Who can work in Germany?

As a person with residence status, you will in most cases need a work permit to work in Germany. If you have a work permit, you can generally work full-time in Germany from the age of 18. Anyone under the age of 18 is subject to the youth employment protection act and can only work a certain number of hours. You can find more information on the BMAS website . There are different types of work such as full-time jobs or mini-jobs. You can find more information in the category types of work . \n

I have a residence status - may I work?

In most cases, your residence document will state the conditions under which you are allowed to work. Generally there are three cases: – Gainful employment permitted: The permit is valid without restrictions. This means that you will be treated exactly the same as local employees. – Gainful employment permitted only with the permission of the foreigners authority: In this case you have to apply to the BAMF to be allowed to work. – Gainful employment not permitted: You are not allowed to work (for now). You can get advice on work permits from the migration office . \n

How do I get a work permit?

To get a work permit, you need a job. The employer, your boss, must then give you a description of the job. The description will tell you what you need to get the job. With this document you go to the migration office. Together with the employee of the migration office, you submit an application for a work permit. It may take some time before you receive the work permit. The migration office must check whether all requirements are met. \n

How well do I have to speak German in order to work?

German is spoken in many companies. Therefore it is important to learn the German language quickly. For different jobs you need different language levels. Some companies find it important that you speak German very well, for example when you as a salesperson have to talk to customers. For some professions you will also need special German vocabulary (technical language), for example as a doctor. Various ( job-related ) language courses can be found under “ german courses “. \n

What are trade unions or works councils?

Some companies have trade unions or works councils. A trade union is an organization of employees. The union tries to represent the interests of the employees vis-à-vis the employer. As an employee you can join a trade union, become a member and contact the union in case of problems. More information on trade unions can be found here . The works council also tries to assert the interests of employees. The works council has some co-determination rights in the company. The members of the works council are elected by the employees. The main task of the works council is to stand up for the interests of the employees in the company. More information on works councils can be found here . Not all companies have a trade union or works council. \n

What is a job reference?

If you stop working for an employer, the employer must give you a job reference. The job reference states how long you worked there, which tasks you took on in your job and how good you were at your job. The job reference also states how you behaved towards your superiors and colleagues. Job references are important when you apply for a job. \n

What do \"occupational safety\" and \"safety at work\" mean?

When it comes to occupational safety, or safety in the workplace, it is all about ensuring that a workplace is as safe as possible and that, at best, there are no dangers. Employees should be protected against hazards and accidents. In many companies there is a briefing on occupational safety. You will then be told and shown what you need to consider. One example of occupational safety is a ban on cell phones or smoking in the workplace. Hygiene regulations or technical instructions are also included. Further information on the topic of occupational safety can be found here , for example. \n

What is an accident at work?

If you injure yourself at work, on the direct way to work or on the direct way home from work, it is called an industrial accident. If you are seriously injured, you should definitely go to the doctor and say that your accident happened at work. You are then insured against accidents. Even if an aid such as glasses is damaged in the accident, this is still covered. More informormations can be found here . \n

What happens when I am sick or unable to work?

If you are sick and cannot work, you must go to the doctor and get a sick note. You will then receive a certificate of incapacity to work stating how long you cannot work. You get three copies: One for your health insurance, one for your employer and one for yourself. It is written on the certificate of incapacity to work for whom the copy is intended. You must send the copies to your health insurance company and your employer as soon as possible. Sometimes this can be done digitally if you have a scanner. In any case, you must let your employer know immediately if you cannot come to work. In some cases, employers do not want to have a certificate of incapacity to work until the third day of absence. See if there is anything about this in your employment contract. Even if you are on sick leave, you will still receive your salary from your employer (continued salary payment). Only after six weeks of illness will you receive the money from your health insurance company (continued payment). \n

What is an occupational disease?

An occupational disease is a disease caused by work. If you think you have an occupational disease, you should seek advice from the Chamber of Labour. \n

What are maternity and parental leave?

If you are pregnant as a woman, you are protected by the maternity protection act . If you are pregnant and working, your employer must ensure that you and the child are not endangered by the work. You are then usually not allowed to work for six weeks before you have the child. There are also professions in which you are not allowed to work earlier because the work could be dangerous for the baby. Once you have your child, you may not work for eight weeks. While you are on maternity leave, you will receive your salary. The employer cannot dismiss you because you are pregnant. During this time you have special protection against dismissal. Then you can decide whether you want to work again or take parental leave. Parental leave is an unpaid break from work for parents who want to take care of their child themselves. The child’s father can also take parental leave. You can take parental leave for up to three years in total. During this time you do not have to work and do not receive a salary. Instead, you can apply for parental allowance, for example. During parental leave you cannot be dismissed by your employer. When parental leave is over, in most cases you can return to your old job. More information on maternity and parental leave is available, for example, from the l abor law and social law advisory service of the Chamber of Employees . \n

I have a question about labor law - who can I contact?

For example, you can seek advice on labor and social law from the Chamber of Employees or on labor and social law from “Faire Integration” . \n

I feel discriminated against at my workplace. Who can I turn to?

