Working
The positions which do not require the approval of the Federal Employment Agency are academic personnel at universities and research institutes, guest researchers or technical staff employed in a guest researcher’s research team. The Foreign Nationals Registration Office itself issues authorisation allowing you to pursue academic activity and this will be stated on your residence permit.
Legal Regulations for partners
If your husband or wife is not an academic but would like to work in Germany, he or she will usually require the approval of the Federal Employment Agency. You will have to apply to the Foreign Nationals Registration Office for the type of residence permit that allows the holder to pursue gainful employment, and also present proof of a concrete job offer. The Foreign Nationals Registration Office will forward the application to the Federal Employment Agency which will check whether there are German nationals or other EU citizens who should be given priority. This can take several weeks or even months.
Nationals of the EU, EEA and Switzerland
If you are a citizen of the EU, the EEA or Switzerland, you can enjoy freedom of movement throughout Europe. You do not need approval to work in Germany. Citizens of the new EU Member States (excluding Cyprus and Malta) still do not possess full freedom of movement rights and, just like nationals of third countries, still require permission to work in Germany. However, special regulations have been in place for academics (with a degree from a university or university of applied sciences) since 1 January 2009. The German employment market has been opened up to them as the issue of priority has been waived.
Employment Contract or Appointment
Academic employees at universities have employment contracts with the university which state the rate of pay and conditions of employment. However, many professors and academic staff in Germany are public servants. Their salaries are laid down by the Federal Civil Service Remuneration Act (“Bundesbesoldungsgesetz”) and correspond to the regulations of the respective federal state. Professors come under category “W”, and academic staff in most federal states are paid according to a collective pay agreement known as “TV-L”.
English forms to download
The English translations are just a guide for you. They must not be filled out or handed in.
Guide for international researchers, chapter 6:
Concerning work and research at university. Read more here (page 94) (2.0 MB)Source: passages taken from EURAXESS, partly translated by: Dr. Lynda Lich-Knight, ResearchComm Ltd.
