A recent survey by the expatriate platform Internations.org, which questioned over 12,500 expats worldwide, has painted a tough picture for Germany’s largest cities when it comes to friendliness and integration. The study asked newcomers how welcome they felt and how easily they were able to adjust to local cultures.

Among the worst performers are four major German cities: Frankfurt, Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich. Munich, in particular, hit a new low by landing dead last in the 2024 Friendliness Index. Over 40% of respondents said they struggled to adapt to the local culture in Munich. The city also ranked near the bottom for feelings of welcome (52nd) and “feeling at home” (50th). When it comes to friendliness, Munich sits at 53rd place — last among all cities surveyed. Nearly two-thirds of expats (65%) reported difficulty making local friends, far higher than the global average of 41%. Only 37% felt satisfied with their social life in the Bavarian capital.

Spain’s Málaga Tops the Friendliness Charts

In stark contrast to the German cities, Málaga, Spain, was named the friendliest city in the world. Here, expats find it much easier to immerse themselves in the local culture, with 78% saying this was the case — compared to just 59% globally. Around 80% of newcomers feel welcomed in Málaga, and 84% say they feel at home, far exceeding the global averages of 63% and 58%, respectively.