FAQ — Questions & Answers

No. As an EU citizen you have the full right to work in Germany without a visa or permit. A valid ID card or passport is enough.

Yes, within 14 days of moving in — at the Bürgeramt/Rathaus. You need your ID + a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord confirmation). Cost: €0.

An 11-digit tax number. It arrives automatically by post 2-3 weeks after your Anmeldung. Your employer needs it to pay your salary.

Yes — these are Grenzgänger, cross-border workers. Income from work in Germany is generally taxed in Germany, but how you settle it depends on the double taxation treaty and on your situation: residence, length of stay, other income. Please confirm it with the tax office or a tax adviser. Commuting costs are deductible (€0.30/km).

Not mandatory (SEPA works across the whole EU), but convenient. Most employers prefer a German IBAN. Alternative: N26 (open online in 10 min).

Depends on the profession. Regulated ones (doctor, electrician, teacher) require formal recognition. Non-regulated ones (programmer, welder, driver) just need experience. Check: anerkennung-in-deutschland.de.

Depends on the profession, but generally 2-3x more gross. The net difference is smaller (Germany has higher contributions). Use the calculator → to calculate it precisely.

In Germany since 1 January 2026: €13.90/h gross, roughly €2,400 gross a month for full-time work (source: BMAS). In Poland since 1 January 2026: PLN 4,806 gross, hourly rate PLN 31.40 (Council of Ministers regulation of 11 September 2025). As of 01.2026.

Employment up to €520/month — no income tax, only minimal contributions. Ideal as a start, extra income during studies, or a second job. The employer pays flat-rate contributions.

Yes, €259/month per child — even if the children live in Poland! Apply at the Familienkasse. You need both parents’ Steuer-ID + the birth certificate.

Single = class I. Married with one income = III (less tax) + V. Two similar incomes = IV/IV. The class affects monthly net pay, but the annual tax return evens it out.

Mandatory. With an employment contract, the employer registers you with a health fund (AOK, TK, Barmer — your choice). Contribution ~14.6% (the employer pays half). Covers doctor visits, hospital, and medication.

Yes, but only temporarily (tourism, emergencies). With permanent employment in Germany you must have German insurance. With a Mini-Job you can stay on the Polish NFZ.

Yes, if you have the S1 form from your German health fund. You register it with the NFZ and get access to Polish care at Germany’s expense.

City bus (20 min, ~€2), bicycle (15 min over the bridge), car (10 min). The border bridge is open around the clock. Carry your ID card or passport, as there may be border checks.

It’s about 100 km / 1h15min. The RegionalBahn runs, but not very frequently. Many people commute by car. At €3,000 gross in Germany vs 5,000 PLN in Poland — it’s still worth it.

Yes! Pendlerpauschale: €0.30/km (from 21 km: €0.38/km). The distance home→work counts. 30 km × 220 days × €0.30 = €1,980 deduction per year.

Depends on the industry. Construction/warehouse: A2-B1 is enough. Office/retail: B2 minimum. Medicine/law: C1 required. Many companies fund courses!

VHS Frankfurt (Oder) — courses from A1 to C1. Online: Goethe Institut, DW Learn German. Language tandem at Viadrina. Check out our courses →

Paid vocational training in Germany: 2-3.5 years, from €724/month. You earn an IHK/HWK certificate recognized in 27 EU countries. 350+ professions. Details: /nauka-zawodu →

Registration: /rejestracja → — free, with email verification. You add a logo, description, industry, and location on the map. Job offers are added via kontakt@duoregio.eu.

Publishing job offers, classifieds, events, news, articles and requests is free for businesses in the region (within 200 km of Słubice and Frankfurt (Oder) or within 100 km of the Polish-German border, in a straight line). Businesses outside the region publish with paid access: once the invoice is paid, access runs until an agreed date, and job offers, classifieds and news published during that time stay visible until its last day at the latest. A branch or permanent site in the region counts the same as a registered office. The company profile in the directory is free for everyone. Write to kontakt@duoregio.eu and we will send you the price and terms. Ask about publishing →

Yes. The portal runs in four languages (Polish, German, English, Ukrainian). Polish companies can look for staff in Germany and the other way round. Company catalogue: /katalog-firm →

Skilled, motivated, competitive costs, geographic proximity (Słubice = 20 min from FFO). Economic zones with tax incentives. IT, construction, logistics — Polish companies have experience with German clients.

Frankfurt: studio flat ~€400-550/month, lunch ~€8-12. Słubice: studio flat ~1,200-1,800 PLN (~€280-420), lunch ~25-40 PLN (~€6-9). Słubice is 30-40% cheaper.

Berlin is about an hour and a half away by train via Frankfurt (Oder). Cheaper than the German side, quiet, close to nature (Łagów, the Oder). Viadrina and Collegium Polonicum are right here.

Yes, en masse! Fuel, cigarettes, services (hairdresser, dentist, mechanic) — much cheaper. The markets in Słubice draw thousands of German customers weekly. It’s a business opportunity.

Very good. Both Słubice and Frankfurt (Oder) are calm, safe cities. The Polish-German police cooperate. CCTV, well-lit streets.