More than half of German specialists with high incomes are considering moving abroad in search of better living conditions and a lower tax burden. This is evidenced by data from a recent study published on July 19, 2026.
Scale of the Phenomenon
According to a survey conducted by the platform Indeed, the trend towards emigration is most pronounced among the highest-earning workers. More than 50% of respondents with a total household net income of 6,000 euros or more per month stated that they had applied for jobs abroad or actively researched the international labor market in the past 12 months.
Two-thirds of such specialists reported that they are considering working abroad in principle, and about 30% have already purposefully searched for vacancies or sent their resumes. Among those showing interest in foreign offers, 77% plan to leave for several years or forever.
Taxes and Quality of Life as Main Motives
The study also revealed the key motives behind the relocation plans. Most often, workers cite the prospect of higher income and better quality of life (51% in each category). About 42% of respondents expect a more comfortable climate or a lower tax burden abroad. Notably, career prospects and opportunities for advancement are a decisive factor much less often – for only 24% of respondents.
One of the main reasons for dissatisfaction is the fiscal system. In Germany, for every 100 euros of labor costs incurred by an employer for an average single employee, only about 50.70 euros net remain. The rest goes towards income tax and mandatory social security contributions, which are split between the employee and employer.
This disproportion is directly reflected in the survey results: 70% of respondents believe that the tax burden in Germany is disproportionately high compared to income levels, and personal work efforts are insufficiently rewarded.
Where German Specialists Want to Go
Regarding emigration geography, the USA continues to top the list of popular destinations, accounting for 14.4% of all search queries. However, compared to last year, interest in this country has significantly decreased: the number of queries has dropped by 34%.
The United Kingdom and Switzerland took second and third place with 13.6% each. At the same time, the attractiveness of the United Kingdom has significantly increased: the number of queries has grown by 38%. A significant increase in interest was also recorded for the United Arab Emirates and India (a gain of 24% in each country), while Australia showed a 10% increase compared to last year.
Consequences for the Economy
Experts note that the mass desire of highly qualified and high-earning professionals to emigrate could create serious challenges for the German economy. The country, already facing demographic problems and a shortage of skilled labor, risks losing the most productive part of its tax and professional potential if it does not implement structural reforms of the labor market and tax system.
