Get tips & make friends in Düsseldorf
Learn what life in Düsseldorf is really like for a Canadian expat — and find out how to meet them.
Moving abroad is an exciting adventure where you can experience different cultures, food, and environments. But it’s normal to miss home and want to chat with someone in your native language every once in a while.
Having Canadian expat friends in Düsseldorf can help you with many things, like finding a doctor who speaks English, the best neighborhoods, or if there’s any Poutine in town. So meet the 51ԹϺcommunity!
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Thomas Crawford
I knew that there is a big international community in Cologne, but where to find them? Yes, I did indeed find them on InterNations!.
Paula Covington
With 51ԹϺI found other Canadians really quickly. They showed me all the sights and helped me to settle in Bonn. Great!
Why you'll love 51ԹϺin Duesseldorf
and countless possibilities for fun and friendship!
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The pros & cons of life in Düsseldorf
Nowhere’s perfect. There’s always the good, the bad, and the ugly. Find out what our Canadian members love about Düsseldorf — but also the challenges they face.
Pros:
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Good healthcare: Germany offers affordable, high-quality healthcare that’s accessible not only to local citizens but also to expats.
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Free education: While tuition fees are very expensive in Canada, Germany provides free education at public institutions for all residents, including international students. You may just have to pay a small semester fee.
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Work–life balance: All employees are entitled to a minimum of 20 days of paid vacation a year (for a 5-day work week). Depending on your employer and industry, you’ll most likely get even more than that, though. Plus, you can look forward to over 10 public holidays, which makes work and personal life in Germany more balanced.
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Ease of travel: Our Canadian members appreciate how easy and affordable traveling is here — unsurprisingly, considering the far distances between major cities or different provinces in Canada. In Germany, everything’s much closer together, and public transportation is both accessible and convenient. So, you can easily get around Düsseldorf or travel across the country and continent.
Cons:
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Sunday shutdown: Almost every place, including stores, banks, and government services, is closed on Sunday. It’s even a legal requirement to stay quiet and avoid making loud noises (e.g., mowing your lawn, loud parties), because Germans use it as a day to relax. Canadians might need some time to adjust to this.
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Language barrier: While many people in cities like Düsseldorf speak English, Canadians may still struggle when doing things that require German skills, like making official appointments, doing paperwork, or reading important public information.
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Cash dependency: Many stores and restaurants still only accept cash payments, not cards or services like tap to pay. This might be an issue for some Canadians who are used to contactless payments.
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Straightforward communication: German people tend to be very direct. They tend to avoid small talk and get straight to the point, which can come across rude.
Why do Canadians move abroad … (and do they like it?)
Every year, we run one of the biggest global surveys among expats — Expat Insider — and ask them about various aspects of life in a foreign country. Learn what motivates our Canadian members to move abroad, what keeps them there, and what they struggle with or miss about home.
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Meet Canadian expats at our events in Düsseldorf
Feeling lonely? Don’t worry, that’s common among new expats — and we’ll help you get past that feeling!
At our events, you can meet other Canadians and fellow expats in Düsseldorf. Here, you don’t have to be shy or afraid to approach others first because everyone knows how it is to be new to life abroad and will appreciate your friendliness. Our Newcomers’ Events in particular let you easily connect with others who’re new in the city and make friends.
Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to expand your network — you may get some useful information about your new home directly from other expats, too!
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Common questions about life in Düsseldorf
Like most expats, many of our Canadian members live in the more international areas of town. The city center hosts both international companies and plenty of opportunities for socializing.
Here are some of the most popular parts of Düsseldorf:
- Central Düsseldorf: city center, most lively part of the city, housing mostly expensive
- üٲ: great for families, many green spaces, parks, and zoos, but rather pricey
- Bilk: one of the most popular neighborhoods among young professionals, also home to international students because the famous Heinrich Heine University
- Oberkassel: a high-class but also expensive neighborhood that is popular with expat families
Of course, the income you’ll need depends on your individual situation and lifestyle — whether you’re a student, a single person with a full-time job, or a family with kids.
The average salary for jobs in Düsseldorf is 54,000 EUR per year. If you’re making at least this amount and are on your own, you can live comfortably here. However, if you have a family and kids to support, you might want to aim higher. Between 65,000 and 80,000 EUR a year is considered a good household income for a family.
To give you some idea, here’s an overview of the cost of living in Düsseldorf:
| CAD per month | Local currency per month | |
Utilities (power, water, etc.) | 445 CAD | 300 EUR |
Rent for a studio apartment | 1,200–1,340 CAD | 800–900 EUR |
Rent for a small family home | 2,150–2,830 CAD | 1,450–1,900 EUR |
Public transportation | 75 CAD | 50 EUR |
Mobile phone & internet | 90 CAD | 60 EUR |
Meal at a restaurant (per person) | 20–45 CAD | 15–30 EUR |
Groceries (per person) | 300–525 CAD | 200–350 EUR |
Basic health insurance (public) | min. 14.6% of gross salary |
Düsseldorf is a very international city, with around a quarter of its residents having foreign roots. Many people speak English, so getting around and basic interactions won’t be too hard.
However, you’ll still hit the language barrier now and then, which can feel limiting. So, why not use your time in Düsseldorf to learn as much German as possible? There are various language courses available e.g., at the , or you can learn for free using language apps or websites.
The most challenging moments usually occur when you’re looking for a flat or have to handle official paperwork and doctor visits, for instance. To help you avoid some of these struggles, we’ve collected some services that cater to English speakers (these services are not affiliated with or endorsed by InterNations):
General practitioner (GP) | Overview of general practitioners and specialized care providers who speak English (among other languages) |
Dentist | Dentist with multiple English speakers on staff |
Immigration assistance | PROGEDO Düsseldorf Relocation, visa, and immigration support with a full-service approach |
Tax advisor | Tax advisory service that can assist you with tax returns and give advice in multiple languages, including English |
Instant interpreting service | Get connected to a native German speaker on your phone and use it to have an instant interpreter with you |
Urgent care | University hospital with a dedicated multilingual approach |
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Find friends to pursue your passions with
Are you afraid you might not be able to continue your hobbies because you’re moving to a brand-new city? No need to worry!
In Düsseldorf, we have various 51ԹϺGroups you can join based on what you love to do. These groups are led by dedicated Consuls who organize at least one activity each month, ranging from wine tasting to classical music. From exploring the famous “Little Tokyo” area for authentic Japanese cuisine to book discussions, concert visits, and more, you’ll always find new activities to do!
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Enjoy the international experience with InterNations
We’re not just active in Düsseldorf — 51ԹϺoffers lively communities in most of Germany’s major cities. If you’re traveling or moving elsewhere in the country, check out our Canadian communities in Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Cologne, Berlin, Stuttgart, Essen, Bonn, Regensburg, or Heidelberg.
But that’s not all! If you’re in the mood for a nice night out while traveling further abroad, you can find 51ԹϺin 420 cities worldwide. Browse all 51ԹϺCommunities.
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Canadian expats in Germany
Other Nationalities in Duesseldorf
Germany Guide Topics
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