When I came to Berlin, Germany, I had only €600 in my pocket. I had no car, no friends, and my German was almost zero. My English was also not perfect. I was scared. Rent was expensive, food was expensive, everything was expensive. I kept thinking, how will I make money here?
Everyone told me, you need German, you need papers, you need experience. I had none of that. But in 4 weeks, I made my first €1000 in Berlin. Not because I was lucky. Because I did small jobs that most people ignore.
If you are new in Germany, or if you live in Berlin and you need money fast, this is my full story. No fake promises. Just what I really did.
My First Week Was The Hardest
My first week in Berlin was very hard. I was living with a cousin in Berlin. I was sleeping on a couch in a small room. I was spending money every day on food and U-Bahn, but I was making zero.
I applied for jobs on the internet, but nobody answered me. I went to 2 restaurants in Berlin and asked for work. They told me, we need someone who speaks German. I went home sad.
I thought, maybe Germany is not for me. Then my cousin told me something that changed everything. He said, stop looking for a perfect job. Look for small jobs first. Make your first €100, then €500, then €1000. Small money gives you confidence.
He was right. I stopped waiting for a big job, and I started doing small work the next day.
How I Made My First €100
The first money I made was not from a real job. It was from helping people.
My cousin's neighbor in Berlin needed help moving boxes from his apartment in Neukölln. He paid me €60 for 3 hours. It was hard work, but it was my first money in Germany. I felt so proud.
The same week, I helped another man in Berlin clean his apartment before he moved out. He paid me €40. That was €100 in total. It was not a lot, but it was real. I proved to myself that I can make money in Berlin.
This is my advice. If you are new, do not be shy. Tell everyone you know, I can help you move, clean, paint, carry things. People in Berlin always need help, and they pay cash.
How I Got To €500 With Warehouse and Food Delivery
After my first €100, I got more serious. I went to a warehouse near my house in Berlin. I did not apply online. I went in person at 8 in the morning. I said, Hi, I am looking for work. I can start today. I have no experience, but I work hard. My German is not good, but I understand.
The manager said, come tomorrow for a trial. I worked 8 hours packing boxes. It was tiring, but they paid me €13 per hour. That was €104 in one day.
I worked in the warehouse 3 days a week. On the other days, I did food delivery with my cousin's bike in Berlin. I used Lieferando and Wolt. I did not have a car, but I did deliveries in a small area near my home. I made €30 to €45 per day just from tips and small orders.
In 2 weeks, I had €500. I was not rich, but I could pay for my food, my ticket, and I could send a little money home.
The 3 Jobs That Really Work For New People In Berlin
If you just arrived in Berlin, these are the 3 jobs that worked for me and for many of my friends:
1. Warehouse Jobs. They always need people in Berlin. You do not need perfect German. You just need to be on time and work hard. Pay is €12 to €15 per hour in Berlin.
2. Food Delivery. Lieferando, Wolt, Uber Eats. You can start with a bike in Berlin. You can work anytime you want. You get paid fast.
3. Cleaning and Moving Help. You can find jobs on Facebook groups and Kleinanzeigen in Berlin. People pay €15 to €20 per hour cash for cleaning houses, moving furniture, and helping with yard work.
Do not wait for the perfect job. Start with one of these, make your first money, and then look for something better.
How I Reached My First €1000
In my fourth week, I did something smart. I did not spend my money on new clothes or new shoes. I saved everything.
I worked in the warehouse 4 days. That was about €420. I did delivery 3 days. That was about €180. I did one cleaning job on Sunday in Berlin. That was €110.
In total, I made €710 in one week. Plus the €300 I had saved before, I had €1000. I remember looking at my bank app and seeing €1000 for the first time in Berlin. I called my family the same day. I told them, I did it. I can survive here.
It was not easy. My legs hurt. My back hurt. I was tired. But it was the best feeling in the world.
5 Mistakes To Avoid When You Want To Make Money In Berlin
1. Do not wait for a perfect job. Start with a small job.
2. Do not spend your first money on expensive things. Save it.
3. Do not pay anyone to find you a job. Real jobs are free.
4. Do not work without getting paid the same day or same week. Always ask, when do I get paid?
5. Do not be afraid of your German. Most bosses in Berlin care about your work, not your German.
My Final Advice For You
If you are new in Berlin, or if you live here and you need money, do not wait. Go to the warehouse near you tomorrow morning. Tell them you can start today. Download Lieferando. Tell your neighbors you can help them move and clean.
You do not need a car. You do not need perfect German. You do not need experience. You just need to start.
I came to Berlin with €600 and no experience. In 4 weeks, I made my first €1000. If I can do it, you can do it too.