Out of all of life's stressful situations, losing a job is among the top ones - especially if you happen to be in a foreign country.
After moving all the way to Germany for a new career start, it may be that the probation period doesn't go as well as you'd hoped, the role just isn't a good fit, or that your company decides to lay off some staff in difficult economic times.
Whatever the reason, being let go can make you feel helpless and uncertain of the way forward. You may also have some concerns about how long you can stay in Germany.
If you're living in Germany on a work permit such as an EU Blue Card, your residence rights will be linked to your employment status. In other words, you won't be allowed to stay in Germany indefinitely if you don't have a job.
Luckily though, Germany does give foreigners a grace period in which they can look for a new position. The main thing is to stay in touch with the Ausländerbehörde, or immigration office, to keep them updated on what's going on.
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This should be done in writing within two weeks of getting your termination notice, and should include the final date of your employment; evidence of the termination and your personal details.
How long do I have to find a new job?
That will partly depend on the generosity of your local immigration office, but will range between three months at the lowest end and 12 months at the highest.
The standard allowance tends to be six months, which can be extended to a year in exceptional circumstances. Your immigration office will inform you of your visa extension via post.
With high competition for professional jobs in Germany, experts advise getting started on the job search as soon as possible.
Careers coach Chris Pyak, who helps foreigners succeed in the German jobs market, cautions foreigners to not take their job-hunting time for granted.
"The number one mistake that I see is that people let too much time go by before they apply a systematic approach to their job-hunt," he told The Local. "And they wait way to long before seeking help if they just keep getting rejections."
Though six months may sound like a long time, there can often be lengthy bureaucratic delays even after you've got that all-important job offer. This can add at least another couple of months to the entire process, Pyak explained.
"Jobseekers need to keep in mind that German HR departments work very slowly," he added. "It is very common that you need two months to get a contract after a company has already decided that they'll hire you."
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If you've worked for at least 12 out of the last 30 months, you may also be able to claim unemployment insurance, which is known as Arbeitslosengeld I or ALG I in German.
What kind of job do I need to look for?
That will partly depend on the type of work permit you have, but the rule of thumb is to find a professional job that fits your qualifications. In the case of a general work permit, your new employer may also need to prove that an EU worker couldn't fill the role instead.
For EU Blue Cards, your new job will have to meet the relevant salary thresholds. For 2024, that's €45,300 per year in standard cases and around €41,041 for professionals with severe skills shortages, such as medicine, IT and engineering.
The threshold for the following year is usually announced in November.
Other permits - such as the highly skilled worker permit - will also have certain conditions attached to them, so make sure you familiarise yourself with these before sending out applications.
If in doubt, the best thing to do is to get in touch with the immigration office for clarification. You will usually need to ask for their permission anyway before you accept a new job offer and change to an alternative residence permit.
There are two situations in which you won't have to ask permission from the Ausländerbehörde and can simply email them a copy of your new contract once you receive it:
- If you've been on your current working visa for at least two years, or,
- If you've been in Germany on any type of visa for at least three years (though time spent studying only counts as half).
If you're on a Blue Card, you simply have to notify the immigration office of your new role, and they will have 30 days to object. If you've been here for more than a year, they won't be able to object, but you'll still have to update your information before starting a new job.
What are my options if I don't find a new role?
If you aren't able to find a job in the time you've been given, the first step is to contact the immigration office and see if they can offer you an extension.
If not, there may be some alternative options for staying in Germany.
One is to start a German course or apply to an alternative study programme. This will entitle you for a student or language learning visa, which can give you an extra one to three years in the country.
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If your spouse is working, they could also sponsor you for a family reunification visa - provided they have sufficient income to provide for the whole family.
People with some experience of being self-employed apply for a freelance visa, though you will have to find clients in Germany to support your application and prove that you can support yourself through this field of work.
If you're struggling to find a suitable option or can't decide on a path forward, contact a qualified immigration lawyer or a seek out an alternative source of professional advice, such as a dedicated government hotline.
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