In short: Yes, couples and married couples can work together in Germany. The condition is that both have the right to work – for example with an EU passport, with temporary protection under Section 24 of the Residence Act (§ 24 AufenthG), or as the spouse of an EU citizen. Each person applies separately and gets their own employment contract.
As of: October 2026. General information, not legal advice.
Each person applies separately
Even if you come as a couple: an employment contract is always personal. That is why each person fills out their own questionnaire. It takes about one minute each.
The easiest way:
- Send both applications on the same day if possible.
- In both questionnaires, state that you are coming as a couple and give your partner’s name.
- Have each person’s own ID document ready.
- Be honest about each person’s experience – for example, he has a forklift licence and she has no experience, or the other way round.
We have several jobs that are suitable for couples: Warehouse worker (m/f/d), forklift driver (m/f/d) and production helper (m/f/d). All jobs are open to all genders.
Both need their own right to work
This is the most important point. Check for each person separately whether they are allowed to work in Germany:
| Situation | Allowed to work? |
|---|---|
| Both have an EU passport or EU ID card | Yes, both |
| One has an EU passport, the spouse does not (e.g. a passport of the Republic of Moldova) | Usually yes, through family reunification with EU citizens |
| Both from Ukraine with a residence permit under § 24 AufenthG or a provisional certificate (Fiktionsbescheinigung) | Yes, if employment is permitted |
| One has a residence title that allows work | Yes, this person; for the partner, their own status applies |
| Unmarried, only one has the right to work | The other partner usually not |
Spouse of an EU citizen
Often one partner has a Romanian or Bulgarian passport and the other only a Moldovan one. Under the EU Freedom of Movement Act (Freizügigkeitsgesetz/EU), the spouse of an EU citizen who works in Germany may also live and work here. In practice, the residence card (Aufenthaltskarte) or the certificate confirming the application is usually required. You can read exactly how this works in the article Family reunification for EU citizens.
Important: this applies to spouses and registered partners. Unmarried couples do not have this right. You can find an overview of all cases under Who can work in Germany?
Same work location
Of course, couples want to work at the same place. We try to place couples at the same location. However, there is no guarantee: it depends on where staff are needed at the moment and what qualifications each person has.
Our work locations are in Göttingen, Hanover, Paderborn and currently above all in Diemelstadt in northern Hesse. There we are currently looking for 30 warehouse workers (m/f/d) – for couples, this can be a good opportunity to start together.
The pay is the same for both: from €15.33 per hour gross, for forklift drivers (m/f/d) from €16.08 per hour gross.
Accommodation for couples
Accommodation can be provided on request. Please note:
- We cannot promise a shared room or a separate flat for the couple.
- Tell us openly in the interview that you are coming as a couple and what is important to you.
- Many couples look for a rented flat themselves after the first few weeks. More about this under Accommodation.
Coming to Germany with children
If your children are coming with you, you should plan early:
- Child benefit (Kindergeld): People who work and live in Germany can receive child benefit under certain conditions. Details in the article Child benefit for EU citizens.
- School and daycare (Kita): School attendance is compulsory in Germany. Finding a daycare place can take time – ask the city or municipality early.
- Documents: Bring your children’s birth certificates, with an apostille and translation depending on the country.
- Childcare: Think in advance about how childcare will be organised when both of you work.
Registration and first steps
After moving in, both partners (and the children) register at the citizens’ office (Bürgeramt) within two weeks. For this you need the landlord’s confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung). After that, each person receives their tax ID by post – this can take a few weeks. Each partner also needs:
- their own health insurance fund,
- a bank account for the wages (a joint account is possible, but your own account is often easier),
- their own social security number.
We help with moving and registration. You can find all steps under Moving and registration.
Tips for couples
- Check documents twice: Are both partners’ passports valid? Do you have a marriage certificate, with an apostille if needed?
- Apply at the same time: This makes it easier to coordinate the work location and start date.
- Be honest about your experience: Each person is placed according to their own qualifications.
- Plan your finances: Put aside some money for the first weeks – the first wages are not paid immediately, but only with the first payslip.
- Learn German: If you already know some German, you have more choice. Tips under Jobs without German.
Our service is free of charge for applicants – there is no placement fee.
Apply together now
Have a look at the current jobs and then both of you fill out the questionnaire. We usually get back to you within about 24 hours on working days and discuss with you how best to start as a couple.
