Germany’s social security system is comprehensive and mandatory for employees. If you are employed at a public institution like a university, your employer will automatically deduct contributions from your gross salary to cover health insurance, pension insurance, unemployment insurance, long-term care, and accident insurance. Together, these contributions amount to roughly 20% of your income, with the employer covering a comparable share. Health insurance (either public or private) is mandatory, and your choice will depend on your income level and status.

When you register your address at the Bürgeramt, you are automatically assigned a unique tax identification number (Steueridentifikationsnummer), which you’ll receive by mail within a couple of weeks. This number is permanent and must be provided to your employer to process your taxes correctly. Germany has tax treaties with many countries to avoid double taxation. At the end of each year, you may be eligible for a tax refund, particularly if you had work-related expenses. Filing a return is optional but often beneficial, and many people seek assistance from a tax advisor or income tax support service (Lohnsteuerhilfeverein).