Germany is a country that is rich in culture, history, and opportunities. With 83 million inhabitants, Germany is the most populous country in the European Union and home to some of the world’s largest cities. In this guide, we will take a look at Germany’s biggest cities, starting from the 20th ranked city according to their population and ending with the largest, Berlin. We will provide a brief overview of each city, highlighting the major attractions, historical or touristic sites, major industrial opportunities, job markets, and the approximate location of each city, as well as some of the largest universities and manufacturing companies located there.
Münster
Located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Münster is a city that is known for its rich history and beautiful architecture, including the famous St. Paul’s Cathedral. The city is also a hub for various research institutions and is home to the University of Münster. Some of the largest companies located in Münster include the pharmaceutical company Grünenthal, the energy company Westfalen AG, and the brewing company Pinkus Müller.
Bonn
Located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Bonn is a city known for its stunning architecture and rich history, including its famous connections to Beethoven. The city is also home to various research institutions and is a hub for various United Nations offices. Some of the largest companies located in Bonn include the Deutsche Post DHL Group, the energy company RWE, and the Deutsche Telekom.
Bielefeld
Located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Bielefeld is a city known for its beautiful parks, museums, and cultural events. The city is also home to various manufacturing companies, including the Dr. Oetker food company, the Melitta coffee company, and the Schüco International KG building systems company.
Wuppertal
Located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Wuppertal is a city known for its stunning architecture and scenic views, including the famous Wuppertal Suspension Railway. The city is also a hub for various research institutions and is home to the University of Wuppertal. Some of the largest companies located in Wuppertal include the Bayer AG pharmaceutical company, the Vorwerk household appliance company, and the Viega plumbing company.
Bochum
Located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Bochum is a city that is known for its rich history and beautiful architecture, including the famous Bochum City Hall. The city is also a hub for various research institutions and is home to the Ruhr University Bochum. Some of the largest companies located in Bochum include the ThyssenKrupp steel company, the Opel automobile company, and the Sparkasse banking group.
Duisburg
Located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Duisburg is a city that is known for its rich industrial heritage and beautiful parks, such as the Duisburg Zoo. The city is also home to various manufacturing companies, including the ThyssenKrupp steel company, the KROHNE measurement technology company, and the RWE energy company.
Nuremberg
Located in the state of Bavaria, Nuremberg is a city that is known for its rich history and beautiful architecture, including the famous Nuremberg Castle. The city is also a hub for various research institutions and is home to the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg. Some of the largest companies located in Nuremberg include the Siemens AG electronics company, the MAN SE truck and bus manufacturer, and the Schaeffler AG automotive parts supplier.
Hanover
Located in the state of Lower Saxony, Hanover is a city that is known for its stunning parks, such as the famous Herrenhausen Gardens. The city is also home to various museums and cultural institutions, including the Sprengel Museum. Some of the largest companies located in Hanover include the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles company, the Continental AG automotive parts supplier, and the TUI Group travel and tourism company.
Dresden
Located in the state of Saxony, Dresden is a city that is known for its stunning architecture, including the famous Dresden Frauenkirche. The city is also a hub for various research institutions and is home to the Technical University of Dresden. Some of the largest companies located in Dresden include the Globalfoundries semiconductor manufacturing company, the Volkswagen Sachsen automobile manufacturing plant, and the Airbus Defence and Space aerospace company.
Bremen
Located in the state of Bremen, Bremen is a city that is known for its stunning architecture and rich history, including the famous Bremen Town Musicians statue. The city is also home to various research institutions and is a hub for various logistics companies. Some of the largest companies located in Bremen include the Daimler AG Mercedes-Benz plant, the Airbus Defence and Space aerospace company, and the German Aerospace Center.
Leipzig
Located in the state of Saxony, Leipzig is a city that is known for its stunning architecture, including the famous St. Thomas Church. The city is also home to various museums and cultural institutions, including the Museum of Fine Arts Leipzig. Some of the largest companies located in Leipzig include the BMW Group automobile manufacturing plant, the Porsche Leipzig GmbH automobile manufacturing plant, and the Amazon Germany headquarters.
Essen
Located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Essen is a city that is known for its rich industrial heritage and beautiful parks, such as the Grugapark. The city is also home to various manufacturing companies, including the ThyssenKrupp steel company, the Evonik Industries AG specialty chemicals company, and the RWE energy company.
