Being Black in Germany: My Honest Journey as a Nigerian Immigrant

I have always known I am Black, of course. That fact is as plain as my name.

But the weight of that identity, the experience of being seen as Black in the eyes of a society where I became a visible minority, didn’t truly sink in until six years ago, when I moved to Germany.”

It hit me quietly but profoundly: “Oh wow… I am really Black here.”

Back in 2019, I thought the world was a global village. I assumed people were better informed, that skin colour was just a minor detail. I was, in many ways, sorely mistaken.

My experience as a Black woman in Germany has been a blend of curiosity, frustration, resilience, and unexpected joy. It’s the awkward stares on the U-Bahn and the endless hunt for hair products that won’t leave my hair looking electrocuted. But it’s also about finding my footing, my voice, and my community.

After living here for over five years, I can say this: being Black in Germany is a daily education.

The Silent Language of Stares

Whether you’re a tourist, a student, or planning to stay long term, one of the first things you’ll notice is the stares. These aren’t subtle side glances; they’re long, deliberate looks, as if some people have never seen a Black person before.

To be fair, Germans stare in general; it’s part of the culture. But when you’re the only Black person in a small town like Wismar (where I first lived), it can feel like you’re an exhibit on display. Most days, I tag it as curiosity rather than hostility. Still, the constant visibility is draining.

The Weight of Assumptions

Being Black in Germany can mean:

• Being quietly followed in a store, as if you’re guilty until proven otherwise.
  
• A cashier’s double-take when you buy something expensive, silently questioning: “Can you really afford this?”
  
• Wrestling with the CV photo dilemma. Including a headshot is common practice here, but will bias kick in before they even read your qualifications?
  
• Feeling pressure to work twice as hard, not just to earn your seat at the table, but to prove you deserve to keep it.
  

When “Curiosity” Crosses the Line

There are also personal encounters that push boundaries. Strangers touching your hair without asking. Questions about how your skin reacts to the sun, as if you’re another species.

My most jaw-dropping moment? Someone once asked me, in all seriousness: “Are there toilets in your country?”

I was speechless. Part of me wanted to lash back and ask if there was no internet or common sense in theirs. Instead, I brushed it off. In hindsight, I wish I’d educated them. But that’s the exhausting reality: we often carry the burden of correcting ignorance, even when we shouldn’t have to.

The Struggle for Care and Community

Even something as simple as hair and skincare can highlight the differences.

If you have natural hair, braids, or an afro, don’t expect to find what you need in your local DM or Rossmann. Shelves are filled with products for fine, straight hair. For a proper moisturizer or shea butter, you’ll need an Afro-shop in a big city, or a careful Amazon search.

On the flip side, there is joy in finding your people. The Black communities, diaspora events, and Afro festivals bring warmth, belonging, and that unshakable reminder: you are not alone.

A Hostile Moment I’ll Never Forget

Most of my negative experiences have been ignorance, not hate. But once, during my second month in Wismar, I sat down in an insurance office near a couple.

Almost immediately, their agitation was clear.“Snide remarks in German, sharp stares, and tense body language.” One stormed out, the other stood fuming in the corner, refusing to sit near me.

It was isolating. It was frightening. And it’s a memory that still lingers, thankfully, the only openly hostile encounter I’ve had.

The Honour of Representation

As a Black woman in a mostly white society, I feel the weight of representation. It’s a burden, but also an honour.

“Every room I enter is an opportunity to reveal a glimpse of who we are, our creativity, our resilience, our brilliance.”

A Complex but Worthwhile Journey

So, what’s it really like to be Black in Germany?

It’s complex. A mix of challenges and beautiful moments. There are frustrations, but also incredible strength, growth, and community.

I’m deeply grateful for the opportunities I’ve had here. For me, the good outweighs the difficult.

But my story is just one.

👉 If you are Black and living in Germany, what’s your experience been like? Do you relate?
👉 If you’re not Black, what are your thoughts on these realities?

Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments. Let’s learn from each other.

Until next time, stay strong, stay proud, and have a fantastic day.

Want More Real Talk About Life in Germany?

👉 Follow my unfiltered adventures on Instagram

👉 Follow me on TikTok

👉 Subscribe to my YouTube channel for new videos every week

• Instagram
• TikTok
• YouTube

Download Your Free Checklist

With everything you need to know before moving to Germany, and to help you start to settle quickly as soon as you arrive in Germany

Get Checklist

RECENT POSTS