Work

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

Sometimes a company says you need to register first.
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:

• https://www.monster.de/jobs/suche?q=&where=leipzig&page=1&so=m.h.s 
• https://www.stepstone.de/jobs/in-leipzig?radius=10 
• https://de.indeed.com/Jobs?l=Leipzig&radius=10&vjk=83a771d44ca870f0 

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.
You can simply apply directly verbally.
Very often applications are now made via email or directly in the online job portal.
As a rule, however, you must have at least a CV.

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 first speak with your employment agency or job center before having the documents translated.

A CV is a 1-2 page document.

It says:

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.
Here You can view examples and use a template to create your own CV.

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.

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.

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.