Berlin offers good opportunities for people with essential skills, especially professionals. The prospects for non-professionals are not that good, especially with more countries joining the European Union, which translates into relaxed immigration regulations and ultimately an influx of cheap labor. Plus, unemployment rates in Berlin have remained above the 10% mark for many years, meaning that work is hardly guaranteed, especially for the non-professionals.

To be seriously considered for work in Berlin, you need a reasonably good grasp of the German language, since it is the primary language. Unless you come from a country that is a member of the European Union, you will need a work permit to work in Berlin.

Attempts to land a job with a tourist visa are likely to be treated as immigration-status violations and could lead to serious legal reprisals by the system. However, many university programs – especially professional programs – will arrange internship programs for their students and, under this arrangement, you might not need a work permit to work in Berlin.

Wages and salaries in Berlin are attractive for the professionals and fairly decent for the non-professionals. The trend for the non-professionals is fast changing though, with the influx of cheap immigrant labor from European Union member states, and their influence on the dynamics of labor supply and demand.

Like anywhere else, salaries for professionals are likely to fluctuate depending on factors like experience and qualifications, while wages for non-professionals is, more often than not, purely based on work performance or a basic rate for the job offered.