What can I do to find work and earn money?

General rules apply when it comes to finding a job. If you are staying for at least three months in Germany, you have the opportunity to take up a job. By law, at first you can only get a job if there is no Europeans competes with the same qualifications for this job. After fifteen months, you can be hired free from these conditions as long as your asylum card does not include the statement "no work permit". If you are working without permission, you might get a fine or even a prison sentence. However without permission you can do smaller activities in your accommodation like for example helping children with homework. Please ask in your accommodation about what activities you can do.

If you have a work permit and earn money and also get social benefits, this will be credited to an allowance of 110 € per month on your wages. Any additional income or a full time position has to be reported to the social services office immediately. If you do not report your earnings, the office will recover overpaid benefits and also impose a fine.

If you wish to qualify, there are some ways. Many associations offer advice about the recognition of qualifications. The Employment Agency offers information about your professional future in Germany. The Youth Migration Service of the Chamber of Commerce will forward all information on possible education programs. All immigrants under the age of 27 may take part in special preparatory courses.