Emigrating to China Visa, safety, costs, and climate in China: a reality check
Emigrating to China: The most important answers first
✓ Visa-free entry: Stays of up to 30 days are currently possible without a visa under certain conditions; longer stays require a visa.
✓ Economy of global significance: Opportunities primarily in major cities, industry, technology, and international business models.
✓ Security situation generally stable: General crime rates are relatively low, but digital and legal nuances must be considered.
✓ Healthcare system heavily urban-focused: Good clinics in major cities; private insurance is usually advisable.
✓ Climate varies greatly by region: The north, south, and coastal regions offer very different conditions.
✓ Language skills: Mandarin is essential for daily life; English is helpful, especially in specific situations.
✓ Special features: The Great Wall, cultural depth, and modern mobility make China unique.
✓ Moving with pets: Thorough preparation, a microchip, and complete documentation are mandatory.
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Facts about China
Capital City
Bejing
Population
1.41 billion
Surface Area
5,963,299.33 mi² or 9,597,000 km²
Continent
Asia
Official Language
Mandarin
Currency
Renminbi Yuan (CNY)
What are the customs, visa, and entry requirements for China?
Germans can currently stay for up to 30 days without a visa under certain conditions. For work, study, and family reunification, a valid visa is generally required. Additionally, if staying in private accommodation, it is important to register within 24 hours, as this remains relevant for many subsequent formalities. Hotels usually handle the registration themselves.
Documents required for entry:
- Passport: Yes
- Temporary passport: Yes, but only with a visa
- ID card: No
- Temporary ID card: No
- Child passport: Yes
Tip for expats: In China, visa and registration must be sorted out first. Those who prepare entry, accommodation registration, work permits, and household goods simultaneously will save time and avoid operational delays later on.
What are the economic conditions and standard of living like in China for expats?
Economically, China remains one of the largest and most influential markets in the world. There are particularly good opportunities for expats in cosmopolitan cities and business hubs. At the same time, purchasing power, housing costs, environmental impact, and living conditions vary significantly from city to city.
Key facts at a glance:
- Growing market, average GDP growth of 2–3% per year (1980–2024).
- Income distribution: Gini coefficient = 36.0 (0 = perfect equality; 100 = maximum inequality).
- Very large domestic market with high economic significance.
- Good opportunities, especially in urban centers and internationally oriented industries.
- Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou are significantly more expensive than many other cities.
- Quality of life depends heavily on neighborhood, commute, and air quality.
- Purchasing power and daily living costs vary greatly by region.
- International career paths generally work better in large metropolitan areas.
Tip for expats: China is economically attractive, but not necessarily easy. Salary, housing costs, school commutes, private healthcare, and daily time commitments should be realistically calculated from the start.
Safety in China: What do expats need to know?
Overall, China is considered a country with a relatively low general crime rate. For expats, petty theft, attempted fraud, digital surveillance, legal peculiarities, and the fact that travel restrictions cannot be ruled out in individual cases are more relevant than traditional violent crime. In some regions, stricter controls are also in place.
What expats should know:
- The general crime rate is relatively low.
- Pickpocketing, smartphone theft, and scams do occur.
- Internet access is state-controlled; many well-known services are blocked.
- Using a VPN to bypass these blocks is prohibited.
- In Xinjiang and adjacent sensitive regions, stricter controls are in place.
- Travel bans in civil or criminal proceedings are possible.
Tip for expats: In China, safety is also a matter of understanding the law and the system. Those who thoughtfully consider digital habits, local rules, and sensitive issues can avoid unnecessary friction in daily life.
What is the healthcare system like in China?
Healthcare in China is heavily concentrated in hospitals. Major cities feature modern medical centers and international healthcare options, while care outside urban centers can be significantly more basic. For expats, therefore, location, language barriers, private health insurance, and air quality are key considerations that should definitely be taken into account.
At a glance:
- There is no nationwide system of private practitioners as in Germany.
- In major cities, care is often modern and well-equipped with technology.
- In rural areas, medical care can be significantly more limited.
- Language barriers often complicate diagnosis and treatment for foreigners.
- Air pollution is a health concern in metropolitan areas, especially in winter.
- Private health and repatriation insurance is highly recommended for longer stays.
Tip for expats: Always evaluate your place of residence in China from a medical perspective. Proximity to a good clinic, solid insurance coverage, and a clear emergency plan are often more important than a slightly cheaper apartment.
Are you planning to move to China?
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What is the climate like in China?
China does not have a uniform climate; instead, there are significant differences between the north and south, as well as between coastal regions, mountainous areas, and the interior. The climate in the north is more continental, while in the south it is more subtropical. In addition, there are rainy seasons, heavy rains, typhoons, and earthquake risks in parts of the country.
What the climate means for your daily life:
- In the north, the climate is more continental.
- In the south, it is more subtropical and humid.
- Heavy rainfall is typical in many regions between June and October.
- Southern and southeastern China are regularly affected by typhoons.
- In mountainous regions, there is a risk of landslides and weather-related restrictions.
- Earthquake risks also play a role in certain parts of the country.
Tip for expats: Never plan for China as a single country when it comes to climate. Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, and Shenzhen offer completely different conditions for living, commuting, and quality of life in everyday life.
What shapes language, culture, and daily life in China?
