Working in Germany, how much does it cost to live and pay taxes?

Germany plays an important role in the great wave of emigration of Albanians, be it for leaving for a job, better living conditions or even studies. According to the official figures of the German Embassy, the citizens left with work visas doubled last year, to over 6,500 individuals. While around 1745 others followed the German dream through asylum requests.

However, coping with German life does not always match expectations. According to the lawyer Rafael Todhe, who for many years has been helping Albanian citizens in Germany with the right information, many are surprised by the much more expensive costs than planning.

"In terms of living costs, they are not low, they are very high, especially at the beginning, the beginnings are difficult. Normally, if a minimum or average salary can be 2000 or 2200 euros, the net gross goes to 1400-1600 euros. 

Even if it seems like a large amount, it is not much because if you are going to get an apartment, even the smallest ones start from 500-800 euros per month, in the Bayern area they go up to 1000 euros. In the end, there is almost nothing left", says Todhe for A2 CNN. If we compare it with the region, Albania is second to last for immigrants with regular visas, while Serbia leads this ranking. This is because some Albanians turn to the black market to avoid taxes, which are too high for them.

"Maybe they were not informed that the taxes are so high, they hoped that they would stay a little more. But if the necessary actions are taken, these taxes can be taken back at the end of the year. Getting information on Albanian groups has been almost impossible. 

Very rarely is information provided on these topics. Most of them do not know that by declaring their income, they get their taxes back," says Todhe. But from June 1 of this year, qualified Albanians can travel to Germany even without a work contract.

"A person has the right to come to Germany and look for a job and is not obliged to find it in Albania, if they have the opportunity to stay for a few months and take a language course, and have the opportunity to find a work contract in the place where they are", says Todhe.

According to the official data of the German government, the professions currently most in demand in the market are doctors and nurses, transport workers, construction workers, but also engineers and IT specialists.

Credits: Tema newspaper