Immigrate to France or Germany in 2025

Emigrating to European countries including France and Germany has always been on the list of destinations for Iranian immigrants. The main question is, is it better to immigrate to Germany or France? In this comprehensive article, we will compare immigration to France and Germany. Also, we check all immigration paths (educational, work, investment, marriage, birth, etc.) along with comparing the value of the passport, security and economic conditions of the two countries and other factors. We hope that after reading this article, you will make the right decision about immigrating to these two countries and be able to choose with a better perspective which of these two countries is the most suitable for you to immigrate to.

Comparison of France and Germany at a glance

In the table below, the general characteristics of France and Germany are compared so that you can see their differences and similarities at a glance:

As can be seen, living conditions abroad are similar in terms of costs between these two countries.

Both countries have large and developed populations and economies. Germany has more population and its economy is about 1.5 times that of France. Both countries are members of the European Union and the Schengen Area and have the Euro currency. For a more detailed analysis of the important factors of these two countries, we suggest you to read more.

Cost of living in France and Germany

According to the livingcost website, the cost of living in France is a little lower than in Germany, especially in its big cities. On average, the cost of living excluding rent in France is about 0.3% lower than in Germany. For a better understanding, in the table below are some main indicators of the cost of living:

The above figures are approximate and have increased slightly due to inflation. In general, housing is cheaper in France, and some food items (such as packaged foods) are more expensive than in Germany. The average after-tax salary in Germany is reported to be higher compared to France, and because of this, purchasing power (and quality of life) is rated slightly higher in Germany. Since the migration path is always complicated and challenging, be sure to check your conditions carefully before deciding on the immigration method and the destination country and be in contact with reputable institutions so as not to fall into the trap of fraud by immigration institutions.

Study in France or Germany?

In a close look, for people who are thinking of studying in France or studying in Germany, two important points should be considered: the cost of education and the cost of living.

According to Study.eu, in France, public university tuition for non-European students is usually between 2,900 and 3,900 euros per year, while in Germany tuition is almost free at public universities. See other important information in this field in the table below:

If the possibility of continuing education without tuition is important to you, for Free study abroad Germany is better. But if you have a particular field in which France is strong or you are looking to study in France for cultural and artistic experience, France with relatively low university fees and scholarships like Eiffel and Charpak will be a good choice.

Examining the study conditions for immigration to France or Germany

Both countries have advanced higher education systems and their public universities charge very low tuition fees for international students. To immigrate to France through education, usually the only annual registration fee is about 100-200 euros (as a student grant), and in Germany there are often no tuition fees (except for a state like Baden-Württemberg, which has set about 3,000 euros per year for non-Europeans. According to the Top University website, the following table shows the important indicators of studying in this country:

To be able to afford the visa and study migration to France, you must prove at least 615 euros per month. Compared to this amount in Germany, this figure is 995 euros per month. Regarding the language certificate, in addition to the official languages ​​of each country, to study in English, at least IELTS 6 and in some universities a minimum score of 6.5 or its equivalent in TOEFL. In general, the choice between these two countries depends on the field of study and interest in the language. for Educational immigration to Germany You should pay attention to the fact that the cost of living in Germany is a little higher, but there are more scholarships and research opportunities. In France, student life with rich culture and lower tuition is available.

Immigrate to France or Germany through work

Germany is known for its strong economy and high number of job opportunities in the engineering, IT and healthcare industries. France also needs labor in the fields of technology, visual arts, food industry and tourism. Both countries have considered work visa programs to attract specialists. To better understand and compare work migration to France and work migration to Germany, the following table is a good guide:

Business migration to France usually does not require a language certificate (before the visa), but you need to master the French language for everyday life. To immigrate to Germany and to obtain a non-Blue Card work visa, the applicant must have an A2 German level. Of course, from January 2023, some qualified businesses can obtain this condition after entering. In general, for a better decision, it is good to know that the unemployment rate in France is slightly higher and the employment rate is higher in Germany; Also, the average salary after tax is higher in Germany than in France.

