Find American friends, enjoy life in Cologne
Are you an American living in Cologne or thinking about moving here? Learn the ins and outs of life here from our community of Americans and find how to meet them.
Exploring new cultures is exciting and fun. Still, there are times when it feels good to connect with people from back home. Maybe you’re looking for ingredients to cook your favorite American dish, need an English-speaking tax advisor, or want to find a few friends to catch the Super Bowl with. Whatever it is, our community is here to help you feel right at home in Cologne.
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Daiki Saito
When my company decided to send me to Essen, I took a quick look at the local community and said: Please do!
Cristina Fernandez
On 51ԹϺI did not only meet interesting people but I also found a flat near Bochum and settled in quickly. A great platform.
Why you'll love 51ԹϺin Cologne
and countless possibilities for fun and friendship!
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The pros & cons of living in Cologne
No city is without its ups and downs. Explore what American expats appreciate most about life in Cologne — and the challenges they’ve had to overcome along the way.
Pros:
Great work–life balance: Most jobs in Germany have clearly defined working hours (35–40 hours a week), with strict enforcement of breaks, vacation time, and overtime rules. You also get paid vacation days (usually 25–30 days a year) and public holidays, so there’s plenty of time to relax or travel.
Central location in Europe: Cologne is a great choice for lovers of travel because of its central location in Europe. Compared to the US, it’s easy to access other major cities via high-speed trains (like ICE and FlixTrain).
Free education: Compared to the high tuition fees in the US, Germany provides free university education at public institutions for all residents, including international students.
Healthcare: Signing up for healthcare system offers high-quality, accessible medical care to all residents including expats. So rest assured that a medically necessary surgery won’t put you in debt.
Safety: Cologne is a safe city to live in. Getting around via public transport is safe, and the streets are well lit at night.
Lively city: Cologne is considered to be one of the most friendly German cities. It’s festive and inclusive, especially during Carnival when people dress up in crazy costumes and go out to party — it’s like a street drinking version of Halloween.
Cons:
Language barrier: While a lot of Germans do speak and understand English, not knowing the language is an issue when trying to get a job. So it’s recommended to learn at least basic German, and keep it a priority.
Bureaucracy: Compared to the US, German bureaucracy may appear stuck in the stone age. Digitalization is still behind, and they rely on snail mail for important paperwork. Waiting times are also long, so make sure you’re prepared with all the necessary paperwork to avoid delays.
Socializing: Generally, expats struggle to socialize and make German friends, which can lead to feeling a sense of exclusion. Try putting yourself out there — you’ll find that people in Cologne are friendlier than in other German cities.
Sunday shutdown: Except for restaurants, almost everything is closed on Sundays — so forget grocery runs and shopping trips, and be prepared for limited services. It can take some getting used to if you're used to 24/7 convenience.
Straightforwardness: Germans tend to communicate in a very straightforward manner that for Americans especially can seem rude at first. It takes some time to get used to.
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Meet American expats at our events in Cologne
Making friends and building a network in a new city isn’t always easy. At our 51ԹϺevents in Cologne, it’s easy and natural to strike up a conversation, share your expat story, or ask for tips on navigating life in your new city.
Check out our upcoming events and connect with other American expats in Cologne. Our Newcomers’ Events are perfect for those who’ve just arrived. Friendly Ambassadors will be there to greet you and introduce you to other newcomers, as well as expats who already call Cologne home.
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Frequently asked questions about life in Cologne
If you’re into the idea of bumping into other Americans in a bar, you can try Joe Champs American Sportsbar and Restaurant. Make sure to check them out during Thanksgiving as they air American football games to mark the occasion.Check out Irish pubs like Jameson Pub Cologne and Barney Vallely’s during holidays as they also mark the occasions American way.
An easier way to make friends is attending specific events for Americans or expats in general. For instance, our 51ԹϺevents are a great opportunity to meet Americans and other English-speaking expats in Cologne.
Our Newcomers’ Events in particular are geared towards introducing newcomers to the community, which makes finding friends a whole lot easier than trying your luck in a bar.
The average salary for jobs in Cologne is around 4,000 EUR per month (gross). If you’re making at least this amount, you can live comfortably here. However, if you have a family and kids to support, you might want to aim higher. Earning between 5,500-6,000 EUR is considered a good salary for a family of three.
Here’s an overview of the monthly cost of living in Cologne:
| USD | Local currency | |
Rent for a studio apartment | 860 USD | 800 EUR |
Rent for a small family home | 1450 USD | 1350 EUR |
Utilities (power, water, etc.) | 400 USD | 350 EUR |
Public transportation | 55 USD | 50 EUR |
Basic health insurance (public) | 400 USD | 350 EUR |
Mobile phone & internet | 80 USD | 70 EUR |
Groceries (per person) | 400 USD | 350 EUR |
Meal at a restaurant (per person) | 16 USD | 15 EUR |
Cologne is an international city that receives a substantial number of tourists every year. It’s not too hard to get around with limited German skills. But you’ll soon run into the proverbial language barrier, usually when getting official paperwork done, finding a flat, seeing a doctor, or finding a job, etc.
Ideally, treat your time in Cologne as an opportunity to learn some German. These days you can try out your luck with language apps that allow you to improve on your own time and budget.
To make your time in Cologne a bit easier, we’ve collected some services that cater to English speakers to help you with the most important aspects of life (these services are not affiliated with or endorsed by InterNations):
General practitioner (GP) | A full-service clinic with different the option for standard or individual check- ups |
Urgent care | Holistic primary and urgent care hospital with a dedicated multilingual approach |
Immigration assistance | Student volunteers provide free legal advice in matters of immigration law, as well as assisting immigrants prepare for legal hearings |
Tax advisor | A tax adviser that’ll help you navigate the German tax system and avoid kobeing double taxed |
Instant interpreting service | Round the clock interpretation services and more |
Dentist | A dentist with multiple English speakers on staff. Located in the city center near Cologne central station |
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Our Global Partners
Connect with people who share the same hobbies
Do you want to continue your hobbies while living in Cologne but don’t know where to start or don’t want to go at it alone? You can do that easily in 51ԹϺGroups.
Our groups cover everything from sightseeing to running to fine dining. The groups are led by Consuls with at least one activity each month. Whether it’s outdoor adventures with the Hiking and Outdoor Activities Group; grabbing a drink with the After Work Drinks Group; or enjoy the city’s art scene with the Culture, Arts & Theatre Group — do it all with us!
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Enjoy the International Experience with InterNations
We’re not just in Cologne! 51ԹϺhas lively communities in 420 cities around the globe.
So if you’re thinking about relocating or are simply in the mood for a nice night out while traveling, 51ԹϺis your go-to platform. As a member, you’re welcome to join events in any of our 51ԹϺCommunities worldwide.
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American expats in Germany
Other Nationalities in Cologne
Germany Guide Topics
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