Salariés are thrice are high in the usa, and rent is probably twice the amount. Munich is definitely cheaper than cali. They could have also moved to a cheaper place within the USA, however. Also local regulations don’t apply to big company in the USA, Germany might require subtler bribing.

Also, software people are not unionised in Germany, despite many of us being proper engineers (i.e. with a title), meaning it should be very easy. Well, my current company let me understand I should avoid talking about even a Betriebsrat (= mini union) if I were to make a career there sooo… No need to worry about that. Probably why they’re not moving to e.g. Paris. Good luck getting qualified people not covered by a “convention collective”.