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So-called third-country nationals with extensive professional experience may, under § 6 of the Ordinance on the Employment of Foreigners (Beschäftigungsverordnung, BeschV), obtain a residence permit under certain conditions even without a vocational qualification or university degree recognized in Germany or an equivalent qualification.

It is possible to take a job without a qualification that is formally recognized in Germany in all non-regulated professions. The aim of this regulation is to simplify the procedure for obtaining a residence permit and, as a result, to shorten the process.

Qualification

However, to obtain a residence permit for employment based on extensive professional experience, proof of professional qualifications is generally required. At the same time, there does not need to be a direct connection between the qualification obtained and the desired job in Germany.

The professional qualification may be a vocational training lasting at least two years, or a university degree. The qualification must be officially recognized in the country in which it was obtained. Alternatively, proof of a vocational qualification issued abroad by a German Chamber of Commerce Abroad (AHK) can be furnished, provided that the training complies with the requirements of the Vocational Training Act in terms of content, duration, and type.

The Central Agency for Foreign Education (ZAB) checks whether the qualification obtained is recognized in the country in which it was obtained. The ZAB issues a Statement of Comparability for university degrees. If the foreign institution of higher education is listed in anabin with the status “H+” and the degree is classified as “equivalent” or “conditionally comparable,” the foreign degree is considered to be state-recognized. In this case, the ZAB's certificate evaluation is not necessary. For training courses, the ZAB issues Statement on a Foreign Vocational Qualification. Alternatively, the partial recognition certificate issued by the competent recognition authority can also serve as proof.

Work experience

Applicants must have at least two years of relevant professional experience at the skilled worker level gained within the last five years.

There must be a professional connection between the work experience gained and the desired position. The Federal Employment Agency of Germany is responsible for assessing specialist experience and the planned position at the skilled worker level.

The professional experience must have been gained through work as a specialist, that is, through one or more positions at the level of vocational training or a university degree. Qualified part-time work may be counted as relevant work experience if the part-time job was the primary source of employment during that period.

Special provisions for the IT sector

Third-country nationals with extensive practical professional experience in the IT sector may obtain a residence permit for employment based on their extensive practical professional experience, even without a formal vocational qualification or university degree. In such cases, therefore, no proof of qualification is required. However, all other requirements must also be met for employment in the IT sector.

Job offer

The position in question must be a skilled job. A job is considered skilled if it typically requires vocational training or a university degree. Part-time or entry-level positions do not qualify.

Salary

To ensure fair working conditions, the salary must be at least 45% of the contribution assessment ceiling for the general pension insurance scheme (at least 45,630 Euro in 2026; this amount is adjusted annually). For employees aged 45 and older, the minimum salary in 2026 is 55,770 Euro.

An exception to the salary threshold may be made only if the employer is bound by a collective agreement within the meaning of Sections 3 and 5 of the Collective Agreements Act (Tarifvertragsgesetz, TVG) and the employment is subject to the applicable terms of the collective bargaining agreement. In addition, the salary must not be lower than that of comparable domestic specialists.

If this income level is not met, there is the option of coming to Germany under a recognition partnership. This allows individuals to take up employment in Germany while simultaneously initiating the process of having their foreign professional qualification recognized. We will take a closer look at this in our next newsletter.