Three hard truths for Indians planning a move to Germany

Germany has welcomed between fifty and sixty thousand Indian nationals a year since 2022, lured by tech vacancies and tuition-free higher education. Yet many find the reality far harder than the brochure promises. Aju John, a PhD scholar at the Berlin Institute for Migration and the Institute for European Ethnology at Humboldt University, says newcomers often trade one set of precarious conditions for another, underpaid jobs, impossible rents and no time to learn the language that would unlock better prospects.

John’s blunt advice to anyone considering the move: think twice. "I would advise them firstly to think very carefully about whether they want to come to Germany, because it's extremely difficult to break into the job market right now. Especially without German language skills," he said.

Language first, arrival second

John urges prospective migrants to invest six to twelve months in German lessons before boarding a plane. Dedicated study can yield B1 or B2 proficiency, levels routinely demanded even for roles advertised as English-speaking. Once in the country, the economics of survival take over. "After you come here, the cost of living will overwhelm you to such an extent that you will not have time for German classes," John warns. "You will need to be working six to eight hours every day just to survive, which will leave you with very little time for German classes."

The price of entry is steep. John estimates a student visa or Opportunity Card requires roughly €20,000 up front. About €12,000 goes into a blocked account as proof of funds; the rest disappears on relocation, deposits and the first months of rent in cities where vacancy rates hover near zero.

Private university boom traps students

Education migrants face a minefield of private institutions. While Germany offers a dense network of accredited public universities, many with English-taught programmes, a parallel private sector has mushroomed to absorb foreign demand. John calls some of them "shams". Last year, students at the International University of Applied Sciences in Berlin received orders to leave the country after immigration authorities withdrew the university’s accreditation, ruling its degrees did not meet student-visa requirements. "Be very, very watchful about which university you are picking," John says. "There are enough opportunities here to learn in the public education system that you don't need to come through the private university route."

Gig work carries visa risk

Subcontracted delivery and logistics jobs are, in John’s words, the "wild west" of the German labour market. Workers often lack minimum-wage protection, social insurance and basic safety nets. Some face "pay-to-work" schemes, upfront fees for app access or equipment, and arbitrary wage deductions. "It's completely illegal," John says. Beyond exploitation, undeclared or irregular earnings jeopardise residence permits. When renewal time comes, authorities expect proof of taxed, sufficient income; gaps can trigger rejection.

For those already caught in these traps, John co-organises the Migrant Worker and Student Canteen in Berlin, which provides free or low-cost meals alongside immigration and labour-rights counselling. Details are posted on the Gerechtearbeit Instagram page.