From Haryana to Berlin: The Untold Story of Indian Students Powering Germany’s Food Delivery Economy

After finishing his morning cup of tea, Mihir places three smartphones side by side on the table.

One is logged into Uber Eats, another into Wolt, and the third into Lieferando—the only platform where he is officially employed.

As soft sunlight filters into his Berlin apartment, he glances out the window and predicts a slow day for deliveries.

Despite spending two years in Germany, Mihir’s Haryanvi roots remain evident in his speech.

His German vocabulary is limited to basic greetings and courtesies, but he already considers himself a Berliner.

What he appreciates most about the city is the sense of freedom it offers.

“In Germany, nobody judges you for enjoying a beer in public,” he says. “People might even sit down and join you.

Back home, things feel very different, and there is always the fear of being scrutinised.”

The 25-year-old arrived in Germany in May 2024 and recently completed a master’s degree in Tourism and Hospitality from a private university in Berlin.

He is currently on a job-seeker visa, but his larger goal was always to build a life and career in Germany.

Since late 2024, he has worked as a food delivery rider, known locally as a fahrer or kurier.

Like thousands of other migrants, he has become part of Germany’s rapidly expanding platform economy.

Migrants at the Heart of Germany’s Delivery Boom

Across Berlin, food delivery riders have become a familiar sight. Many gather along busy streets lined with cafés and restaurants, waiting for their phones to signal the next order.

Between deliveries, they exchange stories, scroll through social media, and discuss life in a foreign country.

According to migration researchers, recent migrants make up the overwhelming majority of Berlin’s food delivery workforce.

Indians form one of the largest groups, alongside workers from Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Germany’s labour shortages in sectors such as logistics, healthcare, hospitality, and engineering have encouraged legal migration in recent years.

Programmes such as the Opportunity Card and expanding international student pathways have made the country increasingly attractive to young Indians seeking better opportunities abroad.

The Indian population in Germany has grown dramatically over the past decade.

Indian students now represent the largest international student community in the country, reflecting Germany’s growing appeal as an education and employment destination.

The Student Route to Germany

Unlike countries such as the United States or the United Kingdom, Germany’s public universities often charge little or no tuition fees.

However, gaining admission can be highly competitive, leading many international students to enrol in private institutions that offer more accessible entry requirements.

For students like Mihir, Germany’s post-study work opportunities are a major attraction. International students can work part-time during their studies and remain in the country after graduation while searching for permanent employment.

Many begin their professional journey through gig work, taking up jobs in food delivery, warehouses, or logistics to support themselves financially while studying.

Researchers say these jobs appeal to young migrants because they offer flexibility and require limited language skills. Recommendations from friends and relatives already working in the sector also help newcomers find opportunities quickly.

From a Village in Haryana to the Streets of Berlin

Mihir grew up in Chuli Khurd village in Haryana’s Hisar district. The son of a farmer, he had once dreamed of joining the Indian Army. When those plans fell through, he began exploring opportunities overseas.

“If I had to work hard for a living anyway, I thought I might as well do it abroad,” he says.

Initially considering destinations such as Australia, Canada, and the UK, he eventually chose Germany after receiving advice from an education consultant.

In early 2024, he secured admission to a private university in Berlin and financed his studies through a bank loan. He says he was reassured that limited German language skills would not be a major obstacle.

Soon after arriving, Mihir worked various jobs, including cleaning and gardening.

Balancing studies with work became routine, and he often left classes to attend shifts. According to him, his lecturers were understanding and supportive.

Later, he applied to Lieferando and was hired after a brief interview. Additional delivery work with Uber Eats and Wolt increased his earnings. On particularly busy weeks, he can earn around €2,500 a month by working long hours across multiple platforms.

Why Delivery Jobs Attract Indian Students

Tajinder Singh, a 30-year-old student from Chandigarh, followed a similar path. After moving to Berlin to study marketing, he began working in delivery services to cover his living expenses.

Like many Indian students, he sees delivery work as practical and flexible. Unlike other jobs that often require fluent German, delivery riders can manage with basic communication skills.

“You simply hand over the order, say a few polite words, and move on,” he explains.

Learning to Adapt to Germany

Although Mihir was initially impressed by Berlin’s cleanliness and organisation, adapting to life in Germany was not always easy.

He quickly discovered that everyday life came with strict social norms and regulations. One of the biggest adjustments was learning to be quieter at home.

“In India, families are used to more noise and activity,” he says. “Here, especially late at night, people expect complete silence.”

Navigating traffic rules also proved challenging. Riding a bicycle through Berlin’s carefully organised lanes was very different from the roads he had grown up with in India.

Winter brought another set of difficulties. Snow-covered streets made cycling hazardous, and falls were common. Over time, however, he became comfortable navigating the city and now knows many of Berlin’s neighbourhoods by heart.

The Hidden Side of the Gig Economy

When Mihir finally receives an order on a slow afternoon, it is more than just another delivery—it is income he depends on.

Unlike Lieferando, where he is directly employed and receives an hourly wage along with benefits, his work for Uber Eats and Wolt comes through subcontractors who pay per delivery.

The subcontracting model has become common in Germany’s logistics and delivery sectors. Critics argue that it can leave workers vulnerable to exploitation, limited job security, and questionable employment practices.

Mihir recalls losing access to one delivery account after spending several weeks in India. He says he had paid a subcontractor hundreds of euros for the opportunity, only to find himself excluded when he returned.

Other workers describe situations where student visa rules were allegedly circumvented through unofficial arrangements, raising concerns about labour standards within parts of the industry.

A 2025 investigation by German broadcaster RBB brought renewed attention to allegations of abuse within the food delivery sector and sparked calls for reforms.

Companies Defend Their Practices

Delivery companies maintain that workers are employed under lawful and transparent conditions.

Representatives from Wolt say partner companies are required to comply with German labour regulations and undergo regular compliance checks. Uber likewise states that all delivery operations are handled through independent fleet partners that must follow national employment laws.

Researchers and labour advocates, however, argue that the subcontracting model continues to create vulnerabilities for migrant workers despite Germany’s strong labour protections.

Chasing a Better Future

Late in the afternoon, Mihir finally completes his first delivery after cycling several kilometres across the city. The customer greets him politely despite the delay, something he says still surprises him.

“The biggest difference is how people treat each other,” he reflects. “Most customers here are patient and respectful.”

Yet not every day is rewarding. Some shifts bring only a handful of orders, leaving him with modest earnings after expenses. On rare occasions, he receives no orders at all.

Even so, returning to India is not something he is considering.

For Mihir, food delivery is only a stepping stone. His long-term ambition is to build a career in hospitality and work as a professional chef.

“This is temporary,” he says with a smile. “One day, I’ll be cooking in a restaurant. Whether it’s Italian, Mexican, Korean, or anything else—I’m ready to learn.”

The next morning, he is back at his table, three phones lined up before him, waiting for the first notification of the day. Outside, Berlin feels colder than yesterday. But his optimism remains intact.