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Engineers
Engineers Participate in Industry 4.0 and energy transition in Germany. The engineering sector offers you many career paths. On this page On this page Career opportunities for engineers at a glance Working in Germany: When do you need a visa? What's next: Your future as an engineer Germany is famous for its engineering expertise and the quality of its machines and plants, electrotechnical products and cars. The use of digital technologies leads to diverse new perspectives and business models for companies and their employees, especially for engineers. Facts and figures on engineering in Germany 120,702 engineers of foreign nationality work in Germany (2025). 71,146 engineers in Germany come from countries outside the European Union (2025). About 76,000 vacancies remained unfilled in the engineering sector in 2025. Career opportunities for engineers at a glance Germany offers you many career prospects to engineers; in many economic sectors, your qualifications are in demand. The field of research and development (R&D) currently has a great number of vacant jobs in higher positions for engineers. The following occupations are also particularly in demand: Automation technology Supervision of construction planning and architecture Automotive industry, including electromobility and autonomous driving Renewable energies and environmental protection Artificial intelligence (AI) As an engineer, you can work in various fields, for example in technical production planning and management
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Bank account
Bank account How do I open a bank account in Germany? We explain what you need to consider when opening an account. If you plan on living in Germany long term, you require a German bank account ( current account ) to rent a flat or to receive your salary via bank transfer, for instance. But you will also be able to use your debit card (Girokarte) in your day-to-day life, for example, to pay at the supermarket. You can use you debit card in other countries in Europe which use the euro as currency as well. Cashless payments If you wish to pay without cash in Germany, you can do so with a credit card or a so-called Girokarte. The Girokarte works similarly to a debit card, and many banks provide it free of charge with opening the current account. For a credit card, however, you will usually be charged a fee. The main difference between the two cards is the billing cycle. While payments with a debit card are immediately debited against your account, credit card payments are debited collectively at the end of the month. In your everyday life in Germany, a debit card is sufficient. But for purchases requiring the payment of a deposit, you will most likely need a credit card. Some exemplary cases are booking a hotel room or renting a car. If you shop online, you can also transfer the money via credit card, instant bank transfer (Sofortüberweisung), Giropay (an internet payment system based on online banking) or PayPal. Opening a bank account To open a bank account, you generally require
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Additional insurances
Additional insurances Safety first: find out which insurances you should take out in Germany. Liability insurance Liability insurance pays if you damage or destroy another person's belongings. For example, if you break a vase or spill coffee on a friend's smartphone. Most Germans have that kind of insurance because it is inexpensive and protects you from having to pay for the damage with your own money. Household contents insurance This insurance covers all items inside your house or flat. For example, household contents insurance pays if furniture and clothing are stolen or damaged by fire, storm or water. The cost of household insurance depends on the size of your home, among other things. Accident insurance You are a member of the statutory accident insurance scheme through your employer. This means that you are covered in the event of an accident at work or on your way to work. Private accident insurance is a good way to protect yourself against accidents when you are not at work. This covers the financial consequences of an accident, for example, if you become disabled and are no longer able to work. You can also arrange benefits for the rehabilitation of your health, which are not covered by statutory health insurance. Occupational disability insurance Occupational disability insurance covers you if you are no longer able to work for health reasons. If you are diagnosed with an occupational disability, the insurance will pay you an agreed monthly pension. Occupational
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Nursing professionals
Nursing professionals Would you like to work as a nurse in Germany? Find more information on your career options here. On this page On this page Working in Germany as a nursing professional Your tasks in the nursing field People who can work as nursing professionals in Germany Visa for nursing professionals: when is it necessary? Assistance in finding a job: placement and programmes Your entry into nursing - the next steps Working in Germany as a nursing professional Thanks to the excellent living conditions in Germany, a considerable proportion of the population enjoys good health well into old age. However, with increasing life expectancy and an ageing society, combined with the decreasing number of young people beginning their professional career, the demand for professional nursing as well as basic medical care is rising. Germany does have a stable healthcare system ; nevertheless, nursing professionals remain to be in high demand and their contribution is more important than ever. Hospitals, long-term care facilities and other healthcare facilities are always on the lookout for nurses with various levels of qualification in order to meet the increasing demand in the healthcare and nursing professions. This demand is predicted to increase in the following years. International nurses have long been an important pillar in German hospitals and care facilities. As a result, there are an increasing number of multicultural teams working in German healthcare facilities. Would you
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Useful everyday knowledge
Useful everyday knowledge Find answers to frequently asked questions about Germany. Topics range from public holidays and emergency numbers to mobile phone contracts. Useful everyday knowledge Many things are different in Germany, such as opening hours of stores, waste separation or the purchase of a SIM card. Here you will find answers to the most important questions about everyday life in Germany. What public holidays are there in Germany? In Germany, public holidays are determined by the federal states. The only exception is the national holiday on 3 October – the Day of German Unity – which is set by federal law and applies throughout Germany. There are also a number of public holidays that have been declared by all the federal states, which means that they apply to the whole of Germany. Examples include New Year’s Day, Easter and Christmas. In Germany, you do not have to work on public holidays and your children do not have to go to school. Shops and supermarkets remain closed on public holidays, which is why many German families use such days to go on trips or simply to relax. Most public holidays in Germany have a religious background, especially at Christmas and Easter, when a sense of peace and quiet is expected. The climate in Germany Germany has a temperate climate with continental influences. This means that there are distinct seasons with different temperatures. The average annual temperature is 10.9 degrees. In the north of Germany, especially in the coastal regions,
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Leisure
