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Special regulations for artists
: Check your options for working and living in Germany Information on the web Federal Employment Agency (BA) Information regarding the access to the German labour market Guidelines regarding the employment of foreign employees in Germany Information and advice on finding a job Information and advice on the management of artists Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) Immigration of self-employed and freelance migrants from non-EU countries to Germany The informative website for internationally [...] a creative worker from abroad and plan to stay in Germany for a longer period (more than 90 days) to work independently , you will usually need a visa for self-employment . Once you are in Germany, this visa subsequently needs to be converted into a residence permit for the purpose of exercising a freelance activity. To obtain this residence title , you will need to provide the following: evidence that you have sufficient funds to cover your living expenses; and if you are aged over 45, adequate provision [...] artists are among those in the liberal professions who are allowed to work in Germany without a licence to practise their profession. Detailed information on the requirements, fiscal aspects and legal forms for freelancers can be found on the Service portal of the Federal State of Baden-Württemberg . This information applies to the whole of Germany. Performers and creative and cultural workers who want to work in Germany can find answers to their questions about international mobility at www.tour
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Settling
Settling Here you can find information about everyday life in Germany. The section provides information on leisure activities, integration and settling in Germany. Leisure Find out how you can make a new life for yourself in Germany and get used to living and working here. Useful everyday knowledge What are the post office opening hours? How does waste sorting work? These FAQs tell you everything you need to know about everyday life in Germany.
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Visa & residence
the reason for you stay, you might require a visa or residence title. We will explain to you which visa or residence title you have to apply for. Quick-Check Types of visa Visa procedure Family reunification Self-Check: Opportunity card Living permanently in Germany The new Skilled Immigration Act
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Do I qualify for vocational training?
training? Would you like to complete vocational training in Germany? In this category, you will learn more about the requirements to be able to undergo vocational training in Germany. Citizens of the EU, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway or Switzerland You are welcome to start vocational training in Germany at any time. You do not require a visa for entering Germany or for starting a vocational training programme. If you would like to live in Germany, you only have to register as a resident at a local Residents' [...] this subject can be found here . Citizens from other countries You are welcome to start vocational training in Germany. In order to do so, you will need a visa for vocational training . You can apply for a visa at the German mission abroad in your country. To be granted a visa, you have to meet the following requirements: You have found a vocational training place at a company in Germany. If it is a dual or in-company vocational training, the Federal Employment Agency (BA) must approve your vocational [...] conditions. This will generally be verified during the visa procedure. You must be able to cover your living costs for the entire duration of your stay. In general, this means that you must provide evidence of having at least €959 per month (as of 2025) at your disposal. If you plan on taking part in a school-based vocational training programme, you can provide evidence of being able to cover your living costs by opening a blocked bank account or submitting a declaration of commitment . If you plan on
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Social security
2009, Germany made it mandatory for every person living in the country to take up health insurance, either under the statutory system or from a private provider. So do not forget to register yourself and your family with a healthcare provider as soon as you arrive in Germany. Whether you are eligible for private or statutory healthcare or can choose between the two will depend on the type of insurance you had prior to leaving Germany, on the length of your stay abroad, and on your job in Germany. If [...] 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 . Social security If your job in Germany is subject to social security [...] can benefit from full coverage as soon as you come back. Tip Your initial point of contact should be the healthcare provider you had before leaving Germany. Ask them about the insurance plans you can choose between when you come back to Germany. Pension insurance You may be entitled to transfer the pension entitlements you have obtained abroad to Germany. However, this only applies to Switzerland and countries in the EU and the EEA if you spent at least a year working in those countries. You will need
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Special regulations for esports professionals
Special regulations for esports professionals Are you an esports professional looking to compete professionally in Germany? Find out here which visa regulations apply to you. The German labour market is also open to esports professionals from abroad. To find out if you need a visa to enter or a residence permit to stay in Germany, see the “ Do I need a visa? ” section. You want to work as an esports professional Info box You are considered an esports professional if you receive more than an expense [...] Esports Federation ESBD has published a list of qualified esports gaming operations . Getting a visa, or learning German? Contact points all over the world Information on entry and visa process Quick-Check: Check your options for working and living in Germany
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IT specialists
ies available to you for working and living in Germany. ✔ The German employment market: find out more about job-hunting and get useful tips in our “ Looking for a job ” section. ✔ Apply now: find a suitable position in our "Make it in Germany" job listings and use our tips for a successful job application in Germany. Special information offer for IT professionals Do you need more information on working as an IT professional in Germany? On “Make IT in Germany!”, you will find everything you need to [...] 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. Industry 4.0: innovations with future prospects 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 [...] to know about the German IT industry and how you can kick off your career step by step. “Make IT in Germany!” Jobs for IT specialists Explainer video: How do I find a job in Germany? WebTutorials for qualified professionals German exercices for professions in IT Career and further training in Germany Information on the web German Federal Employment Agency ICT Experts for Germany BITKOM e.V. Federal Association for Information Technology, Telecommunications and New Media BVDW e.V. The German Association
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Professional athletes and coaches
Getting a visa, or learning German? Contact points all over the world Information on entry and visa process Quick-Check: Check your options for working and living in Germany Information on the web Federal Employment Agency (BA) Information regarding the access to the German labour market Guidelines regarding the employment of foreign employees in Germany Information and advice on finding a job Print page share on LinkedIn share on X (before: Twitter) share on Facebook share on WhatsApp mail [...] Special regulations for professional athletes Are you an athlete looking to compete professionally in Germany? Find out here which visa regulations apply to you. The German labour market is also open to professional athletes from abroad. To find out if you need a visa to enter or a residence permit to stay in Germany, see the " Do I need a visa? " section. You want to work as a professional athlete Info box You are considered a professional athlete if you receive more than an expense allowance for
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Visa for vocational training
vocational training in Germany? There is a special visa application procedure for this. You can find out more here. Vocational training in Germany opens many doors and is the best way to prepare yourself for the world of work in Germany. There are two options: you can either complete school-based or in-company vocational training. In either case, you may need a residence title under Section 16a of the Residence Act (AufenthG). To find out if you need a visa to enter Germany, please refer to the “ [...] have not yet completed a preparatory German course. Ability to cover the cost of living : You must be able to cover your living costs for the entire duration of your stay. In general, this means that you must provide evidence of having at least €959 per month (as of 2025) at your disposal. If you plan on taking part in a school-based vocational training programme, you can provide evidence of being able to cover your living costs by opening a blocked bank account or submitting a declaration of commitment [...] obtain a residence permit for up to 12 months to look for work. This can be extended once for a further six months. To cover your living costs while you are looking for a job in Germany, you are entitled to take up any form of employment. Once you have found a qualified job, you can apply for a residence permit for qualified employment without having to leave Germany. If you are employed as a nursing assistant following your vocational training in a health or care profession, you will receive a residence
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Other professions in demand
for working and living in Germany. ✔ Find job openings: Find out more about the job search and get valuable tips in our “ Looking for a job ” section. ✔ Apply now: Find a suitable job through our " Make it in Germany" job listings and use our tips for successfully applying for a job in Germany. Job listings: Find the right position in Germany Explainer video: How do I find a job in Germany? German exercises for job seeking and application process Career and further training in Germany Print page share [...] Here you will find a list of other professions in demand in the fields of medicine and health, medical engineering, hospitality and catering, as well as education. Here is a list of other professions for which qualified skilled workers are sought in Germany. This list is a selection of professions and is not intended to be exhaustive. For each job title, a link to the corresponding job profile on the German-language BERUFENET website of the Federal Employment Agency is provided. If necessary, please
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