Living in Bremen: the ultimate expat guide

Bremen ranks as Germany's sixth-largest industrial hub by revenue, with a diverse economy spanning aerospace, automotive manufacturing, logistics, and food production. The city hosts the second-largest Mercedes-Benz plant in the world and Airbus's second-largest German facility. For skilled professionals, particularly engineers and IT specialists, Bremen offers substantial career opportunities with globally recognized employers.

Key Industries and Major Employers

The aerospace sector employs approximately 12,000 workers across 140 companies, generating over €4 billion annually. Major employers include Airbus, ArianeGroup, OHB SE, and Rheinmetall Defence Electronics. The automotive industry, anchored by Mercedes-Benz with around 12,500 employees, produces up to 400,000 vehicles annually. The logistics sector thrives thanks to Bremen's strategic port location and the GVZ Cargo Distribution Center, ranked among Europe's best.

Work Permits and the EU Blue Card

Non-EU citizens require a work visa or residence permit. The EU Blue Card is available to university graduates with a job offer meeting salary thresholds: €48,300 gross annually (2025) for standard occupations, or €43,759.80 for shortage occupations including engineers, IT professionals, and medical staff. Blue Card holders can apply for permanent residency after 21-27 months depending on German language proficiency. Germany does not require a labor market test for Blue Card applicants.

The following table summarizes key employment indicators for Bremen:

Sources: WFB Bremen, CEIC Data

Bremen hosts ten universities and colleges serving a diverse student population. The city's academic institutions are closely linked to local industries, particularly aerospace and marine sciences, offering strong pathways from education to employment. International students benefit from numerous English-taught programs and a welcoming, multicultural environment.

University of Bremen

The University of Bremen is the city's largest public research university, with approximately 19,000 students. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, including several taught entirely in English at the master's level. Notable English-language programs include Digital Media and Society, Marine Microbiology, and Materials Chemistry. As a public institution, tuition is free for all students, with only a semester contribution of approximately €350-400 covering public transport and administrative fees.

Constructor University (formerly Jacobs University)

Constructor University is a private, English-language research university with students from over 110 countries. Located on a residential campus in Bremen-Vegesack, it offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs in engineering, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. Annual tuition fees are approximately €20,000, with merit-based scholarships of up to €8,000 available. On-campus accommodation including meals costs around €8,000 per academic year.

Other institutions include Bremen University of Applied Sciences and the Hochschule für Künste Bremen (University of the Arts), which collaborates with the University of Bremen on the interdisciplinary Digital Media program.

Sources: University of Bremen, Constructor University

Families relocating to Bremen have access to both the German public school system and international schooling options. While public schools are free and well-regarded, instruction is conducted in German, making international schools the preferred choice for families seeking English-medium education or those planning shorter stays.

International School of Bremen (ISB)

The International School of Bremen is the city's primary English-language school, serving students aged 3 to 18 from over 50 nationalities. Located in the Horn-Lehe district near the university, ISB follows the Cambridge curriculum leading to IGCSE examinations, as well as the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). The school offers boarding facilities for older students.

Annual tuition fees for 2025/2026 range from approximately €12,500 for early years to €18,700 for IB Diploma students. A one-time enrollment deposit of around €1,500 applies to new students. School fees are partially tax-deductible in Germany (up to €5,000 per child annually from Grade 1). Class sizes are small, typically 12-18 students, ensuring individual attention.

German Public Schools

For families integrating long-term, German public schools offer high-quality education at no cost. Children attend Grundschule (primary school) for four years, followed by secondary education at a Gymnasium (academic track), Realschule, or Oberschule. Many schools offer intensive German language support classes (Willkommensklassen) for newcomers. School enrollment requires registration at the local Schulamt (education authority).

Sources: International School of Bremen

Bremen's housing market is significantly more affordable than Germany's largest cities, with rents approximately 37% lower than Berlin. The city offers a mix of historic Altbau apartments, modern developments, and family homes across diverse neighborhoods. Rental properties are typically unfurnished, and leases follow German tenancy laws providing strong tenant protections.

Popular Neighborhoods for Expats

Schwachhausen is the most upscale residential district, featuring tree-lined streets, impressive villas, and excellent schools. Rents here are the highest in Bremen, starting around €850-1,200/month for a one-bedroom. Findorff, near the central station and Bürgerpark, attracts young professionals and students with rents of €700-1,100/month. The Viertel (Ostertor and Steintor) is Bremen's most vibrant quarter, popular with creatives and known for its cafés, bars, and independent shops. Neustadt, south of the river, offers good value and a lively nightlife scene (€670-1,000/month). For budget-conscious renters, Gröpelingen and Walle offer multicultural communities and affordable housing (€500-950/month).

