German society Would you like to learn more about Germany, its culture and its people? Here you will find information about the German society. A diverse and cosmopolitan culture The impression Germany leaves on many visitors is cosmopolitan, culturally diverse and attractive. This is especially true during major events, such as the 2006 FIFA World Cup. The official motto back then was “A time to make friends”. Many of those who visited during the World Cup were genuinely surprised at how friendly, interested and outgoing the people are in the European Union’s most populous country. They saw that Germans focus on more than just economic success; they also place a high priority on family, friends, and time away from work. Moreover, they realised that the vast majority of German people, both young and old, continue to reflect upon Germany’s National Socialist past and the country’s division until reunification in 1990. This process of coming to terms with the past has given rise to a living culture of remembrance and to deep-rooted values such as social solidarity and respect for diversity. It's little wonder that Germany has long been a country of immigration. Some may find it surprising, but the demographics paint a picture of a vibrantly diverse society. Around 83.6 million people live in Germany. Nearly 12.4 million of them hold a foreign passport – more than in any other of the 27 member states of the European Union. Including those who have subsequently acquired German

Salary, taxes & social security What is the difference between gross and net? Here you can find information on social security and taxes. On this page On this page Salaries in Germany: gross, net, taxes, and contributions These are the taxes you pay as an employee in Germany The social security system in Germany Salaries in Germany: gross, net, taxes, and contributions Working in Germany means that various taxes are directly deducted from your gross salary before you receive your proper salary ( net salary ). A distinction is made between taxes and social security contributions . Your pay slip will list exactly how much has been deducted. However, to get an idea of the amounts beforehand, you can use gross-net calculators on the Internet. You can find a sample calculation of what is deducted in the "Earnings in Germany" graph. What do people earn in Germany? Would you like to find out about realistic salary expectations? The German Federal Employment Agency provides useful guidance with its “ Entgeltatlas (External link) ” (Earnings Atlas). It offers an overview of average earnings for various professions in Germany. Please note that the Entgeltatlas is available in German only. These are the taxes you pay as an employee in Germany The most important tax for employees in Germany is the income tax , i.e. the tax on your wages. Every month, your employer will transfer the income tax as a "wage tax" to the tax office on behalf of you. You do not have to worry about anything at

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 (

Looking for a job Whether you are abroad or already in Germany, find out here how to encounter job opportunities in Germany. On this page On this page Starting the job search process: services of the Federal Employment Agency EURES: EU-wide jobs and funding programmes Finding jobs via online portals and networks Support from placement agencies In this video: How do I find a job in Germany? Would you like to work in Germany? Here you will find tips on how to find a suitable job offer and how to find information on various professions. Please note that it is possible for you to organize the process of job searching, visa application, and entry into Germany yourself. Help from a service provider is not required for this. On “Make it in Germany," you will find official information on all key steps, from job searching and the visa process to learning German and settling into life in Germany. Please use the Quick-Check to assess which requirements apply to you. Starting the job search process: services of the Federal Employment Agency Job placement via a placement agency or a state-run service is not a requirement for taking up employment in Germany. However, professional guidance can support you throughout your job search, the visa process, and preparations for your journey to Germany. The Federal Employment Agency (BA) offers comprehensive advice free of charge. The international experts support you every step of the way, from your job application to starting work and settling into

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

Visa for self-employed business Do you wish to set up a commercial business in Germany? To do so, you will need a specific residence permit. Find out about the requirements down below. In Germany, there are two ways of setting up your own business: you can either work as a freelancer ( Freiberufler ) or set up a business as a self-employed entrepreneur ( Gewerbe ). Find out more about the best approach for you in the article on types of new businesses . If you would like to set up a business as a self-employed entrepreneur, you will have to apply for a residence permit for the purpose of self-employment . To obtain this permit, you must fulfil a number of general criteria and the following additional requirements , which you should ideally cover in your business plan in a convincing way: There is commercial interest or regional demand for your products or services. Your business activity is likely to have a positive impact on the German economy. You have secured financing for your business by way of capital or a loan commitment. Advisory services , such as business associations located in your target region, will help you assess whether you fulfil the requirements listed above. Did you graduate from a German university, or do you have a residence permit for the purpose of research? If you would like to set up a business related to your academic degree or your research activities, you will also have to apply for a residence permit for the purpose of self-employment. You do not have

