Five hard truths foreign job seekers in Germany need to know
Estimates suggest that the number of unfilled work positions in Germany runs comfortably into the hundreds of thousands, and this is particularly acute in areas such as tech, construction, healthcare, and education.
These well-publicised labour shortages, as well as government policies designed to attract skilled workers (often accompanied by well-funded promotional campaigns), paint a picture of Germany as a country ready and willing to welcome skilled migrants with open arms.
The reality for many foreign job seekers arriving in Germany can be dramatically different.
Here are five hard truths for job seekers who have just arrived in the country -- or are planning to come soon.
1) Applying from abroad is unlikely to work
The
Make it in Germany
website provides an excellent overview for foreign job seekers, covering everything from qualification recognition to visa options, income requirements, available support, and the sectors most urgently in need of new workers.
While it is technically possible to apply for work in Germany from abroad, as the website indicates, in practice your chances of finding a good job rise exponentially if you're actually in the country.
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In part, this is because German working culture still puts a lot of emphasis on face-to-face meetings (applicants who can attend interviews in person have a clear advantage over applicants interviewing online).
But mostly, it's because employers are likely to follow the path of least resistance.
Faced with two candidates for a position with similar skills and qualifications, most will opt for the candidate who is already nearby and already has permission to work in Germany.
If you are applying from abroad – and need a firm offer of employment before you can apply for a visa – make sure you're up front about this during the application process.
Typically, you will need a job description from your future employer as well as a contract.
Once you have these documents, securing a work visa takes around two to four weeks in the majority of cases.
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2) Do your homework – and try and keep your expectations under control
Whatever you might have heard or read on the internet, people who arrive in Germany and simply walk into their dream job are about as rare as hens' teeth.
There are open positions in Germany, which do offer good wages and long-term security, but they no longer come as standard, and finding one is more often the result of good preparation than good fortune.
Do your research.
While there are significant labour shortages in Germany, many companies and organisations – including in the sectors experiencing shortages – are currently laying off staff and putting a freeze on hiring.
In public sector education and healthcare roles, for example, budgets are prohibitively tight. In heavy industry and auto manufacturing, competition from abroad is forcing many leading companies to downsize rather than grow their workforces.
Manage your expectations.
Accepting an entry-level position or even an internship may be necessary as a way of getting your foot in the door.
Foreign job seekers can struggle to find work in Germany. Photo: Sarah on Unsplash
3) You'll be much better off if you speak German
Despite what literally thousands of people claim on the internet, most jobs in Germany still require a strong grasp of the language.
You may be able to get away without speaking German in some tech roles or at a Berlin-based startup – or if you have a very specific skill set.
These jobs are rare, however, and competition for them is fierce.
Bear in mind that you'll also be competing against bilingual Germans, as well as newcomers to the country.
READ ALSO:
Can you get a job in Germany without German language skills?
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Look through the
list
of professions in demand.
Most of these jobs require constant interaction and the ability to communicate clearly – and most employers will be looking for at least
B1 or B2 level German
.
4) Discrimination and bias exist
Germany has relatively strong
anti-discrimination laws
.
Unfortunately, not every employer in the country has received the memo.
Generally, hiring staff at German companies still expect to see a photograph, your D.O.B, and your marital status on a C.V.
Naturally, no one will admit to using this information to screen for race, age, or gender – it's 'just the way things have always been done here' – but anecdotal evidence suggests that the goal of a 'harmonious team' is still interpreted rather too narrowly, rather too often.
Unfortunately, foreign job seekers have limited options when their C.V.s are repeatedly overlooked or when they're asked inappropriate questions during interviews.
Forewarned is forearmed, however, and it would be foolish to pretend that discrimination doesn't exist in Germany.
READ ALSO:
'No-one will offer me a job' - How having a foreign name affects life in Germany
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5) The paperwork is endless
Germany, famously, loves paperwork.
Once you have an offer of work in the country, prepare yourself for a blizzard of form filling and numerous trips to various different ministries and institutions.
Your new employer will expect you to produce: a valid German work visa, a German tax ID number (
Steueridentifikationsnummer
), German health insurance (
Krankenversicherung
), a German social security number (
Sozialversicherungsnummer
), and a German bank account number.
READ ALSO:
What you need to earn to get an EU Blue Card in Germany in 2025
Once you start
Starting work in any new country presents significant additional challenges, from mastering the language to adjusting to the culture – and an increased risk of misunderstandings.
HR staff are available if you need support but ultimately represent the interests of the employer rather than the employee.
Most German companies also have a Workers' Council (
Betriebsrat
), however, tasked with representing workers' interests and providing support and advice when necessary.
Whenever you start a new job in Germany, it's always a good idea to find your
Betriebsrat
representative and introduce yourself.
What advice did we miss? Share your own thoughts in the comments section below.
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