Staying in Germany After Completing Your Studies
You have completed your academic studies in Germany – congratulations! The question now is what your next steps will be: you can stay if you have a job offer or a residence permit to look for work. You could also pursue a doctorate or engage in self-employment.
What you need to know
- Best prospects for staying: if you have a suitable job offer, as a graduate of a German higher education institution, you can stay and work in Germany straight away.
- 18 months to look for a job: even without an employment contract, you do not have to leave Germany – you will be granted a residence permit to look for work.
- A wide range of career paths: aside from starting your professional career, there are other attractive options for you, such as pursuing a doctorate or setting up your own business
- Full Freedom of Movement: as a national of an EU or EFTA state, you have unrestricted access to the German labour market.
Your journey from graduation to your first job in Germany
Here’s how to take the next step in terms of your right of residence and your career after graduating.
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1 Discover career prospects after graduation
After completing your degree, several paths are open to you in Germany, including looking for a job, pursuing further qualification, or starting your own business. This overview of your prospects shows the options available and what matters in terms of residence law.
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2 Book an appointment with the foreigners authority
If you are from a country outside the EU or EFTA, you should arrange an appointment with your local foreigners authority before you finish your studies. At that time, find out which residence title is suitable for your job search or your new employment: if you do not yet have a job, as a third-country national, you can apply for a residence permit valid for up to 18 months for the purpose of looking for work.
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3 Use German language skills for your job search
German language skills are a deciding advantage for graduates on the German labour market. Many employers expect a knowledge for German for day-to-day work and collaboration, and during your job search they already facilitate interactions with the authorities, job interviews and everyday life. Therefore, it is worth starting to learn German early on. Learn how to customise your learning journey.
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4 Find suitable jobs any apply effectively
The “Make it in Germany” job listings bring together job advertisements for occupations that are particularly in demand. Contacting career networks and getting in touch with university career offices is also worth exploring. Use these resources as a basis for a convincing and comprehensive application. In Germany, you need a cover letter and a CV, as well as qualification certificates proving your skills and references – usually in German. Your German academic degree, your German language skills and your experience studying in German are an advantage.
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5 Found a job? Apply for the appropriate residence title
Once you have found a job, apply for the relevant residence title at your local foreigners authority, for example, the EU Blue Card if you are in qualified employment. The EU Blue Card is a particularly attractive residence title for graduates and offers you long-term prospects in Germany.
FAQs on career prospects after studying in Germany
I successfully completed my studies in Germany. Can I work here now?
Germany offers good prospects for international university graduates. With a suitable job offer, you can stay in Germany after completing your studies and work here. If you come from the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland, you have unrestricted access to the labour market. If you come from a third country, you can, for example, obtain a residence permit for work, job hunting or a doctorate after completing your studies. The article “Prospects after graduation” explains the options available to you.
Where do I find job offers in Germany?
The easiest way to find current job offers in Germany is online: in the “Make it in Germany” job listings, on other known job portals on the Internet, or on social career platforms. In regard to all job offers in the „Make it in Germany” job listings, the employers agreed to receiving applications from foreign skilled workers.
Please find more tips on the topic of job search on the “Looking for a job” subpage.
How do I apply for a job in Germany?
To apply for a job in Germany, you usually need a CV, a cover letter / letter of motivation for the specific position, and references attesting to your qualifications. As a rule, you must either upload your documents to the employer's website where the position is advertised, or you will be given an email address to which you can send your application documents (usually in a PDF file). Important: in most cases, you must write your application documents in German. Use the language in which the job advertisement is written as a guide and always state your language skills in your CV.
You can find tips on applying for jobs in the “Finding a job” section.
I would like to study or do a doctorate in Germany. Can I get a scholarship?
A scholarship is a form of financial support that does not have to be repaid. Students and doctoral candidates can apply for a scholarship from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), for example. Some private and charitable institutions (e.g., churches) also provide financial support to students from abroad. It is generally helpful to find out about opportunities and apply early. A letter of motivation is often required. In addition to good academic performance, social factors and extracurricular activities are usually taken into account when awarding scholarships.
Information on various scholarship programmes is available in the DAAD database (External link) .
Can I set up a business in Germany? Do I need a visa for that?
If you are from the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland, you can start a business in Germany and do not need a visa. All other persons require a visa or residence permit to live and start a business in Germany. You can check your options with the Quick-Check.
Further information can be found in the “Setting up a business” section.
Advice and support
Do you have any questions about visas, jobs or life in Germany? Here you will find the right advice and support services: a hotline, a live chat, an email contact form, webinars and events, as well as in-person advice centres in Germany and abroad.
