions make Germany unique, such as its world-famous festivals. For example, Oktoberfest in Munich attracts tourists from all over the world to celebrate Bavarian culture, beer, food, and music. Germans love a celebration and you will find festivals and events to attend all year round. Such as:
Weihnachtsmarkts (Christmas markets), with the most famous being in Berlin. Run annually from 24th November – 25th December you will find market and food stalls, ice skating rinks, Christmas music and many more festive activities.
Karneval – one of Germany’s most famous festivals lasting six days long. Everyone is expected to dress up in their most abstract costumes and enjoy parades, live music, and street performances.
Cannstatter Volksfest- like Oktoberfest, it is one of Stuttgart’s most popular annual festivals. Offering everything from traditional music to traditional costumes, German food and even a fairground for everyone to enjoy.
4. Cost of Living
The cost of living in Germany is dependent on where you choose to live, but it generally remains low. The most expensive outgoing you will have will be on housing, depending on the type of accommodation and location you require. Most major cities demand a higher cost of living and are more expensive than the smaller neighbouring towns.
Other outgoings such as transport and food costs are low when compared to other European countries. For instance, when grocery shopping, a single person could live quite comfortably on €40.00 per week and an inexpensive meal out will cost you around €10,00. More details on the costs of living can be found here.
5. Accommodation
Most German residents live in apartments, especially in the cities. Apartments come at a much lower cost than houses, which are more common in rural towns. It is also more common to rent rather than buy, so bear this in mind when looking for your home.
Accommodation is typically of a high standard but at a lower cost than in other European countries. When compared to the UK, rent in Germany was found to be on average 5.35% lower, with a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre costing approximately €744.00 per month. * A three-bedroom house in the city centre will cost approximately €1,427.00 and outside the city will cost €1065.00*. To find the best option for you, at GOOSE Recruitment, we always advise our candidates to connect with a Real Estate agent before moving.
6. Healthcare
Germany is one of the few countries in the world that offers universal medical care to its residents. This is paid for by a resident’s pre-tax salary and matched by their employer. Approximately only 10% of residents have private medical insurance and this is mainly made up of the country’s highest earners and the self-employed. You can opt for private health insurance, but most residents do not, simply because the public healthcare system is well regarded and one of the best in the world.
However, it is always best to research and ensure you know what healthcare you are covered for and what suits your personal needs.
7. Language
German is the main language spoken in Germany, with English being the second. If you can speak good English, you will be able to get by in most major areas, but it will be important to master some basic German phrases. German people are accommodating but being able to show that you are trying in conversation, be it at work with your fellow Engineers or in the grocery market will go a long way. Why not sign up to a local language school? That way you will not only improve your German, but you will also meet new people in your local area.
8. Education
Attending school is compulsory for children in primary and secondary school but university is optional. Both public schools and universities are free to attend, but if you are concerned about the language barrier, there are many international schools to choose from; this tends to require additional tuition fees.
The quality of education across both international and public schooling is typically high and, in some cases, higher than the universal standard of education. To find the best school for your children it is always best to do some research about the schools in the area that you would like to move to.
9. Travel
Being in central Europe offers fantastic opportunities to travel to neighbouring countries. However, Germany offers some fantastic travel options of its own. It is a country that is famous for its picturesque landscapes, made up of rivers, mountains, lakes, forests, beaches, and cities. Whether you prefer a city, countryside, or beach vacation there is something for everyone.
In the summer months it is common for city residents to vacation either by the lakes or beaches, but if you are after something more adventurous why not head to the Bavarian Mountains for a walking holiday? Alternatively, Germany’s cities attract tourists from all over the world, and you can easily catch an internal flight or train to. Some of the most popular are Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, Cologne and Hamburg.
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