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), sits in central and western Europe. It is a major economic power — Europe’s largest economy, the world’s fourth-largest by nominal GDP and fifth by PPP. As a leader across several industrial and technology sectors, it ranks among the world’s top exporters and importers of goods.
Capital
Official language
Currency
Population
Cost of living index
GDP real growth rate
Payroll frequency
VAT rate
Ease of doing business
Want to employ people in Germany? Companies hiring there usually must either have a local legal entity or work with a global employment platform like Remote that can legally deliver employment services in-country.
Remote can employ team members in Germany and help you stay compliant. Remote can hire, onboard, and pay your Germany team so you don't need to set up local HR services in the region. Remote also makes it easy to pay 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.
Employer
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Pension
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Private medical insurance
0.0%
Nursing Care Insurance
0.0%
Unemployment Insurance
0.00%
Accident Insurance
0.00%
Sickness/maternity leave allocation
Employee
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Pension
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Private medical insurance
0.00%
Nursing Care Insurance
0.0%
Unemployment Insurance
0.00%
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 offers a flexible occupational pension scheme (bAV) for employees in Germany. This modern arrangement reduces administrative burden, while providing adaptable options and broad financial protection.
Employee contributions: Employees may contribute between 1% and 4% of gross salary, or choose a fixed contribution up to €302 per month (2024 limit).
Employer contributions: Employers subsidise 15% of employee contributions, and can opt for matching models or fixed contributions ranging from 1–8% of salary, depending on employer preference.
Effortless digital management: An online portal lets employees adjust contributions, view contracts, and monitor pension growth. The interface is clear and user-friendly, with real-time updates.
Transferability: Employees may transfer existing pension savings into the new plan or keep them in separate funds.
Eligibility: Available to any employee who requests it, providing additional flexibility and financial security.
Remote’s Global Business Travel Insurance programme is designed for teams taking short trips or travelling frequently. With five plan levels — Basic, Standard, Standard Plus, Premium, and Premium Plus — it helps ensure the right level of protection for health, safety, and wellbeing while people travel for business.
Offered in more than 90 countries, the programme delivers broad global cover at competitive rates and lets you tailor benefits to your team’s needs. This optional offering helps protect people from unforeseen events such as medical emergencies, trip disruption, or loss of business equipment while on the road.
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: 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):
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 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):
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 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
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 this country may not be mandatory, but offering strong health benefits can noticeably improve employees’ access to care by shortening wait times and connecting them to top providers. Through our Global Private medical insurance scheme, offered in partnership with a leading global insurer, Remote now offers four plan tiers: Standard, Premium, Gold, and Platinum. The Standard tier provides core inpatient and outpatient cover. Premium adds dental and vision benefits. Gold and Platinum raise coverage limits and include extra services for more comprehensive protection. Flexible family options allow you to insure an employee only or to extend cover to a spouse/partner and children. If you’d like guidance on fair equity and benefits best practice, you can download our Global Benefits Guide
here
!
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
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 also includes Employee Assistance Programme, travel security services, MyHealth digital services, Olive (health & wellness support), and access to a second medical opinion.
Not covered
Not covered
Co-pay: None
Outpatient deductible: $135
You can choose to cover dependents, extending protection to a 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 $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)
Yearly faecal occult blood test
BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic test (where a direct family history exists)
Health and wellbeing checks — includes early-detection screenings for illness or disease (see details below). Benefit limit: Up to $500
Physical examination
Blood tests (full blood count; biochemistry; lipid profile; thyroid, liver, and kidney function tests)
Cardiovascular examination (physical exam, electrocardiogram, blood pressure check)
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 these additional services: Employee Assistance Programme, Travel Security Services, MyHealth Digital Services, Olive (Health & Wellness Support), and Second Medical Opinion, all available to members.
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 include your team's dependents, covering their spouse/partner and children for comprehensive protection.
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 (where a direct family history exists)
Health and wellbeing checks — includes early-detection screenings for illness or disease (see details below). Benefit limit: Up to $300
Physical examination
Blood tests (full blood count; biochemistry; lipid profile; thyroid, liver, and kidney function tests)
Cardiovascular examination (physical exam, electrocardiogram, blood pressure check)
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 these additional services: Employee Assistance Programme, Travel Security Services, MyHealth Digital Services, Olive (Health & Wellness Support), and Second Medical Opinion, all available to members.
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 include your team's dependents, covering their spouse/partner and children for comprehensive protection.
