Make employment in Germany easy. Let us handle payroll, benefits, taxes, compliance, and even stock options for your team in Germany, all in one easy-to-use platform.
Employment law in Germany is not contained under a single law. Instead it is governed by statutory regulations codified in (among other laws) the German Civil Code, then furthermore governed by various federal acts such as the Part-time and Fixed-term Work Act, Employee Leasing Act, Holidays Act, Act on Maternity Protection and the Dismissal Protection Act. Furthermore, collective labour law through codetermination, trade unions and collective bargaining plays a role.
German employment law provides strong labor conditions and protections for employees, so employing people will generally be an important investment and commitment.
Temporary agencies are popular options for more flexible workforce arrangements. For these and many other reasons, the following are only guidelines in the broadest sense, and professional legal services are recommended when employing in Germany.
In Germany, the legal minimum wage is mandated on an hourly basis. The current minimum hourly wage is €13.90 gross per hour (rising to €14.60 in January 2027).
However, depending on the sector of employment and type of employment, a higher minimum wage can apply. For Remote's AUG workforce, the minimum wage is currently set at €19.78 per hour.
For further information, speak to our team.
For customers of Remote, all employee payments will be made in equal monthly installments on or before the last working day of each calendar month, payable in arrears.
We can help you get a new employee started in Germany fast.
Our team ensures your employees are onboarded and paid as quickly as possible while keeping your business compliant with all local employment legislation. The minimum onboarding time begins after the employee submits all required information onto the Remote platform. The onboarding timeline is also dependent upon registration with local authorities.
For all non-nationals of the country of employment, the Right to Work assessment (if applicable) will add three extra days to the total time to onboard. There may be extra time required if we need to follow-up on the right to work assessment.
Please note, payroll cut-off dates can impact the actual first day of employment. Remote has a payroll cut-off date of the 10th of the month unless otherwise specified.
Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
2026-01-01 | New Year's Day (Neujahr) |
2026-04-03 | Good Friday (Karfreitag) |
2026-04-06 | Easter Monday (Ostermontag) |
2026-05-01 | Labor Day (Tag der Arbeit) |
2026-05-14 | Feast of the Ascension of Jesus Christ (Christi Himmelfahrt) |
2026-05-25 | Pentecost Monday (Pfingstmontag) |
2026-10-03 | German Unity Day (Tag der Deutschen Einheit) |
2026-12-25 | First Day of Christmastide (Erster Weihnachtsfeiertag) |
2026-12-26 | Second Day of Christmastide (Zweiter Weihnachtsfeiertag) |
Germany (German: Deutschland), officially the Federal Republic of Germany (German: Bundesrepublik Deutschland), is located in central and western Europe. It is a major economic power, with the largest economy in Europe, the world's fourth-largest by nominal GDP and fifth-largest by PPP. As a leader across multiple industrial and technology sectors, Germany ranks among the world's top exporters and importers of goods.
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Ease of doing business
Looking to employ people in Germany? Companies hiring in Germany are generally required to either hold a local legal entity or partner with a global employment platform such as Remote that can lawfully provide employment services in the country.
Remote can employ team members in Germany and help you meet compliance obligations. Remote can hire, onboard, and pay your Germany-based people so you don't have to set up local HR services in the region. Remote also simplifies paying contractors in Germany. Sign up now to get started or talk to an expert for more details.
Germany, like many other countries, treats self-employed individuals or contractors and full-time employees differently. Misclassification of contractors in Germany may lead to fines and penalties for the offending company.
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Private medical insurance
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Nursing Care Insurance
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Unemployment Insurance
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Accident Insurance
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Sickness/maternity leave allocation
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Private medical insurance
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Nursing Care Insurance
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Unemployment Insurance
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Income tax up to €9,744 per annum
0% - 42%
Income tax for €9,744 - €57,918 per annum
0 %
Income tax for €57,918 - €274,612 per annum
0 %
Income tax for over €274,612 per annum
All full-time workers are entitled to 9 paid public holidays per years. Full-time workers are also entitled to at least 20 days of paid time off if they work five-day work weeks or 24 days of paid time off if they work six-day work weeks. Employers may offer additional paid vacation days at their discretion.
Expecting mothers are entitled to 6 weeks of pregnancy leave (before the due date) and at least 8 weeks maternity leave (after childbirth).
In addition to maternity leave, the parents can take extended parental leave for up to 36 months until the child turn 3 years. Parents can choose to work part-time or up to 30 hours per week during parental leave.
- Adoption: the same rules as for maternity leave applies for adoptions.
Germany employers in general can provide any fair reasons for termination of an employee. Any dismissal from the end of the employer for an employee that has been employed longer than six months has to be "socially justified" by the following:
Person-related reasons;
Termination with consent of the employee through a termination agreement; or
Conduct-related reasons, for example repeated breaches of employment terms after prior warning or serious misconduct
The statutory notice period for an employer depends on the duration of employment, with a two-week notice during a six-month probation period, and after probation period, a minimum of four weeks for those employed within 2 years of service and up to 7 months for those employed more than 20 years.
The maximum length of a probationary period is 6 months.
