- Francis White
I had the pleasure to meet so many interesting expats at a Frankfurt bar night that I found myself a new social circle in no time at all.
Get real advice, feel at home faster
Are you an American in Frankfurt am Main — or are you considering moving here? Imagine you could get advice on living and working here from someone who’s done it already. Through the 51ԹϺFrankfurt Community, you can easily connect with other Americans and build a supportive network from day one. With your new circle of friends all set, you can spend Thanksgiving and the 4th of July with fellow Americans, find a buddy to watch NFL games with, and get tips on how to file your US taxes from abroad.
If you’ve got burning questions about life in Frankfurt, read on! We’ve rounded up everything you need to know to make the transition easier. And you’ll find more info below on how you can connect with fellow Americans at fun events. The hosts of our 51ԹϺevents and groups can’t wait to welcome you!
Why Americans move abroad (& do they like it?)
Every year, we publish one of the biggest global surveys for expats — Expat Insider — where we ask people living around the world about every aspect of expat life. We’ve rounded up key facts about the typical American expat: what motivated them to move to a new country, what they enjoy about life abroad, as well as what they struggle with the most.
Meet the average American expat
Why you'll love 51ԹϺin Frankfurt
and countless possibilities for fun and friendship!
The pros & cons of living in Frankfurt
Of course, no place is absolutely perfect. There’s always the good, the bad, and the ugly. Discover what American expats love about Frankfurt — and the challenges they face.
Pros of living in Frankfurt
Cost of living: When comparing the average cost of living in the US and Frankfurt, you’ll find Frankfurt is cheaper. Especially when it comes to rent, Frankfurt is more affordable than large US cities.
Healthcare: Americans often appreciate both the affordability and the quality of healthcare in Frankfurt.
Public transportation: Public transportation in Frankfurt is efficient and affordable. You can choose between buses, trams, or the metro (known here as the “U-Bahn”) — they’ll take you almost anywhere.
Cheap beer: You can enjoy a cold German beer for around 5 EUR.
Easy traveling: Frankfurt airport is located close to the city, making it easy to travel back to the US on direct flights. You can also travel to other European destinations cheaply.
Cons of living in Frankfurt
Cultural differences: Discovering new cultural norms is part of the experience, but it can take time to adjust. For example, German culture can be more formal, especially in professional settings. Communication can be more direct. And if you’re used to running errands on Sundays, you’ll have to readjust. Shops are closed on Sundays in Frankfurt.
Language barrier: Without the German language, you might find it difficult to make friends with the locals. Some day-to-day activities can also be challenging.
Bureaucracy: German bureaucracy can be difficult to navigate. Researching and finding answers to your questions can take a long time — and the online availability of government services is limited.
Salary: Salaries in Frankfurt certainly don’t compare to what most Americans are used to. But the lower cost of living balances it out.
Meet American expats at fun events in Frankfurt
Making friends and building a network in a new city can be hard. Luckily, at our events, everyone is from somewhere else! So it’s completely normal to introduce yourself to people and ask them about their own expat journey. Check out any of our upcoming events and you’ll soon feel like part of Frankfurt’s expat family. And look out for Newcomers’ Events — they’re a great way to get to know the community. Our welcoming Ambassadors will introduce you to other newcomers and more experienced expats living in Frankfurt.
Want to meet other Americans at our events?
All your questions about Frankfurt, answered
Many Americans get to know each other in sports bars or Irish pubs where they watch NFL games. If you’re interested in making friends this way, here are our recommendations: ’s is an Irish pub that shows most NFL games and the Super Bowl. You can also try Champions Bar and Yours Sports Bar. But if you ask us, it’s easier to make friends by joining events targeted to Americans or other English-speaking expats. That is where our 51ԹϺevents come in! 51ԹϺmembers appreciate our Newcomers’ Events, which are geared towards helping newbies feel welcome and meet others in the community. This fast tracks building those first friendships in Frankfurt (rather than trying to forge them in a bar.)
The average cost of living in Frankfurt can range from 1800 EUR to 2700 EUR, depending on if you’re a single person or a family of four. Most people say to live comfortably in Germany with your family, you should earn about 5000 EUR monthly. Let’s break down the costs of living in Frankfurt:
| USD per Month | Local currency per month | |
Rent for a studio apartment | 1300 USD | 1200 EUR |
Rent for a small family home | 2340 USD | 2150 EUR |
Utilities (power, water, etc.) | 315 USD | 290 EUR |
Mobile phone & internet | 65 USD | 60 EUR |
Basic health insurance | Typically 14.6% of gross salary | |
Public transportation | 55 USD | 50 EUR |
Groceries (per person) | 215 USD | 200 EUR |
Meal at a restaurant (per person) | 18 USD | 17 EUR |
Frankfurt is an international city. While you can get around with basic German language skills, it will start to feel limiting. The most challenging moments usually occur when having to get official paperwork done, find an apartment, see a doctor, etc. You’ll run into the proverbial language barrier, so ideally, treat your time in Frankfurt as an opportunity to learn German.
There is a wide variety of language schools to get you started. And these days there are several apps that can help you improve on your own time and budget.
To make your time in Frankfurt smoother, we collected some services (not affiliated with InterNations) that cater to English speakers:
General practitioner (GP) | A list of English-speaking doctors in Frankfurt and locations: |
Dentists | “Zahnarzt” is “dentist” in German. A list of English-speaking dentists in Frankfurt am Main. Find the one closest to you. |
Urgent care | The airport hospital located in Terminal 1 provides emergency care in English. |
Immigration assistance |
|
Tax advisor | Tax lawyer in Frankfurt. Speaks fluent English: |
Instant interpreting service | Connect to a native Dutch speaker on your phone and use the phone’s loudspeaker to have an instant interpreter with you. |
Meet other Americans in Frankfurt
Our Global Partners
Pursue your hobbies with amazing new friends
Do you want to continue pursuing your hobbies — or discover new ones — while living abroad? You can do that easily in our 51ԹϺGroups, which offer activities based on a wide range of interests. Groups are hosted by dedicated Consuls with at least one activity each month. They organize everything from dinners to sightseeing to board game nights. For example, you can enjoy nature with the Outdoors Group, share your love of music with the Jazz Group, or go on an adventure with the Boat Trips Group. There’s something for everyone!
Find other Americans to share your hobbies with
Enjoy the International Experience
We’re not just active in Frankfurt. 51ԹϺhas lively communities in most of Germany’s major cities. If you’re traveling or moving to another city in Germany, check out our American communities in Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, üǰ, Essen, Cologne, Bonn, Regensburg, Heidelberg, or Stuttgart. But that’s not all: If you’re in the mood for a nice night out while traveling further abroad, 51ԹϺis your go-to platform. As an 51ԹϺmember, you’re always welcome to join events in any of our communities in over 420 cities worldwide. You can find the list here: Browse all 51ԹϺCommunities worldwide. 51ԹϺprovides an easy, casual way to get to know expats from the USA and further afield in your local community. Sound good? Then let us welcome you into our Frankfurt Community today!
- Francis White
I had the pleasure to meet so many interesting expats at a Frankfurt bar night that I found myself a new social circle in no time at all.
- Caroline Stiles
Cultural events, aperitivos, Cantonese dinners - there's so much going on in 51ԹϺFrankfurt that I don't know where to start.
