Employment in Germany

Employment in Germany

Many foreign nationals intend to work in Germany for various reasons. However, depending on the type of activity they wish to pursue, this is subject to certain requirements that should be carefully considered and professionally reviewed. There are various alternatives for accessing the German labor market.

1. Admission to the German Labor Market

Foreign nationals who wish to stay for the purpose of pursuing gainful employment require a residence permit. This includes foreign nationals who are not citizens of a member state of the European Union, the European Economic Area, or Switzerland.

In principle, the residence permit must be applied for and issued in the form of a visa before entry. The respective German diplomatic mission abroad (embassy, consulate) is responsible for this. Access to the German labor market for third-country nationals is restricted by a legal regulation (Employment Regulations). Only certain professional groups have access to the German labor market. As a rule, prior approval from the employment agency is mandatory.

For unskilled and low-skilled workers, the alternatives for accessing the labor market are very limited. However, well-qualified foreign nationals, such as academic professionals, have significantly better legal opportunities for immigration, with good prospects for permanent residence in Germany.

2. Training in Germany

Citizens of non-EU countries can also obtain a residence permit for in-company training in Germany. Approval from the Federal Employment Agency is required for this. The employment agency will then check whether there are German or preferentially qualified foreign applicants for the training position nationwide.

However, graduates of German schools abroad who are seeking qualified in-company training in a state-recognized or similarly regulated skilled occupation can be granted a residence permit without approval from the Federal Employment Agency.

3. Job-seeking visa in Germany

University graduates who hold a German or a recognized foreign degree, or a foreign degree equivalent to a German university degree, can enter Germany and seek employment there. They receive a job-seeking visa, which allows them to stay in Germany for up to six months to look for work. However, in addition to their university degree, they must provide proof of financial security for the planned period of their stay. Employment or self-employment is not permitted while looking for a job.

a) Foreign University Degree

If you hold a recognized foreign university degree or a foreign university degree comparable to a German university degree, but the salary limits for the EU Blue Card are not met. The recognition of the university degree is verified via the ANABIN database. Furthermore, the job must correspond to the applicant's qualifications, i.e., the acquired knowledge must be at least partially or indirectly required for the job.

b) Qualified Vocational Training Acquired Abroad

Employment with qualified vocational training acquired abroad may be permitted if the profession is listed on the current list of the German Employment Agency, the position is advertised on the German Employment Agency's job exchange, and the equivalence of the training with the German educational program has been established.

c) Qualified vocational training acquired in Germany

Employment in Germany may still be possible at a later date if the qualified vocational training was acquired in Germany. For this to be possible, the desired employment must correspond to the applicant's vocational training. Qualified vocational training usually lasts at least two years. In this case, the positive list is irrelevant.

Av. Sinem Orhan Coşkun