What you expect
Polish workers in Germany have the same rights and obligations as German employees – but the German system initially feels different. These calculators provide a quick, comprehensible answer for every situation:
| computer | Typical question |
|---|---|
| Gross-Net Calculator | How much is left of the gross wage net? |
| Salary calculator | How do tax brackets and social security contributions affect? |
| Housing benefit calculator | Am I entitled to government rent subsidy? |
| Child allowance calculator | Do I get KiZ in addition to child benefit? |
| Parental allowance calculator | How much parental allowance will I receive after the birth? |
| Pension calculator | What pension can I expect in Germany? |
| Unemployment benefit calculator | How much would my ALG I be after the job? |
Free movement of workers: equal rights from day one
Poland has been a member of the EU since 2004. Since 2011, the full rate has applied to Polish employees in Germany Free movement of workers: no work permit application, free choice of employer and industry. Anyone who is employed here with social insurance has the same rights to wages, tariffs, vacation, sick pay, unemployment benefits, family benefits and pensions as German employees. This is not a "special rule" - it is European law (Regulations 492/2011 and 883/2004 on social security coordination).
Salary: gross and net
A German gross salary is roughly distributed like this:
- Payroll tax depending on tax class and amount
- Social Security (pension, health, nursing care and unemployment insurance), employee share together around 20-21% of gross
- Solidarity surcharge only at higher incomes
- Church tax only if you belong to a church
This results in the net amount that flows into the account. The tax class only determines the monthly payment pattern, not the final tax burden over the year - this is determined from the income tax return. It shows what's left in the end Gross-Net Calculator for each federal state case.
Tip for commuters: According to the German-Polish double taxation agreement, anyone who works in Germany and lives in Poland usually only pays income tax in Germany. In Poland, income is taken into account subject to progression.
Housing benefit: rent subsidy from the state
Anyone who rents an apartment in Germany and has a low or middle income can receive housing benefit. Since then Housing benefit reform 2023 The circle of those entitled was significantly expanded and the amounts increased noticeably. Eligibility depends on income, rent and household size; EU citizens with residence rights are also eligible.
The Housing benefit calculator checks the claim in just a few steps and estimates the amount. You can apply at the municipal housing benefit office.
Child benefit and child allowance
Child benefit The family fund pays for every child under the age of 18 (and for children in training up to 25). Anyone who works in Germany subject to social security contributions is entitled under EU law - even if their children still live in Poland. This is a common misunderstanding: child benefit comes from the country in which the parent lives works, not from the country where the child lives. If family benefits are received in both countries, there are offsetting rules so that the benefits do not flow twice.
Child allowance (KiZ) comes in addition to child benefit for families with low working incomes. With that Child allowance calculator you can quickly check whether it is an option.
Parental allowance and parental leave
After the birth of a child in Germany, both parents are entitled Parental leave (unpaid leave) and Parental allowance (Wage replacement for 12 to 14 months). The prerequisite is usually residence or habitual residence in Germany; EU employees residing in Germany are generally entitled.
The basic parental allowance replaces around 65-67% of the lost net income, at least 300 and a maximum of 1,800 euros per month. Parental Allowance Plus pays around half over twice the period and fits well with part-time. He calculates more details Parental allowance calculator.
Unemployment benefit 1
Anyone who has paid into unemployment insurance in Germany and becomes unemployed will receive Unemployment benefit 1 (ALG I): 60% of the flat-rate benefit allowance (67% with child), depending on age and insurance periods for 6 to 24 months. Polish insurance periods are recognized for the waiting period, but only the right acquired in Germany is paid out.
This shows the expected amount Unemployment benefit calculator.
Pension: Poland and Germany think together
The most important rule first: Working in two countries means two pensions – not one. In the end, each state pays the pension proportionately for the periods of insurance acquired there. For the question, whether If there is any entitlement at all, the times in both countries are added together (EU coordination). So anyone who pays for three years in Poland and three years in Germany will also fulfill the waiting period of five years in Germany.
The Pension calculator estimates the German pension from earnings points. You can find out about Polish pension entitlement from ADD, the German at the German Federal Pension Insurance. Both offices communicate with each other using forms (form E 207 or SED P5000).
Where there is help in Polish
- Fair Mobility (DGB): Free advice for migrant workers in Polish on labor law, wages, social security. Locations in Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt, Dortmund and other cities.
- German pension insurance: Polish-speaking hotlines and advice centers, especially near the Polish border.
- Family fund: For child benefit, Polish language applications and forms available.
- Consumer advice centers: Advice in many federal states also in Polish.
Common Misconceptions
- "Anyone who works in Germany loses their Polish pension." No. Both pensions remain intact and are paid proportionately from the periods acquired.
- "Child benefit is only available if the child lives in Germany." No. Anyone who works in Germany and is subject to social insurance contributions is generally entitled to it - even if they have children living in Poland.
- "Housing benefit is only for Germans." No. EU citizens with a right of residence have the same entitlement.
- "Tax class 3 saves taxes." Not really. The class only affects the monthly payout; the final tax depends on annual income.
Conclusion
Polish employees in Germany have equal status in the German social system. Anyone who knows the terms – tax class, social security contributions, housing benefit, child benefit, parental benefit, ALG I, pension – can check their claims themselves. The linked calculators provide the appropriate numbers; If you have detailed questions, it's worth getting free Polish-language advice.
Sources
- Regulation (EC) No. 883/2004 – Coordination of social security in the EU – eur-lex.europa.eu
- Federal Employment Agency – family fund, child benefit when drawing abroad – employment agency.de
- German pension insurance – pensions abroad and social security agreements – deutsche-rentenversicherung.de
- DGB Fair Mobility – Advice for migrant workers – faire-mobilitaet.de
- Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Construction – Housing Benefit – bmwsb.bund.de