It is regarded as the economic heart of Northern Europe and is one of the most dynamic and attractive locations for companies and investors worldwide. The Hanseatic City of Hamburg combines economic strength, outstanding infrastructure, a high quality of life and a distinctive culture of innovation to create an ideal environment for sustainable growth. Entrepreneurs here benefit from excellent research conditions, international networking and a living environment that sets standards. With a gross domestic product of around 150.6 billion euros, Hamburg is one of the strongest economic regions in Germany. The diversity and depth of the economic structure are impressive – from the harbour to aviation and digital industries of the future.
One of the most important pillars of Hamburg's economy is the harbour. As the leading German and European seaport, it connects over 900 ports in more than 170 countries and acts as the logistical backbone for the global movement of goods – ideal conditions for logistics companies from all over the world. Its location on the River Elbe and its proximity to Scandinavia make Hamburg an ideal hub for international markets. But the Hanseatic city has much more to offer.
World-class aviation centre
Even in the Aviation, Hamburg is also a world leader. After Seattle and Toulouse, it is the third largest centre for civil aviation. Together with numerous high-tech suppliers Airbus and Lufthansa Technik form the backbone of one of the most powerful aviation centres in Europe. In addition, there are excellent research facilities such as the Centre for Applied Aeronautical Research (ZAL) which is closely networked with industry and science and utilises the latest technologies.
Another future-oriented topic in Hamburg is the transformation towards a climate-neutral economy by 2045, with renewable energies and the development of an efficient hydrogen economy acting as drivers of innovation across all sectors. The centrepieces of this development are the planned Hamburg Green Hydrogen Hub with a large-scale electrolyser in the Port of Hamburg and the establishment of a dedicated hydrogen industrial network that will supply industry, logistics and mobility with green hydrogen.
Overall, Hamburg has a broad economic base – with strong future-oriented industries that are closely interlinked. In addition to aviation and renewable energies, these include the maritime industry, logistics, life sciences, the food industry, the financial sector and, last but not least, the digital economy as well as the media and creative industries.
Economic power through media, digital economy and E-Commerce
Major media companies such as DER SPIEGEL and DIE ZEIT as well as award-winning creative agencies such as Jung von Matt and Scholz & Friends are based here and have characterised Hamburg as a media location for decades. At the same time, the city is home to numerous international digital companies: Google has had a large office here since 2001 and Meta also has a German branch in Hamburg. There is also a rapidly growing E-Commerce sector, in which the Hamburg-based Otto Group plays a key role as a global online retailer.
The startup scene in the Hanseatic city is lively and diverse, with around 1.500 start-ups – which puts Hamburg in the top places in Germany with Berlin and Munich. Young companies are supported in particular by customised offers and a large number of industry-specific hubs and accelerators. A deeper insight into the dynamic startup ecosystem is provided by the city's platform Startup City Hamburg or the private initiative Hamburg Startups.
Internationality as a locational advantage
Hamburg is also one of the most international cities in Europe – thanks to its harbour, close economic ties to over 170 countries, almost 100 consulates and numerous international company branches and trade representations. The city's cosmopolitan attitude is deeply rooted in its maritime history and continues to characterise the economy, society and cityscape to this day.
The result is a location that not only promotes business, but also networks knowledge and inspires people – an environment that favours sustainable growth and creative impetus. Hamburg offers excellent conditions for startups, medium-sized companies and international corporations.
In addition to its economic strength, Hamburg scores highly in terms of quality of life – a location factor that should not be underestimated in the competition for skilled labour. The city regularly tops international rankings: in the Mercer Quality of Living Ranking, it is one of the most liveable cities in the world. The reasons for this are the generous green spaces, the diverse cultural offerings, the proximity to the water, a high level of security and attractive public transport.
Urban development with vision: HafenCity and Science City
Finally, Hamburg is also setting standards in the field of urban development. Two lighthouse projects exemplify the combination of sustainability, innovation and quality of life: the HafenCity Hamburg – Europe's largest inner-city urban development project – is creating modern living and working space right on the waterfront.
Another outstanding project is the Science City Hamburg Bahrenfeld. An urban quarter of the future is being created here, combining excellent research facilities, technology-orientated companies, startups and attractive living. The new Science City is also part of a growing innovation ecosystem. In the Altona Innovation Park future fields such as life sciences, quantum and medical technology, materials research and data science – in the direct neighbourhood of the University of Hamburg and leading institutes such as DESY or the European XFEL.
With the already opened tecHHub Hamburg hamburg offers laboratory and office space for young high-tech companies as one of the first building blocks of the project. Science and research are integral components of Hamburg's location profile. The University of Hamburg is one of only eleven universities of excellence in Germany and develops pioneering projects together with non-university research institutions. Globally networked institutes and research facilities such as DESY, the German Climate Computing Centre, the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine and several Max Planck- and Fraunhofer-Institutes stand for scientific excellence at an international level. The close links with industry create ideal conditions for innovation transfer and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Innovative commercial and industrial sites for all sectors
Hamburg is also active in the development of traditional commercial and industrial sites. With designated industrial and commercial areas, the city offers companies from a wide range of sectors suitable opportunities to settle here – whether directly at the harbour, in innovation parks or in the vicinity of universities. Modern, digitally networked areas with high energy efficiency, good public transport connections and attractive funding opportunities are being created here.
Professionals, investors and start-ups also benefit from the portal's comprehensive range of services Hamburg Business. Here you will find information on funding programs, available properties, industry networks and events.
Between the harbour, university and high-tech, Hamburg is already creating the economic profile of tomorrow – with vision, depth and Hanseatic down-to-earthness. The city combines reliability with international openness, economic substance with forward-looking dynamism. Companies in Hamburg benefit not only from stable framework conditions, but also from an innovative environment that harmonises quality of life and competitiveness. For companies that want to think globally and act locally, Hamburg is therefore the location for the future.
