According to statistics, German citizens rank second among foreigners in Switzerland, behind Italians. The number of German migrants in Switzerland increased by 6,300 individuals (1.9%) compared to the previous year, and by 10.7% (approximately 32,000 individuals) over the past decade. It is worth mentioning that the statistics do not account for individuals holding dual citizenship, possessing both German citizenship and that of the host country.
Austria is the second most popular European destination for German migrants, with approximately 239,500 German nationals residing there at the beginning of 2025. This group is the largest among foreigners in Austria. The annual growth of migrants amounts to approximately 6,700 individuals (2.9%), and over ten years, the increase is 40.5% (approximately 69,000 individuals).
Spain also remains a sought-after destination for German migrants. At the beginning of 2025, around 131,800 German citizens lived there. After a prolonged decline, their population began to grow again in 2022, with approximately 3,800 individuals (3%) added over the last year. Simultaneously, the overall figure remains slightly below the decadal level.
The drivers of migration, such as employment, education, or climatic conditions, are not recorded in the statistics. Age structures differ: Austria has a higher proportion of young Germans, whereas Spain has a significantly higher share of elderly individuals — nearly 27%, nearly double the figure in Austria.
According to an overview published by the Handelsblatt newspaper in August 2025, the emigration trend is attributed to dissatisfaction with Germany’s domestic environment, particularly bureaucracy, high taxes, complex business regulations, and the perceived rigidity of social frameworks. This particularly applies to young, educated professionals, the self-employed, and entrepreneurs.
Additionally, the German government is considering reforms to working hours. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has initiated plans to abolish the eight-hour workday. Federal Minister of Labor Bärbel Bas aims to present a corresponding legislative proposal in June 2025, which could substantially impact the working conditions of millions of employees.