Teach English in Germany
The Ultimate 2026 Guide to the Freiberufler Visa, Corporate Training, and Life in Europe's Economic Engine.
Germany is the economic powerhouse of Europe. Because of its massive export industry and booming tech sector, there is a seemingly endless demand for English teachers. However, unlike Asia where you teach children, the German market is dominated by Business English for adult professionals.
For EU citizens, you can arrive in Berlin or Munich and start interviewing immediately. For Non-EU citizens (Americans, Canadians, etc.), the path is unique: almost no language school will sponsor a traditional work visa. Instead, you must apply for the Freiberufler (Freelance) Visa. This allows you to live in Germany and work as an independent contractor for multiple language academies and private clients.
The German bureaucracy is notoriously strict. To successfully secure the Freiberufler visa and win high-paying corporate contracts, a myTEFL 120-hour certificate is essential. It proves to both immigration officials (the Ausländerbehörde) and competitive language schools that you are a qualified professional.
Quick Facts
What’s in this guide?
Your roadmap to the Bundesrepublik. Learn how to conquer the freelance visa, navigate the tax system, and find the best teaching gigs in Berlin and Munich.
- The TEFL jobs market in Germany
- Volkshochschule vs. Corporate Training
- Teacher Salary in Euros (€)
- The Freiberufler Visa (Freelancer)
- Requirements for 2026
- Split Shifts & Invoicing
- Cost of living: Munich vs. Leipzig
- Where to teach: Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg
- Getting hired: The Independent Route
- Germany TEFL FAQs
The TEFL jobs market in Germany
The German TEFL market is vast but highly fragmented. Very few teachers have a single, full-time employer. Instead, the market is built on freelancing. You will likely string together hours from two or three different language schools, plus a handful of private students.
The majority of your students will be adults. In-company corporate training is the most lucrative sector. Schools will subcontract you to go to the offices of major companies (like BMW, Siemens, or local tech startups) to teach their staff Business English.
Because you are a freelancer, you have total control over your schedule. However, it also means you only get paid when you teach. If there is a public holiday, or if a student cancels late, your income fluctuates. This requires excellent time management and budgeting skills.
- Population: 83 million
- Language(s): German
- Currency: Euro (€)
- Capital city: Berlin
- Estimated salary: €1,500 - €2,200 (Net)
- Public Holidays: ~11-14 days (varies by state)
- Climate: Temperate / Continental
- Main Transport: U-Bahn, S-Bahn & ICE Trains
- Internet: Excellent
Types of English teaching jobs in Germany
From corporate boardrooms in Frankfurt to community colleges in Berlin.
Private Language Schools
Academies (like Berlitz or Inlingua) act as brokers. They find the corporate clients or adult students and subcontract you to teach them. You invoice the school monthly.
Volkshochschule (VHS)
The German adult education centers. Every city has one. They offer evening English classes to the general public. The pay is lower, but it is a reliable source of hours.
Private Tutoring
Finding your own clients pays the best. Many teachers specialize in helping German high school students pass their "Abitur" (leaving exams) or coaching executives.
International Schools
Elite schools offering full-time employment (not freelance). These are highly competitive and require a state teaching license from your home country.
TEFL teacher salary in Germany
Because almost all teachers are freelancers, you are paid per 45-minute teaching unit (Unterrichtseinheit). An average teacher compiling 20-25 teaching hours a week will net between €1,500 and €2,200 per month.
While this sounds like a solid European wage, you must pay your own taxes and health insurance. Public health insurance is mandatory and will cost roughly 15% of your income. You must also set aside money for income tax (handled via the Finanzamt) and potentially pension contributions.
To maximize income, experienced teachers quickly pivot away from low-paying language schools and focus entirely on private corporate clients, where rates can exceed €35 an hour.
Monthly Salary Range (€ Euro)
| Language School (Monthly Avg) | €1,500 - €2,200 (Net) |
| Hourly Rate (Academies) | €15 - €25 / hr |
| Hourly Rate (Private) | €25 - €40+ / hr |
| Health Insurance (Cost) | €200 - €350 / mo |
| Rent (Shared WG Room) | €450 - €700 |
The Freiberufler Visa (Freelancer)
For EU citizens, you can arrive, register your address (Anmeldung), get a tax number, and start working immediately.