Rental Costs and Procedures

The average rent in Bremen is approximately €9.19 per square meter. Landlords typically require a security deposit (Kaution) of up to three months' cold rent. Upon moving in, you must register your address (Anmeldung) at the local Bürgeramt within 14 days—a legal requirement for everything from bank accounts to health insurance.

The following table shows typical monthly rental costs:

Sources: Numbeo, ImmoScout24

Bremen offers a rich cultural scene and diverse leisure activities that belie its modest size. From world-class museums and historic landmarks to green spaces and a lively nightlife, residents enjoy year-round entertainment options. The city's UNESCO World Heritage Site—the Town Hall and Roland statue—anchors an Old Town filled with architectural treasures and welcoming cafés.

Museums and Cultural Attractions

The Kunsthalle Bremen houses European art spanning from the 14th century to contemporary works, including pieces by Monet and van Gogh. The Weserburg Museum of Modern Art, located on an island in the Weser River, showcases changing exhibitions of international contemporary art across 6,000 square meters. Universum Bremen, a striking whale-shaped science center near the university, offers over 300 interactive exhibits exploring technology, nature, and human life—perfect for families. The Übersee-Museum features excellent natural history and ethnography collections. For history enthusiasts, the Focke Museum covers 1,200 years of Bremen's past.

Parks and Recreation

The Bürgerpark, one of Germany's largest urban parks, offers walking trails, boating, and a petting zoo. The Rhododendron-Park features one of Europe's finest collections of rhododendrons and azaleas. The Schlachte promenade along the Weser is the heart of Bremen's outdoor social life, lined with beer gardens and restaurants. Football fans can catch Werder Bremen at the Weserstadion.

Nightlife and Events

The Viertel district pulses with bars, clubs, and live music venues. The Böttcherstraße, a unique Art Nouveau street, houses museums and artisan shops. Bremen's Christmas Market, held around the Town Hall, is among Germany's most atmospheric. Annual events include the Freimarkt (one of Germany's oldest funfairs) and the Bremen Music Festival.

Sources: City of Bremen Tourism

Bremen is a compact, livable city where most errands and commutes can be accomplished efficiently. Public transport is reliable, cycling infrastructure is excellent, and the city's manageable size means you're rarely more than 20 minutes from your destination. The pace of life is noticeably calmer than in larger German cities, yet all essential services and amenities are readily accessible.

Getting Around: Public Transport and Cycling

The Bremer Straßenbahn AG (BSAG) operates an extensive network of trams and buses connecting all city districts. Over 250,000 passengers use the system daily. A single ticket costs approximately €3.00, while the Deutschlandticket at €58/month (2025) provides unlimited travel on all local and regional transport across Germany—excellent value for commuters. Bremen is also one of Germany's most bike-friendly cities, with dedicated cycling paths throughout. Bike-sharing services are widely available.

Language and Integration

While German is essential for daily life and long-term integration, English is widely spoken in professional environments and among younger residents. Free or subsidized German language courses are available through the Volkshochschule (VHS) and integration programs. Most official documents and procedures require German, so basic proficiency greatly simplifies administrative tasks.

Healthcare

Germany's statutory health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) covers employees earning below approximately €69,300 annually (2025). Premiums are shared between employer and employee, typically around 14.6% of gross salary. Bremen has several hospitals including the Klinikum Bremen-Mitte and numerous general practitioners (Hausärzte). EU citizens can use the European Health Insurance Card initially, while non-EU residents must obtain German health insurance before registering.

Sources: City of Bremen, Deutsche Bahn

Bremen offers a favorable cost of living compared to major German cities, allowing residents to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle without excessive expenses. The city is approximately 2% less expensive than Berlin excluding rent, and significantly more affordable when housing costs are factored in. The tables below provide realistic monthly budgets based on current data.

Monthly Budget for a Single Person

A single professional can expect the following approximate monthly costs:

Monthly Budget for a Family of Four

A family with two school-age children should anticipate:

Note: Families using free public schools would reduce monthly costs by approximately €2,500. The Deutschlandticket is free for children under 18 in Bremen.

Sources: Numbeo 2025, ISB Fees