Leisure What is life like in Germany? This section contains information on what you can do in your free time and how to meet new people in Germany. Getting to know new people It can be difficult to move to a new country and leave all your friends and family behind. Here are some useful tips to help you settle in quickly in Germany! Do you like to play football, or would you like to try your hand at a new sport? Germany has a strong club culture. You are free to join any sports club and meet new people. Check out the clubs in your area – either in person or online – or just ask your new colleagues. Those who prefer mental to physical exercise can take a course at an adult education centre (External link) . You can take courses on a wide range of topics at one of over 840 locations across Germany. Adult education centres also offer language courses – you may meet other skilled workers from abroad who are in a similar situation and are also looking for contacts in Germany. Those with a creative streak can take art classes or join a drama group or choir. Many municipalities have their own special communities or charitable organisations that are always on the look-out for new helpers. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people while doing something good for society. Often there are also clubs dedicated to promoting intercultural exchange in a city. They organise all kinds of events where you can meet new people and improve your German. Some cities also run cultural clubs where
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Housing and registration
Housing and registration Finding a new home in Germany. We show you how to successfully find an apartment or a room in Germany. There is a large supply of high-quality rental accommodation in Germany, but demand is also high, especially in the major cities. We give you tips and explain what you should consider before and after moving in. Your first accommodation Until you find a place to live in Germany, you can stay in a furnished holiday flat, hostel, hotel or youth hostel. However, it will not normally be possible to register this address as your place of residence. Please note that you are required to register your place of residence with the relevant authorities within two weeks of your arrival in Germany. (See the “Moving in” section.) What types of accommodation are available? There are many ways to feel at home in Germany. The following options are available to you: Rental flats Long-term accommodation (three months’ notice) Not usually furnished; not always equipped with a kitchen Short lets Temporary accommodation for a fixed period Usually furnished Flatshare Individual and usually flexible rental periods and furnishing arrangements Shared accommodation with flatmates, usually cheaper than living alone Usually a shared kitchen and bathroom; each resident has their own private room Student residences (for students only) Usually furnished, relatively inexpensive A range of different options: individual apartments, single rooms with a shared kitchen and bathrooms, parent-child
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Careers in transport
Careers in transport Do you enjoy travelling, especially in your daily work? Whether trains, HGVs or ships are your preferred mode, join the German transport sector! On this page On this page These professions are in demand in the transport industry Becoming a train driver: Requirements and opportunities Working in shipping: your options Visa for transport professions: What you should know Is it necessary to have your qualifications recognised? Your guide to a profession in transport: the next steps Why transport professions have a future in Germany Germany lies at the heart of Europe and has, by global standards, a very well-developed infrastructure – ideal conditions for transporting goods and people. Why is this sector important to Germany? Logistics is one of the country’s largest economic sectors. Several thousand transport requests are met daily in Germany. The majority of goods are currently transported by heavy goods vehicle (HGV). Next comes rail transport, followed by maritime shipping and inland navigation. The German economy is highly dependent on qualified drivers for all transport routes – but not only for transporting freight. Passenger transport is also of great importance for the German economy and society. In Germany, the number of people using local public transport has never been as high as it is today, and qualified staff are needed to operate these vehicles. Transport in Germany: figures at a glance Around 480,000 people in Germany were working as professional
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Placement agencies
Placement agencies Are you thinking about using a placement agency for your immigration process to Germany? Read on to find out what skilled workers from abroad need to keep in mind, and what alternatives are available. “Make it in Germany” provides you with all the information you need to live and work in Germany – from finding a job and completing the visa process to settling in . Here you can find out everything you need to know to complete the process of entering Germany and taking up employment independently. However, if in addition you would like to receive individual and comprehensive support in the placement process, you have two options: you can use public services or private placement agencies. Practical information on both options is provided below: State-run placement In Germany, the International Services (ZAV) of the Federal Employment Agency (BA) is the official point of contact for the recruitment of skilled foreign workers. Both skilled workers from abroad and employers in Germany can contact the BA for information and advice (External link) . In selected partner countries, the ZAV also implements various projects and programmes for specific professional sectors. Public placement projects adhere to ethical recruitment standards. You will find more information on the Federal Employment Agency website (External link) . Private sector placement Private placement agencies are another way of finding a job in Germany and organising the entry process. There is no special
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Physicians
Physicians The Federal Republic of Germany is dependent on young medical professionals. Become a part of the German health service as a doctor. On this page On this page Working as a doctor in Germany What is a doctor's job in Germany? What requirements apply to doctors from abroad? Visa for doctors: when is it necessary? Specialized!: Recruitment of doctors from Mexico and Colombia How to start your career as a doctor in Germany Working as a doctor in Germany In comparison to other countries, Germany has a highly effective healthcare system . Using the latest treatment methods and modern medical instruments allows for a high level of care. A dense network of hospitals and local doctors ensure that patients swiftly receive the medical services necessary for them. The ongoing digitalisation in the healthcare sector continues to reveal new opportunities for medical care. Thus, data in electronic patient files is rapidly available, and access to digital healthcare applications and telemedicine can be established. This testifies to the great innovative power of the German healthcare sector and its dynamic economic sector. With about 7.7 million employees, the public health service is also a crucial resource for employment; the number of employees has been increasing steadily for years. As of right now, about 446,100 doctors make sure that patients are well cared for. What is a doctor's job in Germany? A new generation of medical personnel is urgently required in Germany. The demand will
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