Filipino workers have been a part of the German working force for many years. They are known for their hardworking and dedicated attitude towards work, which makes them highly sought after in the country’s labor market. Many Filipinos migrate to Germany not only to seek better employment opportunities but also to experience a different culture, language, and way of life.
Also Read: Top 10 Jobs for Filipinos in Germany
Many things about Germany are common knowledge. It has a strong economy, and a rich cultural history is where classical music and philosophy were born, and is known for its beautiful landscapes. Germany is also known for making things with a high level of accuracy, making cars, and engineering.
Germany’s main industries include making machines, cars, chemicals, food processing, electrical engineering, and electronics. Most cars are made in Baden-Württemberg, Lower Saxony, Hessen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria, the Saarland, and Thuringia.
So, it is easy to find jobs in Germany considering the economic status of the country. Please continue reading for more information if you wish to learn how to find available job openings in Germany.
Table of Contents
Requirements
Just click on this link to go to the site where you can see the list of documents you need to prepare.
Qualifications
Applicants must have a high school diploma and be at least 23 years old. He or she must be physically and mentally well to work.
Important Steps
I. Job Search
The goal of this article is to show you how to get your first online job in Germany as a foreigner, step by step. Online job sites are the new way to find a job these days. Any job seeker will find it helpful to be able to look for jobs and companies that might be hiring without having to go personally to the agency.
Here are some websites to access in searching for a job in Germany.
Indeed
Indeed is a free service for people looking for work. You can upload your resume, sign up for job alert emails, search for jobs, save them, and apply directly to them.
To search using Indeed, please follow the steps below.
1. Click the link above to proceed to the website.
2. Enter the job title in the ‘What’ or any keyword that relates to the job and the job site and the job site in the ‘Where’. In this case, I entered Germany in the ‘What’ for expanded search results. You can leave the ‘Where’ blank. Click ‘Find jobs’.
3. You will be shown results based on your search. You may click each result to obtain additional information about the job offers.
Jobstreet
Currently serving the job markets in Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam is top online job board JobStreet.com. Currently, JobStreet.com has a database of more than 15 million job seekers and over 230,000 corporate employers.
To search for jobs in Germany using JobStreet, please refer to the steps below.
1. Click the link above to view the website.
2. On the left search bar, enter the job. In this case, the left search bar was blank. In the middle search bar, enter ‘Germany’. And click ‘Search’.
3. You will be shown job posts based on your search.
Jooble
An international job aggregator and posting search engine is called Jooble. To make it simpler for job seekers to discover new chances, Jooble gathers job ads from countless different websites. No credit card is necessary; free trial. Recruit more than 250 million candidates.
To search using Jooble, please read the steps below.
1. Click the link above to bring you to the website.
2. In the right search bar, enter ‘Germany’ and click ‘Find Jobs’.
3. You will be shown job posts in Germany.
DMW Website
https://www.dmw.gov.ph/approved-job-orders
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), in addition to working with other government agencies, is in charge of making policies about migrant workers and regulating recruitment agencies and deployment agencies.
To search for DMW jobs in Germany using this website, please refer to the following steps below.
1. Click the link above.
2. Scroll down until you see a search bar. In the search bar, enter ‘Germany’.
3. You will be shown DMW job postings in Germany.
Note: Before or after searching for a job in Germany using these websites, you are required to create an account on these websites for you to access the job offers and to message the agency associated with the job offer. Prepare your basic documents (resume, application letter, high school diploma, and birth certificate) before applying as this will be requested by the employer as soon as possible. Continue applying until you get a job offer. After submitting additional documents required by the agency/employer, you will need to get a work permit.
II. Getting a Work Permit
Germany has the fourth-largest economy in the world, and it is home to corporations and companies that are known all over the world. As a result, it gives many people who are not German the chance to find a job and move to the country. With a Germany Employment Visa, qualified foreigners can move to Germany and start a new life there.
Types of Long-Stay Visas to Work in Germany
For the following reasons, you can apply for a Germany Long-Stay Visa to work in Germany:
- If you already have a job offer in Germany, you can apply for a visa.
- Self-employment: In Germany, if you want to start your own business or work as a freelancer.
- If you want to look for a job in Germany, you can work as a freelance jobseeker.
- Young adults who want to learn more about German culture and language can work as an Au Pair.
