# Employment conditions

You will receive an employment contract for a job at Smart. The prerequisites for this are **membership of the cooperative** and **orders that cover your employment costs**. Of course, **formal employment law conditions** must also be met.

Your membership of Smart does not mean that you are automatically employed by Smart. You must actively inform Smart of your [employment request](https://guide.smartde.coop/en/books/your-employment/page/submit-an-employment-request-in-the-smart-portal) and [submit orders](https://guide.smartde.coop/en/books/order-processing/page/creating-orders). Your employment is only confirmed once you have received the employment contract from us by e-mail.

##### Requirements for employment

- Ordinary residence in Germany
- You must have orders that can be invoiced by Smart and that cover your employment costs.
- For employment subject to social security contributions, your income must be at least €860 net on average per month.
- The standard duration of a first employment contract is four months.
- To be covered by health insurance through employment with Smart, the income from employment with Smart must make up the majority of your total income (if you are self-employed at the same time). Your employee's gross salary should be higher than your profit as a freelancer.
- Non-EU nationals must have a valid residence permit that allows employment (gainful employment).

<p class="callout warning">**Deadline**  
Any request regarding an employment contract must be communicated to us **by the 10th of the month**. For example, if you want be employed in February, you must let us know by February 10th.</p>

<p class="callout info">Are you interested in a mini-job? Please read more [**here**](https://guide.smartde.coop/en/books/abc-of-employment/page/minijobs).</p>