During the probationary period, the applicable statutory notice period can be reduced to a minimum of two weeks, except as otherwise provided in other applicable regulations (e.g. a collective bargaining agreement). During the probationary period, the employer does not need a reason for termination to dismiss the employee. A termination during the probationary period is only ineffective if it is immoral or contrary to faith.
At Remote, we provide tailored benefits to ensure that all Remote employees receive comprehensive coverage from top providers.
Remote provides a flexible occupational pension scheme (bAV) for employees in Germany. The solution streamlines pension administration and offers flexible options alongside comprehensive financial protection.
Employee contributions: Employees may contribute 1%–4% of gross salary or select a fixed amount up to €302 per month (2024 limit).
Employer contributions: Employers provide a 15% subsidy on employee contributions. They can also use matching models or set fixed contributions from 1%–8% of salary, depending on the employer’s preference.
Digital management made easy: through an online portal, employees can tailor contributions, access contracts, and monitor pension growth. The platform provides a clear, user-friendly interface for managing everything in real time.
Transferability: Employees may transfer existing pension savings into the plan or keep them in separate funds.
Eligibility: Any employee can opt into this plan on request, providing extra flexibility and financial security.
Remote’s Global Business Travel Insurance programme is designed for teams on short trips and those who travel frequently. With five plan options—Basic, Standard, Premium, Premium Plus, and Standard Plus—the programme lets you select the level of cover that best protects people’s health, safety, and wellbeing while they are travelling for business.
Available in over 90 countries, the programme delivers broad international cover at competitive rates, giving your people peace of mind wherever work takes them. It is an optional benefit that can be tailored to meet different team needs and helps protect against events such as medical emergencies, trip disruption, or loss of business equipment while travelling.
Coverages (values in USD):
Emergency & Accidental Medical: $1,000,000
Repatriation for Medical Treatment: 100% per trip
Emergency Medical Evacuation: $100,000
Repatriation of Mortal Remains: $25,000 per trip
Pre-existing Medical Conditions: For stable pre-existing medical conditions up to $50,000
Business Equipment: Up to $1,500
Computer Equipment (single item limit): $500
Business Money: $100 per day up to $500
Domestic Business Travel: Trips inside country of residence: Any trip over 70 miles from usual residence, where there’s at least 1 overnight stay in paid accommodation. In-country trips exclude medical treatment & evacuation benefits.
Coverages (values in USD):
Excludes Medical & Evacuation
Baggage Delay: $100 per day up to $700 per trip *Does not apply to one-way trips
Personal Liability: $100,000 per trip
Accidental Death & Permanent Total Disability: $100,000 per trip
Loss of Passport: $250 per trip
Legal Expenses: $10,000 per trip
Hijacking: $1,000 per trip
Business Equipment: Up to $1,500
Computer Equipment (single item limit): $500
Business Money: $100 per day up to $500
Domestic business travel: In-country trips qualify when they exceed 70 miles from the usual residence and include at least one paid overnight stay. Medical treatment and evacuation benefits are excluded for these trips.
Coverages (values in USD):
Emergency & Accidental Medical: $1,000,000
Repatriation for Medical Treatment: 100% per trip
Emergency Medical Evacuation: $100,000
Repatriation of Mortal Remains: $25,000 per trip
Pre-existing Medical Conditions: For stable pre-existing medical conditions up to $50,000
Baggage Delay: $100 per day up to $700 per trip *Does not apply to one-way trips
Personal Liability: $100,000 per trip
Accidental Death & Permanent Total Disability: $100,000 per trip
Loss of Passport: $250 per trip
Legal Expenses: $10,000 per trip
Hijacking: $1,000 per trip
Business Equipment: Up to $1,500
Computer Equipment (single item limit): $500
Business Money: $100 per day up to $500
Domestic business travel: Trips within the country of residence that exceed 70 miles from the usual residence and include at least one paid overnight stay. These in-country trips exclude medical treatment & evacuation benefits.
Coverages (values in USD):
Emergency & Accidental Medical: $1,000,000
Repatriation for Medical Treatment: 100% per trip
Emergency Medical Evacuation: $100,000
Repatriation of Mortal Remains: $25,000 per trip
Pre-existing Medical Conditions: For stable pre-existing medical conditions up to $50,000
Baggage Delay: $100 per day up to $700 per trip *Does not apply to one-way trips
Personal Liability: $100,000 per trip
Accidental Death & Permanent Total Disability: $100,000 per trip
Loss of Passport: $250 per trip
Legal Expenses: $10,000 per trip
Hijacking: $1,000 per trip
Cancellation & Curtailment: $2,000 per trip; subject to $100 deductible per Trip *Benefit not available to residents of the USA
Business Equipment: Up to $1,500
Computer Equipment (single item limit): $500
Business Money: $100 per day up to $500
Domestic business travel: Trips inside the country of residence that exceed 70 miles from the usual residence and include at least one paid overnight stay. In-country trips exclude medical treatment & evacuation benefits.
