03 / WORK

Work and build a career in Germany.

Professional routes depend on your qualification, occupation, experience, employment opportunity and, for some professions, formal recognition.

PROFESSIONAL ROUTE

WORK

Qualification

Recognition

Employment

Residence

Professional routes

Your occupation changes the requirements.

Germany distinguishes between different professions and employment routes. Recognition is especially important for regulated professions.

Your vocational or academic qualification is one of the main factors in determining which employment routes may be available.

Relevant professional experience can be important for certain employment and residence routes.

Recognition is mandatory for certain regulated professions. For non-regulated professions, different rules can apply.

Language requirements depend on the occupation, employer and residence route. Regulated professions can have additional professional language rules.

Many professional residence routes are connected to qualified employment and therefore depend on the actual job and employment conditions.

The appropriate visa or residence permit depends on the applicant's nationality, qualification, employment and individual circumstances.

Typical sequence

Define the occupation you want to practise in Germany.

Determine whether your foreign qualification requires recognition or another form of assessment.

Identify suitable employment opportunities and check the conditions of the relevant route.

Complete the relevant visa or residence process based on your individual circumstances.

Official information

Recognition rules depend on the specific occupation. Use the official Recognition Finder before relying on general information.

Federal portal for foreign professional and vocational qualification recognition.

Federal information about working, visas and residence options for international professionals.

The Profile Assessment is an optional service and is separate from the information on this website.