Work in Germany without German (2023)

FAQs

Can I get job in Germany without German language? ›

In short, finding a job in Germany without speaking German will require you to think strategically about what types of companies to apply to and diversify the ways you learn about and apply to jobs. This path will take a bit more time and effort, but good jobs are out there and they are indeed attainable.

Although you can work in Germany as an EU citizen with English language skills, we recommend that you learn some German. You will have an easier time communicating with your colleagues and with the authorities. Above all, if you know German well, you can get better paid jobs.

Can you live in Germany without knowing German? It is just about possible to live in Germany without knowing much German. But in order to find employment and to fully integrate into society, you will need to be able to speak and read German to a good standard, especially if you live outside the major cities.

Although it's possible to find a job in Germany with only speaking English, knowing German will skyrocket your chances. Of course, there are plenty of international job positions that only require the English language, but these tend to be more competitive, so speaking at least some German is a huge asset.

A residence visa is required if you intend to stay in Germany for more than 90 days for work or study or if you intend to move to Germany permanently.

There's no doubt that you can survive in Germany without knowing German. Every German usually studies English from the age of 5 and especially the younger generation watches British or American series.

However, there are plenty of jobs in Germany for English speakers too, so don't worry if you haven't picked up the language just yet. Some industries have more English speaking jobs than others, and it also depends on your individual skills too.

German is rated as a category 2 language and considered to be similar to English. The FSI estimates that German takes approximately 30 weeks, or 750 classroom hours to learn. This study was conducted on a group of language students who spent 25 hours per week in class, and three hours daily on individual practice.

Can I Move to Germany Without a Job? If you are a non-EU national, you cannot live in Germany longer than three months, unless you are working or studying. However, if you meet the requirements, you can apply for a job-seeker visa which allows you to stay in Germany for up to six months as you look for employment.

Is it hard for Americans to get a job in Germany? ›

The low unemployment rate and job opportunities make Germany a desirable place to work in by people around the world – including Americans. Although it is a different work environment and culture (and the language barrier can be tricky), jobs in Germany for Americans are not impossible to find.

Healthcare workers

Since then, healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses and pharmacists have been in high demand in Germany. The digitisation of the healthcare sector and the retirement of many physicians is the reason why the German healthcare sector needs qualified professionals to fill the vacancies.

Job Board (Stellensuche) of the Federal Employment Agency

The BA's Stellensuche (job board) is Germany's largest online portal for jobs. You can look for jobs and enter your personal applicant profile so that German companies are able to see it and can therefore contact you directly if they are interested.

Which are the easiest countries to immigrate to from the US? Portugal, Malta and Spain are some of the easiest countries to relocate to from the United States. American citizens can either gain permanent residency or apply for citizenships via each country's Citizenship by Invest programs.

See the sections above entitled, "Basics about American Citizenship Law" and "Basics about German Citizenship Law". Neither country requires a person born under these circumstances to choose between American and German citizenship, i.e., he/she may keep both citizenships his/her entire life.

It is not difficult to move to Germany from the US if you have a valid reason, such as a job offer, a letter of acceptance from a German university, or wishing to join your partner. However, generally speaking, everyone outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland needs a solid reason to receive a German residence permit.

According to a survey, skilled workers in construction and skilled trades, with a total of 349,275 jobs available and technical specialists (282,941 jobs), are in demand in the German labour market. In the previous years, these two groups represented 36.6 per cent of the published and evaluated job offers in July 2022.

1. Berlin. With its bustling start-up culture and innovation hub, Berlin tops the list of cities that offer English-speaking jobs. Germany's capital city remains the popular favorite when it comes to finding a job as a non-German-speaking candidate.

But what makes German so hard to learn? The only reason that German seems so difficult to people is that it has grammar rules that other languages don't. German is a language with relatively high “inflection,” meaning that the words in a sentence change based on their grammatical roles.

How long does it take to learn German if you live in Germany? ›

So how long does it take to learn German when living in Germany? According to the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), on average, it will take at least 750 hours or 30 weeks for a person to learn German. This time frame includes anyone living in Germany or outside a foreign country.

So, how long do you need to learn German if you want to reach this level of fluency? According to the U.S. Foreign Service Institute (FSI), you'll need about 750 hours of study to become fluent in German. This means that if you study 12-15 hours a week, you'll be able to speak like a pro in just a year!

For this reason, English speakers will learn German much faster than French. In fact, it takes a native English speaker an average of 30 weeks (750 hours) to become fluent in German.

With plenty of straightforward rules, German is not actually as hard to learn as most people think. And since English and German stem from the same language family, you might actually be surprised at the things you pick up without even trying! And on top of it all, it's definitely a useful one, too.

You need more than 3 months to be fluent. But even with such a short time, if you adjust your strategy, you can actually learn German and get really close to being fluent. And I don't mean being able to say, 'I'm doing fine' in German as fast as a native speaker or being able to combine words you learned on Duolingo.

