Before departure: A1 and notification
Every posted worker needs an A1 certificate from the home state (home social insurance continues to apply). In inspected sectors — construction among them — the posting must be notified via the customs administration’s portal before work starts. Missing notifications trigger substantial fines.
Working conditions: more than minimum wage
The Posted Workers Act and the Minimum Wage Act guarantee posted workers the German minimum: minimum wages (in construction the sectoral rates of universally binding collective agreements), maximum working hours, minimum holiday — and for longer postings an extended package of “equal conditions”. In construction, SOKA-BAU contributions come on top.
Documentation for the inspection
- working time records kept up to date (start, end, duration),
- payroll documents and payment evidence available in Germany,
- A1 certificates and contracts presentable on site,
- an authorised recipient (Zustellungsbevollmächtigter) in Germany.
What happens when things go wrong
Fines for notification and documentation failures, back-payment liability for underpaid wages — including down the chain: the general contractor is liable for its subcontractors’ wages. A posting audit before the inspection costs a fraction of these risks.