Living in the Ruhr region

Living in the Ruhr region means enjoying diversity and variety. As the third-largest metropolitan region in Europe after Paris and London the region has something to suit every taste - and in every field: art and culture, leisure and sport, urban environments and nature.

The Ruhr region as cultural metropolis

The art and culture, in particular, reflects the variety and diversity of the region. Not for nothing was the Metropole Ruhr the European Capital of Culture in 2010. Major cultural events such as the Ruhr Triennale or the KlavierFestivalRuhr are renowned beyond the borders of the region. The industrial culture of the mining and steel era exercises a particular fascination on both visitors and inhabitants. The Zeche Zollverein colliery in Essen is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site as the "finest colliery in the world".

Events, shopping and excursions in the countryside

One thing is certain: it is never boring in the Metropole Ruhr. The range of events, shopping options or excursions into the countryside is unlimited in the Ruhr region. Major events such as the "ExtraSchicht", which places the spotlight on the industrial monuments of the region, or the Cranger Kirmes, one of the largest fairs in Germany, are as popular with the people in the Ruhr region as wonderful walks through green parks and woods or long cycle tours along the well-developed network of cycling and hiking trails that lead alongside the Ruhr.

Below you will find key information, addresses and tips relating to life in the Ruhr region:

The Metropole Ruhr offers a wide range of cultural, leisure and sporting activities. On the pages of the metropoleruhr information portal you can find a wealth of information, addresses, tips and dates regarding this.

Experience nature
The Ruhr region is a green one! Information on excursion destinations, cycling and hiking trails, landscape parks, forests, lakes and rivers

Art and culture
Addresses, tips and dates for festivals, museums, theatre, music, industrial culture, exhibitions etc.

Leisure in the Ruhr region
Addresses, tips and information on leisure highlights: Industrial Heritage Trail, Emscher Landschaftspark, Industrial Nature Trail etc.

RUHR.TOPCARD
The best opportunity to get to know the Ruhr region

Sporting highlights in the Ruhr region
Information, addresses and dates for sporting events, football stadiums, water sports, trend sport facilities, mining heap slopes etc.

 Integration courses are offered in many towns and cities in the Ruhr region. Here you can learn German or improve existing German skills. In addition, you can also find out a great deal about Germany, the Ruhr region, traditions and everyday life. You also have the opportunity to make contacts and get to know other people.

  • Integration courses and centres according to towns and cities:

Bochum

Bottrop

Dortmund

Duisburg

Ennepe-Ruhr-Kreis

Essen

Gelsenkirchen

Hagen

Herne

Mülheim an der Ruhr

Oberhausen

Recklinghausen

Kreis Unna

Kreis Wesel

  • You can search for integration courses in your town or city on the online portal of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.

Search for integration courses
Search mask of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees for local integration courses

  • Special Service for italien citizens:

Consolato d'Italia Dortmund

  • Special Service for finnish citizens:

Finnisch-German Trade Guild

  • Special Service for albanian citizens:

 Konsullata e Nderit e Republikës

  • Special Service for turkish citizens:

Türkiye ve Uyum Arastirmalari Merkezi Vakfi

TÜRKİYE CUMHURİYETİ DIŞİŞLERİ BAKANLIĞI

  • Special Service for chinese citizens: 

Verein chinesicher Wissenschaftler und Studierende in Essen e.V

  • Special Service for filipinian citizen:

GatewayVivaSolutions

The Ruhr region has a well-developed network of public transport. Bus and rail, hired bikes or car sharing - moving from city to city is fast and uncomplicated in the Metropole Ruhr. Below you will find information on various forms of transport, the transport association and barrier-free mobility in the Ruhr region.

On the move in the Ruhr region
Travel quickly from city to city by car, bicycle and public Transport

Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr (transport association)
Information regarding tickets, prices and timetables for public Transport

Fahrtwind
for the eastern part of the Ruhr region

Below you will find links to important information regarding life in Germany - from health insurance to opening a bank account.

Healthcare
Information on health insurance, visiting a doctor, hospitals, medicine, vaccinations and what to do in an emergency

Insurance
Overview and information on the key areas of insurance: third-party liability, accident, pension, car, household contents, social security

Moving in
All key information regarding water, post box, internet, telephone and television

Money and banks
Here you can find out how to open a bank account, how to transfer money and receive information on online banking and bank cards

  • Further information can be found in the online guide issued by the German government, "Make it in Germany":

"Make it in Germany" Guide
Information on all issues regarding settlement in Germany

  • The websites of the Federal Employment Agency and the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees also contain useful information on life in Germany.

Consultation and Job Placement in Germany
Information portal of the Federal Employment Agency

I want to learn German
Offer of Association of Volkshochschulen

Mein Weg nach Deutschland - Practise German
Interactive offer of the Goethe Institut