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Global expatriate tax guide

Expatriate tax - Germany

Germany 120x120.png

Expatriates taking up employment in Germany will be subject to comprehensive rules and, in some cases, employment visa requirements.

The expatriate tax team at Grant Thornton Germany can help expatriates and their employers to deal with German tax matters; as well as German labour and social security issues.

In particular, Grant Thornton Germany can help expatriates and their employers to identify German tax planning opportunities and review tax equalisation policies; as well as providing compliance services regarding German tax filing requirements.

Click on each of the areas below to expand for more information:

Facts and figures
Pre arrival procedures

Non-European Union (EU) nationals usually need to apply for a visa at the German embassy or consulate in their home country before travelling to Germany. The documents required can often be found on the homepages of the German embassy or consulate websites.

EU nationals do not usually need a visa.

Employment visas

Having arrived in Germany, non-EU nationals are required to apply for a work permit at the aliens department of the local municipality. Grant Thornton Germany and their service partner can help with these legal formalities.

EU nationals do usually not need a work permit.

Tax year

The German tax year runs from 1 January to 31 December.

Tax returns and compliance

The deadline for tax returns is 31 July, however, this deadline can be extended. Tax returns prepared by professional tax advisors, certified auditors or lawyers are automatically extended to the last day of February after the next following the tax year, eg for 2021 the filing deadline would be 28 February 2024.

Due to the COVID pandemic the 2022 tax return deadlines have been extended to 2 October 2023 (tax returns prepared without a professional tax advisors) and 31 July 2024 (tax returns prepared by professional tax advisors).

Income tax rates

Generally, there is a basic tax free amount of €9,408 (9,744 for 2021). For higher incomes there is a proportionally progressive tax rate. There is a special tax rate for married persons with a joint assessment.

Basic tax free amount  2022 2023
Basic tax table for unmarried persons €10,347 €10,908
Splitting table for married people €20,694

€21,816

First bracket rate  14%* 14%*
Top rate  45%* 45%*
From a taxable income of     
Basic tax table for unmarried persons €277,826 €277,826
Splitting table for married people €555,652 €555,652
     

*Additionally solidarity surcharge of 5.5% of income tax amount and church tax (if applicable) is levied

As of 2021 the solidary surcharge will only be applicable in case the taxable income exceeds 16,956 EUR (33,912 EUR for married people)

Sample income tax calculation

The employee is not married and has no children. Earnings of dependent employment. Further the employee uses a non-electronic company car, which can also be used privately.

Employment income  2022
 
Salary 100,000
Car benefit (1% gross list price of car) 6,000
Total earned income 106,000
Less  
Lump sum deduction for income-related expenses 1,200
Adjusted gross income = Net taxable income 104,800
Income tax thereon:  
Income tax 34,679
Solidarity surcharge 1,907
Total 36,586
Residual liability 36,586
Basis of taxation
Charge to tax

German resident individuals are liable to income tax, gift tax, inheritance tax, sales tax and, in certain instances, church tax. An individual is resident for tax purposes if he or she maintains a domicile or habitual place of abode in Germany.

Residence

Domicile

A domicile is a place where the individual maintains a residence under circumstances, which indicate that he will keep and use it on a more than temporary basis.

Habitual place of abode

The habitual place of abode of an individual will be established if the person is physically present on a long term basis in Germany. Persons are resident in any case in Germany if they stay longer than six months in Germany, where short interruptions of the presence in Germany will not be taken into account. If the employee has his domicile or habitual place of abode in Germany, then he is fully taxable in Germany. German resident taxpayers are subject to tax on their worldwide income. Double taxation will be avoided in accordance with the applicable tax treaties.

Individual nonresident taxpayers are subject to tax in Germany on their German sourced income. Nonresidents can apply to be treated as a resident if their German income is at least 90% of their total worldwide income or when the worldwide income, which is not subject to taxation in Germany, is less than €9,408 (€9,744 in 2021) (adjustments for foreign tax basis calculations are necessary for several countries). For spouses of residents living in the EU/EEA it is also possible to claim a classification as resident if the joint income contains income which arises almost entirely in Germany.

Income from employment

Salary consists of money and non-monetary remuneration. Most non-monetary remunerations are taxable in Germany. Individual taxpayers are allowed to claim all expenses directly incurred with their incomes from employment. There is a lump sum for employment expenses at an amount of €1,200 (2022 and € 1,230 for 2023). Thereafter, various other deductions and allowances apply on taxable income from employment.

