The German economy is like a speeding train that needs more and more hands to operate it. German companies have a lot of orders and need manpower to fulfil them, while the labour market suffers from a shortage of workers. The head of the Federal Employment Agency says the shortage affects a variety of professions – from nurses to doctors, from technical trades workers to logistics specialists and scientists.
- The main reason is the demographic problem faced by most European countries.
- This has a direct impact on the problems faced by local employers in finding workers.
- According to estimates, the country will need up to 400,000 immigrants a year to meet the needs of employers.
In Germany, the number of people of working age will already start to decline rapidly in 2023. By 2035, the number of people of working age could even be 9 million lower.
Germany is tempted by workers from Central and Southern Europe!
- The German employer offers a higher salary.
- Better working conditions (friendly work place, and other facilities).
- Offer their employees a range of vocational and language courses.
Germany has opened its labour market to workers from outside the European Union!
From 1 March 2020, a new law on the employment of skilled workers, the so-called Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz, is in force in Germany. Thanks to it, citizens from countries outside the European Union gain easier access to the German labour market.
New law and new opportunities for migrants
A new law makes it easier for skilled workers from non-EU countries to take up legal employment in Germany. The new regulations are mainly:
- people who do not work under a contract of employment but are undergoing appropriate professional training can obtain a six-month residence permit to find employment
- the obligation to examine the right of priority (checking whether there is a job vacancy for a German or another EU country national first) has been abolished
- opening of the market for any qualified worker, not only from the so-called “deficit occupations”
- reduction of the waiting period for a permanent residence permit for non-EU citizens from 5 to 4 years
Who can work in Germany now?
It is estimated that in Germany there are even about one million vacancies in various sectors. The introduction of new regulations is supposed to make it easier to fill these vacancies. In practice, however, few candidates are able to meet the requirements.
A citizen of a non-EU country must in order to work legally in Germany
- have a university degree or a professional qualification recognised in Germany
- speak German at least level B2
- have sufficient resources for initial subsistence in Germany and necessary administrative expenses (e.g. costs for translation of documents and validation of diploma)
Working in Germany without speaking German
If you are looking for a job in Germany without a language, you should expect to be employed in production. Most of the professionals desired in this country should know German at a communicative level. This increases the chance of employment and promotion.
