-
Business consulting services
Our business consulting services can help you improve your operational performance and productivity, adding value throughout your growth life cycle.
-
Business process solutions
We can help you identify, understand and manage potential risks to safeguard your business and comply with regulatory requirements.
-
Business risk services
The relationship between a company and its auditor has changed. Organisations must understand and manage risk and seek an appropriate balance between risk and opportunities.
-
Cybersecurity
As organisations become increasingly dependent on digital technology, the opportunities for cyber criminals continue to grow.
-
Forensic and investigation services
At Grant Thornton, we have a wealth of knowledge in forensic services and can support you with issues such as dispute resolution, fraud and insurance claims.
-
Mergers and acquisitions
Globalisation and company growth ambitions are driving an increase in M&A activity worldwide. We work with entrepreneurial businesses in the mid-market to help them assess the true commercial potential of their planned acquisition and understand how the purchase might serve their longer- term strategic goals.
-
Recovery and reorganisation
Workable solutions to maximise your value and deliver sustainable recovery
-
Transactional advisory services
We can support you throughout the transaction process – helping achieve the best possible outcome at the point of the transaction and in the longer term.
-
Valuations
We provide a wide range of services to recovery and reorganisation professionals, companies and their stakeholders.

-
IFRS
The International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are a set of global accounting standards developed by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) for the preparation of public company financial statements. At Grant Thornton, our IFRS advisers can help you navigate the complexity of financial reporting from IFRS 1 to IFRS 17 and IAS 1 to IAS 41.
-
Audit quality monitoring
Having a robust process of quality control is one of the most effective ways to guarantee we deliver high-quality services to our clients.
-
Global audit technology
We apply our global audit methodology through an integrated set of software tools known as the Voyager suite.

-
Corporate and business tax
Our trusted teams can prepare corporate tax files and ruling requests, support you with deferrals, accounting procedures and legitimate tax benefits.
-
Direct international tax
Our teams have in-depth knowledge of the relationship between domestic and international tax laws.
-
Global mobility services
Through our global organisation of member firms, we support both companies and individuals, providing insightful solutions to minimise the tax burden for both parties.
-
Indirect international tax
Using our finely tuned local knowledge, teams from our global organisation of member firms help you understand and comply with often complex and time-consuming regulations.
-
Transfer pricing
The laws surrounding transfer pricing are becoming ever more complex, as tax affairs of multinational companies are facing scrutiny from media, regulators and the public
-
Outsourcing Changes to the Outsourcing legislation, specifically when offshoringSignificant changes to the dynamic of the financial services sector in recent years have shifted the paradigms in how we work. The increased digitisation of the workforce, changes in business models, globalisation, and remote working capabilities have led to a new approach to the delivery of services.
-
Asset management Inflation and tax planningThe recent onset of rapid inflation is an unwelcome development that is having a widespread impact on US businesses and tax planning.
Expatriates taking up employment in Germany will be subject to comprehensive rules and, in some cases, employment visa requirements.
The expatriate tax team at Grant Thornton Germany can help expatriates and their employers to deal with German tax matters; as well as German labour and social security issues.
In particular, Grant Thornton Germany can help expatriates and their employers to identify German tax planning opportunities and review tax equalisation policies; as well as providing compliance services regarding German tax filing requirements.
Click on each of the areas below to expand for more information:
Non-European Union (EU) nationals usually need to apply for a visa at the German embassy or consulate in their home country before travelling to Germany. The documents required can often be found on the homepages of the German embassy or consulate websites.
EU nationals do not usually need a visa.
Having arrived in Germany, non-EU nationals are required to apply for a work permit at the aliens department of the local municipality. Grant Thornton Germany and their service partner can help with these legal formalities.
EU nationals do usually not need a work permit.
The German tax year runs from 1 January to 31 December.
The deadline for tax returns is 31 July, however, this deadline can be extended. Tax returns prepared by professional tax advisors, certified auditors or lawyers are automatically extended to the last day of February after the next following the tax year, eg for 2021 the filing deadline would be 28 February 2023.
Due to the COVID pandemic the 2020 tax return deadlines have been extended to 31 October 2021 (tax returns prepared without a professional tax advisors) and 31 May 2022 (tax returns prepared by professional tax advisors).
Generally, there is a basic tax free amount of €9,408 (9,744 for 2021). For higher incomes there is a proportionally progressive tax rate. There is a special tax rate for married persons with a joint assessment.
Basic tax free amount | 2020 | 2021 |
Basic tax table for unmarried persons | €9,408 | €9,744 |
Splitting table for married people | €18,816 |
€19,488 |
First bracket rate | 14%* | 14%* |
Top rate | 45%* | 45%* |
From a taxable income of | ||
Basic tax table for unmarried persons | €270,501 | €274,613 |
Splitting table for married people | €541,002 | €549,226 |
*Additionally solidarity surcharge of 5.5% of income tax amount and church tax (if applicable) is levied As of 2021 the solidary surcharge will only be applicable in case the taxable income exceeds 16,956 EUR (33,912 EUR for married people) |
The employee is not married and has no children. Earnings of dependent employment. Further the employee uses a non-electronic company car, which can also be used privately.
Employment income | 2020 | 2021 |
€ | € | |
Salary | 100,000 | 100,000 |
Car benefit (1% gross list price of car) | 6,000 | 6,000 |
Total earned income | 106,000 | 106,000 |
Less | ||
Lump sum deduction for income-related expenses | 1,000 | 1,000 |
Adjusted gross income = Net taxable income | 105,000 | 105,000 |
Income tax thereon: | ||
Income tax | 35,136 | 34,963 |
Solidarity surcharge | 1,932 | 1,922 |
Total | 37,068 | 36,885 |
Residual liability | 37,068 | 36,885 |
German resident individuals are liable to income tax, gift tax, inheritance tax, sales tax and, in certain instances, church tax. An individual is resident for tax purposes if he or she maintains a domicile or habitual place of abode in Germany.
