Freelancing in Germany is a popular career choice, particularly in creative fields. In 2023, there were approximately 1.47 million freelancers in the country, with around 340,000 working in the culture and media sectors. While there are no exact statistics on the number of freelance journalists in Germany, it is known that freelancers like myself create 90% of the journalistic content produced for public radio and television.

One reason is that it is more cost-effective for media organizations to hire freelancers. They don’t have to cover social security contributions or insurance for freelancers, as those costs are the Freelancer’s responsibility. Additionally, working with freelancers allows media outlets to receive more content.

Be prepared for bureaucracy in your life

Being a freelancer in Germany can be challenging, as you are responsible for all your expenses: taxes, health insurance, other insurances, and pension fund contributions. On one hand, this can be challenging because you have no guarantees that you will have a job tomorrow and be able to pay your bills.

One positive aspect of Germany is that its social system seeks to protect freelancers. There is a health insurance program called “Künstlersozialkasse” (shortened to KSK) that also contributes to your pension fund. This program is significantly more affordable than the standard health insurance. You can still afford this insurance even if you don’t earn a lot. Once a year, you estimate your income for the upcoming year based on your earnings from the previous year, and KSK will calculate your monthly rate accordingly. The more you earn, the higher your payment, which seems fair.

KSK also allows you to have income from sources other than freelancing. For example, you can hold a part-time job with a fixed salary or work as what we call in Germany a “Fester Freier,” which refers to a “permanent freelancer.”

“Permanent “Freelancer

Last year’s statistics reveal that there are 18,000 “permanent” freelancers working in public media. But what does this status entail? As a “permanent” freelancer, you have a contract that allows you to work regularly for a set number of days each month, with a designated amount of reports to write. You are covered by various contractual agreements, which may include paid vacation and other benefits. These types of contracts can vary significantly, affecting your responsibilities. Despite being classified as a “permanent” freelancer, you remain self-employed and have the opportunity to work with other clients as well.

Possibilities for freelancers

Statistics show that the number of freelancers has increased over the past few years. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic, one in five freelancers—across various fields, not just media—has expressed dismay about the future. The job market is becoming more challenging, and compensation is decreasing. During these times, it makes sense to join the Association of Journalists or a labor union like Ver.di. These organizations provide:

• Legal advice.
• Information about current market changes.
• Access to a professional network.

Speaking of networks

In Germany, you have the opportunity to build a strong clientele, work with various media, and gain diverse experiences and fellowships that allow you to spend several months in another country without jeopardizing your job, as you can work remotely from anywhere. The status of a freelance journalist is recognized by society and governmental institutions, making it easy to obtain accreditations, attend press conferences, or conduct interviews with officials. This appealing environment may explain why there is such a high number of freelancers in the field—if securing a permanent position as a journalist were easier in Germany, the number of freelancers might have been lower.

How to survive as a freelancer in the media

Being a self-employed journalist can be rewarding, but it’s not for everyone. You need to be well-organized since you’ll have to manage your writing and a lot of administrative tasks. Being creative is essential, as you are often responsible for coming up with your research topics. Strong communication skills are crucial, too; you must constantly pitch and sell your ideas. Additionally, multitasking is essential because juggling multiple projects is necessary for survival in this field.

Building a network of clients and establishing a good reputation takes time, but it ultimately leads to more work opportunities. It’s also important to be prepared for different tasks, including research for other journalists, which may not always give you credit. Therefore, you should be ready to advocate for your rights. Fortunately, in Germany, this is possible.

Personal experience

Working as a freelance journalist has been a great experience for me. It allows me the flexibility to also work as a screenwriter and entrepreneur, which would be difficult with a permanent journalism job. After doing this for the past 10 years, I often find myself wishing for holidays where I don’t have to work, and I sometimes long for the stability of a fixed monthly salary. However, I also feel that I can grow in my profession(s), which enhances my career satisfaction.

Anastasia Gorokhova
Freelance journalist in Germany

The views expressed in the column are those of the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of Media.am.