Hiring & Recruiting in Germany
Capital
Berlin
Official Language
German
Currency
Euro
Payroll cycle
Monthly
Quick facts about Germany
Germany, which boasts the largest economy in the European Union, is a home to booming sectors such as tech, banking, and healthcare. As the world’s fourth largest economy, Germany is a hub for some of the world’s top talent, with multinational firms, tech companies, and startups setting their sights on building local HQs in Berlin, Frankfurt, and other cities.
As the fourth largest economy in the EU, Germany accounts for ⅕ of the EU’s total GDP. With so many booming sectors, including banking and technology, Germany has a huge consumer market which makes it one of the many countries that is a good place to build your career.
For foreigners and expats, the process of getting hired can be a bit more challenging. To receive a visa, you will need to hone in on your professional skills and have the right qualifications in order to stand out to potential employers and get approved for a visa.
This article outlines everything potential workers in Germany need to know about jobs in the country, as well as what employers should expect as they recruit top talent from Germany and around the world.
Recruiting in Germany: What employees need to know
When looking for a job in Germany, it is crucial to understand if your higher education skills are equal to that of a recognized degree in the country.
Having the right degrees, certificates, and higher education qualifications will make looking for a job much easier. If your degrees are not recognized as being equivalent to those offered in Germany, you might not get approved for a visa. Take a few days to think about how your work in Germany will pass the tough visa process. You should also consider if you want to move to a big city like Berlin or Frankfurt, a smaller city like Cologne, or if you hope to live in one of the more rural areas of the country.
To familiarize yourself with the job market, check out the Make it in Germany website, which will guide you through the general qualifications Germany employers will be looking for. This resource also provides a lot of knowledge about residence and visa protocol. Another great tool for accessing jobs is to use boards like LinkedIn.
While the process of getting approved for a visa can be daunting, it might be encouraging to know that Germany needs around 400,000 skilled laborers to enter the job market every year. The country’s most booming industries include:
Aerospace
Automobile manufacturing
IT/technology
Healthcare
Sustainable energy
Finding a job in Germany
There are a few ways that recruiting works in Germany. People tend to find jobs through direct appointments, apprenticeships, or graduate schemes (internships).
After getting hired, it’s pretty common for companies to provide additional training to ensure that you have the necessary skills to complete the job on a day-to-day basis.
Foreigners should also familiarize themselves with German business culture, which emphasizes formality, punctuality and a general respect for rules and authority. It would also be beneficial to improve German language skills, as many employers will insist on fluency in German. Some remote jobs may only require English, but these positions are harder to come by.
Finding a Job in Germany as a foreigner
Once a potential foreign employee hones in on their necessary skills, foreign job-seekers can use boards and online portals to begin their hunt. There is also the option of working with German job advisors or recruiting companies to help with the search. If potential employees take this approach, they will need to make sure that they are using a reputable company.
The job search in this country can take a few months, so make sure that you set aside the necessary time to find the perfect role.
Jobseeker Visa
Expats from outside of the EU without a job offer in hand can also come to Germany by applying for a Jobseeker Visa. This visa allows jobseekers 6 months to settle into their German life and start contacting potential employers.
Once you land an interview or even an offer, some employers may still ask you for further professional qualifications, which could mean taking a few academic courses locally.
Whether you’re applying for a residence work visa or a Jobseeker visa, there is still an initial interview for the visa application, which normally book out 3 months in advance. Make sure you plan accordingly to this timeline, or you might need to delay your move.
Although finding a job in Germany may seem complicated, once you hone in on your skills and build your network, Germany has a huge job market looking for potential employees. With some time and effort on your part, finding the perfect job can be accomplished.
Social security
Once you’re approved for a job in Germany, you will automatically be enrolled by your employer into the social security system. You and your employer will make social security contributions, but your employer may choose to enroll you into a more private health insurance system.
The social security system in Germany covers a wide-range of practices, but knowing what contributions you’ll need to make for social security can be helpful as you begin to apply for jobs. Tax and social welfare are a huge part of the country’s public system, so understanding how social security works in Germany will make the hiring process easier.
Hiring in Germany: What employers need to know
Foreign and domestic companies looking to hire in Germany need to make sure they are following all of the necessary German regulations, especially for ensuring employees meet the higher education/professional qualification criteria.
Work & permanent residence visas are required for all employees who do not have EU citizenship. As an employer, you will need to submit documentation for their visa in order for them to obtain a work permit simultaneously. Employers need to include an employment contract, letter of intent with salary, and a detailed job description for the employee’s application.
Employment contracts
There is no law in Germany that specifies employee’s overtime pay, so employers have the ability to dictate the amount in their employment contract. There is also no legally mandated 13th-month bonus, but many employers opt to give this as added compensation to remain competitive when recruiting top talent.
Because of these gray areas, it’s especially important for employers to draft a strong employment contract before onboarding officially begins.
Why companies partner with Via
Many growing companies want to hire talented employees in Germany, but need help following the strict German laws about visas and permits. Using a global EOR service like Via expedites the process and ensures that companies follow all hiring and employment laws correctly.
With Via, we help you hire, onboard, and pay remote employees across the world. As your employer-of-record abroad, we take care of the local human resources (HR) logistics, such as salary, payroll, benefits, paid leave, and tax deductions. Maintaining compliance is our responsibility. You simply focus on building your team and running your business.
