Why Baden-Württemberg
Because it has never been easier to expand into Germany
The German state of Baden-Württemberg (‘THE LÄND’) is big on innovation, economically powerful and has the best of the best within arm’s reach. This makes it the right location for companies from all over the globe. The volume and intensity of research carried out in Germany’s Southwest is higher than anywhere else in Europe.
As a center of innovation and technology, THE LÄND is home to numerous leading research institutions that promote a rich culture of innovation across all industries. As the third-largest German state, the region has an economic power that far outstrips the EU average and outperforms that of many EU countries. World-renowned industrial giants alongside a strong SME base with countless global market leaders form a dense network of companies, suppliers, customers and collaborative partners. Additionally, Baden-Württemberg’s favorable location in the heart of Europe ensures premium access to the markets of the European Union (EU).
There is a large range of diverse educational and training opportunities in THE LÄND, with its excellent colleges and universities guaranteeing highly qualified graduates. Baden-Württemberg’s state government takes a business-friendly approach, offering various incentives and funding programs for foreign investors. In addition, there are comprehensive services relating to your investment projects available free of charge through ‘EXPÄND INTO THE LÄND’, making Baden-Württemberg an ideal destination for your plans to expand your business.
5 reasons to locate in Baden-Württemberg
Baden-Württemberg is Europe’s premier innovation region. 5.6 per cent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is spent on research and development. This figure is one of the highest in Germany and internationally, making THE LÄND a leading hub for research and innovation in all key industries. THE LÄND is also top of the list of German states when it comes to registered patents, with 130 per 100,000 inhabitants.
Excellent universities, colleges and renowned research institutions feed into a strong culture of innovation, especially in growth areas like artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, GreenTech, alternative drive units and hydrogen as well as in health. This economic region is keeping a close eye on the future, focusing particularly on sustainable development and the efficient use of resources.
Baden-Württemberg is an industrial powerhouse for Germany and for Europe. As one of the leading economic regions, THE LÄND has a higher GDP than EU countries such as Austria, Sweden or Belgium. But Baden-Württemberg’s GDP is more than an indicator of its economic prowess. It is also a sign of a stable and flourishing market. The products manufactured in this German state, especially automotive and engineering products, are sought after all over the world. THE LÄND is a champion at exports compared to the other German states, with an export rate of more than 40 per cent.
From Mercedes-Benz, Bosch, SAP and Porsche to Trumpf, Festo and Hugo Boss, all the big names in German business can be found in Baden-Württemberg. Alongside the global multinationals, it is the small and medium-sized businesses that are the backbone of business in Baden-Württemberg. Many of them are world leaders in their product segment. And that’s no wonder, because more than one-third of all German global market leaders are based in Baden-Württemberg. Your company will be in good company in THE LÄND, where close networks mean that you can benefit from proximity to potential suppliers, customers and attractive partners for collaboration.
In Baden-Württemberg, the close links between business and science are unique. In over 100 networks and cluster initiatives across the state, companies of all sizes are working together with research institutions and universities across 25 different areas of technology. Together they are advancing the gathering of knowledge, bringing innovations to business and developing new products, services and processes. Become part of this special ecosphere for collaboration and networking, and put the benefits of groundbreaking research from THE LÄND to use for your company’s future!
Excellent universities and colleges as well as an exceptional and diverse system of vocational training means that there is no shortage of well-trained staff and executives. Because Baden-Württemberg offers great prospects for studying and for working, it attracts some of the most talented people from around the world. They benefit from fantastic work opportunities, but also from political and social stability in a place that values personal freedom and a high quality of life.
THE LÄND
in figures
in figures
615.1 billion
GDP
54,339 euros/inhabitant (2023)
30.3 billion
euros
in spending on R&D (2021)
14,648
registered patents per year
ranking 1st in Germany (2023)
1/3
of all German
world market leaders are from here
A perfect environment
Business Environment
With its mix of tradition and innovation, Baden-Württemberg offers the ideal conditions for your expansion into Germany.
Research Environment
Success doesn’t happen by accident. Since 2014, the state government has invested roughly 20 billion in innovation, bundling things like research in major technologies of the future at five innovation campuses. No other German state has such diversity in terms of places of education and non-academic research institutions, some of which are at the very top of international rankings. So Baden-Württemberg is one of Germany’s top locations for science, and its excellent research environment is giving it the edge in an international comparison.
