Check-list of documents needed to employ a person, including relevant notification duties

Work contract (Arbeitsvertrag)

The employment contract is a document signed by the employer and the worker that states the conditions, rights, duties and responsibilities of a job position. Every work contract should contain the following information:

• Name and address: company and employer,
• Date on which the contract starts,
• Term of contract: Period of time for which the contract is valid.
• Duration of trial period,
• Place of work,
• Job description,
• Remuneration,
• Working hours (per week),
• Holiday (days per yea),
• Notice period: Period of time to notify in advance the terminating the contract (valid for both, you and the company).,
• Collective bargaining agreements and works agreements.

Contact the respective chamber of commerce and industries (Industrie- und Handelskammer):
https://www.ihk.de/#ihk-finder (in German mostly)

Tax identification number of employee

Registering and operating for the income tax (ELStAM) at the Federal Tax office

https://www.elster.de/elsterweb/infoseite/elstam_(arbeitgeber) (in German)

Social insurance card

You need a copy of the employee’s social insurance card.

Driving licence

In case the job requires you need the employee’s driving licence

Residence permit

In case the job requires you need the employee’s driving licence.

Health Insurance

You will need a proof in which health insurance your employee is insured.

Further information of employee

Further you need to know: bank account, certificate of disabled status (if applies), tax income bracket, children (if applies), denomination, if you hire students you’ll need students identity card