The region along the Ems River is located in the far west of Lower Saxony, on the border with the Netherlands. In addition to the Lower Saxony district of Emsland and the county of Bentheim, the Westphalian district of Steinfurt also belongs to the cultural and historical Emsland region.

The Emsland region is crisscrossed by the Ems and Hase rivers, but the region can be explored in more ways than just on the water. With 2,660 km of bike paths, the Ems region is a popular destination for cyclists. The moors, such as the “Bourtanger Moor”, have a particularly strong influence on the landscape. Until the 20th century, the Emsland region was considered Germany's poorhouse, as it had nothing to offer except peat extraction from the moors. In the 1950s, the Emsland Plan called for the drainage and peat extraction of the moor in order to create agricultural land for the population and new infrastructure for businesses. However, some moorland areas remained intact. It is now known that moors are ideal CO2 reservoirs and essential for climate protection. Therefore, the preservation and renaturation of the moors are now a priority. On a hike or bike ride through the moorlands, you can discover numerous animal and plant species, such as the blue moor frog.

The County of Bentheim: There's nothing here!

Away from nature, most people live in Bentheim county, in Lingen, Meppen, and Papenburg. The County of Bentheim is the only district allowed to bear the title of a county — otherwise, there is nothing else to be found there. At least, that's what the county itself advertises: nothing. Nothing to moan about. Nothing to complain about. Nothing to stress about. But Bentheim is not only a place to relax and unwind, it is also a place to pursue a career. Whether you are seeking a fresh start, a retreat, or a place to settle down, the County of Bentheim offers freedom for career plans, long-term professional prospects, and a particularly family-friendly environment. Newcomers and long-time residents are connected with each other, and free advice on work, education, housing, family, and leisure activities in the region is available. With events such as networking meetings for newly arrived skilled workers and the establishment of a campus for vocational training, the County of Bentheim is demonstrating its cosmopolitan outlook and attractiveness to foreign skilled workers. And if things ever get too quiet in Bentheim, you can take the ICE train directly to Berlin or Amsterdam and get a taste of big-city life there.

From here to Meppen!

Meppen is the district capital of the Emsland county and the third-largest city in the region with approximately 37,000 inhabitants. Meppen is known for its location at the confluence of rivers Ems, Hase, and the Dortmund-Ems Canal, its historical role as a fortified town with visible ramparts and historic buildings such as the town hall, its third-division soccer club SV Meppen, the Emsland open-air theater, the scenic beauty for cyclists and hikers, and as the center of the Emsland region with good infrastructure. The well-known German expression "...bis nach Meppen" (as far as Meppen) probably also originates from soccer. This expression is used to describe a ridiculously long distance. The origin is said to lie with former national and Bundesliga goalkeeper Toni Schumacher. When asked by a journalist whether he would also stand between the posts in the second division for FC Schalke, which was threatened with relegation at the time (1988), Schumacher replied: "I'm not going to drive from here to Meppen."

The service sector dominates the labor market in Meppen. In addition to retail, administration, and healthcare, information technology and tourism are also becoming increasingly important here. A local logistics company operates throughout Germany and is one of the largest food tank logistics service providers in Germany. The manufacturing sector includes companies in the electrical and mechanical engineering, wood, petroleum, and chemical industries, as well as plastics processing and skilled trades. Compared to the Emsland region as a whole, however, the focus is clearly on the service sector.

From a traditional fen colony to a modern medium-sized town

Other large cities in the Emsland region include Lingen (approx. 56,500 inhabitants) and Papenburg (approx. 37,300 inhabitants). Papenburg is the northernmost city in the Emsland region and the southernmost seaport city in Germany, also known as the Venice of the North due to its many canals. The coastal canal runs through the south of the town. The Dortmund-Ems Canal and the Ems Riverrun through the western part of the town. Once or twice a year, the Ems is dammed up with the help of the flood barrier in Gandersum so that the Meyer Werft shipyard can transfer ocean-going vessels to the North Sea. The town is characterized by its history as the oldest and longest fen colony (moor colony with canals) and shipbuilding. Unlike Meppen, Papenburg is primarily characterized by industry. The most important economic sectors are shipbuilding and automotive supply. Despite its many industrial areas, Papenburg has an idyllic old town, plenty of nature, a well-known city park, and diverse cultural offers.

The town of Lingen celebrated its 1050th anniversary in 2025. Due to its long history, Lingen is home to many historical monuments, such as the old market square and the historic town hall. In addition to historical sights and the Emsland Museum, you can attend major events at the Emsland Arena or listen to open-air music once a year at the Lautfeuer Festival.

From Lingen, the oil reserves in Emsland, which are the largest in Germany, and the natural gas reserves in the North German Plain were developed. Relevant companies are based in Lingen and offer a wide range of job opportunities.

Emsland: a little closer to nature

The Emsland region is diverse and offers a great mix of unique nature, attractive job opportunities, good infrastructure, and cultural experiences. Whether you are a local or a newcomer, you can enjoy a region that is a vacation destination for many. You can explore the Emsland region on foot, by boat, by bike, or even on horseback. You can round off the evening in the old towns and harbors of the district towns or enjoy cultural entertainment in the theaters in Lingen, Meppen, and Papenburg. You just have to be a little careful with the language! In Emsland, the German dialect Low German is still spoken in some areas.

How they talk in the Emsland region:

Here are a few local sayings for life in the Emsland region:

“Pfui Deibel!” – "Disgusting!"
"Horrido" – An exclamation used primarily among hunters. However, it not only signals the start of the hunt, but often also the next round of high-proof drinks.

"Möwe?" – This is short for the question: "Möwie noch een?" ("Shall we have another drink?")