Comparison
relokate vs. Fragomen — Which Is Right for Hiring to Germany?
Fragomen is the world's largest immigration law firm with 5,000+ employees across 50+ offices. relokate is a Germany-focused platform combining software with full-service support at a fraction of the cost. Here's how they compare.
The key difference
Fragomen is the gold standard for complex, multi-jurisdictional immigration law — ideal for Fortune 500 companies managing thousands of cases across dozens of countries. But for Germany-specific immigration, their law firm model often means higher costs (retainer fees, hourly billing, partner rates), longer timelines, and a legal-first approach where you may not need it. relokate offers the same legal expertise where it matters (built-in attorney escalation) combined with a modern software platform, dedicated case managers, and transparent pay-per-case pricing — typically at 40-60% lower cost than a law firm engagement.
Feature comparison: Fragomen vs. relokate
| Feature | Fragomen | relokate |
|---|---|---|
| Company type | Global immigration law firm | Germany-focused relocation platform |
| Geographic focus | Global — 50+ offices worldwide | Germany only |
| Pricing model | Retainer fees + hourly billing + per-case fees | Transparent pay-per-case — no retainer |
| Typical cost per case | EUR 3,000-8,000+ (varies by complexity) | Significantly lower — transparent flat rates |
| Service approach | Legal-first (attorney-led) | Operations-first with attorney escalation when needed |
| Technology platform | Proprietary case management (enterprise) | Modern HR dashboard with real-time tracking |
| Germany immigration depth | Strong but spread across many jurisdictions | Deep — all visa types, city-specific expertise |
| Case manager | Attorney or paralegal assigned | Dedicated relocation case manager + attorney escalation |
| Settling-in services | Limited — immigration focus | Full: visa + housing + Anmeldung + settling-in |
| Minimum commitment | Annual retainer typical | None — pay as you go |
| Sales cycle | Weeks to months (RFP process) | Same-day onboarding possible |
| Ideal company size | Large enterprise (1000+ employees) | Any size — SMB to enterprise |
Who should choose which
Choose Fragomen if:
- You have complex, multi-jurisdictional immigration needs across many countries
- You need attorney-led representation for every case (e.g., compliance-heavy industries)
- You're a Fortune 500 company with an established global mobility program
- You need immigration litigation or appeals expertise
- Budget is less of a concern than having a globally recognized law firm on retainer
Choose relokate if:
- Your immigration need is primarily Germany
- You want attorney expertise available when needed — not billing for every case
- You need transparent, predictable pricing without retainer fees
- You want a modern software platform alongside expert case management
- You need full relocation support (housing, Anmeldung) — not just legal work
- You want to start quickly without enterprise procurement cycles
Trusted by startups and corporates alike
Our perspective
“Fragomen is the gold standard in global immigration law. Where we see companies choosing relokate instead is when their need is Germany-specific: they want deep local expertise, transparent per-case pricing, and a modern software platform — without the overhead of a global law firm retainer.”
Team relokate
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This page is published by relokate. We've aimed to give an honest, fair comparison. Fragomen is the world's leading immigration law firm and an excellent choice for complex global immigration needs. relokate is a Germany-focused platform offering a different model — software + service at lower cost. The right choice depends on your scope, budget, and complexity — we encourage you to evaluate both.