What do I need?
Pocket Money - €500 cash or card
Wise - EU bank account
4G internet - SkySim
Google Maps
Google Translate App
DB Navigator app + ticket
Medical Insurance
Obtain a 90 day health insurance before going to Germany.
Health insurance refunds your expenses upon delivering original receipts in Kosovo.
Get all the other information from the health insurance company.
If you are injured on the job tell your employer and Worki immediately!
Airport & Customs
Review airport and transportation guidelines.
Be prepared to show your Passport, Work Permit, Student Status and accommodation address at customs upon entering Germany.
Buy the €49 Deutschland-Ticket DTV (unlimited use per month).
From the airport you will go to your accommodation with train and bus using DB Navigator and Google Maps.
A coordinator in Germany will meet you there.
Housing Expectaions
The employer determines the accommodation.
Accommodation is in apartments, houses, or hostels.
The employer prepays accommodation for 90 days for the student.
Accommodation cannot be left or changed by the student.
Accommodation payment is €20/day. Accommodation is not prepaid by the student. Payment of accommodation is automatically deducted from the salary every month.
Accommodation payment is calculated from the first day that the student arrives at the place of residence, until the last day of the work permit.
The deposit payment is up to €300. The deposit is not prepaid by the student. Deposit payment deducted from the first salary and returned to the last salary, if the accommodation is left undamaged and clean.
The accommodation contains the basic elements for living such as: bed, shared bathroom, common kitchen, etc.
Accommodation is from 2 to 6 students per room. Rooms are divided by gender.
Accommodation rules must be respected and you should be kind to others.
Job Expectations
Follow your employer’s rules in the workplace.
The same rules apply to you as to all German citizens, residents, and full-time employees.
Be prepared to meet grooming stand. Natural hair colors, shaving, and no piercings.
Carefully read your job offer and any other employment documents that you receive (download Google Translate App).
Be prepared to show up on time and work hard with good attitude.
Salaries, advances, payrolls & taxes
The employer makes payments to the student through the EU bank account (WISE).
The employer makes monthly payments, next month on the 22nd. For example, salary for month of June, 2024 is paid on July 22, 2024.
The employer sends the student a weekly advance every week. The weekly advance is €125.
The first advance is accepted in the second working week. The advance is not sent on the week of the monthly payment.
The student pays about 11% taxes in Germany. Taxes are refunded up to 84%.
The working hours are determined in cooperation with the employer.
Working hours count only those hours you work. The break lasts 30 minutes and is unpaid.
Regular working days are Monday to Saturday.
Sunday is not considered a regular working day and as such is paid 50% more or €20.25/hour.
Work on national holidays is paid 100% more or €27.00/hour.
The night shift from 00:00 to 06:00 in the morning is paid 25% more or €16.87/hour.
The employer allows additional working hours only in cases where additional work is needed.
You are not allowed to work a second job.
If there is no work on any day, the employer pays 7 normal working hours for the student.
After each full month of work, you are entitled to 1.67 days of paid leave. These days are paid with the last salary.
Payrolls
Ensure your email is functional and you are able to receive and send emails.
In your first week of arrival in Germany, our partner will send you an email with login information. In there you are able to download your monthly payroll and check your working hours.
Get all the other information from the health insurance company.
If there are any questions regarding your payrolls, or missing hours to report for Worki.
Payrolls
Example
Personal Safety
Transportation tips
We strongly advise that you don’t drive in Germany.
Don’t ask strangers for rides.
Follow bicycle safety regulations.
Always take care of your belongings and
and your valuable items.
Laws in Germany
You are subject to all the laws of this country
If you do any of the following, you will immediately be dismissed from the program:
Illegal drugs.
Going hangover, drunk or under the influence at work.
Stealing (in any form).
Prostitution.
Physical aggression or sexual harassment.
Driving without a driver's license and car insurance.
Cultural Shock
A period of adjustment to a new culture and environment.
Occurs especially during the first few weeks of life in a new environment.
Initial period of excitement followed by a realization of reality and sadness/depression.
You will be challenged and it will be hard.
Large and small changes in your daily life will affect you.
Any feelings you have are completely normal.
Ways to reduce Cultural Shock
We are all here to help you!
Have realistic expectations:
Don’t expect Germany to be like your home country.
Adjusting will take time.
Make friends while on program:
Talk to other international students and co-workers.
Take care of yourself:
Sleep well, eat well, and exercise.
Integrate yourself into German culture:
Meal times, change routines, etc.
Talk to your friends, employer, and Worki if you have any problems.
German Culture
Varies by region.
Accents, foods, value, and histories.
Made up of different cultures.
Travel on days off and experience the German culture!
Solving Problems
You might have some challenges - it’s normal.
It will take time to adjust to a new situation.
First step: Talk to your supervisor. They are there to help you!
Second step: Contact Worki when a problem arises.
Problems can be solved by talking it out.
You cannot just quit your job.
Do what you can do to avoid problems:
Respect German laws.
Respect employer rules.
Departure
You must depart Germany by the end of your work permit or before exceeding 90 days stay duration, whichever comes first.
Inform Worki and your employer two weeks before leaving with your exact date of leaving.
Share your experience.
Share your pictures, videos, and stories.
What is next?
Wait for job approval. Worki will keep you updated.
Extremely important: Do not travel without Worki's approval!
Departures are organized and coordinated with other students from Worki.
Our partner will give the final approval for the city, job, travel date, and work start date, 3 to 30 days prior to departure.
The program commences in accordance with the work permit dates and may begin up to 15 days after the work permit start date.