Everything you need to know about finding work in Germany, what your resume must look like, recognition of studies, vocational careers, medical, pension and taxes.
When it comes to working in Germany, one must be aware of the various types of employment visas available. These visas can range from temporary to permanent, and may differ in eligibility requirements depending on your specific circumstances.
New Skilled immigration Act – Changes will be implemented in phases, in November 2023, March 2024 and June 2024.
Detail about the changes can be found on the Make it in Germany website
Here is a link to the official Information about the Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz (Skilled Immigration Act). Currently it is only available in German.
The latest information in English can be found Anerkennung-in-deutschland website and Make it in Germany website
Find information about the types of Employment visas available to South Africans
Long term visas Long-term visas apply to stays in Germany of more than 90 days and are typically issued for purposes such as work or study. If your application is approved, you will receive a visa allowing you to enter Germany. After arrival, you must apply for your residence permit
The list of in-demand professions is updated regularly. To see the current list, visit the Make it in Germany website from the Federal Government.
Share your employment visa application journey with others, or read up on the experience of others.
These are shared experiences by people who recently went through a Work Visa application process. You can share yours with us via an easy-to-fill-in form on this page Releated content
Help others to understand the Employment Visa process by sharing your experiences.We will add it to our website on this page Related content Releated content
Residence permits in Germany A Visa allows you to enter Germany and stay for no more than 90 days in a 180-day cycle.When you want to stay in Germany for longer than 90 days, you will need to apply for the correct visa in your home country and, once you are in Germany, apply for the subsequent residence permit (Aufenhaltstitel) at the competent Aliens Authority in Germany. There are two main types of residence
Schengen Visa application tips We are not immigration agents, and your first point of contact should always be the German embassy or consulate in South Africa.Most of the information you need to apply for your visa at the Germany Embassy in South Africa can be found on their websiteHere is some additional information that could help when something is not clear. For individual queries, you can send an email to visacapetown@kaps.diplo.de or use their online form Friends
Family Reunification Visa Family reunification in Germany allows close family members to join their relatives living in Germany—whether those relatives are German citizens or third-country nationals with valid residence (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) or settlement permits (Niederlassungserlaubnis). Eligible family members include: Spouses or registered partners Minor children to foreign parent (unmarried) Parents of a minor German Child These rules focus on preserving the nuclear family. Other relatives, such as adult children, siblings, grandparents, or extended family, are not normally
Long term visas Long-term visas apply to stays in Germany of more than 90 days and are typically issued for purposes such as work or study. If your application is approved, you will receive a visa allowing you to enter Germany. After arrival, you must apply for your residence permit at your local Ausländerbehörde as soon as possible. Your first point of reference is always the official channels: German Embassy in South Africa, long-term visas
Searching for job opportunities The most popular approach to finding a job in Germany is to register directly on company job sites. This helps you keep track of all the currently available job positions and makes the application process much more organised. Another option is to utilise the services of a reputable employment agency. This option could help you get extra career insights, identify hidden job opportunities, and potentially bring exclusive benefits to your job
Studying in Germany Germany’s higher education landscape is renowned for its academic excellence and affordability. Whether you’re pursuing a degree at a Universität, a Fachhochschule (University of Applied Sciences), or through a dual study program, you’ll find a learning culture built on precision, independence, and real-world application. Before applying, it’s essential to understand the admission and recognition process. Many international students apply through uni-assist, a centralized service that evaluates foreign qualifications and forwards approved applications
Vocational Careers Plumbers, nurses, electricians, hairdressers, and countless other trades are in high demand across Germany. The New Skilled Immigration Act opens doors for experienced South Africans to live and work here — legally, confidently, and with purpose. New from March 2024 Residence for professional recognition: Those participating in refresher training or a compensation measure in Germany are able to enter Germany for this purpose and in future remain for up to a maximum of three years. The prospective
