Something has shifted in Germany's immigration trends in recent years.
More EU-citizen workers have left the country each year than have arrived since 2024, according to a recent government-commissioned study.
Of those who remain, a further third of all EU citizens are consider leaving, the survey found.
This marks the reversal of a major immigration trend. For most of the past 15 years, Europe's most populous country and economic powerhouse has been among the EU’s main destinations for work, study and family life.
Now it seems that many EU-citizen workers think the grass looks greener beyond the Bundesrepublik.
A report on the aforementioned study by The Local got a large response online, with one post promoting the article racking up thousands of comments on social media.
Here's what our readers had to say about why so many EU citizens are planning to leave Germany, and whether or not they were thinking of doing the same.
Unwelcoming politics
"The answer begins with M and ends with ERZ," wrote Claudia in one of the top liked comments on a post about the article on Facebook.
Referring quite obviously to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who has led the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) further right on immigration.
A comment replying to Claudia's suggested that it instead "starts with C and ends with DU".
The centre-right party under Merz's leadership has pushed to maintain closed borders, turn large numbers of asylum-seekers around, tighten citizenship requirements and end programmes like integration courses which were intended to help people find their footing and take up employment in the country more quickly.
These policies represent a turnaround compared to those championed by the former traffic light government, which put attracting foreign skilled workers at the forefront of its policy goals.
They also look quite distant from the CDU's own stance not very long ago, under the leadership of former Chancellor Angela Merkel.
READ ALSO: The CDU's rightward shift on immigration is costing the party votes
Another commenter also suggested Merz's leadership is the problem, but pointed instead toward his rhetoric on work and social benefits rather than on immigration.
"Because the chancellor said that we had to work harder," Luiza wrote.
Recently Merz's CDU party had proposed limiting peoples' ability to work part-time, or to get sick notes from doctors via telephone.
A commenter named Simon, who said he hadn't yet read the article, took a guess as to why he thinks foreigners would want to leave Germany and guessed rising accommodation costs and "feeling unwelcome".
His guess was pretty spot on. The study, which had consisted of statistical analysis, online surveys and qualitative interviews, cited high housing and living costs as well as a sense of not belonging and discrimination as the biggest push factors.
"No surprise there," he added, "with the rise of AfD, CDU rhetoric and housing and work place discrimination compounded by the recent withdrawal of integration courses."
Is the grass really greener?
While some commenters debated the attractiveness of Germany's current policies, others examined the question from a point of comparison. Quite a few comments suggested that, like it or hate it, Germany is a pretty good place to live compared to other options.
Summing it up with a classic adage, Kristina wrote simply, "The grass is not greener on the other side."
Another commenter asked, "Do they want to live in the USA?" -- a question which received mostly 'laughing face' reactions.
One commenter named Ulrike who said they are German and have lived abroad for "quite some time" wrote: "Every time I go back I'm amazed how my country has changed positively...integration has worked and I always feel welcome."
She added, "I would love to move back, but the AfD would be a huge no no."
The top-liked comment on the post is from Nana, who says he is from Ghana and living in Germany. He wrote, "Honestly, this country is not as bad as some people claim. Yes, there are political issues...but from my experience food is affordable, clothes and basic necessities are reasonably priced, and the system — despite its flaws — works."
He added that, for him, the hardest part has been the language barrier, and also that "like in every country, there are a few people who may not like foreigners or Black people".
READ ALSO: The essential guide for anyone who's just moved to Germany
One comment suggested another phenomenon which might, at least partially, explain the EU-citizen immigration reversal in Germany: "A lot [of people] are retirement age and [are now going] back to their country."
Members of The Local Germany can comment on all articles and on our Facebook page. Your constructive views, advice for others and stories of life in Germany offer a vital contribution to our community of international readers.
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