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 (where a direct family history exists)
Health and wellbeing checks — includes early-detection screenings for illness or disease (see details below). Benefit limit: Up to $500
Physical examination
Blood tests (full blood count; biochemistry; lipid profile; thyroid, liver, and kidney function tests)
Cardiovascular examination (physical exam, electrocardiogram, blood pressure check)
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 these additional services: Employee Assistance Programme, Travel Security Services, MyHealth Digital Services, Olive (Health & Wellness Support), and Second Medical Opinion, all available to members.
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 include your team's dependents, covering their spouse/partner and children for comprehensive protection.
Providing life insurance is not mandatory in this country, but adding it can materially improve employees' financial security and peace of mind. The Global Life Insurance offering supplies flexible cover levels from $50,000 to $600,000 to suit different company budgets and personal needs. There are two options: The Basic Offering supplies life insurance cover. If an employee dies, the beneficiary receives up to 6 times the employee’s annual salary, capped at the chosen cover level — the payout cannot exceed that limit. The Comprehensive Offering at Remote combines Life Insurance with Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) and Permanent Disability (PD) cover. For accidental death, dismemberment, or permanent disability, compensation is up to 5 times the employee’s annual salary, again capped at the selected cover limit. Note that in some countries insurance premium taxes may apply. That means the company could owe tax on the monthly premiums paid for employee life cover. Life insurance may also be treated as ‘Benefits in Kind’ (BIK), so the monthly premiums could be counted as taxable income under local law. When life insurance is offered, it must be provided equally to all employees in the country.
Provides financial protection and security for beneficiaries following the death of an insured team member.
If a team member dies, the beneficiary payment will not 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 and security for beneficiaries following the death of an insured team member.
If a team member dies, the beneficiary payment will not exceed 6 times the team member’s annual salary or the chosen cover level (whichever is lower).
Offers financial protection to beneficiaries in the event 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 injury type as listed in the Accidental Dismemberment Table.
Designed to provide financial support to insured team members who suffer permanent total or permanent partial disabilities from 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 degree of permanent disability to determine the final payment:
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 payments are calculated for Life Insurance, AD&D, and Permanent Disability, refer to the help article for details
If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
Providing mental health benefits is not compulsory in this country, but offering them can materially improve employees' emotional wellbeing and productivity. Remote partners with a top‑rated employee mental wellbeing provider to offer a comprehensive platform on desktop and mobile. It includes 1:1 therapy with a curated pool of high-quality therapists in 35+ languages. The advanced matching service finds a suitable therapist within 48 hours, with a 98% match success rate. Employees receive a personal wellbeing profile with tailored recommendations and progress tracking. The platform also contains a curated self-guided content library — audio mindfulness and meditation sessions, guided yoga videos, workplace-wellbeing talks and podcasts, and micro-learning series for managers. There are 24/7 mental health helplines for immediate support. Employers can choose from five mental health plans. Offering mental health benefits is optional, but it can significantly support employee wellbeing. Note that in some countries these benefits may be classed as ‘Benefits in Kind’ (BIK), so monthly premiums might be considered part of an employee’s taxable income under local tax rules. When offered, mental health benefits must be provided equally to all employees in the country.
Access to the wellbeing platform and app, which includes:
Personalised wellbeing assessment
Access to a world-class self-guided content library with audio mindfulness and meditation sessions, guided yoga videos, workplace-wellbeing talks and podcasts, and micro-learning content series for managers
Access to manager-specific learning 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 can pay for therapy sessions themselves if required.
Access to the wellbeing platform and app, which includes:
Personalised wellbeing assessment
Access to a world-class self-guided content library with audio mindfulness and meditation sessions, guided yoga videos, workplace-wellbeing talks and podcasts, and micro-learning content series for managers
Access to manager-specific learning 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 members to the platform
Includes one pre-paid therapy or coaching session per policy year
Team members can pay for extra therapy sessions themselves if needed.
Access to the wellbeing platform and app, including:
Personalised wellbeing assessment
Access to a 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 learning 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 members to the platform
Includes three pre-paid therapy or coaching sessions per policy year
Team members can pay for extra therapy sessions themselves if needed.
Access to the wellbeing platform and app, including:
Personalised wellbeing assessment
Access to a 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 learning 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 members to the platform
Includes six pre-paid therapy or coaching sessions per policy year
Team members can pay for extra therapy sessions themselves if needed.
Access to the wellbeing platform and app, including:
Personalised wellbeing assessment
Access to a 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 learning 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 members to the platform
Includes twelve pre-paid therapy or coaching sessions per policy year
Team members can pay for extra therapy sessions themselves if needed.
Germany has a robust economy, with strong automotive, manufacturing, and finance sectors. Employers must follow specific employment laws and tax regulations, including social security contributions, employment contracts, and tax obligations. Understanding these rules is essential for smooth payroll operations and legal compliance.
