Employment & earnings Many employee benefits and above-average salaries in various industries: Here you can find out how much life costs in Germany. Low unemployment rates in Germany In 2024, the unemployment rate among people aged 25 and over in Germany was 3.1 per cent. The country therefore has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world. While elsewhere in Europe, youth unemployment has risen significantly in the past few years, Germany's dual education system has paid off. In 2024, only 6.4 per cent of 15- to 24-year-olds were registered as “unemployed”. Gross is not the same as net When signing a work contract for employment subject to social security contributions in Germany, your contract states your gross salary . But gross is not the same as net. It means that you will receive less than what is stated in your work contract. For instance, in 2025 the average gross salary across all salary levels ranged between €4,025.00 and €3.622.50 per month. In the case of employees in jobs subject to social security contributions, employers automatically deduct income tax and the statutory social security contributions. The advantage is that your social security contributions cover any financial burdens in case of losing your job, falling ill, or in need of care (in old age). The employers themselves cover some costs as well. The amounts deducted may vary depending on your income, federal state , tax bracket, health insurance fund and family status. The solidarity surcharge (

Education Germany is known worldwide for its education system. Here you can find out how the German education system works. Your children are well looked after Parents can go about their professional occupations with commitment and focus without worrying about their little ones. In March 2024, about 60,662 public and private day care facilities were available in Germany. Child care in Germany begins at an early age: In 2024 more than one third of the children aged 0 to 3 were supervised in a day-care facility, so their parents would be able to pursue their career aspirations. In the age group of 3 to 6 years, which includes schoolchildren as well, the proportion of all children looked after was as high as 91 per cent. Child care is also firmly anchored in integration and inclusion. In 2024 more than 41 per cent of care facilities were kindergartens with integrative care. For children with disabilities, a total of 220 facilities were available. Education for everyone The German education and training system is world-renowned. In the 2023-2024 school year, around 32,700 schools throughout Germany gave all children of school age access to education. Around half of them (47.3%) were primary schools. At the secondary education level, there were numerous Hauptschulen (5.2%), Realschulen (5.2%) and Gymnasien (9.6%). After successfully completing your schooling, you have the possibility of either embarking on a vocational training course or enrol at one of Germany’s 428 higher education

Qualified professionals Certain professions in Germany are in high demand. Discover in which industries professionals have great opportunities! Skilled labour shortages in German companies – Which occupations are in demand? Germany currently does not suffer from a shortage of skilled workers on a national scale, however in some occupational fields and regions, there is a scarcity of qualified professionals. Occupations in the sciences, engineering, and in health care are affected the most. The staffing difficulties occurring in the different sectors also strongly depend on the level of qualification. A distinction is made between three groups: skilled professionals are persons who have completed at least two years of vocational training or a comparable qualification; specialists are workers with a master craftsperson's or technician's training, an academic degree or a comparable qualification; experts are persons who have at least a four-year university education or equivalent qualification. The current skilled worker shortage in specific occupational groups or regions cannot be reduced in its entirety with the available supply of labour. For instance, there is a lack of skilled workers in geriatric nursing, specialists in general nursing care and experts in IT occupations such as software development and programming. Many vacancies in vocational training remain open Aside from the automotive sector, Germany is known worldwide for its exceptional dual education system in companies

Bank account How do I open a bank account in Germany? We explain what you need to consider when opening an account. If you plan on living in Germany long term, you require a German bank account ( current account ) to rent a flat or to receive your salary via bank transfer, for instance. But you will also be able to use your debit card (Girokarte) in your day-to-day life, for example, to pay at the supermarket. You can use you debit card in other countries in Europe which use the euro as currency as well. Cashless payments If you wish to pay without cash in Germany, you can do so with a credit card or a so-called Girokarte. The Girokarte works similarly to a debit card, and many banks provide it free of charge with opening the current account. For a credit card, however, you will usually be charged a fee. The main difference between the two cards is the billing cycle. While payments with a debit card are immediately debited against your account, credit card payments are debited collectively at the end of the month. In your everyday life in Germany, a debit card is sufficient. But for purchases requiring the payment of a deposit, you will most likely need a credit card. Some exemplary cases are booking a hotel room or renting a car. If you shop online, you can also transfer the money via credit card, instant bank transfer (Sofortüberweisung), Giropay (an internet payment system based on online banking) or PayPal. Opening a bank account To open a bank account, you generally require

Additional insurances Safety first: find out which insurances you should take out in Germany. Liability insurance Liability insurance pays if you damage or destroy another person's belongings. For example, if you break a vase or spill coffee on a friend's smartphone. Most Germans have that kind of insurance because it is inexpensive and protects you from having to pay for the damage with your own money. Household contents insurance This insurance covers all items inside your house or flat. For example, household contents insurance pays if furniture and clothing are stolen or damaged by fire, storm or water. The cost of household insurance depends on the size of your home, among other things. Accident insurance You are a member of the statutory accident insurance scheme through your employer. This means that you are covered in the event of an accident at work or on your way to work. Private accident insurance is a good way to protect yourself against accidents when you are not at work. This covers the financial consequences of an accident, for example, if you become disabled and are no longer able to work. You can also arrange benefits for the rehabilitation of your health, which are not covered by statutory health insurance. Occupational disability insurance Occupational disability insurance covers you if you are no longer able to work for health reasons. If you are diagnosed with an occupational disability, the insurance will pay you an agreed monthly pension. Occupational

