Looking for a job Whether you are abroad or already in Germany, find out here how to encounter job opportunities in Germany. On this page On this page Starting the job search process: services of the Federal Employment Agency EURES: EU-wide jobs and funding programmes Finding jobs via online portals and networks Support from placement agencies In this video: How do I find a job in Germany? Would you like to work in Germany? Here you will find tips on how to find a suitable job offer and how to find information on various professions. Please note that it is possible for you to organize the process of job searching, visa application, and entry into Germany yourself. Help from a service provider is not required for this. On “Make it in Germany," you will find official information on all key steps, from job searching and the visa process to learning German and settling into life in Germany. Please use the Quick-Check to assess which requirements apply to you. Starting the job search process: services of the Federal Employment Agency Job placement via a placement agency or a state-run service is not a requirement for taking up employment in Germany. However, professional guidance can support you throughout your job search, the visa process, and preparations for your journey to Germany. The Federal Employment Agency (BA) offers comprehensive advice free of charge. The international experts support you every step of the way, from your job application to starting work and settling into

Visa for self-employed business Do you wish to set up a commercial business in Germany? To do so, you will need a specific residence permit. Find out about the requirements down below. In Germany, there are two ways of setting up your own business: you can either work as a freelancer ( Freiberufler ) or set up a business as a self-employed entrepreneur ( Gewerbe ). Find out more about the best approach for you in the article on types of new businesses . If you would like to set up a business as a self-employed entrepreneur, you will have to apply for a residence permit for the purpose of self-employment . To obtain this permit, you must fulfil a number of general criteria and the following additional requirements , which you should ideally cover in your business plan in a convincing way: There is commercial interest or regional demand for your products or services. Your business activity is likely to have a positive impact on the German economy. You have secured financing for your business by way of capital or a loan commitment. Advisory services , such as business associations located in your target region, will help you assess whether you fulfil the requirements listed above. Did you graduate from a German university, or do you have a residence permit for the purpose of research? If you would like to set up a business related to your academic degree or your research activities, you will also have to apply for a residence permit for the purpose of self-employment. You do not have

Craftspeople The German crafts and trades stand for customer-friendliness, high-quality products and practical solutions – become an active part of this sector! On this page On this page Skilled crafts and trades in Germany: an overview Skilled crafts and trades have a future - start your career The path to becoming a master craftsperson or tradesperson Your prospects with vocational training in the skilled crafts and trades Is it necessary to have your qualifications recognised? Working in skilled crafts and trades: When do you need a visa? Your next steps towards a career in the skilled crafts and trades Skilled crafts and trades in Germany: an overview Skilled crafts and trades are not only the heart and soul of small and medium-sized businesses, but also Germany's economic engine. Thanks to the proximity to their customers, they create high-quality products and bespoke solutions for problems using their wide range of services and goods. The skilled crafts and trades are directed towards private individuals as well as the manufacturing industry, commerce and the state sector. Moreover, the skilled crafts and trades are an extremely versatile sector and include the following areas: Construction and development Metal and electronics Wood and plastics Industrial cleaning Artisanal food production Healthcare and personal hygiene Clothing, textile and leather Graphic design The skilled crafts sector in Germany This PDF provides a comprehensive overview of the German skilled crafts

IT specialists Germany is an excellent location for your professional future in IT. The technology sector is one of the main economic sectors in the Federal Republic of Germany. On this page On this page Working in Industry 4.0 - opportunities for IT talents Skilled labour in demand: IT specialists in Germany Working with Artificial Intelligence: Your Opportunities in Germany Working in IT: When do you need a visa? How to start your IT career in Germany Learn more: Exclusive information for IT specialists Working as a software developer in Germany Working in Industry 4.0 - opportunities for IT talents Nowadays, digital applications and intelligent technology define our day-to-day lives. Tools are printed with 3D printers, languages can be learnt with apps and robots have taken on many tasks. As a result, the IT industry is one of the most innovative sectors in the world. Germany is still influenced by the spirit of innovation , meaning that the German markets for IT, telecommunications and consumer electronics are in leading positions within Europe. With an innovator rate of 92.4%, the industry is not only one of the most innovative in Germany but is also a driving motor of the German economy, generating a turnover of 307 billion euros. That is the reason why IT specialists in Germany are more in demand than ever. IT in Germany: figures at a glance 109,000 job positions are vacant in the IT sector. 92.4% of ICT companies are actively driving product or process innovations

5 steps for starting a business Start your self-employment journey successfully: Here you can find the most important steps to make your individual start-up project a success. 1. Register your business Before you set up a business in Germany, you must complete a number of formalities. These also depend on whether you want to work on a self-employed (gewerblich) or freelance (freiberuflich) basis. Freelancers must register with the tax office ( Finanzamt) . If you want to register as a self-employed entrepreneur, first contact the local trade office (External link) ( Gewerbeamt ). The Authority Finder (External link) will guide you towards the authorities you will need to deal with and will tell you where you can find them in your area. Be well prepared when dealing with authorities Dealing with various authorities might cause difficulties. Nevertheless, you should try and make use of their support. That is the reason why you should be well prepared to receive help in the most efficient way. Complete the formalities in good time. Most importantly, do not be scared off by the bureaucracy and inform yourself of mandatory registrations and approvals in advance! 2. Pay taxes When you set up a business in Germany, you must also pay taxes to the tax office, i.e. the local authority of Germany’s fiscal administration. The type of taxes you will need to pay depends i. a. on your company’s size and legal structure, as well as the amount of revenue. An overview of the various tax types (

Scientists Pharmaceutics, chemistry or energy and environment technology? Germany has a demand for a variety of occupational fields in natural sciences. On this page On this page Career prospects in research and science Career opportunities for international researchers Your visa for Germany: What you should know Your next steps as a scientist Career prospects in research and science Germany has always been known as an important location for industry , namely for the car industry and its mechanical and process plant engineering, and for being a global player in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. In the upcoming sectors of biotech and nanotechnology, Germany is also way out in front. Germany has a plethora of jobs for scientists and mathematicians. Aside from the usual positions in research, teaching and management, scientists and mathematicians also work in the IT sector, in marketing and sales, in the fields of administration and law, and in the financial sector. The industries that are mostly looking for scientists and mathematicians are the following: Chemistry Research and Development Pharmaceutics Financial analysis Architecture/Engineering Energy engineering and electrical engineering Career opportunities for international researchers The German research landscape is exceptionally vast. Universities and research are not the only institutions carrying out research; many companies have their own R&D departments. You can also carry out research as a PhD student (External

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