Immigrating to Germany

1.9 million people immigrated to Germany in 2023 for all kinds of reasons. Germany offers the security, stability and strength that many people look for. In this article, we walk you through what it takes to immigrate to Germany and how to best prepare.

There are all kinds of reasons why someone might choose to immigrate to Germany. Germany is considered a safe country in terms of things like crime and political security. It is also a welfare state, meaning it ensures everyone has statutory health insurance and receives a basic income to live on. Employees in Germany automatically pay into a health insurance plan via their salary, which gives them extra cover. The country’s well-established healthcare system saves patients from costly visits to the hospital or doctor’s office. Germany is also a politically stable and democratic country with values like freedom of speech, freedom of choice, freedom of religion and protection from political persecution. Germany’s basic law lays out human rights that must not be touched or amended by any other laws or constitution.

The ongoing skilled labour shortage in Germany might be a reason for people to immigrate. There are lots of vacancies in the fields of nursing, healthcare, childcare and child education as well as general education and social work. If you work in one of these professions and your qualifications are recognised in Germany, you have a good chance of being able to live and work in Germany.

Find out more in our articles “Living in Germany” and “Tips for Everyday Life in Germany”.

Are you sure about your decision to immigrate to Germany? Then your next step is to check all necessary requirements:

• Work visa (for third-country nationals)
  If you are a third-country national (i.e. from a non-EU state), you need to have a visa upon entering Germany. Once you are on German ground, you will need to have your visa ‘converted’ into a residence permit to be able to work in Germany. If you are from Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea (South Korea), New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland or the USA, you do not need a visa to enter Germany, but if you want to work in Germany, you will need to apply for a work visa first. To work in Germany, you will need a work visa. You can apply for a work visa before or after arriving in Germany. Find out more about your options in our article “Work visa Germany”.
• Language certificate
  Please make sure you get proof of your German language skills as soon as possible as you will need it to apply for your residence permit.
• Employment contract in Germany
  You need to have an existing job offer in Germany to apply for a work visa. The only exception applies to the ‘Chancenkarte’ (= Opportunity Card). This type of visa permits holders to look for a job for up to one year whilst already living in Germany.
• Proof of financial means/minimum salary
  In most cases, you must meet a minimum salary threshold to apply for a work visa. You also need to prove that you have the necessary financial means to cover your living expenses when you apply for a residence permit.
• Permanent residence
  Allow plenty of time to look for a place to live, such as a flat or shared flat (‘Wohngemeinschaft’/‘WG’). Major cities in Germany are dealing with housing shortages, which could impact waiting times – it might take several weeks for you to find a suitable accommodation. You will also need to register your place of residence with the local Citizens’ Registration Office (‘Bürgerbüro’/’Bürgeramt’). Here is where you will receive your registration certificate (‘Meldebescheinigung’). You will need this plus proof of your monthly rental costs to apply for your residence permit.

To immigrate to Germany, you need to have the prospect of a permanent job. It is common to apply for jobs in Germany via email or online portals.

You can look for roles on job portals like:

• LinkedIn
• Xing
• Stepstone
• Indeed
• Jobware
• Bundesagentur für Arbeit

Your best bet is to register with LinkedIn and Xing and put in some time and effort to create an appealing professional profile. You can search for companies that match your requirements and follow them on these platforms to stay informed about new job openings. You might even be able to make some valuable connections already.  

Even if you cannot find a job that exactly matches your profile, you can submit a direct application. To do so, find a contact person on the company’s website and send them your CV and an email or cover letter outlining your skills.

Have you found a job that you would like to apply for? Then you will need to submit the following job application documents:

• CV
  Having a well-structured CV is a crucial first step. It acts as your business card and the first thing that recruiters look at. Start your CV by listing your most recent positions and make sure to lay out your language and software skills by proficiency level. If you have a driver’s licence, include that as well. You are not required to include a headshot in your CV, however, it is quite common to do so in Germany.
• References and certificates
  Qualifications are a big part of any job application in Germany, so make sure you include any references and certificates in your application. This also includes proof of work experience. Please have your certificates, degrees and references translated and certified to eliminate any language barriers between you and your potential future employer. You will also need to find out if your qualifications need to be officially recognised before submission.
• Cover letter
  A cover letter is not always required in Germany. In some cases, you might be asked to provide one, in others, you can simply enter your reasons for applying in the company’s online application form. If you need to submit a cover letter, make sure its information does not overlap too much with your CV’s. Use the cover letter as an opportunity to highlight a few milestones in your career and explain what attracts you to the job you are applying for. If the job ad does not specify whether you need a cover letter, we recommend including one anyway because it shows that you are truly interested and motivated.

Please make sure your application is flawless by having it proofread. This will give you more confidence and make a good impression on potential employers.

Once you have found a position as a skilled worker in Germany, you can let your employer know about the fast-track procedure for skilled workers, which might speed up the process.

Immigrating to Germany is a step-by-step process. We have put together a checklist to help guide you along the way:

• Learn about Germany
  Find out what life is like in Germany, what you need to move there, where you want to live, how to find a job, etc.
• Check the requirements for your work visa and residence permit
  Make sure you meet all the requirements to qualify for a work visa or residence permit so you can live and work in Germany.
• Look for a job
  Take plenty of time to look and apply for jobs in Germany. Check whether your future salary meets the required threshold and covers your living expenses.
• Prepare your required documents for your visa application
  If you need a visa to enter Germany, make sure you have all the necessary documents and translations ready to go.
• Look for accommodation
  Do you already have a job offer with a company in Germany? Then you are ready to start looking for a place to live. For your residence permit, you will need to provide a permanent address along with rental costs and a registration certificate.
• Register for statutory health insurance
  Once you have a permanent job contract and your work visa has been approved, you need to register with a statutory health insurance provider in Germany. You will also need proof of statutory health insurance to get your residence permit.
• Prepare your required documents for your residence permit in Germany
  Depending on whether you apply for a residence permit before or after you arrive in Germany, you are advised to get the necessary documents ready early on.
• Register your place of residence
  Once you have arrived in Germany, you will need to register your place of residence with your local immigration authority (‘Ausländerbehörde’) to apply for your residence permit.

You will need the following documents to apply for a residence permit in Germany:

• your passport
• a valid visa (if available)
• proof of statutory health insurance
• proof of financial security
• proof of rental costs
• proof of qualifications and work experience
• language certificate
• a copy of your employment contract

Having your documents translated: Please note that you will usually be required to submit your application documents in German. You can ask about the exact requirements by contacting the diplomatic mission in your home country or your local immigration authority in Germany.

Costs: €100 for adults

Processing time: 10-12 weeks

If you do not need a visa to enter the country but want to start working right after your arrival in Germany, you will want to apply for a residence permit in your home country, as processing times are usually between 10 and 12 weeks.