Coverages (values in USD):
Excludes Medical & Evacuation
Baggage Delay: $100 per day up to $700 per trip *Does not apply to one-way trips
Personal Liability: $100,000 per trip
Accidental Death & Permanent Total Disability: $100,000 per trip
Loss of Passport: $250 per trip
Legal Expenses: $10,000 per trip
Hijacking: $1,000 per trip
Cancellation & Curtailment: $2,000 per trip; subject to $100 deductible per Trip *Benefit not available to residents of the USA
Business Equipment: Up to $1,500
Computer Equipment (single item limit): $500
Business Money: $100 per day up to $500
Domestic business travel: Trips inside country of residence: Any trip over 70 miles from usual residence, where there’s at least 1 overnight stay in paid accommodation. In-country trips exclude medical treatment & evacuation benefits.
Providing private medical insurance in Germany may not always be mandatory, but offering strong health benefits can markedly improve employees’ access to care—reducing wait times and connecting them with leading providers. Through its Global Private medical insurance scheme, arranged with a major global insurer, Remote offers four plan tiers: Standard, Premium, Gold, and Platinum. Standard covers core inpatient and outpatient needs. Premium adds dental and vision benefits. Gold and Platinum raise coverage limits and include additional services for those seeking broader protection. You can choose employee-only cover or extend benefits to a spouse/partner and children via the Family Coverage option. For guidance on equitable benefits and best practices, download our Global Benefits Guide
here
!
Hospital Accommodation: Private room
Intensive Care: Full coverage
Prescription Drugs and Materials: Full coverage
Surgical Fees (including anesthesia and charges): Full coverage
Physician and Therapist Fees: Full coverage
Surgical Appliances and Materials: Full coverage
Diagnostic Tests: Full coverage
Organ Transplant: Full coverage
Psychiatry and Psychotherapy: Full coverage
Parent Accommodation (for children under 18): Full coverage
Emergency In-Patient Dental Treatment: Full coverage
Day-Care Treatment: Full coverage
Kidney Dialysis: Full coverage
Out-Patient Surgery: Full coverage
Nursing at Home or Convalescent Home: Up to $3,375
Rehabilitation Treatment: Up to $3,375
Local Ambulance: Full coverage
Emergency Treatment Outside Area of Cover: Up to $50,000
Medical Evacuation: Full coverage
Expenses for Accompanying Evacuation: Up to $2,700
Travel Costs for Family Members (Evacuation): Up to $2,700
Repatriation of Mortal Remains: Up to $13,500
Travel Costs for Family (Repatriation): Up to $4,050
CT and MRI Scans: Full coverage
PET and CT-PET Scans: Full coverage
Oncology: Full coverage
Purchase of Wig/Prosthetic Bra: Up to $270
Routine Maternity: Up to $6,000
Complications of Pregnancy/Childbirth: Up to $13,500
In-Patient Cash Benefit: $205 per night (max 25 nights)
Emergency Out-Patient Treatment: Full coverage
Palliative Care: Full coverage
Long Term Care: Full coverage (max 90 days)
HIV/AIDS Treatment: Full coverage
Maximum Plan Benefit: $3,500
Deductible: $135
Medical Practitioner Fees & Prescription Drugs: Up to $1,350
Diagnostic Tests: Full coverage
Video Consultation Services: Full coverage
Specialist Fees: Full coverage
Chiropractic, Osteopathy, Homeopathy, Acupuncture, Podiatry: Full coverage
Prescribed Physiotherapy: Up to $600
Non-Prescribed Physiotherapy: Up to 10 visits
Prescribed Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy: Up to $1,520
Vaccinations: Up to $300
Infertility Treatment: Up to $16,000
Psychiatry and Psychotherapy: Max 10 visits
Prescribed Medical Aids: Up to $675
Prescribed Glasses and Contact Lenses: Not covered
Hormone Replacement Therapy: Full coverage
Cancer Screening (see details below): Up to $300
Annual pap smear
Mammogram (every two years for women aged 45+, or younger where a family history exists)
Annual prostate screening (yearly for men aged 50+, or younger where a family history exists)
Colonoscopy (every five years for members aged 50+, or 40+ where a family history exists)
Annual faecal occult blood test
BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic test (where a direct family history exists)
Health and wellbeing checks: Includes screenings for early detection of illness or disease (see details below): Up to $300
Physical examination
Blood tests (full blood count, biochemistry, lipid profile, thyroid function test, liver function test, kidney function test)
Cardiovascular examination (physical examination, electrocardiogram, blood pressure)
Neurological examination (physical examination)
Bone densitometry (every five years for women aged 50+)
Well child test (for children up to the age of six years)
The Standard tier includes the following additional services: Employee Assistance Programme, Travel Security Services, MyHealth Digital Services, Olive (Health & Wellness Support), and Second Medical Opinion, all of which are available.
Not covered
Not covered
Co-pay: None
Outpatient Deductible: $135
You have the option to cover the cost of your team's dependents, ensuring comprehensive protection for their spouse/parter and children.
