Germany is complicated.
It doesn't have to be.
GermanyDesk is a collection of free, English-language tools for expats navigating the German tax and bureaucracy system. No German language required. No accountant needed for the basics.
Why this exists
Moving to Germany as an English-speaking expat means navigating a system designed entirely in German, with dense bureaucratic terminology, contradictory advice online, and no obvious starting point. What is a Steuerklasse? Why is my net salary so much lower than my gross? Do I need GKV or PKV? What even is Anmeldung, and why does everyone say I need to do it in the first two weeks?
The answers exist, scattered across German government PDFs, Reddit threads, and anglophone expat forums, but assembling them is time-consuming and stressful. GermanyDesk exists to consolidate those answers into clear, free, interactive tools that give you a useful answer in under two minutes.
Every tool is built on the actual legal rules: §32a EStG for income tax, §17 BMG for the Anmeldung requirement, §18 EStG for Freiberufler classification. We explain the law in plain English so you understand the "why", not just the result.
Featured tools
Salary Calculator
Calculate your exact take-home pay after German income tax and social contributions.
Tax Class Advisor
Find the optimal Steuerklasse for your situation: single, married, or second job.
Health Insurance Decision
Public GKV or private PKV? Get a personalised recommendation.
Anmeldung Checklist
A personalised document checklist for your German address registration.
Freelancer Classification
Freiberufler or Gewerbe? Find out how the Finanzamt classifies your work.
Kleinunternehmer Checker
Check if you qualify for VAT exemption under §19 UStG based on your revenue thresholds.
How we build this
Plain English, always
Every German term is explained immediately in plain English. You will never encounter "Arbeitnehmer-Pauschbetrag" without knowing exactly what it is and why it matters for your wallet.
No junk, no signups
No email capture. No account. No app to install. Every tool works directly in your browser with zero friction. We believe useful tools should just work.
Factually accurate
All tax rates, contribution percentages, and legal thresholds are verified against official German law and Bundesministerium der Finanzen publications. We cite the legal basis (e.g. §32a EStG) so you can verify it yourself.
Privacy by design
All tools run entirely client-side. Nothing you type is ever sent to a server or stored anywhere. Your salary, your tax class, your visa status: all of it stays on your device.
Free, forever
GermanyDesk is funded by display advertising (Google AdSense) and clearly labelled affiliate partnerships. The tools will always be free to use. If we earn a commission on a referral, we say so, every time.
What GermanyDesk is not
GermanyDesk does not provide legal or tax advice. The tools give you a reliable estimate and a clear starting point, not a binding calculation. Tax law is complex and individual circumstances vary. For anything consequential (filing a tax return, choosing an insurance plan, registering a business), you should verify the result with a qualified Steuerberater (tax advisor) or Rechtsanwalt (lawyer).
We update the tools when tax law changes, but we are not the Bundesministerium der Finanzen. Always check official sources for the most current figures, especially for years beyond 2026.
Found a mistake? Have a suggestion?
If a calculation looks wrong or a German law has changed, let us know. This is a small project maintained by one person. Your feedback directly improves it.
hello@germanydesk.com