Living in Germany vs Netherlands

Would you rather live in a country where healthcare is fully covered by your employer—or one where you pay just $135 a month for everything? Where rent is 50% cheaper, property taxes are 20x lower, and groceries cost 25% less? In this episode of World Living Guide, we compare two of Europe’s most popular expat destinations: Germany and the Netherlands.

👉 Which country gives you more value for your money, more freedom in your schedule, and a stronger sense of community?

We break it all down across 5 essential categories:

🏠 COST OF LIVING Germany offers more space for your rent, dramatically lower property taxes, and lower monthly expenses (especially outside of Berlin or Munich). The Netherlands? High cost nearly everywhere, especially in Amsterdam.

🏥 HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS Germany provides robust universal care via payroll deductions, while the Netherlands has a more privatized but efficient system. But wait until you see the difference in prescription drug costs...

💼 WORK-LIFE BALANCE Germany has strong labor protections and paid parental leave, while the Netherlands pioneers 4-day workweeks and world-class biking commutes. Both respect vacation time — but the Dutch may take work-life balance a step further.

🌐 SOCIAL INTEGRATION The Netherlands shines here with 90% English fluency, strong expat communities, and easier cultural adaptation. Germany has deeper integration programs but a steeper language curve.

🌿 OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE Safety, infrastructure, environmental sustainability, career prospects — both countries offer incredible advantages. But which one fits your lifestyle?

📌 This video will help you decide if you're better suited for Germany’s structured stability and low cost of living, or the Netherlands’ progressive culture and English-friendly systems.