For Non-EU citizens (US, Canada, UK, etc.), you must apply for the Freiberufler Visa. Citizens of certain countries (like the US, Canada, and Australia) are allowed to enter Germany on a 90-day tourist visa and apply for the freelance visa from within Germany at the local Ausländerbehörde (Immigration Office).
The Application Stack
To get approved, you need to bring a massive stack of documents to your appointment: Your Degree, your TEFL Certificate, proof of German Health Insurance, a registered German address, and critically, Letters of Intent. You must have 2 or 3 letters from language schools stating they intend to hire you if your visa is approved.
The "Two Employer" Rule: As a freelancer in Germany, you cannot earn more than 83% of your income from a single employer, otherwise you are classified as a "fake freelancer" (Scheinselbständigkeit). This is why you must work for multiple schools.
Requirements to teach English in Germany
Germany loves paperwork and qualifications. To secure the Freiberufler visa and win contracts with reputable language schools, you must be prepared.
- Bachelor’s Degree Mandatory for the Visa. The immigration office requires a degree to issue the Freiberufler visa for teaching. It can be in any field.
- 120-Hour TEFL Certificate Essential. Schools demand it, and the immigration office uses it as proof that you possess the specialized skills required to operate as a freelance educator.
- German Health Insurance You cannot get a visa without proof of valid German health insurance. Travel insurance will not be accepted by the Ausländerbehörde.
- Anmeldung (Address Registration) Before doing anything, you must legally register your living address at the local town hall (Bürgeramt). This requires a signed lease or a letter from your landlord.
Split Shifts & Invoicing
Hiring Season: Schools hire year-round, but the major peaks are September/October and January.
The "Split Shift"
Because your clients are adults, you will likely work a "split shift." You might teach a corporate class from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM, have the middle of the day free, and then teach evening classes at the VHS from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Invoicing: As a freelancer, payday isn't automatic. At the end of every month, you must generate invoices (Rechnungen) for each school or private student and wait for the bank transfers to clear.
Cost of living & Savings in Germany
Germany has a high standard of living, and the cost varies wildly depending on the city. Munich and Frankfurt are notoriously expensive, while cities in the East (like Leipzig) or the Ruhr region are much more affordable.
Housing: Renting a private studio in Berlin or Munich is expensive and highly competitive. The vast majority of freelance teachers live in a WG (Wohngemeinschaft)—a shared apartment. A room in a WG will cost €450 - €700 depending on the city.
Food & Transport: Groceries at discount supermarkets (Aldi, Lidl, Penny) are surprisingly cheap compared to the US or UK. The "Deutschlandticket" offers unlimited travel on all local and regional transport across the entire country for just €49 a month.
Monthly Budget (Single Teacher)
| Rent (WG Room) | €450 - €700 |
| Health Insurance (Freelance) | €200 - €350 |
| Groceries & Dining | €250 - €400 |
| Transport (D-Ticket) | €49 |
| Leisure/Nightlife | €200 - €300 |
Where to teach English in Germany?
Germany is highly decentralized. You don't have to live in the capital to find a thriving TEFL market.
Berlin
The startup capital. Massive expat community, legendary nightlife, and endless schools. The market is saturated with teachers, so competition is high, but the lifestyle is incredibly vibrant.
Munich (München)
The wealthy powerhouse of Bavaria. High salaries, high demand for corporate English (BMW, Siemens), but extremely high rent. Very safe, clean, and close to the Alps.
Frankfurt am Main
The financial heart of Europe. If you have a background in finance or business, you can charge premium rates for corporate training here. Very international vibe.
Leipzig & Hamburg
Leipzig is the trendy, cheaper alternative to Berlin with a booming arts scene. Hamburg is the wealthy port city in the north with high demand for logistics and trade English.
How to get a job in Germany
For non-EU citizens, navigating the Ausländerbehörde to get the Freiberufler visa requires patience and proof of your teaching qualifications.
Get Your 120-Hour Certificate
German language schools expect high pedagogical standards. A 120-hour myTEFL certificate validates your teaching skills, helps you secure the "Letters of Intent" needed for your visa, and prepares you for demanding corporate clients.
- Visa Support: Essential for the Freiberufler application.
- Corporate Ready: Prepares you for Business English.
- Accredited: Recognized by German academies.
- Lifetime Access: Keep your lesson plans forever.
Frequently Asked Questions
Crucial info for the 2026 German teaching landscape.