Tips and tricks for working in Germany

Before you start looking for a job, you should check if your qualifications are recognised in Germany. This is the only way you can be sure to be allowed to work in your desired field. You can easily check online whether your qualifications are compatible with German standards. Should your qualifications not be accepted at first, you should try and get them recognised in order to increase your chances of getting a job. Contact the local German authorities to get help with the recognition process.

The biggest resource for job offers is the internet. There are several job agencies that post new offers daily. Online job agencies, specialized in international applicants, are particularly useful. Most companies in Germany will require you to send your application via email or fill in online application forms. This is very comfortable because you will be able to apply for jobs even though you aren’t in Germany yet.

Once you are in Germany you can check newspapers and magazines for job offers. Another resource that will help you get a job is the Federal Job Agency Get in contact with the local branch and arrange an appointment with a job

Generally employees in Germany have to pay a good deal of tax. The most important one is the income tax. It is based on the family situation and annual salary. Just like the solidarity surcharge, it is automatically deducted by your employer. If you are a member of a certain church (for example, Catholic or Protestant Church), a church tax will be deducted from your income as well.

Most jobs in Germany require certain contributions to the social security system. These usually include public health insurance, occupational accident insurance, unemployment insurance, pension insurance and nursing care insurance. These insurance charges are also deducted from your salary. On your pay slip you can see the total deducted amount as well as your resulting net salary.

At the end of every calendar year, you can get a tax refund by filling in an income tax declaration.

Even if you return home after a while you can transfer your pension fund contributions to the pension fund in your home country.

Don’t freak out if you come to Germany but don’t have a place to live yet. There are several options for the first weeks until you’ve found your own place to live: stay at a hotel, hostel or rent a furnished flat for a couple of weeks or months.

In Germany, most people don’t own a house or flat, they rent one. The leasing market is big and it’s possible to find flats and houses in all price classes. Like in most other countries, it is more expensive to rent or buy in big cities than it is in less populated areas. Additionally it is harder to find a property in metropolitan areas.

It’s easiest to find estate agent offers online or in the local newspaper. An advantage the online search certainly offers: it can be conducted while abroad.

If you are renting, a written contract has to be signed. It states all terms of lease for example how much rent has to be paid every month and how long the cancellation period is. Ask which service charges are included in the rent paid to the landlord. Sometimes water, electricity and heating bills have to be paid separately. If they are not included, you have to sign a contract with the local utility. Check with your landlord who this is.

When you are signing the contract, a deposit has to be paid. The deposit is usually three
months’ worth of rent and paid into a special bank account. When you are moving out, you get the deposit plus any earned interest back.

Additionally you have to pay radio license fees if you have a TV, radio or computer. The fees are paid per flat and you have to register online Note that this fee is obligatory and refusing to pay might result in heavy fines.

An internet and telephone line is usually already installed when renting a flat or house. After you move in it has to get activated by a telephone provider. This can take several weeks, so if you have the chance, choose a provider before moving in. DSL-internet and phone are often offered in a package. Depending on the company and your own needs, there are different prices and speeds, so compare providers online to get the best rate.

Last but not least, it is important that you get registered once you’ve moved into your new flat. Go to the local registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt) in the first week after moving in and bring your passport and contract of tenancy. As soon as you’re done with this, you have officially settled in Germany.

When living in Germany you will notice quickly that you won't get far without your own bank account. It is needed to pay your rent and bills and for your salary to be put in.

There are many different banks in Germany with a huge portfolio of different account types and at different costs. The most common bank account is the ‘Girokonto' (current account). After you've opened your account you will get an EC-Card that you can use to withdraw money and pay cashless. Banks that are found in most towns and cities are ‘Sparkasse', ‘Volksbank' and ‘Postbank'. You can open up your bank account online and get identified at the local post office or visit a bank branch and talk to a bank clerk. Make sure to bring your passport, registration certificate and depending on the account type also your work permit and pay slip. It is obligatory for opening up most bank accounts.

Even if you should not happen to need German in your work life it is certainly helpful to know the basics to find your bearings. It is advisable to take up a course in your home country. Knowing a bit of German makes arriving in Germany easier and softens culture shock. A good address for learning German abroad is the Goethe-Institute The official cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany offers a variety of courses tailored for different needs and levels.

If you already are in Germany you can ask your employer for support. Some companies have their own language centres or fund language courses. Another option is to attend a language course at a Volkshochschule This state-run adult education institution offers affordable courses in many towns and cities.

Especially innovative start-ups and the internet sector are growing rapidly. There’s a high demand for English native speakers and international high-skilled workers. People from all over the world call Berlin their home. It is easy to blend in and get along. Berlin prides itself as a child- and family-friendly city with over 1.800 day care centres.

With the second biggest port in Europe there are a lot of jobs on offer. The port itself is the fastest growing job sector. But with 120,000 companies established here, there are many more opportunities. Hamburg is also a city of contrasts: on the one hand the distinguished shopping streets and chic restaurants and on the other hand the hip and artistic underground districts. Close to the Baltic Sea and North Sea, Hamburg is also a popular holiday destination.

It has the lowest unemployment rate in the entire country. There are many rapidly developing companies with a high demand of workforce. Especially the technology and automotive sector offers huge job chances. The earnings in Munich are among the highest in Germany. The drawback is that this also reflects in higher living costs.

The highlight of the year for most inhabitants is the colourful carnival that is celebrated with parades and parties. Two of the largest TV stations produce their formats here; hence Cologne is the media capital of Germany. Many international trade fairs take place in Cologne. A lot of companies, including two large insurance companies, also have their headquarters here. The city is known all over the world for its cathedral and the invention of Eau de Cologne.

With Vodafone and E-Plus headquarters located here, Dusseldorf is the country’s telecommunication centre. Additionally, numerous advertising agencies have their roots in Dusseldorf. The city is loved for the international atmosphere with the third largest Japanese community in Europe calling Dusseldorf their home town.

There are a lot of opportunities for those wanting to work in the construction, automobile or mechanical engineering field. World-renowned companies like Porsche, Daimler and Bosch have their headquarters and production sites here. If you are a wine enthusiast, you’ll love this city with its surrounding vineyards and hills.

With the financial potency there are many jobs available. Frankfurt is also Germany’s gateway to the whole world with the country’s biggest airport. Chic bars and restaurants as well as its significant skyline make Frankfurt a popular destination. Getting along here will be easy: every third person holds a non-German passport.

Hanover is a laid-back city in the heart of Germany. It is known worldwide as the ‘Exhibition City’. It hosts the world’s biggest computer and IT fair, the CeBIT, every year. Additionally, the EXPO took place here in the year 2000. Many financial service providers have their head office in Hanover. With the city’s history of kings and queens, there are beautiful old buildings and immaculate gardens.

The Ruhr district is Germany’s most densely populated industrial area. Former home to countless coal mines and steel mills, the region is now entering a new era with a stronger focus on the service sector. Big cities, lots of work and leisure time opportunities as well as friendly, down-to-earth locals make this region a favourite among expatriates.