Work in Germany

Are you interesting in moving to Germany? Good decision. This country is one of the most popular places in Europe right now with foreign workers, due to the amount of companies and jobs here. You can find work throughout the country, popular places to apply include Berlin, Cologne, Munich, Hamburg and Bremen.

Featured Opportunities

Quick Facts

• Population: 82,422,000
• Principal Language(s): German
• Capital: Berlin
• Other major cities: Hamburg, Munich, Cologne
• Monetary unit: 1 Euro = 100 cents
• Internet domain: .de
• International dialling code: +49

About Germany

Following the Second World War, Germany was divided into East and West, and after several decades, was finally reunified in 1990. There is however, a large difference in living standards between East and West and much needs to be done to address this issue.

Germany has been home to some of the world’s musical giants, such as Johann Sebastian Bach and Ludwig van Beethoven and German contribution to letters has also been immense, with thinkers such as Kant, Schopenhauer and Nietzsche leading the way.

Poets such as Goethe and writers such as Hermann Hesse and Günter Grass are well acclaimed. Germany was also the birthplace of many of the leading scientific figures in the world, such as physicists Albert Einstein and Werner Heisenberg.

Reasons to Work in Germany

Germany is one of the world’s leading industrialised countries. It has the largest economy in Europe and the third largest in the world. It is a member of the G8 group of nations and (as West Germany) a founding member of the European Economic Community (now the European Union). Germany is one of the most progressive countries in the world and hipster hubs like Berlin attract talent from all over the world.

Seasonal Jobs in Germany

There are lots of short term, temporary and summer jobs in Germany. Roles can be found in eduction, travel and tourism, hospitality and hotels.

Jobs for Students and Graduates

If you are student or recently graduated, Germany is a great country to start or progress your career. This experience will look fantastic on your CV.

Professional Jobs in Germany

Are you seeking a well paid career within an established industry? These are some of the main industries that drive the German economic growth:  automobiles, electrical engineering and electronics, chemicals, and food processing. Most jobs in these types of industries can be found in places like Baden-Württemberg, Lower Saxony, Hessen, North Rhine–Westphalia, Bavaria, the Saarland, and Thuringia.

Language

Knowing German will really boost your job prospects, and also make living here easier. You could learn online or find German language schools in Germany. Some jobs advertised to foreigners are just in English, especially in hipster locations like Berlin where several multinational companies are based. It is still recommended to pick up at least the basics of the local language though.

People and Culture

Don’t get fazed by some of Germans who seem quite serious, many are very conservative and rule abiding people. Local people are generally very friendly and like to indulge in fun loving activities like watching football, visiting saunas and going to beaches in summer. Most younger people in Germany know English to a high standard since the language has been made mandatory in schools.

Currency and Salaries

Germany is one of the European countries that adopted the Euro as its official currency in 2002. That means that you’ll be able to use the Euro freely in Germany, as well as in twelve other countries.

You should have a good understanding of how the Euro works before you leave for study in Germany.

Here are the basics:

One hundred centimes equals one Euro. Centimes come in denominations of 1,2,5,10, 20, and 50. There are seven different banknote denominations for the Euro including: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500.

It’s important to know how your currency performs against the Euro. Stay on top of current exchange rates and be sure to have a plan for banking abroad before you move to Germany.

Salaries in Germany are high by European standards, but what you get paid really depends on the job/employer.

Visa and Requirements

Most employers only hire foreigners who are aged 18+. if you are lacking experience you could apply to intern in Germany first.