Germany offers amazing work opportunities.
As the country with one of the lowest unemployment rates in the European Union (only 3.9% in May 2020), there are a lot of jobs available.
There are studies that show that a third of non-EU migrants in Germany in 2010/11 found a job within 12 months!
If you are qualified and have basic knowledge of German, you have a high chance of finding work! But the question is, do you need to learn German to work in Germany?
Why would I want to work in Germany?
Before diving into the topic of learning German for work, you might ask yourself why you would even want to work in Germany, to begin with!
Germany is home to some of the biggest companies globally, especially when it comes to the automotive sector.
Some of the biggest companies in Germany are:
- BMW
- Allianz
- Bosch
- Volkswagen
- Siemens
- Deutsche Telekom
There are low unemployment rates in Germany.
However, skilled workers in technology, engineering, science, health, and maths are always in demand, so if you happen to be skilled in one of these sectors, Germany might be the place to be!
Salaries
The minimum wage in Germany is 1584.00 Euro per month as of June 2020. The average monthly income lies at around 4021.00 Euro.
Learning German
Learning the German language will be the biggest step you can take to get ready for a life in Germany. For work, it may not be necessary, but it will most definitely help when looking for a job.
There are a lot of English-speaking jobs available in Germany, but even these favor applicants with at least some basic skills in German.
Companies will see that you are committed and ready for living in Germany.
Without any German skills, it is possible that you will only find jobs in the informal and casual sectors.
Healthcare jobs
When you plan on working in the field of healthcare in Germany, knowing German is mandatory.
To get a job in this sector, you will need to provide proof of language proficiency with an official exam, such as Goethe or Telc.
Having a German spouse
If you want to find work in Germany in order to move to your spouse, there is a possibility you will need to obtain a residence permit, for which you need proof of basic language skills (A1). This depends on where you are from, but either way, A1 basics will help you a lot in your day-to-day life!
How to find work in Germany
If you want to take the plunge and find a job in Germany, there are a few things you can try.
Work visas
First, find out if you need a work visa for Germany. If you’re from the European Union or the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), you won’t need to worry about a work permit as long as you can show a valid passport.
Anyone outside of the EU/EFTA area will need a work visa to find a job in Germany.
Qualifications
If your job is among the regulated professions in Germany (there are about 150 of those, like teachers and doctors), you will have to get your qualifications recognized before starting work in Germany.
To find out how your particular profession needs to be recognized, you can check out Recognition in Germany.
Job Benefits in Germany
Once you start working in Germany, your employer will enroll you in German health insurance and German social security benefits.
The social security benefits will include your state pension in Germany as well as accident insurance for work-related incidents.
Take the plunge!
Working in Germany comes with countless benefits, so if you’ve been mulling over the idea for weeks or months now, take the plunge!
If you’re already learning German, that’s amazing, and if you haven’t started, but dream of a career in Berlin, Munich, or Frankfurt, learning German will give you heaps of advantages when looking for a job!
Check out our other posts to find lots of tips on how to quickly and easily learn German!
Good luck!