Loading…
articles.cat.cultureIndian Communities in Germany: Diaspora Groups by City
· 2026-06-26
Discover the Indian community in Germany city by city — associations, temples, Diwali & Holi festivals, and Indian grocery stores in Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt & Stuttgart.
Finding Your Tribe: The Indian Community in Germany
Moving to a new country is equal parts exciting and overwhelming, but for Indians relocating to Germany, a well-established and warmly welcoming diaspora makes the transition far smoother. The Indian community in Germany numbers well over 200,000 people — including students, IT professionals, engineers, doctors, and entrepreneurs — spread across major cities like Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, and Stuttgart. Whether you are arriving on a job seeker visa, starting an Ausbildung, or joining a partner, this city-by-city directory will help you find your closest temple, your nearest bag of basmati rice, and the community group that will make Germany feel like home.
The Indian Community in Germany: A Quick Overview
India consistently ranks among the top three non-EU source countries for skilled worker visas in Germany. The community is remarkably diverse — Tamil engineers in Stuttgart, Punjabi business owners in Frankfurt, Bengali academics in Berlin, and Malayali nurses across Bavaria. A few headline numbers to frame the picture:
- ~210,000 Indians hold registered residence (Anmeldung) in Germany as of 2023 (Destatis)
- The largest concentrations are in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, and Berlin
- Indian students represent one of the fastest-growing international student groups at German universities
- The Indian diaspora contributes significantly to Germany's IT and automotive sectors
The Embassy of India in Berlin (Tiergartenstraße 17, 10785 Berlin) and three Consulates General — in Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Munich — serve as the formal pillars of community support, handling OCI cards, passport renewals, and attestations.
Berlin: Vibrant, Diverse, and Growing
Berlin's Indian community is younger, more cosmopolitan, and more artistically inclined than in other German cities. It clusters around Prenzlauer Berg, Mitte, and Neukölln.
Associations and Cultural Organizations
- Indian Association Berlin e.V. (IAB) — one of the oldest registered Indian associations in the capital, organising cultural evenings, Independence Day celebrations, and newcomer networking events
- Telugu Association Berlin — active WhatsApp and Facebook groups alongside in-person meetups for the Telugu-speaking community
- Tamil Sangam Berlin — cultural events centred around Pongal and Tamil New Year
Temples and Spiritual Centers
- Sri Ganesha Tempel, Berlin-Hamm — the most prominent Hindu temple in Berlin, located in the Hamm district; celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi with large public processions
- ISKCON Berlin (Bhaktivedanta Manor equivalent) on Berliner Straße hosts regular Sunday feasts (Prasadam)
Diwali and Holi in Berlin
Berlin's Diwali night is typically held at the Indian Embassy compound or at rented event halls in Mitte, drawing 500–1,000 guests. The Holi Festival of Colours Berlin (Tempelhofer Feld) has grown into a commercial mega-event attracting 20,000+ visitors, though the smaller community-organized Holi hosted by IAB keeps the cultural authenticity intact.
Indian Grocery Stores in Berlin
- Himalaya Indian & Bangladeshi Grocery, Sonnenallee, Neukölln — extensive spice selection, frozen parathas, and fresh curry leaves
- India Bazar, Müllerstraße, Wedding — affordable dal, atta, and Maggi noodles
- Indischer Supermarkt am Alexanderplatz — convenient for central Berlin residents
Munich: The Professional Hub of the South
Munich hosts one of Germany's most established and affluent Indian communities, driven by the automotive, semiconductor, and IT industries. Companies like BMW, Siemens, MAN, and Infineon employ thousands of Indian professionals.
Associations and Cultural Organizations
- Indian Community Munich e.V. (ICM) — organises Navratri, Republic Day, and Gandhi Jayanti events; runs a well-attended annual cultural gala
- Gujarati Samaj München — active in religious and social welfare activities
- Maharashtra Mandal München — celebrates Ganesh Utsav every year with multiple-day programs
Temples and Spiritual Centers
- Shri Swaminarayan Mandir München (Bajuwarenring area) — one of the most beautifully maintained Hindu temples in Germany
- Sai Baba Center Munich — weekly bhajans and Prasadam distribution
- ISKCON Munich, Bichlweg — morning aarti, Bhagavad Gita classes, and Sunday feast
Diwali and Holi in Munich
Munich's Diwali Mela is typically organised by ICM at the Gasteig cultural center or rented community halls in Schwabing, featuring classical dance performances, rangoli competitions, and Indian food stalls. Tickets usually run €15–€25. Holi celebrations happen in the English Garden, and the city's universities (TU München, LMU) host student-organized Holi parties every spring.
Indian Grocery Stores in Munich
- Mumbai Spice Store, Giesing — wide variety of South Indian groceries including tamarind, coconut oil, and ready-to-cook mixes
- Taste of India, Maxvorstadt — popular with students for affordable ready meals and spices
- Patel Brothers Munich (informal name; located near Hauptbahnhof) — carries hard-to-find items like methi leaves and drumstick (murungakkai)
Frankfurt: The Financial and Business Capital
Frankfurt's Indian community is shaped by finance, consulting, and pharmaceuticals. The city is home to Deutsche Bank, ECB, and major consulting firms that employ a significant number of Indian expats. The Sachsenhausen and Sachsenhausen-Nord neighborhoods have notable Indian residential concentrations.