In Baden-Württemberg, innovation has tradition. Inventors from Baden-Württemberg have changed the world with their creations. This is mainly true of the automobile, which was invented in 1886, but also of everyday things like folders, matches, wall plugs, electric drills and wind turbines. From the world’s smallest prosthetic hand to the basics for the mRNA technology that laid the foundations for the development of a COVID19 vaccine, there are also lots of new technological feats that started out in THE LÄND.
Baden-Württemberg has over 70 universities and colleges. This is more than any other German state and offers more variety. Furthermore, 4 (Heidelberg, Karlsruhe, Konstanz and Tübingen) of Germany’s 11 universities of excellence are located in THE LÄND. That’s alongside 12 clusters of excellence for various disciplines that are spread across all of Baden-Württemberg. All of them receive additional state funding to ensure world-class research.
Apart from the universities, THE LÄND has in excess of 100 research institutions outside of the university system, including 13 Max Planck institutes, 17 Fraunhofer institutes for applied research and 7 Leibniz institutes. There’s also large-scale research centers like the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg (DKFZ). This is rounded out by the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, 2 Helmholtz centers, 3 locations of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and 12 institutes of the Baden-Württemberg Innovation Alliance.
With its innovation campus model, the state government has created spaces where business and science can collaborate and is making sure that knowledge sharing takes place. Five campuses are currently being established in Baden-Württemberg in strategically relevant areas: artificial intelligence, mobility, life sciences, quantum technology and sustainability. These are beacons of new ideas in the state that will have international reach.
The state’s numerous universities with approximately 350,000 students in total provide impetus for innovation and an ability to thrive in the future. They produce highly qualified and academically trained specialists who companies in the business location that is Baden-Württemberg can recruit. The top-class conditions for studying are attracting more and more talent from abroad to Germany’s Southwest, with more than 13 per cent of all students now coming from abroad.
Talents
Growth needs talents
We bring top talents from all over the world to Baden-Württemberg so that you will have lasting success.
Living and working
The home of quality of life
Not only does Baden-Württemberg boast a healthy economy and an excellent research environment, it also offers a great quality of life. In the wonderful Southwest, spanning 13,773 square miles, picturesque landscapes, rustic villages and vibrant cities offer the ideal place to switch off, go discovering and enjoy life. Cultural highlights include historical cities like Stuttgart, Mannheim, Karlsruhe, Freiburg and Heidelberg. Baden-Württemberg’s inhabitants are cosmopolitan and welcoming, and they are pleased that their region attracts lots of tourists. With more than 57.5 million overnight stays in 2023, Baden-Württemberg is one of Germany’s favorite travel destinations. THE LÄND simply has everything.
Baden-Württemberg is home to 11 million people from over 190 countries. We see this diversity as an opportunity for our society. Alongside traditions and cultural influences, people who come here from abroad also bring fresh perspectives and ideas to THE LÄND. This is why the German Southwest is synonymous with a real-life culture of welcomes and openness.
Baden-Württemberg is characterized by its diverse landscape, which features meadows, woods, mountains and lakes that offer pure relaxation in nature. There’s the Swabian Alb with the UNESCO Global Geopark, the 4,898-foot-high Feldberg in the Black Forest, and Lake Constance, which is 39 miles long and 8.7 miles wide at its widest point and one of Europe’s largest freshwater lakes.
From adventurers to daydreamers, THE LÄND has something for everyone. With 290 certified hiking trails, second-to-none cycling and mountain bike trails and 39 miles of prepared ski slopes on the Feldberg, there’s room for swimming, sailing, cycling, hiking, climbing, skiing and lots more. If you are more into relaxation than sport, there’s 56 thermal baths and spa towns to choose from, most of which are located in or near the Black Forest.
The LÄND is a great place for those who like to enjoy life. About 70 Michelin star establishments, cozy cafés and relaxed wine bars invite guests to try out the region’s delicacies and outstanding cuisine. Signature meals include Gaisburger Marsch, Maultaschen, Spätzle and Black Forest Gateau, while THE LÄND is also known for its excellent wines and high-end beers.
Baden-Württemberg is awash with cultural highlights. Grand monuments like Burg Hohenzollern and Schloss Heidelberg, ancient monasteries such as the abbey in Salem and the monastery in Maulbronn and fabulous gardens in Karlsruhe and on Mainau Island allow visitors to travel back in time. THE LÄND also has plenty to offer for fans of architecture, art, music, ballet or theater. The Mercedes-Benz Museum is a magnet for visitors, while Stuttgart’s Ballet is world class. The music and festival scene caters to every taste, from classical to jazz and pop.
