No visa, but you must register
Spaniards don't need a visa or a work permit in Germany. What is mandatory is registering at the town hall (Anmeldung) within 14 days of moving into a home.
With registration you receive your tax identification number (Steuer-ID), which you'll need for your payslip. Without it, your employer will withhold the maximum personal income tax rate until you sort it out.
Health insurance and bank account
Health insurance is mandatory in Germany and you can't take a job without choosing one, public (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) or private depending on your salary. It's deducted directly from your payslip, split between company and worker.
You'll also need a German bank account to get paid, and it's the formality that requires the most paperwork: registration, contract and tax number. It's best to open it as soon as you have your Anmeldung.
Salaries and minimum wage
The minimum wage (Mindestlohn) is €13.90 per hour, around €2,400 a month full time. The average salary is around €48,000 gross a year, with big differences between Munich or Frankfurt and the east of the country.
The net amount you receive depends on your Steuerklasse (tax category): single, married or with children all withhold differently. In practice, net pay usually comes to between 55% and 65% of gross.
Tax: how much the tax office keeps
German personal income tax (Einkommensteuer) is progressive, from 14% to 45%, and is withheld each month from your payslip. At the end of the year you file your return (Steuererklärung) and adjust: it's common to get some back if you've overpaid.
If you spend more than 183 days a year in Germany, you'll be a tax resident there. There is a double taxation treaty with Spain, so you won't pay twice on the same income, but it's worth reviewing your situation before moving.
Working without knowing German
It's possible. English opens doors in technology, finance and large international companies, and there are niches with demand for Spanish speakers: customer service, logistics, hospitality and teaching.
Even so, German makes the difference in salary and in medium-term options. If your plan is to stay, investing in the language is the move that pays off most.
