Applying for PHD in Europe: getting a recommendation I'm considering applying into an (individual) PHD program, after graduating from a top Russian university (computer science) with moderately high grades in 2013 and 3 years of professional experience.

However, I didn't notice whether mentioning recommendation isan necessary case for applying within the official and semi-official sources, I suppose it would be useful. But I'm not entirely sure how it is technically done.

I have a supervisor at the university, whom I have not stayed in contact with since 2013. Is it appropriate to email him with "Hello, I've decided to apply into a PHD program, could you provide a recommendation letter"? Do I get it correctly: if his answer is "yes, sure", then I will include his email in my cover letter (or CV?) and my potential PHD supervisor will send him an email, if interested in my case? Is it true that I will not see the recommendation, at all?

I also have a job, which is (somehow) relevant to my potential field of study. Getting a recommendation from my employer would be possible, but is it worth it? In one hand, our company is small and not widely known. On the other hand, it is pretty innovative and lead by a professor of the same University, at which I got an undergraduate degree. He personally didn't teach me, but I think he can confirm my research skills, as research is what I mostly do as my job. The output were not academic papers, but improving stuff within our developing tasks.

If the target country does matter: I am interested in German-speaking European countries, primarily Germany.
I have no experience applying to German institutions, but I have applied to programs in the US, Norway, Netherlands.  My answer is based of those experiences.

If the program you are applying to does not specify that you provide recommendations, don't put them in your application.  If the committee thinks you are a strong candidate, and they want a recommendation, they will ask for it.  It is entirely expected however, that you should be able to present at least two strong recommendations upon request, in which case you provide their email and phone number in the application.

Since you have both academic and industry experience, it would be valuable to represent both.  Email your supervisor from the University you attended and ask them if he/she can provide a strong recommendation for you.  Briefly summarize what your research included just to help refresh their memory.  It never hurts to mention why you enjoyed your research and why you are inspired to get a PhD.

Good luck!