When deciding to go to work in Germany, it is worth looking at the proposed rate and comparing it with the cost of living in this country. Get ready for your trip and check the current prices and costs of living in Germany. We invite you to read!
According to the latest report of the europa.jobs portal, Germany remains the most popular destination for money among our countrymen. Over 40% of the respondents selected Germany as a country to go for seasonal works in 2021.
- high income
- neighboring countries
- the largest Polish community in Europe
The three main reasons listed above, thanks to why emigration to Germany is still prospering.
Wages in Germany 2022
Remuneration for work in Germany varies depending on the industry and region, and is subject to the so-called tariff systems that define them precisely. For example, wages in the eastern federal states are generally lower than those in the western federal states, due to historical differences in economic development.
In Germany, there is also a newly established, nationwide minimum wage, which is EUR 9.82 gross in 2022.
Below you can check the minimum rates in individual industries.
| Industry / position | Minimum gross rate |
| Construction worker | EUR 12,85 |
| Painter | EUR 11,40 |
| Carerer of an elderly person | EUR 12,55 |
| Cleaning | EUR 11,55 |
| Roofer | EUR 13,80 |
| Electrician | EUR 12,80 |
As mentioned above, hourly wages can vary greatly depending on the federal state, experience or the company which employs. What’s more, knowledge of the German language also affects the amount of the offered rate. Although there are still many job offers where language is not required, you should not expect a higher wage or a better position.
It is recommended to look for employment in smaller towns. Mainly due to the lower living costs and greater demand for employees. Unfortunately, internal migration to larger cities is quite natural nowadays.
The average monthly salary in Germany is approx. EUR 3,000 – 3,500 gross. Below we list the average hourly wages in sample industries. The rates are derived from job offers published on the europa.jobs portal.
| Industry / position | Average gross hourly rate |
| Work in the warehouse | EUR 11,4 |
| Production | EUR 11,9 |
| General construction worker | EUR 12,13 |
| Locksmith-welder | EUR 14,7 |
| Carer of an elderly person | EUR 12,0 |
| Horticulture / harvesting | 10,1 EUR |
Going to work in Germany – what is worth remembering?
As in many EU countries, stay and work in Germany for up to 3 months is possible without additional formalities. However, if you plan to stay longer, it is worth preparing the following documents:
- German NIP (Steuer-ID)
- Tax card (Lohnsteuerkarte)
- German Social Security Number (Sozialversicherungsnummer)
- Affiliation to a health insurance fund (Krankenkasse)
Working time in Germany
The weekly working time in Germany is approximately 39 hours, although a 40-hour working week is also common. As in Poland, an employee should have a break on each working day, and its length and other information about the time and schedule of work depend on the regulations in force in a given company. Offices are usually open at 9.00 a.m., with lunch breaks around 12.30 (Mahlzeit).
Where to look for a job in Germany?
The labor market in Germany is full of vacancies, especially if we are talking about work related to the manufacturing, construction or even medical industries. We recommend that you pay attention to job offers in such professions as:
- Carer of an elderly person
- Medical worker (nurse)
- Restaurant / hotel staff
- Work in the warehouse
- Mechanic / engineer
- Construction worker
- Plumber
- Electrician
We encourage you to check job offers from Germany on europa.jobs, but also browse local portals, including:
- https://de.jobrapido.com/
- https://www.monster.de/
- https://www.stellenanzeigen.de/
- https://www.kalaydo.de/
Cost of living in Germany 2022
The average cost of living in Germany is around EUR 1,000 – EUR 1,500 per month. Services such as hairdressing, vehicle mechanics, and even the Internet or telephone will pay the most. Food and liquor products are also more expensive than in Poland. People who smoke will feel a big difference in price, because you can pay up to 6 euros for a packet of cigarettes.
The cost of living in larger cities such as Munich, Berlin or Hamburg, on the other hand, can reach up to half a monthly salary.
The cost of renting an apartment in Germany
Rental costs vary by region. It is best to look for a flat with the help of companies, which, however, have to be paid for intermediation. It is the safest and fastest way of finding accommodation, especially for those who do not know German. Examples of addresses for renting apartments through brokers (Mitwohnzentralen) include: www.mitwohnzentrale.de
Other options for finding your own accommodation, is to look for offers from advertisements in the press or the Internet, or to ask for help from someone you know (if there is such an option).
Renting a studio apartment is an expense of EUR 500-800 also free of charge (sometimes even without furniture), and flats with an area of 60m2 from EUR 1,200 to EUR 1,400 in a large city (the fee for an apartment is usually quoted in the amount of monthly rent without net heating (Net -Kaltmiete in Euro/m2).
You should also remember to pay a deposit, which is the equivalent of 3 monthly fees.
The monthly cost of utilities in a studio apartment is approx. EUR 200-300, which is the cost for:
- electricity
- heating
- water
- garbage collection
What else should you pay for?
| Service | Average cost |
| Internet 60 Mb/s | EUR 26-36 /month |
| RTV subscription | EUR 18,36 /month |
| Netflix | EUR 7,99 /month – Basic EUR 12,99 /month – Standard EUR 17,99 /month – Premium |
Living costs in Germany – Transport
For a one-way ticket by public transport in Germany, we will pay approx. EUR 2-3. The cost of a monthly ticket is approximately EUR 60-70 (depending on the city). For motorists, the expenses will be several times higher. Estimated monthly cost – EUR 200-300 (this includes: visits to a mechanic + cost of petrol).
- For 1lit. of 95-octane petrol we will pay around EUR 1.47 (data for June 2021)
- Taxi, price for 1 km within the city – 2-3 EUR
Additional services
The amount of the cost of living is primarily dependent on the city of residence or earnings. However, it is not worth forgetting about additional services, such as a hairdresser, beautician or subscription to gyms. Here below are some examples of prices for additional services in Germany.
| Service | Sample prices |
| Hairdresser | EUR 20-30 |
| Beautician | EUR 20-30 |
| Subscription to gyms | EUR 30-50 |
| Cinema ticket | EUR 10 |
Prices in Germany. Prices for groceries in Germany – 2022
Prices for food products will also vary depending on where you are, but also from shops. The cheapest supermarkets in Germany include:
- Lidl
- Kaufland
- Aldi
- Edeka
- Rewe
Check prices for sample food products in Germany:
| Product | Price |
| Loaf of bread | EUR 1,13 |
| Water 1,5 lit. | EUR 0,31 |
| Eggs 12 pcs | EUR 1,75 |
| Cheese 1kg | EUR 7,41 |
| Chicken breast 1kg | EUR 6,69 |
| Tomatoes 1kg | EUR 2,74 |
| Apples 1kg | EUR 2,03 |
| Potatoes 1kg | EUR 1,08 |
For a pack of cigarettes you will pay approx. EUR 6, and for a bottle of local beer approx. EUR 0.72-0.90. A bottle of wine costs approx. 4-5 EUR.
However, for a meal in an inexpensive restaurant, we will pay approx. EUR 15-30 (2 people). The cost of a cappuccino in a German coffee shop is around EUR 3-4.
Find out more here: Cost of living in Germany – How to save money?
Ready to go? Check current job offers!
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