Working in Germany: This is what you need to do

You would like to work or find a job in Germany? Find out whether you need a visa. We will also explain which visa types are available and how we can support you.

Who has a chance of getting a job in Germany?

Germany is primarily looking for qualified labour from abroad, so-called skilled workers.

In Germany, you are considered a skilled worker if you fulfil one of the following conditions and can prove this with the relevant documents:

  • You have completed a university degree.
  • You have completed vocational training in your profession. The training programme lasted at least 2 years.
  • You have several years of professional experience.

If you obtained your professional qualification outside of Germany, it must be comparable to the one in Germany.

Key steps

Tipp:Good to know: The Federal Employment Agency supports you along the way. On the relevant pages, you can find out exactly how we do this.

Learn German

Good German language skills will improve your chances of finding a job. Many companies expect at least a basic knowledge of German. English is usually not enough.

You should start to learn German in your home country. In some cases, you will have to prove your language skills for a visa. In certain professions, certain German language skills are mandatory.

More information:

How well do I need to know German?

Find a job

You can find job offers in Germany via reputable online portals, for example. There are official job exchanges that are specifically aimed at applicants from abroad.

The Federal Employment Agency is a government agency that will help you find a job. Make use of our support.

More information:

How can I find a job in Germany?

Have professional qualifications confirmed

In Germany, there are government regulations for some professions. Your foreign professional qualifications should meet German standards. You can provide official proof of this through a so-called recognition procedure. This is mandatory for some professions and visas.

More information:

How can my professional qualification be recognised?

Apply for a visa

Individuals from third countries (for example countries outside the EU) generally need a visa. The visa is your authorisation to enter Germany. There are different visa types. These differ according to purpose and duration.

Citizens of the European Union (EU), Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway (European Economic Area – EEA) and Switzerland do not require a visa.

More information:

Which visa do I need?