Your future in Germany starts here!
Would you like to work, do a vocational training or study in Germany? At “Make it in Germany”, you will find all the key information you need for your career path in Germany.
Need to know
As the German Government’s official information portal, “Make it in Germany” supports international skilled workers on their journey to Germany:
- Get started quickly: The Quick Check shows you, in just a few clicks, which route is right for your plans.
- Kick-start your career: Find a suitable job and get information on job hunting and applications, in-demand professions and the German labour market.
- Check the requirements: All the information you need on visas, entry, residence and the recognition of your qualifications.
- Study and vocational training: Discover study and vocational training opportunities in Germany – with information on entry requirements, in-demand training profiles and career prospects after graduation.
How do I find a job in Germany?
Looking for a job in Germany but not sure where to begin? Find useful resources for the job search process and read about how to find vacancies and put together a strong application. Take the guesswork out of finding your next role and start your search with confidence.
What types of visa are available to me?
From the EU Blue Card to the opportunity card: which visa suits your situation? Germany offers a range of visa options to international skilled workers. This flowchart guides you through all of them based on your qualifications and plans so that you know exactly where to start.
Webinars: expert guidance live and on demand
Got more questions about living and working in Germany? The free webinars cover the topics that matter most – visas and immigration, job searching, vocational training, and many more. Join a live session or watch the recording at your own pace.
Professions in demand: find your perfect fit
Germany is actively looking for qualified professionals across a wide range of sectors: healthcare, engineering, IT, skilled trades, and many more. Each field comes with its own opportunities and prospects. Check whether your profession is among them.
Job listings: vacancies for international talent
Are you looking to kick-start your career in Germany? In the “Make it in Germany” job listings, you can find suitable vacancies with employers looking for skilled workers from abroad. Explore your options, begin your job search today, and take the next step in your career in Germany.
The 5 most frequently asked questions from international skilled workers
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.
Do I need a visa to work in Germany?
If you come from an EU or EEA country or Switzerland, you can work in Germany without restriction and do not need a residence permit. Nationals of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the USA can enter Germany without a visa, but must apply for a suitable residence permit from the relevant foreigners authority in Germany before taking up employment.
All other nationals also require a corresponding residence permit in order to live and work in Germany. Before entering Germany, you must apply for the appropriate visa (long-term stay – D visa) at the German mission in your country of residence. Upon arrival in Germany, you must apply for a corresponding residence permit at the competent foreigners authority.
Further information can be found in the “How do I apply for a visa?” section.
Do I need to have my foreign qualification recognised in Germany?
Whether your qualification needs to be recognised depends on the profession you wish to pursue and the country you come from.
For example, you will always need recognition if you want to work in a regulated profession in Germany.
Regardless of your profession, recognition may also be necessary if you wish to enter Germany with a specific visa (e.g., the visa for qualified professionals).
Find out about the exact regulations in the “Who needs recognition?” section.
I would like to study in Germany. What requirements do I have to meet?
You can study at a German university if you meet certain requirements. You need an offer from a university (study place), a recognised school-leaving certificate that qualifies you for a study programme in Germany, and you usually must provide proof of your language skills. If you are from a third country, you will also need a visa. To obtain a visa, you must also prove that you have sufficient financial resources.
Further information is available in the Quick-Check and in the “Requirements for studying” section.
Can I complete vocational training in Germany?
In order to complete vocational training in Germany, persons from a third country require a visa or residence permit to complete vocational training. To obtain a visa, you need confirmation of a vocational training place and German language skills (usually at level B1). You must also prove that you have sufficient funds to live in Germany. For school-based training, you must also have your school-leaving certificate recognised; for a dual study programme, you need a university entrance qualification.
As a citizen of the EU, the EEA or Switzerland, you do not need a residence permit to undertake vocational training in Germany. However, it is important that you have German language skills at least at level B1, as lessons and exams at vocational schools are held in German.
You can find more information in the “Requirements for vocational training” section.
Popular topics among international skilled workers
Job hunting in Germany: where to start and how to succeed
The opportunity card: finding employment while in Germany
Staying in Germany after graduation: prospects for international students
Skilled workers in transportation and logistics: a powerful sector in Germany
Do you have any questions?
Receive advice on your opportunities to work and live in Germany. Expert support is offered for questions regarding job search, visas, recognition of qualifications and learning German.
