7 tips to Make Friends in a New Country
Moving to a new country is exciting. But once the boxes are unpacked and the novelty fades, one question tends to take over everything else: How can I make friends in a new country?
Making friends in a new country is one of the hardest parts of moving abroad, and one of the least talked about. Most guides focus on visas, housing, and bank accounts. But your social life matters just as much. Research consistently shows that loneliness has a real impact on health and well-being. Having even a small circle of friends can make an entirely new place feel like home.
The good news: it is possible. It just takes a little intention, a little patience, and a willingness to put yourself out there. Here is how to get started.
Why Making Friends Abroad Feels So Hard
Before diving into tips, it helps to understand why is difficult make friends in a new country, especially as an adult.
When you were younger, friendships formed easily because you saw the same people every day at school or university. As an adult, those automatic structures disappear. You have to create them yourself.
Add a new country, a possible language barrier, unfamiliar cultural norms, and the general stress of relocating, and it is easy to see why making friends can feel overwhelming at first.
This is normal. Almost every expat and newcomer goes through it. Knowing that can help.
Where to Meet People in a New Country
1. Join a Hobby Group or Club
This is one of the most effective strategies to make friends in a new country. For one simple reason: you already have something in common with everyone there.
Sports clubs, book clubs, cooking classes, hiking groups, photography workshops, whatever you enjoy, there is almost certainly a local version of it. You do not even need to be fluent in the local language to join a football game or a yoga class. Regular attendance is key. Go back. Consistency is what turns a stranger into a friend.
2. Try a Language Exchange
A language exchange is a free social meetup where people practice speaking different languages together. For example, you might practice the local language while helping someone practise yours.
These events are excellent for meeting locals who are genuinely curious about other cultures. They are low-pressure, usually free, and happen regularly. Search in social media for language exchange events near you.
Even learning a few basic words in the local language helps. Locals appreciate the effort. It opens doors that staying in English-only spaces often closes.
3. Say Yes, even When You Are Tired
In the early months, try to say yes to every social invitation you receive. After-work drinks with colleagues. A flatmate’s dinner. A neighbourhood street event. Even if you feel tired or nervous, showing up is almost always worth it.
If you are not getting invitations yet, create them. Invite a colleague for coffee. Suggest a walk with someone you have met online. Hosting a small casual dinner, even a simple one, is one of the fastest ways to make friends in a new country.
4. Volunteer for Something You Care About
Volunteering puts you alongside people who share your values. You will have a shared task to focus on, which removes the awkward pressure of pure conversation. And you will meet both locals and other newcomers.
Search “volunteer opportunities” plus your city name to find options. Most cities have dedicated volunteering platforms. Even a few hours a month can lead to lasting friendships.
5. Become a Regular Somewhere
Pick a café, a gym, a market stall, or a local shop and go back regularly. Over time, you will start to recognise faces. Small talk becomes easier. Small talk, eventually, becomes friendship.
This approach works especially well for introverts. It removes the pressure of active socialising. You just show up, and connection builds gradually and you will make friends in a new country quickly.
6. Tap Into Expat and Newcomer Communities
Every city with a significant international population has groups for people like you. Facebook and WhatsApp groups are full of newcomer meetups, from language exchanges to casual coffee mornings to weekend day trips.
Look up expat groups on Facebook for your city. Search for your nationality + your city (e.g., “Brazilians in Berlin” or “Spanish in Dublin”).
These communities are not just about making friends. Members share practical knowledge: where to find specific foods, which GP is good, how to navigate local bureaucracy. It is community in the fullest sense.
7. Social Culture Varies by Country
One important thing to know: make friends in a new country varies a lot depending on where you are.
In some Northern European countries, like Finland, the Netherlands or Germany, people tend to keep their social and professional lives very separate. Friendships often take longer to develop, and that is not a sign of unfriendliness. It is simply a cultural norm. Be patient.
In Southern Europe, the Middle East, or Latin America, social life tends to happen more spontaneously and in public spaces. It can be easier to start conversations, but that does not always mean friendships develop faster.
Understanding local norms helps you interpret situations correctly, and keeps you from taking things personally.
Make friends in a new country is hard. But it is also one of the most rewarding parts of the whole experience. The friendships you build abroad, forged in a context where you were all figuring things out together, often become some of the strongest of your life.
Start small. Pick one or two things from this list. Show up consistently. Be patient with yourself and the process. You will find your people. It just takes a little time.
