21 Jan 2025
According to India’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, its diaspora population has surpassed 35 million, which is the largest in the world. The remittances that most of these overseas Indians send back have contributed significantly to making India one of the largest remittance recipient countries in the world. Like many other countries hosting non-resident Indians, Germany is among the top choices for expats. Germany has a robust economy, world-class infrastructure, a work ethic, a unique culture, and high living standards. Are you one of the aspirants willing to move to Germany from India for better career prospects? Before marking your German adventure, you must learn how German labor law works. This comprehensive guide will clarify your uncertainties regarding German employment regulations and tell you the best method to send money to India from Germany.
Arbeitsrecht is hard to describe in a few sentences, but German labor law, or Arbeitsrecht, is a complex system that governs employers' and employees' rights and obligations. Its purpose is safeguarding workers' rights, assuring compliance with fair work conditions, and providing social security.
An employment contract has to be written in Germany. This gives you the gist of the essential terms of employment, such as when the job will commence, job title, salary, hours worked, and time served notice.
In Germany, the probationary period is typically between three and six months, and many employers have one. During this period, the employer may terminate employment with shorter notice. There are permanent and fixed-term contracts, mainly temporary or project-based work. Germany welcomes part-time employment as a flexible option for both employers and employees.
In Germany, the workweek is 40 hours. However, different industry and individual employment practices may dictate the hours worked. Most of the time, overtime is paid more than regular working hours. However, they also have rules regarding how many overtime hours you can work.
Germany’s federal minimum wage applies to all employees. Germany has collective or even individual salary negotiation. Comparable experience and qualifications also determine salary levels along with the job responsibilities. Salary is regularly paid every month.
Employees and employers fund social security. It covers all the items mentioned above, including health, pension, unemployment, and long-term care insurance. Employees have choices between public and private health insurance. Insurance from public health is usually cheaper, but it might be partial. The German pension system is extensive, with employer and employee contributions.
German employees are entitled to at least 20 paid vacations a year. If sick leave is paid for a certain length, you can avail parental leave for the child's parents. Pregnant women are entitled to maternity leave with full pay.
It is the employer's liability to provide a safe working environment. Nevertheless, if any employee faces any rights violation or similar problems, they can report the problems to their official management without fearing anything. Germany is among the top countries that practice fair and transparent regulations regarding employee rights.
Pro Tip: When settled and started earning in Germany, your next big concern would be how to send funds back home with the most benefits, right? Don’t worry; ACE Money Transfer is there to help! With its trusted money transfer app or website, any overseas Indian can send money online to India from Germany using legal remittance.
The amount of notice period to terminate an employment contract depends on the length of employment. If redundancy applies, employers must observe specific procedures and may be expected (or obliged) to pay severance. German labor law also protects employees from being dismissed unfairly.
English is not used in many workplaces in Germany, so learning German can help your career path and contribute to your integration within German society.
You should carefully read and understand the employment contract to ensure all clauses are as clear as possible.
Learn what your rights are as an employee according to German labor law. Knowing these laws and your rights can help you find out the best solution to your problems whenever there’s any violation, or you face any hard circumstances.
On labor matters, joining a union can help support and offer better advice. Union members often share valuable resources and arrange discussions where fresh expats can learn how to navigate the challenging labour life in a new country like Germany.
If you have any doubts or queries about your rights as an employee, contact a lawyer or seek opinions from the relevant authorities.
If you are an Indian migrant working in Germany, you might need to make a money transfer from Germany to India to your family back home. Although many money transfer services are available, only pick one that is reputable and reliable. When looking for a service, look for competitive exchange rates, low fees, and fast transfer times, such as those offered by ACE Money Transfer.
Indian migrants who have a keen understanding of the basic insights of German labor law and follow these tips can confidently and smoothly enter any workforce in Germany. Review the situation and get legal advice when required, as this could help and protect you.
Indian migrants can build successful careers in Germany by exploiting its opportunities and challenges. Download the ACE Money Transfer app today for a fee-free, instant, secure, and high-rate online money transfer from Germany to India.
The German federal minimum wage is €12 per hour. It doesn’t mean that wages in particular industries and regions can’t be higher.
The notice period varies depending on how long you’ve worked. It can span one to four weeks.
Health insurance, pension insurance, unemployment insurance, and term care insurance are financed by employees and employers.
Yes, Germany is also a common place for part-time work and offers flexibility for both employers and employees.
All residents in Germany are required to have health insurance, and this is the case. You have the option of public or private health insurance.