Dortmund
Located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Dortmund is a city that is known for its stunning architecture, including the famous Westfalenpark. The city is also home to various museums and cultural institutions, including the Dortmund U-Tower. Some of the largest companies located in Dortmund include the RWE energy company, the Signal Iduna Group insurance and finance company, and the Wilo SE pump manufacturer.
Düsseldorf
Located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Düsseldorf is a city known for its stunning architecture and rich cultural scene, including the famous Königsallee shopping street. The city is also home to various manufacturing companies, including the Henkel AG & Co. KGaA consumer goods company, the Rheinmetall AG defense technology company, and the Metro AG retail company.
Stuttgart
Located in the state of Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart is a city that is known for its stunning architecture, including the famous St. John’s Church. The city is also home to various museums and cultural institutions, including the Porsche Museum. Some of the largest companies located in Stuttgart include the Daimler AG Mercedes-Benz plant, the Robert Bosch GmbH technology and engineering company, and the Porsche AG sports car manufacturer.
Frankfurt am Main
Located in the state of Hesse, Frankfurt am Main is a city that is known for its stunning skyline, including the famous Main Tower. The city is also home to various museums and cultural institutions, including the Städel Museum. Some of the largest companies located in Frankfurt am Main include the Deutsche Bank AG financial services company, the Commerzbank AG financial services company, and the Deutsche Lufthansa AG airline company.
Cologne
Located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Cologne is a city that is known for its stunning architecture, including the famous Cologne Cathedral. The city is also home to various museums and cultural institutions, including the Museum Ludwig. Some of the largest companies located in Cologne include the Ford Germany GmbH automobile manufacturing plant, the Lanxess AG chemical company, and the REWE Group retail company.
Munich
Located in the state of Bavaria, Munich is a city that is known for its stunning architecture, including the famous Neuschwanstein Castle. The city is also home to various museums and cultural institutions, including the Bavarian National Museum. Some of the largest companies located in Munich include the BMW Group automobile manufacturing plant, the Siemens AG electronics company, and the Allianz SE insurance and finance company.
Hamburg
Located in the state of Hamburg, Hamburg is a city that is known for its stunning harbor and waterfront, including the famous Speicherstadt. The city is also home to various museums and cultural institutions, including the Miniatur Wunderland. Some of the largest companies located in Hamburg include the Airbus Defence and Space aerospace company, the Beiersdorf AG personal care company, and the Unilever Germany GmbH consumer goods company.
Berlin
Located in the state of Berlin, Berlin is a city that is known for its rich history and cultural scene, including the famous Berlin Wall. The city is also home to various museums and cultural institutions, including the Museum Island. Some of the largest companies located in Berlin include the Deutsche Bahn AG transportation company, the Axel Springer SE publishing company, and the Zalando SE e-commerce company.
Germany is a country that is rich in culture, history, and opportunities. With 83 million inhabitants, Germany is the most populous country in the
Union and home to some of the world’s largest cities. In this guide, we will take a look at Germany’s biggest cities, starting from the 20th ranked city according to their population and ending with the largest, Berlin. We will provide a brief overview of each city, highlighting the major attractions, historical or touristic sites, major industrial opportunities, job markets, and the approximate location of each city, as well as some of the largest universities and manufacturing companies located there.
Advantages of Smaller Cities
While the bigger cities are certainly attractive for their opportunities and cultural scene, there are also advantages to living in smaller cities in Germany. One of the most significant advantages is the lower cost of living, including lower rent for accommodations and lower real estate prices. This can be especially attractive for students and young professionals who are just starting their careers and looking to save money.
50 Large Companies in Germany
Germany is a country with a thriving economy and a wide range of major corporations. Here is a list of 50 large companies in Germany, along with a brief description of each – An important checklist for international students and job seekers.
- Adidas AG – A multinational corporation that produces footwear, apparel, and accessories.
- Allianz SE – One of the world’s largest insurance companies.
- BASF SE – A chemical company that is the largest producer in the world.
- Bayer AG – A pharmaceutical and life sciences company that is one of the largest in the world.
- Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW) – A multinational automotive company that produces luxury vehicles and motorcycles.
- Bosch GmbH – A multinational engineering and electronics company that produces a wide range of products.
- Carl Zeiss AG – A multinational optics and optoelectronics company that produces lenses, microscopes, and other products.
- Commerzbank AG – A leading commercial bank in Germany.
