Bavaria Beautiful landscapes, friendly people, attractive economy: Bavaria is a truly fascinating state. Its economy is booming and its labour market offers plenty of opportunities for international professionals. In addition to well-known global players, many SMEs with an international focus and renowned businesses with a long-standing tradition also call Bavaria their home and are always looking for qualified staff. Keyfacts for Bavaria Capital Munich Important industries Automotive engineering Mechanical engineering Healthcare Metal industry IT Biotechnology Medical, energy and environmental technology Electrical engineering Population 13,435,062 Particularities Brass music, Dirndl & Lederhosen: The Oktoberfest in Munich connects people from all over the world. Additional contacts The official portal of Bavaria Get to know the multifaceted state and learn what makes it special. Points of contact for qualified professionals Here you can find service centres for immigrants in your federal state. Authority finder BAMF-NAvI Find contact details and other offers from important German authorities.

Berlin The capital posts record numbers of start-up businesses. This is where the greatest number of new jobs are created in Germany. People from all over the world move to Berlin to live and work here. Many companies are setting up their headquarters in the capital: The city state of Berlin offers a unique research infrastructure, highly qualified professionals and a lively and inspiring creative scene. Modern, strong on technology; and open to innovation are the catchwords that best describe Berlin. Keyfacts for Berlin Capital Berlin Important industries Health Life sciences Information, communication, media, creative industries Research and development Manufacturing trade Population 3,782,202 Particularities Berlin is an attitude towards life. People from over 190 different nations come together here. Additional contacts The official portal of Berlin Get to know the multifaceted state and learn what makes it special. Points of contact for qualified professionals Here you can find service centres for immigrants in your federal state. Authority finder BAMF-NAvI Find contact details and other offers from important German authorities.

Bremen Bremen is innovative and creative, but laid-back at the same time – as it is typical for northern Germany. Positive people as well as performance-driven business and research make Bremen an attractive location for professionals. Parks, cultural diversity, lively neighbourhoods and the city's close proximity to the sea give you many opportunities to enjoy your free time. Keyfacts for Bremen Capital Bremen Important industries Automotive engineering Healthcare Aerospace engineering Logistics and port Shipbuilding Wind power Food industry Information and communication Population 691,703 Particularities Hanseatic city and high-tech location at the same time: More than 550 companies are located in the Bremen Technology Park. Additional contacts The official portal of Bremen Get to know the multifaceted state and learn what makes it special. Points of contact for qualified professionals Here you can find service centres for immigrants in your federal state. Authority finder BAMF-NAvI Find contact details and other offers from important German authorities.

"Make it in Germany" Newsletter Sign up for our newsletter free of charge and find out about current developments in the field of skilled labour migration and integration in Germany. Previous "Make it in Germany" newsletters 1 year of the opportunity card Newsletter – July 2025 1 year of recognition partnerships Newsletter – March 2025 Successful integration management Newsletter – October 2024 The opportunity card at a glance Newsletter – June 2024 Integration through German language skills Newsletter – September 2023 The benefit of foreign qualified professionals to the German skilled crafts sector Newsletter – July 2023 International students as the skilled workers of tomorrow Newsletter – March 2023 The benefit of foreign qualified professionals to hospitality industry Newsletter no. 4/2022 Vocational training opportunities for prospective trainees from abroad Newsletter no. 3/2022 Skilled labour immigration using fast-track procedure Newsletter no. 2/2022 Recruiting nursing professionals from abroad for the German labour market Newsletter no. 1/2022 Recruiting professionals from abroad: a step-by-step guide Newsletter no. 3/2021 International students in Germany: Prospects after graduation Newsletter no. 2/2021 Enabling Skilled Immigration through Recognition Newsletter no. 1/2021 Attracting skilled IT workers from abroad Newsletter no. 4/2020 The Skilled Immigration Act: opportunities for employers Newsletter no. 3/2020 Central points of contact for the immigration

Events Would you like to receive more information? Find current workshops, seminars or events hosted by "Make it in Germany" and its partners in our event calendar. Event calendar Date Event Organiser 28 September Онлайн-мероприятие: Тренинг по составлению резюме для русскоязычных иммигрантов (in Russian) (External link) Welcome Service Region Stuttgart / Welcome Center Südlicher Oberrhein Event date: 28.09.2026 Event location: Online 29 September Family Reunification for Skilled Workers in Germany: Steps & Requirements (in English) (External link) Make it in Germany Event date: 29.09.2026 Event location: Online More Events Share on LinkedIn Share on X (before: Twitter) Share on Facebook Share on WhatsApp Mail

