Press release No. 154 of 6 May 2020
WIESBADEN – Roughly 1.2 million German citizens resided in another European country in 2019. To mark Europe Day on 9 May, the Federal Statistical Office reports that Switzerland was the most popular emigration destination. Approximately 306,000 Germans lived there in 2019 (data source: Eurostat). The number of Germans living in Switzerland has grown for years; compared with 2018, it increased by 0.5%, or roughly 1,600 people. Austria came second, with approximately 192,000 Germans residing there in 2019.
Compared with the previous year, the increase there amounted to 3%, or roughly 5,6000, and was even higher than that in Switzerland. In both cases, the geographical proximity and the lack of a language barrier make it easy to change residence.
For further EU statistics, please go to "Focus on Europe".