The importance of the German labour market for Poles is undeniable. Every year, thousands choose to work in Germany, tempted by the high minimum wage, solid employment conditions and standard of living. This is also influenced by a widely held opinion among German employers. They consider Poles to be hard-working and conscientious in carrying out their duties.
Working in Germany
Poles wishing to work in Germany as EU citizens do not need a special work permit. However, employers often require knowledge of the German language, especially for specialist positions. Understanding and accepting cultural differences also helps with integration and building positive working relationships. Germans value punctuality, professionalism, and quality of work.
The basic formalities required to take up employment include registering at the registration office, selecting a tax class at the tax office and health insurance. The relevant documents, such as an identity card or a flat rental agreement, are necessary to complete these steps.
What is also important is the account to which the salary will be transferred in the currency used in Germany, i.e. the euro. Here, opening an account with a German bank seems to be a good choice. Still, for everyday expenses or online payments in multiple currencies, a free Conotoxia account is also ideal to make managing your funds easier. With this account, you gain access to, among other things, cost-effective online currency exchange and international money transfers, which is crucial when transferring part of your earnings to your loved ones in Poland.
When opting to settle in Germany, it is important to remember that you will be subject to local laws, courts, and the national tax administration.
Earnings in Germany
The national average in Germany is one of the most attractive in Europe. In 2023, the average gross monthly salary was 4,4105 euros, which, when converted to the Polish zloty to the euro, is approximately 17,690 PLN. For comparison - the national average in Poland in 2023 was 7,155.48 PLN (approximately 1,647 EUR), and forecasts for 2024 suggest a similar salary level.
Example of average monthly earnings for selected sectors:
- Financial sector: 4,500 EUR (approx. 19,395 PLN at the current euro exchange rate)
- Services sector: 3,000 EUR (approx. 12,929 PLN)
- Manufacturing sector: 3,500 EUR (approx. 15,085 PLN)
- Technology sector: 5,000 EUR (approx. 21,552 PLN)
- Catering sector: 2,000 EUR on average (approx. 8,618 PLN)
- Education sector: 3,200 EUR (approx. 13,791 PLN)
- Pharmaceutical sector: 5,100 EUR (approx. 21,983 PLN)
The salary in Germany can vary significantly depending on the position and factors such as education, experience, company location, and responsibilities.
Here is an example of the gross monthly salary in Germany for specific positions:
- Nurse - 2,500 to 3,500 EUR
- Engineer - 3,500 to 5,000 EUR
- Construction worker - ranging from 2,200 to 2,900 EUR
- Cook - depending on experience, from 1,800 to 2,500 EUR per month gross.
- Office worker - from 2,200 to 3,200 EUR per month gross.
Therefore, from the perspective of Polish realities, a Pole can count on a sizeable salary; the average EUR/PLN exchange rate is currently around 4.33 PLN.
Cost of living in Germany
The average cost of living in Germany can vary from region to region. Here are examples of prices for typical expenses:
- Flat rental: The cost of renting a flat depends on its size, location, and standard. Prices are much higher in large cities like Berlin, Munich, or Hamburg than in smaller towns. On average, you can pay between 600 and 1,000 euros per month for a small flat (about 30-50 sq m) in a large city and between 400 and 700 euros in smaller towns.
- Insurance: Health insurance is compulsory in Germany. The cost of the monthly insurance premium depends on your income and the type of insurance (public or private), but for standard health insurance, you can assume costs in the range of 150 to 350 euros per month.
- Monthly grocery shopping: For one person, monthly grocery shopping costs can fluctuate between 150-300 EUR.
- Public transport: The price of monthly tickets for public transport also varies from city to city. In Berlin, for example, a monthly ticket costs around 86 euros, and in Munich, it costs around 56 euros for the internal transport zone.
Most of these payments will be made online. The Conotoxia multi-currency card is ideal for this. The use of the card is completely free of charge, with no compulsory transaction fees such as at banks. The card can also be used to withdraw cash from ATMs abroad without fees.
