Where is a good place to live and work? Discover what benefits Germany has to offer.
Germany has one of the world's strongest economies, diverse career opportunities, and an excellent quality of life. Discover what reliable social security, a great education system, and a safe environment mean for your future in Germany.
Germany at a glance
An overview of the 16 federal states
Each of the 16 federal states has its own distinctive features, strong economic centres and a diverse cultural landscape. Find out which region suits you best.
Select state
Baden-Württemberg
Baden-Württemberg is one of the most modern industrial locations in the world. Its economic strength and low unemployment levels contribute to its attractiveness.
Bavaria
Beautiful natural 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.
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.
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 from beautiful natural landscapes which are perfect for recreation and leisure.
Bremen
Bremen is innovative and creative, but laid back at the same time – as is typical for the North of Germany. Positive people as well as performance-driven business and research make Brandenburg an attractive location for professionals.
Hamburg
Hamburg is a green city located near the sea and offers a host of things to do in your free time, including plenty of cultural activities. Its international flair and comparatively young population make it a very pleasant place to be.
Hesse
Home to one of the largest European airports, Hessen offers an excellent transport network. Frankfurt, as an international financial centre, has a strong influence on Hessen as a service region. Similarly, well-known international industrial companies define Hessen as a technology location at the heart of European markets.
Mecklenburg-West Pomerania
Northern landscapes, the beautiful Baltic seaside, clear lakes, open fields, untouched nature, a maritime flair and lots of space – all of that defines Mecklenburg-West Pomerania – a place to live. As a business location, Mecklenburg-West Pomerania relies on a healthy mix of innovative, future-oriented industries and traditional businesses, global players and SMEs.
Lower Saxony
Strong enterprises, innovative minds and excellent research institutes have turned the state into an excellent location for business and research alike.
North Rhine-Westphalia
North Rhine-Westphalia is a very diverse state, with vibrant business centres, bustling cities and peaceful natural landscapes. The state is home to one of the strongest industrial regions in the world and offers one of the most vibrant cultural landscapes in Europe.
Rhineland-Palatinate
Rhineland-Palatinate is one of Europe’s high tech regions, with above-average economic strength and a focus on export. Family-friendly infrastructures, excellent schools, universities and educational institutions as well as beautiful natural and cultural landscapes and the mighty rivers Rhine and Moselle make Rhineland-Palatinate a lovely place to be.
Saarland
From a traditional mining and steel location, the state of Saarland has evolved into a modern, international business region. Positioned in the Southwest of Germany bordering France and Luxembourg, Saarland boasts beautiful landscapes and a low cost of living.
Saxony-Anhalt
A dynamic business environment set at the heart of Europe, high levels of direct investment, excellent universities and a host of research institutions all contribute to Saxony-Anhalt’s attractiveness for professionals.
Saxony
Saxony is an excellent location for international companies and has developed rapidly in the last couple of years. This may be due to its attractive position between Western and Eastern Europe, as well as to its population’s affinity with all matters technical.
Schleswig-Holstein
Schleswig-Holstein is home to many beacons, and in more than one sense of the word. Many companies and research institutions are beacons of science and business as they are developing the technologies of the future. At the same time, you can discover many actual beacons and lighthouses as you walk along its 1,190 kilometres of coastline.
Thuringia
Thuringia has become one of the most dynamic regions with the highest growth rates. By high flexibility and innovation, small and medium-sized companies access quickly to new market developments and offer high emloyment security for their employees. Thuringia is now considered as top location in the center of Europe.
Please select a state.
FAQs on Germany
What advantages does the working life in Germany have?
Employees in Germany in Germany have protected rights. These include statutory notice periods, holiday entitlement, rest periods, laws protecting mothers-to-be and nursing mothers, parental leave, co-determination within the company, equal treatment of all employees, and the statutory minimum wage, for example.
Health and safety laws are in place to uphold health and safety standards at the workplace. Even if you fall ill, you will still receive your salary. These regulations allow you to maintain a healthy relationship between work and leisure.
In addition, as an employee, you benefit from the German social security system, and you are automatically registered in the schemes of statutory health insurance, pension insurance, accident insurance, and unemployment insurance. You and your employer pay a fixed contribution, which is directly deducted from your salary for this purpose. This means that you and your family are well protected in times of hardship.
Please find more information in the “Salary, taxes & social security” section and on the website of the “Fair Integration (External link) ” project.
Can I work in Germany?
The conditions and requirements for working in Germany vary depending on the country of origin and other criteria (e.g., qualification and work experience). For skilled workers from non-EU states, a relationship of qualified employment must generally exist.
If you are from an EU or EEA Member State or from Switzerland, you have unrestricted access to the German labour market.
With the Quick-Check, you can check which options you have for working in Germany.
What is considered as qualified employment?
An employment position is considered as qualified if it requires skills and knowledge that are usually acquired during academic studies or qualified vocational training. Qualified vocational training is a state-recognised vocational training programme with a minimum training period of two years.
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.
Do I have to speak German to work in Germany?
Whether you require German language skills often depends on the profession to be practised. As a rule, it will be easier for you to find a job if you speak German (exceptions are possible, e.g., in the IT industry). German language skills are also important for everyday life, as well as participation on a societal level. Experience shows that language level B1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is a good basis for getting by in Germany.
Please visit the “Learning German” section to find out how and where you can learn German.
In some cases, a proof of your German language skills is required for the visa application. This applies to certain professions (e.g., nursing professionals) and for some visas (e.g., visa for vocational training).
Please find detailed information in the “Do I need to know German?”.
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.
