Germany vs Japan

The most common German company is the GmbH (limited liability), which requires a notarised deed, €25,000 share capital (half paid in) and entry in the commercial register (Handelsregister). A cheaper UG ('mini-GmbH') is available with lower capital.

Foreigners commonly set up a Kabushiki Kaisha (KK) or the simpler Godo Kaisha (GK). Formation involves preparing articles (notarised for a KK), depositing capital and registering with the Legal Affairs Bureau, followed by tax and social-insurance filings.

Germany's banking spans big banks, savings banks (Sparkassen), cooperative banks and digital banks (N26). A current account (Girokonto) is essential for salary, rent and utilities; opening one usually needs ID, an address registration (Anmeldung) and often a tax ID.

Japan's banking mixes megabanks, regional banks and Japan Post Bank, and cash is still widely used. Foreigners can open accounts, usually needing a residence card, a Japanese address and often a phone number; some banks require a few months of residence.

Germany actively welcomes foreign investment through Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI), with free movement of capital and no exchange controls. Investments in critical or security-sensitive sectors can be screened by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs; incentives include regional grants (GRW) and an R&D tax allowance.

Japan promotes inward investment through JETRO, with generally free capital movement. Investments in designated sensitive sectors need prior notification under the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act (FEFTA); incentives include subsidies, special zones and support for R&D and regional projects.

Germany taxes income progressively (with a solidarity surcharge for higher earners and church tax where applicable) and levies VAT on most goods and services. Tax residents are taxed on worldwide income; tax classes affect monthly withholding.

Japan levies national income tax (National Tax Agency) plus local inhabitant tax, and a consumption tax on most goods and services. Residents are taxed on worldwide income, with distinct rules for non-permanent residents.

Skilled non-EU workers commonly use the EU Blue Card (for higher-earning graduates) or a general skilled-worker visa, both requiring a recognised qualification and a job offer. EU citizens work freely. The Skilled Immigration Act and the 'Make it in Germany' portal set out the routes.

Foreigners work in Japan on a status of residence matching the job — most commonly 'Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services'. You usually need a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) obtained by the employer before applying for the visa. The Immigration Services Agency oversees the system.

For studies longer than 90 days, non-EU students need a German national (D) visa applied for at the German mission in their country. If you do not yet have a place, a prospective-student visa is available while you seek admission or complete a Studienkolleg or entrance exam. Funds are generally proved via a blocked account at an amount set annually. After arrival you register your address and convert the visa into a residence permit for study.

Studying in Japan requires the "Student" status of residence. The accepting school usually applies on your behalf for a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) at a regional immigration bureau; with the CoE you apply for the visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate and receive a residence card on arrival. The CoE is valid for three months, within which you must enter Japan. Part-time work needs separate permission first.

Germany is in the Schengen Area, so short tourist or business visits follow Schengen rules: up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the whole area. Many nationals are visa-exempt; others need a Schengen (type C) visa from the German mission. A new ETIAS travel authorisation is being introduced for visa-exempt visitors — verify the current requirement before booking.

Japan grants short-term-stay status for tourism and business, typically up to 90 days. Nationals of many countries are visa-exempt for short visits; everyone else applies for a short-term-stay visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes which nationalities are exempt and on what conditions. Short-term visitors cannot work.

Germany's settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) is usually available after five years of residence (faster for EU Blue Card holders and skilled workers), with pension contributions, German language and a secure livelihood. It grants indefinite residence and work.

Japanese permanent residence usually requires around ten years of continuous residence (less for spouses of Japanese nationals or high-skilled professionals under a points system), a stable income and good conduct. The Immigration Services Agency decides.

German naturalization was reformed in 2024: generally five years' residence (three for special integration), German language and civics, and a secure livelihood — and Germany now permits dual citizenship. Those born in Germany to long-resident parents may be citizens by birth.

Japanese naturalization generally requires about five years of continuous residence, good conduct, stable finances and renouncing other nationalities (Japan does not permit dual nationality for adults). The Ministry of Justice decides applications.

German employment law is strongly protective: a statutory minimum wage (Mindestlohn), at least 20 days' paid leave (usually more), and strong dismissal protection (Kündigungsschutz) for established employees. Works councils and collective agreements (Tarifverträge) shape conditions; disputes go to the labour courts (Arbeitsgericht).

Japanese employment is governed by the Labour Standards Act: prefectural minimum wages, capped overtime (via a '36 Agreement'), and paid annual leave from 10 days after six months. Dismissal is difficult and must be objectively reasonable; workplaces with 10+ staff need written work rules. The Labour Standards Inspection Office enforces the law.

German trade with non-EU countries goes through German customs (Zoll) with an EU EORI number. You classify goods in the TARIC tariff to find duty and import VAT (19%), and declare electronically via ATLAS. Intra-EU movements have no customs but need Intrastat reporting; dual-use export controls run through BAFA.

Japanese imports and exports clear through Japan Customs via the NACCS electronic system. You classify goods by HS code to find customs duty, pay consumption tax (10%) on imports, and check whether METI licences apply under the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act. Advance rulings give classification certainty; disputes go through Customs.

