Is it easy to enter the country of Germany?

Question

I wanted to work in Germany as Human Resource Assistant. I had already a one year experience here in Cebu, Philippines. Is it easy to enter in Germany? Can you give me a lists of things to do in order to work there? Thank you! I really need your opinions.

Answer 1

You will need a residency permit.

You will need a work permit.

It would help A LOT if you speak German.

If you want to drive, you will  have to go to the German driving school to get a German license.  That's fairly expensive, too.

Answer 2

An international driver's license is not valid forever.  After living in Germany, you have X number of months to transfer to a German driver's license - and you may or may not have to take a driver's test depending on if the Philippines has an agreement with Germany to transfer driver's licenses. If there is no such agreement, you will have to spend upwards of 2000 Euros for driver instruction classes and tests.

One year work experience is not enough. You will need to know German very well, especially if you are working in the Human Resources field. The workers you would be dealing with are German, Italian, Turkish, Polish and Russian, to name a few. English is not that widely used in the work place, and those that do know English are usually not fluent.

It is not easy to enter Germany without a sponsor. Check the German embassy website for further details.

Answer 3

Hi Tine, firstly let me tell you that Nekkra was wrong in regards to a driver's license. All you need to do is get an international license BEFORE you leave your home country. As it is only valid if you get it outside the country you are visiting or moving to. For example, if you get your international driving permit in the Phillipines, it is valid in any other country, BUT the Phillipines. But you have to be at least 18 and one year + of driving experience.

As far as a working permit goes, contact the nearest German Embassy and they will either send you the proper documents (for example, working permit or work visa, process for obtaining an international driving permit, etc.) or you may even be able to download the documents from your computer. Just hold on a minute and I'll call my parents in Germany, they ought to know. I'll brb! (smile)

Yes, just as I thought. You need to sign in to a German Embassy site, preferrably in the country of your origin, as a host country could not give you permission to work in another foreign country. I am not sure if you are from the Phillippines or if you are just visiting/working there now. In any case, the German Embassy will be able to provide you with all current documention necessary to work in Germany. Please keep in mind, that you have to have a valid passport (you need that for the visa to enter Germany). Also, you should make sure you should try and get a job there prior to your departure. The unemployment rate in Germany is fairly high and, in order to live there, you may want to have a job set up first. And no, you don't need to speak fluent German either. The bigger cities have many "guest" workers and English is spoken almost everywhere, after all, English is the "world language". However, if you plan on working in a larger capacity as a Human Resource Assistant, it would be helpful to know the language. Not only to get your dream job, but also to communicate with the staff, especially if you are going into HR. If you need any further help or if I can be of any assistance, please don't hesitate to look me up. I promise to get back to you, as I am, for the most part, bedridden (after two serious accidents back in Mar/Apr of 2002), and I see this site as a way to keep my brain occupied and trained, while being able to help other people with whatever need they may have. I love helping out, even before my accident and it gives me the greatest pleasure to find out that my advice paid out in some way, shape or form.

Best of luck to you and may God Bless you on your new excursion into foreign territory. Germany is a very guest worker friendly country and I am sure you'll get used to the customs rather quickly. MsB.