There are various counseling centers that can help you if you feel discriminated against in the workplace. For example, you can go to ADA’s anti-discrimination advisory service . In many companies, there are also complaint bodies that you can turn to. Find out whether there is a complaints office in your company. \n

Working Life & Employment Law

If you want to work in Bremerhaven, you usually need a work permit from the Migration Office. Whether you are allowed to work and receive a work permit depends, among other things, on your residence status and the job you want to work for. You also need a degree for most jobs. You can find out how to find work and how to apply in the category find & apply for work. There are counseling centers that can help you apply for a work permit or find a job. Just have a look at the offers below. Once you have found a job, you will receive an employment contract. In addition, you will normally receive a pay slip every month that shows how much you have earned and how much tax you have paid. The pay slip can be provided to you electronically or you can receive it as a document from your employer. Keep these documents in a safe place. If you file a tax return, you will need these documents. As an employee in Bremen you are automatically a member of the Chamber of Labour. At the Chamber of Employees you can get free advice on many questions concerning working life. For example, there is advice on labor law and social law. If you are a customer of the Jobcenter, there are a few things to consider when you want to work. You can find more information in the category work, money & jobcenter. You want to become self-employed? Then we have information about it in the category self-employment.

As a person with residence status, you will in most cases need a work permit to work in Germany. If you have a work permit, you can generally work full-time in Germany from the age of 18. Anyone under the age of 18 is subject to the youth employment protection act and can only work a certain number of hours. You can find more information on the BMAS website. There are different types of work such as full-time jobs or mini-jobs. You can find more information in the category types of work.
In most cases, your residence document will state the conditions under which you are allowed to work. Generally there are three cases: – Gainful employment permitted: The permit is valid without restrictions. This means that you will be treated exactly the same as local employees. – Gainful employment permitted only with the permission of the foreigners authority: In this case you have to apply to the BAMF to be allowed to work. – Gainful employment not permitted: You are not allowed to work (for now). You can get advice on work permits from the migration office.
To get a work permit, you need a job. The employer, your boss, must then give you a description of the job. The description will tell you what you need to get the job. With this document you go to the migration office. Together with the employee of the migration office, you submit an application for a work permit. It may take some time before you receive the work permit. The migration office must check whether all requirements are met.
German is spoken in many companies. Therefore it is important to learn the German language quickly. For different jobs you need different language levels. Some companies find it important that you speak German very well, for example when you as a salesperson have to talk to customers. For some professions you will also need special German vocabulary (technical language), for example as a doctor. Various (job-related) language courses can be found under “german courses“.
Some companies have trade unions or works councils. A trade union is an organization of employees. The union tries to represent the interests of the employees vis-à-vis the employer. As an employee you can join a trade union, become a member and contact the union in case of problems. More information on trade unions can be found here. The works council also tries to assert the interests of employees. The works council has some co-determination rights in the company. The members of the works council are elected by the employees. The main task of the works council is to stand up for the interests of the employees in the company. More information on works councils can be found here. Not all companies have a trade union or works council.
When it comes to occupational safety, or safety in the workplace, it is all about ensuring that a workplace is as safe as possible and that, at best, there are no dangers. Employees should be protected against hazards and accidents. In many companies there is a briefing on occupational safety. You will then be told and shown what you need to consider. One example of occupational safety is a ban on cell phones or smoking in the workplace. Hygiene regulations or technical instructions are also included. Further information on the topic of occupational safety can be found here, for example.
If you injure yourself at work, on the direct way to work or on the direct way home from work, it is called an industrial accident. If you are seriously injured, you should definitely go to the doctor and say that your accident happened at work. You are then insured against accidents. Even if an aid such as glasses is damaged in the accident, this is still covered. More informormations can be found here.
If you are sick and cannot work, you must go to the doctor and get a sick note. You will then receive a certificate of incapacity to work stating how long you cannot work. You get three copies: One for your health insurance, one for your employer and one for yourself. It is written on the certificate of incapacity to work for whom the copy is intended. You must send the copies to your health insurance company and your employer as soon as possible. Sometimes this can be done digitally if you have a scanner. In any case, you must let your employer know immediately if you cannot come to work. In some cases, employers do not want to have a certificate of incapacity to work until the third day of absence. See if there is anything about this in your employment contract. Even if you are on sick leave, you will still receive your salary from your employer (continued salary payment). Only after six weeks of illness will you receive the money from your health insurance company (continued payment).
If you are pregnant as a woman, you are protected by the maternity protection act. If you are pregnant and working, your employer must ensure that you and the child are not endangered by the work. You are then usually not allowed to work for six weeks before you have the child. There are also professions in which you are not allowed to work earlier because the work could be dangerous for the baby. Once you have your child, you may not work for eight weeks. While you are on maternity leave, you will receive your salary. The employer cannot dismiss you because you are pregnant. During this time you have special protection against dismissal. Then you can decide whether you want to work again or take parental leave. Parental leave is an unpaid break from work for parents who want to take care of their child themselves. The child’s father can also take parental leave. You can take parental leave for up to three years in total. During this time you do not have to work and do not receive a salary. Instead, you can apply for parental allowance, for example. During parental leave you cannot be dismissed by your employer. When parental leave is over, in most cases you can return to your old job. More information on maternity and parental leave is available, for example, from the labor law and social law advisory service of the Chamber of Employees.