🤑 Hidden Gems: Unexpected Ways to Make Money in Germany (2024)

Hidden Gems: Unexpected Ways to Earn Money in Germany

Germany has a strong economy and low unemployment rate, making it a great place to find work. However, for expats and travelers, navigating the traditional job market can be tricky. Luckily, Germany has lots of unexpected, hidden opportunities to make money if you know where to look.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the top hidden gems for making money in Germany as a foreigner. From monetizing hobbies to taking advantage of the sharing economy, read on to find creative ways to earn income during your time in Germany.

Featured Snippet:

Here are 5 unexpected ways foreigners can make money in Germany:

1. Teach English online or in-person to German students. There is high demand to learn English in Germany.
2. Sell products on German eBay, known as eBay Kleinanzeigen. You can sell anything from clothes to furniture.
3. Become a tour guide for walking tours in English for tourists in major cities.
4. Participate in German food or product focus groups which pay around €75-€200.
5. Babysit as an au pair or nanny since childcare services are scarce. Families often pay €300-€400 weekly.

Introduction:

Germany has a bustling economy and low unemployment, meaning jobs are plentiful for residents. But if you’re a foreigner in Germany temporarily or looking for flexible work as an expat, you may not want to get tied down to a full-time job.

Luckily, Germany offers a variety of unique and unexpected ways to earn income on the side legally as a foreigner. By getting creative and taking advantage of market demands, you can create money-making opportunities to earn a nice side income while in Germany.

In this article, we’ll share some of the top hidden gems and unexpected ways foreigners can earn extra cash during their time in Germany. From teaching English to getting paid for focus groups, read on to find innovative ways you can use your skills, background and free time to start making money in Germany.

#1 – Teach English In-Person or Online

With a booming economy and international business presence, English skills are in high demand in Germany. This creates lucrative opportunities to earn money by teaching English part-time while in Germany.

Some ways foreigners can teach English in Germany include:

• Offer private English lessons to German adults or children. Advertise through social media, bulletin boards and tutoring sites. Hourly rates are around €15-25.
• Work for an English tutoring company catering to German learners. You can teach in-person or online. Pay starts around €20/hour.
• Get a side job teaching at a private language school or tutoring center. Your hourly pay may start around €15-20.
• Give English conversational lessons to business professionals needing to improve their business English skills. Charge €25-40/hour.

With so many Germans eager to learn English, providing lessons is one of the best ways for foreigners to take advantage of demand and earn good hourly pay. Advertise your services and let German students find you for a rewarding teaching side gig.

#2 – Sell Products Online Via eBay Kleinanzeigen

eBay Kleinanzeigen is essentially the German version of Craigslist. On this popular German site, you can buy and sell used goods directly with locals.

As an expat or foreigner in Germany, you can earn cash selling your used clothes, electronics, furniture items and any other goods in demand locally on eBay Kleinanzeigen. Some tips include:

• Take high-quality photos and write detailed descriptions in German to attract buyers.
• Price items competitively based on what similar second-hand goods are listed for.
• Collect cash payments when buyers come pick up the items. Meet in a public place for safety.
• List any items you brought to Germany that you no longer need, as well as used German goods purchased locally.

With millions of Germans using eBay Kleinanzeigen, it’s an excellent way to sell goods easily for cash, allowing you to quickly monetize belongings while living in or visiting Germany.

#3 – Become a Tour Guide

Germany welcomes millions of tourists annually, especially to popular cities like Berlin, Munich, Hamburg and Frankfurt. This creates ample opportunities for foreigners with excellent English skills to work part-time as tour guides catering to English-speaking travelers.

Some ways you can monetize your English skills as a tour guide include:

• Offer public walking tours in English showcasing major sights and hidden gems of German cities. You set your own hours and rates.
• List as a guide on tour booking sites like ToursByLocals or GuideHop so tourists can book private tours with you directly.
• Work for an established local tour company leading their English-language group tours of top attractions or specialty themes like beer and food.
• Create themed tours based on your interests and knowledge, like music, history or architecture. Promote to tourists via social media and listings sites.

