Working in Germany
Germany is looking for qualified skilled workers in nursing, IT, engineering, the skilled crafts and trades and many other sectors. Here you will find everything you need to successfully enter the German labour market.
Unlocking your potential: starting a business and doing research in Germany
Starting a business and setting up a company
Would you like to work as a self-employed person in Germany or start a business? Here you will find an overview of the requirements, the appropriate visa, the next steps and key points of contact for entrepreneurs.
Research in Germany
Germany has internationally renowned research institutions and a wide range of funding opportunities. Find out about the pathways, entry requirements and visa options available to researchers from abroad.
Why working in Germany is worth it
FAQs on working in Germany
Can I work in Germany?
The conditions and requirements for working in Germany vary depending on the country of origin and other criteria (e.g., qualification and work experience). For skilled workers from non-EU states, a relationship of qualified employment must generally exist.
If you are from an EU or EEA Member State or from Switzerland, you have unrestricted access to the German labour market.
With the Quick-Check, you can check which options you have for working in Germany.
Where do I find job offers in Germany?
The easiest way to find current job offers in Germany is online: in the “Make it in Germany” job listings, on other known job portals on the Internet, or on social career platforms. In regard to all job offers in the „Make it in Germany” job listings, the employers agreed to receiving applications from foreign skilled workers.
Please find more tips on the topic of job search on the “Looking for a job” subpage.
What should I bear in mind when consulting a private agency to find a job?
Private placement agencies can help with the job-hunting process. However, you do not have to use a private or state recruitment agency and may also arrange your immigration to Germany independently. If you would like to be supported by a private recruitment agency, please make sure that it is reputable. Review the offer thoroughly. Be careful with extraordinarily high fees. For the placement service itself, agencies are not allowed to charge more than €2,000. Transparency as well as realistic statements on the working and living conditions in Germany are just as important as for a serious offer. In the nursing industry, the “Faire Anwerbung Pflege Deutschland” quality mark certifies private agencies according to the standards of fair and ethical migration.
Please find more information on private agencies on the “Placement agencies” subpage.
The Federal Employment Agency (BA) is the official German state institution for job placement in Germany. It offers consultations and support for international talent free of charge throughout the job-hunting process, starting with the application and ending with the first day of employment in Germany.
Please find more information on the international website of the BA (External link) .
Do I have to speak German to work in Germany?
Whether you require German language skills often depends on the profession to be practised. As a rule, it will be easier for you to find a job if you speak German (exceptions are possible, e.g., in the IT industry). German language skills are also important for everyday life, as well as participation on a societal level. Experience shows that language level B1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is a good basis for getting by in Germany.
Please visit the “Learning German” section to find out how and where you can learn German.
In some cases, a proof of your German language skills is required for the visa application. This applies to certain professions (e.g., nursing professionals) and for some visas (e.g., visa for vocational training).
Please find detailed information in the “Do I need to know German?”.
Advice and support
Do you have any questions about visas, jobs or life in Germany? Here you will find the right advice and support services: a hotline, a live chat, an email contact form, webinars and events, as well as in-person advice centres in Germany and abroad.
