Hotline Do you prefer a personal conversation? Please call the "Working and Living in Germany" hotline. Experts will provide you with advice either in German or English. Quick-Check In Germany, I’d like to... work. study. do vocational training. start up a business. do research. Start Important notice Unfortunately, the hotline, operated by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) and the Federal Employment Agency (BA), is often occupied due to the great interest in our topics. Written [...] Written enquiries to the hotline cannot be processed promptly at the moment either. Availability Our “Working and Living in Germany” hotline is available via telephone by calling the following number: +49 30 1815 – 1111 If you have questions regarding the recognition of foreign qualifications , entry and residence , as well as learning German in Germany and abroad , you can contact the hotline at the following times (CET): Monday: 9 am – 12 pm Tuesday: 9 am – 12 pm Wednesday: 1 pm – 4 pm Thursday: 1 pm [...] Christmas Day) • 26/12/2025 (2nd Christmas Day) • 31/12/2025 (New Year's Eve) • 01/01/2026 (New Year) Telephone charges Calls from a landline in Germany are subject to the usual charges. Charges for mobile telephone calls may differ. Calls from abroad are subject to the international charges applicable under your plan. Privacy notice The “Working and Living in Germany” is operated by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) and the Federal Employment Agency (BA) . Both the BAMF and the BA attach

explain which documents are required for an application in Germany and how you can write a successful application. Do you have questions about job application and job search? The Federal Employment Agency (BA) will provide you with personal support on all topics relating to working in Germany. Please don't hesitate to contact us anytime. Find the right visa for you! Would you like to find out what your chances are of working and living in Germany? Then learn more about your possibilities with our Quick-Check

the IT sector. If you are not from any of the aforementioned countries, you will need a visa or a residence permit in order to live and work in Germany. But no need to fret: you are the kind of person for whom there are special ways of obtaining a visa for Germany. 7. What are my options for obtaining a visa for Germany? Attractive ways of obtaining a visa to work in Germany have been created for IT experts outside the European Union (so-called "third countries"). If you are an IT graduate with a specific [...] your life partner has the unrestricted right to immediately pursue gainful employment in Germany. So it's a good opportunity to embark on a career in Germany together. Additionally, Germany offers lots of benefits for families. A high quality of life, a good education system free of charge, a dense network of schools and universities, and nationwide medical care make it a family-friendly place to live in. Germany also places great importance on balancing your job and family life . Marina, an IT project [...] experience may be sufficient for you to obtain a visa to work as a skilled IT worker in Germany. Irrespective of which residence permit you need to apply for, please note that a concrete job offer is the most important requirement and the first step towards your IT career in Germany. You can find out more about the visa process here . 8. Can I bring my family to Germany? Did you find a new job in the IT sector in Germany? If so, you can bring your spouse and your children with you to your new home country

important role, too: More than 12 million families with children live in Germany. Policy-makers and companies take your personal interests very seriously. This means that parents have many ways of reconciling work and family life. From the age of one, children in Germany are generally entitled to a place in childcare , for example. I made it: a business owner reports on his success story in Germany Discover Germany A Strong Hub Settling in Germany Print page share on LinkedIn share on X (before: Twitter) [...] expand to Germany by setting up a subsidiary or a branch office. Detailed information and support can be found on the website of Germany Trade & Invest . 3. Open-minded: y our cultural background will help you attract international customers You are not just an expert in your field, you are also familiar with the culture of your home country. That is certainly an advantage. Germany is a country of immigration . In 2023 alone, about 663,000 million people from abroad came to live in Germany. In most [...] business in Germany, you will be choosing a country offering a high quality of life. In addition, Germany’s culture, the diversity of its people and its family friendliness make the country extremely attractive. More than 13.9 million people from other countries call Germany their home. This co-existence of various cultures and religions has given rise to a lively, international arts and culture scene. A high quality of life and a stable democracy also contribute to peaceful coexistence in Germany. Family

abroad or to immigrant parents in Germany – about 24.9 million people in Germany have a migrant background. In other words, practically a third of the people living in Germany have foreign roots. Although this growing cultural diversity poses certain social and political challenges for Germany, it also provides an opportunity to forge a new and auspicious form of coexistence in the very heart of Europe. Germany’s appeal and its opportunities for advancement Why does Germany attract such a large number [...] religion The German language Current information around Germany's politics, economy, science, culture and many others Information on the web Volkshochschule Find a local course which matches your interests Alumniportal Deutschland Current happenings in Germany Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community Religion and the state Handbook Germany Living in Germany as LGBTIQ German Road Safety An overview of the most important rules of the road in Germany Print page share on LinkedIn share on X (before: Twitter) [...] 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 83.5 million people live in Germany. Nearly 12.9

