If you have found work in the Federal Republic of Germany,
· you are in principle subject to the payment of German social security contributions
· if you lose your job you can apply for unemployment benefit or unemployment assistance under certain conditions, i.e. after fulfilling the qualifying period.
· you may join a trade union and take part in the works council elections.

Foreigners who have found work and accommodation in the Federal Republic of Germany must deal with the following formalities at the town or municipality where they live (please always take your passport or identity card with you):

a) You must register at the residents' registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt) of your place of residence.

b) Then you can apply for a residence permit at the office for foreign affairs (Ausl?nderamt) of your place of residence (for this also take your registration certificate and your employment contract with you).

c) Apply for a wage tax card (Lohnsteuerkarte) from the issuing office for wage tax cards at the town council or local administration (for this take your registration certificate, your residence permit and proof of the number of people in your family with you).

d) Your employer registers you with the pension and unemployment insurance. If you have health insurance with the Allgemeinen Ortskrankenkasse (AOK - Local Health Insurance Fund), your employer will also register you there. If you are insured with a substitute private health insurance or a private health insurance, however, you must register with them yourself and submit proof of your registration to your employer.

e) If you still have health insurance in your home country, but are about to take up employment in Germany, enquire at your health insurance company what steps you must take to prevent your insurance protection cover from being interrupted.

f) Please hand your wage tax card and your proof of insurance to your employer. Taking up work without a wage tax card is not permitted and is liable to criminal prosecution as so-called "work in the black economy". In Germany you also have to have a social security card (Sozialversicherungsausweis) as an employee, which your employer applies for.