Investment in France or Germany

Immigration through investment in France and investment in Germany has its own conditions, which we will examine below in each country:

How to invest in France

The Talent Passport for Investor program was created for people with a serious business plan or economic investment in France. The applicant must present a real project or business worth at least 30,000 euros and have a master’s degree or five years of relevant experience. After issuing a long-term investment visa

(Passporte Talent – ​​Créateur d’entreprise), the person will have a multi-year French residence permit (up to 4 years).

How to invest in Germany

There is no direct investment visa program. But according to Section 21 of the German Residence Act (AufenthG), foreigners can get a three-year self-employment (work) visa if they set up a profitable business in Germany that contributes to the country’s economy (for example, creating at least 5 jobs) and show sufficient financial resources. A specific amount has not been announced, but experience shows that an initial capital of around 20-30 thousand euros is enough to start a small company. After proving the profitability of the business in the first few years, the residence permit can be extended and eventually lead to permanent residence.

Marriage and family reunification when immigrating to France or Germany

If a foreigner marries a French or German citizen, the path to obtaining residence through family reunification is opened. The general conditions are:

• France: The spouse of a French citizen must obtain a long-term visa (VLS-TS) for private and family life from the embassy. This visa itself is a one-year residence permit in which work is allowed. Upon arrival, he must sign an integration contract (Contrat d’Accueil et d’Intégration), which includes attending language classes and civics training. Issuance of French permanent residence is usually possible after 5 years of cohabitation.
• Germany: The spouse of a German citizen or with a German residence permit can apply for a family reunification visa. For a long-term visa, you must be at least 18 years old and prove your place of residence and financial ability. Upon arrival, the spouse is usually granted a residence permit for up to 3 years and can be employed in any job. After a few years of living together (about 5 to 6 years), it is possible to apply for permanent residence.

The comparison table shows the features of marriage visa and companion visa well:

In short, both countries have special family visas for European and non-European spouses. In France, the speed of issuing visas and facilities is slightly higher; In Germany, however, financial conditions and language are usually more difficult to control. For more details on this migration method, we recommend German immigration lawyer or consult France.

Asylum in France or Germany

The French asylum process is supervised by OFPRA. According to the Geneva Convention, in both countries, the applicant must prove that he faces a serious threat in his country because of his belief or identity. The review process in France has recently become more complicated and lengthy due to stricter rules, which may not result in a quick visa.

On the contrary, German asylum usually goes faster. The Immigration Office (BAMF) usually makes an initial decision in about 9 months and the acceptance level of people is higher.

Asylum in France and Germany or any other country is associated with challenges, life and financial risks, as well as many complications. It should be noted that we at Homa Immigration Institute do not provide any services related to asylum in any country. This article is only to complete this article and the information inside the site.

Economic conditions in immigrating to France or Germany

It is important for immigrants to have a picture of the macroeconomic situation and job opportunities in the destination country. In this section, we will compare the macroeconomic indicators of the two countries, including gross domestic product (GDP), growth rate, inflation, as well as market conditions and job opportunities:

With Europe’s largest economy and a focus on manufacturing and export industries, Germany is economically strong and for Work migration to Germany It is a good option. Low unemployment rate and high human development index are considered its strengths. On the other hand, the French economy is more diverse and the service, tourism and creative industries sectors play a prominent role in it.

Comparison of the value of French and German passports

The strength of the passport and the freedom of international travel is one of the aspects that immigrants should consider when choosing their destination country and immigrating to France or Germany. Both German and French passports are among the most powerful passports in the world. According to the Henley Index, French and German passports are ranked 2nd in the world and each one allows visa-free travel (or airport visa) to 192 countries. This number of countries includes all of Europe, North America, most of Asia and Latin America, etc. Only Singapore ranks 1 with 195 countries. The following table compares the value of French and German passports:

Finally, both German and French passports are among the strongest passports in the world, and there is no significant difference in travel freedom between them.

Security in France or Germany for immigration

Security is one of the most important factors in deciding to migrate. Although France and Germany are both developed and relatively safe countries in Europe, they have differences in some indicators that are significant for immigrants. In the following, we will have a brief look at the security situation of these two countries.

