Why Düsseldorf?
Strategic location at the heart of Europe
The Düsseldorf metropolitan area is among the largest and strongest markets in Europe. Within a 50-kilometre radius, you will find a population of 13.5 million and more than 550,000 companies. As the heart of this close-knit urban area, Düsseldorf offers unique access to markets and is an ideal jumping-off point for companies hoping to expand their presence in the German and European markets.
Liveable and cosmopolitan
As a leading centre for foreign direct investment, Düsseldorf has established itself as an important location for business in Germany. Numerous well-known global corporations from a range of industries have their headquarters in the state capital – one out of seven companies in Düsseldorf is international. The city’s many consulates, chambers of commerce and international networks also make it much easier for companies to enter the German market and integrate into life in Düsseldorf. Today, about 40 Indian companies and 7,000 Indians call Düsseldorf home – and those figures are sharply on the rise.
Ideally connected – with Germany and the world
- Düsseldorf has an extensive rail network that connects the city with other metropolitan areas such as Berlin, Brussels and Paris.
- Düsseldorf Airport (DUS) is easy to access by public transport and offers flights to every major European city that take less than three hours.
- The Neuss-Düsseldorf ports are a major logistical hub for international trade.
- Düsseldorf is integrated into the densest network of motorways in Europe.
Innovation for the future
Not only is Düsseldorf home to major corporations like Henkel and Vodafone; it is also a hotspot for cutting-edge industries such as the digital economy, the green economy, biotechnology and medical technology. The city offers a dynamic mix of established companies and innovative start-ups that make the city a global centre for innovation.
- Digital Economy
Düsseldorf is at the cutting edge of digital transformation. The city is more than just a home to international technology companies; it is also a development centre for the Internet of Things (IoT). With companies like Vodafone Germany, Deloitte and Tech Mahindra alongside an extensive network of ICT companies, Düsseldorf is a hotspot for digital innovation.
- Over 1,700 ICT companies
- IoT research and development centres
- Europe’s largest 5G campus at Düsseldorf University Hospital
- ‘Digitale Stadt Düsseldorf’ (Digital City Düsseldorf) network connects industries
- Green Economy
Düsseldorf has positioned itself as a key player in the green economy, offering ideal conditions for innovation and sustainable development. The city combines a strong commercial and industrial base with comprehensive expertise in digitisation, facilitating the development of future-oriented technologies and services in a range of green tech fields.Companies from a multitude of different industries are driving the transition to green energies in the city. Düsseldorf plays a key role in Germany’s hydrogen strategy and is part of the Kompetenzregion Wasserstoff (Hydrogen Region of Expertise, German only).The steady growth of Düsseldorf’s R & D infrastructure bolsters the city’s importance as a centre for innovation. One example is Toshiba Europe’s Regenerative Innovation Centre, which opened in 2023; it established the city as a hub for regenerative technologies. Additionally, since 2024, Düsseldorf has been the GreenTech Hub in the national Digital Hub Initiative, making it a vital driving force for green innovation in Germany.
- Biotechnology and Medical Technology
With over 100 companies in the field of life sciences and a plethora of global market leaders – including Seegene, Boston Scientific and Henkel – Düsseldorf is an ideal location for biotechnology and medical technology companies.BiotechnologyThe focus here is primarily on the fields of enabling technologies and industrial biotechnology. While spin-offs from Heinrich Heine University such as Qiagen and Evotec generate over 60 per cent of the total revenue of market-listed companies in Germany, the biotech association BioRiver – Life Science im Rheinland e.V. counts more than 100 scientific and business institutes among its members.Medical technologyThere are approximately 750 medical technology companies registered in North Rhine-Westphalia. Many of these companies benefit from the high density of universities and institutes in the region; they are focussed on the development of new medical technology procedures. MEDICA is one of the world’s largest medical technology trade fairs and is of major international significance. Düsseldorf University Hospital set up Europe’s first 5G campus, where 5G applications for medicine are tested and evaluated.
- Corporate Services
The high density of companies in the region makes Düsseldorf an attractive location for corporate services. As the leading location for banking in North Rhine-Westphalia, the state capital is home to a large number of international banks and financial service providers, bolstered by a strong insurance industry.Düsseldorf also boasts an impressive density of international law firms and tax consultancies, including many that are global leaders in their field. Industries such as marketing, human resources management and business consulting are also strongly represented; global consulting firms such as McKinsey, EY, KPMG and PwC maintain large branches in the city.
- Industrial Technology
The vibrant industrial landscape of the Rhine-Ruhr region is one of Europe’s most important economic areas. With a strong focus on chemicals, mechanical engineering, metal production and vehicle manufacturing, Düsseldorf is home to major corporations as well as a flourishing supplier industry. Well-known companies such as Rheinmetall, Henkel, Teekanne, Komatsu, Tata Steel, BASF and Mercedes Benz shape the economic landscape of the city.