European Country Resources

Country Resources

Get country resources for:

United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Germany
Germany
Ireland
Ireland

United Kingdom: Country Resources

Currency:

Pound Sterling (GBP)

Capital:

London

Language:

English | Cymraeg

Ease of doing Business

Very Easy

Population

67.977M

VAT

20%

About the UK

The United Kingdom, consists of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland It leads the world in politics, economics, and culture, with a diverse economy in finance, technology, healthcare, and creative arts. 

Known for its innovation and education, the UK influences global trends and is a key player in global trade, tourism, and cultural exchange, driving economic growth and job markets.

Go Global in the UK

Our multinational clients trust us to take care of international payments and compliance for employees, contractors and freelancers working in the UK.

You can use our Employer of Record (EoR) service to employ your team via our legal entity – onboarding your Top Talent quickly and with ease. 

London

Salary and compensation in the UK are regulated by various laws and regulations:

  • Minimum Wage: The National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates vary by age and are reviewed annually. For instance, as of 2024, the National Living Wage for workers aged 23 and over is £10.42 per hour.
  • Overtime Pay: There is no statutory requirement for overtime pay, but employers must ensure that the average pay for total hours worked does not fall below the National Minimum Wage. Overtime pay rates are typically specified in employment contracts.

The UK observes several public holidays, also known as bank holidays. These include:

  • New Year’s Day
  • Good Friday
  • Easter Monday
  • Early May Bank Holiday
  • Spring Bank Holiday
  • Summer Bank Holiday
  • Christmas Day
  • Boxing Day

In addition to these, each nation within the UK (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) may have additional public holidays specific to their region.

Employees in the UK are entitled to various types of leave, including:

  • Annual Leave: The Working Time Regulations 1998 entitle workers to 5.6 weeks of paid leave per year, which can include public holidays.
  • Sick Leave: Employees are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) for up to 28 weeks if they are too ill to work.
  • Maternity Leave: Up to 52 weeks, with up to 39 weeks paid.
  • Paternity Leave: Two weeks paid leave.
  • Shared Parental Leave: Up to 50 weeks, with up to 37 weeks paid.
  • Parental Leave: Up to 18 weeks unpaid leave for each child.
  • Parental Bereavement Leave: Two weeks paid leave.
  • Dependants Leave: Reasonable unpaid time off to deal with emergencies involving dependants.
  • Jury Service: Unpaid leave for the duration of the jury service.

Termination of employment in the UK can occur under several circumstances:

  • Capability: Relating to the employee’s ability to perform their job.
  • Conduct: Relating to the employee’s behavior.
  • Redundancy: When the job is no longer needed.
  • Statutory Illegality or Breach: If continuing employment would contravene a law.
  • Some Other Substantial Reason: Which justifies the termination.

Employers must provide appropriate notice periods based on the length of service, ranging from one week to 12 weeks. Immediate dismissal without notice can occur in cases of gross misconduct.

Employers in the UK are required to provide certain types of insurance:

  • Employer’s Liability Insurance: This covers claims by employees for injuries or illnesses sustained as a result of their work.
  • Pension Contributions: Employers must automatically enroll eligible employees into a qualifying workplace pension scheme and make contributions.

Germany: Country Resources

Currency:

Euro (EUR)

Capital:

Berlin

Language:

German

Ease of doing Business

Very Easy

Population

83.8M

VAT

19%

About Germany

Germany, in the heart of Europe, is a global leader in politics, economics, and culture. It boasts a diverse economy in automotive, engineering, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy. Known for its innovation and education, Germany shapes global trends and is crucial in international trade and technological advancement.

Go Global in Germany

Our multinational clients trust us to take care of international payments and compliance for employees, contractors and freelancers working in Germany.

You can use our Employer of Record (EoR) service to employ your team via our legal entity – onboarding your Top Talent quickly and with ease. 

Germany Berlin

Public holidays in Germany vary by state, ranging from 10 to 13 days per year. These holidays are paid and are in addition to the statutory minimum paid vacation

Compensation details, including base salary, allowances, bonuses, special payments, and overtime, must be outlined in the employment contract. Employees are also entitled to sick pay, which is equal to their usual remuneration without overtime for up to six weeks, followed by reduced pay from health insurance for up to 72 weeks if the illness continues​

Employees in Germany are entitled to several types of leave, including:

  • Annual leave: Minimum of 20 working days per year for a five-day working week.
  • Maternity leave: Six weeks before and eight weeks after childbirth, extended in certain cases.
  • Parental leave: Up to three years, with possible extensions under certain conditions.
  • Nursing care leave: Up to six months unpaid leave for caring for a close relative​​.

Employers in businesses with more than 10 employees can terminate employment only for valid reasons related to the employee’s personal circumstances, conduct, or urgent operational requirements. Notice periods vary based on the length of service, starting at four weeks and increasing with tenure. Immediate termination is possible for severe misconduct

Employees are mandatorily insured in the social security system, which includes pension, health, nursing care, unemployment, and occupational accident insurance. Contributions are typically shared between the employer and the employee​

Ireland: Country Resources

Currency:

Euro (EUR)

Capital:

Dublin

Language:

Irish & English

Ease of doing Business

Easy

Population

5.127M

VAT

23%

Ireland

About Ireland

Ireland, known as the “Emerald Isle,” is renowned for its cultural heritage and vibrant arts. It has a strong economy in technology, pharmaceuticals, and financial services. Celebrated for its innovation and education, Ireland is a key player in global trade and economic growth, influencing international markets and job.

Go Global In Ireland

Our multinational clients trust us to take care of their payments and compliance for employees and contractors/freelancers in Ireland.

You can use our Employer of Record (EoR) service to employ your team via our legal entity – onboarding your Top Talent quickly and with ease. 

 

Ireland recognizes nine public holidays: New Year’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter Monday, the first Monday in May, June, and August, the last Monday in October, Christmas Day, and St. Stephen’s Day

Employees in Ireland are entitled to receive at least the national minimum wage, which is reviewed annually. Employers are required to provide payslips that detail gross pay, deductions, and net pay. Overtime compensation and other allowances must also be clearly stated in the employment contract

Employees in Ireland are entitled to several types of leave, including:

  • Annual leave: At least four weeks of paid leave per year.
  • Maternity leave: 26 weeks of paid leave with an option to take an additional 16 weeks unpaid.
  • Parental leave: 18 weeks of unpaid leave for each parent per child.
  • Sick leave: The introduction of statutory sick pay is in progress, with draft legislation expected to mandate employers to provide paid sick leave

Employers can terminate employment for reasons related to capability, conduct, redundancy, or other substantial reasons. Termination must follow fair procedures, including providing notice and a chance for the employee to respond. Unfair dismissal claims can be made to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC)​

Employers are required to ensure that employees are covered by the social security system, which includes health insurance, occupational injuries insurance, and pay-related social insurance (PRSI). These contributions are typically shared between the employer and the employee