FAQs

In Germany, it can take a few months to get a residence permit. While you wait, you get a Fiktionsbescheinigung. It proves that you can stay in Germany while you wait, even if your visa or residence permit expires.

With a Fiktionsbescheinigung, you can..

– Stay in Germany after your visa or residence permit expires 

– Continue working, studying or freelancing 

– In some cases, travel outside Germany

A Fiktionsbescheinigung (temporary residence permit) may allow travel, but it depends on the type issued. If it states “§81 Abs. 4” or “fortgeltung,” you may not be allowed to travel outside Germany. If it states “Erlaubnisfiktion,” travel may be possible within Schengen countries. Always confirm with the Ausländerbehörde before traveling.

Finding a part-time job (Nebenjob) in Germany can be essential for students and those looking for extra income. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Online Job Portals:
Several websites list part-time job opportunities in various fields:

Jobmensa – Focuses on student jobs.
StudentJob – Lists part-time and student-friendly jobs.
Indeed Germany – Search for “Teilzeit” or “Minijob.”
StepStone – Good for professional part-time jobs.
Zenjob – Offers temporary student jobs through an app.
2. University Job Portals:
If you are a student, check your university’s job portal, as many institutions have exclusive listings for student jobs. The Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU) and THM (Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen) both provide job boards for students.

3. Local Businesses and Supermarkets:
Many stores, restaurants, and cafés hire part-time workers. You can visit places like:

Supermarkets: REWE, Edeka, Lidl, Aldi, Kaufland
Fast food & Restaurants: McDonald’s, Burger King, Vapiano, Subway
Retail Stores: H&M, Zara, Primark, MediaMarkt
It’s always a good idea to visit the store with a printed CV and ask if they have vacancies.

4. Company Career Pages:
Many companies have career pages where they post job openings. If there is a particular company you’d like to work for, check their website under “Karriere” or “Jobs.”

5. Networking & Word of Mouth:
Sometimes, the best jobs are not advertised online. Ask your friends, classmates, or professors if they know of any opportunities. Joining Facebook groups or Telegram channels for part-time job postings in your city can also be helpful.

6. Student Work (HiWi Jobs):
Universities hire students for research assistance, administrative work, or library jobs. These are often referred to as HiWi (Hilfswissenschaftler) jobs and can be applied for through university websites or by directly contacting professors.

Legal Considerations for Part-Time Jobs:
Students from Non-EU countries: Allowed to work 120 full days or 240 half days per year without a work permit.
EU Students: Can work up to 20 hours per week without restrictions.
Tax & Insurance: If you earn less than €520 per month, your job qualifies as a “Minijob” and is tax-free. If you earn more, social security contributions may apply.
7. How can I find full-time jobs in Germany?
Finding a full-time job in Germany requires preparation, networking, and an understanding of the job market. Here’s how to approach it:

Best Job Portals for Full-Time Jobs:
StepStone – One of the largest job platforms in Germany.
Indeed Germany – Good for all job sectors.
LinkedIn – Great for professional networking and job searches.
Xing – German alternative to LinkedIn with job listings.
Monster – International job board with German listings.
Glassdoor – Provides company reviews along with job postings.
2. German Government Job Portals:
Bundesagentur für Arbeit – The Federal Employment Agency’s website offers job listings and career advice.
Make it in Germany – A government initiative for international job seekers.
3. Company Career Pages:
Many companies post job openings directly on their websites. If you have a specific company in mind, visit their “Karriere” or “Jobs” section.

4. Recruitment Agencies & Headhunters:
Some job sectors, like IT, engineering, and finance, work with recruitment agencies. Popular agencies include:

Robert Half
Hays
Michael Page
5. Networking & LinkedIn Optimization:
Attend job fairs and networking events in your city.
Optimize your LinkedIn profile with relevant skills and keywords.
Connect with recruiters and professionals in your industry.
6. Applying for Jobs – CV & Cover Letter Requirements:
German companies prefer a structured CV (Lebenslauf) with personal details, education, work experience, and skills.
A cover letter (Anschreiben) is often required and should be tailored to each job application.
It is common to include a professional photo on your CV in Germany.
7. Work Visa & Residence Permit Considerations:
If you are from a non-EU country, you will need a work visa. The process includes:

A job offer from a German employer.
A valid residence permit for employment.
Approval from the Ausländerbehörde (immigration office).
For highly skilled professionals, the EU Blue Card is a faster and more flexible option.

8. Internships & Probation Periods:
Many companies offer paid internships (Praktikum) or traineeships (Trainee-Programme) that can lead to full-time employment. Most full-time jobs in Germany have a 6-month probation period (Probezeit) before a permanent contract is secured.

Certificate attestation is required for legal, academic, or immigration purposes. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get your documents attested in Germany, particularly in Giessen.

1. Identify the Type of Certificate for Attestation
Common documents that require attestation include:

Birth, marriage, or death certificates
Educational certificates (degrees, diplomas, transcripts)
Employment or experience letters
Legal or commercial documents
The process may vary depending on the type of document and the authority requiring the attestation.

2. Steps to Attest Your Certificates in Giessen
A. Attestation by a Notary (Notarielle Beglaubigung)
If your document needs a certified copy (beglaubigte Kopie), visit a Notary Public (Notar) or the Bürgeramt (Citizen’s Office) in Giessen.
Where?
Bürgeramt Giessen – Rathaus, Berliner Platz 1, 35390 Gießen
Notary Offices in Giessen – Search “Notar in Giessen” on Google Maps
B. Attestation by the Local Government Office (Bürgeramt / Rathaus)
If your document needs official authentication, you can get it attested at the local Rathaus (Town Hall) or Bürgeramt.
Appointment: Many offices require prior appointments.
C. Attestation by a Sworn Translator (For Translated Documents)
If your document is in English, a sworn translator (vereidigter Übersetzer) must translate it before attestation.
Use BDÜ (Federal Association of Interpreters and Translators) to find a certified translator.
D. Apostille or Legalization (For International Use)
If the attestation is needed for use outside Germany, an Apostille from the Regional Court (Landgericht) may be required.
Where?
Landgericht Gießen (Regional Court of Giessen)
Address: Ostanlage 15, 35390 Gießen
Website: www.landgericht-giessen.hessen.de
E. Embassy or Consulate Attestation (For Non-German Documents)
If you need your certificates attested for use in another country, visit your home country’s embassy or consulate in Germany.
Example: The Indian Embassy in Frankfurt can attest educational or personal documents for their citizens.

3. Required Documents for Attestation
Original document
Passport or valid ID
Photocopies of the document
Translation (if required)
Applicable fees (varies based on service)

4. Cost and Processing Time
Notary attestation: €5 – €20 per document
Bürgeramt attestation: Around €10 per document
Apostille from Landgericht: Approx. €15 per document