Hospital Accommodation: Private room
Intensive Care: Full coverage
Prescription Drugs and Materials: Full coverage
Surgical Fees (including anesthesia and charges): Full coverage
Physician and Therapist Fees: Full coverage
Surgical Appliances and Materials: Full coverage
Diagnostic Tests: Full coverage
Organ Transplant: Full coverage
Psychiatry and Psychotherapy: Full coverage
Parent Accommodation (for children under 18): Full coverage
Emergency In-Patient Dental Treatment: Full coverage
Day-Care Treatment: Full coverage
Kidney Dialysis: Full coverage
Out-Patient Surgery: Full coverage
Nursing at Home or Convalescent Home: Up to $3,375
Rehabilitation Treatment: Up to $3,375
Local Ambulance: Full coverage
Emergency Treatment Outside Area of Cover: Up to $50,000
Medical Evacuation: Full coverage
Expenses for Accompanying Evacuation: Up to $2,700
Travel Costs for Family Members (Evacuation): Up to $2,700
Repatriation of Mortal Remains: Up to $13,500
Travel Costs for Family (Repatriation): Up to $4,050
CT and MRI Scans: Full coverage
PET and CT-PET Scans: Full coverage
Oncology: Full coverage
Purchase of Wig/Prosthetic Bra: Up to $270
Routine Maternity: Up to $6,000
Complications of Pregnancy/Childbirth: Up to $13,500
In-Patient Cash Benefit: $205 per night (max 25 nights)
Emergency Out-Patient Treatment: Full coverage
Palliative Care: Full coverage
Long Term Care: Full coverage (max 90 days)
HIV/AIDS Treatment: Full coverage
Treatment for Alcohol and Drug Addiction: Up to $5,000
Gender Dysphoria Services: Up to $25,000 per lifetime
Maximum Plan Benefit: $5,060
Deductible: None
Medical Practitioner Fees: Up to $1,350
Prescription Drugs: Full coverage
Diagnostic Tests: Full coverage
Video Consultation Services: Full coverage
Specialist Fees: Full coverage
Chiropractic, Osteopathy, Homeopathy, Acupuncture, Podiatry: Full coverage
Prescribed Physiotherapy: Up to $600
Non-Prescribed Physiotherapy: Up to 10 visits
Prescribed Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy: Up to $1,520
Vaccinations: Up to $500
Health and wellbeing checks: See details below
Infertility Treatment: Up to $16,000
Psychiatry and Psychotherapy: Max 10 visits
Prescribed Medical Aids: Up to $675
Prescribed Glasses and Contact Lenses: Up to $250
Hormone Replacement Therapy: Full coverage
Cancer Screening (see details below): Up to $500
Annual pap smear
Mammogram (every two years for women aged 45+, or younger where a family history exists)
Annual prostate screening (yearly for men aged 50+, or younger where a family history exists)
Colonoscopy (every five years for members aged 50+, or 40+ where a family history exists)
Annual faecal occult blood test
BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic test (if a direct family history exists)
Health and wellbeing checks: includes screenings for early detection of illness or disease (see details below). Up to $500
Physical examination
Blood tests (full blood count; biochemistry; lipid profile; thyroid, liver and kidney function tests)
Cardiovascular examination (physical examination, electrocardiogram, blood pressure)
Neurological examination (physical examination)
Bone densitometry (every five years for women aged 50+)
Well child test (for children up to the age of six years)
The Premium tier also provides Employee Assistance Programme, Travel Security Services, MyHealth Digital Services, Olive (Health & Wellness Support), and Second Medical Opinion.
Preventative dental treatment: 100% refund
Routine dental treatment: Full coverage
Major restorative dental treatment: Full coverage
Periodontics: Full coverage
Prescribed glasses and contact lenses: Up to $250, including eye examination
Co-pay: None
Deductible: None
You can choose to cover the cost of your team's dependents, providing comprehensive protection for their spouse/partner and children.
