First time working in Germany: what you need to know from the start
Your first time working in Germany may seem complicated, especially if you have never worked abroad before. There are many things to organize, including choosing the right job, preparing documents, arranging accommodation, transport, the employment contract and the first days after arrival.
The most important thing is not to leave without clear information. Before accepting an offer, you should know where you will work, what type of activity you will perform, what the salary is, how accommodation is arranged and how long the contract lasts.
Lucicosm Mediere offers several jobs in Germany for Romanians, including positions in agriculture, greenhouses, warehouses, housekeeping and cleaning.
Step 1: Choose the right job
The first step is choosing a job offer that suits you.
Not all jobs require the same level of physical effort or take place in the same type of environment. Some people prefer field work, while others prefer working in a greenhouse or warehouse.
The Lucicosm website presents job opportunities such as:
• harvesting Mini Romaine lettuce
• greenhouse work
• warehouse work
• raspberry picking
• radish harvesting
• carrot harvesting
• onion harvesting
• cucumber harvesting
• strawberry picking
• housekeeping and cleaning
Before choosing, it is important to ask what the activity actually involves and to be realistic about the physical effort required.
You can check the available jobs in Germany and ask for information about positions available during the period when you want to leave.
Step 2: Ask for all the details about the offer
Once you find a job that interests you, do not focus only on the salary.
Ask for clear information about:
• the exact activity
• the workplace location
• the hourly wage
• the estimated work schedule
• the duration of the contract
• accommodation costs
• accommodation conditions
• transport between accommodation and the workplace
• the departure date
• required documents
It is important that the information applies to the specific offer you are considering. Conditions can differ from one employer to another.
Step 3: Prepare the necessary documents
For Romanian citizens, working in Germany is easier because Romania is part of the European Union.
Even so, you should prepare the necessary documents before departure.
Some of the most important include:
• a valid identity card or passport
• the employment contract or documents related to the job
• contact details for the agency or employer
• the accommodation address
• transport documents
• any additional documents required for the specific offer
It is recommended to keep both the original documents and digital copies.
Step 4: Check the employment contract carefully
The employment contract is one of the most important documents when working in Germany for the first time.
You should check the information regarding salary, employment period, type of work and the conditions offered.
Do not travel based only on a verbal promise.
A clear contract helps you understand what you agreed to and what conditions must be respected by both parties.
If you want to learn more about this part, you can also check the jobs in Germany with legal employment contracts.
Step 5: Find out exactly how accommodation is arranged
Accommodation is one of the main concerns for people leaving for the first time.
Before departure, you should find out:
• how much the accommodation costs
• how many people will share a room
• whether there is a kitchen
• whether the bathroom is private or shared
• whether utilities are included
• how far the accommodation is from the workplace
• how transport to work is organized
Within Lucicosm offers, accommodation costs may vary depending on the location and available conditions.
For more information, you can read the article about accommodation for workers in Germany.
Step 6: Organize transport to Germany
Once the job and departure date are confirmed, you need to organize transport.
It is good to know in advance:
• the departure date and time
• the boarding point
• the destination
• luggage conditions
• the approximate journey duration
• who will meet you at the destination
Lucicosm also provides passenger transport from Romania to Germany for people travelling for work or other purposes.
For a first trip, organized transport may be easier, especially if you do not know the area and need to reach a specific address.
Step 7: Pack your luggage properly
When leaving for the first time, many people either take too many things or forget important items.
Your luggage should include:
• important documents
• suitable work clothes
• comfortable footwear
• personal hygiene products
• personal medication
• phone and charger
• money for the first few days
• clothes for your free time
Ask in advance whether you need to bring special work equipment or whether it will be provided by the employer.
Step 8: Keep an emergency fund
Even if you already have a confirmed job, it is recommended to have some money available for the first few days.
You may have expenses for:
• food
• local transport
• personal items
• phone costs
• unexpected situations
Do not assume that you will receive your salary immediately after arrival. Ask when the first payment will be made and plan your budget accordingly.
Step 9: What to do on your first day after arrival
After arriving in Germany, the first thing is to make sure you have reached the correct accommodation and know where you need to report for work.
During the first few hours, check:
• the room and accommodation conditions
• the rules of the place where you are staying
• the time you need to be ready for work
• transport to the workplace
• the contact person
• the documents you need to carry with you
If something is unclear, ask immediately. It is easier to solve a problem at the beginning than after several days.
Step 10: What your first working day may look like
The first working day may include an introduction to the workplace, explanations about the activity and safety rules.
You may receive instructions about:
• the work schedule
• breaks
• work equipment
• daily tasks
• the person responsible for the team
• how working hours are recorded
Listen carefully to the instructions and ask questions if something is not clear.
Do not assume that every workplace operates in the same way, even if you have previously worked in agriculture or in a warehouse in Romania.
Step 11: Keep track of your working hours and salary
It is a good idea to record the hours you work, especially at the beginning.
Keep:
• timesheets, if you receive them
• payslips
• your employment contract
• accommodation documents
• any documents received from the employer
These documents may help you later if you need to check your salary or prove the period during which you worked.
Step 12: Keep your documents after the contract ends
After the contract ends and you return to Romania, do not throw away your documents.
It is recommended to keep:
• the employment contract
• payslips
• the annual tax certificate
• tax documents
• proof of payments
• accommodation documents
• transport records
These may be useful if you want to check whether you can recover part of the tax you paid.
You can find more information in the article about the documents you should keep after working in Germany.
What to do about taxes after returning to Romania
After your employment period ends, your tax situation can be reviewed to determine whether you may be entitled to recover part of the income tax you paid.
It is important to keep the documents received from your employer.
For information about the procedures, you can check the page about taxes, income tax and child benefits.
For dedicated services, you can also check the German tax refund service offered by Lucicosm Tax.
How Lucicosm can help with your first trip
For someone leaving for the first time, one of the most difficult parts is coordinating all the stages.
Through Lucicosm, you can check available jobs and ask for information about the activity, salary, accommodation, contract and departure period.
In addition, the Lucicosm ecosystem includes separate services for transport and tax refunds, so you can find useful information in one place for the period before departure, the journey itself and the moment when you return to Romania.
For current offers, check the available jobs in Germany.
Phone: 0758 276 994
Phone: 0743 532 563
Phone: 0748 888 036
Email: lucicosm.mediere@gmail.com
Frequently asked questions about working in Germany for the first time
Can I work in Germany if I am a Romanian citizen?
Yes. Romanian citizens benefit from the free movement of workers within the European Union and can work in Germany without a standard work permit.
Do I need to speak German?
It depends on the job offer. For some seasonal jobs, an advanced level of German may not be required. The requirements should be checked for each individual offer.
Is accommodation provided?
Lucicosm offers include organized accommodation, but the cost and conditions should be confirmed for the job you choose.
How do I get to Germany?
You can arrange transport separately. Lucicosm also offers international passenger transport to Germany.
How much money should I take with me?
There is no single amount suitable for everyone. It is recommended to have a reserve for food, personal expenses and unexpected situations until your first salary payment.
What documents should I keep after I finish working?
Keep your employment contract, payslips, annual tax certificate and other documents received from your employer. They may be important for checking your income and taxes.
What to remember before your first trip
Your first time working in Germany is much easier when every stage is prepared in advance.
Choose the right job offer, request all information about the activity, check your documents, find out the accommodation conditions and arrange transport before departure.
After arrival, keep track of your working hours and all the documents you receive. At the end of the contract, these may be useful for checking your salary, employment period and tax situation.
With the right information and a well-organized departure, you can avoid many of the problems that arise when someone goes abroad for work without knowing exactly what to expect.