Job market
The job market situation in Münster is currently good. For the last couple of years, the unemployment rate has been well below the average figure for the Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Working in Münster as a citizen from an EU member state or from Switzerland
Citizens from these states enjoy freedom of movement in their capacity as employees and self-employed individuals. They do not require a special work permit from either the Migration Office or the Federal Employment Agency.
Working in Münster as a non-EU citizen
Those from non-EU countries require a work permit in order to be able to work in Germany. Questions regarding residence and work permits are clarified in a combined procedure in accordance with Federal immigration law. The city’s Immigration Office is the first port of call for job-seeking foreigners and decides whether somebody is eligible to work and to what extent, and record this eligibility in the residence permits accordingly.
Amt für Ausländerangelegenheiten (Immigration Office), Ludgeriplatz 4 (Südstraße entrance),
Monday to Friday from 8 am to 12 pm, plus Thursday afternoons from 3 pm to 6 pm
ph. 02 51 / 4 92-36 36
Career choice - searching for aprenticeships
Stepping into professional life can be difficult for school-leavers and students. The careers advisors at the Federal Employment Agency support those in need of advice as regards the transitions from school to training and study to professional life.
Martin-Luther-King-Weg 22
ph. 08 00 4 55 555 00 (free)
Applying for an electronic tax card
Those wishing to work in Germany legally (and be liable to pay tax and receive social security benefits) require a tax card. It contains information about date of birth, religious confession, number of child allowances and tax category. The employer usually knows whether or not it is necessary to apply for a German tax ID, and where to go, as there are two tax offices in Münster:
- Finanzamt Münster-Innenstadt (inner city tax office), Münzstraße 10
ph. 02 51 / 416-0
www.finanzamt-muenster-innenstadt.de/allgemein/eckdaten/fa337.php - Finanzamt Münster-Außenstadt, Friedrich-Ebert-Straße 46
ph. 02 51 / 97 29-0
www.finanzamt-muenster-aussenstadt.de/allgemein/eckdaten/fa336.php - Consultation times Monday to Friday 7 – 12 am, plus Monday 1:30 – 5 pm
For general tax information please see: www.elster.de
Approval of foreign qualifications and certificates
In order to obtain a formal acceptance for foreign certificates, university grades or professional qualifications, the first challenge is to find the right place to go. The Chambers of Commerce and Industry, for example, are responsible for commercial and industrial-technical professions. The guilds, several government agencies, the school authorities or even the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs – for university degrees – can also be the appropriate address. Valuable information about the legal acceptance procedures can be found at