Join InterNations

The world's largest expat community

Find Out How to Get a Job and Work in Freiburg

  • Connect with fellow expats in Freiburg

  • Join exciting events and groups for expats

  • Get information in our expat guides

  • Exchange tips about expat life in Freiburg

  • Daiki Saito

    When my company decided to send me to Essen, I took a quick look at the local community and said: Please do!

An amazing community is waiting for you!

Meet international people at local events

Socialize, enjoy hobbies, and make friends

Get info, and feel at home abroad!

Employment in Freiburg

Local Economy

The major of Freiburg is Austrian born and has been at the center of an environmental transformation that has become a model of economic sustainability for the rest of Germany. Green energy and environmental concerns are hugely important in Germany — expats will find that recycling is very important and expected to be followed very strictly. The origin of this success is in and old battle against the opening of a nuclear power station and the subsequent implementation of diverse and innovative ways to make the city sustainable.

Freiburg has a carbon neutral area, where some citizens even refuse to use cars. There is also a residential area, which has houses and buildings using only solar energy — in fact, the buildings produce more solar energy than they can use year by year. In terms of day to day cost of living, Freiburg is on a par with many other German and European cities.

Job Hunting in Freiburg 

It is possible to move to Freiburg and find work once there in the city. Casual work can be easy to find, in bars, restaurants and hospitality. However, the kind of visa will need to be checked carefully to see how long these jobs will allow residency for. Many expats move to Freiburg to work as teachers, either teaching English or teaching at the University.

The University itself attracts many from all around the world as it is a very prestigious and ancient university, offering a high standard of higher education. Apart from this, there are many professions to work in in Freiburg, as it is a modern city with everything this entails.

For skilled professionals in banking, education, engineering, IT and many other professions, work in and around Freiburg is attainable. Searching online and joining industry specific agencies is always good advice for those looking to relocate to Freiburg.

Work Permits for Freiburg

When moving to work in Freiburg, it’s a must to check out the visa and work permit requirements. Expats should check carefully with the relevant authorities in their origin country.

Expats moving to Freiburg from Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland or from anywhere inside the EU will not need any kind of work permit to live and work in Freiburg. The only stipulation is that they will need to be able to support themselves. Expats from Croatia will have to apply for a work permit, however, the rules are set to change very soon so it’s definitely worth researching first.

Visas are required for people moving to Freiburg from a country outside the EU. Expats in this situation are advised to check online before moving. Australian, Japanese, Canadian, South Korean, New Zealand, American, and Israeli expats won’t need a visa to go to Germany but will need a resident permit if they want to stay in Freiburg.

Nov 26, 2024, 6:30 PM
8 attendees
Dear Outdoorables, every year we have had a wonderful time at the christmas market in Freiburg. Let us enjoy lovely evening together again. There will be stands with mulled wine and some foods. We
Nov 28, 2024, 7:00 PM
9 attendees
Come with us to explore a brand new restaurant in Freiburg. Kitchen from Peru. Its so new that we are still waiting for photos... the ones I put here are just examples. It's part of a famous cultural
Let’s meet at another one of my favourite cafes to discuss the darkly hilarious and moving novel by Nick Hornby. “For disgraced TV presenter Martin Sharp the answer's pretty simple: he has, in his o
An extraordinary location for our Holiday Get Together - for just a short time a Pop up Pub is operating the protected historic Westhoff Shop next to the Münster Square. The perfect place for us to c

See all upcoming events for expats in Freiburg

Our Global Partners