Hospital accommodation: Private room
Intensive care: Full coverage
Prescription drugs and materials: Full coverage
Surgical fees (including anaesthesia and charges): Full coverage
Physician and therapist fees: Full coverage
Surgical appliances and materials: Full coverage
Diagnostic tests: Full coverage
Organ transplant: Full coverage
Psychiatry and psychotherapy: Full coverage
Parent accommodation (for children under 18): Full coverage
Emergency in-patient dental treatment: Full coverage
Day-care treatment: Full coverage
Kidney dialysis: Full coverage
Out-patient surgery: Full coverage
Nursing at home or convalescent home: Up to $3,375
Rehabilitation treatment: Up to $3,375
Local ambulance: Full coverage
Emergency treatment outside area of cover: Up to $50,000
Medical evacuation: Full coverage
Expenses for accompanying evacuation: Up to $2,700
Travel costs for family members (evacuation): Up to $2,700
Repatriation of mortal remains: Up to $13,500
Travel costs for family (repatriation): Up to $4,050
CT and MRI scans: Full coverage
PET and CT-PET scans: Full coverage
Oncology: Full coverage
Purchase of wig/prosthetic bra: Up to $270
Routine maternity: Up to $6,000
Complications of pregnancy/childbirth: Up to $13,500
In-patient cash benefit: $205 per night (max 25 nights)
Emergency out-patient treatment: Full coverage
Palliative care: Full coverage
Long term care: Full coverage (max 90 days)
HIV/AIDS treatment: Full coverage
Treatment for alcohol and drug addiction: Up to $15,000
Gender dysphoria services: Up to $50,000 per lifetime
Maximum plan benefit: $6,000
Deductible: None
Medical practitioner fees: Up to $1,350
Prescription drugs: Full coverage
Diagnostic tests: Full coverage
Video consultation services: Full coverage
Specialist fees: Full coverage
Chiropractic, osteopathy, homeopathy, acupuncture, podiatry: Full coverage
Prescribed physiotherapy: Up to $1,275
Non-prescribed physiotherapy: Up to 10 visits
Prescribed speech therapy and occupational therapy: Up to $1,520
Vaccinations: Up to $300
Health and wellbeing checks: See details below
Infertility treatment: Up to $16,000
Psychiatry and psychotherapy: Max 20 visits
Prescribed medical aids: Up to $675
Prescribed glasses and contact lenses: Up to $250
Hormone replacement therapy: Full coverage
Cancer screening (see details below): Up to $300
Annual pap smear
Mammogram (every two years for women aged 45+, or younger where a family history exists)
Annual prostate screening (yearly for men aged 50+, or younger where a family history exists)
Colonoscopy (every five years for members aged 50+, or 40+ where a family history exists)
Annual faecal occult blood test
BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic test (if a direct family history exists)
Health and wellbeing checks: includes screenings for early detection of illness or disease (see details below). Up to $300
Physical examination
Blood tests (full blood count; biochemistry; lipid profile; thyroid, liver and kidney function tests)
Cardiovascular examination (physical examination, electrocardiogram, blood pressure)
Neurological examination (physical examination)
Bone densitometry (every five years for women aged 50+)
Well child test (for children up to the age of six years)
The Gold tier also provides Employee Assistance Programme, Travel Security Services, MyHealth Digital Services, Olive (Health & Wellness Support), and Second Medical Opinion.
Preventative dental treatment: 100% refund
Routine dental treatment: Full coverage
Major restorative dental treatment: Full coverage
Periodontics: Full coverage
Prescribed glasses and contact lenses: Up to $250, including eye examination
Co-pay: None
Deductible: None
You can choose to cover the cost of your team's dependents, providing comprehensive protection for their spouse/partner and children.
Hospital accommodation: Private room
Intensive care: Full coverage
Prescription drugs and materials: Full coverage
Surgical fees (including anaesthesia and charges): Full coverage
Physician and therapist fees: Full coverage
Surgical appliances and materials: Full coverage
Diagnostic tests: Full coverage
Organ transplant: Full coverage
Psychiatry and psychotherapy: Full coverage
Parent accommodation (for children under 18): Full coverage
Emergency in-patient dental treatment: Full coverage
Day-care treatment: Full coverage
Kidney dialysis: Full coverage
Out-patient surgery: Full coverage
Nursing at home or convalescent home: Up to $3,375
Rehabilitation treatment: Up to $3,375
Local ambulance: Full coverage
Emergency treatment outside area of cover: Up to $50,000
Medical evacuation: Full coverage
Expenses for accompanying evacuation: Up to $2,700
Travel costs for family members (evacuation): Up to $2,700
Repatriation of mortal remains: Up to $13,500
Travel costs for family (repatriation): Up to $4,050
CT and MRI scans: Full coverage
PET and CT-PET scans: Full coverage
Oncology: Full coverage
Purchase of wig/prosthetic bra: Up to $270
Routine maternity: Up to $10,000
Complications of pregnancy/childbirth: Up to $50,000
In-patient cash benefit: $205 per night (max 25 nights)
Emergency out-patient treatment: Full coverage
Palliative care: Full coverage
Long term care: Full coverage (max 90 days)
HIV/AIDS treatment: Full coverage
Treatment for alcohol and drug addiction: Up to $15,000
Gender dysphoria services: Up to $50,000 per lifetime
Maximum plan benefit: $15,000
Deductible: None
Medical practitioner fees: Full coverage
Prescription drugs: Full coverage
Diagnostic tests: Full coverage
Video consultation services: Full coverage
Specialist fees: Full coverage
Chiropractic, osteopathy, homeopathy, acupuncture, podiatry: Full coverage
Prescribed physiotherapy: Up to $2,500
Non-prescribed physiotherapy: Up to 20 visits
Prescribed speech therapy and occupational therapy: Up to $1,520
Vaccinations: Up to $500
Health and wellbeing checks: See details below
Infertility treatment: Up to $16,000
Psychiatry and psychotherapy: Max 30 visits
Prescribed medical aids: Up to $675
Prescribed glasses and contact lenses: Up to $500
Hormone replacement therapy: Full coverage
Cancer screening (see details below): Up to $500
Annual pap smear
Mammogram (every two years for women aged 45+, or younger where a family history exists)
Annual prostate screening (yearly for men aged 50+, or younger where a family history exists)
Colonoscopy (every five years for members aged 50+, or 40+ where a family history exists)
Annual faecal occult blood test
BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic test (if a direct family history exists)
Health and wellbeing checks: includes screenings for early detection of illness or disease (see details below). Up to $500
Physical examination
Blood tests (full blood count; biochemistry; lipid profile; thyroid, liver and kidney function tests)
Cardiovascular examination (physical examination, electrocardiogram, blood pressure)
Neurological examination (physical examination)
Bone densitometry (every five years for women aged 50+)
Well child test (for children up to the age of six years)
The Platinum tier also provides Employee Assistance Programme, Travel Security Services, MyHealth Digital Services, Olive (Health & Wellness Support), and Second Medical Opinion.
