Are you looking for a new challenge and want to discover the advantages of working in Germany? The border region offers job seekers access to a diverse range of employment and career opportunities. The region is characterized by a diverse economy with opportunities in industry, logistics, technology, and services.
Cross-border commuting between the Netherlands and Germany can offer a valuable opportunity for professionals who want to benefit from the German economy while living in the Netherlands.
Working as a cross-border commuter offers you a new challenge in a different work culture while staying close to home. To make the most of this situation and avoid potential problems, it’s important to be well-informed about the possibilities and rules. Even though the countries border each other, differences between them are quite noticeable. To make an informed decision about whether working in Germany suits you, it’s advisable to delve into the German labor market and its characteristics.
Taxation and Social Security
When you start working across the border, it can have implications for taxation and social security. For a cross-border commuter working in Germany for a German company, the following generally applies regarding taxation: Germany taxes the German salary, while the Netherlands may tax any other income, including work done from home. Working from home can thus have consequences for taxation, but also for social security. All of this depends on your personal situation. Therefore, gather thorough information about your situation and the rules that apply to you to prevent potential problems.
Work Culture
You’ll also experience differences in work culture. For instance, the work culture in Germany is often more formal. This is evident in the forms of address, such as the use of formal titles like “Herr” or “Frau” followed by the last name, as well as maintaining professional boundaries. Additionally, the work structure is often hierarchical. Decisions are usually made by higher management levels. Great value is placed on punctuality and precision. Furthermore, a characteristic of the German labor market is the strong focus on education and development. Also, the working language in many German companies is German, and this language proficiency will likely be expected of you, depending on the position.
Contracts
Germany has fixed-term contracts (befristete Arbeitsverträge) and permanent contracts (unbefristete Arbeitsverträge). When entering into an employment contract in Germany, a maximum probation period of 6 months applies. Additionally, the statutory minimum wage (for employees aged 18 and older) increased from €12.00 per hour to €12.41 per hour on January 1, 2024.
Help from EURES
Cross-border commuting between the Netherlands and Germany can be a rewarding experience, but it requires good preparation and knowledge of the regulations. By gathering information, you can ensure that your cross-border commuting experience runs smoothly and successfully.
Interested? Feel free to contact us by sending an email to werken.ineuropa@uwv.nl and you will be put in touch with a EURES advisor in your area.