One in three EU immigrants in Germany thinks about leaving, study finds

Germany is becoming less attractive to immigrants from European Union countries, including Poles, according to a study reported by the portal Polish Express on 26 October 2026. The study was reportedly carried out by the European Office for Equal Treatment in Germany (the name is given as in the source).

What the study found

According to the results described, 35% of EU immigrants living in Germany said they were thinking of leaving. A further 13% said they already had concrete plans to leave the country. Most of those who decide to go leave within four years of arriving.

Reasons given by respondents included:

• not feeling welcome (38.8% of respondents),
• experiencing discrimination at work (49.4%),
• difficulties having qualifications recognised,
• a lack of career progression,
• bureaucratic problems.

Fewer arrivals, including from Poland

Between 400,000 and 700,000 EU citizens move to Germany every year, but many also leave. Net migration of EU citizens to Germany was 38,735 people in 2024, compared with 117,000 in 2023. That is a fall of 66.8% year on year.

Romanians make up the largest group of EU immigrants, followed by Poles, Bulgarians, Italians, Hungarians and Spaniards. In 2024 the number of arrivals fell most among Croatians (by 30%), Poles (by 21%) and Bulgarians (by 19%).

Economic background

The source also cites a 2025 report by the German institute DIW. It says German economic growth is set to fall to 0.4% a year, and to 0% by 2029, unless the country takes in more foreign workers. The biggest labour shortages are in healthcare, construction and public administration. DIW stresses that recruiting foreign workers is of great importance. It also recommends cheaper childcare and a change to the tax relief rules for married couples (Ehegattensplitting), so that women can work more regularly.

What this means for you

The study concerns Germany and contains no information about changes to the law or living conditions in the UK. For people comparing countries to live in, it is only an additional point of reference on how EU immigrants rate life and work in Germany.