Just a few years ago, air conditioners in Germany were often met with skepticism or outright dislike. Many Germans considered them unnecessary or even excessive. But the past five years have brought a dramatic change: demand for air conditioners has skyrocketed.
According to the Federal Statistical Office, production of air conditioning units in Germany jumped by an impressive 75.1% in four years leading upto 2024 - from 181,000 units to around 317,000. The production value also increased by 34.4%, reaching 1.5 billion euros. Imports have grown significantly as well: in 2024, air conditioners worth 949 million euros were brought into Germany, nearly 50% more than in 2019.
It’s especially interesting to note where these imported units come from. For theyear 2024 Italy leads with 25% of imports, followed by China at 13.7%, and Sweden with 10.4%. At the same time, Germany’s exports of air conditioners dropped slightly by 2.8%, indicating that the domestic market is expanding faster than foreign demand.
The reasons behind this rapid acceptance of air conditioners are varied. Increasingly hot summers make life in many German cities uncomfortable, especially for people from warmer countries who are used to Air Conditioners back home. For many expats, having air conditioning at home or work is now an important factor for comfort and well-being.
At the same time, Germans’ attitudes toward air conditioning are shifting. The old refrain “Germany doesn’t need air conditioners” is fading as more people realize that air conditioning helps improve air quality and protects against heat stress.
For expats living in Germany, this trend is a definite plus. Those from warmer regions will appreciate the growing availability of air conditioning, which makes the summer months much more bearable. Whether in apartments, offices, or public buildings, air conditioning is becoming more common.
That said, newcomers should be aware that air conditioning isn’t yet standard everywhere, especially in older buildings. But the market now offers a wide range of modern, energy-efficient units that can often be retrofitted with relative ease.
Germany is gradually becoming a country where air conditioners are no longer rare—a real improvement for anyone looking to stay cool during hotter summers. For expats, this is a clear sign that infrastructure is adapting to changing climate conditions and that comfort standards are rising.
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