Overview
- Germany recorded 288,579 German citizens emigrating in 2025, an increase of about 18,600 from 2024, according to Destatis.
- A representative DeZIM survey found roughly 21 percent of people say they are considering leaving Germany, and the Trendstudie 'Jugend in Deutschland 2026' reports about 21 percent of 14–29‑year‑olds plan to emigrate.
- Indeed's survey shows strong job‑mobility: 67 percent of workers consider a professional move abroad, about 30 percent searched for jobs abroad in the past year, and roughly 10 percent have applied for foreign roles.
- Intent to leave is higher among people with a migration background (rates up to roughly 37–39 percent), among top earners who are actively searching for work abroad, and among retirees who favour destinations such as Poland, Spain and Thailand.
- Top 2025 destinations for German citizens were Switzerland (22,730), Austria and Spain, and some towns abroad are offering financial incentives of up to €100,000 to attract newcomers, a factor that could intensify skilled outflows and affect regional labour supply.