8 Years in Germany, Trial Run in India – Why We Moved Back
Swapnil spent 8 years in Germany working in automotive industry near Munich. He did trial runs in India in 2023 and 2024, and moved to Bangalore in 2025 before his daughter started first grade. Learn about non-IT career opportunities and the importance of trial runs.
In this story
Swapnil spent 8 years in Germany working in the automotive industry near Munich. He did trial runs in India in 2023 and 2024, and moved to Bangalore in 2025 before his daughter started first grade. Learn about non-IT career opportunities and the importance of trial runs.
Key Highlights from Swapnil's Journey
- Worked in India first, traveled to Germany/France for projects 3-6 months/year
- Relocated to Germany (Augsburg, near Munich) after 3 years of travel
- Got married just before moving to Germany
- Did intensive German language course (120-180 days, 1 hour daily) - recommends B1 minimum
- Trial run 2023: 3 months in India (parental leave + work assignment)
- Trial run 2024: Another 3 months to reconfirm decision
- Timeline: Daughter had to start first grade in India (June 2025)
- Job search took 1+ year - found opportunity through networking in March 2025
The Trial Run Approach: "We stayed for 3 months in 2023, we stayed for 3 months in 2024. After the first 3 months in 2023, we already decided - it makes sense to move here. We gave it a lot of time, did the assessment, put everything on a pros and cons list."
📚 Background: From India to Germany
Swapnil was working in India with projects mainly in Germany and France. He traveled 3-6 months per year for long projects. After 3 years of this arrangement, both he and his company agreed it would be more efficient to relocate.
Why Germany Over France?
- Already familiar with the country and people
- Had colleagues and friends at workplace
- Project footprint was better suited for Germany
- Personal preference based on prior experience
He got married just 1-2 months before moving to Germany. From a professional standpoint, he knew what to expect, but personal life was a totally new experience.
🇩🇪 Life in Germany
The Structured Life
Swapnil lived in Augsburg, a small town close to Munich. For the first few years, life was about exploring and traveling. But eventually:
What He Missed
- Flexibility: "I like the freedom of having little things out of your predefined standard structured life"
- Chaos: "A little bit chaotic - this was more appealing after a few years"
- Dynamic social life: "Over there we were in our own circle - it could be more dynamic"
- Family connections: "To be close to my aging parents, to support them"
German Language Importance
Language is Critical in Small Towns
"It depends where you're living in Germany. In small towns like Augsburg, German is very important for private life - doctor visits, kindergarten appointments, kids' doctor. When you have language skills, you're more welcomed and it's easier to integrate."
Language Reality
- Work: Can manage with English in MNCs with multicultural colleagues
- Private life: German essential - doctor visits, kindergarten, kids' appointments
- Integration: With language skills, you're more welcomed
- Recommendation: Minimum B1 level for stays over 6 months to 1 year
- Exception: Big cities like Berlin - can manage with English
Swapnil did intensive German courses (120-180 days, 1 hour daily) after realizing its importance 1-2 years into his stay.
🤔 The Decision to Return
In 2023, Swapnil came to India for 3 months - a combination of parental leave and work assignment. This became his trial run.
The Trial Run Approach
2023: First Trial (3 Months)
Parental leave + work assignment. Arrived during festival season. "We were missing this a lot." After this, they decided it makes sense to move.
January 2024: Reassessment
Went back to Germany. Asked themselves: "Is this really a point or just a feeling because we're freshly back from India?" Month by month, the drive to move back got stronger.
2024: Second Trial (3 Months)
Came again to reconfirm. Spent time on private side, met people in person for job opportunities.
December 2024: Final Decision
Took couple of weeks to reassess. Clear timeline set: move before daughter starts first grade in June 2025.
What Changed His Perspective
- India had changed: "Life looks totally different from what it was 8 years ago - mega dynamic"
- Social life: Priority for him and his wife - "over there we were in our own circle, it could be more dynamic"
- Family: Wanted to be closer to aging parents, support them
- Flexibility: Wanted "little chaos" and freedom from structured, mechanical life
The Timeline Driver
Daughter's Schooling
"The timeline was linked to my daughter's schooling. She had finished kindergarten this year. It would be better that she starts first grade directly in India - not to bring any difficulties or inconvenience for her later in the curriculum."
Germany school year: August-September. India school year: June-July.
