Living and Working in Germany

Living & Working in Germany
Sabine Novak March 2011

EURES-Germany

Index

Germany & the Labour Market

Job Seeking Strategies

Applying for a Job

When you have found a Job

Social Security & Taxes

International Placement Services (ZAV) 2011 © Bundesagentur für Arbeit Seite 2

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(Bild in Masterfolie einfügen)

Germany & the Labour Market

Facts about Germany

Surface Area: 357.000 km²

Population: 82.6 Million

Capital: Berlin (3.4 Million inhabitants)

16 Federal States


Typically German

http://www.tatsachen-ueber-deutschland.de

Labour Market

Unemployment rates in 2010

Unemployment Rate: 7.7 %
West Germany: 6.6 %
East Germany: 12.0 %
3.3 million people unemployed

Germany has been less adversely
affected by the current economic
situation than many other Member
States.


Labour Market

Where are the jobs? – for university graduates:

Mechanical and electrical engineers
Engineers (processing, robotic,
biotechnology etc.)
IT engineers (software development,
network architects)
Specialised doctors
Chemistry experts
Specialists in marketing and sales


Labour Market

The following jobs are hard to find – university graduates:

Architects and civil engineers
Masters of Arts and Social Sciences
Business graduates
Geologists and biologists
Journalists
Lawyers
Locum doctors


Labour Market

Where are the jobs? – skilled workers:

Technicians and mechanics
Skilled metal workers, welders
Nurses, geriatric carers
Hospitality sector (chefs, waiters)
Retail sector


Labour Market

The following jobs are hard to find –
Skilled Workers:

Construction and building site workers
Skilled workers in the textile industry
Agricultural professions

There are very few jobs for non-skilled workers!


Internships

Before, during or after your studies/training
From one week up to one year
Average are six months
Often not paid
Leonardo, Erasmus/Sokrates or other programs

www.connecticum.de
www.aiesec.org
www.iaeste.de/cms/index.php?id=60


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Job Seeking Strategies

Finding a Job in Germany

Job Seeking Methods:
Internet
EURES - network
Private agencies
Temporary employment agencies
Job fairs
Direct contact with employers
Newspapers
Yellow pages


Finding a Job in Germany

Useful Internet Addresses
www.arbeitsagentur.de (German Federal Employment Agency)
www.meinestadt.de (regional online portals)
www.careergardens.de (careers fairs)
www.gelbeseiten.de (Yellow Pages)
www.branchenbuch.de (information about companies)
http://eures.europa.eu (EU-Commission/EURES)
www.ba-auslandsvermittlung.de (ZAV)


www.arbeitsagentur.de


www.eures.europa.eu.de


Newspapers

Die Zeit academic professions (every Thursday)
FAZ – Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung weekends
VDI-Nachrichten engineering professions
Handelsblatt economists
Süddeutsche Zeitung
Die Welt

Seite 17

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Applying for a Job

What do German employers expect from you?

Good working knowledge of German - written and spoken
English is a plus
Professional experience in the relevant sector
Motivation
Assertiveness
Able to work in a team


Basic-Rules

Applications should be short and precise
Documents should be typed on a computer
Avoid any mistakes in your application (grammar/spelling/layout)
Letter of motivation should be
suited to the employer addressed
and the position sought
Documents should be adapted to
the company


Applying for a Job

In a DIN A 4 folder (usually plastic):

Cover letter (typed)
Curriculum Vitae (tabular)
Photo is necessary (good quality, nice and serious looking)
Copies of school leaving certificates, university degrees and
proof of any professional training
Copies of testimonials and letters of reference

Employers will expect German-language translations of your
documents!


Your CV should be written in the following order:

Name, address, date of birth, marital status
School
Training / University
Practical training
Work experience
Other important data (voluntary work)
Languages
Other skills (personal interests, hobbies, etc.)
Location, date, signature

not more than 2 pages!


europass

Arbeiten und Leben im Ausland 2011, © Bundesagentur für Arbeit Seite 23

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When you have found a Job

As an employee you…

Will get an income tax card from your local authority which you
should pass on to your employer
Must register with a health insurer and inform your employer
Will be registered with social security, your health insurer,
pension fund and the Federal Employment Agency
Will get your social insurance number and card (through your
employer)


If you are self employed:

Types of businesses
registered companies (Gewerbetreibende)
freelance professions (Freie Berufe)

Registration for registered companies:
register your company at the Trade Office (Gewerbeamt) in the
municipality in which you wish to open your business.
The Trade Office will inform all the other authorities (e.g. tax office,
accident insurance fund, local court).

Registration for freelance professions:
Freelances do not register with the
Trade Office, just the tax office.
You will get a tax number.


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Social Security & Taxes

Social Security

5 branches of the Social Security System:

Health Insurance
Unemployment Insurance
Pension
Invalidity Insurance
Accident Insurance

Please find detailed information in English at
www.deutsche-sozialversicherung.de


Social Security

Social Insurance Rates:

Employer – Employee = 50 : 50

Health Insurance approx. 15%
Unemployment Insurance approx. 3 %
Pension approx. 20%
Invalidity Insurance approx. 2%
Accident Insurance employer 100 %


Taxes

P. A. Y. E. (Pay As You Earn)

Automatically deducted from employee’s salary:

Income tax 16 % - 45 %
Church tax 8 % - 10 % of income tax (voluntary)
Solidarity tax 5.5 % of income tax (to finance the
reconstruction of the former GDR)


Money Matters

In addition to your travel costs you will need enough money to
cover your housing, food and other expenses until you receive
your first wage from your employer

Even if you find a job immediately, you can expect to wait up to
one or two months for your first wage


Costs of Living
Butter (250 g) 1.40 €
Bread 2.50 €
Cinema ticket 8.00 €
Soft drink in a restaurant 2.50 €
Meal in a restaurant 14.00 €

The north of Germany is less
expensive than the south
Many products have a Pound
to Euro exchange rate of 1:1


Housing

350 to 600 € per month for 50 sqm
(1 bedroom, 1 living room, kitchen and bathroom)
Mostly unfurnished (even without kitchen)
In cities parking is often not included (approx. 100 € per month)

Landlords often ask for a work contract or
proof of income
East and north of Germany is less expensive
Register your address at the city registration
office after moving in


Gross Salaries

engineer ca. 3,000 - 4,400 € p./m.
master degree (craftsmen/industry) ca. 2,300 - 3,800 € p./m.
fitter (trade) ca. 1,500 - 1,600 € p./m.
office clerk ca. 1,800 - 2,100 € p./m.
nurse ca. 1,800 - 2,300 € p./m.

There is no official minimum wage!

Salaries are in general bound by a
collective tariff agreement!


Any Questions?

Zentrale Auslands- und Fachvermittlung (ZAV)
Bundesagentur für Arbeit
Villemombler Straße 76
53123 Bonn
E-Mail: ZAV@arbeitsagentur.de
Tel.: + 49 (0) 228 713 - 13 13


Living and Working in Germany

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