- English only sales roles exist mostly in SaaS selling to Northern Europe or globally.
- Most sales roles need the language of the market you sell to.
- Base salary, not commission, counts for most visa thresholds.
- A track record with numbers is the strongest argument.
Sales is about customers, and customers buy in their own language. That is why most European sales jobs need German, French or another language. But there are English roles.
Where English works
- SaaS companies selling to the Nordics, the Netherlands and international customers.
- Roles covering emerging markets, including India and the Middle East, from Europe.
- Enterprise sales in global companies.
Pay and visas
Make sure the base salary meets the permit threshold, not only the on target earnings.
What to show
- Quota and attainment. Percent of quota over several years.
- Deal sizes and cycle length. Enterprise or SMB.
- Markets and languages. Where you sold and to whom.
Find current sales jobs on my live list for Europe or for Germany, with filters for English, visa support and relocation.
Common questions
Is German needed for sales in Germany?
For selling to German customers, almost always.
Are SDR roles a good entry?
Yes, but salaries may not meet visa thresholds.
Do companies sponsor sales roles?
Some do, especially for senior or specialised roles.
Sources
I moved to Germany for my master's, collected more than 1,000 rejections, and then got multiple job offers within six months. I work in digital marketing in Germany and help international professionals get hired in Europe. Read my story.
