Immigration Immigration plays an important role in the German society. Learn more about the immigration flow in Germany. Germany’s population is growing due to immigration Germany is known for being a good place to live and work in and therefore is more attractive for immigrants than ever. Since 1950 there have only been a few years in which more people emigrated from than immigrated to Germany. German reunification in 1990 paved the way for high immigration figures, which peaked in 1992. The positive balance of the following years was due to a favourable economic situation and continuing stability on the labour market. The only downward trend was experienced during the global recession in 2008 and 2009. In both these years net migration was negative for the first time since 1984. Despite a slight decline during the COVID-19 pandemic, Germany remains an attractive country for immigrants: Germany has consistent records of high positive net immigration of foreign nationals, peaking in 2022. So many people are still choosing Germany as their new professional and personal home. Young immigrants in particular come to Germany, which could close the expected gap caused by the low birth rate. In 2023, more than 83.5 million people were living in Germany. Their average age was 44.6. Given the low birth rates, the younger people in Germany cannot, in purely mathematical terms, replace their parents' generation. But immigrants can close this gap, as they are frequently younger than the

Professions in demand Germany needs qualified skilled workers. Find out here which professions are particularly in demand in Germany. Green Jobs Start a sustainable career in Germany! You can become a part of the "green" economy, as new and diverse jobs in sustainable industries keep arising in Germany. Find out more about "Green Jobs" here. Nursing professionals Germany has a stable healthcare system, thanks to well-trained personnel in healthcare and nursing professions. That is the reason why different facilities are always looking for qualified professionals. Physicians The German healthcare system depends on qualified young workers: hospitals and other facilities are constantly on the lookout for doctors and other trained professionals in the medical field. Engineers Become part of Industry 4.0 in Germany: The use of digital technologies opens up a wide range of new perspectives. Many companies are urgently looking for qualified engineers. IT specialists The German IT sector is booming: every year, thousands of new jobs are offered in the IT industry. Find excellent jobs in start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises, large companies or in the manufacturing industry. Scientists Bioengineering, power and environmental engineering or pharmaceutics – when it comes to scientific disciplines, the demand is high. Qualified personnel trained in STEM subjects are urgently sought after in many fields. Craftspeople Skilled crafts and trades are the heart and soul of the German

Back to Germany Have you lived abroad and now want to return to Germany? Welcome back! Find out here what employment subject to social security contributions means and what support you may be entitled to if you become unemployed, provided you have worked in Germany before. On this page On this page Social security Health and disability care insurance Pension insurance Unemployment and unemployment benefits If you are a skilled professional returning to Germany after a longer stay abroad, your prospects of getting a foot back on the ladder are excellent. If you have been seconded to a post abroad, your company will probably refer you to a relocation agency that will give you all the information you need and take care of the most important work. However, if you are planning your return by yourself, there are a few points to consider. Our " Jobs " section has answers to many important questions around issues such as applying for a new job in Germany, social security and the German tax system. For information on family reunification , schools, kindergarten or flat hunting, please consult our " Living in Germany " section and our " Study & vocational training " section. You can obtain advice on open questions or placement support in the run-up to your return and an individual returnee information package from the Federal Employment Agency (BA) here (External link) . Social security If your job in Germany is subject to social security contributions, your employer is required to

Driving licence and mobility Did you obtain your driving licence outside Germany? Find out here whether and how you can use it in Germany, as well as how to get around safely by bus and train, bicycle, or e-scooter. On this page On this page Driving a car: Is my driving licence valid in Germany? What else should I be aware of when driving in Germany? How do I use car-sharing and lift-sharing platforms? Reach your destination by bus and train Getting around by bike and e-scooter Driving a car: Is my driving licence valid in Germany? If you hold a driving licence issued in your home country, different rules apply in Germany depending on the country where you originally obtained your driving licence. Driving licences issued in the EU, Liechtenstein, Norway and Iceland: Your driving licence is valid without restrictions. You do not need to have anything amended or exchanged. Driving licences issued in another country: You can use your driving licence to drive in Germany for six months (from the time you register your place of residence in Germany). An official German translation of your driving licence is also required for almost all countries of origin. After this six-month period, you will then need a German driving licence. Whether you will need to take another driving test in Germany to obtain a German driving licence depends on the country in which you obtained your driving licence. Your local Driving Licence Authority (Fahrerlaubnisbehörde) or Driving Licence Office (

Do I need to know German? Your everday life in Germany will be easier once you learn German. Find out here why German language skills are important. On this page: On this page: German language skills for certain professions German for students and trainees German language skills as a visa requirement Language skills to receive the Opportunity Card German for spouses How is German language proficiency measured? Learning German is one of the most important steps you can take to prepare for life in Germany. It will help you settle in more quickly and make it easier for you to find new friends. For some purposes, such as work or study, it may even be necessary for you to demonstrate a certain level of German. Proof of a particular level of German is also often required when applying for a visa : German language skills for certain professions Healthcare professions: If you plan to work in the health sector in Germany, e.g. as a nurse or doctor , knowledge of the German language is essential. Level B1 or B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is required, depending on the federal state in which you wish to work. Regulated professions: You will need to obtain recognition in order to practise a regulated profession in Germany, such as teaching or law. These and many other regulated professions also require a knowledge of German. Further information on the recognition procedure and language certificates can be found on the " Anerkennung in Deutschland (

