What a German industrial search costs

The fee depends on the role, seniority and the market and sits at 25 to 30% of the agreed target annual salary. We work on a success basis: the substantial part of the fee is due only when the candidate is hired. An advance payment on the fee is due at kickoff and is credited in full against the final fee. A replacement guarantee covering six months from the candidate's start date is optional: if it applies, we refill the role at no extra fee. We fix the rate and all terms in writing before the mandate starts.

We work on a success basis. An advance payment on the fee is due at kickoff. International buyers usually ask for the Commitment Fee: it is that advance, comparable to the first third in a classic retained split, and it is credited in full against the final fee. The substantial part of the cost arises only after a successful hire. Example: At a gross annual salary of EUR 60,000, the fee is between EUR 15,000 and EUR 18,000. The lower end applies to skilled and supervisory shop-floor roles, the upper end to specialised experts and leadership roles.

Yes, optional. The replacement guarantee runs 6 months from the candidate's start date. If the candidate leaves within that period or the employment ends during probation, we refill the role at no extra fee. The guarantee is billed as a surcharge of 5 percentage points on the fee and is shown in the proposal. Without the booked guarantee, a replacement is a new assignment at a reduced fee; we fix that rate in writing before the mandate. We do not bake the guarantee into every mandate. Companies that do not need it do not pay a risk surcharge.