Preventative dental treatment: 100% refund
Routine dental treatment: Full coverage
Major restorative dental treatment: Full coverage
Periodontics: Full coverage
Prescribed glasses and contact lenses: Up to $500, including eye examination
Co-pay: None
Deductible: None
You can choose to cover the cost of your team's dependents, providing comprehensive protection for their spouse/partner and children.
Offering life insurance is not mandatory in this country, but adding it can enhance employees’ financial security and peace of mind. The Global Life Insurance offering provides flexible cover from $50,000 to $600,000 to suit company and employee needs. There are two options. The Basic Offering provides life cover: on an employee’s death, a beneficiary may receive up to 6 times the employee’s annual salary, subject to the chosen cover limit (the payout will not exceed that limit). The Comprehensive Offering at Remote combines Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), and Permanent Disability (PD). For accidental death, dismemberment, or permanent disability, compensation is up to 5 times the employee’s annual salary, subject to the selected cover limit; the payout cannot exceed that limit. In some countries, insurance premium taxes may apply, meaning tax may be payable by the company on the monthly premiums. Life insurance may also be treated as ‘Benefits in Kind’ (BIK); in that case, monthly premiums could be counted as part of the employee’s taxable income under local law. When life insurance is provided, it must be offered equally to all employees in the country.
Provides financial protection for beneficiaries following the death of an insured team member.
If a team member dies, beneficiary compensation cannot exceed 6 times the team member's annual salary or the chosen cover level (whichever is lower).
Example: See help article for details
Not covered
Not covered
Provides financial protection for beneficiaries following the death of an insured team member.
If a team member dies, beneficiary compensation cannot exceed 6 times the team member’s annual salary or the chosen cover level (whichever is lower).
Provides financial protection for beneficiaries in cases of an insured team member's accidental death or dismemberment.
Compensation cannot exceed 5 times the team member's annual salary or the chosen cover level (whichever is lower). The exact payout depends on the type of injury, as specified in the Accidental Dismemberment Table.
Provides financial support to insured team members who suffer permanent total or permanent partial disabilities as a result of an accident or illness.
Compensation cannot exceed 5 times the team member's annual salary or the chosen cover level (whichever is lower). The insurer assesses the extent of the permanent disability to determine the final compensation:
Disabilities below 33.33%: No compensation
Disabilities between 33.33% and 66.67%: Compensation calculated as a percentage of the capped amount
Permanent disabilities exceeding 66.67%: Full capped compensation amount
For worked examples of how Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), and Permanent Disability compensation is calculated, refer to the help article for details
If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
Offering mental health benefits is not mandatory in this country, but providing them can materially improve employees’ emotional wellbeing and overall productivity. Remote offers an employee mental wellbeing platform in partnership with a leading provider, available on desktop and mobile. The platform includes 1-to-1 therapy with a vetted pool of therapists in 35+ languages. Its precision-matching service finds a suitable therapist within 48 hours and has a 98% success rate. Employees receive a personal wellbeing profile with tailored recommendations and tools to track progress. The service also provides a curated self-guided content library with audio mindfulness & meditation sessions, guided yoga videos, talks, workplace wellbeing podcasts, and micro-learning series for managers. There are 24/7 mental health helplines for immediate support. Employers can offer mental health benefits from five different plan levels. In some countries, mental health benefits may be treated as ‘Benefits in Kind’ (BIK), meaning monthly premiums could be counted as part of the employee’s taxable income under local law. When mental health benefits are provided, they must be offered equally to all employees in the country.
Access to the wellbeing platform and app, which includes:
Personalised wellbeing assessment
Access to a curated self-guided content library with audio mindfulness & meditation sessions, guided yoga videos, talks and podcasts on workplace wellbeing, and micro-learning series for managers
Access to manager-specific learnings and resources
Precision matching for 1:1 coaching and therapy in 35+ languages
Professional coaching
Text-based chat with a dedicated practitioner
24/7 global support in all languages
Add up to 3 friends and family to the platform
Not included in the Basic plan
Team members may pay for therapy sessions themselves if required.
Access to the wellbeing platform and app, which includes:
Personalised wellbeing assessment
Access to a curated self-guided content library with audio mindfulness & meditation sessions, guided yoga videos, talks and podcasts on workplace wellbeing, and micro-learning series for managers
Access to manager-specific learnings and resources
Precision matching for 1:1 coaching and therapy in 35+ languages
Professional coaching
Text-based chat with dedicated practitioner
24/7 global support in all languages
Add up to 3 friends and family to the platform
Includes one pre-paid Therapy/Coaching session per policy year
Team members can pay for extra therapy sessions themselves, if needed.