- Working Holiday Visa: This is for young people from countries that have signed an agreement with Germany to give them a Working Holiday Visa.
Following their entry into Germany without a visa, citizens of the following nations can apply for their residence permit for employment-related purposes: United States of America, Australia, and other EEA/EU member countries, Canada, Israel, Switzerland, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea.
However, you must apply for a work permit in advance at an embassy if you intend to begin working as soon as you arrive in Germany. Even if you are already in Germany, keep in mind that you cannot begin working until your application for a residence permit has been approved.
Due to the high volume of residence permit applications they receive, some German Aliens’ Authorities (Ausländerbehörde offices) may request a visa even if you are from one of these nations. You should check with the nearest German embassy or consulate in your nation to see if you will need to apply for a visa.
Before visiting Germany for work, nationals of the remaining third-world nations must obtain a visa.
Types of People Who Can Apply for a Germany Work Visa
Anyone from outside Germany who meets the requirements to work there can apply for a German Employment Visa.
The “Act on the Residence,” which governs how foreigners can live in Germany, lists the types of people who are eligible to apply for a German Employment Visa.
- Foreigners with high levels of education, in particular: Researchers with specialized technical knowledge, teachers in high-profile jobs, or scientists in high-profile jobs.
- Intra-corporate transferees, in particular: Managers\Specialists.
Also, people from third-world countries who have a university degree or a non-academic vocational qualification and meet the conditions below can apply for a German work visa and are encouraged to do so.
- In Germany, there aren’t enough skilled workers in the field you want to work in.
- You have a job offer.
- Your education must be recognized as being the same as a German degree.
Documents Needed to Get a Germany Work Visa
You will need to bring several documents to the German embassy or consulate in your home country to show that you meet the requirements for an employment visa. Along with the visa interview, these documents are the most important part of your application for a German work visa.
Make sure you get all of these documents in the way that they tell you to.
You must submit several documents to the German embassy/consulate in your home country to prove you qualify for an employment visa. Along with the visa interview, these documents are crucial for a German work visa.
Collect these documents as instructed.
- Two application forms. Signed and printed.
- Two passport photos
- Passport
- Place of residence. Your driver’s license and/or utility bill to prove residency in the consulate’s territory.
- Healthcare. The employer-issued certificate is valid from the hire date. Separate travel insurance must be presented from arrival in Germany until employment if not included in the mandatory health insurance. Working health insurance offers great coverage at a good price.
- An employment contract/binding job offer with salary and job details in Germany.
- FAA approval (If applicable).
- CV. Your updated CV with academic and professional credentials.
- Qualifications. Diplomas, certificates, mark sheets, etc., proving your qualifications.
- Cover letter stating purpose and length of stay.
- Criminal record clearance.
- Visa proof. Long-stay German visas cost €75.
- Accuracy Statement.
Process in Applying for Work Visa in Germany
Here are the steps you need to take to get a Germany Work visa:
1. Get an offer for a job in Germany.
2. Check to see if you need a visa for long stays in Germany.
3. Find out where you have to send your application for a visa.
4. Follow the instructions to get all of the documents you need.
5. Set up a time for an interview for a visa.
6. Pay the fee for the German work visa.
7. Go to the meeting.
8. Wait for a response on your visa application.
Germany Work Visa Processing
A German long-stay work visa application may take one to three months to process. The processing time depends on the embassy’s workload and your situation.
III. Preparation for Going to Germany
Additional details about Germany that you might find interesting are as follows:
German is the official language in Germany, but various other dialects are also used in various parts of the country. More than half of Germans are bilingual in English.
Climate: The climate in Germany varies depending on where you are. Germany typically experiences mild winters (between -1°C and 3°C) and warm summers (between 22°C and 25°C).
Germany’s Cost of Living
Germany has a very high cost of living when compared to the Philippines. It is even 1.45% higher on average than in the UK. The nation uses the Euro (€) as its official currency because it belongs to the Eurozone.
A German Bank Account Opening
It would be beneficial to open a German bank account once the relocation process to Germany had begun. The exchange rate and additional bank fees can make using an international bank account for transactions very expensive. You have the choice of opening a German bank account with a conventional or non-conventional bank. The Deutsche Bundesbank is the nation’s central bank, but there are other banks available as well.
