Daily life
Indians in Berlin: complete guide to life, community, and neighborhoods
Complete guide for Indians living in Berlin or planning to move. Neighborhoods, Indian community, groceries, temples, restaurants, schools, jobs, and practical tips.
Berlin has Germany's largest Indian community (25,000-35,000) spread across Charlottenburg, Neukölln, Friedrichshain, Prenzlauer Berg, and Mitte. Berlin offers the best Indian food scene, biggest startup job market, and lowest cost of living among major German cities. Downsides: terrible LEA appointment waits (3-6 months), grey weather, tough rental market.
Berlin has the largest Indian community in Germany, estimated at 25,000 to 35,000 people. It is also the most diverse city in Germany, with Indians spread across every neighborhood rather than concentrated in one area. This guide covers everything about living in Berlin as an Indian, from where to find a good WG to where to buy fresh coriander on a Sunday.
Berlin at a glance for Indians
- Indian population: ~25,000-35,000 (growing)
- Dominant profile: IT and tech professionals (40%), students (25%), doctors and researchers (15%), other professionals (20%)
- Cost of living: mid-range for European capitals. Cheaper than Munich, pricier than Leipzig
- English-friendliness: very high. Berlin is one of the most English-speaking cities in Germany
- Weather: cold winters (-5 to 5°C), mild summers (15-25°C), grey and rainy much of the year
Where Indians live in Berlin
Charlottenburg
The historic "first stop" for Indians in Berlin. Home to the largest cluster of Indian grocery stores (around Kantstraße and Wilmersdorfer Straße), Indian restaurants, and Bollywood DVD shops. Middle-to-upper-middle-class neighborhood with good transport links.
Rent: €1,200-€1,800 for 1-bedroom
Neukölln / Rixdorf
Trendy, young, and diverse. Mixed with Turkish and Arab communities. Home to many Indian students, young professionals, and creatives. Good nightlife, cheaper rent than Charlottenburg.
Rent: €900-€1,400 for 1-bedroom
Friedrichshain / Kreuzberg
Hipster/creative district. Growing Indian student presence, particularly around Warschauer Straße and the Mediaspree area. Close to startup offices.
Rent: €1,000-€1,600 for 1-bedroom
Prenzlauer Berg
Family-friendly, upscale. Popular with Indian families with young children due to good Kitas and schools. Clean, safe, and quiet. More expensive.
Rent: €1,200-€1,900 for 1-bedroom
Mitte
Central, expensive, touristy. Popular with corporate expats and short-term assignments.
Rent: €1,300-€2,000 for 1-bedroom
Treptow-Köpenick / Lichtenberg
Outer east Berlin. Significantly cheaper. More industrial and less charming, but growing tech presence. Some Indian families moving here for larger apartments at lower prices.
Rent: €700-€1,200 for 1-bedroom
Pankow
Northern Berlin. Quiet, residential, good for families.
Rent: €900-€1,500 for 1-bedroom
Indian groceries in Berlin
Berlin has some of the best Indian grocery selection in Germany thanks to the size of the community:
- Mutter Hoppe Indischer Supermarkt (Charlottenburg): wide selection including fresh Indian vegetables
- India Bazaar (multiple locations): chain of Indian stores
- Chutnify Grocery (Prenzlauer Berg): attached to the restaurant
- Asia Markt chains (various): carry Indian staples
- Turkish supermarkets in Kreuzberg/Neukölln, great for fresh produce, spices, and flour
Our directory lists verified Indian grocery stores across Berlin.
Indian restaurants in Berlin
Berlin's Indian food scene has grown significantly. Notable mentions:
- Chutnify (multiple locations): modern Indian, trendy, popular with Berliners
- India Haus (Charlottenburg): classic North Indian
- Raj Mahal (Charlottenburg): another classic
- Samadhi (Prenzlauer Berg): vegetarian/vegan Indian
- Mother's Pride (Mitte): South Indian
- Dosa Garden (Friedrichshain): South Indian specialties
Check our restaurant directory for the full list.
Temples and religious sites
Berlin has several Hindu temples and religious communities:
- Sri Ganesha Hindu Temple Berlin: the main Hindu temple in Berlin, organizes major festivals (Diwali, Holi, Ganesh Chaturthi)
- ISKCON Berlin: Hare Krishna temple
- Sikh Gurdwara Berlin: Sikh community centre
- Jain community: small but active, regular gatherings
The Sri Ganesha temple hosts the largest Diwali celebration in Berlin annually, attended by thousands.
Indian community groups
Berlin has active community organizations:
- Indian Students Association Berlin: TU Berlin, HU Berlin, FU Berlin students
- Indians in Berlin (Facebook group, 20,000+ members): main community forum
- Berlin Indian Professionals: working adults, meetups
- Bengalis in Berlin, Telugu Association Berlin, Tamil Sangam Berlin, regional communities
- Malayali Association of Berlin: active Kerala community
Check our community links for Telegram, Facebook, and Instagram groups.
Cultural events
Berlin's Indian calendar includes:
- Diwali (October/November): multiple celebrations at Sri Ganesha Temple, Indian Embassy events, community gatherings
- Holi (March): large outdoor celebration, multiple venues
- Independence Day (August 15): Indian Embassy reception
- Republic Day (January 26): Indian Embassy events
- Ganesh Chaturthi (August/September): temple celebrations
- Navratri and Durga Puja (October): community celebrations especially among Bengali and Gujarati communities
- Onam (August/September): Kerala community celebrations
- Pongal (January): Tamil community celebrations
The Indian Embassy in Berlin (Tiergartenstraße 17) hosts cultural and diplomatic events regularly.