Useful everyday knowledge Find answers to frequently asked questions about Germany. Topics range from public holidays and emergency numbers to mobile phone contracts. Useful everyday knowledge Many things are different in Germany, such as opening hours of stores, waste separation or the purchase of a SIM card. Here you will find answers to the most important questions about everyday life in Germany. What public holidays are there in Germany? In Germany, public holidays are determined by the federal states. The only exception is the national holiday on 3 October – the Day of German Unity – which is set by federal law and applies throughout Germany. There are also a number of public holidays that have been declared by all the federal states, which means that they apply to the whole of Germany. Examples include New Year’s Day, Easter and Christmas. In Germany, you do not have to work on public holidays and your children do not have to go to school. Shops and supermarkets remain closed on public holidays, which is why many German families use such days to go on trips or simply to relax. Most public holidays in Germany have a religious background, especially at Christmas and Easter, when a sense of peace and quiet is expected. The climate in Germany Germany has a temperate climate with continental influences. This means that there are distinct seasons with different temperatures. The average annual temperature is 10.9 degrees. In the north of Germany, especially in the coastal regions,

Leisure What is life like in Germany? This section contains information on what you can do in your free time and how to meet new people in Germany. Getting to know new people It can be difficult to move to a new country and leave all your friends and family behind. Here are some useful tips to help you settle in quickly in Germany! Do you like to play football, or would you like to try your hand at a new sport? Germany has a strong club culture. You are free to join any sports club and meet new people. Check out the clubs in your area – either in person or online – or just ask your new colleagues. Those who prefer mental to physical exercise can take a course at an adult education centre (External link) . You can take courses on a wide range of topics at one of over 840 locations across Germany. Adult education centres also offer language courses – you may meet other skilled workers from abroad who are in a similar situation and are also looking for contacts in Germany. Those with a creative streak can take art classes or join a drama group or choir. Many municipalities have their own special communities or charitable organisations that are always on the look-out for new helpers. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people while doing something good for society. Often there are also clubs dedicated to promoting intercultural exchange in a city. They organise all kinds of events where you can meet new people and improve your German. Some cities also run cultural clubs where

Housing and registration Finding a new home in Germany. We show you how to successfully find an apartment or a room in Germany. There is a large supply of high-quality rental accommodation in Germany, but demand is also high, especially in the major cities. We give you tips and explain what you should consider before and after moving in. Your first accommodation Until you find a place to live in Germany, you can stay in a furnished holiday flat, hostel, hotel or youth hostel. However, it will not normally be possible to register this address as your place of residence. Please note that you are required to register your place of residence with the relevant authorities within two weeks of your arrival in Germany. (See the “Moving in” section.) What types of accommodation are available? There are many ways to feel at home in Germany. The following options are available to you: Rental flats Long-term accommodation (three months’ notice) Not usually furnished; not always equipped with a kitchen Short lets Temporary accommodation for a fixed period Usually furnished Flatshare Individual and usually flexible rental periods and furnishing arrangements Shared accommodation with flatmates, usually cheaper than living alone Usually a shared kitchen and bathroom; each resident has their own private room Student residences (for students only) Usually furnished, relatively inexpensive A range of different options: individual apartments, single rooms with a shared kitchen and bathrooms, parent-child

Financial support for families In Germany, it is possible for both parents to take parental leave after the birth of their child. You can find further information on the duration and possibilities for financial support here. Parental leave After the birth of a child, mothers and fathers have the right to take a break from work to care for their child and spend time with their family. During this time, the employer may only terminate the employment relationship in exceptional circumstances (e.g. insolvency, shutdown of the business). As an employee, you can request up to three years off work from your employer. During this time, you do not have to work. But if you choose not to work, you will not receive any pay. One way to compensate for this is to apply for parental allowance. You can take parental leave before your child’s third birthday. You can also take some parental leave between your child’s third and eighth birthdays. In other words: you can take parental leave when you and your child really need it. At the end of parental leave, parents have the right to work as much as they did before taking parental leave. If you wish to apply for parental leave, the Parental Allowance Offices can help you. You can find their addresses on the familienportal.de (External link) website. Who is entitled to parental leave? Employees who have a German employment contract – whether full-time, part-time, marginal employment, fixed-term or permanent contract, etc. – are entitled to parental

Language classes It is worthwhile learning the German language before entering Germany. Find German courses in your area. Key facts at a glance German is the most commonly spoken mother tongue in Europe Around 130 million people worldwide speak German as a first or second language German is an official language of Germany, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Liechtenstein Initially, you will be able to get by in English in many parts of Germany. However, it is essential to learn German if you plan to stay in the country on a fairly long-term basis. You will quickly find that it is difficult to get by without German, especially at work, when dealing with the authorities, when shopping or in your private life. Learning German is therefore highly recommended. Ideally, you should start learning the language in your home country. You can start learning at the Goethe-Institut (External link) , for example, since the cultural institution of the Federal Republic of Germany is responsible for promoting the German language and culture. To this end, the Goethe-Institut offers German courses at 151 locations in Germany and abroad. To find a Goethe-Institut near you, go to our our overview of advisory and contact points . The Goethe-Institut’s German certificates are officially recognised for many different purposes. How to find quality language schools abroad The Goethe-Institut has compiled quality criteria for language schools abroad (External link) which you can use to identify