Moving to Germany can raise many questions but it can also change your life. There’s a lot to consider, from figuring out your wage expectations and cost of living to navigating immigration possibilities like the EU Blue Card. It’s important to know exactly what to anticipate, regardless of whether you’re coming to work, study or to be with family. Everything you need to know to settle and thrive in Germany is compiled in this guide, including living expenditures, taxes, job search tips, student work regulations and important immigration procedures including family reunification and permanent residency.
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Jobs Search Tips for Expats
Let’s begin with tips for job searching. It can be daunting for foreigners to look for work in Germany, particularly if you are not familiar with the recruiting practices and job market in Germany. Although knowing fluent German is undoubtedly helpful, you can still find a wonderful job if you have the correct tools and attitude.
Where to Find English Speaking Jobs?
In Germany, a large number of startups and multinational companies hire in English, particularly in the fields of technology, engineering and research. The following are the most well known job boards for applicants searching for a job in English.
LinkedIn – Use filters like “language:English” to search for English speaking roles in Germany.
StepStone – Germany’s top job portal, with many tech and corporate listings.
Indeed.de – It provides a mix of German and international job listings.
Xing – A platform similar to LinkedIn but with a more local German focus.
If you do not want to get into all this hustle and bustle, you can find English speaking roles here, specially designed for expats.
How to Write a German Style Job Application
Employers in Germany want a formal, structured application, which is very different from what you might be used to. Here are some things that you can consider while applying:
- CV (Lebenslauf) should include personal information, education and experience. Include a professional photo (optional but recommended). Keep it concise and mention skills, languages and certificates clearly.
- Customize your cover letter (Anschreiben) according to the role you are applying for. Focus on why you’re a good fit and what value you can bring to the organization. Keep it formal and professional and not more than 1 page.
- Include additional documents like degree certificates (with translations if necessary), letter of recommendation or experience certificates and proof of language proficiency.
You can read our detailed article on finding an internship as a student in Germany and the platforms where you can find these roles. You can use our Job Application Starter Kit to design your CV, optimize your LinkedIn profile and much more that can help you in your job search.
Now, let’s figure out what different types of visa can be applied after starting a full time job.
Types of Taxes International Students Needs to Pay in Germany
International students studying in Germany could be asked to pay a variety of taxes. These can change according to your residency status and source of income. Let’s dissect them:
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Income Tax (Einkommensteuer)
You have to pay income tax if you make money while you’re studying in Germany. These are the key points:
Minijob: As a student, you can make up to €540 a month without paying taxes if you take on a small, low paid job, such as working part time at a café. This benefit is tax free under the Minijob program.
Regular Employment: You must pay income tax on the amount over €540 per month if your monthly income exceeds this threshold. Because the tax rate is progressive, it will increase as your income increases. However, after submitting your tax return, you may receive a refund if you paid too much in taxes.
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Value Added Tax (VAT or Mehrwertsteuer)
Even while you might not have to deal with VAT directly as a student, it’s still a good idea to be aware of it, particularly if you buy goods or services in Germany. For the majority of products and services, VAT in Germany is normally 19%; however, certain items, such as food and books, may be subject to a lower rate of 7%.
Students and VAT: If you’re purchasing products or services, the VAT is already included in the price, even if you won’t have to pay it directly from your earnings. However, since you will have to collect VAT from clients and send it to the tax authorities, VAT becomes important for enterprises and freelancers (for example, if you intend to operate as a freelancer).
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Social Security Contributions (Sozialversicherung)
If you’re a student working in Germany and your income exceeds specific thresholds, you can be required to make social security contributions. In Germany, social security encompasses long-term care insurance, health insurance, pensions, and unemployment insurance.
Health Insurance: You must have health insurance if you are employed and making money. Regular public or private health insurance is an alternative, as is continuing your student health insurance, which is less expensive.
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Church Tax (Kirchensteuer)
If you belong to a church that collects the church tax in Germany, you must pay it. Depending on the state in which you reside, it typically amounts to 8% to 9% of your income tax. However, unless you are a registered member of a church (such as a Catholic or Protestant church), you may not be required to pay church tax as an overseas student. You won’t have to pay this tax if you don’t attend church.
Other Important Tax Considerations for Indian Students
Double Taxation of Indian Students: Because of the double taxation avoidance agreement between Germany and India, Indian students are typically not subject to double taxation in both countries. Accordingly, income earned in Germany is typically exempt from taxes in India. But be sure to review the regulations according to your particular situation and sources of income.
Scholarships and Taxation: It’s critical to understand whether any scholarships you receive—whether from a German university, the German government, or another organization—are subject to taxes. In Germany, the majority of student scholarships are tax-free if they are awarded for academic objectives; nonetheless, you might have to report them on your tax return.
You can check your tax details by filling in your income and the city you live in. Once you are familiar with taxes, you would want to know how much do you actually need to earn in order to survive in Germany (as a student as well as a professional).
What is the cost of living in Germany?
In Germany, it would be difficult to make ends meet on less than €1,000 a month, and in the cities where rents are higher, this amount jumps up between €1,500 and €2,000. Living expenses can typically be covered by students for about €850 per month. Even in large cities, travel is reasonably priced, and the cost of meals and beverages is standard for Europe. The cost of health insurance is a significant consideration for anyone relocating to Germany. For non-students, the average monthly living expenses in Germany are about €1,200; however, location is one of the numerous variables that might influence this.