Security in Germany

Living in Germany means living in one of the safest countries in the world. The crime index in this country is lower than France, and the homicide rate is reported to be about 0.81 per 100,000 people. According to the Global Terrorism Index 2025, Germany ranks 27th, indicating a low level of terrorist threats. Public protests in Germany are usually held peacefully and in an orderly manner, and widespread unrest is less common. Culturally, Germany has a diverse society and about 29.7% of its population has an immigrant background, indicating a high acceptance of immigrants.

Security in France

France is also a developed country with an acceptable level of security, but in some indicators it has a different situation than Germany. On the topic of living in France, the homicide rate in France is about 1.63 per 100,000 people, which is higher than Germany. The crime index is also higher in France and more crimes are reported in some urban areas such as Paris and Marseille. In recent years, France has faced numerous terrorist attacks and according to the Global Terrorism Index 2025, France is ranked 38. Protests and strikes are more common in France and sometimes lead to widespread unrest.

Birth in France or Germany and laws on granting citizenship to the baby

An issue that arises for some immigrant families when immigrating to France or Germany is citizenship through the birth of a child in these two countries. Many people ask if their child can get the citizenship of that country if they are born in Germany or France, and this will help the parents to stay or not. There are differences in citizenship laws in this case between the two countries:

France (principle of conditional territory)

France from the original composition of the soil (jus soli(and blood principle)jus sanguinis) is used in granting citizenship. Birth in France does not immediately lead to French citizenship unless one of the parents is French. But a child born to foreign parents in France has the right to acquire French citizenship at an older age. According to the current law, such a child can automatically become French at the age of 18, provided that he has resided in France for at least 5 years from the age of 11 to 18. Also, a person born in France to foreign parents, if he lived in France until the age of 16, he can apply for citizenship at the age of 16. This legal action is known as “jus soli différé” or delayed citizenship.

Germany (principle of blood with condition of conditional soil)

Senta Germany granted citizenship based on parental blood. That is, every child with a German father or mother is German, regardless of the place of birth. Since 2000, Germany has also adopted a form of conditional jus soli. According to the current law, a baby born in Germany to non-German parents acquires German citizenship if one of the parents has lived legally in Germany for at least 5 years and has a permanent (or long-term) residence. For example, if you have lived in Germany for 6 years with a valid visa or have a permanent residence and you have a child during this period, your child will also become a German citizen.

In general, to immigrate to France or Germany, the systems of these two countries are both conditional on some kind of jus soli, but France grants citizenship late (at adulthood) while Germany may grant it at birth depending on the residence history of the parents. Therefore, if a family has been living in Germany for many years and has a child, their child will be German; In France, their child has to wait until they grow up and then apply for citizenship.

Frequently asked questions

1. Is it easier to work in Germany or France?

In general, work migration to Germany is considered easier, because the unemployment rate is lower and the demand for labor is higher.

2. Is it possible to get a job search visa in France like in Germany?

France does not directly have a job seeker visa similar to Germany (6 months to 1 year without a job offer). The common route is to first enter as a student and then get a 12-month temporary visa (APS) to look for work after you graduate.

3. The cost of living is lower in which country, Germany or France?

The difference in the cost of living between the two countries is not very large. Some items are cheaper in France, for example, internet services, some food. Some in Germany, such as clothes, housing rental brands, are different depending on the city.

4. Is it faster to get citizenship in Germany or France?

Both paths take at least 5-8 years. In Germany, you can normally apply for citizenship after 8 years of residence (now it has been reduced to 5 years for residents, and in France, 5 years of residence is sufficient.

5. In which country is the insurance and treatment situation better?

Both countries have an advanced and universal healthcare system. In France, public basic insurance (PUMA) covers about 70% of treatment costs. In Germany, general insurance (GKV) is compulsory and covers 90% of the population.

final word

Choosing between immigrating to France or Germany depends on your personal preferences and circumstances. If you are looking for a dynamic job market, higher income and industrial environment and you have no problem with learning German, Germany is the right choice. On the other hand, if you are attracted to France’s rich culture, art and unique lifestyle and want to live in a country with a strong social support network, France can be a superior choice. In any case, our consultants at Homa Institute are ready to suggest the best immigration route by carefully examining your conditions and goals and accompany you in all stages.