Looking for and Taking up Employment

Some foreigners from non-EU states face legal restrictions in terms of taking up employment. You can find information on this in chapter Foreigners’ Rights. You can also obtain further information from the Immigration Office.

Recognition of Foreign Qualifications

In Germany, the recognition of qualifications is determined at federal state level. You must therefore contact the respective institutions in your federal state. The following are responsible for:

• university qualifications: cultural ministries or the specific state examination board ("Landesprüfungsamt") for your subject area www.bildungsserver.de.
• non-academic vocational qualifications: Chamber of Industry and Commerce www.ihk.de, Chamber of Trade www.handwerk-info.de, Regional councils
• qualifications from all vocational colleges: local supervisory school authority ("Oberschulamt")

The "Agentur für Arbeit" (Employment Agency) offers more detailed information on the recognition of qualifications online at: www.arbeitsagentur.de

Also see: www.europa.eu.int/citizensrights

Agentur für Arbeit (Job Centre)

The "Agentur für Arbeit" provides a service for employees and employers. Its local job centres

• allocate jobs and apprenticeship placements,
• advise employers and job-seekers,
• help to improve chances of gaining employment,
• allocate further training and general training in the workplace.

Advice on employment and career opportunities are offered to all, irrespective of whether contributions have been paid by the individual.

By linking job offers and "situations wanted" advertisements, the agency’s Internet homepage at www.arbeitsagentur.de provides a nationwide overview of the labour market.

Job Offers and "Situations Wanted" Ads in Newspapers and on the Internet

Job offers are posted in the classified sections of daily newspapers (often on Wednesdays and in weekend issues), in weekly newspapers, monthly magazines (city magazines) and specialised trade magazines and journals. For a fee, individuals can also place a "situation wanted" advertisement ("Stellengesuch") in the jobs section. There are a number of Internet sites with current job offers. Job seekers can register on these sites, stating their qualifications and work experience.

Job Applications

For a successful job application it is essential to have a complete, attractively designed binder. It should include the following:

• Covering letter
• Cover for other documents
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) with photograph
• References, certificates, work experience documentation

If you are interested in working in a specific company then you can also send speculative applications. The personnel departments file these applications and, if job positions become available, they check these applications before advertising the position or contacting the Employment Offices.

Employment Formalities

To begin employment, work permits called "Arbeitsgenehmigung" or "Arbeitserlaubnis" are needed (for third-country citizens, see chapter Foreigners from Non-EU States). EU citizens require a special work permit (see chapter EU Citizens and their Relatives).

Every employee also requires a tax card and a social security number. Tax cards are issued by the city or regional authorities where the individual is registered. The social security number is issued by the pension insurance companies. When an employee first enters employment, the employer generally registers the employee. A social security number and identity card is then awarded to the employee. Questions should be directed to your employer, your health insurance company or your state insurance institution.