How to Make Friends in Germany [Newcomer Guide]- Navigate Germany

A friend is one soul abiding in two bodies, well said by Aristotle. You always need friends for good and bad times in your life especially when you are away from your homeland. Making friends at a new place is always challenging, especially in Germany as they are very distant in nature and prefer to have relationships with their old friends. Here are some tips to make good friends in Germany.

Importance of Having Friends

Friends are always important so you can have a good time. It is not necessary to have friends who know your language or are from your homeland, you can have friendship with anyone irrespective of their nationality, language, race, or age. Your family would also be satisfied if you have someone around you at a new place. As per latest research, two out of five international students suffer through homesickness after moving abroad. Overcoming homesickness is very important, otherwise it will lead to anxiety and depression. 

Characteristics of German Friends

Here are special traits you will find in your German friends;

• Disciplined and hardworking.
• Understand the deep meaning of friendship
• Energetic, friendly, sincere, and cheerful.
• Respect human beings and their rights.

Dos and Don’ts of Making Friends in Germany

Dos

Do the following activities to make friends in Germany;

• Know about the culture
• Discuss something personal like an insurance matter or your doctor’s appointment, if he also discusses something in return, listen, understand, and say something to make them feel good.
• If you joke, tell them that it was a joke otherwise Germans will consider it serious.
• Identify common hobbies to attract people.
• Be ready to explain if a German does not understand your point.
• Stay active in online and offline gatherings to increase your interaction.
• Join groups, events, and other platforms.

Don’ts

Here are the things you must avoid to make friends in Germany;

• Do not make fun as Germans hate people who laugh at someone.
• Do not refuse to explain what you said.
• Avoid short answers to avoid any confusion.

How to Make Friends in Germany?

Here are some ways that might help you to make friends in Germany;

Social Media Group

People spend more time on social media groups to make interactions with others. They find people of common interests through different platforms like;

• Facebook
• Meetup
• DEGIS
• Stammtisch
• Tandem
• Verein
• Volkshochschule \ Language School

Let’s know more about them.

Facebook

You can join pages or groups on Facebook to interact with people in Germany. You can search for the people with common interests by asking questions and having an initial conversation.

Pros of Facebook

• Various expats, local, and international groups.
• Mobile application.
• Interaction with people across the globe.
• Share pictures, videos, and thoughts..
• Wish people on their special days like birthdays, anniversaries, and childbirth to strengthen your bond with them.

Free or Paid

Facebook is completely free to use whether you are using it on a website or through a mobile application.

Meetup

At this website, you get to know about local online and offline events and gatherings. Join these events and gatherings to meet new people and try to make them friends. You will find a lot of activities in English but German would be more beneficial.

Pros of Meetup

• Learn a language by joining events
• Meet people with similar hobbies
• Create your own group and announce your own event.
• Mobile application.
• Join a professional group if you want to get help for work-related issues
• Search for a group in your surroundings to make friends in your community 

Free or Paid

You can register and create your profile for free. A lot of groups are free but you can join some paid groups with a membership plan. Pay your membership fee through PayPal.

DEGIS

A non profit organisation that is connecting people from different cities with different choices. You can find harmonious people to make friends. This is an amazing platform that can help you in your career too if you can find professionals with different nationalities.

Pros of DEGIS

• Great for international students to connect them with the German community.
• Learn new leadership skills
• Get practical experience.
• Start your own DEGIS
• Offers scholarships to students.
• Work as a volunteer.
• Blog team to publish content and updates on their blog.

Free or Paid

It is free for international students getting enrolled in German universities and schools.

Stammtisch

Stammtisch is kind of an informal meeting or a friendly get-together that happens at the same time and location in German cities where you learn a new language and German skills while interacting with different or related people.

Pros of Stammtisch

• Regularly meet new people in Germany.
• Happens on a large round table to discuss a matter, to share ideas and thoughts.
• Get connected with Germans while enjoying beer.

Free or Paid

You will find both free and paid events. It is recommended to join free events before you pay for a paid gathering.

Tandem

Have you ever seen a strategic bicycle with pedals for two riders? Tandem is the same! It connects people of different cultures to exchange their languages whether by face-to-face or Skype tandems.

