Germany Work

Germany is Europe’s largest economy and one of the most popular destinations for Ukrainians seeking employment abroad. In 2026, more than 1.1 million Ukrainian citizens are officially residing in the country, the majority of whom are eligible to work legally. The German labor market remains active: the country is in urgent need of workers in manufacturing, logistics, construction, and the service sector.

Minimum Wage in Germany in 2026 (Mindestlohn)

As of January 1, 2026, the minimum hourly wage in Germany is 13.90 EUR gross per hour. This is the largest increase in the history of the Mindestlohn since its introduction in 2015—an 8.42% increase compared to 2025.

For full-time employment of 40 hours per week, this amounts to ~€2,409 gross per month. A further increase to €14.60/hour is scheduled for January 1, 2027.

Important: The minimum wage applies to all workers in Germany regardless of citizenship—including Ukrainians, foreign seasonal workers, and those in mini-jobs.

How much do Ukrainians actually earn in Germany: take-home pay (net)

The tax and contribution system in Germany includes:

1. Income tax (Lohnsteuer) — from 14% to 42% depending on income and tax bracket

2. Pension insurance (Rentenversicherung) — 9.3% of salary

3. Health insurance (Krankenversicherung) — ~7.3–8.5%

4. Unemployment insurance (Arbeitslosenversicherung) — 1.3%

5. Long-term care insurance (Pflegeversicherung) — 1.7–2%

In total, approximately 65–70% of the gross salary remains after deductions.

Example: €2,409 gross (minimum wage) → ~€1,700–1,900 net; €3,500 gross → ~€2,300–2,500 net.

Most in-demand jobs in Germany for Ukrainians

The German labor market in 2026 is hiring most actively in the following sectors:

• Manufacturing and automotive industry — line operators, assemblers, welders at Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Bosch, and Siemens plants. Salary — from €2,900 to €4,500 gross/month.
• Logistics and warehousing — order pickers, sorters, loaders (Amazon, DHL, Deutsche Post, DB Schenker). Salary — from €2,409 to €3,400 gross/month.
• Construction — bricklayers, concrete workers, welders, installers (STRABAG, Hochtief, VINCI). Salary — from €2,700 to €4,000 gross/month.
• Retail — cashiers, sales associates, stockers (EDEKA, REWE, Lidl, Aldi, Kaufland). Salary — from €2,409 to €3,000 gross/month.
• Cleaning and catering — cleaners, kitchen staff (ISS, Sodexo, Dussmann). Salary — from €2,409 to €2,900 gross/month.

Minijob in Germany for Ukrainians

A separate employment format—the Minijob—allows you to work with an income of up to €603 per month without the employee having to pay basic social security contributions. It is suitable as an additional source of income or to get started in the workforce. The minimum hourly rate for Minijobs is also €13.90/hour.

How Ukrainians can find a job in Germany

The most popular job search platforms:

• Indeed.de — the largest job aggregator
• Stepstone.de — a leading German job portal
• Bundesagentur für Arbeit (arbeitsagentur.de) — the official public employment service
• LinkedIn — for technical and skilled positions
• Make it in Germany (make-it-in-germany.com) — a government portal for foreign workers

Official job search assistance is provided by local Jobcenters — especially for those with §24 status.

Top 50 German employers for Ukrainians — job openings and salaries 2026

Current job openings and estimated salaries for Ukrainian citizens looking for work in Germany.

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Sources: Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales (BMAS), Mindestlohnkommission, Bundesagentur für Arbeit, Hays Germany Salary Guide 2026, Glassdoor Germany, Indeed.de. Data is indicative and may vary depending on region, employer, sector collective agreement (Tarifvertrag) and contract terms.

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 2026, the minimum wage will be € 13,90 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.

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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?

• 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.

1. You will spend fewer days in other Schengen countries than in Germany.
2. You will enter Schengen via Germany, but spend the same number of days in each Schengen country you visit.

When to apply for a business visa to Germany?

Processing time of a business visa to Germany

How long can Ukrainian citizens stay in Germany with a business visa?

Can Ukrainians start a business in Germany with a business visa?

Can Ukrainians get a job in Germany with a business visa?