First steps after getting a job offer in Berlin and Germany

So you got a job offer in Berlin, perhaps in its sparkling tech startup sector, but you're not sure what comes next. There is plenty of information online about all this, but here's our take on things you might want to know, based on our own experience.

Vacations and public holidays in Germany

Not counting weekends, on average every German worker will count with a minimum of 30 leisure days every year. But that legal minimum can depend on a number of factors. Let's check them out.

The German reference letter system

German employers are required by law to write you a favourable reference letter when you leave. But since the letter must always sound positive, it can be interpreted in the most cynical way.