Skip to content

Contracting in Germany

Here’s everything you need to know about contracting in Germany.

Our Solutions

Employed

Self-Employed

Employer of Record
(EOR)

Local Partners

In each country, we work with leading local accounting and taxation experts to ensure that we and those who depend on us stay entirely within the law.

100% Compliant

With an AUG license, we have the authorisation to engage in labour-leasing in Germany no matter the nationality of the contractors.

Global Presence

We have offices in Switzerland (Head Office), the United Kingdom, Germany, Luxembourg, Cyprus, China, India, Malaysia and the UAE.

Cost Efficient

We listen carefully to you, understand your personal requirements and needs, and then we collaborate with you to provide our services at reasonable prices.

About Us

Access Financial is the leading global provider of contract management, outsourced payroll and umbrella services. With an AuG license, we have the authorisation to carry out labour leasing activities in Germany and able to help corporations, recruitment agencies and contractors to take full advantage of the potential and flexibility of the German market.

FAQs

Please check out our FAQs below. Don’t see an answer to your question? Feel free to contact us

With just a few clicks, you can calculate your take-home pay in Germany and choose the optimal solution to get the most out of your contract. Use the app below to calculate your possible net retention in Germany.

Employment

This is a standard form of employment – you officially work for a company who pays you a monthly salary.

Pros:

  • Enrollment in the social security system, which includes health insurance, unemployment benefits, pension, paid time off and sick leave.
  • Job security due to protection by German employment laws.
  • Job stability – contracts are generally open-ended.
  • Income tax is deducted from your salary, so you do not need to worry about calculating how much you have to pay.

Cons:

  • Lower retention rate compared to other solutions due to social security payments.
  • More and more companies are looking towards independent contractors rather than employees, so it could be more difficult to find such employment, especially as a foreigner.
  • Less flexibility – you do not get to choose the projects that you can work on, you must work on the tasks assigned to you by your employer.
  • Formal working hours – you may have to work “9-5”, as determined by your employment contract, rather than being able to determine your own working hours.

Self-Employment

This includes independent contracting, or freelancing – you provide services to a company based on a limited contract, while not being officially employed by them. This could be a contract for up to several years where you get paid monthly, or a limited one where you are contracted to do a specific project and then part ways.

Pros:

  • Possibility of gaining a higher rate of pay.
  • Freedom to choose projects that interest you.
  • Freedom to choose your own working schedule.
  • Laws are sympathetic towards this type of employment – you can deduct a lot of different expenses from any sales tax you have to pay.
  • No need to pay any social security contributions, meaning a higher take-home pay

Cons:

  • No social security benefits
  • Must have independent health insurance.
  • May be terminated without cause once an extendable contract runs out.
  • You will need to sort out payments of income tax and social contributions yourself, or you could consider engaging a payroll company like Access Financial.
  • Need to pay an additional sales tax if you earn over 22,000 a year.
  • Must have a residence permit
  • There can be a fine line between self-employment and regular employment. If, for example, you end up doing too much work exclusively for a specific company, you could be classified by an audit as falsely self-employed, which can result in very hefty fines and the possibility of some legal action against you/your client.

Work visa for qualified professionals

This is the most standard visa, which is basically a residence permit with the permission to work.

Requirements:

  • Completion of a higher education institution comparable to those in Germany
  • A valid job offer from a German company.

EU Blue Card

This is a visa for foreign academics seeking to work in Germany.

Requirements:

  • Degree from a higher educational institution comparable to those in Germany, or a German one
  • A valid job offer from a German company
  • Gross annual income of at least €58,400

Visa for job seekers

This type of visa is for people who do not have a job offer, but want to move to Germany to facilitate in finding a job there that meets their qualifications.

Requirements:

  • Proof of vocational or academic training
  • A degree from a higher educational institution
  • Proof that you have enough funds to cover the costs of living
  • If you have vocational training, additionally some knowledge of the German language is required, at a level of at least B1.

 Visa for vocational training

This is a visa for people who wish to raise their qualifications by training at a school or company in order to gain and the possibility to find a proper job in Germany.

Requirements:

  • Proof that you have been accepted to such a programme in Germany
  • A minimal level of B1 in the German language
  • Proof that you have enough finds to cover the cost of living

If you want to work in Germany, you will likely need to obtain a residence permit; this is a type of visa which includes a work permit.

EU, EAA, Switzerland

Citizens of the above countries do not need a visa to live or work in Germany. However, for stays longer than 90 days, you must register your stay at a local Residence Registration Office, or Immigration Office.

USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Japan, South Korea

If you are a national of one of the above countries, you do not need a visa to enter Germany. You can search for a job, and then apply for the permit in the country directly at an Immigration Office.

Other non-EU Nationals

If you are a national in any other country, you need to secure a job offer before you can enter Germany. After you get the offer, you need to apply for an entry visa at your local German consulate or embassy, and only then you can enter the country and apply for the permit there.