Employers in Germany must follow national payroll regulations covering wages, taxes, and social contributions. Below is an overview of key payroll components:
Minimum wage: Germany’s minimum wage is EUR 12.00 per hour.
Payroll frequency: Salaries are generally paid monthly.
Standard working hours: A standard workweek in Germany is 40 hours, usually across five days.
Overtime: Employees are entitled to extra pay for overtime, calculated according to labour regulations and collective agreements.
Personal income tax: Germany uses 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 file payroll taxes and contributions with the German tax authorities on a regular basis.
Employment contracts must be provided in writing and set out terms such as salary, working hours, and job responsibilities.
Payroll deductions: Employers must make accurate deductions for social security and income tax.
Employers must keep up to date with changes to Germany’s employment laws and tax regulations to avoid penalties.
Managing payroll in Germany requires attention to tax rules, employment laws, and social security obligations. Employers must monitor tax rates, wage laws, and reporting deadlines to keep payroll running smoothly and avoid 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 how straightforward 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 top talent in Germany quickly and simply.
Remote’s EOR lets your company legally hire employees in Germany without setting up a local legal entity. On paper, Remote is the official employer; Remote handles compliance, payroll, benefits (including equity), and other HR processes, while you retain full control of the employee’s day-to-day management and responsibilities. Learn more.
An EOR may suit your company if:
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 ensure compliance with local employment laws and tax requirements
Needs a fast, cost-effective way to onboard employees in Germany
Needs a temporary hiring solution before setting up a legal entity
If your company wants to hire talent in Germany but lacks a local legal entity, Remote’s EOR offers a compliant and efficient solution. Germany has strict employment and payroll tax laws, and Remote’s EOR helps you meet these obligations while enabling you to grow more quickly.
Key benefits of hiring through Remote’s EOR in Germany include:
Faster market entry. Hire talent faster, without waiting months to form a local entity.
Full compliance with local employment laws. Reduce the legal risks tied to non-compliance and misclassification.
Simplified payroll management. Remote automates payroll tax calculations and helps ensure compliance with withholding obligations, even when laws change.
Lower costs. Setting up a legal entity in Germany can be costly and time-consuming. An EOR removes the need for entity registration, lowering overhead expenses.
Fewer resources required. With HR, payroll, and compliance managed by the EOR, your company can concentrate on scaling operations and reassign resources elsewhere.
Remote has a local legal entity in Germany, so it does not rely on third parties that can cause delays, add cost, and harm the employee experience. All EOR services — including the dedicated support of local specialists — are provided 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 valuable way to attract, motivate, and retain top talent. When hiring across borders, they become more complex.
Remote enables you to offer non-qualified share options (NSOs) to your team members in Germany with less administrative burden and clearer compliance at every step.
NSOs are a form of equity incentive that give team members the right to buy a set number of shares in your company at a fixed exercise price.
This usually occurs after a vesting period tied to how long a team member remains with the company. As a result, NSOs help encourage long-term commitment and align people with your 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 potentially increase your misclassification risk in Germany (although this is not the primary factor). See how Remote protects you against misclassification.
In Germany, NSOs are taxed in the following ways:
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 subject to strict conditions and are not hugely favourable. Benefit 1: Taxation deferral The Future Financing Act (“ZuFinG”) allows — under certain conditions — the deferral of taxes on an employees' share options until sale. However, this deferral is not applicable if the shares granted are the shares of a parent company outside Germany (even for German employees of a subsidiary of that parent company). Benefit 2: Limited exemption on the spread In some cases, a portion of the spread can be tax-free. A set amount for each employee can be deducted from taxable income, lowering how much tax they owe. You may also allow team members to exercise non-vested share options early (known as “early exercise”), which can reduce their tax liability, though early exercises can be hard to manage 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 NZ$990
Employee per month, for annual contracts
Hire in 90+ countries, no local entity needed
Onboard with a dedicated specialist
Local payroll paid on time, every time
Built-in compliance safeguards
Competitive, flexible, and localised benefits
In-house experts providing ongoing support
Remote Platform included, no base fee
For paying employees in countries where you own the local entity.
Starting at NZ$31
Employee per month
Local gross-to-net calculation
Statutory contributions and tax filings remitted in each country
Time off, timesheets, and expenses sync
Reports by country, entity, and cost centre
Self-serve or fully managed by a specialist
Remote Platform included, no base fee
You hold the contract
You manage the relationship; we take care of the paperwork.
Prices start at NZ$48
Per contractor per month
Only pay for contractors you actually engage with during the month
Onboard and pay contractors across 190+ countries
Create, edit and sign localised contracts
Approve invoices with a single click or set them to auto-pay
Compliance screening, expenses and 1099-NEC generation included
Remote Platform included — no base fee