- Continental AG – A leading automotive supplier that produces tires, brakes, and other components.
- Daimler AG – A multinational automotive company that produces Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
- Deutsche Bank AG – One of the largest banks in the world.
- Deutsche Lufthansa AG – A leading airline company in Europe.
- Deutsche Post AG – A logistics and courier company that operates in over 220 countries.
- Deutsche Telekom AG – A telecommunications company that provides services in Europe and the United States.
- DHL Supply Chain Germany GmbH – A leading logistics and supply chain management company.
- E.ON SE – A utility company that provides electricity and gas to millions of customers.
- Fuchs Petrolub SE – A lubricant company that produces products for automotive and industrial applications.
- Hella KGaA Hueck & Co. – A multinational automotive parts supplier that produces lighting and electronic components.
- Henkel AG & Co. KGaA – A consumer goods company that produces personal care and household products.
- Infineon Technologies AG – A semiconductor company that produces products for automotive, industrial, and security applications.
- Kärcher Group – A multinational cleaning equipment company that produces high-pressure cleaners, vacuum cleaners, and other products.
- Kion Group AG – A leading manufacturer of forklift trucks and warehouse technology.
- Lanxess AG – A specialty chemicals company that produces products for automotive, construction, and other industries.
- Leoni AG – A leading supplier of cables and cable systems for the automotive and other industries.
- Linde plc – A multinational industrial gas company that produces gases for a wide range of industries.
- MAN Energy Solutions SE – A leading manufacturer of engines and power plants for marine, offshore, and stationary applications.
- Merck KGaA – A pharmaceutical and life sciences company that is one of the largest in the world.
- Osram Licht AG – A multinational lighting company that produces products for automotive and other applications.
- ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE – A leading media company that produces television and digital content.
- Rational AG – A leading manufacturer of professional cooking equipment for the food service industry.
- RWE AG – A utility company that produces electricity and gas.
- Sartorius AG – A laboratory and pharmaceutical equipment company that produces products for biopharmaceutical research and production.
- Schindler Deutschland AG & Co. KG – A leading manufacturer of elevators and escalators.
- SMA Solar Technology AG – A leading manufacturer of solar inverters for residential and commercial applications.
- Takata Petri AG – A leading supplier of automotive safety systems.
- ThyssenKrupp AG – A multinational conglomerate that produces products in the fields of industrial engineering, steel, and services.
- Unger Steel Group GmbH – A leading supplier of steel construction and engineering services.
- Vattenfall GmbH – A utility company that produces electricity and heat.
- Voith GmbH & Co. KGaA – A leading manufacturer of machines and systems for the energy, oil and gas, paper, and transport industries.
- Wintershall Dea GmbH – An oil and gas company that is one of the largest in Europe.
- Zalando SE – A leading online fashion and lifestyle retailer.
- ZF Friedrichshafen AG – A multinational automotive supplier that produces driveline and chassis technology products.
- ZTE Deutschland GmbH – A leading provider of telecommunications and information technology solutions.
- Beiersdorf AG – A consumer goods company that produces personal care and healthcare products, including Nivea.
- Ceconomy AG – A multinational consumer electronics retailer that operates under the MediaMarkt and Saturn brands.
- Covestro AG – A polymer materials manufacturer that produces products for the automotive, construction, and electronics industries.
- Deutsche Börse AG – A leading stock exchange operator and provider of financial market infrastructure.
- Krones AG – A leading manufacturer of packaging and bottling equipment for the beverage and food industries.
- Metro AG – A multinational retail and wholesale company that operates in over 30 countries.
- Puma SE – A multinational corporation that produces athletic and casual footwear, apparel, and accessories.
- Wacker Chemie AG – A chemical company that produces products for the construction, automotive, and electronics industries.
Conclusion
In conclusion, whether you choose to live in a big city or a small city in Germany, there are plenty of opportunities for both personal and professional growth. Almost all of the small or large companies in Germany have the highest standard of living and a high human development index, so it practically doesn’t matter whether you are in a large city or small city. Especially since the beginning of the corona pandemic, there has been a trend of people moving to the suburbs or living a little bit away from city centers. One factor that is important for international people is that the concentration of immigrants is higher in larger cities than in smaller and suburban areas.
Regardless of where you choose to live, it is important to focus on having a secure job that you enjoy and that provides financial independence. With Germany’s thriving economy and wide range of opportunities, there is something for everyone in this country.