GermanySimple Moving to and living in Germany

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Your situation

Check your employment contract

Selected criteria

  1. I’m already preparing to move
  2. Work, study or Ausbildung
  3. Check an employment contract

Before signing, compare the contract not only with the promised salary but also with how the job relates to your move and residence permit. Check the parties, position, start date, duration, working hours, pay, leave, probation period, overtime rules, workplace and termination procedure in order. Also make sure that any promises about remote work, bonuses or relocation are set out in writing. If the contract is needed for a Blue Card, work residence permit, research position, IT route without a degree, Duales Studium or student job, check it against the requirements of that specific basis.

Plan overview

Before signing, check the working conditions, actual employer risks and whether the contract fits your chosen immigration or study route.

What to do step by step

  1. 1

    Compare the contract with the offer

    Check the parties, position, start date, duration, workplace and all promised terms.

    Articles for this step

    Employment Contracts in Germany: What to Check Before Signing
  2. 2
  3. 3

    Check the probation period and contract termination

    Find the Probezeit, notice period, leave entitlement and termination rules.

    Articles for this step

    Probation Period in Germany: Probezeit, Dismissal, Vacation, and Sick Leave Vacation in Germany: Employee Rights, Minijobs, Termination, and Sick Leave Employment Contracts in Germany: What to Check Before Signing
  4. 4

    Check the employer and red flags

    Compare the contract wording with the interview, reviews and how clearly the company explains working conditions.

    Articles for this step

    Toxic Employers in Germany: How to Identify Risks Before Signing a Contract
  5. 5
  6. 6

    If you are a student, check the type of side job

    Check whether a Minijob, Werkstudent role, HiWi job or Praktikum fits your student status and contract.

    Articles for this step

    Part-time Jobs for Students in Germany in 2026: Rules, Limits, and Types of Work
  7. 7

    Check your first payslip

    After the first payment, compare earnings and deductions with the contract terms.

    Articles for this step

    Payslip in Germany: How to Read an Entgeltabrechnung

Important notes

  • The contract should clearly set out the main working conditions.
  • If the job is linked to your residence permit, changing employers and the contract wording may need separate review.
  • For a Blue Card, consider not only the figure in the offer but also the reliability of the annual income under the contract.

Common mistakes

  • Sign a contract with vague or changed terms
  • Fail to check overtime and time tracking
  • Assess an offer by gross pay alone