Job Discussion Forums

[Robski]

Many companies in Germany advertise jobs as 'freiberufslich' - freelance. It was explainded to me that by one of my students (a tax & legal adviser) that according to German Law it is illegal for them to do so.

If you only work for ONE company you cannot be 'freelance'. If you are employed by a company, and you travel to Germany to take up a job with that company, then you have to be employed properly.

The reason why is dodgy companies want you to be freelance is becasue they don't want to pay your health insurance - 'Krankenkasse'. And if you do not pay it yourself you are not covered, and if you have an accident, you will have to pay for your medical care!

Inlingua in Halle told me a couple of years ago that if you have an E111 you will be okay. You won't. If you live and work in Germany you have to have German heath cover.

I knew someone who was hit by a tram and sure enough he was given a huge medical bill. There is no running away from that.

So, do NOT work freelance and don't hope that the E111 will save you. It won't.