Do laachs do dich kapodd (You’ll split your sides there) – Life in the Rhineland
The beautiful Rhineland is a region that stretches across North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) and offers a fascinating mix of impressive nature, rich history, cultural diversity and attractive job opportunities. From the imposing Eifel mountains to the lively metropolises of Cologne and Düsseldorf – the Rhineland is a multifaceted region.
History: A region of diversity and migration
Hardly any other region in Germany is as strongly characterized by migration as the Rhine-Ruhr region. As early as the late 19th century, the so-called "Ruhr Poles" from the eastern provinces of Prussia were drawn to the Ruhr region to work in the booming mines. After the Second World War, numerous refugees and displaced persons from the former German territories in Eastern and Central Europe as well as migrants from the Soviet occupation zone and later the GDR came to the Rhineland.
Immigration also continued in the following years. The so-called "guest worker boom" began in 1955, when workers were recruited from southern Europe, Turkey, Morocco and other countries. Many of these people found a new home here, started families and are now an integral part of Rhineland society.
Other groups were added in the 1980s and 1990s: ethnic German repatriates from Poland, Romania and the Soviet Union as well as Jewish quota refugees. At the beginning of the 2010s, Romania and Bulgaria joined the European Union, which once again brought many people into the Rhineland labor market. Most recently, the wars and crises in the Middle East and Africa from 2015 and the war in Ukraine from 2022 led to another major wave of immigration.
For employers, this has always meant the challenge of adapting to new cultures and traditions, but also the opportunity to access a diverse, well-qualified and motivated workforce. At the same time, newcomers to the Rhineland find a region that cultivates its own traditions and customs and has a rich cultural and scenic diversity to offer.
Cultural and scenic highlights in the Rhineland
Cologne Cathedral is undoubtedly one of the most famous sights in North Rhine-Westphalia. At 777 years old and 152 meters high, it is the third tallest church in the world. Its countless stained glass windows, including a famous window by the artist Gerhard Richter, impress millions of visitors every year. From here, you can go straight into Cologne's modern city center, which is particularly popular with young people thanks to its numerous stores and cafés. A trip across the Rhine offers an impressive view of the city skyline.
If you follow the Rhine further north, you will reach Düsseldorf, the state capital of NRW. Here, visitors can see the imposing Tonhalle, the striking Gehry buildings and the 240-meter-high Rhine Tower, whose luminous dots serve as a huge clock. Düsseldorf impresses with numerous museums exhibiting important works of art, as well as the ultra-modern city center around Königsallee – one of Europe's most exclusive shopping streets, where royal couples have spent their wedding nights and international stars are frequent guests. Düsseldorf's Old Town, also known as the "longest bar in the world", offers a lively nightlife with numerous bars and restaurants all year round.
In addition to Phantasialand in Brühl, there are numerous other major events in the Rhineland, such as the impressive fireworks spectacle "Rhine in Flames", the Düsseldorf Kirmes fair and the annual Japan Festival. Thanks to the well-developed public transportation system, these places can be reached quickly and easily.
Nature lovers are particularly well catered for in the Eifel region, which offers a wide range of leisure activities for hikers and cyclists with its maars (volcanic hollows) and numerous castles and palaces.
Rhenish customs: Tradition and joie de vivre
The Rhineland is famous for its traditional festivals and customs. These include marksmanship, river fishing on the Rhine and Sieg, the Bochum May Evening Festival, the Easter bicycle race in Lügde and the carnival known throughout Germany.
Carnival begins every year on November 11 ("11th day of the 11th month") and reaches its climax with the Rose Monday parade, during which elaborately decorated floats parade through the towns and "Kamelle" – sweets – are thrown into the celebrating crowds. The cities of Cologne, Düsseldorf, Bonn and Aachen in particular are transformed into true carnival strongholds during this time. The colorfully costumed revelers, known here as "Jecken", enjoy the fifth season with street parades, stage shows and glamorous balls.
The people of the Rhineland
The Rhinelanders are considered to be cheerful, tolerant, warm and sociable. Everyone likes to laugh, make new friends quickly, and solve problems pragmatically – in keeping with the motto of the “Rhineland solution,” where everyone gets a little bit of what they want.
Living in the Rhineland
As in many large German cities, living space in the metropolitan areas of Cologne and Düsseldorf is rather scarce, so it is advisable to start looking for accommodation early and, if necessary, to consider the surrounding area. The housing market in the surrounding area offers a wide choice for lovers of historic old buildings as well as those who prefer modern new builds. In more rural areas, the search for accommodation is much more relaxed.
The situation with childcare facilities is similar to that of the housing market. In the conurbations you have to look for a childcare place (KiTa = daycare center) at an early stage, while in the countryside there is already an oversupply of childcare places due to falling birth rates.
Special tip for apprenticeship seekers
Foreign school qualifications from Algeria, India, Iran, Morocco, Tunisia, Turkey, and Ukraine are subject to the general ruling in North Rhine-Westphalia. This makes it possible to obtain the intermediate school leaving certificate (Fachoberschulreife) without further recognition procedures. This makes access to apprenticeships much easier. The ZAV advisors will be happy to provide further information.