If I Go to Germany, I Can Never Come Home — Of Course You Can

The Myth

There is a persistent belief in some Kenyan families that going to Germany — or any country abroad — means you are gone forever. That you will lose your Kenyan identity. That you will never come back. That it is a one-way ticket.

This could not be further from the truth.

Going to Germany is a choice. Staying in Germany is a choice. Coming back to Kenya is a choice. And at every point, the choice is yours.

You Are Not Trapped

Let us state the obvious: Germany is not a prison. You have a Kenyan passport. You can book a flight home whenever you want. There is no law, no contract, and no obligation that prevents you from returning to Kenya.

During your Ausbildung, you get paid annual leave (typically 24–30 days per year). Many Kenyans use this to fly home and visit family. After Ausbildung, you continue getting annual leave in your job. Some people go home every year. Others go every two years. The point is — you can.

Once you have permanent residency in Germany, you can even spend extended periods in Kenya without losing your German status (though there are rules about maximum time abroad — usually up to 6 months without risking your residency).

The Kenyans Who Went and Came Back

There is a growing and impressive group of Kenyans who went to Germany, gained skills, built experience, saved money, and then returned to Kenya to start businesses, work in international companies, or contribute to development.

Here is what they came back with:

• German-standard technical skills. A Kenyan with a German Ausbildung qualification in mechatronics, nursing, IT, or any other field brings world-class skills home. These are valued by international companies operating in Kenya.
• Language skills. Speaking German opens doors to German companies with operations in East Africa, and there are many — Volkswagen, Siemens, Bosch, DHL, and countless others.
• Savings. Even on a modest German salary, you can save significantly more than you could in Kenya. Several years of disciplined saving gives you capital to invest or start a business.
• Networks. Connections with German businesses, professionals, and institutions that can be leveraged from Kenya.
• A different perspective. Living abroad changes how you see problems and opportunities. Many returnees bring innovation, efficiency, and new approaches to Kenyan industries.

The Kenyans Who Stayed — By Choice

Many Kenyans also choose to stay in Germany permanently, and that is equally valid. They build careers, raise families, buy homes, and create lives they love. They stay connected to Kenya through visits, remittances, and community involvement, but Germany becomes home.

The key word is "choose." They were not stuck. They were not trapped. They made a deliberate decision that Germany was where they wanted to build their future.

Some split their time. They work in Germany for most of the year and spend extended holidays in Kenya. Some plan to work in Germany until retirement and then return to Kenya. Others build businesses that operate in both countries.

There is no single right answer. There is only your answer.

What About Your Kenyan Citizenship?

Kenya allows dual citizenship (since the 2010 Constitution). If you eventually decide to become a German citizen, you do not have to give up your Kenyan citizenship. You can hold both passports. You remain Kenyan no matter what.

This means:

• You can always return to Kenya as a citizen, not as a visitor
• You can own property in Kenya
• You can vote in Kenyan elections
• You can work in Kenya without any special permits
• You retain all rights as a Kenyan citizen

Germany also allows dual citizenship as of 2024, making it easier than ever to hold both nationalities.

The Financial Freedom to Choose

One of the most powerful things about working in Germany is that it gives you financial options you might not have in Kenya. When you are earning EUR 2,500–4,000 per month after Ausbildung, you can:

• Save for a business in Kenya. In 3–5 years, you can accumulate enough capital to start a serious business back home.
• Buy property in Kenya. Many Kenyans in Germany invest in real estate back home while earning abroad.
• Support your family. Send money home regularly while still saving for your own future.
• Fund your return. When you decide to come back, you come back on your terms, with resources and skills, not out of desperation.

The goal is not to choose between Kenya and Germany forever. The goal is to put yourself in a position where you have the freedom to choose.

Breaking the "One-Way Ticket" Mentality

The idea that leaving Kenya means abandoning Kenya is outdated. In today's connected world, you can contribute to Kenya's development from anywhere. You can mentor young Kenyans remotely. You can invest in Kenyan businesses from Germany. You can bring German business partners to Kenya. You can return with skills that Kenya desperately needs.

The Kenyans who go to Germany and succeed — whether they stay or return — make Kenya stronger, not weaker. They expand the network. They build bridges. They prove what Kenyans can achieve on the world stage.

Your Next Steps

If you are holding back because you think going to Germany means leaving Kenya behind, let go of that fear. It is not true. Germany is an opportunity, not a cage.

Check your readiness score to see if you are prepared. Use the programme comparison tool to find the right Ausbildung for you. Review the documents you will need to apply.

And remember: the flight from Frankfurt to Nairobi is about 8 hours. Kenya is not going anywhere. Neither is your identity, your family, or your home. You are just adding a new chapter to your story.

Go, learn, grow. And then decide. The choice will always be yours.