Opening doors for skilled workers to find jobs in Germany

Many regions and industries in Germany are facing a shortage of well trained workers, and demand is only going to continue growing. Alongside promoting training and professional development, Germany’s Federal Government Federal Government The Federal Government and cabinet is made up of the Federal Chancellor and the Federal Ministers. While the Chancellor holds the power to issue directives, the ministers have departmental powers, meaning that they independently run their respective ministries in the framework of those directives… Read more › is focusing modernising the immigration Immigration As early as the 19th century Germany attracted a large number of immigrants and since the 1950s has emerged as the European country with the largest immigrant population. In 1950, there were about 500,000 foreigners in Germany, accounting for a mere one percent or so of the population. This has… Read more › policies to attract skilled workers from around the world. Since 2020 new regulations have been introduced in stages to make it easier to come to Germany from abroad. Alongside this, the Federal Government is clearing away bureaucratic obstacles.

As part of reforms approved in 2023, the government created three new routes for skilled workers to migrate to Germany. In terms of qualifications, it remains the case that university graduates can practice any career for which they are qualified. Secondly, skilled workers can immigrate to Germany if they have at least two years’ experience and a professional qualification that is officially recognised in their country of origin. The government has also introduced the Opportunity Card which uses a points system to rate potential applicants. 

The Skilled Workers Immigration Immigration As early as the 19th century Germany attracted a large number of immigrants and since the 1950s has emerged as the European country with the largest immigrant population. In 1950, there were about 500,000 foreigners in Germany, accounting for a mere one percent or so of the population. This has… Read more › Act came into force on 1 March 2020. The act makes it easier for skilled workers from countries outside the EU to access the German labour market. This was previously only open to skilled workers with university degrees, but the new regulations open doors to skilled workers who gained vocational qualifications abroad.

Starting in late 2023, the regulations have been updated in several stages to make it easier for skilled workers to move to Germany. This included updating the requirements for the EU Blue Card, which allows highly qualified individuals from outside the EU to come to Germany. Among other things, the salary threshold was lowered from November 2023.

A second stage in March 2024 included extending guidelines for skilled workers with professional experience to all career areas. For example, anyone who has two years’ experience in a non-state regulated career can work in Germany without needing to get their degree recognised. Their vocational qualification or university degree must be recognised in the country where they completed their education or training.  

Introduced in June 2024, the Opportunity Card allows certain skilled workers from non-EU countries to come to Germany to find a suitable job without having to go through the drawn-out process of getting their qualifications recognised here. The card uses a points-based system to rate criteria such as qualifications, German and English skills, professional experience, and age.