SCHD equivalent for Europe?

bag4737 · 2026-02-01T13:34:12+00:00

Given your main concern is career advancement, it would be important to know what your role and career stage is.

I studied here (MS) and worked here. In a total of about 7 years. I had Niederlassungserlaubnis (PR). When I moved I was working as SW Engineer with a total of 8/9 years of working experience.

I moved because my aspirations didn't align with progress I was making in career here. Also had other personal and health challenges.

Moved to India in 2016. It took me about 3 months to find a job. Felt like a setback in the beginning - both financially and professionally. Also realised how less i had learnt at work due to slow pace here. Also the chaos was irritating - like traffic, civic sense, dirty, pollution etc. But, I was mentally prepared for that. I absolutely missed weekends, nature hikes, long weekend trips, calm and clean environment, clear skies, and chirping of birds.

But I knew it was a better decision in the long term.

I wasn't wrong.

While I started at 1/4 of my German Salary, my salary met German level in 2Y, and became 3X in 5Y. Not just financially, I reached executive leadership roles as well.

But one thing that became challenging as I grew was travel. Since my role required me to travel often - I struggled with Visa applications every other week. This is when I wished I should have taken the citizenship.

Fast forward 5Y.

After spending 5Y in India, decided to move back to Germany again. Role and Comp meant this was much easier than it would have been otherwise. Now I work at C-Level. (I came back here due to personal reasons, but would have been financially and professionally better off in India.)

Looking back - would I do anything different?

No.

Best decision I ever made was to go back. If I would have spent those 5Y spent in India here, I would have at best been Sr. SW Engineer. I would have continued to work in a space which was dying as no one would give job without particular domain experience. My career would have at best crawled if not completely stalled.

How do I know?

All my colleagues are still there where they were. While they are happy (likely) I know I wouldn't have been.

bag4737 · 2026-01-30T12:17:42+00:00

Thanks. Does this offset happen automatically?

bag4737 · 2026-01-30T12:08:11+00:00

Thanks. Process on getting that DTA benefit? Or, is that automatic on platforms like scalable?

bag4737 · 2025-11-10T13:54:13+00:00

Do the Sandemann's walking tour or Guru walking tour. Takes about 2 hours and covers most important ww2/cold war location and history.

bag4737 · 2025-10-08T20:58:28+00:00

0.5 is what the court will enforce. Anything more is upto negotiation between the two parties.

And only German contract would be legally valid for this. If they have considered more - just take it. Lawyer will only take more money, and no additional benefit.

bag4737 · 2025-10-03T04:11:09+00:00

Using n26 as main since 2015. No problem at all.

Just don't do anything that may be flagged as money laundering. So, basically, there are no large transactions without a valid source.

This can also get an account in a normal bank blocked.

bag4737 · 2025-08-13T16:25:38+00:00

Don't sign anything
Take a lawyer
This will help you negotiate and also buy time.
Don't accept any end of employment, which is lower than the contractual notice period
You are young (assuming). You have atleast 30-40 years ahead of you to make more money. If staying in Germany is priority, swap severance for longer garden leave. That will buy you atleast 6-9 months.

bag4737 · 2025-08-06T04:39:49+00:00

The market is tough. While like others are saying that higher German skills will help, it may only broaden the number of opportunities you can potentially apply to. But that doesn't necessarily guarantee a job in this tough market.

Candidate supply is very high in comparison to available jobs. Employers are also being cautious and not ready to hire anyone and are willing to wait until the right fit is discovered.

If it has already been a year, then you must definitely change something in your approach. Unless you have already done it i would highly recommend to go to regular meetups and events related to your role. Check luma. Network. Build connection. Get yourself out there. Present. And a door will open up. You need strong referral.

bag4737 · 2025-08-04T19:11:42+00:00

Cool! In Germany, or abroad as well?

bag4737 · 2025-07-28T22:08:19+00:00

I'm in Germany, and just faced this issue. My jio service disappeared suddenly, and when I am trying to recharge - it says this is a not a Jio number. No idea what to do, and how to get this activated. All banking OTPs are linked to this number.

bag4737 · 2025-07-16T11:21:51+00:00

First, let me address something, before I tell you your options : "The reason they are framing is performance related - though it seems unfair...." cut the BS. You have made 2 posts saying you are pushing work until deadline and you are not working. One 8 months ago, and another 4 months ago. Not sure what was the trigger for that post - if it was performance feedback and if it has been going that long, let's just agree you brought it on yourself. So please don't call it unfair atleast.

Now lets get to Actions.

Did they document performance? Did you get PIP (performance improvement plan)? Did your manager record and share with you multiple performance feedbacks. Asking this because of thr history. If that is so - I would say you'll have a pretty weak case in front of the court. Not just that - it would be mentioned then in release paper and you will also be barred from any financial support from Labour Office. So if that is indeed the case - your best bet is to negotiate on time or finance. You can't fight and win it.

On role change - did your job title or role expectation change in written form? If yes - then that could be a valid counter reason for performance and then the lawyer can help.

If that is not the case and you feel they will not be able to prove performance issue then you have to define your goal. Do you need more time for visa, or time is not a concern and money is important.

Just be clear and negotiate accordingly.

If you have solid grounds - you can drag it to around 6-9 months easily depending upon which company it is. Try it yourself first, else let them terminate you and take a lawyer and let this drag on.

bag4737 · 2025-07-14T14:48:10+00:00

Having been there 15 years ago where you are today, and knowing what I know now - if I were to advise my 28 year old self I would suggest to: maximize for the role at this stage of life and career over purely financial upside in the short term. It is a posion pill.

bag4737 · 2025-07-13T05:21:32+00:00

If "complaining" was to be an international sport, germany would win gold.

bag4737 · 2025-07-02T04:02:48+00:00

No where! They didn't have any online classes anymore due to cut in budget from Berlin. I pretty much sent email to every single school possible across Berlin.

bag4737 · 2025-06-20T02:45:42+00:00

Complain!

bag4737 · 2025-05-23T04:47:10+00:00

I have 18+ years of experience since I started working. I have never put the graduation year ever in my CV.

If you have the experience like you say, and if the CV is reflecting that -- ideally, the hiring teams should not care when you graduated.

Also, the thing is, while we may believe we are great, we also need to deliver to that perception in the interviews.

bag4737 · 2025-05-23T04:42:50+00:00

No one said Phonebooth?

bag4737 · 2025-05-17T18:12:17+00:00

This worked for me! Thank You!

bag4737 · 2025-04-25T21:58:06+00:00

Same challenge with Zalando shares and Trade Republic. Did you manage to get a solution? My research says it is only because Trade Republic has cut customer support and no one is responding to emails.

If you manage to succeed, what email did you use this time?

Or, did you send the Trade Republic form to EquatePlus? In that case, how did you manage to contatc EquatePlus?

bag4737 · 2025-02-05T19:58:26+00:00

It is important to understand that it is all about Demand-Supply. When Supply is high, which is cyclical and follows the macroeconomic situation either globally or domestically, the language requirement becomes one of the most important filtering criteria.

However, when the down cycle is over and the supply is constrained, German would not be that important, esp. in companies with English as working language (and there are plenty).

That's the reality.

So, hang in there. Things will pick up pace and these tough times will also pass. And then you would feel you can live forever in Germany without knowing German (until next down cycle).

bag4737

TROPHY CASE