Living in Germany as a Cameroonian: what to really expect

Living in Germany as a Cameroonian is neither the paradise promised on social media nor the nightmare some people describe back home. It is an organised country where you can build a solid life, with a long winter, different habits and, sometimes, difficult moments linked to the colour of your skin. This is what we tell our candidates before they leave, without sugar-coating and without scaring anyone.

You will not be alone: the Cameroonian community

There are many Cameroonians in Germany. According to the German Foreign Office, more than 36,000 Cameroonians lived there in 2024, and Cameroonian students have long been the largest group of students from Sub-Saharan Africa in the country.

In practice this means:

• associations in several cities, often organised by home region or town. Examples exist in Bremen, Berlin and Dortmund. Check that an association is still active before relying on it: many change names or leaders over the years;
• churches with services in English, French or African languages, and mosques in most cities;
• celebrations and gatherings: 20 May National Day, weddings, family meetings, Indomitable Lions matches watched together;
• mutual-help networks on WhatsApp and Facebook, useful for finding a room or advice.

One piece of advice: the community is a strength, but do not shut yourself inside it. Your German colleagues, the other trainees at the Berufsschule, your football or sports club will improve your German faster than any course.

The climate: the real shock

For many Cameroonians the first shock is not the language, it is the cold. According to reported figures from the German Weather Service (DWD), Germany’s average temperature in 2025 was about 10 °C over the year. In Limbe or Douala, it rarely drops below 20 °C. Even Bamenda’s cool season is nothing like a German January.

What that means day to day:

• winter is long: from November to March it is cold, often grey, sometimes snowy;
• days are short in winter: it gets dark in the afternoon. Many newcomers feel tired or low in their first winters. That is normal, and it gets easier when you go out in daylight, do sport and stay connected with people;
• summer can be hot, and the long light evenings of June and July are a real pleasure;
• clothing: invest in a good jacket and good shoes. It is the best money you will spend in your first year.

Our article on first steps after arriving lists the clothes and the paperwork for your first month.

Food: between German bread and the African shop

German cooking leans heavily on bread, potatoes, meat and dairy. At lunch, company canteens usually serve a hot meal. In the evening many Germans eat cold food: bread with cheese or cold meats. That surprises people at first.

The good news: in most medium and large cities you will find African shops (Afroshops) and Asian or Turkish grocers with plantain, cassava, garri, palm oil, pepper and spices. Prices are higher than at a market back home, but you will be able to cook eru, ndolé or achu from time to time.

Cooking for yourself is also the best way to stay on budget. A trainee’s pay is not made for eating out every day.

Everyday habits

Every society has its habits. These are the ones that most often surprise newcomers. They are tendencies, not rules that apply to every person.

• Punctuality: an appointment at 8 o’clock means 8 o’clock, not 8:30. At work, arriving late without warning is frowned upon. If you are running late, call ahead.
• The Termin: almost everything works by appointment, at the doctor’s, the town hall, the bank. You do not “just pass by”.
• Directness: many Germans say things plainly. Criticism of your work is usually not a personal attack. It is often just the normal way of correcting.
• Quiet: many buildings have house rules with quiet hours in the evening and on Sundays. Loud music or speakerphone video calls late at night can cause trouble with neighbours.
• Waste sorting: paper, plastic, glass, organic waste, residual waste. Each bin has its colour. Plastic bottles and cans with the deposit logo (Pfand) go back to the shop for a little money.
• Sundays: most shops are closed. Do your shopping on Saturday.
• Letters: in Germany a lot arrives by post. Open your mail every day and reply on time.

None of this is hard. You just need to know it before you arrive.

Racism: talking about it honestly

This needs to be said plainly. Many Cameroonians in Germany live well, work, have German colleagues and friends, and do not face racism every day. But racism also exists. It can take the form of stares, remarks, repeated questions about your hair or where you are “really” from, difficulty finding a flat, and sometimes more serious words or actions. Experiences vary a lot by city, neighbourhood and the people you meet.

What you should know:

• the law protects you. The General Equal Treatment Act (AGG, Allgemeines Gleichbehandlungsgesetz) prohibits discrimination on the grounds of ethnic origin, including in training, employment and housing;
• deadlines are short. If you want to assert a claim against your employer under this Act, you must do so in writing within two months (§ 15 AGG). Do not let it drag on;
• write everything down: date, time, place, what was said, names of witnesses. Keep messages and screenshots.

Where to get help

You do not have to handle a difficult situation alone. Depending on the problem:

Talk to people you trust as well: an elder in the community, a teacher at the Berufsschule, a colleague. If you are still preparing your departure, you can put your questions to the ILC team through our contact page.

Money and family back home

This is rarely discussed, but it weighs on many young people. Once you are in Germany, family often expects you to send money. Be honest with them from the start: trainee pay is modest, and life in Germany is expensive (rent, insurance, transport). The minimum training pay for a 2026 start is EUR 724 gross per month in the first year, and some trainees need a blocked account on top.

You may work alongside your training for up to 20 hours a week, but your training comes first: failing at the Berufsschule or in the exam puts your residence at risk. Stabilise your own life first, then help your family when your budget allows. Compare fees before each money transfer to Cameroon.

To do the maths, read our page on Ausbildung costs and the article on Ausbildung salary in Germany.

And afterwards?

An Ausbildung usually lasts two to three and a half years. After you qualify, you can stay up to 18 months to look for a job, then work as a skilled professional. Many Cameroonians build their lives in Germany this way. Others return home with a qualification and experience that are in demand. Both choices deserve respect. What matters is leaving well prepared. Our Ausbildung guide explains the whole path.

Frequently asked questions

How many Cameroonians live in Germany?

More than 36,000 in 2024, according to the German Foreign Office. Cameroonian students have long been the largest group of students from Sub-Saharan Africa in Germany.

Is there racism in Germany?

Yes, it exists, as in many countries, and experiences vary by city and by person. The law prohibits discrimination based on origin, and the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency advises people affected.

Can I find Cameroonian food in Germany?

Yes, in African shops in medium and large cities: plantain, cassava, garri, palm oil, spices. Prices are higher than in Cameroon.

How do I get through the first winter?

Good clothes, daylight, sport and social contact. Fatigue in the first winters is common among newcomers and eases over time.

Sources

• German Foreign Office: Germany and Cameroon, bilateral relations
• Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency: ethnic origin and racism
• General Equal Treatment Act, § 15 (two-month deadline)
• TelefonSeelsorge
• Residence Act, § 16a (side job during training)
• Residence Act, § 20 (job search after training)
• Germany’s 2025 average temperature according to DWD (press report)
• Cameroonian associations in Germany (camer.be, 2015 to 2016)

Last checked: 19 October 2026.