New to Frankfurt · September 24, 2026
New in Frankfurt: How to Make Friends and Build Real Community
Start with one activity you enjoy and one place you can return to. Meeting people becomes less daunting when your next step is specific and close enough to fit your normal week.
Where to meet people in Frankfurt
Use the City of Frankfurt event calendar to look for an activity you would enjoy even before you know anyone there. An exhibition, public talk or neighbourhood event gives you something natural to discuss. Check the organiser’s listing for the venue, cost, language and registration before travelling.
Choose a manageable journey from home or work. A group on the other side of the city may look ideal, but a nearby activity you actually attend is a better starting point than a long list of possibilities.
Finding an international meetup when your German is still developing
VHS Frankfurt has published information about the International Stammtisch, a recurring international gathering. Its page describes an English-language edition. The displayed event date may already have passed: follow the organiser’s current information before making plans, and confirm the language of the next meeting.
You can begin a conversation simply: “I have recently moved here. Have you been to this before?” Ask what the other person enjoys about the activity rather than feeling you need to explain your whole life story.
Turn a first meeting into a weekly rhythm
Give one promising group several visits before deciding whether it is right for you. You do not have to attend every event or become everyone’s friend. Look for a place where you feel welcome and can contribute naturally.
After a good conversation, suggest a small next step: arriving together next time, getting a coffee afterwards or sharing the public link to another event. Let the other person choose whether to exchange contact details.
- This week: choose one activity and check the practical details.
- At the first visit: introduce yourself to one or two people.
- Before leaving: find out when the group next meets.
- During the following weeks: return and follow up on one conversation.
Make room for both German practice and shared interests
A language course and a social activity serve different needs. A course gives you structured learning; a shared hobby gives you a reason to talk about something beyond learning German. You can do both without waiting until you feel fluent.
If contributing appeals to you more than attending events, explore volunteering. Choose the role for the work itself and be honest about your language level and available time. Our separate guides below explain how to find course advice and official volunteering listings.
Finding a church community in Frankfurt
For Christians, church brings worship, Scripture, prayer and relationships into the same weekly rhythm. River Church Frankfurt holds its Sunday service in English and German, so language need not stop you from making a first visit.
You are welcome to come without already knowing someone. Use the visit page for current arrival information, and tell the welcome team it is your first Sunday. A church invitation is one option alongside the city’s wider community life.
River Church Frankfurt
A church community as you settle into Frankfurt.
River Church Frankfurt welcomes you to its English and German Sunday service. Find arrival details and what to expect before your first visit.
Plan your visit