Job in Germany

How to find a job in Germany for foreigners?

Here we offer the fullest selection of websites for getting a work in Germany; it includes both classic German job portal and job boards.

The EU Blue Card is a project of the EU member states, the Europe's answer to the US Green Card, for attracting talents and minds from Non-EU countries. Just create your own account on the EU Blue Card and view relevant job offers from foreign employers.

Do EU-citizens need a working visa?

Germany is a Schengen country and the European Union member state. It allows the nationals with the EU passports to work and live in Germany without any special work permit.

What are the steps for Non-EU citizens to enter Germany legally?

1. Apply for a German visa for work.
2. Notify the Foreigners Office of your arrival at Germany.
3. Get a German residence and work permit. 

How to get a German visa for work?

For entering the Federal Republic of Germany, Non-German and Non-EU nationals should apply for a national visa (D visa). The German working visa is initially issued for three months and shall be renewed after arrival to Germany by the Foreigners Office for the period stipulated by your employment agreement.

German Job Seeker Visa

In 1 August 2012, Germany offered a new visa type for 6-month job seeking. Please note, that you are not allowed to be employed during the job seeker visa validity period. You should find the suitable vacancy during 6 months and, without leaving the country, apply for a residence and work permit. Application for job seeker visa shall be submitted to the local German mission (Embassy or Consulate General)
The job seeker visa cannot be renewed. You may apply for a new job seeker visa only after you have left Germany and stayed outside its borders for the period equaled to that of stay in Germany for job seeking (6 months).  

German residence permit

Once you entered Germany, you must notify the Foreigners Office of your arrival and get a residence permit. Residence permit is issued by the Foreigners Office (Ausländerbehörde).It is usually situated in the local city hall. For more details about documents acceptance hours and check-up lists, please, visit local websites. For example, website of the Berlin Foreigners Registration Office.

German residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) looks like a plastic card. You must submit the original application for residence permit to the Foreigners Office in person along with the following documents: 

- certificate of registration or registration form (Meldeschein), issued by the Citizens Office  (Bürgeramt);

- apartment lease or sales contract, medical insurance confirmation and a passport-size photo;

- for a residence and work permit, an employment agreement is also to be presented.

A foreigner gets a residence permit (eAufenthaltstitel) specifying, whether he or she is eligible for being employed. A residence permit is issued for the specific period.  

A foreigner, who lives in Germany legally but has no work permit (e.g. a spouse of an employed foreigner) may independently apply for a work permit to Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit).

What are the German income taxes?

The main German tax charged from the earnings is Einkommensteuer, i.e. individual income tax.  There is also a solidarity surcharge amounting to 156.03 € (it was introduced by the Federal Government in 1991 due to German reunification to support the eastern federal states).

Job in Germany with the family reunification

Family reunification (marriage, close relatives, etc.) entitles to special procedure of issuing a German visa. However, the immigration laws require proof that the applicant-resident of Germany possesses sufficient funds to support his or her spouse/child, especially if he or she does not have a German work permit.  

A foreigner’s spouse does not get a German work permit automatically with the family reunification:  he or she will be assigned with the dependent status as according to German Constitution (§ 19 of the Labour Law), you have to apply for a German work permit until the German citizenship is acquired. 

Entrepreneurs in Germany

According to the German laws, an individual entrepreneur is a person, who invests 250 000 € and creates five new job positions. The entrepreneur obtains a residence permit immediately.  
Entrepreneurs are required to provide a business plan, CV, business project, proof of financing, investment plan, profit and loss forecast for 3 years.

The feasibility (probability of implementation) of a business plan will be examined by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The plan will be considered not only by the Citizens Office, but also by economics of State Administration Office.