How to get a job in Germany?

Germany’s high level of economic development, openness and tolerance towards migrants represent an attractive prospect for foreigners. Many people choose seasonal work, but good living conditions are increasingly encouraging them to move permanently. Find out about how to find legal work in Germany, popular vacancies and features of employment in German companies.

How to get a job in Germany

Advantages of working in Germany for foreigners

 1. Easy job search

The local labor market offers many interesting offers in almost all industries. Construction, elderly care and seasonal gardening are very popular among foreigners. However, it is worth remembering that IT specialists, healthcare workers and engineers are also in demand.

 2. Attractive salaries

The main reason for emigrating to Germany is high earnings for performing the same duties. In 2024, the minimum wage in Germany was 9.50 euros per 1 working hour. In many occupational groups, unions have won much larger sums. 

 3. Opportunity for personal and professional development

Exposure to a new environment and a different culture will teach you more self-confidence, communication skills and expose you to diversity. It is also an opportunity to learn the language, get acquainted with German customs and make new friends. In turn, as an employee, you get the opportunity to learn new systems, ways of organizing work, and also get acquainted with innovative technologies, tools and machines.

4. Developed social support

Germany as a country is famous for caring for its residents. Large financial support is provided to families with children, sick people who cannot work for health reasons, as well as expectant mothers – immediately after the birth of a child, they can count on really large cash injections. Germany also has two types of unemployment benefits. One of them is available to people aged 15-65 years who have lost their jobs and have no means of support, and the other is available to unemployed people over 65 years of age, subject to completing the necessary formalities at the employment office.

5. Low cost of living

Even with a minimum income, you can easily save about 500 euros every month. Of course, many things are more expensive than in other European countries, and services are quite expensive, but compared to capitals such as Brussels, London or Paris, living in Germany is very profitable. Depending on your lifestyle, costs will vary, but the average monthly cost of living is around €1,000 per month.

6. Work-life balance

In Germany there is a clear separation between work and personal life. Employers there are well aware that maintaining a balance in this aspect significantly increases employee productivity, which is very important for them. They rarely provide the opportunity to work overtime and willingly agree to flexible work schedules or part-time work. Thanks to such solutions, working people have time to relax or visit nearby cities.

7. Advantageous location

The border with Germany can be crossed at several points, which means that there are many travel options and the cost of travel is low. Germany borders nine other countries, making it an excellent base. This is a real advantage for people planning to explore Europe.

8. Attractive tourist country

Germany has many highly developed cities, but also many small charming towns. Picturesque mountain landscapes can be found in particular in Bavaria. A big advantage is also the ubiquitous cleanliness, which pleases everyone who comes to this country.

9. Excellent transport links

German public transport allows you to quickly move between cities. Modern buses, trams and metro lines provide high passenger comfort. National roads and highways allow free movement from land to land.

10. Tolerant nation

Germany is also a very open and tolerant country where people with disabilities, people of different orientations and nationalities are not excluded. The local population does not close itself off from emigrants, which makes it much easier for them to adapt to the new reality.

Popular vacancies and salary levels in Germany

German employers are willing to pay their employees well. Compared to the earnings that many professions can expect in other countries, the differences in pay in Germany are quite significant. The dynamics of development in Germany in recent decades have been very strong, which has led to the fact that the demand for workers has increased to such an extent that entrepreneurs have begun to compete with each other for employment in order to attract more workers from abroad.

When going to work in Germany, you can expect to earn from 1,000 to 7,000 euros per month. The salary in many cases depends on education, knowledge of the German language and the type of work performed.

The highest paid professions in Germany, which are very popular among foreigners emigrating to this country.

  1. Plumber (plumber). Salaries, depending on location and experience, range from approximately 1,500 to 3,500 euros per month. But to apply for a plumber position in Germany, you need to take several specialized courses and have a communicative level of German.
  2. Welder earns from 1800 to 2500 euros per month. Working as a welder in Germany requires the candidate to have a valid qualification and welding certificates recognized in that country or preferably throughout the European Union.
  3. Auto mechanic – one of the most sought-after specialists in Germany. The salary of a car mechanic in Germany is about 2,300 euros. To apply for a position as a car mechanic in Germany, documented experience in this profession is required. Graduation from a vocational school and communicative knowledge of the German language are highly valued.
  4. Elderly care – another one of the higher paid and more willingly chosen professions by foreigners. The salary of nurses ranges from 1500 to 2200 euros net per month. Working as a caregiver while caring for an elderly person does not require nursing education, although it is encouraged in this profession. Almost anyone can apply for this position, but the required level of knowledge of the German language depends on the specific vacancy.
  5. CNC machine operator (including milling and lathes) in Germany can expect to earn 2,700 euros. However, being a CNC machine operator is a profession that requires specialized knowledge, backed up not only by certifications, but also by experience, which significantly affects the final compensation offered for this position. Knowledge of the German language for this position at a communicative level is only required in some cases. In other cases, basic English is sufficient.
  6. Electrician. Working as an electrician in Germany, a person can earn: from 1000 euros (with a license) to 3000 euros (a specialist with a higher education). When applying for a job as an electrician in Germany, it is necessary to know the German language at a communicative level, and if you choose this profession mainly because of high earnings, it is worth obtaining qualifications and licenses in advance, which significantly increase the amount of the final salary.
  7. Truck driver with a valid driver’s license category C+E can expect a salary in Germany of approximately 2400-2500 euros per month. But to work as a driver in Germany, you need to know the German language at least at level A2. Experience is also very important in this profession.
  8. Seasonal workers hotel service workers, salespeople, catering workers or warehouse workers – young people without experience and people who want to earn extra money while on vacation. Employers have greater freedom in choosing candidates. As a result, they try to outdo each other with additional high wages and benefits in order to attract as many seasonal workers as possible.

