Germany

Known for: Global sportswear powerhouse with a wide range of running shoes, from everyday wear to elite performance. Competes with Nike.
Employees: ~59,000 globally
Manufacturing: Primarily outsourced to Asia, with some production in Europe.
Sustainability: Invests in sustainable design (Parley Ocean Plastic), aims for climate neutrality, and enforces human rights and fair labor standards.

Known for: Sporty, fashion-forward athletic shoes with a strong identity in lifestyle and performance gear.
Employees: ~20,000 globally
Manufacturing: Mostly in Asia, with a few factories in Europe and the Americas.
Sustainability: Has detailed supplier standards and audits. Targets carbon reduction, ethical working conditions, and has published a code of conduct for business ethics.

Brands: Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, Škoda, SEAT (Cupra), Bentley, Lamborghini.
European Manufacturing: Germany, Czechia, Spain, Belgium.
Battery Sourcing: European plants (Northvolt, LG Chem Poland), some CATL (China).
Estimated nr. of European Jobs: ~300,000+ (direct and supply chain).
Privacy Concerns: Low – European-controlled data and software.

Brands: Peugeot, Citroën, DS, Opel/Vauxhall, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Jeep.
European Manufacturing: France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Slovakia, UK.
Battery Sourcing: ACC (France, Germany), LG Chem (Poland), some CATL (China).
Estimated nr. of European Jobs: ~250,000+ (direct and supply chain).
Privacy Concerns: Low – European-based management and infrastructure.

Employees: Around 60,000
Known for: Washing machines, dishwashers, ovens, refrigerators under brands like Bosch, Siemens, and Neff.
Website: https://www.bsh-group.com

Brands: BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce.
European Manufacturing: Germany, UK, Hungary.
Battery Sourcing: CATL (Germany), Samsung SDI (Hungary), LG Chem (Poland), Northvolt (Sweden).
Estimated nr. of European Jobs: ~90,000+ (direct and supply chain).
Privacy Concerns: Low – European data storage, but reliance on Chinese CATL batteries.

Known for: Multi-category retail (clothing, home, electronics)
Employees: ~5,300
Availibility: 20+ countries in Europe​
https://otto.de

Brands: Mercedes-Benz, Smart.
European Manufacturing: Germany, Hungary, Spain.
Battery Sourcing: ACC (Germany, France), CATL (Germany), Farasis (China).
Estimated nr. of European Jobs: ~170,000+ (direct and supply chain).
Privacy Concerns: Moderate – Chinese-built Smart EVs pose some privacy risks.

Made in: Germany.
Sales: A leading brand in the curry ketchup category.
Key markets: Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Scandinavia.
Description: Spiced ketchup with curry and paprika, very popular with bratwurst.
Our verdict: 👍 Not really a Heinz alternative, but more of its own thing. Spicy, curry-driven, and cheap.

Known for: Premium commuter, touring, and cargo e-bikes (high-end designs with dual-battery options).
Employees: R & M employes around 900 people. Assembled in: Mühltal, Germany
Motors & Batteries: Primarily utilizes Bosch eBike Systems for both motors and batteries.
Availibility: Via authorized e-bike dealers worldwide (no direct online sales)​.
https://www.r-m.de

A leading European manufacturer of power tools and accessories (with both professional and consumer product lines), also producing garden/outdoor equipment under the Bosch brand. Bosch’s Power Tools division is part of the larger Bosch Group conglomerate. The Bosch Group employs roughly 427,000+ people worldwide, including about 134,000 in Germany (and many more across other European countries)​

Known for: Gas BBQ grills (D2C online brand), pizza ovens, smokers​
Employees: ~51–200​
Manufactured in: Engineered in Germany; products made in China​
Users say: Very popular for value-priced quality. Some reports of durability issues compared to premium brands​

Known for: Online retailer offering a wide range of fashion and lifestyle products from over 7,000 brands. Zalando Lounge offers discounted fashion from European brands.
Employees: ~15,300
Operating in: Most of Europe (25 countries)
https://zalando.com

Known for: Fashion retail platform (personalized shopping, influencer-driven)
Employees: ~1,360
Availibility: Most of Europe (28 countries)
https://aboutyou.com

Employees: About 23,300
Known for: High-quality washing machines, dishwashers, ovens, vacuum cleaners known for durability.
Website: https://www.miele.com

Employees: About 9,100
Known for: Vacuum cleaners and Thermomix cooking appliances; premium quality and innovative kitchen solutions.
Website: https://www.vorwerk.com

Known for: Electric mountain bikes (e-MTBs) and trekking e-bikes (pioneers of off-road e-performance).
Employees: Around 300 employees. Assembled in: Schweinfurt, Germany,
Motors & Batteries: Offers models with both Bosch and Yamaha drive systems, including motors and batteries.
Availibility: Sold by many bicycle retailers (part of Accell Group’s dealer network)
https://www.haibike.com

Known for: Broad lineup e-MTB, e-road, city/trekking e-bikes (strong value and reliability)​. 
Employees: Over 700 employees. Assembled in: Germany and Czechia
Motors & Batteries: Integrates Bosch drive units and batteries in their e-bike models.
Availibility: Widely available at independent bike shops and sport retailers worldwide​
https://www.cube.eu

A German company specializing in outdoor power equipment for forestry and lawn care – including chainsaws, trimmers, blowers, and lawn mowers. Stihl is a leading global brand in forestry and garden machinery, with around 20,000 employees worldwide​. Nearly half of Stihl’s workforce (about 9,300 employees) is based in Europe​, reflecting its roots and major manufacturing operations in Germany and neighboring countries.

