English Speaking Companies in Germany

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English-Speaking Companies in Germany: A Guide for Job Seekers

As a foreigner who spent 8 months searching for a job in Germany, I understand the challenges of finding English-speaking opportunities in a predominantly German-speaking country. After applying to over 500 positions and interviewing with numerous companies, I've compiled this list of companies where English is the primary working language, to help fellow job seekers who aren't fluent in German.

1. SAP

SAP is one of Germany's largest software companies and a global leader in enterprise application software. With approximately 107,000 employees worldwide and headquartered in Walldorf, Baden-Württemberg, SAP has a market value of over €160 billion.

My experience: During my interview process, English was used throughout. The manager explicitly mentioned that while German language skills are a plus, they are not mandatory. SAP's international environment makes it an excellent choice for non-German speakers in the tech industry.

2. ALDI Süd

ALDI Süd is a global discount supermarket chain with its headquarters in North Rhine-Westphalia. With over 6,500 stores worldwide and approximately 155,000 employees, it's one of the largest retailers in Germany.

My experience: I had two interviews with ALDI Süd, and both were conducted entirely in English. The interviewers didn't even ask if I preferred English or German, indicating their comfort with an international workforce. Their IT department particularly operates in an English-speaking environment.

3. Kaufland E-commerce

Kaufland is a German hypermarket chain with a growing e-commerce division. Part of the Schwarz Group (which also owns Lidl), Kaufland has approximately 132,000 employees across Europe and a strong presence in the digital retail space.

My experience: I met their recruiters and team members at the ITCS Tech Conference in Cologne. When I inquired about German language requirements, the manager confirmed they operate in an English-speaking environment. Although I didn't receive an interview opportunity, this information was surprising and valuable.

4. Freenow

Freenow is a mobility service provider headquartered in Hamburg. With around 1,000 employees, it's one of Europe's leading mobility platforms operating in over 100 European cities.

Freenow has established itself as a technology-driven company with a diverse, international team. Their working language is English, making it accessible for international tech professionals. The company offers various roles in software development, data science, and product management.

5. Allianz Global Investors

Allianz Global Investors (AllianzGI) is a major asset management company headquartered in Frankfurt. As part of the Allianz Group, one of the world's largest financial services providers, AllianzGI manages approximately €582 billion in assets for institutional and retail investors worldwide. With over 25 offices globally and around 2,500 employees, the company has a truly international presence.

My experience: I advanced to the second round of interviews. The first round was with an HR representative located in Romania, and the second round involved three managers based in Germany, two of whom didn't speak German. This confirms their full English working environment, especially in their investment division.

6. HolidayCheck

HolidayCheck is a leading online travel agency and review site headquartered in Munich. With approximately 300 employees, it's a significant player in the European travel tech sector.

As one of Germany's most popular travel platforms, HolidayCheck maintains an English-speaking work environment to accommodate its international team. The company focuses on technology and user experience, offering various positions for software engineers, product managers, and data specialists.

7. Uniper

Uniper is a German energy company that focuses on power generation, global energy trading, and energy services. Uniper’s headquarters is located in Düsseldorf, Germany. The company operates across multiple countries, with key markets in Europe, Russia, and other parts of the globe. Uniper employs roughly 7,000 people worldwide.

Conclusion: Supporting Each Other in the German Job Market

Finding a job in Germany without fluent German skills can be challenging. I hope this list helps reduce uncertainty in your job search journey.

If you know other English-speaking companies in Germany, please share in the comments. Together, we can build a comprehensive resource for international job seekers navigating the German job market.

Your contributions could significantly ease someone else's job search in Germany's economy!