Legal Requirements

Whether you can work in Germany or not firstly depends on your nationality. If you need a visa and a residence title to live in Germany, then generally you will also require a work permit to take a job.

Nationals of EU and EEA countries
If you are from an EU member state or another country within the European Economic Area (EEA), you do not need to have a permit to work in Germany. You have unrestricted access to the employment market.
Third-country nationals

If you are from a country that is not in the EU or EEA, you will need a residence permit which explicitly permits you to take a job. Only then can you work in Germany. Ask your local immigration authority for information if you are not sure what type of residence title you have.

People in the Asylum process
If you have made an application for international protection in Germany and it is still pending a decision, you can nevertheless still get a work permit subject to certain conditions. You can also ask the responsible immigration authority where you live for information.

A residence title is mostly issued in the form of a chipcard. There are different types of residence titles:

Residence Permit → This is a residence title for a set period which can be extended.

Settlement Permit → This does not have a time limit. Certain requirements must be met.

EU Blue Card → This has a time limit. You must have a specific job offer for a highly-skilled role and have the appropriate qualifications and payment for that role.

Permanent residence permit - EU → This does not have a time limit. Certain requirements must be met.

For full information about residence, we recommend the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.

The website Make it in Germany is aimed at academics and professionals from other countries who wish to work in Germany. You can get information in English, Spanish and French. Short versions are available in 10 further languages, among them Arabic and Russian.

Several cities and districts in Germany use the Integreat app to provide multilingual information for immigrant professionals and migrants. The languages offered and the content vary from region to region. The focus is on information about work/training, education and everyday topics.

Brochure: Studying and Working in Germany - Information for Third-Country Nationals

The Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge [Federal Office for Migration and Refugees] (BAMF) has published a brochure for third-country nationals to explain the possible ways into the education and employment market.

The brochure is available in English.

Important note:

Since 2015, German residence law has been repeatedly amended and revised. The brochure ‘Bildung und Beruf Deutschland’ is therefore currently being revised and adapted to the current legal situation. The updated edition will also be published online after publication.

Information for Refugees in the Asylum Process

People who are still in the asylum process can generally request a work permit from their responsible immigration authority if they have already been resident in Germany for three months and they are no longer required to live in an Initial Reception Facility.

In certain cases, the immigration authority may also issue a work ban.