Unemployment and Job Seeking in Germany

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Unemployment and Job Seeking in Germany

Finding work in Germany is not always easy. Berlin in particular has quite high levels of unemployment and has done since reunification.

However the situation is improving and knowledge of English is usually seen as an advantage when job-hunting. Candidates also need a good command of German.

The service sector is a big employer in Berlin whereas other areas of the country have a higher proportion of jobs in manufacturing. The former East of the country is still playing catch-up to the industrial strengths of the West.

Entitlement to Work in Germany

EU citizens benefit from the freedom to move and work within the union. EU jobseekers as well as those of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland have the right to live and work in Germany as long as they hold a current passport and they register with the appropriate office (Einwohnermeldeamt or Bürgeramt) of their local town hall.

The situation is less straightforward for those from outside the EU and most non-EU citizens are subject to restrictions.

• Detailed advice for all newcomers to Germany can be found in the Government's Handbook for Germany
• See also AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Work Permits and Employment Contracts

Official Organisations

• The Federal Ministry for Employment and Social Security (Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales, BMAS) is the main government body involved in unemployment and finding work
• Jobseekers should also go to the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit), which will be represented locally by the job centre (Agentur für Arbeit or Arbeitsamt) (in German)
• The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge) also has a degree of influence particularly when providing training for non-Germans (in German).

City-specific websites can provide local unemployment office and job seeking contact details.

Looking for Work

Vacancies in Germany may be for full-time, part-time, temporary or fixed-term contracts. In addition, many vacancies are advertised as "Mini-jobs" which means that they pay no more than €400 per month.

Jobseekers from outside the EU should first address the issue of residency and work permits - no employer will engage them without the necessary paperwork.

All job applicants need to have a CV (Lebenslauf), ideally in German. Applications are typically accompanied by a covering letter and a photograph, but it is wise to follow all guidelines in the job vacancy ad. Unsolicited applications are welcomed and usually kept on file. Look out for requests for tabellarischer Lebenslauf - which means preparing a CV in tabular form.

Interviews are formal and appropriate dress is required. This is especially important for "suit jobs" and "trendy" jobs, such as marketing and fashion related employment.

Registering with a job centre

If the initial job hunt proves to be unsuccessful, the next step is to register at one of the local job centres (Agentur für Arbeit or Arbeitsamt) which are present in most large towns and cities. This is a free service for job-hunters and employers. They are efficient although it can take a long time to find work. It may be necessary to wait for an appointment. Those who do not speak German should take someone who can translate.

Anyone (whatever their nationality) may examine vacancies at the job centre, even before a work permit has been issued. The centre may also suggest and/or arrange training courses and, in particular, language courses for non-Germans. The costs for such courses are normally covered by the Arbeitsamt.

Companies frequently approach the job centre looking for candidates as they too can make use of their services free of charge. The Arbeitsamt will also pay half the salary of their candidates for a certain time period making them very attractive to employers.

When registering at the Unemployment Office, the following documentation will be required:

• Working status
• Work permit
• Residence permit (Anmeldungsschein)
• Proof that there is no income being received
• CV
• References
• Educational certificates and diplomas

Online jobseeking

Many vacancies are advertised online. See the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit)

Some other useful websites for jobseekers are:

• Monster (in German)
• Jobscout24 (in German)
• Jobpilot (in German)

Or visit the local city web site and follow the link to Stellenmarkt (job market).

Many other agencies also advertise vacancies online but most of these sites are in German. Links to some of the better known sites are provided via the German Embassy London website.

Other sources of job-seeking assistance

The European Employment Service (EURES) has lots of useful information in English and its advisors are there to help EU nationals look for work in any of the member states.

Newspapers also advertise vacancies. Jobs are advertised in the classifieds' section of all daily and weekend newspapers and city guides. Jobseekers can also place a "job wanted" advertisement in many daily newspapers on payment of a fee.

• The German Business Portal has lots of general information in English and a forum where job seekers can share their experiences

Jobseekers with specific skills can register with an agency (Personalberatung or Arbeitsvermittlung). Their services are usually free of charge for candidates.

• For a list of such agencies in Germany: Click here

Sometimes, civilian jobs with the military are a good start for employment in Germany. For example, the US has quite a substantial presence in Germany and will give employment to American passport holders without a work permit.

Unemployment Benefit (Arbeitslosengeld)

New arrivals to Germany do not normally qualify for any unemployment benefit simply because they will not have made the necessary contributions or have worked the required number of hours within the defined period.

However, some EU nationals may be able to claim benefit. They must have been in work in their previous country of residence for a minimum of 360 days over the past three years (and paid contributions into the relevant schemes) and to have worked in Germany for at least one day.

Claiming Unemployment Benefit

Basic security benefits for jobseekers (Grundsicherung für Arbeitssuchende) provide a single set of benefits for those who can work but are unemployed or do not earn enough to cover basic living expenses. Benefits are handled by the Federal Employment Agency and local authorities.

Anyone who has been in employment in Germany and subsequently finds themselves out of work should go to their local employment office (Arbeitsamt) as soon as possible to register and make the necessary applications for benefit.

• To find a local office: Click here

Qualification is usually dependent upon a contract of employment having been in force and payments having been made into the necessary fund. The minimum qualifying period is 12 months. The self-employed do not qualify and those who resign must wait three months before receiving benefits. Benefits are paid to those aged between 15 and 64 and are paid monthly in advance for periods of six months at a time.

There are two types of unemployment benefit: 

• Unemployment Benefit 1 (Arbeitslosengeld I), full employment benefit paid as a percentage of previous earnings 
• Unemployment Benefit 2 (Arbeitslosengeld II) a subsistence allowance

Full employment benefit (Arbeitslosengeld I)

If the claimant has no children, they receive 60 percent of their previous net earnings. If caring for children under 18, this rises to 67 percent. This benefit is payable for 90 to 360 days, depending on the length of previously insured employment and age. A full year's unemployment benefit is received if the person has worked for two calendar years or more (18 months for those aged over 55).

Subsistence allowance (Arbeitslosengeld II)

This allowance is lower than ordinary unemployment benefit and is payable when the claimant cannot receive full benefit or their period of benefit has come to an end, but they are still fit to work and registered as a job-seeker. Whether or not a person can claim for Arbeitslosengeld II will depend on savings, spouse's earnings and life insurance. A set amount is paid for those requiring social assistance (about €350 per month). Claimants must attend training courses, and be ready to step into any job offered them by the Arbeitsamt, even a very low paid one. Exceptions to this rule are sometimes allowed on mental, physical or psychological grounds or in cases where pay rates are deemed immorally low.

While receiving benefits, reports must be made regularly to the job centre. The centre may make contact at any time requesting proof of job searching activities (applications and responses from different companies). Anyone claiming unemployment benefit must not be absent from their usual place of residence for longer than three weeks in each year. These holidays must be agreed in advance with the unemployment office agent.

Note: As soon as redundancy or resignation is confirmed, alert the unemployment office so that they can process the unemployment benefit application in time for the period of unemployment.

Job search

• EnglishLanguageJobs: Europe-wide job search website for English-speakers

Further Information

• Information on unemployment benefits from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) (PDF)
• BMAS also has a brochure, Social Security at a Glance, which can be downloaded: here
• EURES (European Employment Service)
• European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions
• US Embassy Berlin
• German Embassy London
• The Federal Association for Employee Placement (Bundesverband Personalvermittlung) (in German)