Job Discussion Forums

Smillan · Joined: 09 Nov 2008 Posts: 3

Hi, I'll be moving to Munich in May. I've been teaching for nine and a half years (6 years in Spain, 3 in Ireland and am Celta qualified). Coming at the beginning of the summer, is there much work around this time?

How does Munich compare to other cities in Germany as far as teaching is concerned?

Also, being freelance, how much does one have to pay per month for this? Does it depend on the amount one earns per month?

Thanks in advance for any information.

gmjones · Joined: 25 Oct 2004 Posts: 72 Location: UK

Hi,

I've got pretty much the same resume as you and am working near Munich, been here 4 months. It is my second stint in Germany, where I began my career in TEFL 9 years ago. I would say that coming at the beginning of summer is a tricky time because you totally rule out university work (the best paid after business, but which you can only get on a freelance basis, unless you have a masters/phd and happen to get in touch with somewhere with a vacancy). You also rule out Volkshochschule courses, unless you get in touch with them now and tell them you're coming, and suggest something interesting for their broschures: I'm in Ulm and my Volkshochschule will advertise summer courses if you have an original idea, like a business and breakfast English course or something.

Do you speak German? You'll need it to get business classes which is, the economic crisis not affecting German much more, where you're going to make any money. Long term you need to get in touch with comanies, but cos of summer hols I don't think things will take off much until Sept/Oct.

If you want any summer work I would get in touch with chain language schools like inlingua or the like: the pay is useless but it'll get something in the bank and contact with other teachers who may help you get some more lucrative work.

I don't know how rent is there but I would imagine in Munich it will be very expensive. Your best best, even if it's just short term, is to get a shared flat ( Wohngemeinshaft) looking in local papers, the universities, or at the Mitwohnzentrale (but they will charge you a month's rent if you find somewhere, for facilitating it).

Starting off in Germany is, if you go through all the right channels, a really expensive process. You'll have to pay health insurance unless you get it at home, and pension, as well as tax, cutting your salary by 50% (however if you are only here for a year or two, then most people tend to overlook all that and take a chance...)

Hope all goes well, if I can give any more advice, let me know!

Hod · Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Posts: 1613 Location: Home

gmjones · Joined: 25 Oct 2004 Posts: 72 Location: UK

I live in Ulm, an hourish away from munich, and rent per flat is about 400 euros for somewhere very small, bills not included. I have no idea about rent in Munich itself because I don't live there... I have heard it's horrifically expensive.

I am registered with the town hall because I plan to stay here without getting into any trouble... the various institutions do, however unlikely it seems, have contact with each other. When registering to pay pension, which is backdated to the day you register, they foud a social security number which was apointed to me 12 years ago when I did a three month work placement for my university. If people come to Germany for a year, maybe two, and want to take the risk, then it's perfectly possible to avoid paing taxes, however register anywhere and it can very possibly be traced. I know even of a case where the British tax dept was able to trace income not declared in Germany. If you want to work here above board it's a difficult and expensive start, but in my opinion worth it long term.

cps82856 · Joined: 12 Oct 2008 Posts: 45

Hopefully I'm not hijacking this thread, but my questions are related to the OP's.

I too am contemplating a move to Munich (for freelance work) and am trying to figure out how much of a bankroll I should bring to get set up. What amount would get me going (assuming a lag time of 1-2 months for a steady income stream) with the permit, pension, health insurance, and a smallish apartment. (Not interested in sharing since I'm too old and set in my ways to adapt to a roommate.) I have a simple lifestyle so economizing wouldn't be a problem for me.

Someone mentioned that half the income (as a freelancer) would go toward taxes/pension/health insurance and I was wondering if others agreed.

Thanks for the input and once again, my apologies if I've hijacked the thread.