How to pay international contractors in Germany

Published

Apr 13, 2023

As one of the leading economies in the world, as well as home to a highly educated workforce and vibrant cities like Berlin and Munich, it’s no wonder Germany is a popular choice for employers looking to hire independent contractors internationally. But when it’s time to pay your contractors, what steps do you need to take to comply with Irish labor laws?

This guide will break down the steps on how to correctly classify contractors, put them on the payroll, fulfill their invoices, and remain compliant with German labor laws.

Step #1: Classify your workers correctly

The German government takes the task of classifying your workers correctly very seriously; the consequences of misclassification are severe and shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Misclassifying your employees and independent contractors will result in serious penalties, including:

  • Requiring you to pay the employee’s social security deductions retroactively and forbidding you from deducting any social security from that individual’s paycheck for anywhere from four to 30 years, depending on whether the misclassification was intentional or not.
  • Holding you liable for paying back taxes and missed pension and welfare contributions, as well as various penalties and fines.
  • The possibility of criminal charges being filed.

In the event you made a mistake, once your independent contractor has been correctly classified as an employee, they will be entitled to all the rights and benefits afforded full- and part-time employees in Germany. And, as you can see from the above list, the cost of misclassification can be enormous to employers—and you’re unlikely to be reimbursed by the employee for the fines, penalties, and back taxes you owe.

So, how do you ensure an independent contractor is correctly classified? The German government has specific criteria for employers to use when they’re classifying new hires. 

The criteria are as follows:

  • Mutuality of obligation: Whether there is a binding commitment on the company to offer work and on the consultant to provide work.  
  • Personal service: An employee is required to provide their services personally, and if there is a right to appoint a substitute, this will typically be qualified such at the employer’s discretion.  
  • Control: The degree of control which the employing entity has over a worker’s hours and place of work.  
  • Other activities: Whether the worker can undertake other work outside of the employing entity and if so, to what extent.  
  • Pay and benefits: An employee will be paid a fixed amount on a regular payment date according to their hours worked irrespective of performance targets or project completion. 
  • Integration: How involved a worker is in the company and its management and how they are perceived by third parties. 
  • Facilities and equipment: An independent contractor will usually provide their own equipment and materials to perform the services while an employee will rely on the employer to provide the same.  
  • Financial risk: Which party has liability for any losses arising from the agreement. An employee will be paid even where there is insufficient work to keep them occupied and will assume no financial risk in working for the employer. 
  • Taxation: Which party bears the liability for tax arising from the engagement.  A self-employed independent contractor will be responsible for the payment of their own income tax and social security contributions whereas the employer will account for these in the case of employees.

Step #2: Determine the best way to pay your contractors in Germany

So, you’ve classified your worker correctly as an independent contractor. The next step is deciding exactly how you’re going to pay them. Due to the increasing popularity of remote work, employers now have more choices than ever when deciding how they’re going to handle payments.

Here are a few options you can explore for paying your international contractors:

  • Bank wires. You can open a German bank account and directly deposit payments into your German contractors’ accounts. Or, you can send a global wire transfer if you’d rather use a bank account in your home country.
  • International money orders. This is the traditional choice for paying independent contractors who don’t live in the same country as their employer. However, its popularity has declined and it’s been eclipsed by newer, safer methods that don’t expose employers to as many scams as international money orders do. Additionally, remember that every time you send an international money order, you’ll have to pay a fee. If you have a lot of contractors, this method could get expensive fast.
  • Digital wallets or payment platforms. Digital wallets are great for many reasons, but they often pose problems for paying independent contractors internationally simply because different countries have different digital wallets and payment platforms. It’ll be hard to find a payment platform you can both use.
  • Global payroll services. Typically, contractors aren't included in payroll, since they aren't subject to the same withholdings as employees—instead, they invoice for their services, which goes through accounts payable for many companies.

See Rippling

Step #3: Use global payroll software to process payments for German contractors 

As you saw in Step #2, there are multiple ways to pay contractors in Germany. But the fastest and simplest way is paying contractors through global payroll software.

With Rippling, you can pay contractors across the world. Here’s a preview of how Rippling’s global payroll system works:

Step #4: Keep accurate records for legal purposes

Good news: The German government doesn’t require you to file complicated tax paperwork for your independent contractors. Self-employed workers are expected to take care of their tax payments on their own.

However, you do need to keep accurate records of each contractor’s information and the contract you signed with them so you can prove they’ve been accurately classified should that ever become an issue.

FAQs about paying contractors in Germany

Do you need to withhold taxes when paying contractors in Germany?

No, foreign companies don't have to withhold payroll taxes when paying contractors in Germany. Self-employed individuals are responsible for deducting and paying the appropriate tax to the correct authorities. 

Does the German minimum wage apply to independent contractors in Germany?

No, but you should expect your German independent contractors to ask for competitive compensation. 

Do German contractors get benefits?

No. Germany has strong labor protections in place for employees, but independent contractors do not qualify for the rights and benefits given to workers who are classified as full- or part-time employees.

Can you pay contractors in Germany in your home currency?

Yes, you can. You and your new hire should discuss the currency in which they’ll be paid when you’re negotiating the terms of their contract and put everything in writing.

Can you manually pay contractors in Germany?

Yes, and it's common for small business owners to manually process contractor payments in an attempt to cut costs. But this can be time-consuming, especially as your business grows and if you work with multiple contractors in Germany or across borders.

It's also important to note that manually processing payments comes with some risks:

  • Compliance. Running payroll manually means assuming the risk of human error and omission. Protect yourself and your business with Rippling, which automatically enforces compliance with any applicable local laws—no matter where your contractors live.
  • Security. Manual payroll processing also poses security risks, especially if you use spreadsheets or paper records. Sensitive employee information can be lost, stolen, or misused.

How do you turn a contractor into an employee in Germany?

While hiring independent contractors over full-time employees can come with financial benefits, sometimes, you do need a full-time employee. The challenge is making sure all the legal requirements are in order: The German bureaucracy and labor laws are extremely complex, and when you take on an employee, you are required to deduct things like social security from their paychecks. Also, you’ll be obligated to start providing benefits to your newly classified employee.

Effortlessly manage contractors, no matter where they are

You can pay international contractors directly through Rippling, meaning you need just one system to pay all types of employees—wherever they are.

Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal, or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal, and accounting advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.

last edited: March 26, 2024

The Author

Carrie Stemke

A freelance writer and editor based in New York City, Carrie writes about HR trends and global workforce management and is the Rippling content team’s expert on hiring know-how in Western Europe.