Germany Work
Work visa to Germany for Ukrainians
Employment opportunities for Ukrainians in Germany
German labor law
Doing business in Germany / business visa
Work visa for Ukrainians in Germany
Ukrainian citizens need to apply for and obtain a work visa to be able to enter and work in Germany.
Types of long-term work visas to Germany
There are three types of long-term work visas depending on your field of activity and the economic needs of the Federal Republic of Germany.
General work visa to Germany for citizens of Ukraine
Persons intending to apply for this type of national work visa must meet two vital conditions:
- Professional and technical qualifications;
- A specific offer in the employment contract.
Special work visa to Germany for Ukrainians
Germany has introduced visas for professionals who wish to work and live in Germany. This type of visa applies, in particular, to graduates with special professional knowledge, university professors with outstanding professional qualities and experienced managers who have a job offer with a salary of at least EUR 86,400 per year.
The only condition to be met by an applicant in these categories is the availability of sufficient funds for maintenance and an employment contract.
According to the European Commission, a foreign applicant applying for a German visa must be able to prove the availability of 45 euros per day at a German embassy or consulate during the period of stay in Germany. This can be a document with your personal financial statements for the last three months, a bank statement, a written confirmation from a parent or sponsor that they will cover your expenses together with a document showing that they have the funds for this, or something else.
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Visa for self-employed persons to Germany
This category includes those who:
- Want to work as a freelancer in Germany;
- Want to start a business in Germany and have enough money to do so.
The procedure and required documents are the same as for other types of visas, with the additional requirement that you must prove that your work will benefit Germany.
What documents do Ukrainians need to work in Germany?
The following documents are required to work in Germany:
- A letter of intent or contract offered to you by a German company containing a detailed job description.
- For a general work visa to Germany: proof of the required professional qualifications.
- For a special work visa to Germany: documents confirming your professional knowledge and experience, such as a resume, references from previous employers, university diplomas, certificates and anything else that confirms your professional suitability for work.
- Health insurance for foreign employees in Germany.
Usually, two copies are required for each original document, so make sure you have photocopies of all documents.
How to obtain a work visa for Ukrainians in Germany?
The application procedure for a long-term work visa to Germany is almost the same as for any other long-term German visa;
You can start applying for a German work visa by following these steps:
- Prepare your German work visa application in advance. Get a list of documents required for the visa you want to apply for and collect them all, including the German work visa application form. Print the application form and sign it at the end if necessary. Fill out the application form here.
- Make an appointment for an interview. You can schedule an interview for a German work visa online on the website of the German Embassy in your country. If you do not make an appointment before you come to the visa application center, they will not accept your documents or application.
- On the day of the interview. Make sure you arrive at the center on time, as your application may not be accepted if you are late. After your interview invitation letter is verified, you will be given a badge. The application process takes about 10 minutes.
- Entering information about the application. After your application is verified, all the information from the application form will be entered into the online system of the German consulate and you will receive a printed copy of your application. This process usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. After receiving the printed form, make sure that all the data is correct and sign it.
- Pay the application fee for a German work visa. After paying the fee, you will be given a receipt, which you should keep in order to receive the processed application later.
- Biometric data collection. After filling out the application, biometric data will be collected. This is a quick process that involves taking 10-digit fingerprints using a digital fingerprint scanner. It usually takes 7-8 minutes per applicant.
After all these steps, the application procedure is complete. The embassy or consulate to which you submitted your application will process it. In doing so, they may request additional documents as mentioned above. Be careful to provide everything they ask for, otherwise you may be denied a visa.
PLEASE NOTE that your passport remains at the embassy/consulate where you applied for the German work visa throughout the entire process. If you need to pick up your passport for any reason, whether for travel or other reasons, you will have to reapply from the beginning.
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How can Ukrainian citizens bring family members to Germany on a German work visa?
Family reunification can take place only after certain conditions are met, such as
- Availability of sufficient rooms for the people whom the applicant wants to take in.
- Sufficient and reliable financial resources to be able to support the people you want to reunite with.
- Basic knowledge of the German language.
- Family members must apply for a German family reunification visa and complete the necessary procedures to be able to join their relative in Germany. The decision to issue a visa is at the discretion of the visa officers.
Upon arrival in Germany with an employment visa
When you arrive in Germany with a work visa, you have two weeks to register your address with the German authorities.
Find the nearest German registration office to your place of residence. Go there with your visa and proof of your address, such as a bill or rental agreement.
After that, you can apply for a residence permit in Germany. You should first make an appointment with the German immigration office. On the day of your appointment, bring all the necessary documents. Pay the fee and attend a short meeting with an immigration officer.
Germany is a country with a strong economy and a high standard of living, which makes it an attractive destination for foreigners seeking employment opportunities. With a population of over 83 million people and a GDP of $4.2 trillion, Germany has a diverse and thriving labor market that offers a range of job opportunities for both German and non-German citizens.
In-demand Professions for Ukrainians in Germany
Germany has a shortage of skilled workers in certain professions, particularly in the fields of engineering, healthcare, and IT. Some of the most in-demand professions in Germany include:
- Engineers (mechanical, electrical, software, etc.)
- IT professionals (programmers, developers, software engineers, etc.)
- Healthcare workers (nurses, doctors, pharmacists, etc.)
- Scientists (biologists, chemists, physicists, etc.)
- Teachers (primary, secondary, and tertiary education)
German labor law clearly defines the maximum weekly working hours, the number of days of annual leave to which each employee is entitled, and the rules for paying sick leave. Here are some of the most important principles of the German Labor Code.