Work and jobs in Berlin
Berlin is Germany's startup capital with significant tech industry:
Major tech employers
- N26 (banking)
- Zalando (e-commerce)
- Delivery Hero (food delivery)
- Trade Republic (fintech)
- Mozilla Berlin
- Microsoft Berlin
- Google Berlin (smaller than Munich)
- SoundCloud
- Klarna
Consulting and corporates
- Deutsche Bahn, Siemens Berlin, Allianz Berlin
- McKinsey, BCG, Bain (smaller Berlin offices)
Startups
Berlin has 1,000+ startups; the scene is the largest in Germany and among the top 3 in Europe (alongside London and Paris).
Indian IT services
- TCS Berlin, Infosys Berlin, Wipro Berlin, HCL Berlin (smaller offices than Frankfurt)
- Cognizant, Accenture: larger Berlin presence
Typical salary for mid-level SWE: €60,000-€85,000.
Education
Universities
- Technical University Berlin (TU Berlin): top choice for Indian engineering/CS students
- Humboldt University (HU Berlin): strong in humanities and sciences
- Free University (FU Berlin): liberal arts, sciences
- Berlin School of Economics and Law (HWR)
- Charité: medical school (very competitive)
International schools (for families)
- Berlin Metropolitan School
- Berlin British School
- Nelson Mandela International School
- John F. Kennedy School
Cost: €15,000-€25,000/year per child.
German public schools
Free, high quality. Most Indian families choose German public schools. Children typically adapt to German within 6-12 months.
Transport
Berlin has excellent public transport:
- BVG operates buses, U-Bahn, trams
- S-Bahn covers the broader region
- Deutschlandticket (€49/month) covers everything
- Cycling is popular and safe, Berlin has extensive bike infrastructure
- Car ownership is unnecessary and expensive due to parking scarcity
Weather and lifestyle
Berlin's weather is the biggest shock for Indians:
- Winter (November-February): -5°C to 5°C, very dark (sun sets at 4 PM), often grey
- Spring (March-May): variable, occasionally pleasant
- Summer (June-August): 15-28°C, occasional hot weeks
- Autumn (September-October): cool, colorful
Vitamin D supplementation is recommended. German winters are dim enough that locals take vitamin D routinely.
Practical costs
Monthly expenses for a single person in Berlin (modest lifestyle):
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Rent (1-bedroom) | €900-€1,400 |
| Health insurance (via payroll) | ~€550 for €70k gross |
| Groceries | €250-€350 |
| Deutschlandticket | €49 |
| Mobile phone | €25-€40 |
| Internet | €30-€40 |
| Rundfunkbeitrag | €18 |
| Utilities (if not in warm rent) | €50-€100 |
| Eating out, entertainment | €150-€300 |
| Total | €2,000-€2,900 |
Indian in Berlin: pros and cons
Pros
- Largest Indian community in Germany
- Best Indian food scene in the country
- Lowest cost of living among major German cities
- Vibrant startup job market
- English-friendly environment
- Rich cultural life
- Strong cross-cultural openness
Cons
- Tough rental market (Wohnungssuche takes months)
- Ausländerbehörde (LEA) is the worst in Germany (3-6 month waits)
- Weather is grey for much of the year
- Less job density than Munich or Frankfurt for some sectors
- Cold winters
- Public services can feel stretched
Getting started: first 2 weeks in Berlin
- Find temporary housing (Airbnb or friends)
- Start flat hunting (WG-Gesucht is the main platform)
- Buy a prepaid SIM (Aldi Talk or Fraenk)
- Book an Anmeldung appointment (7 AM refresh on service.berlin.de)
- Complete Anmeldung
- Open a bank account (N26 or Revolut first, then a traditional bank after Anmeldung)
- Health insurance setup (if Blue Card, via employer)
- Explore your neighborhood
Related guides on this site
Frequently asked
How many Indians live in Berlin?
Approximately 25,000-35,000 Indians, the largest Indian community in Germany. The community is spread across Charlottenburg, Neukölln, Friedrichshain, Prenzlauer Berg, Mitte, and outer districts, rather than concentrated in one area.
Which area is best for Indians in Berlin?
Charlottenburg has the traditional Indian grocery cluster and is mid-range priced. Neukölln is cheaper and trendier. Prenzlauer Berg is family-friendly. Friedrichshain is popular with young professionals. Choose based on budget, job location, and lifestyle.
Where to find Indian groceries in Berlin?
Charlottenburg has the largest cluster of Indian grocery stores around Kantstraße and Wilmersdorfer Straße. Mutter Hoppe Indischer Supermarkt is the best-known. India Bazaar has multiple locations. Chutnify Grocery in Prenzlauer Berg is attached to the restaurant.
Is Berlin a good city for Indian tech professionals?
Yes. Berlin has Germany's largest startup ecosystem with jobs at Zalando, N26, Delivery Hero, Trade Republic, Mozilla, Microsoft Berlin, SoundCloud, and 1,000+ startups. Salaries are 10-15% lower than Munich but cost of living is 20-30% lower.
Found something wrong or missing?
This guide stays useful because people flag things that changed or got it wrong.