Don’t Miss Out: How to Get a Government Job in Germany

When it comes to the best way to secure employment in Germany, there are two main options you can pursue: the private sector and the government sector. Though many people dream of working with some of Germany’s world-famous companies, such as Lufthansa or Mercedes-Benz, it’s often far easier to get a job through your local government. For one thing, Germany’s public sector remains one of its largest employers, dwarfing most other parts of the economy when it comes to providing jobs to citizens in need of work.

Getting the German Language Requirements

To get a government job in Germany, you’ll need an excellent command of the German language. The German government requires that applicants have no less than Niveau A1 on the European Language Portfolio (ELP). The ELP is based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and consists of six levels from A0-C2.

It includes speaking and listening comprehension, reading comprehension, writing skills and grammar knowledge.

Most people take between two and four years to reach level C2 which is needed for a government position in Germany.

The Civil Service Examination

A governmental career is an excellent opportunity for professionals looking for stability and longevity. Although the civil service examination process can seem daunting, it’s actually fairly straightforward. The first step is to contact the Federal Ministry of the Interior, which oversees all government positions, and request a preliminary examination. Candidates are then required to register with the Bundesanstalt für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency) and take part in one of their tests, which evaluate general knowledge and abilities needed for the position being applied for.

The Federal Employment Agency

This is the site for the Federal Employment Agency, which is responsible for all civil service positions in Germany. The job board has been translated into English and is searchable by job type, location, and vacancy number. There are also links to other useful sites like Bewerbungs-Check (a step-by-step process of how to write an application) and Gebrauchtwagenverkauf (used car sales). You can also use this website to apply online!

The Federal Administrative Court

There are many government jobs in Germany that you can apply for. The Federal Administrative Court is one of them, and it’s headquartered in Leipzig. This court system provides legal assistance with administrative law disputes and conflicts between citizens and the government. There are currently over 500 judges that work on the staff of this court system, as well as over 900 employees who work at various levels within the organization.

The Bundeswehr

The German Bundeswehr is a voluntary military service, and it is not unusual for Germans of all ages to serve. There are currently more than 180,000 active duty soldiers and about 11,500 civilian employees with the Bundeswehr. The Bundeswehr was created after World War II when West Germany joined the NATO alliance in 1955.
Applicants must be at least 17 years old and physically fit, but there are no age restrictions on who can join.

City Mayors, District Administrations and Municipalities

Government jobs in Germany are widely available and offer competitive wages, benefits and pension plans. If you’re interested in working for the government, there are three different types of positions that may be of interest. These include District Administrations and Municipalities, City Mayors and District Administrations. For example, if you want to work as a city mayor then you will need experience with administration or management as well as at least three years of experience.

Applying Directly at Federal Ministries

If you are interested in working for the German government, there are many opportunities at federal ministries that can be applied for directly. To find open positions and apply for them, go to the appropriate ministry’s website and click on Job Market or Jobs. You will then see if they have any jobs posted. If they do not have any jobs listed, contact the HR department of that specific ministry to inquire about available openings.