An Employer of Record (EOR) in Germany is a company that has an AUG (Arbeitnemeruberlassung) License which is mandatory if they want to hire foreign contractors.

The EOR is generally responsible for payroll, taxes, contracts, work permits, social security contributions, and other aspects of employment that are related to compliance.

In a lot of cases, companies who do not have this license enter in a three-way agreement between themselves, an official EOR, and a contractor, which allows them to hire contractors without getting an AUG license and outsource their payroll and other employment aspects to the EOR.

A contract with an EOR can last up to 18 months; after that time, you can choose to become a legal full-time employee of the company you were doing the work for.

If you are a contractor working in Germany, make sure that the company you are selling your services to either has this license, or is in agreement with an EOR who will become your official employer.

Here are just some of the services we offer in Germany:

  • Assistance in obtaining the necessary visas/work permits for employees from third countries.
  • Registering employees with the tax and social security office.
  • Providing consultations on German labour regulation & benefits.
  • Setting up the Payroll system compliantly.
  • Submitting wage tax returns and national insurance forms.
  • Keeping our clients up-to-date and compliant with changes in German regulations.

We provide a full set of services in Germany, allowing corporate clients, recruitment agencies and professional contractors to operate in an optimal manner, while ensuring that all local compliance obligations are taken care of.

Access Financial offers the following services in Germany:

  • Contract Management
  • Outsourced Payroll
  • Employer of Record (EOR)
  • Work Permits & Immigration Assistance

Our Services

Our services are aimed at customer satisfaction, always ensuring the best value for money, compliance and maximum take-home pay possible in Germany.

Contract
Management

Payroll
Outsourcing

Work Permits &
Immigration Assistance

Employer of Record
(EOR)

Tax & Legal
Compliance

Testimonials

We’re proud of what we do, but you shouldn’t just take our word for it. Here’s what our clients are saying about us.

Ahmed MohammediContractor

“After several years of collaboration with you, I regret to announce my departure from AF. It has been a real pleasure to have made this part of road with you, and I wish you full success with other collaborators. I regret my departure from your company, but the rules decided otherwise. If there is anything to remember about AF, it is the clarity, the honesty and the discretion. Thank you for all the good years spent with you and all the services you have given me.”

Cesare PittarelloContractor

“I’ve been using Access Financial services for more that one year and so far I’m fully satisfied with my choice. The company is providing prompt and valid support to all my needs as contractor and I recommend it.”

Roy HarrisHaricom Limited

“I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the good experience I’ve had the last 3 years working with AFS. I feel a sense of trust in AFS and for me that is what is most important in any business relationship.”

ChristosGreece

“I would like to thank Access Financial Team for all your help on my urgent matter. A special mention to Louise and her commitment to help me promptly and in any possible way, even by disturbing some of her annual leave. You’re very lucky to have such people within your team!”

Luke WilliamsSweden

“I want to thank Access Financial for your assistance with immigration without which my assignment would not have been possible. My special thanks to Team Europe, their service was very professional. They were always quick to respond, provide me with answers and solutions.”

VladoContractor

“It was always a pleasure to work with AF. Before when I worked in Belgium and now in Germany, the service was always very pleasant. So yes, in the case I will need any umbrella company, I will surely contact only you.”

Mr. P. BorkarIreland

“It’s been a wonderful experience working with Access Financial”

Mr. B. DeanGermany

“When it comes to outsourcing payroll services Access Financial is my #1 go-to company. Thank you for your great support.”

Mr. G. BretonUK

“What I love about Access Financial is their commitment to speed, professionalism and constant support.”

Mr. P. TredwellLuxembourg

“If you are looking for someone to help you with contracting in EU, Access Financial would be an excellent choice.”

HarshitContractor

“I will let people know in my network with the services you provide. I like the transparency you work with.”

Our Partners

Each partnership is unique. We focus on creating long-lasting relationships with our partners.

Germany Income & Tax Calculator 2024

Calculate your take-home pay in Germany using our online income calculator below.

    This is the all-inclusive rate that you have agreed with your recruiter or client to pay you per day.
    Please estimate the average number of days you plan to work each month.
    Please provide the length of your assignment in months.
    Please state if you are married or single as this affects your taxes.
    All workers in Germany have to be covered by health insurance. This can be by contributing to the state system via the social security. Alternatively, you can obtain private health cover from a BAFIN approved insurance provider in Germany.
    You can obtain tax relief on approved pensions to which you contribute.
    The tax that you pay in Germany depends on your marital status and the number of dependents that you have.
    Are you a national of an EU or an EEA country?

    Disclaimer: The calculation is an illustration based on various assumptions and is meant to provide an indication of what you may take home as net pay. For a more detailed projection please contact our customer support by clicking on the “TALK TO AN EXPERT” button above.

    Let us call you

    Please fill in the form below and we will contact you on short notice.