German society Would you like to learn more about Germany, its culture and its people? Here you will find information about the German society. A diverse and cosmopolitan culture The impression Germany leaves on many visitors is cosmopolitan, culturally diverse and attractive. This is especially true during major events, such as the 2006 FIFA World Cup. The official motto back then was “A time to make friends”. Many of those who visited during the World Cup were genuinely surprised at how friendly, interested and outgoing the people are in the European Union’s most populous country. They saw that Germans focus on more than just economic success; they also place a high priority on family, friends, and time away from work. Moreover, they realised that the vast majority of German people, both young and old, continue to reflect upon Germany’s National Socialist past and the country’s division until reunification in 1990. This process of coming to terms with the past has given rise to a living culture of remembrance and to deep-rooted values such as social solidarity and respect for diversity. It's little wonder that Germany has long been a country of immigration. Some may find it surprising, but the demographics paint a picture of a vibrantly diverse society. Around 83.6 million people live in Germany. Nearly 12.4 million of them hold a foreign passport – more than in any other of the 27 member states of the European Union. Including those who have subsequently acquired German

Employment & earnings Many employee benefits and above-average salaries in various industries: Here you can find out how much life costs in Germany. Low unemployment rates in Germany In 2024, the unemployment rate among people aged 25 and over in Germany was 3.1 per cent. The country therefore has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world. While elsewhere in Europe, youth unemployment has risen significantly in the past few years, Germany's dual education system has paid off. In 2024, only 6.4 per cent of 15- to 24-year-olds were registered as “unemployed”. Gross is not the same as net When signing a work contract for employment subject to social security contributions in Germany, your contract states your gross salary . But gross is not the same as net. It means that you will receive less than what is stated in your work contract. For instance, in 2025 the average gross salary across all salary levels ranged between €4,025.00 and €3.622.50 per month. In the case of employees in jobs subject to social security contributions, employers automatically deduct income tax and the statutory social security contributions. The advantage is that your social security contributions cover any financial burdens in case of losing your job, falling ill, or in need of care (in old age). The employers themselves cover some costs as well. The amounts deducted may vary depending on your income, federal state , tax bracket, health insurance fund and family status. The solidarity surcharge (

Education Germany is known worldwide for its education system. Here you can find out how the German education system works. Your children are well looked after Parents can go about their professional occupations with commitment and focus without worrying about their little ones. In March 2024, about 60,662 public and private day care facilities were available in Germany. Child care in Germany begins at an early age: In 2024 more than one third of the children aged 0 to 3 were supervised in a day-care facility, so their parents would be able to pursue their career aspirations. In the age group of 3 to 6 years, which includes schoolchildren as well, the proportion of all children looked after was as high as 91 per cent. Child care is also firmly anchored in integration and inclusion. In 2024 more than 41 per cent of care facilities were kindergartens with integrative care. For children with disabilities, a total of 220 facilities were available. Education for everyone The German education and training system is world-renowned. In the 2023-2024 school year, around 32,700 schools throughout Germany gave all children of school age access to education. Around half of them (47.3%) were primary schools. At the secondary education level, there were numerous Hauptschulen (5.2%), Realschulen (5.2%) and Gymnasien (9.6%). After successfully completing your schooling, you have the possibility of either embarking on a vocational training course or enrol at one of Germany’s 428 higher education

Qualified professionals Certain professions in Germany are in high demand. Discover in which industries professionals have great opportunities! Skilled labour shortages in German companies – Which occupations are in demand? Germany currently does not suffer from a shortage of skilled workers on a national scale, however in some occupational fields and regions, there is a scarcity of qualified professionals. Occupations in the sciences, engineering, and in health care are affected the most. The staffing difficulties occurring in the different sectors also strongly depend on the level of qualification. A distinction is made between three groups: skilled professionals are persons who have completed at least two years of vocational training or a comparable qualification; specialists are workers with a master craftsperson's or technician's training, an academic degree or a comparable qualification; experts are persons who have at least a four-year university education or equivalent qualification. The current skilled worker shortage in specific occupational groups or regions cannot be reduced in its entirety with the available supply of labour. For instance, there is a lack of skilled workers in geriatric nursing, specialists in general nursing care and experts in IT occupations such as software development and programming. Many vacancies in vocational training remain open Aside from the automotive sector, Germany is known worldwide for its exceptional dual education system in companies

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