Germany is experiencing a notable shift in transatlantic migration patterns, with significantly fewer citizens relocating to the United States this year while the reverse trend is on the rise. Provisional data released by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) reveals a 17.8 percent decrease in German emigration to the U.S. between January and September 2025, compared to the same period in 2024. Approximately 17,100 German citizens registered with authorities for emigration to the U.S. through September 2025, sharply down from 20,800 during the same period last year. This marks the lowest level of emigration since the travel-restricted year of 2021.
Simultaneously, immigration from the United States to Germany has edged upwards. Between January and September 2025, 19,300 Americans moved to Germany, a 3.4 percent increase over the 18,700 recorded during the corresponding timeframe in 2024. This represents a symbolic inversion – for the first time since 2021, more individuals have migrated “from” the U.S. “to” Germany than vice versa within the first nine months of the year. The reasons underpinning this complex realignment are yet to be fully elucidated, but analysts speculate a combination of factors, including economic considerations and shifting political landscapes, could be at play.
Beyond permanent migration, a discernible downturn is also impacting tourism flows. The number of American visitors to Germany decreased by 3.2 percent between January and August 2025, reaching 1.96 million compared to 2.02 million in the previous year. This decline is particularly pronounced during the crucial summer months – July saw a 10.2 percent drop in American tourists, while June registered a 9.1 percent decrease. While overall visitor numbers into Germany demonstrated a slight increase compared to 2024, this contrast highlights the specific cooling of interest amongst American travelers.
Data from German airports further underscores these trends. The number of passengers flying to the U.S. decreased by 1.3 percent, representing approximately 67,200 fewer travelers, signaling a potential weakening of transatlantic travel interest. Remarkably, the volume of passengers heading to other destinations outside of Europe simultaneously rose by 4.3 percent. Despite this, with roughly 5 million passengers, the U.S. remains the leading non-European destination from German airports – although the waning figures suggest a period of reassessment in cross-Atlantic connections. The long-term implications of these trends for both German and American economies and diplomatic relations remain to be seen, but point to a potential shift in the dynamics of transatlantic connections.
