Remote Work in Germany
Germany offers excellent infrastructure for remote work, with reliable internet, numerous coworking spaces, and a growing acceptance of flexible work arrangements.
Visa Considerations for Remote Work
Important distinctions:
Employees (Blue Card, Work Visa):
- Can work remotely for German employer
- Must have employer approval
- Location should be in Germany
- Working from abroad may have tax implications
Freelancers (Freiberufler):
- Can work remotely for any clients
- Home office fully acceptable
- Clients can be German or international
- Must register business address
Digital Nomad Visa:
- Not yet available (as of 2026)
- Cannot work remotely for non-EU company on tourist visa
- Enforcement increasing
Internet Infrastructure
Quality: Excellent in cities, good in rural areas
Typical speeds & costs:
| Speed | Monthly Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 100 Mbps | €30-40 | Single user, video calls |
| 250 Mbps | €40-50 | Family, multiple devices |
| 500-1000 Mbps | €50-70 | Heavy usage, 4K streaming |
Providers:
- Telekom (most reliable, pricey)
- Vodafone (good balance)
- 1&1 (budget option)
- O2 (mobile & home bundles)
Mobile backup: 5G available in cities, 4G nationwide
Coworking Spaces
Major chains:
- WeWork (Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt)
- Mindspace (multiple cities)
- Betahaus (Berlin, Hamburg)
- Impact Hub (various cities)
Costs:
- Hot desk: €150-250/month
- Fixed desk: €250-400/month
- Private office: €400-800/month
- Day pass: €15-30
Benefits:
- Professional environment
- Networking opportunities
- Meeting rooms
- Coffee/amenities
- Stable internet
Home Office Tax Deductions
For employees:
- Home office (Homeoffice-Pauschale): €6/day, max €1,260/year
- Applies to days worked from home
- No proof of dedicated room needed (changed 2023)
For self-employed:
- Larger deductions available
- Can deduct portion of rent, utilities
- Requires dedicated workspace
- Keep records for tax office
Work Culture
Remote work acceptance (post-COVID):
- Tech companies: Mostly hybrid or fully remote
- Startups: Very flexible
- Corporate: Increasingly hybrid (2-3 days office)
- Public sector: Still mostly in-office
Typical arrangements:
- Hybrid: 2-3 days office, 2-3 days home
- Core hours: Often 10am-3pm required
- Video call etiquette: Cameras on more common than US
- Response times: Work-life balance respected
Best Cities for Remote Workers
| City | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Berlin | Tech hub, coworking, international | Rising costs, bureaucracy |
| Munich | High salaries, quality of life | Most expensive |
| Leipzig | Affordable, growing scene | Smaller market |
| Hamburg | Quality of life, port city charm | Weather, costs |
| Cologne | Central location, culture | Moderate costs |
Legal Requirements
Registration:
- Must register home address (Anmeldung)
- Inform landlord if using apartment for business
- Some commercial use restrictions in leases
Business registration (self-employed):
- Freiberufler: Register at Finanzamt (tax office)
- Gewerbetreibender: Register at Gewerbeamt (trade office)
- Costs: €20-60
Tips for Remote Workers
- Reliable backup internet - Have mobile hotspot ready
- Dedicated workspace - German apartments can be small, plan accordingly
- Time zone awareness - CET is good for US/Europe overlap
- Coworking trial - Many offer day passes before committing
- Ergonomic setup - Germans take workplace health seriously
Pro Tips
- •Get high-speed internet immediately - don't rely on mobile
- •Coworking spaces great for networking and beating isolation
- •Home office tax deduction available even without dedicated room
- •Hybrid work now standard in tech, 2-3 days office typical
- •Register address before setting up home office business
Have questions about working remotely in Germany?