Associations and Cultural Organizations
- Indian Association Frankfurt e.V. (IAF) — the largest Indian organization in Hesse, with a membership of over 1,500 families; organises annual cultural programs and sports days
- Tamil Cultural Association Frankfurt — Tamil classes for children, Pongal celebration
- Kannada Koota Frankfurt — Rajyotsava celebrations in November
Consulate General of India, Frankfurt
Located at Kennedyallee 26-28, 60596 Frankfurt, the Consulate handles visa services, OCI applications, and emergency travel documents for Indians residing in Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarland. Appointment booking via the VFS Global portal is mandatory.
Diwali and Holi in Frankfurt
Frankfurt's Diwali is celebrated grandly by IAF, often at the Messe Frankfurt premises or large banquet halls. Expect elaborate stage performances, fashion shows, and a competitive biryani cook-off. Holi events are popular on the Römerberg square and at Goethe-Universität campus.
Indian Grocery Stores in Frankfurt
- India Gate Supermarket, Kaiserstraße — arguably the best-stocked Indian grocery in Frankfurt with over 2,000 SKUs
- Spice Market Frankfurt, Sachsenhausen — fresh vegetables including bitter gourd, raw banana, and green chillies
- Halal & Indian Grocery Store, Gallus — budget-friendly with bulk rice and lentil options
Stuttgart: India's Automotive Engineering Hub
No German city has a deeper structural connection to India's engineering talent than Stuttgart. Bosch, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and hundreds of Tier-1 automotive suppliers employ thousands of Indian engineers, making Stuttgart home to one of Germany's most technically skilled Indian communities. The Möhringen, Sindelfingen, and Böblingen corridors are densely populated with Indian families.
Associations and Cultural Organizations
- Indian Cultural Association Stuttgart (ICAS) — flagship body for cultural activities, running Bharatanatyam classes, Hindi school for children, and annual cultural evenings
- Telugu Association Stuttgart — one of the most active regional language associations in Germany, with regular potlucks and annual Ugadi celebrations
- Tamilar Sangam Stuttgart — monthly meetings and support network for newly arrived Tamil professionals
Temples and Spiritual Centers
- Sri Venkateshwara Swami Tempel, Sindelfingen — a traditional South Indian temple with full-time priests, attracting devotees from across Baden-Württemberg and beyond
- Shiv Mandir Stuttgart — regular pujas and religious discourse sessions
Diwali and Holi in Stuttgart
Stuttgart's Diwali draws 1,500–2,000 attendees and is typically held in the Liederhalle concert complex or the Porsche Arena exhibition halls. The Holi festival is celebrated at Stuttgart's Cannstatter Wasen fairground, with colour powder stations and live Bollywood DJ sets.
Indian Grocery Stores in Stuttgart
- Namaste India Store, Möhringen — top choice for South Indian essentials; fresh curry leaves delivered weekly
- Bombay Bazar Stuttgart, Feuerbach — strong North Indian grocery range including besan, poha, and mukhwas
- Annapurna Indian Foods, Sindelfingen — close to the temple; sells puja items alongside groceries
Common Mistakes Indians Make When Joining the Community
Even within a supportive diaspora, there are a few avoidable pitfalls:
- Relying only on WhatsApp groups for official advice — Community groups are warm but not legally qualified. For visa extensions, Niederlassungserlaubnis applications, or tax queries, always consult certified advisors or the relevant Ausländerbehörde.
- Skipping Anmeldung — Some newly arrived Indians delay registering their address (Anmeldung at the Bürgeramt), thinking community contacts can help with workarounds. You cannot. Anmeldung is legally mandatory within 14 days of moving in.
- Not opening a Sperrkonto before arrival — Students and applicants on the Job Seeker Visa sometimes arrive without completing their Sperrkonto (blocked account), causing delays at the Ausländerbehörde.
- Assuming Indian groceries are everywhere — Smaller cities and rural areas have limited or no Indian grocery access; stock up during trips to major cities or use online retailers like MyIndianStore.de or Quicklly.
- Missing OCI and passport renewal deadlines — Consulate appointment slots fill up months in advance. Set calendar reminders well before your passport expiry or OCI update deadline.
- Overlooking German cultural integration — Community life is vital, but forming genuine German friendships, joining local Vereine (clubs), and learning German will dramatically improve your long-term quality of life.
Conclusion: Your Community Is Already Here
The Indian community in Germany is not just large — it is organised, supportive, and remarkably diverse. From the Sri Venkateshwara temple in Sindelfingen to the Holi festival at Tempelhofer Feld, from India Gate Supermarket on Kaiserstraße to the ICM Navratri night in Munich, the infrastructure of Indian diasporic life is firmly in place across Germany's major cities. Whether you are a fresh graduate starting an Ausbildung or an experienced professional joining a DAX company, your first weekend in Germany can include a home-cooked meal from proper masala, a prayer at a local mandir, and a WhatsApp group that answers your Anmeldung questions at 11 pm.
Ready to make the move? GoGermany can help you navigate everything from visa paperwork to city selection — so that when you land, your community is already waiting for you.