The Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit - BA) is the largest provider of labour market services in Germany. It has a network of more than 700 agencies and branch offices nationwide. Our most important tasks are job and training placement, career counselling and providing benefits replacing employment income such as unemployment benefit and insolvency payments. The Family Benefits Office (Familienkasse), which provides child benefit, is also part of the Federal Employment Agency.

The Federal Employment Agency introduces its organisation and services on the following pages. In doing so, we focus on those topics that are important for customers from abroad.

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The Federal Employment Agency offers an International Placement Services for those who think about working in Germany. The service assists in taking the correct decisions while preparing a future stay in Germany. The International Personnel Service offers comprehensive information on working and living in Germany and helps you find a job.

Job and Candidate Board

The Job Board (JOBBÖRSE) helps you to quickly find a job or training position. Companies specifically select candidates for their open positions using this online service of the Federal Employment Agency.

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The Residence Act governs access to the German labour market for employees from abroad. In principle, citizens of EU countries do not need a labour permit. Interim regulations exist for Romanian and Bulgarian citizens.

Third-country nationals require a residence title to take up employment – applications can be filed with the representation of the Federal Republic of Germany abroad or within Germany with an aliens' authority – and usually approval of the Federal Employment Agency. Further information

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