Source of employment

Remuneration for any work performed in Germany, regardless of who pays it and where or when it is paid, is taxable. In this regard the regulation of the double taxation agreements between Germany and other countries apply accordingly and can restrict German taxation rights.

Benefit in kind

Most non-monetary remunerations are taxable in Germany (eg a company car).

Expatriate concessions

The German income tax law does not provide for special deductions or tax-free expatriate premiums. However, lump sums for moving expenses are granted. In addition, tax free per diems can be granted for business trips. Double housing costs can be claimed up to certain amounts, if certain criteria are fulfilled.

Relief for foreign taxes

Double taxation will be avoided in accordance with the applicable double taxation treaties. Double taxation is usually avoided through tax exemption (exempted income will be considered when calculating the applicable income tax rate).

Deductions from taxable income

Deductions can include special and extraordinary expenses, which are either claimed in full or up to a certain limit. Special expenses are personal or family expenditures and include:

  • employee contributions to the German social security system in a threshold amount
  • for taxpayers with German domicile: personal and family allowances which depend on personal circumstances
  • church tax
  • expenses for professional education
  • maintenance payments in the case of divorce
  • charitable donations in a threshold amount
  • contributions to certain non-profit activities
  • 30% of contributions to private schools (only school fees), which are governmental accepted, limitation to a maximum amount of €5,000/each child (also schools abroad in EU/EEA– area).

In addition to special expenses, resident taxpayers are entitled to tax relief with respect to extraordinary expenses. There are special kinds of allowances for children whose parents are entitled to receive a child allowance or an allowance for dependent children. There is also an old age percentage reduction for employees who are older than 64 years.

Other taxes
Capital gains tax/Investment income

There is a withholding tax of 25% plus a 5.5% solidarity surcharge plus church tax (if applicable) on investment income and capital gains (flat tax).

Inheritance, estate, and gift taxes

A liability to German inheritance and gift tax depends on whether the individual or the deceased or donor maintains a domicile or habitual place of abode in Germany. Furthermore, certain assets located in Germany could be taxable. If the individual and the deceased or donors are close relatives, there are tax free amounts depending on the relationship.

Local taxes

No local taxes apply to individuals in Germany.

Real estate tax

Real estate tax is applicable in Germany. The amount of real estate tax depends on the value of the real estate and the Federal State.

Social security taxes

Social security contributions include pension insurance, unemployment insurance, nursing insurance and compulsory health insurance.

Social security contributions are salary dependent. There is an income limit up to which contributions are payable.

Income thresholds for 2022

  Annual € Monthly € Rate of contribution*
West Germany      
Pension insurance 84,600 7,050 18.6%
Unemployment insurance
84,600 7,050 2.4%
East Germany      
Pension insurance 81,000 6,750 18.6%
Unemployment insurance
81,000 6,750 2.5%
Whole of Germany      
Compulsory health insurance** 58,050 4,837.50 14.6%
Nursing insurance* 58,050 4,837.50 3.05%
       
* Childless employees over the age of 23 must pay an additional 0.25%
** some insurances claim an additional amount

Income thresholds for 2023

  Annual € Monthly € Rate of contribution*
West Germany      
Pension insurance 87,600 7,300 18.6%
Unemployment insurance
87,600 7,300 2.5%
East Germany      
Pension insurance 85,200 7,100 18.6%
Unemployment insurance
85,200 7,100 2.5%
Whole of Germany      
Compulsory health insurance** 59,850 4,987.50 14.6%
Nursing insurance* 59,850 4,987.50 3.05%
       
Stock options

Stock options are treated as income from employment and subject to the individual progressive tax rates. The stock options are principally taxable at the time of exercise. According to the model treaty stock options, derived from an activity exercise in the other contracting state, are taxable in that state on a working day basis.

Wealth tax

There is no wealth tax in Germany.

Other specific taxes

There are no other specific taxes in Germany in relation to expatriates.

Tax planning opportunities
Earnings description Planning possible
Base salary Yes
Bonus Yes
Cost of living allowance Yes
Housing Yes
Home leave Yes
Club membership No
Moving expenses Yes
Foreign service premiums Yes
Education/schooling Yes

For further information on global mobility tax services in Germany, please contact:

Christopher Flügel
E christopher.fluegel@de.gt.com

  

Heike Bathke
E Heike.Bathke@de.gt.com