Yes, it is possible, that is if you have dedicated many hours of German language learning without distractions. Language experts mention that learning German beginner level (or German A1 level) takes at least 75 hours to fully grasp. That takes at least 10 hours or more a day to really finish your language lessons.

If you want to find the best way to learn German fast, immersion is the way to go. The most important thing that immersion provides is a constant stream of your target language. You will hear it all the time and read it everywhere.

When considering the cost of living in Germany vs. the U.S., you'll find that the cost of living in Germany is nearly 19% lower. Munich is the most expensive city in Germany, and yet consumer prices are 32.5% lower than in New York City and 14% lower than in Los Angeles.

Basic Etiquette

It is rude to chew gum or keep one's hands in one's pockets whilst talking with someone. Cross your legs by putting one knee over the other. It is impolite to rest your feet on furniture. Tight punctuality (Pünktlichkeit) is expected in most professional and social situations.

Can Americans Retire in Germany? Yes. Retiring in Germany as an American is quite simple. To stay longer than the 90 days permitted without a visa, you must apply for a temporary resident permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis).

Do I have to pay US taxes if I live in Germany? ›

Americans earning income in Germany will need to pay US taxes—that is, unless you can eliminate your tax liability using the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, foreign tax credits, and the foreign housing exclusion. The US-Germany Tax Treaty helps prevent double taxation for expats.

Moving to Germany from the USA

As mentioned, many Americans are drawn to Germany for its strong economy, phenomenal health care system, and incredible education opportunities. But as we've just learned you can't just pick and move there, there are some steps you'll have to take.

Despite being the capital, Berlin is one of Germany's cheapest cities. Rental prices vary massively, but as a rule of thumb, the west remains much more expensive than the east. You can rent a one-bed flat in Berlin for €00 upwards.

All persons who wish to seek gainful employment in Germany are required to obtain a residence permit in the form of a visa. Where needed, a work permit will be included in the visa issued for this purpose.

Residence and Work Permit

US citizens in possession of a valid US passport do not need a visa for airport transit, tourist or business trips for stays up to 90 days.

How many Americans live in Germany? Currently, there're 119,255 Americans living in Germany, 5,475 of which were born in Germany. Most of them reside in larger cities like Berlin, Munich, Hamburg and Frankfurt. In fact, the Bavarian region alone is home to 24,895 Americans!

The survey found that 40 percent of employees in Germany felt stressed the day before they took the poll. Despite the seemingly high rate of stress in Germany, employees around the world have generally recorded higher levels. In the US, for example, stress levels are at 52 percent.

Health professionals are highly in demand, with an estimated shortage of 5,000 doctors at time of writing. Germany is also in need of care workers, with a particular demand for those who work in geriatric care. Construction workers, tradespeople, and other vocational workers are also highly sought after in Germany.

Academic degrees can be recognised by the Central Office for Foreign Education ("Zenteralstelle für auländisches Bildungswesen" or ZAB). The ZAB maintains a database (anabin) where you can see whether your degree is recognised in Germany. You can directly apply for the recognition of your certificates at ZAB.

On average, to cover your living expenses in Germany you will need around 934 euros per month (around $906 US dollars) or 11,208 euros per year (around $10,876 US dollars). The prices for food, accommodation, bills, clothes and entertainment are basically in line with the EU average.

What is a good salary to survive in Germany? ›

a monthly gross average salary for a full-time employee in Germany was €4,100 in 2021.

The highest-paid professions in Germany belong to the medical, engineering, and financial sectors. The top-paying jobs require a degree related to your domain because unskilled jobs do not fetch a good salary. Surprisingly, research has found that Germany's average highest-paying job rate is at least €55,475 per annum.

Yes. There are many opportunities and several business sectors to work in even without speaking German.

Although it's possible to find a job in Germany with only speaking English, knowing German will skyrocket your chances. Of course, there are plenty of international job positions that only require the English language, but these tend to be more competitive, so speaking at least some German is a huge asset.

In short: yes, there are English-speaking jobs in Germany.

Foreigners who look for jobs in tech startups or digital departments have a higher chance of finding work in Germany without speaking German.

You are not required to provide proof of language proficiency for your job seeker visa in Germany. Still, you're highly encouraged to develop your German language skills as it will give you a higher chance of finding employment.

Long story short: You can survive in Germany without knowing the German language; most Germans speak English, the train usually runs announcements in English and in restaurants or bars, waiters and waitresses often speak English, especially in the city center.

Do US Citizens Need Visas to Enter Germany? US citizens do not need a visa to enter Germany. However, if you plan to live in Germany (or stay longer than 90 days), you can apply for a residence permit at the German Immigration Authorities after you enter.

What are the requirements to receive a work visa? Your qualifications must be either recognised in Germany or comparable to those from a German higher education institution. If you are seeking employment in a regulated profession, i.e. health professions, a professional practice permit is required.