Working in Germany: Sick Leave, Minijobs, and Where to Find Job Openings

Finding a job in Germany isn’t just about resumes and interviews. It’s important for newcomers to understand the basic rules: how to report sick leave, what the electronic sick note (eAU) is, when your salary is guaranteed, at what age you can take on a part-time job, and where to look for job openings without all the hassle.

If You Get Sick: What an Employee Should Do

The first step is to notify your employer right away. This is usually done before the start of the workday: by phone, through a work chat, email, or another channel accepted by the company. You don’t need to disclose your diagnosis; it’s enough to indicate that you’re temporarily unable to work and, if known, for how long.

As a general rule in Germany, a medical certificate of incapacity for work is required if an illness lasts longer than three calendar days. An employer may require a certificate earlier—including from the first day—if this is stipulated in the employment contract, internal policies, or a specific requirement.

How eAU Works

For employees with public health insurance, the electronic Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung (eAU) applies. The doctor sends the sick leave information to the Krankenkasse, and the employer requests details about the period of incapacity from the insurance provider. The employee still needs to personally notify the employer of their illness: the electronic certificate does not replace the obligation to inform the company.

If you have private insurance, are seeking treatment abroad, are dealing with a technical glitch, or have a special circumstance, the procedure may differ. In such situations, it’s best to check with your doctor, health insurance provider (Krankenkasse), and employer to see if a paper document is required.

Sick Leave Pay

If the employment relationship has lasted long enough and the conditions of the Entgeltfortzahlungsgesetz are met, the employer usually continues to pay wages during sick leave for up to six weeks. After that, those insured under the public system may begin receiving sick pay (Krankengeld) from their health insurance provider (Krankenkasse).

If you get sick while on vacation, your sick days may not count as vacation days—but only if your inability to work is confirmed. That’s why it’s important to see a doctor and notify your employer in a timely manner.

Part-Time Work for Minors

In Germany, child and adolescent labor is strictly restricted. Full-time work for children is prohibited, but starting at age 13, light, age-appropriate work is permitted with parental consent. This typically involves helping around the house, babysitting, delivering newspapers, assisting with farm work, or similar tasks that do not harm their health, education, or development.

For children aged 13 and older, there are restrictions on working hours and the type of work permitted. Therefore, before taking on a part-time job, it’s important to check the regulations of the Jugendarbeitsschutzgesetz and the Kinderarbeitsschutzverordnung, as well as the specific employer’s terms and conditions.

Visas and Permission to Look for Work

If you are not an EU citizen, your right to work or look for work depends on your residence status. In Germany, there are different options for skilled professionals, graduates, students, and job seekers. The Chancenkarte may be relevant for job hunting, while the Aufenthaltstitel for skilled employment is required for employment.

Specific requirements depend on citizenship, education, recognition of qualifications, language proficiency, and financial resources. Before submitting your documents, check the requirements on official websites; for more general information, see the article at regarding visas for job seekers.

Where to Look for a Job in Germany

Employer Websites

If you’re familiar with a particular industry or company, start with the careers section on the employer’s website. Job openings often appear there before they’re listed on job aggregators. For large companies, it’s helpful to set up job alerts based on keywords and cities.

Official and Specialized Portals

For a basic search, try:

• Jobbörse der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — the official portal of the Federal Employment Agency.
• Make it in Germany — the official portal for foreign professionals.
• Stepstone — a major commercial job platform.
• Indeed — a job aggregator organized by company and region.
• LinkedIn and XING are useful for professional networking.
• meinestadt.de — often helps with finding local job openings and part-time work.

Old lists of job boards quickly become outdated: some sites change their focus, merge with others, or become irrelevant. That’s why it’s better to focus not on the number of sites, but on the quality of the job listings, the publication date, and direct contact with the employer.

Minijob and Local Part-Time Work

For Minijob positions, look for job openings on local portals, company websites, Jobbörse, bulletin boards, social media, and right in the neighborhood where you want to work. Cafes, stores, hotels, and delivery services often post job listings on their doors, windows, or websites.

How to Check a Job Listing Before Applying

• Check who is listed as the employer and whether the company has an official website.
• Check to see if the job responsibilities, pay, schedule, and work location match your expectations.
• Do not send copies of documents until you reach a clear stage in the selection process.
• Do not pay for job placement, “contract processing,” or access to job openings.
• For regulated professions, find out in advance whether your degree requires Anerkennung or a separate permit.

In Brief

When working in Germany, it’s important not only to find a job but also to understand the rules after you’ve been hired. If you get sick, you must notify your employer promptly; the eAU is processed through the Krankenkasse for those insured under the public system; sick pay is typically covered by the employer for up to six weeks; and part-time work for minors is permitted only under strict conditions. To look for a job, use official portals, employer websites, and major job boards, and check visa requirements through official sources.