German trademarks are registered with the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA). You search the register, file an application classifying goods/services under Nice, and — as Germany does not examine relative grounds — it registers, then has a three-month opposition window. A German trademark lasts 10 years and is renewable; an EU-wide alternative is the EU trademark via EUIPO.

Japanese trademarks are registered with the Japan Patent Office (JPO). You search the register, file an application classifying goods/services under Nice, and the JPO substantively examines both absolute and relative grounds. After you pay the registration fee the mark registers, with a two-month post-registration opposition window. A Japanese trademark lasts 10 years and is renewable.

Germany has two official surfaces worth using together: the Federal Employment Agency runs the national job board and a salary checker, while Make it in Germany is the government portal aimed specifically at skilled foreign workers. Non-EU workers usually need a work visa or residence permit, often via the Skilled Immigration Act or the EU Blue Card for higher earners. The step that catches people out is qualification recognition — for regulated professions it may be required before you can work at all.

Hello Work, run by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, is Japan's official public employment service — and unusually it includes offices with desks that specialise in supporting foreign workers, so it offers in-person help rather than only listings. The rule that shapes everything else is matching: a foreign worker needs a work-related status of residence that matches the job type. Categories such as Specified Skilled Worker cover defined labour-shortage sectors.

Germany has a statutory minimum wage (Mindestlohn) reviewed periodically by an independent commission rather than adjusted by direct political decision. Above that floor, some industries have higher collectively-agreed branch minimums, so your sector can lift the applicable rate. For official earnings data, Destatis is authoritative and the Bundesagentur für Arbeit offers a salary checker. Pay is quoted brutto; taxes and social contributions produce a noticeably lower netto.

Japan's minimum wage is set regionally, by prefecture — so the national figure you may see quoted is a weighted average rather than a rate anyone is actually entitled to. Check your own prefecture through the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and note that some industries have separate, higher industry-specific minimums on top. For wage data, the MHLW's Basic Survey on Wage Structure is the official source, and unusually it breaks figures down by age as well as occupation and region.

Germany's central scholarship body is the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), which funds and lists scholarships for international students at all levels; there is also the Deutschlandstipendium and many foundation and university awards. Because most public universities charge little or no tuition, scholarships often focus on living costs. Search the DAAD scholarship database and apply by each deadline.

Japan's main government scholarship is MEXT (the Japanese Government Scholarship), available through either an embassy recommendation or a university recommendation, covering tuition, a monthly stipend and travel. JASSO also offers grants, and many universities have their own awards. Explore options on Study in Japan and apply by the relevant deadline.

To study in Germany you check admission via uni-assist or the university (getting a VPD where needed), then apply for admission. Once admitted, you apply for a national visa for study, which usually requires proof of funds through a blocked account (Sperrkonto). Public universities charge little or no tuition. Explore options on Study in Germany and apply by the deadline.

To study in Japan you apply to the school, which then obtains a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) from immigration on your behalf; with the CoE you apply for the 'Student' visa at a Japanese embassy. Undergraduate applicants often take the EJU exam. After arrival you register your residence. Explore options on Study in Japan and apply by the deadline.

Germany has strong tenant protection and no restriction on foreigners buying property. Renting: the agent fee follows the 'who orders, pays' rule, the deposit (Kaution) is capped at three months' cold rent, and notice/rent rules heavily favour tenants. Buying uses a notary (Notar), entry in the land register (Grundbuch) and real-estate transfer tax (Grunderwerbsteuer) plus notary and registration fees.

Japan places no restriction on foreigners buying property — you can own land and buildings freehold with no residency requirement. Renting, however, often requires a guarantor or guarantee company plus 'key money' (reikin), a deposit (shikikin) and an agent fee. Purchases are registered (tōki) via a judicial scrivener and carry acquisition and registration taxes.

Health insurance is compulsory for everyone living in Germany, and you need valid cover to obtain a residence permit — that link is what catches newcomers out. There are two pillars: statutory insurance (GKV), covering around 88% of residents with income-based contributions split with the employer, and private insurance (PKV), generally for higher earners above the threshold, the self-employed and civil servants. Students and lower-income employees are usually in the GKV.

Japan has universal coverage through public insurance that is mandatory for residents staying three months or more — either employees' health insurance through an employer, or National Health Insurance enrolled at your local municipal office. Patients generally pay 30% of costs, less for children and older people, with the scheme covering the rest. Premiums are income-based, so keep payments current.

Germany's Sozialversicherung is mandatory and built on five pillars: health, long-term care, pension, unemployment and accident insurance, with contributions split between employee and employer and deducted from pay. Beyond those, the policy most households treat as near-essential is personal liability insurance (Haftpflicht), and motor third-party insurance is compulsory for drivers. Private insurers are supervised by BaFin, so check authorisation before buying.

Beyond health cover, Japan's social insurance has two main parts: public pension — either the National Pension or the Employees' Pension, handled by the Japan Pension Service — and employment plus work-injury (rōsai) insurance for employees. Pension enrolment is mandatory for residents, not just for employees, which is the point most often missed. For drivers, compulsory automobile liability insurance (jibaiseki) is required, and private insurers are supervised by the Financial Services Agency.