After making the decision to relocate to Germany with her soon-to-be husband, Daniel, solicitor Claire Molloy chose Munich as their new home city independently from any career prospects. Neither Molloy nor Daniel have looked back on this decision with regret.
The duo, having met during their joint studies at Trinity College Dublin, were left disheartened by the lackluster economic aura present in Dublin at the turn of the 21st century. Daniel, who is also a solicitor, yearned to return to his homeland. Hailing from Frankfurt, his desire was to relocate to a location that was very different from his birthplace. Munich was quickly seen as a fitting choice, with its vibrant lifestyle, beautiful outdoor spaces full of sunshine, and enticing beer gardens imparting a southern European flair.
Born in Dublin, Molloy’s father relocated to Belmullet, Co Mayo to work as a general practitioner, and that is where Molloy spent her formative years. She developed a fondness for the German language during her boarding school years, and this culminated in her studying law via German at Trinity. Her initial career aspiration was to serve as a diplomat, but her career trajectory ultimately led her to pursue a master’s in European Law and a solicitor’s training with A&L Goodbody.
Upon her move to Munich, she initially found employment at a prominent law firm, but soon understood that an in-house job in an international organisation offered a more fruitful career journey in Germany for someone of her professional experience and skills. Today, Molloy boasts a successful career, with positions at Sky, Intel, and currently at Synlab International.
The concentration of multinational companies in Munich presents bountiful opportunities that would have been difficult to secure elsewhere. She emphasized that, contrary to what some lawyers might believe, moving from one jurisdiction to another could unveil a wealth of opportunities in such international organisations.
She is currently working for Europe’s largest provider of clinical laboratory services and medical diagnostics, Synlab International, which has a workforce of over 27,000 globally. In her day-to-day role, Molloy is responsible for matters encompassing the regulation of data, GDPR compliance and AI-related regulatory issues. Her job function also concerns influencing the company’s corporate strategy plans, an area which is increasingly becoming data-centric.
Molloy has observed that the cost of living in Germany, specifically the expenses for groceries and energy, is substantially lower compared to Ireland. The rental system in Germany also provides tenants with more security and ease. On the other hand, the property prices in major German cities, including Munich, have witnessed significant inflation over the years, says Molloy.
Initially living in a city apartment they owned, Molloy and her husband have now invested in a suburban house in Trudering. The location is an added bonus which favours easy travel to mountainous terrains for winter sports, hiking, and lake swimming during summers.
Being parents to two young children, the couple appreciate the child-friendly approach of German early year education and childcare compared to Ireland. Free kindergarten is an example of the benefits that they, like other German parents, have availed. Additionally, there is a provision for part-time employment for parents.
The holiday system in Germany is another notable aspect with employees being awarded up to 30 days of annual leave, coupled with 13 public holidays in some states.
Molloy notes that the Germans maintain a clear distinction between their professional and personal life. There aren’t many instances of after-work social gatherings on Fridays, as people either spend time with close friends or return home to their families. She appreciates the focus on work-life balance and the respect they have for individual privacy.
The society in Munich is welcoming and easily approachable. They have a high regard for the Irish, and she hasn’t faced any negativity due to her Irish background.
Molloy feels completely at home in Germany and has no plans to return to Ireland, although she enjoys frequent trips back home to meet family and friends.
She articulates that Germany operates stringently with well-structured rules. Initially, as an expat in Germany, it’s easy to accidentally violate a rule, and the Germans don’t hesitate to communicate such transgressions directly, such as when one unintentionally walks in a bicycle lane.
Germans possess a significant liking for their administrative systems, a trait Molloy misses, preferring Ireland’s more rational and relaxed approaches. According to her, Ireland tends to exhibit a more progressive stance in relation to digitisation. To illustrate this, she recounts an incident involving communication with a public body that offered the options of replying via traditional post or facsimile transmission.
It is her belief that Germany tends to lean toward traditionalism and their intricate systems of bureaucratic procedures can often result in entanglement. This is a realisation they hold themselves. She perceives this as a stifling factor for the nation and discerns a growing will among the Germans to challenge and change this system.