Child care Every child is entitled to childcare in order to receive individual support. Find out here what types of childcare exist. Early support for children in child daycare facilities is an important contribution to equal opportunities. Children can build relationships with their peers and benefit from age-appropriate educational programmes. Early childhood educators support and accompany them in this process. Through a variety of offers, activities and different pedagogical approaches, they promote the social, emotional, physical and intellectual development of the child in a comprehensive and individual way. Alongside the individual support for children provided by childcare services, they are often the most important factor in enabling parents to return to or enter the labour market. There are many factors that determine where and at what age your child receives childcare. We have listed the different childcare options here: Day nursery: a place for your children The word Kindertagesstätte (or Kita for short) is an umbrella term for different types of childcare. In a nursery (Kita), your children will be looked after and cared for by early childhood educators for all or part of the day. Since there is a wide variety of pedagogical approaches, the concepts often differ from one nursery to another. Children aged zero to three are often looked after in crèches (Kinderkrippe). There are also nurseries with groups of different ages. You can visit any nursery in person

Types of new businesses In Germany, there are two ways of setting up a business, either commercially or freelance. Here you can find out which business type suits your plans. Self-employed or freelance? In Germany, there are two ways of setting up a business . You are either self-employed or a freelancer. This depends on the occupation you are engaged in. Your status of being self-employed or a freelancer has an impact in regard to certain formalities as well as the legal structure of your business. Working on a self-employed basis If, for example, you would like to become self-employed with a craft or retail business, you must register your business – and you must do so in the location of your future headquarters. The Platform for Founders (External link) explains what you have to take into account. For some occupations, you must meet certain admission requirements . These are referred to as “occupations subject to prior authorisation” (erlaubnispflichtiges Gewerbe) . “Subject to authorisation” may mean i. a. that you will have to obtain certain types of approval, apply for a licence or provide proof of qualifications. This applies, for example, to craft businesses, financial service providers or care services, but also to a whole range of other occupations. You can find out on which sectors this applies to on the start-up portal (External link) . The BMWE-Behördenwegweiser (External link) also shows you where you can complete these formalities in your region. Working as a freelancer

Advisory services Get advice from experts: Numerous advice centres and information services provide support in your area. Good advice can help contribute to the success of your business. Make sure to take advantage of the opportunity to get support from an expert. In Germany, there are many public information centres that can help you set up your business. You can also find a general list of contact persons on the start-up portal (External link) . The Authority Finder (External link) ( Behördenwegweiser) will also tell you which information centres are available in your area. You can also hire a private consulting firm to help you prepare and embark on your first entrepreneurial steps. Some German federal states provide grants towards the costs incurred for this kind of consultation. It is important that your place of residence and your company's registered office are in Germany. The start-up portal (External link) will tell you where to apply for this grant. Practical tips for business consultations in Germany It is sensible to be well-prepared for the consultation. Do not be afraid to address business topics immediately; in Germany, people tend to prefer dealing with specific questions rather than excessive small talk. Advisory services for entrepreneurs with a migratory background Addresses of regional and national information centres, specifically for entrepreneurs with a migratory background, can be found on the start-up portal in the “ Setting up a business as a person with

Integration courses In Germany, integration courses are official language courses and orientation courses. They are a great option for learning more about the German society. On this page On this page What is an integration course? Who can participate in an integration course? How to find an integration course Special services for families and women What is an integration course? Integration courses cover everyday topics such as work and professions, shopping, television or childhood education. Participants also learn how to deal with administrative offices, how to write emails or letters and how to carry oneself properly in job interviews. You will learn about culture, politics and living together in Germany, as well as the values German society is based on. The orientation course usually consists of 100 lessons, while the language course entails 600 lessons. Special courses are offered for women, parents or adolescents and adults up to the age of 26, among others. At the end of each course, all participants take a final examination free of charge. Who can participate in an integration course? The integration courses are intended for anyone who is new to Germany and whose German language skills are not yet adequate enough for dealing with the demands of everyday life. Whether you are free to attend a course or if the course is mandatory for you depends on your country of origin and your level of fluency in German. Here is where we have compiled the most important regulations

Financing & funding programmes Do you already know which costs you have to bear when setting up your business? Find out here which options you have to finance your plans. You already know how much money you will need to set up your business? Now is the time to raise the necessary capital. The Platform for Founders (External link) has an overview of options for this endeavour. Equity and bank loans In financing, there is generally made a distinction between equity and borrowed capital. Your equity (External link) is the financial cornerstone of your business. It includes your personal assets (e.g. cash and savings) and objects that become part of your business (e.g. machinery and equipment). Generally, this means that the more funds you raise on your own have, the more independent you are. For banks, equity serves as security. Ideally, equity should amount to at least 20 percent of your overall capital. Surveys indicate that “insufficient securities” and “too little equity” are the most common reasons why banks reject a loan application. You can obtain loans from a regular bank or a savings bank ( Sparkasse ). The type of bank and loan best suited for your business depends on the amount of money you need, as well as how long you will need it for. You could find a suitable financial institution on the Gründerplattform (External link) . In general, the longer the loan period and the higher the risk (assessed by your bank), the higher the interest you will have to pay for the loan