Work in Germany

Germany is an exciting place to work! This page has general information and considerations for living and working in Germany.

# Work in Germany Overview

Germany Overview

Job Applications

German Language

Legal Logistics

Intern in Germany

Resources

# Germany Overview

The German economy is one of the largest in the world and the largest in Europe. The service sector accounts for roughly 70% of the total GDP, followed by industry (29%) and agriculture (1%).

Unlike many countries, Germany has several economic centers. Most companies and economic activities are in southern and western Germany. Some companies are in major cities, such as Munich, Düsseldorf and Stuttgart. Others are in smaller cities like Herzogenaurach (Adidas and Puma), Wolfsburg (Volkswagen) and Schwalbach am Taunus (P&G). Germany's excellent public transportation system connects these cities, making travel easy. Many multinational companies have offices in both larger and smaller German cities.

The vast majority (99%) of German companies are Mittelstand companies. The term Mittelstand is unique to German-speaking countries and mostly includes family-owned and medium-sized businesses. Mittelstand companies can be in all industries. Several Mittelstand companies are multinationals and some are open to international talents to remain globally competitive.

Berlin is the start-up capital of Germany. A tech start-up is created here every 20 minutes. 

Major industries in Berlin are life sciences, tourism, transportation, information technology, media, advertising, environmental services, government/public sector, retail and e-commerce. 

Large companies headquartered in Berlin include Zalando, Deutsche Bahn, N26 and HelloFresh. Many large German and multinational companies also have smaller offices in Berlin.

# German Language

Generally you can get by in your daily life without knowing German. Many Germans, especially in large cities like Berlin, speak English well and several resources are written in English.

However, German is very strongly preferred on the job market. Most traditional German companies want German-speaking applicants who can interact in German with local clients. Start-ups and large multinational companies are generally more open to candidates with limited German skills. 

The more German you know, the easier it will be to find a job.

We highly encourage you to learn German as early as possible, ideally before you arrive in Berlin, to improve your job chances and help you with daily life in Germany. Our Resources section below has a list with ways to learn German. Here are tips from ESCP alumni:

# Intern in Germany

Internships in Germany are commonplace across all industries and locations.

There are two types of internships in Germany - mandatory and voluntary. ESCP generally validates both types of internships, pending final approval from your internship coordinator.

Mandatory (Pflichtpraktikum) are a compulsory part of your study program, meaning you must be an enrolled university student during your internship. These internships can be unpaid and must be under three months long.

Voluntary (freiwilliges Praktikum) are not part of your studies, meaning you can these during or after your time at ESCP. These internships must be paid at least the minimum wage (9,60€/hour), meaning you must pay German taxes and purchase German health insurance. There is no minimum or maximum internship length.

Working student positions are also great ways to gain professional experience. These are paid part-time roles (max. 20 hours/week) that you complete parallel to your courses.

Many German companies use internships and working student positions as a recruitment channel for entry-level positions.

# Job Applications in Germany

Most job applications in Germany require a CV and cover letter, generally following German formatting. See our CV and cover letter pages for more information on German CVs and cover letters. 

Some traditional German employers may ask for copies of your diploma and internship or job reports (Zeugnis). A Zeugnis is a letter from your supervisor with your tasks and responsibilities, and your ability to do them. It should be in German or English. Now is a good time to ask current or previous supervisors for a Zeugnis

You can apply for most jobs online through job platforms or email. Due to European data privacy laws, some larger companies may not accept applications outside their job platform. 

German employers typically receive multiple (hundreds) applications for one job. The competition is even higher for jobs or internships that don’t require German. Your application will stand out if you tailor it to the specific position and research the company before applying. 

Job interviews vary from organization to organization. Be prepared to talk about your previous experiences and why you’re interested in the specific job/organization. 

The application timeline can take weeks. Be prepared to wait for a response. Unfortunately many employers will not send rejection emails or provide feedback on your application.

# Visa, Health Insurance & Legal Logistics

German visa and residence permit requirements vary based on your citizenship. It’s important to research this information early and to read information closely, since it can take a while to get your German documentation. Your local German embassy or consulate can provide more information and assistance.

Enrolled ESCP students can access German visa and health insurance information through their MySchool account. The ESCP Berlin Student Affairs office works with these areas and can answer your questions. 

# Resources

LEARN GERMAN

APPLICATIONS

# Your Contacts

Dr.
Michaela Wieandt

Head of Career Development

mwieandt@escp.eu
+49 30 32007-166

linking talents

become a