Not all professions require knowledge of German. This is precisely what makes such jobs particularly attractive for the European labor market, as motivated jobseekers from other European countries can be the solution to the prevailing labor shortage despite a lack of language skills. If a position has been successfully filled by a jobseeker from another European country, support in their language training can still benefit both sides. All levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) are covered amidst the large pool of very specific German courses on offer in Germany for EU foreigners.
In order to support EU foreigners in learning German, it is often not necessary for companies to make large financial investments. Digital German courses are available free of charge and offer flexible exercises for all language levels. This offer can be used in consultation with the new employees before booking face-to-face courses for which a fee is charged.
The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) offers vocational language courses for language acquisition related to the workplace. The necessary learning content is determined in advance by observing the teachers in the company; individual language coaching and learning advice are also included.
The Federal Employment Agency has the option of authorizing or even obliging people from other EU countries to take part in a vocational language course. Persons from other European countries who fulfill the following conditions are eligible:
A distinction is made between:
Another advantage: a final certificate usually confirms the language level achieved – this goal ensures course quality for employers and can be an additional motivation for employees.
For people who are not employed, the BAMF’s vocational language courses are generally free of charge. The following applies to people in employment:
The applications are then checked, participation authorizations are issued and courses are put together according to the requirements profile. The timing and location of the courses are then also adapted to the requirements of the employees. If required, the courses can also be held on the employer’s premises or online to make learning German as an EU foreigner easier.
As an entrepreneur, you can claim the costs of your employees’ language courses as a business expense for tax purposes. If they meet the conditions set out in the Income Tax Act and Section 1 of the Vocational Training Act, you can also deduct the following costs from your tax bill:
Better German language skills through language courses usually lead to improved internal communication and cooperation. Even if German language courses online promise more flexibility, face-to-face courses in particular can be beneficial for the integration of employees from other European countries. The hurdles for employers to support new employees with a German language course for EU foreigners are negligible. State subsidies facilitate access to German language courses and support long-term professional and social integration. So nothing stands in the way of hiring long-sought specialists or workers from other European countries!
s language not a problem at work? Neither is it in the application process: use JOBSMART to find motivated employees from the EU for your company and communicate in different languages without any problems thanks to real-time translation!