Intra corporate transfers (ICT card) The ICT Card (Intra-Corporate Transfer Card) is a residence permit designed for non-EU nationals who are temporarily transferred within a multinational company to a branch or affiliate in Germany. This visa is aimed at managers, specialists, and trainee employees who are part of a business group operating globally. As rules and regulations can change on a regular basis, we provide links to the German Embassy in South Africa. Where possible
Recognition of studies Planning to study further, work in a regulated profession, or have your vocational training acknowledged in Germany?You may need your Matric (Grade 12), South African degree, or other qualifications officially recognised, depending on your goals. To check whether your profession is regulated in the EU, explore the official EU database of regulated professions. Recognition of school leaving certificates Germany distinguishes between: School‑leaving certificates, such as Matric (after grade 10 or 12), are intended
Curriculum Vitae and Resume When applying for jobs in Germany, having your CV (Lebenslauf) in the correct format is essential. Unlike some other countries, German employers generally prefer a Résumé for job applications. CV vs. Résumé – What’s the Difference? 📌 CV (Curriculum Vitae) – A comprehensive document detailing your entire academic and professional history, including research experience, awards, publications, and memberships. This is mostly used in academia or research-related positions. 📌 Résumé – A
Career coaching or counselling is professional advice and support to help you manage your education and career. This could be in the form of workshops, webinars and one on one sessions. We had a webinar with Yvonne Brockaus, who is a career coach with working experience in South Africa. You can find a transcript of the questions and answers in the following file: Career webinar with Yvonne Brockhaus Yvonne is also listed on our website, and
Networking In today’s digital age, your professional network is your strongest career asset. German companies don’t just hire qualifications—they hire trusted faces and engaged voices. From LinkedIn to Xing, from industry meetups to community events, building authentic relationships is your key to opportunity. Building Your Online Presence — The Essentials In the modern professional landscape, your online presence is more than just a digital résumé—it’s your first impression, your personal brand, and your ongoing conversation
You can set up your own business in two ways, one is to work as a freelancer or as a self-employed entrepreneur (Gewerbe).
If you want to work as a freelancer in Germany, you will need to apply for a Residence permit for the purpose of freelance employment.
Freelance occupations can be practised for so-called Liberal professions (Freie Berufe) and can include artists, writers, language teachers, engineers, auditors, interpreters, Business or management consultants, architects, translators, and surveyors.
Healthcare workers like doctors, dentists, vets and physiotherapists also fall under liberal professions.
Health Insurance in Germany: A Guide for South Africans In Germany, health insurance (Krankenversicherung) isn’t a choice — it’s a legal requirement for every resident, and a prerequisite for obtaining your Aufenthaltstitel (residence permit).Before you can truly settle in, this is one of the very first boxes you’ll need to tick. When you earn less than the Versicherungspflichtgrenze, you must generally be insured under the public health system (GKV). When your gross income exceeds that
The following Social Insurances are payable in Germany when you are a full-time employee or trainee: Krankenvesicherung / Medical Insurance Plegeversicherung / Long Term care insurance. Nursing or home care Rentenversicherung / Pension insurance Unfallversicherung / Accident insurance – Should you become ill due to your profession you will be supported by the statutory accident insurance scheme. This will, for example, continue to pay your wages.It also assumes the cost for a further training course
Income Tax / Lohnsteuer We often receive questions about income tax declarations in Germany and where to find help, especially help in English. First, we must clarify that we are not tax consultants and, under German law, are not authorised to provide any tax advice. You can read more about these legal restrictions in this article from Buhl (in German, but easily translatable with most browsers). The information below is to offer guidelines and an overwiew of
Pensions in Germany The pension system in Germany can be complex, especially for foreigners. Employees, freelancers, and anyone planning for retirement all face different rules and responsibilities. But you don’t have to figure it out alone. Homepage of the Deutsche Rentenversicherung The German state pension scheme provides valuable resources and services to help you navigate retirement planning. Foreign Language Support: Detailed information is available on their homepage for foreign languages. Comprehensive German Resources: For those
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