Family reunification You want to live in Germany together with your spouse and children? In this section you can find out what you need to bear in mind when applying for a visa for family reunification. Spouses joining EU citizens Spouses joining citizens of non-EU countries Family reunion for children

a doctorate . Germany’s universities, research institutions and research companies welcome international researchers – and the German doctorate is highly regarded around the world. The Research in Germany portal provides key information on doing a doctorate in Germany, including funding and support opportunities. In Germany, most doctoral students either work at a university or receive a grant for their research. If you are from a third country and want to do a doctorate in Germany, you will need [...] job, as long as the expected salary is sufficient to cover your living costs. The foreigners authority is the sole decision-making body in this matter. Info box If you are from the EU, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Iceland, you can live and work in Germany without any restrictions. You can find out more in the " Information for EU citizens " section. Become self-employed There are many reasons to become self-employed in Germany. If you are interested, you might want to contact a start-up advisory [...] Before you apply, find out from the foreigners authority what documents you need to submit. Please beware If you wish to continue living in Germany after your studies, you must apply for the appropriate residence title before your study permit expires. Tips for job hunting Explainer video: How do I find a job in Germany? Job listings: Find the right position in Germany share on LinkedIn share on X (before: Twitter) share on Facebook share on WhatsApp mail

German states Discover Germany! Get to know more about the industries and the services offering their help in each federal state. German federal states at a glance Welcome to the Federal Republic of Germany. Due to its central location, Germany shares borders with a total of nine neighbouring European countries. The Federal Republic extends from the Alps in the south to the North and Baltic Seas. As a federal system, the German Federal Republic consists of 16 federal states whose state governments [...] Further information Berlin The capital posts record numbers of business start-ups. 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 and many companies are setting up their headquarters here. Further information Brandenburg Together with Berlin, Brandenburg forms Germany's capital region. The state has plenty to offer: While it is an industrial state, located at the centre of major European routes, it also benefits [...] developments and offer high emloyment security for their employees. Thuringia is now considered as top location in the center of Europe. Further information Please select a state. Quick-Check: Check your options for working and living in Germany Are you looking for a job in Germany? Find suitable vacancies in our job listings Here you can find service centres for immigrants in your federal state Print page share on LinkedIn share on X (before: Twitter) share on Facebook share on WhatsApp mail

qualified professionals You have found a job in Germany and need a visa? These are the requirements you have to meet. If you have completed qualified vocational training or a course of study outside Germany, you can obtain a residence permit under Section 18a of the Residence Act (AufenthG) or Section 18b of the Residence Act (AufenthG) in order to take up qualified employment in Germany as a skilled worker . To find out if you need a visa to enter Germany, see the “ Do I need a visa ?” section. What [...] for the purpose of employment for at least three years, you may, under certain circumstances, be eligible for a settlement permit . This is essentially a permanent residence title . For more information, see the “ Living permanently in Germany ” section. Do you want to live in Germany with your family? This residence permit enables you to do so. To find out what you need to consider and what the requirements are, please see the “ Family reunification ” section. At a glance: Work visa for qualified [...] Download Print Video: IT specialist tells her success story Webinar on work visas in Germany Expert video: Extending your work visa Job listings Getting a visa, or learning German? Contact points all over the world Information on the web German Federal Employment Agency (BA) Welcome to Germany! Important information about starting a job in Germany Federal Foreign Office (FFO) To find out which visa you need to come to Germany, use the Visa-Navigator Print page share on LinkedIn share on X (before: Twitter)

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 [...] to the high number of refugees, decreased in 2016. In conclusion, more and more people are coming to Germany to pursue their professional career. Young immigrants in particular come to Germany, which could close the expected gap caused by the low birth rate. As of 2021, 83,2 million people are living in Germany, averaging at 44,7 years of age. Given the low birth rates, the younger people in Germany cannot replace their parents' generation quantitively. Because they are typically younger than the average [...] If only qualified immigrants were taken into account in this kind of estimate, the results would be even more positive. Diverse ways of living Migration and integration in Germany Facts & figures about migration and integration in Germany Information on the web Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community Labour migration in Germany Brochure Welcome to Germany - Information for Immigrants Print page share on LinkedIn share on X (before: Twitter) share on Facebook share on WhatsApp mail