Category: Business

Anyone in Germany with an ID card and address can open a bank account.

You must not have an apartment or a registration/registration confirmation.
Man muss only have one ID and one address.
An address of friends or a counseling center is also OK.
Sometimes the bank says it cannot be done without registration.
You can tell the bank this It provides information. It explains what you need to open a bank account.

If you cannot visit the bank in person, you can apply to open an account in writing.
With this Form do that.
If a bank still refuses to open an account, you can contact the authority 'BaFin' (Federal Financial Supervisory Authority).
BaFin ensures that all banks in Germany operate correctly.
Here you can contact BaFin. 

There are many different banks in Germany.
Some have branches where you can go.
Some are only online.
You have to see which bank suits you best.
There are regular fees for a bank account.
Here you can see which fees are allowed and which are not. 

If you have a bank account, you receive a regular bank statement.
Most of the time you get a bank statement for one month.
The bank statement contains all information about incoming and outgoing money.
For example: when the money comes from work or when the rent is paid.
It is very important to keep this bank statement.
Very often you have to prove that you paid something specific or how much money you earned.
If you lose a bank statement, the bank can provide a copy.
But you'll have to pay a relatively large amount for it. For example, 5 euros for each bank statement.
It's easier if you use online banking.
Then you always have your bank statements safely in your online mailbox and don't have to pay anything for them anymore. 

If you pay for something with a bank account, you can pay by bank transfer or direct debit.
Transfer: You send money from your account to another account. For example, the rent money to your landlord.
Direct debit: A company automatically deducts money from your account each month. For example, the money for your apartment's electricity bill is taken directly from the electricity provider.
When you transfer money, you can specify a 'purpose'.
The intended purpose is the reason why you are transferring the money.
For example, 'Rent August 2024'.
Some people also use credit cards to pay for things. 
However, credit cards can incur many fees and high interest rates.
In the end, you end up paying much more than with your normal bank account. 

Do I need to sign a contract for my mobile phone or internet?
You don't necessarily have to sign a cell phone contract.
There are also prepaid SIM cards. 
You can then always charge your phone. 

You may enter into contracts with various companies in Germany.
For example, for mobile phones, internet, electricity, insurance.
You should always think carefully about which contracts you enter into.

Above all:  

  • How long does the contract last?  
  • How much do I have to pay each month? 
  • When and how can I terminate the contract? 

Very often, people sign a contract quickly. It may be very cheap at first, but after a while, it becomes more expensive.
You can visit websites like “CHECK24“ to compare offers. 

In Germany there is a broadcasting fee for TV and radio.
The money is used to finance the TV stations ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio.
They are public broadcasters and produce information and programs for the entire population.
If you have enough money, you have to pay the contribution.
Even if you don't watch German television or listen to German radio, you have to pay.
However, if you earn little and receive citizen's allowance, you don't have to pay.
You apply for exemption from the broadcasting fee at the Contribution Service hereThis video explains how to fill out the form:

If you do not understand certain fees or are not satisfied with a contract, you can contact the consumer advice center.
The consumer advice center is there to inform people and protect them from dubious contracts. Some consultations there require payment.
Here are the contact information for the Leipzig Consumer Advice Center. 

You can start working immediately.
You don't need any permission or approval.
You can start any job.

Sometimes a company will tell you that you need to register before you can work.
That's not true. You can work without registering.
This document explains it for employers if there are any questions about it.
Here you can read more about how to get a job, bank account, etc. without registering.

If you want to work independently, you must first register with the tax office (for freelance work) or the trade office (for a trade license). EGZ (Start-up Center) helps people who want to start their own business. They offer training and consulting in English, Russian, Arabic, and other languages.

Nowadays, most job offers can be found online.
Here are a few major websites that list jobs throughout Germany:

The Federal Employment Agency has its own large Job market.

In Leipzig you can also The bulletin board and Classifieds Find job offers.
There are also signs with job offers in places like supermarkets, restaurants, bars.

If you are interested in a job, apply.
In some cases, you can simply apply verbally on-site or via WhatsApp.
But most applications are made via email or directly on the online job portal.
Usually you have to send a CV.


A CV is a 1-2 page document.

It says:

Your personal data and contact information

Where you went to school

Whether you have studied or learned a profession

Where you have already worked

What languages do you speak

What other skills you have

There are different formats for writing a resume.
It is important that you provide all information about your education and work experience.
Check that your contact information is correct and up to date.
The online tool Canva has different options to make a resume for free.

If you have proof of qualifications (school leaving certificate, vocational training, university studies) or employment references, you should also submit them with your CV. If the certificates are not in German, the employment agency or job center may charge for a translation. You must discuss this with your employment agency/job center before having the documents translated.

The Leipzig Employment Agency has a Career Information Center (BIS).
You can simply stop by and get information about job hunting.
There are also computers with internet where you can apply or search for jobs.

You can We are sponsors if you need help with your CV or application.
This help is available on Friday from 3-5 p.m. at Zschochersche Str. 50.
The people there speak different languages.

The Leipzig Unemployment Center (LEZ) also offers free assistance with job searches and applications. You should first register by email or phone and complete this questionnaire as best as possible in preparation.

Questionnaire – Form for the preparation of application documents-1Download

A mini-job is a part-time job. With a mini-job, you can earn a maximum of €556 per month. Even with a mini-job, you have the same rights as in a full-time job, such as vacation, minimum wage, and protection against dismissal. These rights are here well explained (also in English).

EU citizens with a mini-job are considered employees in Germany and are therefore entitled to social benefits such as citizen's allowance and child benefit. However, a mini-job does not provide health insurance through their work. Sometimes people work a mini-job for a long time and only register with a health insurance provider later. They often have to pay a lot of money for the entire past few months in Germany. If you have a mini-job, it makes sense to apply for citizen's allowance at the job center. The job center covers the costs of health insurance.

The Federal Employment Agency helps unemployed people in Germany to find a job.
EU citizens can register as job seekers with the Leipzig Employment Agency.
You will not receive unemployment benefits if you have not yet worked in Germany.
But the staff will help you find a job.
If you don't speak much German, the employment agency will have to organize a translation for you.

There are projects in Leipzig that help migrants find work.

For women with or without German language skills, there is the project AVEMen between 18 and 35 years of age with or without knowledge of German can apply to the project kommPAkT.LE go.

If you already know some German and are looking for a qualified job or training, then the project Labor market mentors You with it.

Women at work (FiA) and BASE Leipzig are two other projects that support women in issues such as access to the labor market, job search, internships, etc.

There is no law that says you need A2 or B1 for work, for example.
Each company can decide for itself how much German its employees need.

There is sample text here.

But it is easier to find a job if you speak German.
There are some jobs where you don't need to speak German. For example, if you work in English for an international company.
Here Such international jobs in Leipzig are listed.

There are some jobs where you can work with little German.
For example in hotels, restaurants, bars, construction sites, logistics.
It is still important that you understand the employment contract and regulations.

If you are not sure whether everything is correct in your work, you can get help.
Maybe you have questions like:

  • How much vacation do I have?
  • Why do I work more hours than my employment contract stipulates?
  • I received a notice of termination. Is the notice correct?

These are questions about labor law. website There is a lot of information in different languages on labor law, also specific to certain jobs, such as delivery, construction sites and gastronomy (restaurants, bars). This page also has a lot of multilingual information.

If you need advice on employment law, you can contact BABS.
BABS is the advisory center for foreign employees in matters and they have an office in Leipzig.
The consultation is free of charge and is available in German, Polish, Hungarian, Romanian and English.
Here are the contact details and opening hours.