💼 Finding a Job from Germany
The job search took more than one year. Swapnil wanted to return to Bangalore (his hometown) but automotive jobs there are limited compared to Pune or Chennai.
Automotive Industry Landscape in India
🏭 Manufacturing Hubs
Pune & Chennai: Predominantly manufacturing. Higher opportunities in automotive sector.
🔬 R&D/Tech Centers
Bangalore: Possible but ratio is lower. Roles in R&D, purchasing, design centers, GCCs.
Challenges Finding Jobs from Abroad
- Trust issue: Recruiters don't fully believe you'll actually make the move
- Face-to-face matters: Being there in person makes a lot of difference
- High competition: Intensity of applying online is too high when abroad
- Limited opportunities: Automotive jobs in Bangalore are fewer than Pune/Chennai
What Worked for Swapnil
Network Aggressively
Reached out to old colleagues, engineering friends, LinkedIn connections. "Don't be shy to reach out to people on professional platforms."
Increase Intensity
In 2025, with clear timeline, he had a structured plan for applications. The difference from 2024 to 2025 was the intensity.
Have a Backup Plan
If Bangalore didn't work by end of 2025, he would take internal transfer to Pune.
Opportunity Through Network
"Somewhere some opportunity came - they said 'hey I might have something' and that's how it worked." Applied in March, moved in July 2025.
💰 German Pension and Financial Planning
Pension Rules
Important Distinction
| Duration in Germany | Pension Rule |
|---|---|
| Less than 5 years | Can get contributions back after moving |
| More than 5 years | Cannot get back now - receive at retirement age (58-60+) |
Advice: Keep all contracts and agreement documents safe - you don't know what will happen in 30+ years.
German Bureaucracy Checklist
⚠️ Critical Steps Before Leaving Germany
- Bank Account: Inform your bank you want to keep the account. If you don't inform and your address gets deregistered, account may get locked - requiring a physical trip to Germany.
- Deregistration: Follow the checklist carefully. Germany has a lot of administrative bureaucracy.
- Clear All Dues: Don't leave any outstanding payments. May result in penalties on your record.
- Documents: Keep all contracts, agreements, pension documents safe.
🇮🇳 Life in India Now
Family Adjustment
Daughter's Transition
"Initially she had a couple of weeks of inconvenience. She was missing her friends, mainly kindergarten. But this changes very fast - kids get adapted much faster than us."
The Traffic Reality
Is Bangalore Traffic Really That Bad?
"In Bangalore, I think it's quite overhyped. Yes, there is a problem on the traffic side. But I'm able to beat it with some music, podcasts. Maybe a lot of other people are not able to beat this and they are getting frustrated."
His Tip: "Look for schools and living place close to your workplace - this will solve half of the problem. On weekends, you're not in a rush to be somewhere on time."
Work-Life Balance
The Reality
"This was one of my concerns before moving. But if you are careful in choosing your organization and able to make some research before you join them, this can help a lot."
Key Insight: "You cannot expect 100% of work-life balance what you have in Germany. It's totally different - really really nice there. But it depends on the company you choose."
Concerns Before Moving
Concern #1: Finding a Place
Very important to find the right housing before moving.
Concern #2: Work-Life Balance
Gray area that wasn't clear. Depends on company choice.
Concern #3: Daughter's Adaptation
"A little bit of overthinking - they adapt very fast."
💡 Advice for NRIs in Germany
Before Making the Decision
Key Recommendations
- Do trial runs: Spend 2-3 months in India before deciding
- Make proper assessment: Pros and cons list with family
- Network aggressively: Reach out to old colleagues, friends, LinkedIn
- Have right expectations: India is different - adapt to it
- Deregister properly: Follow Germany's bureaucratic checklist carefully
- Inform your bank: Before deregistering, or account may get locked
- Don't leave dues: Clear everything to avoid penalties on your record
Once Decision is Made
Don't Look Back
"Once your decision is made, don't think back. It's very nice - come to India, it's very vibrant. From professional point of view, you have better opportunities for the next few years definitely."
Swapnil's Offer to Help
🤝 Community Support
"If anybody wants to move to Bangalore, I am open to help them. I'm a local guy - if they are looking for some support in any topics, administrative, bureaucracy, feel free to reach out. It would be really nice to help each other."
Planning Your Return from Germany?
Swapnil's story shows the value of trial runs and proper planning. Whether you're in automotive or any other industry, connecting with others who've made the move helps.
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