Pay and working conditions in European countries

Thinking about working in another European country? For each of 32 countries – all 27 EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom – you will find the key labour market figures, where the jobs are, how to apply, pay and working conditions, student jobs and what to do in your first weeks. General advice on job search, your CV and your rights: How to find a job abroad – 10 practical guides »

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Germany

Minimum wage: €13.90 gross an hour since 1 January 2026. It will rise to €14.60 on 1 January 2027.
Collective agreements (Tarifverträge) between unions and employers set pay and conditions in many sectors – often better than the legal minimum.
Working time: a normal full-time week is 38 to 40 hours. By law you may work up to 8 hours a working day – up to 10 hours only if the average over six calendar months (or 24 weeks) stays at 8 hours.
Breaks and rest: you may not work more than six hours without a break; a working day of more than six hours needs at least 30 minutes of breaks. Between two working days you get at least 11 hours of rest. Sunday is, as a rule, a day off.
Holidays: at least 24 working days of paid leave a year by law, counted on a six-day week – that is 20 days if you work five days a week; collective agreements and contracts often give more.
Contract: a written employment contract is the standard. Under the Proof of Employment Act (Nachweisgesetz) the employer must give you the main working conditions in writing no later than one month after you start.

Common questions about job applications and interviews

Key figures: Eurostat (population on 1 January 2026; unemployment and employment rates 2025; minimum wages July 2026); for the United Kingdom – Office for National Statistics; for Liechtenstein – national statistics. Country information: EURES – Living and working conditions, public employment services and the official government websites listed under each country. Rules, thresholds and amounts can change – check the official sources before you move. Updated: October 2026.

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