Unemployment and Job Seeking

Lost a job, retrenched? Find out where to go, how to register for unemployment benefits and where to start job seeking in Germany...

Finding work in Germany is not always easy. Berlin, in particular, has quite high levels of unemployment, and has done since reunification.

However, the situation is improving, and knowledge of English is usually seen as an advantage when job-hunting. Candidates also need a good command of German.

The service sector is a big employer in Berlin, whereas other areas of the country have a higher proportion of jobs in manufacturing. The former East of the country is still playing catch-up to the industrial strengths of the West.

Entitlement to Work in Germany

EU citizens benefit from the freedom to move and work within the union. The situation is less straightforward for those from outside the EU: most non-EU citizens are subject to restrictions.

• For more information on entitlement to work in Germany see Work Permits

Official Organisations

• The Federal Ministry for Employment and Social Security (Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales, BMAS) is the main government body involved in unemployment and finding work
• Jobseekers should also go to the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit), which will be represented locally by the job centre (Agentur für Arbeit or Arbeitsamt) (in German)
• The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge) also has a degree of influence, particularly when providing training for non-Germans

City-specific websites can provide local unemployment office and job seeking contact details.

Further Information

• BMAS also has a brochure, Social Security at a Glance, which can be downloaded
• EURES (European Employment Service)
• German Embassy London

• Looking for Work
• Unemployment Benefits