Domicile
A domicile is a place where the individual maintains a residence under circumstances, which indicate that he will keep and use it on a more than temporary basis.
Habitual place of abode
The habitual place of abode of an individual will be established if the person is physically present on a long term basis in Germany. Persons are resident in any case in Germany if they stay longer than six months in Germany, where short interruptions of the presence in Germany will not be taken into account. If the employee has his domicile or habitual place of abode in Germany, then he is fully taxable in Germany. German resident taxpayers are subject to tax on their worldwide income. Double taxation will be avoided in accordance with the applicable tax treaties.
Individual nonresident taxpayers are subject to tax in Germany on their German sourced income. Nonresidents can apply to be treated as a resident if their German income is at least 90% of their total worldwide income or when the worldwide income, which is not subject to taxation in Germany, is less than €9,408 (€9,744 in 2021) (adjustments for foreign tax basis calculations are necessary for several countries). For spouses of residents living in the EU/EEA it is also possible to claim a classification as resident if the joint income contains income which arises almost entirely in Germany.
Salary consists of money and non-monetary remuneration. Most non-monetary remunerations are taxable in Germany. Individual taxpayers are allowed to claim all expenses directly incurred with their incomes from employment. There is a lump sum for employment expenses at an amount of €1,000. Thereafter, various other deductions and allowances apply on taxable income from employment.
Remuneration for any work performed in Germany, regardless of who pays it and where or when it is paid, is taxable. In this regard the regulation of the double taxation agreements between Germany and other countries apply accordingly and can restrict German taxation rights.
Most non-monetary remunerations are taxable in Germany (eg a company car).
The German income tax law does not provide for special deductions or tax-free expatriate premiums. However, lump sums for moving expenses are granted. In addition, tax free per diems can be granted for business trips. Double housing costs can be claimed up to certain amounts, if certain criteria are fulfilled.
Double taxation will be avoided in accordance with the applicable double taxation treaties. Double taxation is usually avoided through tax exemption (exempted income will be considered when calculating the applicable income tax rate).
Deductions can include special and extraordinary expenses, which are either claimed in full or up to a certain limit. Special expenses are personal or family expenditures and include:
- employee contributions to the German social security system in a threshold amount
- for taxpayers with German domicile: personal and family allowances which depend on personal circumstances
- church tax
- expenses for professional education
- maintenance payments in the case of divorce
- charitable donations in a threshold amount
- contributions to certain non-profit activities
- 30% of contributions to private schools (only school fees), which are governmental accepted, limitation to a maximum amount of €5,000/each child (also schools abroad in EU/EEA– area).
In addition to special expenses, resident taxpayers are entitled to tax relief with respect to extraordinary expenses. There are special kinds of allowances for children whose parents are entitled to receive a child allowance or an allowance for dependent children. There is also an old age percentage reduction for employees who are older than 64 years.
There is a withholding tax of 25% plus a 5.5% solidarity surcharge plus church tax (if applicable) on investment income and capital gains (flat tax).
A liability to German inheritance and gift tax depends on whether the individual or the deceased or donor maintains a domicile or habitual place of abode in Germany. Furthermore, certain assets located in Germany could be taxable. If the individual and the deceased or donors are close relatives, there are tax free amounts depending on the relationship.
No local taxes apply to individuals in Germany.
Real estate tax is applicable in Germany. The amount of real estate tax depends on the value of the real estate and the Federal State.
Social security contributions include pension insurance, unemployment insurance, nursing insurance and compulsory health insurance.
Social security contributions are salary dependent. There is an income limit up to which contributions are payable.
Income thresholds for 2020
Annual € | Monthly € | Rate of contribution* | |
West Germany | |||
Pension insurance | 82,800 | 6,900 | 18.6% |
Unemployment insurance |
82,800 | 6,900 | 2.4% |
East Germany | |||
Pension insurance | 77,400 | 6,450 | 18.6% |
Unemployment insurance |
77,400 | 6,450 | 2.5% |
Whole of Germany | |||
Compulsory health insurance** | 56,250 | 4,687.50 | 14.6% |
Nursing insurance* | 56,250 | 4,687.50 | 3.05% |
* Childless employees over the age of 23 must pay an additional 0.25% | |||
** some insurances claim an additional amount |
Income thresholds for 2021
Annual € | Monthly € | Rate of contribution* | |
West Germany | |||
Pension insurance | 85,200 | 7,100 | 18.6% |
Unemployment insurance |
85,200 | 7,100 | 2.5% |
East Germany | |||
Pension insurance | 80,400 | 6,700 | 18.6% |
Unemployment insurance |
80,400 | 6,700 | 2.5% |
Whole of Germany | |||
Compulsory health insurance** | 58,050 | 4,837.50 | 14.6% |
Nursing insurance* | 58,050 | 4,837.50 | 3.05% |
Stock options are treated as income from employment and subject to the individual progressive tax rates. The stock options are principally taxable at the time of exercise. According to the model treaty stock options, derived from an activity exercise in the other contracting state, are taxable in that state on a working day basis.
There is no wealth tax in Germany.
There are no other specific taxes in Germany in relation to expatriates.
Earnings description | Planning possible |
Base salary | Yes |
Bonus | Yes |
Cost of living allowance | Yes |
Housing | Yes |
Home leave | Yes |
Club membership | No |
Moving expenses | Yes |
Foreign service premiums | Yes |
Education/schooling | Yes |
For further information on global mobility tax services in Germany, please contact:
Jerry Brooks
E jerry.brooks@wkgt.com
Marco Schader
E marco.schader@wkgt.com