Pros of Tandem

• Great feature is the division of time in which you take half of the time and the other half is taken by your partner and you both learn any language.
• Prepare for your seminar or exam with your partner.
• Improve your communication skills by choosing a native partner.
• Mobile application.

Free or Paid

Find a tandem partner and learn any language for free. You can practise your German speaking skills and improve your communication skills for free.

Verein

It is the German term used for a non-profit club, organisation, or association in Germany where you find people of your choice to make them friends.

Pros of Verein

• Join Verein for any hobby you like.
• Search for your hobby by typing on Google “hobby + Verein”.
• Learn any language by interacting with different nationals.

Free or Paid

You have to pay a membership fee to register on Verein.

Volkshochschule / Language School

VHS, short form for Volkshochschule, is a community school in Germany where you can join continuing education in any field at a very economical price. No matter which field you choose, go to the nearest VHS to meet your objectives with new people.

Pros of Volkshochschule

• Offers various adult courses.
• Learn the language
• Find people with the same hobbies and interests.

Free or Paid

Registration or subscription for Volkshochschule courses is not free. If you need to cancel, you will pay the cancellation fee or unsubscription charges. There is no refund policy after starting the course.

Colleagues as Your Friends at Work

If you are starting your career in Germany, make friends at your workplace. Do not sit alone during your coffee or lunch break. Start some conversation and make them feel good. If you are a freelancer, plan a virtual coffee and lunch. Never refuse an invitation from a German and be on time.

Build Bond with Roommates

Your roommates might be strangers to you at start but can be best friends soon. If you are moving to Germany without your family, living with a roommate is beneficial both emotionally or financially. Have quality time by cooking, cleaning, or movie time together. Describe yourself and know about your roommate to initiate the conversation.

Interact with People in Your Surroundings

Once you find your home or apartment in germany, do not stay inside. Come out and interact with people in your surroundings. Whenever you see someone, greet them in a good way 

Help Others

Germans love to help and support others so you must also do the same to attract people towards you. Help people whenever they need you. You can help in a number of ways like feeding someone’s pet, taking care of someone’s child, cleaning the venue after a party, and much more. This will strengthen your bond with others.

Join Private Organizations

Private orgaizations are there if you want to learn a language without joining Verein or VHS. These organizations offer dance, cooking, art, stitching, painting, photography, calligraphy, baking and many other classes.

Obey Rules

Every country has different rules and Germans love to obey the rules. You must also respect German culture and do not disobey any rule. Cultural differences are always there and you must not try to change the culture. Adopt and adjust in the culture and respect everyone, and everything.

Step Forward for A Social Cause

Take initiative to meet new people and make new relationships. There are a lot of opportunities in Germany if you want to work as a volunteer. Step forward for a social cause and help the German community and the environment.

Tips to Make New Friends in Germany

Here are some tips if you struggle to make new friends in Germany.

Join Events

Join an event to meet new people in Germany. Some events are free while others are paid. Join a free event first and then find out the paid events.

Learn German

Learning German to make new friends is a great strategy. If you know English only, you will find it difficult to make German friends. You can learn German through different books, online platforms, apps, or any language institute.

Have Patience

Making new friends might take some time, so wait and keep trying. You cannot be someone’s friend in just one meeting, so spend some time and get to know each other.

Do Not Ask Personal Questions

Germans do not like people asking personal questions like;

1. What is your salary?
2. Are you married?
3. What is your religion?
4. Do you have a baby?

While interacting with Germans, wait for them to share personal information until they are comfortable to share themselves.

Do What You Say and Fulfil Commitments

The most important principle of long-term true friendship is that you do what you say. Do not make false commitments to your friends. Give them real advice if they discuss any matter. Build your trust and then retain that. For example, if you promise to attend someone’s birthday party, you should attend that. You can’t cancel it at the last moment. Make commitments when fully sure you can do what you are committing.

Final Remarks

You can use any of the strategies mentioned above to make new friends in Germany. To make more relationships, you can interact with different people, join social media groups, learn a new language, and have a good time with people. Once you have friends, you will have a good time in Germany. Cheers!