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South Africans in Germany

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    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 search process.

    For each application, you must submit your CV or resume, a cover letter, proof of education and any testimonials you might have.
    Vocational qualifications can be certified to assist in the process. See the section on Recognition of Studies
    You must also have or apply for the correct Visas/Residence Permits.

    Intra corporate transfers (ICT card)

    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 also links to additional information. We are not immigration consultants and can only refer you to the official pages. An ICT Card is a

    Residence Permits in Germany (Aufenthaltstitel)

    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 permits in Germany 1.Temporary residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis)  This is always the first residence permit issued in Germany.It is granted for a limited period and

    List of Long Stay Visas

    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  Federal Foreign Office Consular Portal Make it in Germany Website Disclaimer – The legal references and section numbers of the German Residence Act (AufenthG)

    Company Websites

    If you already have an idea of where you would like to work, it can be worth going directly to the company’s own careers page. Many large German and international companies advertise vacancies on their websites before—or instead of—listing them on general job portals. Browse the companies below to explore current opportunities, internships and graduate positions, and check their careers pages regularly for new openings.

    Startups

    If you would like to work for a startup, Germany has a growing startup scene, particularly in cities such as Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt and Cologne. Startups often offer opportunities in English and may be more open to international experience and unconventional career paths. 

    If you are interested in working for a startup company, you can find a list here.

    AI Prompts to help you search

    With CV Attached

    Copy and paste this prompt into ChatGPT or another AI tool:

    I am looking for a job in Germany and would like you to act as my job-search assistant.
    I will provide my CV below. Please search the web for currently open job vacancies that match my experience, qualifications, skills and career goals. 
    My preferences:

    • Location: [city/region or Germany-wide]
    • Maximum commuting distance: [e.g. 50 km]
    • Work arrangement: [on-site / hybrid / remote]
    • Employment type: [full-time / part-time / permanent / contract]
    • Minimum salary, if applicable: [€ amount]
    • Preferred job titles: [job titles]
    • German language level: [A1–C2]
    • English language level: [level]

     

    1. Please search the internet for vacancies that are currently open.
    2. Prioritise jobs posted recently and avoid vacancies that appear to have expired.
    3. Compare each vacancy with my CV and explain why it is a good match.
    4. Give me a match score from 1–100%.
    5. Identify any important requirements I do not meet.
    6. Include the company, job title, location, salary if published, language requirements and application deadline if available.
    7. Provide a direct link to the original job advertisement.
    8. Do not invent vacancies or information that you cannot verify.

    Please give me the 10 best matches first, rather than simply listing every job you find.

    Here is my CV: [Upload your CV]

    Without CV Attached

    Don’t have your CV ready? Try this instead:

    Help me find suitable jobs currently advertised in Germany. 
    My profile:

    • Profession/field: [e.g. accountant]
    • Years of experience: [e.g. 8 years]
    • Qualifications: [list qualifications]
    • Key skills: [list skills]
    • German level: [e.g. B1]
    • English level: [e.g. fluent]
    • Location: [city/region]
    • Maximum commuting distance: [e.g. 40 km]
    • Remote/hybrid preference: [preference]
      Employment type: [full-time/part-time/etc.]
    • Desired salary: [€ amount, if applicable]
      Search the web for currently advertised vacancies that match my profile.

    Only include jobs where you can verify that the vacancy is currently open. Prioritise jobs posted within the last 30 days.

    For each job, show: Job title, Company, Location, Salary, if published
    German-language requirement, Key qualifications required
    Why I appear to be a suitable candidate
    Any obvious gaps
    Direct link to the original vacancy
    Rank the results from the strongest match to the weakest.

    Job search sites

    There are many websites where you can search for jobs in Germany, but you don’t need to register with all of them. Start with the larger, established job portals below and use their filters and job alerts to narrow your search by location, profession, language and working arrangement. For specialist roles, international positions or Ausbildung, the dedicated sites can be especially useful. Where possible, apply through the original employer or vacancy listing and always check that the position is still open before applying.

    Job Portal Website Best for
    General Job Search – Start Here
    Federal Employment Agency – Jobsuche arbeitsagentur.de Germany's official employment service and a very large database of jobs and Ausbildung places.
    StepStone stepstone.de One of Germany's major job portals. Excellent filters for location, salary, experience, home office and more.
    Indeed Germany indeed.com Broad range of jobs, including many international and English-speaking positions.
    LinkedIn Jobs linkedin.com/jobs Professional and international jobs, particularly useful for skilled professionals and networking.
    XING Jobs xing.com/jobs Popular German-speaking professional network with a large German job market.
    Stellenanzeigen.de stellenanzeigen.de Established German job portal with jobs across many sectors and regions.
    meinestadt.de Jobs meinestadt.de Particularly useful for local and regional jobs throughout Germany.
    Jobware jobware.de Professional and qualified positions across many industries.
    English-Speaking & International Jobs
    EnglishJobs.de englishjobs.de Jobs in Germany where German is not necessarily required.
    Make it in Germany make-it-in-germany.com Official German government portal for international professionals, including a dedicated job exchange.
    Specialist Job Search
    Absolventa absolventa.de Students, graduates, trainees and entry-level professionals.
    Heise Jobs jobs.heise.de IT, technology and technical careers.
    GULP / Randstad Professional gulp.de IT, engineering and life-science professionals, including contract and project work.
    Ausbildung & Dual Study
    AUBI-plus aubi-plus.de Ausbildung, dual study and apprenticeships. Large database with search and matching tools.
    Azubiyo azubiyo.de Ausbildung and dual study opportunities, with career-choice tools and job alerts.

    Specific Professions

    Some professions have their own specialist job portals, recruitment organisations or official career resources. These can be particularly useful if you work in a regulated or specialised field, such as healthcare, teaching, engineering, IT or academia. We have grouped some of the more useful resources below to help you go beyond the general job portals and find opportunities that are relevant to your profession.

    Information Technology

    Teaching

    Academics

    Engineering

    Doctors

    Nursing

    Best companies to work for

    Before applying for a job, it can be useful to find out what current and former employees say about the company. Employer review websites can give you an idea of workplace culture, management, work-life balance, benefits, and salary levels. Remember that reviews are personal experiences rather than an official ranking, so look for patterns across several reviews and consider the date of the information.

    • Kununu – German-language employer reviews, salaries, company culture and job vacancies.
    • Glassdoor – Employer reviews, salaries, interview experiences and job vacancies.

    Salary comparison

    Knowing the typical salary for your profession can help you decide which jobs to apply for and prepare for salary negotiations. Use salary comparison tools to research the typical pay for your profession, experience level and location. Salary figures are only a guide—actual pay can vary considerably depending on the employer, industry, qualifications, experience and region.

    • StepStone Gehaltsplaner – Compare your expected salary with market data and explore how factors such as location, experience and qualifications can affect your earning potential.
    • Gehalt.de – Salary information and comparisons for professions and industries in Germany.

    Resources on the web

    Vocabulary

    English German
    CV Der Lebenslauf
    Cover Letter Das Anschreiben
    Testimonial Das Zeugnis
    Recognition Die Anerkennung
    Interview Das Bewerbungsgespräch / Vorstellungsgespräch
    Study curriculum Das Studium
    Degree Der Abschluss
    e.g. Bachelor Degree = Der Bachelorabschluss
    Matric / Grade 12 / High School graduation / A Levels Das Abitur

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