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

Craftspeople The German crafts and trades stand for customer-friendliness, high-quality products and practical solutions – become an active part of this sector! On this page On this page Skilled crafts and trades in Germany: an overview Skilled crafts and trades have a future - start your career The path to becoming a master craftsperson or tradesperson Your prospects with vocational training in the skilled crafts and trades Is it necessary to have your qualifications recognised? Working in skilled crafts and trades: When do you need a visa? Your next steps towards a career in the skilled crafts and trades Skilled crafts and trades in Germany: an overview Skilled crafts and trades are not only the heart and soul of small and medium-sized businesses, but also Germany's economic engine. Thanks to the proximity to their customers, they create high-quality products and bespoke solutions for problems using their wide range of services and goods. The skilled crafts and trades are directed towards private individuals as well as the manufacturing industry, commerce and the state sector. Moreover, the skilled crafts and trades are an extremely versatile sector and include the following areas: Construction and development Metal and electronics Wood and plastics Industrial cleaning Artisanal food production Healthcare and personal hygiene Clothing, textile and leather Graphic design The skilled crafts sector in Germany This PDF provides a comprehensive overview of the German skilled crafts

IT specialists Germany is an excellent location for your professional future in IT. The technology sector is one of the main economic sectors in the Federal Republic of Germany. On this page On this page Working in Industry 4.0 - opportunities for IT talents Skilled labour in demand: IT specialists in Germany Working with Artificial Intelligence: Your Opportunities in Germany Working in IT: When do you need a visa? How to start your IT career in Germany Learn more: Exclusive information for IT specialists Working as a software developer in Germany Working in Industry 4.0 - opportunities for IT talents Nowadays, digital applications and intelligent technology define our day-to-day lives. Tools are printed with 3D printers, languages can be learnt with apps and robots have taken on many tasks. As a result, the IT industry is one of the most innovative sectors in the world. Germany is still influenced by the spirit of innovation , meaning that the German markets for IT, telecommunications and consumer electronics are in leading positions within Europe. With an innovator rate of 92.4%, the industry is not only one of the most innovative in Germany but is also a driving motor of the German economy, generating a turnover of 307 billion euros. That is the reason why IT specialists in Germany are more in demand than ever. IT in Germany: figures at a glance 109,000 job positions are vacant in the IT sector. 92.4% of ICT companies are actively driving product or process innovations

5 steps for starting a business Start your self-employment journey successfully: Here you can find the most important steps to make your individual start-up project a success. 1. Register your business Before you set up a business in Germany, you must complete a number of formalities. These also depend on whether you want to work on a self-employed (gewerblich) or freelance (freiberuflich) basis. Freelancers must register with the tax office ( Finanzamt) . If you want to register as a self-employed entrepreneur, first contact the local trade office (External link) ( Gewerbeamt ). The Authority Finder (External link) will guide you towards the authorities you will need to deal with and will tell you where you can find them in your area. Be well prepared when dealing with authorities Dealing with various authorities might cause difficulties. Nevertheless, you should try and make use of their support. That is the reason why you should be well prepared to receive help in the most efficient way. Complete the formalities in good time. Most importantly, do not be scared off by the bureaucracy and inform yourself of mandatory registrations and approvals in advance! 2. Pay taxes When you set up a business in Germany, you must also pay taxes to the tax office, i.e. the local authority of Germany’s fiscal administration. The type of taxes you will need to pay depends i. a. on your company’s size and legal structure, as well as the amount of revenue. An overview of the various tax types (