In everyday life, Putonghua (a variant of Standard Chinese or Mandarin) is the key linguistic tool. At the same time, China remains culturally and regionally diverse, meaning that in addition to language, local customs, hierarchies, etiquette, food culture, and holidays also play a major role in daily life. For many expats, therefore, cultural adaptability—not just language—is a key factor for success.
What really helps in everyday life:
- Putonghua is the official standard language nationwide.
- In many regions, local language variants continue to shape everyday life.
- Food culture is a central part of social and business routines.
- Holidays such as the Spring Festival hold great cultural significance.
- Hierarchy, indirect communication, and respectful speech remain important.
- In major cities, you can get by with English in some situations, but not everywhere in daily life.
Tip for expats: Don’t treat language as a secondary issue in China. Those who build a foundation in Putonghua and respect cultural nuances reduce their dependence on others and make much faster progress in daily life.
The Great Wall, a rich cultural heritage, and modern mobility – What sets China apart?
China stands out in particular for its blend of millennia-old culture and state-of-the-art everyday infrastructure. The Great Wall symbolizes the country’s historical depth, while modern metropolises, high-speed trains, culinary diversity, and striking regional contrasts make China a particularly compelling destination for emigration.
In detail:
- The Great Wall is one of the country’s most famous cultural sites worldwide.
- Historic centers and modern megacities lie side by side in China.
- The country combines culture, mobility, and the hustle and bustle of daily life in an extraordinary way.
- Cuisine is not an afterthought in daily life, but rather part of the cultural identity.
- Regional differences make the country particularly diverse.
Tip for expats: Don’t spend your first few weeks in China solely on dealing with government agencies, finding an apartment, and opening a bank account—use the time to explore specific regions by high-speed train. Those who actively experience one or two additional regions beyond their new place of residence will more quickly develop a realistic sense of the pace of life, the culture, and the right place to settle down.
What should you bear in mind when moving to China with animals?
Moving with pets to China is possible, but requires very thorough preparation. Only dogs and cats are permitted, with a limit of one animal per person per entry, and all documentation must be complete. Additionally, microchips, proof of rabies vaccination, and, depending on the case, quarantine are required.
What you should keep in mind:
- Check vaccination status well in advance; rabies vaccination is mandatory.
- Prepare complete veterinary documentation.
- An electronic microchip is required.
- Get the pet accustomed to the carrier before the flight
- Coordinate entry and flight requirements
- Minimize stress for the pet on moving day
- Actively support the pet’s adjustment to the new home
- Generally, only dogs and cats are permitted, and only one pet per person.
- As a rule, a 30-day quarantine period should be planned for.
Tip for expats: When moving pets to China, precision matters more than speed. Vaccination status, microchip, health records, and travel itinerary should be thoroughly checked before booking.
For whom is China a suitable destination for emigration?
China is particularly well-suited for people who are looking for a dynamic, urban, and international environment and who can handle clear rules, a fast-paced lifestyle, and cultural differences. The country is especially suitable for professionals, entrepreneurs, expatriates, those engaged in research-related work, and people with a strong ability to adapt.
Checklist before moving to China:
✓ Check entry requirements and residency regulations for China
✓ Secure health insurance and medical care in China
✓ Determine a suitable place to live in China and arrange initial accommodation
✓ Plan a relocation budget for China, including a buffer
✓ Prepare thoroughly for the move to China with household goods and documents
✓ Learn Mandarin to better navigate daily life
Conclusion: China impresses with its economic strength, modern infrastructure, and extraordinary cultural richness. The country is particularly appealing to people seeking structure, pace, and an environment that directly bridges tradition and the future.
FAQs for emigrating to China
Do I need a visa to move to China?
German citizens can currently stay in China for up to 30 days without a visa under certain conditions. However, anyone who wishes to emigrate to China, work or study there, or stay for a longer period must obtain the appropriate visa and residency status.
Do I need to register after entering China?
Yes. If you are not staying at a hotel, you are generally required to register your accommodation with the relevant authorities within 24 hours. This registration is important for many other steps in the residency process.
Is China a good country to emigrate to?
China can be a very attractive destination for emigration because it is a major economic power, has modern infrastructure, and is well-established internationally in many major cities. However, daily life and quality of life depend heavily on the city, income, language, and preparation.
How safe is China for expats?
Overall, China is considered a relatively safe country with low general crime rates. More relevant for expats are legal peculiarities, digital restrictions, state-controlled internet access, and regional differences in enforcement.
How good is the healthcare system in China?
Large cities have modern hospital complexes and, in some cases, international clinics. Outside urban centers, access to healthcare can be significantly more limited, which is why good private health insurance remains a wise choice for many expats.
Do I need to know Chinese if I want to move to China?
Yes, Mandarin is definitely an advantage in everyday life. English is helpful in international companies and in major cities, but when it comes to dealing with government agencies, finding a place to live, and everyday life in general, Chinese is much more useful.
Can I move to China with my dog or cat?
Yes, that is generally possible. Dogs and cats are permitted, usually one pet per person per entry. In addition, you’ll need to arrange for a microchip, proof of rabies vaccination, health records, and often quarantine as well.
Are you interested in moving to China or another destination country?
Then do not hesitate and contact us today.
Sabrina Klier
Customer Service & Sales - AIR & SEA