To open a bank account, you would need to show these things:
- Filled out application form
- Passport with a German visa or a permit to live in Germany
- Meldebescheinigung, or evidence of where you live
- Initial deposit (the minimum amount varies depending on the bank)
- Proof that you work or go to school
- Proof of your income, like a paystub or a letter from your employer.
- Score for SCHUFA (optional depending on the bank)
Germany: Finding a Place to Live
Finding a place to live is one of the first things to think about when moving to a new country. Germany has a low number of people who own their own homes. Only 51.50 percent of Germans own their own home as of 2018, which is a low number compared to other developed countries. In Germany, houses and apartments are also very expensive, so it’s best to rent instead.
When moving to Germany, it can also be helpful to know some basic German words and phrases. If you don’t speak German, it can be hard, so it would be best to find a real estate agent (immobilienmakler) who speaks English and can help you. When looking for a place to live, you might hear words like “mieten” (rent), “WG” (house share), “AB” (older building), “NB” (new building), and many more.
Once you find a place to live, you’ll need to show a verdienstbescheinigung, which is a document that shows where your money comes from (like a statement from your employer or the tax office if you’re self-employed).
Health Care in Germany
After you’ve settled in, the next step is to figure out your health care. Germany has one of the best health care systems in the world because the country spends about 11.1% of its annual GDP on health care. The country has a multi-payer health care system, which means that everyone who lives there must have health insurance. Residents are required by law to get a health insurance policy (krankenkasse) that meets the minimum coverage requirements.
Before you apply for health insurance, you should know that there are three different kinds.
- Most people in Germany are covered by the GKV, which stands for Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung. As of 2018, you must be covered by a public statutory health insurance scheme if your gross annual salary is less than €59,400 ($4,950 per month).
- You can also choose a private German or international health insurance company if you are a student, self-employed, or make more than €59,400 a year (Private Krankenversicherung, PKV). You are not forced to choose this option, though. You can still choose public health insurance if you want to.
- If you want more coverage than what your public health insurance gives you, you can add private insurance to it.
If you’re moving to Germany for work, talk to your employer about how to apply for health insurance. Usually, you and your employer split the cost (14.6% of your gross income), so you would only have to pay 7.3%. You can go with the health insurance company that your employer suggests, or you can find one that is better for you.
IV. Arrival in Germany
Entering Germany with a Work Visa
You are free to travel to Germany once you have your German work visa. To obtain a German residence permit, there are still some procedures you must finish once you arrive in Germany.
You should visit the German Foreigner’s Office which is the closest to where you live. While some of the offices only accept walk-in applications, others require you to schedule an appointment before your interview.
You must go to an interview where you will also present the paperwork needed for a residence permit. These files include:
- Your current national passport.
- Form for requesting a residence permit.
- Two photos.
- Disclosure of a spotless criminal history.
- German language evidence.
- Proof of health insurance.
- An official job offer.
Video: FINDING A JOB IN GERMANY (Job application and Process) | VLOG#5 | FILIPINOS IN GERMANY
Jessie talks about how she got a job in the IT field in Berlin. From looking for a job to moving to Germany in the end! Someone looking for a job in Germany might find this information useful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about finding a job in Germany.
1. Is finding a job in Germany hard?
Germany’s unemployment rate is one of the lowest in the European Union. Companies in the country are always looking for well-trained workers, which makes the job market very attractive for skilled workers. You will have 18 months to find a job after your degree is officially done.
2. How many interview rounds are there in Germany?
In Germany, you usually have to go through at least three interviews before you get a job offer. Use these interviews to learn as much as you can about the job so you can give the right salary range.
3. What do German employers look for?
German employers usually look at your education, work experience, skills, and things you do outside of work. At career events, you can talk to German employers in person and find out more about how they work and what kinds of jobs they offer.
Summary
In summary, if you are a Filipino and you are willing to search for a job in Germany or if you know someone from the Philippines who is searching for a job in Germany, hopefully, this article could be of help. With the portrayal of Germans as being dedicated to working, having zero tolerance for poor work ethics, and their high regard for punctuality, one should be prepared for what is about to come.
But one should also keep in mind that learning about this will not be in vain as soon as you can get your hands on that job position you’ve wanted. And then eventually with all your hard efforts, it will be rewarding and satisfying to say: “I did it! I got my first German job.”