Leveraging your English abilities and people skills to lead tours allows you to meet new people and earn cash sharing your passion for German sights and culture.

#4 – Get Paid for Focus Groups

Market research is big business in Germany. Companies will pay people to participate in focus groups and provide feedback on products, services, ads and more.

Some tips to earn money from focus groups:

• Search sites like Online Focus Groups for open paid focus groups near your location in Germany. Groups pay €75-200 for 1-2 hours.
• Look on bulletin boards near universities for ads recruiting for upcoming focus groups. They want diverse participants.
• Check listings sites like FocusGroup.com and sign up as an in-person or remote focus group participant.
• Subscribe to newsletters from focus group recruiters to learn about upcoming paid groups you can apply for locally.

As a foreigner, your valuable outsider perspective allows you to easily qualify for focus groups, making it a simple way to get paid nice sums for your input.

#5 – Work as an Au Pair or Nanny

Childcare is scarce in Germany, so working as an au pair (live-in nanny) or regular nanny allows foreigners to easily tap into demand for reputable childcare.

Some tips for earning money as an au pair or nanny include:

• Sign up on sites like AuPairWorld to connect with German host families looking to hire an au pair. Au pairs typically earn €300-400 a week plus room and board.
• List yourself as a nanny on sites like Care.com to find German families hiring part-time or full-time help with childcare and school pick-ups.
• Advertise babysitting services on bulletin boards and university job boards, offering hourly or daily rates.
• Network in your community and let neighbors and acquaintances know you provide childcare services.

Parents in Germany often rely on au pairs and nannies, so they highly value trustworthy candidates. As a foreigner, highlight how you can expose their kids to English too.

Conclusion:

While the German job market is excellent for residents, foreigners may struggle to get hired full-time. Luckily, Germany offers many unexpected and unique ways for visitors or expats to earn great cash side incomes.

Teaching English, selling used goods online, guiding tours, participating in focus groups and providing childcare allows you to make money by leveraging your skills and background. Get creative and take advantage of market needs to uncover lucrative gigs allowing you to earn income in Germany as a foreigner.

Which of these hidden gems resonates most with you? Do some research and reading to learn how you can get started, and soon you’ll be making money in Germany in fun, flexible ways!

10 FAQs about Making Money as a Foreigner in Germany

1. Do I need a work visa or permit to make money in Germany?

It depends. For regular employment, yes. But for independent side jobs like tutoring, selling goods, tour guiding or babysitting, you typically don’t need a special visa. However, confirm legal requirements.

2. How much can I earn teaching English in Germany?

Teaching online or in-person, you can earn €15-40 per hour depending on experience. Private lessons earn more than teaching for a language school.

3. What sells best on eBay Kleinanzeigen in Germany?

Used electronics, furniture, bicycles and clothing are commonly sold. List items in good condition at fair prices for the quickest sales.

4. How much do tour guides earn in Germany?

Independent guides can charge €15-25 per hour for public tours and €25-50/hour for private tours. Work for a company and you may earn €15/hour plus tips.

5. Where can I find ads recruiting for paid focus groups?

Check bulletin boards at universities, job sites like Online Focus Groups and Craigslist ads. Focus group companies also place ads on Facebook.

6. How much do au pairs usually earn in Germany?

Typical pay for au pairs is €300-400 per week plus free room and board. Some families pay more plus provide a car.

7. Can I offer babysitting services without certification?

Yes, you don’t need a license or special certification. Highlight any childcare experience you have to attract families.

8. Are there good websites to find tutoring jobs in Germany?

Yes, try Superprof, Studypool and UniversityTutor for online tutoring gigs. For in-person work, list on community boards.

9. What gig jobs pay well in Germany?

Teaching English, guiding tours, participating in focus groups, selling used goods online, babysitting and modeling for artists if you have the look.

10. Do I have to pay German taxes on side job income?

Yes, if you earn over your tax-free allowance you’ll need to report income. Retain records on earnings and pay estimated taxes quarterly.