This is Germany calling

[darmstadt]

Originally Posted by BlasterBates

When you say tax regime harsh, make sure you're not an employee, you really need to be Freiberufler, I've noticed Brits often end up as "employees". All German contractors without exception are Freiberufler, though some sometimes run a GmbH.

Not quite, an applications programmer or tester will more than likely be Selbständig and will have to pay Gewerbesteuer whereas a systems programmer is considered to be like an engineer and so doesn't.

[BlasterBates]

Originally Posted by darmstadt

Not quite, an applications programmer or tester will more than likely be Selbständig and will have to pay Gewerbesteuer whereas a systems programmer is considered to be like an engineer and so doesn't.

Yes that is true, though shouldn't be a problem provided you have a degree, or possibly some confirmation from your client, so is normally avoidable. The common mistake is that some German contractors actually register themselves as a "Gewerbe" which is then difficult to refute.

But.. the English mistake is to work for an agency that actually employs you, and so you pay social insurance, which is astronomical. Now it is true that companies such as Siemens may demand this, but firstly the contract between the agency and the contractor is none of their business and secondly if the purchasing dept is playing hardball German companies may just employ you on a 400 EUR basis i.e. no Social Insurance or very little just to say you're an employee. Again this avoidable.

[NotAllThere]

Originally Posted by Olly

...Wish I could speak a bit of German though ...

The only German you need is:Noch ein gross Bier, bitte.

I got by on that for 20 years.

[tim123]

Originally Posted by NotAllThere

The only German you need is:Noch ein gross Bier, bitte.

I got by on that for 20 years.

How did you manage to get the first one?

tim

[darmstadt]

Originally Posted by tim123

How did you manage to get the first one?

tim

In Dusseldorf there's usually a bloke walking around the pub with a number of beers and as soon as you sit down, one is plonked in front of you, no questions asked. In fact you don't even need to ask for the next one as they keep an eye on you and as soon as you have finished the first, the second one is already there. Caused some problems when I gave a training course there. I'd booked the hotel and lunch was served in a brewery across the road. Naturally the beer was plonked down and everyone was so shocked they drank it. When the second came, I was the only person to accept which was embarrasing although even more embarrasing were the requests from the attendees, such as diet coke and Sprite. The waiter gave them a filthy look and then when the obligatory Schnapps was offered after lunch only a couple of us took him up.

[The Lone Gunman]

A friend of mine has a favourite story which he says is made up from hearing people say stupid stuff so.....

We went to Germany on holiday I think the place was called Leerfahrt as that is what it said on all the buses, but nobody seems to use them. We stayed in the hotel Zimmer Frei which was in Einbahnstrasse. The beer was lovely I think it was called Noch Ein beer.

[expat]

Originally Posted by The Lone Gunman

A friend of mine has a favourite story which he says is made up from hearing people say stupid stuff so.....

We went to Germany on holiday I think the place was called Leerfahrt as that is what it said on all the buses, but nobody seems to use them. We stayed in the hotel Zimmer Frei which was in Einbahnstrasse. The beer was lovely I think it was called Noch Ein beer.

That Ausfahrt must be some size of town, the last 10 exits have all been for it.

[Olly]

Originally Posted by The Lone Gunman

What is your pay set up? I hope you are using a management company offshore. PM me if you dont want a public discussion.

Nothing special at the moment, just normal UK Ltd contracted to the agency...going to stay less than 183 days so it's fine other than a small question mark over where control of my Ltd is exerted from although plan to fix that by making my mum director.

I do want to stay in Germany though and admit I have no idea of the best way to do this tax wise.

[BlasterBates]

Yup me thinks the same too, we need to find out the latest on paying Sozialversicherung, that's the killer. I might go and see my local Accountant to found out the best way to avoid it. One way is to employ someone, on a minimum salary.