Switzerland and Austria: Top targets for German emigrants 2023

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Wiesbaden - The attractiveness of Switzerland as the goal for German emigrants remains unbroken. According to the current figures of the Federal Statistical Office, which were published at the beginning of 2023, around 315,960 German citizens now live in Switzerland. This marks an increase of around 4,660 people compared to the previous year, which corresponds to an increase of 1.5 percent. This development shows that more and more Germans take the step into the neighboring country.

The reasons for this trend are diverse, but range from geographical proximity to the less pronounced language barriers that facilitate integration. Switzerland not only offers a high quality of life, but also a stable economic environment, which makes it a particularly attractive goal for emigrants.

popular neighboring countries

Austria has also proven to be very popular in this context, especially last year. The number of Germans who live in Austria also experienced a remarkable increase at 225.010. This results in an increase of 8,280 people, which corresponds to an increase of 3.7 percent. This growth even exceeds the growth that are recorded in Switzerland.

The reliefs due to the physical closeness and cultural similarities seem to have a significant impact on the decision to emigrate to these countries. It is also observed that the desire for a life in a country, which is both geographically and culturally known, is getting bigger.

An exciting look beyond German -speaking countries shows that Spain acts as the third popular destination for German nationals in 2023. Around 125,790 Germans lived here at the beginning of the year. However, the decline in emigration figures to Spain with a minus of 11.8 percent compared to the previous year represents a remarkable turn after 142,630 German citizens had their place of residence in the previous year.

naturalization statistics in focus

Not only emigration, but also the naturalizations of Germans in Switzerland experience an upswing. In 2022, around 8,960 Germans acquired Swiss citizenship. This represents a decline of 12.8 percent compared to the previous year - a record high that underlines the growing attractiveness of Switzerland. Many see this as a confirmation of the positive development and the desire for a stronger anchorage in Swiss society.

Sweden is in second place in the naturalizations of Germans in 2022. There, around 1,320 Germans received citizenship, which corresponds to a slight decline of 2.5 percent. There was also a decline in naturalizations in France, from around 430 in 2021 to almost 420 in 2022.

summarized it is shown that the decision to emigrate to Switzerland is influenced by a variety of factors, with the desire for a better quality of life and the search for new professional opportunities playing a central role. The continuous increase in German citizens in Switzerland reflects a clear preference and trust in the advantages of this country.

growing trends of emigration

The data not only illustrate the popularity of Switzerland and Austria, but also throw a light on changing migration patterns within Europe. The decline in Spain could indicate a number of aspects of how economic uncertainties or changes in living conditions. This development could be the starting point for future analyzes and discussions about the choice of emigration countries in the European community.

A look at the quality of life in the target countries shows that both Switzerland and Austria are attractive places for many Germans. Switzerland is characterized by a high quality of life, which is always highlighted in international rankings. In 2022, Switzerland again took first place in the Global Quality of Life Index of Internations, which evaluates the living conditions for expats. Factors such as security, health care and education play a crucial role. Austria follows on the heels with very good placements in such rankings, which makes the country a preferred goal for Germans who are looking for better living conditions.

The reasons for emigration are diverse. Many Germans are looking for better career opportunities in Switzerland and Austria, higher salaries and generally a higher quality of life. In the area of ​​technological innovation and the financial sector, Switzerland offers numerous options. The cultural connections and the linguistic closeness are also attractive for numerous emigrants.

economic framework and emigration

The economic framework in Switzerland and Austria contributes significantly to the trend that Germans choose these countries as emigration goals. The Swiss economy is one of the most stable worldwide, with an unemployment rate of around 2.5 % in 2022 [source: Federal Office for Statistics ]. This stability attracts many specialists, especially in the areas of IT, engineering and healthcare.

Austria also has a flourishing economy that creates numerous jobs in various sectors. The unemployment rate was around 4.9 % in 2022 [source: statistics Austria ]. The Austrian government has taken various measures in recent years to increase the number of skilled workers in the country, which is advantageous for Germans who want to settle there.

demographic developments

Another aspect that influences emigration are demographic developments in Germany. The population is getting older, which leads to a decline in the employment population. This means that many young Germans are specifically looking for new opportunities in countries with a stronger economy and better perspectives for specialists.

In addition, a survey of internation from 2023 that more than 50 % of Germans who live abroad indicate that better career opportunities are a main reason for their emigration. In this context it becomes clear that economic factors play a central role in the decision.