Working and living in Germany...
...has never been easier for professionals.
On Friday, 23rd June 2023 the German parliament gave way to a new immigration law that will make it easier for foreign professionals to work in Germany. Similar to countries like Canada or Australia, Germany will introduce a points-based immigration system. Depending on the resume/CV, a person receives points according to different criteria. If in sum, (s)he receives enough points, the person will be entitled with a jobseeker visa in Germany.
Among other things the system will take into account:
- your qualification
- your language skills
- your professional experience
- your age
- the extent of the labor shortage in Germany with the corresponding qualifications
The time is now
According to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the number of job vacancies in Germany has reached a record high of almost 2 million (2022). As one of the biggest economies in the world, we are in a global competition for the brightest minds and the most industrious hands. Germany is particularly looking for:
How to find a job?
If you are looking for a job in Germany, there are two main public websites that help you encounter job opportunities
1. “Make it in Germany” job listings Here you will find offers from the Federal Employment Agency's (BA) job exchange, where employers highly welcome applications from abroad. Find the job that suits you most.
2. Additionally, you may use the Job Board (Stellensuche) of the Federal Employment Agency (BA). It's Germany's largest online portal for jobs. You can look for opportunities and enter your personal applicant profile so that German companies are able to see it and can contact you directly if they are interested. The job offers are updated on a daily basis, but they may appear in German. There is also an app for the job listings.
Private recruitment agencies may be another way to find a job specifically suited for you. We recommend to search for information on potential fees in advance in case you are willing to choose to make use of their services. Maybe you already know about specific Germany-based companies that are in need of qualified professionals or that have just aroused your interest due to their history, brand, products, services, or the like. Just search on their websites for the HR area or job offers and maybe you will find interesting jobs directly.
If you want to know more
If you have any questions concerning work and life in Germany or when the new legislation (and opportunities!) will come into effect, you are kindly invited to visit Germany's official public service website for qualified professionals make-it-in-germany. Please feel free to send them your queries via e-mail. The experts are also happy to counsel you live and directly via chat – in both German and English. If you prefer a personal conversation, you may call the hotline. The experts will provide you with advice either in German or English.
If you have any more specific questions about the application and job search in Germany, the Federal Employment Agency (BA) will provide you with personal support on these topics.
About us
We are the parliamentary group of the Free Democrats FDP – Germany's liberal Party. Even in challenging times we believe that the best is yet to come. This is why we expect German politics to think further, be eager and to be courageous.
For many years we have been campaigning for a bold program to facilitate the immigration of skilled workers – including a new immigration law that really enables professionals from abroad to come to Germany to get a job. This new law is a huge milestone but there is more to come.
Stay tuned and we hope to see you in Germany.