Access to the wellbeing platform and app, which includes:
Personalised wellbeing assessment
Access to world-class self-guided content library with audio mindfulness & meditation sessions, guided yoga videos, talks, podcasts on workplace wellbeing, and micro-learning content series for managers
Access to manager-specific learnings and resources
Precision matching for 1:1 coaching and therapy in 35+ languages
Professional coaching
Text-based chat with dedicated practitioner
24/7 global support in all languages
Add up to 3 friends and family to the platform
Includes three pre-paid Therapy/Coaching sessions per policy year
Team members can pay for extra therapy sessions themselves, if needed.
Access to the wellbeing platform and app, which includes:
Personalised wellbeing assessment
Access to world-class self-guided content library with audio mindfulness & meditation sessions, guided yoga videos, talks, podcasts on workplace wellbeing, and micro-learning content series for managers
Access to manager-specific learnings and resources
Precision matching for 1:1 coaching and therapy in 35+ languages
Professional coaching
Text-based chat with dedicated practitioner
24/7 global support in all languages
Add up to 3 friends and family to the platform
Includes six pre-paid Therapy/Coaching sessions per policy year
Team members can pay for extra therapy sessions themselves, if needed.
Access to the wellbeing platform and app, which includes:
Personalised wellbeing assessment
Access to world-class self-guided content library with audio mindfulness & meditation sessions, guided yoga videos, talks, podcasts on workplace wellbeing, and micro-learning content series for managers
Access to manager-specific learnings and resources
Precision matching for 1:1 coaching and therapy in 35+ languages
Professional coaching
Text-based chat with dedicated practitioner
24/7 global support in all languages
Add up to 3 friends and family to the platform
Includes twelve pre-paid Therapy/Coaching sessions per policy year
Team members can pay for extra therapy sessions themselves, if needed.
Germany has a robust economy with major sectors in automotive, manufacturing, and finance. Given its specific employment laws and tax rules, employers must comply with local payroll requirements, including social security contributions, employment contracts, and tax obligations. Familiarity with these rules is necessary for accurate payroll processing and legal compliance.
Employers in Germany must follow national payroll rules covering wages, taxes, and social contributions. Below is a summary of the main payroll components:
Minimum wage: Germany’s minimum wage is EUR 12.00 per hour.
Payroll frequency: Salaries are typically paid monthly.
Standard working hours: A standard workweek in Germany is 40 hours, usually spread over five days.
Overtime: Employees are entitled to additional pay for overtime, as determined by labour regulations and collective agreements.
Personal income tax: Germany operates a progressive income tax system with rates from 0% to 45%, depending on income.
Employer contributions:
Employee contributions:
Corporate tax: The corporate income tax rate in Germany is 15% plus a solidarity surcharge.
Tax reporting: Employers must regularly file payroll taxes and contributions with the German tax authorities.
Employment contracts must be issued in writing and set out terms such as salary, working hours, and job duties.
Payroll deductions: Employers must ensure accurate deductions for social security and income tax.
Employers must keep up to date with changes to Germany’s employment laws and tax rules to avoid penalties.
Managing payroll in Germany requires attention to tax rules, employment law, and social security obligations. Employers must track tax rates, wage laws, and reporting deadlines to ensure accurate payroll and reduce the risk of penalties.
The good news is, you can pay anyone, anywhere — from your team in the office to your team abroad, all with Remote Payroll. To see just how easy global payroll can be with Remote, book a demo today.
Hiring contractors in Germany can be a strategic and cost-effective way for businesses to complete projects without the obligations of hiring full-time employees. Whether you are engaging independent contractors for specialized services or bringing in subcontractors for short-term work, understanding Germany’s labor laws and regulations is essential.
Remote helps businesses stay compliant when hiring contractors globally with these key features:
Global compliance support: Ensures adherence to labor laws in 200+ countries with localized contracts and proper documentation.
Misclassification protection: Includes built-in compliance checks and seamless contractor-to-employee conversion.
Centralized documentation: Maintains essential records for audits and automates tax filings.
Legal expertise: Provides guidance on complex local labor laws, simplifying international hiring.
Remote’s streamlined approach minimizes compliance risks and simplifies contractor management for businesses.
Remote simplifies contractor payments with:
Automated processing: One-click approvals, bulk payments, recurring invoices, and real-time tracking.
Global coverage: Payments in 200+ countries, multiple payment methods, and currency flexibility.
Cost and compliance: Fair price guarantee (pay only for active contractors), built-in compliance with regional regulations, and localized contracts.
Learn more about how Remote simplifies contractor management in Germany — get started for free today.
Our Employer of Record (EOR) service lets you hire, manage, and pay leading talent in Germany with speed and clarity.
Remote’s EOR lets your company legally employ staff in Germany without forming a local legal entity. On paper, Remote is the official employer and manages compliance, payroll, benefits (including equity), and other HR processes, while you retain control of the hire’s daily management and responsibilities. Learn more.