Requirements for candidates to work in Germany

To legally work in Germany you must have the following documents:

  1. A foreign passport is the main document confirming your identity;
  2. a work permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) in Germany obtained by the employer;
  3. health insurance number (Krankenversicherungsnummer) in order to be entitled to health services;
  4. consent to start work (Bescheinigung über die Erlaubnis zur Arbeitsaufnahme). The employer is obliged to issue this document to an employee who is not a citizen of an EU Member State.
  5. Confirmation of a medical examination (Gesundheitszeugnis) at the request of the employer.
  6. Tax number (Steuer-IdNr): Employees working in Germany must have a tax number.
  7. Social insurance number (Sozialversicherungsnummer), required for paying social insurance contributions.
  8. Language certificate if the employer requires knowledge of the German language.

How to look for work in Germany?

Finding a job in Germany is not as easy as it seems. Most people who come to this country for the first time go there with acquaintances, friends or relatives who help them get a job and rent an apartment.

People who want to travel to Germany to earn money on their own for the first time can find work on job sites or contact potential employers directly and request information about current job offers. But many unpleasant surprises can await them here. Among the offers published on such portals, there are often advertisements for illegal and private work, which significantly reduces the safety of the trip and the likelihood that the work will be fully paid

The best way to find a job in Germany is to use the services of a recruitment agency for work in Europe, Group Working, which acts as an intermediary between the employee and the employer. She takes care of the employee, offering him only offers of legal work from trusted employers, assistance in obtaining a visa and other documents, support and a number of other guarantees.

Writing a resume and cover letter for a German company

To find a job in Germany, applicants need to prepare a professional CV and cover letter. They should be: 

  • written in German and adapted to the standards and realities of the German labor market in Germany;
  • concise and contain only the most important information about skills and professional experience.

The cover letter should be written independently, and not copied from a ready-made template. This is the only way to stand out among hundreds of other candidates and get an invitation to an interview.

  • You should use as few standard phrases as possible. The dry facts are already included in the resume, so the cover letter should be in the form of a short story about yourself in relation to the position for which the candidate is applying.
  • Those who are just starting their professional journey should not write a resume and cover letter longer than 1 page. Those with longer professional experience may write a little more, but not more than 2 two pages.

Translation of documents for work in Germany into German

Translations of all documents into German (passports, diplomas, certificates of additional education and qualifications) are required for job seekers in Germany. Professional translations increase the chance of finding a suitable position, obtaining a work visa and work permit. To ensure high quality and linguistic correctness, translations of documents must be carried out by professional and certified translators with appropriate formatting.  

Preparing for an interview

A company is more likely to hire a candidate who shows interest and dedication and knows exactly what type of person it is looking for and what direction it is going in. The more information a job seeker can get about the company, the better.

In about 10 minutes, the candidate must convince a HR specialist, director or entrepreneur online that he is suitable for this job. You need to succinctly talk about your education, experience, training and courses, your strengths and skills that can be useful to you now.

Visa and work permit in Germany

If the applicant is not a citizen of the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA) and wants to stay in Germany for more than 90 days to work, they must obtain a visa as well as a work and residence permit. There are many different types of visas available in Germany. 

The most common types of residence permits include:

  1. temporary residence issued if a person gets a job in Germany, he can obtain a residence permit with a validity period corresponding to the expected period of employment plus 3 months;
  2. blue card Usually awarded to highly qualified non-EU nationals who have a locally recognized university degree. From November 2023, the current minimum annual gross salary is reduced to €43,800 from the previous €58,400, and for STEM professions, including scientists, mathematicians, engineers, doctors and IT specialists, the minimum annual gross salary is reduced to €39,682. from the previous 45,552 euros. German authorities have also announced that IT professionals without a university degree can also apply for an EU Blue Card if they can prove that they have at least 3 years of similar work experience;
  3. long-term residence in the EU.

After obtaining a residence permit in the form of a national D visa, individuals can travel to Germany and apply for a work permit, which will be indicated on the visa issued for this purpose. Confirmed job offers will be required and evidence that the vacancy cannot be filled by the EU national or other international worker who first applied. A work permit is usually issued for a period of one year, but it can be extended. Highly skilled workers can obtain another permit, valid for several years.

The Germany work visa application process generally consists of the following steps:

  1. receiving a job offer in Germany;
  2. collecting all necessary documents and submitting a visa application. The worker must provide several documents to the German embassy or consulate in his or her country of residence to prove that he or she meets all relevant conditions for a work visa, including proof of residence, proof of qualifications, a personal cover letter and a mandatory job offer;
  3. registration for a visa interview;
  4. payment of the fee for obtaining a German work visa. The standard fee for a work visa to Germany is 75 euros;
  5. undergoing a job interview with an employer;
  6. waiting for a response to a request.

In each individual case, the recruitment agency for work in Europe Group Working offers detailed advice, individual assistance in selecting vacancies, obtaining a work visa and a work permit in Germany. Contact us today to assess your options and find your dream job!

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