Leaving Germany? Stern launches “Auswander-O-Mat” to help you choose where next

German magazine Stern has launched an online quiz for residents who are thinking about leaving Germany, but are unsure of where to go next.

Stern launches quiz for residents thinking about leaving Germany

Germany might be desperate for migrant workers to keep its economy afloat, but sometimes, skyrocketing rents, chronic train delays and an increasing animosity towards people who don’t “look German” make you want to throw in the towel.

International residents living in Germany aren’t alone. According to a new YouGov poll, every second German citizen can imagine emigrating from their home country.

In response, the German magazine Stern has created an “Auswander-O-Mat” (Emigration-o-metre), designed to help those thinking of leaving Germany decide where they should go next. 

How does Stern’s Emigration-o-metre work?

Stern’s “Auswander-O-Mat” asked respondents just 13 questions about their citizenship, residency status, language skills, what they value in life, and more.

Depending on their answers, respondents are assigned an “emigration group” such as “digital nomad” or “family on a budget” and given suggestions of countries which would best support them in prioritising the things that are most important to them.

“Obviously, the Auswander-O-Mat cannot replace individualised advice about emigration, but it gives an initial compass,” Stern wrote in its explanation.

According to the magazine, Switzerland has long been the number one country for German citizens to emigrate to, followed by Austria and then Spain.