The following are the average monthly expenses for a single individual in Germany:
- Rent: from €300 (student dorms or a room in a shared apartment) to €700+ (one bed flat in Germany)
- Utilities: €220 (incl. internet, mobile and TV)
- Travel: from €0 (for students) to around €60
- Food and Drink: €150-€200
- Health Insurance: €120.34 (average rate for students enrolled in the public health insurance system) For others it may be a little higher than this.
- Entertainment: €50-€150 (depending on your lifestyle)
- Other: €20
- Total: €850 to €1500
EU Blue Card
The EU Blue Card is a unique residency permit, for international students and those with similar qualifications who wish to work in Germany.
EU Blue Card Requirements
You must possess either an academic degree from Germany or one from another country that is equivalent to a German degree. To get an EU Blue Card, you must prove that you have a tertiary level certificate that took at least 3 years to acquire if you don’t have a typical academic degree. According to the European Qualifications Framework, this qualification must at least match level 6 in Germany.
You can also apply for the EU Blue Card if you have a job or a job offer with the following conditions:
- At least a 6 months contract.
- The job must match your academic qualification.
- Gross annual salary of at least €48,300 (as of 2025) and gross annual salary of at least €43,759.80 for bottleneck professions.
Bottleneck professions include manufacturing, mining, construction, distribution managers, information and communication technology service managers, childcare services, health services, education managers, academic STEM professionals, architecture, spatial planning and transport planning, medical doctors, veterinarians, dentists, pharmacists, nursing and midwifery professionals, school and out-of-school teachers and educators.
The EU Blue Card is valid for a maximum of 4 years and is granted for the length of your employment contract plus an extra 3 months. If specific requirements are fulfilled, the validity of this EU Blue Card in Germany may be extended.
If EU Blue Card holders can demonstrate that they are proficient in German at level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), they can be granted a settlement permit (PR) after 27 months. After 21 months, the settlement permit can be granted if language proficiency at level B1 can be proven.
Permanent Residency (PR) or Settlement Permit
A settlement permit opens many doors. There are no limitations on your family’s ability to live in Germany. You can take up a job or be self-employed.
Who are Skilled Workers?
The Residence Act defines a “skilled worker” as someone who falls into one of the following categories:
- Individuals who possess a foreign vocational qualification that is comparable to one obtained in Germany or who have successfully completed qualified vocational training and study in Germany according to the Residence Act.
- Individuals who possess a German degree, a recognised foreign degree or a foreign degree equivalent to a German degree (according to the Residence Act).
- EU Blue Card holders.
- International researchers.
Settlement Permit Requirements for Skilled Workers
You need to meet following requirements in order to apply for a permanent residence in Germany:
- You have a residence permit for at least 3 years in Germany.
- You are able to cover your living expenses without help from the state.
- For a minimum of 36 months, you have made mandatory or voluntary contributions to the statutory pension insurance plan.
- Your residence permit permits you to work at your employment.
- You can demonstrate proficiency in German at CEFR level B1.
- You are familiar with the fundamentals of German law, society and culture. The “Living in Germany” test is typically used to demonstrate this.
- You and any family members that live with you have enough room to live.
Family Reunion Visa
The purpose of this visa is to join a family member living in Germany. The spouse, legal partner and dependent children of someone living in Germany are all eligible to apply for this visa. The requirements for a family reunion visa for Germany are as follows:
- Printed and signed application form
- Valid passport
- 2 biometric passport photos
- Legalised marriage certificate (for spouses)
- Legalised birth certificate (for children)
- A1 level German language certificate
- Copy of family member’s German passport, identity card or certificate of naturalization (if they are a German citizen)
- Copy of your family member’s residence permit (if they are a legal resident in Germany)
- Copy of your family member’s employment contract in Germany
- Copy of your family member’s latest 3 payslips
- Copy of your family member’s rental agreement
- Copy of your family member’s registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung)
- Travel health insurance valid in Germany
- Visa fee payment slip
Once you get a residence permit as a family member, you have the same rights as all the other legal residents. It includes access to employment, studying, public health insurance, permanent residency (after living 3 years in Germany), German citizenship (after living in Germany for at least 5 years uninterrupted and German proficiency of C1 level).
Conclusion
Families, students, and skilled workers can find many options in Germany, but moving there requires more than simply a job offer or visa. A smooth transfer requires knowing how the EU Blue Card operates, managing your route to permanent residence, handling student employment and taxes, establishing reasonable expectations for your pay, and budgeting for living expenses. You’ll not only adjust more quickly but also flourish in your new setting if you plan ahead and use the appropriate resources. Let this guide serve as your road map for creating a prosperous life in Germany, regardless of when you’re first arriving or when you’ve already settled in.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only. While we strive to ensure accuracy and keep the content up to date, visa regulations, cost of living, and other legal or financial matters can change frequently. We strongly recommend consulting official sources such as the Federal Foreign Office or a qualified immigration consultant for the most current and personalized advice. We do not take responsibility for any decisions made based on the information in this article.
About the Author: Deep Parikh