An EOR may suit your company if it:
Needs to hire employees in Germany but doesn’t want to establish a legal entity
Is testing local markets before committing to full expansion
Wants to meet local employment laws and tax obligations
Needs a fast way to onboard employees in Germany
Requires a temporary hiring arrangement before setting up a legal entity
If you want to hire in Germany but don’t have a legal entity there, Remote’s EOR offers a compliant, efficient route. Germany enforces detailed employment and payroll tax rules, and our EOR helps you meet those obligations while enabling faster growth.
Key benefits of hiring through our EOR in Germany include:
Faster market entry. Hire talent quickly, without waiting months to establish a local entity.
Full compliance with local employment laws. Reduce legal risks tied to non-compliance and misclassification.
Simplified payroll management. Remote automates payroll tax calculations and keeps you aligned with withholding obligations, even as laws change.
Lower costs. Setting up a legal entity in Germany can be expensive and slow. An EOR removes the need for entity registration, cutting overhead.
Fewer resources required. With HR, payroll, and compliance handled by the EOR, your company can focus on scaling operations and redeploy internal resources.
Note that Remote owns a legal entity in Germany. Because of this, Remote does not need to rely on third parties, which can add delays, extra costs, and potentially harm the employee experience. All EOR services — including local specialist support — are delivered in-house.
To learn more — and to see our EOR platform in action — book a demo with one of our friendly experts today.
Equity incentives are a powerful way to attract, motivate, and retain top talent. When you hire across borders, however, they can become complex.
Remote enables you to offer non-qualified share options (NSOs) to team members in Germany with minimal administrative burden. The process is designed to be straightforward and clear for you and your people at every step.
NSOs are a form of equity incentive that give team members the right to buy a specified number of company shares at a fixed exercise price.
This usually occurs after a vesting period, typically tied to how long the team member remains with the company. NSOs help encourage long-term commitment and align people with strategic goals.
Direct employees | EOR employees | Contractors | |
Can receive NSOs? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Difficulty score | Medium | Medium | Medium |
It’s important to note that granting share options to contractors can increase your misclassification risk in Germany (though it is not the only factor). See how Remote protects you against misclassification.
In Germany, NSOs are taxed as follows:
Direct employees | EOR employees | Contractors | |
At grant | There is no taxation at grant. | There is no taxation at grant. | There is no taxation at grant. |
At exercise | The spread is taxed as salary income. The spread is the difference between the fair market value of the shares at the time of exercise, and the exercise price (or “strike” price) paid by your team member. | The spread is taxed as salary income. The spread is the difference between the fair market value of the shares at the time of exercise, and the exercise price (or “strike” price) paid by your team member. | The spread is taxed as salary income. The spread is the difference between the fair market value of the shares at the time of exercise, and the exercise price (or “strike” price) paid by your team member. |
At sale | The difference between the sale price and the fair market value of the shares (at the time of exercise) is taxed as capital gains. There may be certain tax advantages subject to certain conditions. | The difference between the sale price and the fair market value of the shares (at the time of exercise) is taxed as capital gains. | The difference between the sale price and the fair market value of the shares (at the time of exercise) is taxed as capital gains. |
Direct employees | EOR employees | Contractors |
There are some potential tax advantages, but they are conditional and not highly favourable. Benefit 1: Taxation deferral The Future Financing Act (“ZuFinG”) permits — under certain conditions — deferring tax on employees’ share options until sale. This deferral does not apply if the granted shares belong to a parent company outside Germany (even for German employees of that parent’s subsidiary). Benefit 2: Limited exemption on the spread In some cases, a portion of the spread can be tax-free. A fixed amount per employee may be deducted from taxable income, lowering their tax bill. You may also permit early exercise of non-vested share options. Early exercise can reduce tax liability but can be more complex to administer and may need extra paperwork. | You can allow your team members to exercise their non-vested share options early (a process known as “early exercise”). This can potentially reduce their tax liability, although early exercises can be difficult to manage and may require additional paperwork. | You can allow your team members to exercise their non-vested share options early (a process known as “early exercise”). This can potentially reduce their tax liability, although early exercises can be difficult to manage and may require additional paperwork. |
If you want to use Remote Equity Advanced to offer share options to your Germany-based team members, your top corporation (i.e., your parent company) must be incorporated in Delaware. Your company must also be private — not publicly listed.
For hiring employees in countries where you do not yet have a local entity.
Starting at A$916
employee per month, for annual contracts
Hire in 90+ countries, no local entity needed
Dedicated specialist for onboarding
Local payroll paid on time, every time
Built-in compliance safeguards
Flexible, competitive, and localised benefits
In-house experts offering ongoing support
Remote Platform included, no base fee
For paying employees in countries where your organisation owns the entity.
Starting at A$29
employee per month
Gross-to-net calculated locally
Tax filings and statutory contributions remitted per country
Timesheets, time off, and expenses sync
Reports by country, entity, and cost centre
Self-serve or fully managed by a specialist
Remote Platform included, no base fee
The contract rests with you
You manage the relationship; we take care of the paperwork.
Starting at A$44
contractor per month
Only pay for contractors you actively work with that month
Onboard and pay contractors across 190+ countries
Draft, revise and sign localised contracts
Approve invoices with a single click or set to auto-pay
Includes compliance screening, expenses and 1099-NEC generation
Remote Platform included, no base fee