Known For: Intelligence, service work, loyalty
Why They’re a Top Pick: Built like a soldier, acts like one too. Your personal security guard, detective, and emotional support unit—all in one streamlined floof package.

That deep desire to travel and explore.
It might be a German word, but the feeling is universal in Europe — from Interrail teens to retirees campervanning through the Alps. Whether you're Polish, Swedish, or Slovenian, you’ve probably had wanderlust (and acted on it with a long weekend in a neighboring country).

Known for: Lifestyle retail (clothing, home goods, electronics, coffee)
Employees: ~11,000
Availibility: Most (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Poland, etc.)
https://tchibo.de

Manufactured in: Spain (Martorell plant)
Affordable compact hatchback sized like a Polo.
Up to 450 km WLTP
Expected around 38–56 kWh battery
VW’s answer to budget-friendly EVs for the mass market.

The go-to travel comparison platform for millions. Omio makes booking European trains, buses, and flights effortless, offering a seamless alternative to car travel. Whether you’re heading to a buzzing capital or a hidden gem, Omio connects you with the best transport options.
https://www.omio.com or get their app on your preffered app store.

Europe’s largest budget-friendly bus network. FlixBus offers affordable, eco-conscious travel to thousands of destinations. With comfortable seating and free Wi-Fi, it’s a great alternative to trains for budget travelers and students.
https://www.flixbus.com

Known for: Playmobil figures, themed playsets (pirates, police, farms).Loved for great attention to detail and durable figures ideal for storytelling. Est. 1974.
Employees: ~4,100 (Horst Brandstätter Group)
Manufactured in: Germany, Malta, Czech Republic, Spain

Known for: Puzzles, board games (Labyrinth), GraviTrax. Loved for high-quality puzzles and educational toys with German precision. Est. 1883.
Employees: ~2,500
Manufactured in: Germany, Czech Republic

Known for: Majorette (die-cast cars), Smoby, Eichhorn (wood toys), Steffi Love. Wide range of affordable and durable toys, family-run company with multiple brands. Est. 1982.
Employees: ~3,000
Manufactured in: Germany, France, Czech Republic, China

Ownership: Dr. Oetker KG (Germany), breweries in Germany
Beer brands: Radeberger, Jever, Schöfferhofer, Clausthaler (non-alcoholic)
Employees (Europe): ~5,600
Production: ~10.8M hl
Key markets: Germany, US, Europe

Manufactured in: China (initially), European production planned in Oxford, UK (from 2026)
All-new platform with improved efficiency and range.
40.7 kWh battery: ~305 km WLTP
54.2 kWh battery: ~402 km WLTP
Maintains the classic “go-kart” Mini handling in a fully electric version.

Alternative to: Bandcamp 
Known for: Established in 2007 in Berlin, SoundCloud is a platform that allows artists to upload and share their music directly with fans. It's known for its vast collection of independent and emerging artists.​ 
https://soundcloud.com

The one-stop shop for European package holidays. TUI provides all-inclusive family-friendly trips, from sunny Mediterranean resorts to winter wonderlands, taking the stress out of holiday planning.
https://www.tui.com

Features: Self-hosted file storage and collaboration suite; includes document editing (via Collabora or OnlyOffice), calendar, email, video calls, and more
Price: Free (self-hosted); Paid options via providers or enterprise support
Our verdict: Nextcloud is the most flexible and privacy-first alternative out there. If you don’t mind the self-hosting setup or opt for a managed provider, it gives you full control over your data – a favorite in the EU for good reason.

Known For: Long body, short legs, fearless personality, digging obsession
Why It’s Very European: It’s the bratwurst of dog breeds - compact, unmistakably German, and unexpectedly bold. Originally bred to hunt badgers (yes, really), it’s now a beloved companion from Berlin to Barcelona.

Ownership: Private (German owners), breweries in Germany
Beer brands: Oettinger Pils, Oettinger Export, Oettinger Radler
Employees (Europe): ~1,100
Production: ~7.5M hl
Key markets: Germany, Eastern Europe, Australia<

Known for: Urban, trekking, and cargo e-bikes with a focus on innovative design and urban mobility.
Assembly Location: Assembled in Germany.
Motors & Batteries: Primarily utilizes Bosch eBike Systems.
Availability: Sold through authorized dealers; no direct online sales.
https://www.bergamont.com

Known for: Producing ultra-efficient heterojunction (HJT) solar cells and modules in Germany. Premium modules with high sustainability standards.
Employees: ~1,200
Markets: Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, Sweden, Norway

Known for: One of the world’s leading inverter manufacturers, active in residential, commercial, and large-scale segments. Development and manufacturing are exclusively in Europe. Fully independent from Asian supply chains; Made in Germany.
Employees: ~4,300
Production: In Kassel and Niestetal, as well as partially in Poland

Known For: A heritage German chocolate maker, now part of the Belgian Sweet Products Group, known for private label production and classic European chocolate bars.
Employees: Around 1,500
Farming & Ethics: Committed to certified sustainable cocoa via programs like UTZ and Rainforest Alliance. Less publicly vocal than peers about its anti-slavery initiatives.

Known for: High-performance e-bikes, including road, mountain, and hybrid models, sold directly to consumers.
Assembly Location: Assembled in Koblenz, Germany.
Motors & Batteries: Utilizes Bosch and Shimano systems, depending on the model.
Availability: Direct-to-consumer sales through their official website.
https://www.canyon.com

Known for: Reliable commuter and trekking e-bikes with a long-standing history in bicycle manufacturing.
Assembly Location: Assembled in Cloppenburg, Germany.
Motors & Batteries: Primarily utilizes Bosch and Shimano systems.
Availability: Sold through authorized dealers; no direct online sales.
https://www.kalkhoff-bikes.com