Working in germany?

Question

is it possible to work part time in germany while living on welfare? if so what are the laws and regulations and how can I find out. The man down the street does this and he seems to have alot of money in his opockets.....If he doesnt have to work full time then why should I? I only make 6 euros an hour before tax carrying granite stones and live off nothing....yet he has a new car and I cant even buy a cheap junker. is it because he is a german and I am an american? any help would be great

Answer 1

MG and Some Bozo got it right.

There are quite a number of Germans who are on welfare and work illegal. It sounds like your neighbor does exactly this. It is fraud and in your case I would contact the authorities (Sozialamt) and report him. It is your taxes he is spending.

There are a bunch of other possibilities (like when he held a really well-paid job up to a year ago, got laid off and has just started his own company, government-sponsored) but in most cases it is that he is working illegal. It might also be that he has a large family (3+ children) and recieves money for the children from the government - and instead of spending  it on the children as he should he spends it on himself.

It has nothing to do with you being American. As a matter of fact, you as a foreigner are not entitled to live on welfare (SGB II or Hartz IV). (I know several cases where EU citizens landed in jail and got a ban on entering Germany for recieving social welfare benefits.) If you have held a job in Germany for over 3 years you are entitled to a year on unemployment benefits (SGB III or Arbeitslosengeld). That and health and accident insurance benefits are the only welfare things you are entitled to without risking your residency permit.

Answer 2

@blue daffodil:  the question wasn't how to get "Wohngeld" but if it's possible to WORK part time.

Well, if you want legally work here you need a work permit.

And this guy you mentioned who seems to have lots of money although he doesn't work full time - well, it seems that he's a so called "Schwarzarbeiter" (black worker) which is somebody who doesn't pay any taxes. There are a few bosses who don't care about and employ persons without paying all these taxes.

Answer 3

If you live off welfare, you are allowed to work, say: part-time, but you have to inform the Sozialamt or Bundesagentur für Arbeit THAT you are working and earning money on the side.

As somebody guessed, it might well be your neighbour works without paying taxes which he will get in serious trouble for if anybody ever finds out. As an American (so: non-German citizen), I'd not take that risk... well, not as a German either, actually. :)

"If he does't have to work full time then why should I?" is a VERY wrong attitude, I'm sorry. I know there are people who walk around selling drugs and live a great lifestyle, still I do my very down-to-earth regular work. Guess I could make more working less hours being a hooker, but would I want that? If you want to live off the state, I'm afraid you cannot expect to buy designer brands or go on holidays to the Caribbean, that's just the way it is. If you did, you'd risk losing your work permit altogether and you'd end up with neither welfare nor job. If you can, have a look around for better-paid jobs. Sorry, but that's the only advice I can give at this time. :)

Answer 4

You should go to the 'Sozialamt' they probably can help you...the laws are really confusing here in Germany, but I know that you could apply for 'Wohngeld' (housing benefit)even when you are working. Many people in Germany with full-time jobs get that..it's the same for all kind of people living and working in Germany, so it doesn't matter that you are American! But when you go to the Sozialamt they'll tell you if and how much money you can get.