A visit to the employment office, also known as the Agentur für Arbeit (or ARGE for short), is frequently accompanied by fear and skepticism, as unemployment is one of Germany's most serious social problems. Although people who worked for at least one year on a mandatory insurance basis are eligible for unemployment benefits, the fear of not being able to find work afterward is very real. For years, the unemployment rate has remained around the infamous 3 million mark.

EU citizens are allowed to work in Germany as much as they like. Harry, a Traponian (i.e., a citizen of a non-EU country), would not have such an easy time. He would first have to convince an employer of his merits. Then the Federal Employment Agency would check whether a local job-seeker could do the job. If no suitable employee is found, Harry would get the job and, with it, a work permit. This would also give him a temporary residence permit. Anyone who wants to stay in Germany for longer than three months absolutely needs this document – unless he lives in a time warp!