It seems strange that most German airlines require you to do the DLR aptitude tests to even get considered for employment with them. The Lufthansa Group (Main- and CityLine, Cargo) is no exception, at least I get that impression looking at their websites.
Also, the Long Range Rating - again, a typical German thing nobody else even heard of. It all looks like a quite involved process (mainly doing groundschool coures), and I somehow can't imagine that experienced UK pilots even consider going through the whole shebang.
High cost of living in Germany?? You haven't lived in the UK yet!