Employee rights in Germany: Minimum wage
The minimum wage is the legally established lowest acceptable level of remuneration. In Germany, the minimum wage is set at an hourly rate. Starting in 2025, the minimum wage will be €12,82 per hour.
Weekly working hours in Germany
40 hours per week is the full weekly working time
48 hours per week is the statutory maximum weekly working time
In some cases, the German Labor Code allows for 60 hours of work, with a leveling off of up to 48 hours in 6 months.
Daily working hours in Germany
The maximum daily working hours, breaks, work on Sundays and holidays, and time on call are regulated by the German Working Time Act (Arbeitszeitgesetz).
According to the regulations, daily working hours in Germany cannot exceed 10 hours, and weekly working hours cannot exceed 60 hours. In many companies, it is customary to work 8 hours from Monday to Thursday and 7 hours on Friday.
In some industries, the weekly working time is 48 hours, 6 days including Saturday.
10-hour working hours during the peak season
During the peak season, when the company receives an exceptionally large number of orders, daily working hours can be up to 10 hours or 60 hours per week. This is in line with the German code, provided, however, that the working day in a 6-month or 24-week billing period averages 8 hours.
Vacation leave in Germany
As with working hours, the amount of paid annual vacation depends on the regulations contained in collective bargaining agreements. Most often, it is 30 working days per year.
The minimum duration of annual leave is 24 working days per calendar year. More information about annual leave in Germany can be found here.
Sick leave in Germany
In Germany, the employer must be informed immediately of an employee's inability to work due to illness. A sick note (certificate of sickness absence) issued by a doctor must usually be submitted no later than the fourth day. However, it should be borne in mind that, according to the law, the employer may require a medical certificate as early as the first day of absence from work.
WORTH KNOWING:
Only in certain cases (e.g., in the case of a serious infectious disease) may the employer be informed of the type of disease the employee is suffering from. In any other case, information about the disease is subject to medical confidentiality. This means that the doctor who writes the sick note only states how many days the employee is unable to work, but does not disclose what the employee is ill with.
Payments during sickness
According to the regulations, an employer is obliged to pay an employee 100% of his or her average monthly salary for the first 6 weeks of sickness. After this period, the employee must apply for sickness benefits from an insurance company.
IMPORTANT:
In Germany, an employer can dismiss an employee on sick leave. The law allows this.
Termination of an employment contract in Germany
Companies with more than 10 employees are subject to the Protection Against Dismissal Act, which protects pregnant women and women on maternity leave from so-called socially unjustified dismissal.
Detailed information on the German Labor Code is available on the website of the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales).
What forms of business can Ukrainians set up in Germany?
The choice of legal form depends on the specific goals of your business and the purpose of establishing a presence in Germany. If you have decided to set up a business in Germany, there are several options for the legal presence of your business:
1. representative office
2. company or subsidiary
3. partnership
Six steps to start a company and what documents are required
- Checking the company name. Preparation and notarization of constituent documents (Articles of Association).
- Opening a bank account. Placement of the authorized capital in a bank account. Providing the notary with evidence of the authorized capital deposit to the account.
- Notarization of the company's records in the commercial register and the "transparent" register (where the data on the ultimate beneficial owners are disclosed).
- Registration with the tax authorities, social insurance authorities, the register of employees, notification of the municipal trade office.
- If necessary, obtain insurance for the company (e.g., business insurance).
- Registration with the relevant chamber (e.g. HWK or IHK) - is carried out automatically by sending data from the Trade Licensing Office.
🔗 To safely move, travel or work in a new country, you will need health insurance. You can apply for an extended policy on our website here.
With our health insurance package, you get access to high-quality medical care anytime, anywhere. Our policy covers a wide range of medical services, including medical consultations, hospitalization, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. Protect yourself from unexpected events right now. Choose insurance on our website and receive your policy by email in just a few minutes.
What about taxes
Here are the taxes that will apply to a business and a representative office in Germany:
- corporate tax
- trade tax
- turnover tax;
- income tax (applicable only to individuals and associations of individuals or partnerships);
- other taxes;
- solidarity surcharge (charged on corporate and personal income tax; amounts to 5.5%).
In Germany, taxation is handled by the following bodies and government agencies
- tax advisors (Steuerberater);
- tax administration (Finanzamt);
- trade administration (Gewerbeamt);
- financial courts (Finanzgerichte).
How can Ukrainians apply for a business visa to Germany?
After the consultation, you can ask us additional questions. We are interested in the complete resolution of your case. Get a full range of legal services conveniently and quickly - order a consultation right now!
- Application form for a business visa to Germany.
- Valid passport. It must be valid for at least 6 months before the intended trip to Germany.
- Two identical photos for a visa to Germany.
- Proof of residence in Germany.
- Transport / Book a round trip or route.
- Health insurance in Germany.
- Confirmation of financial capabilities.
- Bank statements of your company. These reports must belong to the period of three previous months.
- Business references. They can be from your employees, customers or other competent persons.
- Invitation letter from a business partner from Germany. This document must be in English or German. It should include your data, dates and purpose of the trip with a detailed schedule of business meetings or trainings (schedule for the day), as well as information about the inviting business partner.
- A company cover letter with a complete trip plan. The letter should state your position, the length of your service, the dates and purpose of the trip, and whether or not your employer is covering your expenses.
- Business license. This is a document that confirms the right of the sending company to conduct business.
- German Embassy.
- German Consulate.
- Visa Center.
- You will spend fewer days in other Schengen countries than in Germany.
- You will enter Schengen via Germany, but spend the same number of days in each Schengen country you visit.