Guide to Working in Germany

Want to work in Europe, and live in a country full of beautiful countryside, diverse cultures and plenty of job opportunities? Here’s our Guide to Working in Germany.

Accommodation – How Much Does It Cost to Live in Germany?

The cost of living in will vary across regions of the country; for example, between cities, suburbs and villages. However, here are the average rents and bills to help you plan your budget:

· Single/Couple Rent in Munich – One month’s rent for a one-bedroom apartment in a German city would be around 966,24€.

· Single/Couple Rent in the Suburbs – One month's rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the German suburbs would be around 757,68€.

· Monthly Utility Bill – Utilities for one month for two people in an apartment will cost around 239,66€.

German Transport – How to Travel Around

The country offers a variety of transport options, including Bus, tram, S-Bahn, U-Bahn and regional trains (RE/RB/IRE). ICE/ICs is a high-speed train useful for long-distance travel. The German national railway company DB operates all railway systems across Germany.

Local transport associations (Verkehrsverbund to locals) are local companies operating transport such as bus, tram, or U-Bahn.

Culture

The population is 91.5 percent German, with Turkish being the country's second largest ethnic group, according to the World Factbook. The remaining population is made up primarily of those of Greek, Russian, Italian, Polish, Serbo-Croatian and Spanish descent. About 75.7% of the population is urban.

Germans traditionally place a high priority on structure, privacy and punctuality. The region's people embrace the values of thriftiness, hard work and industriousness. Christianity is the dominant religion, with 65-70% of the population identifying themselves as Christian.

Taxes

Income tax is progressive: the lowest rates start at 14%, which rise incrementally as earnings rise to 42%, and very high income levels are taxed at 45%. The top tax rate of 42% applies to taxable incomes above €55,961. For
taxable income above €265,327, a 45% tax rate is applicable.

Everyone subject to German income tax must file an income tax return annually with the appropriate local tax office, depending on the place of residence. Check with the municipality that you are registered in for additional information on which local tax office that you will report your taxes with.

Pensions

Like many countries, Germany operates a three-pillar pension system that is categorised into different types:

Mandatory state pension – Participation is compulsory and paid by employees and government subsidies. Contributions are redistributed to pay for existing pensioners rather than saved or invested.
Company or occupational pensions – Private voluntary pension schemes offered by employers, which allow employees to build up their pension contributions for retirement.
Private pensions – Individual pension investment plans set up through banks and insurance providers to increase total pension entitlement when you reach pension age.

Education

All residents are obliged to attend primary and secondary education from the age of 6. Children and young people complete a 9-year full-time schooling at Gymnasiums, or 10 years of full-time studying for other general education schools.

The core objective of the country's primary education is developing essential understanding, skills and abilities. Subjects taught in primary schools are the German language, mathematics, general studies, foreign languages, art, design, music, sports, religion and ethics. Many schools also offer classes on finance, media, health, sustainable development and values education.

Travel Opportunities

Living and working in Germany facilitates quick and easy travel to other countries such as:

France - world-famous gastronomy, cafe culture and village-square markets
Belgium - Bruges canals, Antwerp fashion, legendary chocolate and party carnivals
Poland - Picturesque cities like Warsaw, Kraków and Gdańsk perfectly complement the countryside's
woods, rivers, lakes and hills.

Language

Here are a few helpful phrases to begin conversations:

Hi = Hi
Yes = Ja
No = Nein
Thank You = Danke
Bye-Bye = Tschau, Tschuess
Sorry = Entschuldigung
I'm = Ich bin
You're welcome = Gern geschehen
How are you ? = Wie geht's dirl
Well = Gut

Why You Should Live in Germany – Things to Do

Visit the Pergamon museum - a fascinating window into the ancient world.
Explore Kölner Dom – Cologne’s geographical and spiritual heart and its single-biggest tourist draw.
Discover Schloss Linderhof – Ludwig II’s smallest but most indulgent palace.
Find Schloss Neuschwanstein – appearing through the mountaintops like a mirage, Schloss Neuschwanstein was the model for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle.

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