Skip to content

South Africans in Germany

Facebook Instagram X-twitter Facebook Threads

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 skilled worker can also take up secondary employment of up to 20 hours per week.
  • The new recognition partnership enables individuals from third countries to first enter Germany and then to carry out the entire recognition procedure in Germany. For this, the prospective skilled worker and their employer are required to apply for recognition after entering Germany and to actively engage in the procedure, including the training. Residence is possible initially for one year and can be extended for up to three years.
  • In future, if the competent authority in the recognition procedure suggests a skills analysis, the prospective skilled worker can enter Germany for this purpose and remain for up to six months.
  • In future, individuals with vocational experience can enter Germany for employment in all non-regulated professions. The requirement for this is a completed professional or higher education qualification recognised in the country of training and at least two years of experience in the intended profession. Under certain conditions and as an alternative to a state-recognised qualification, a qualification from a German Chamber of Commerce Abroad is sufficient. Formal recognition of the professional qualification in Germany is not necessary. IT specialists also still do not need a qualification.

The latest information can be found Anerkennung-in-deutschland website  and Make it in Germany website

Vocational careers involve applying hands-on trade school skills in a professional setting. There is currently a strong demand for skilled craftspeople and tradesmen in several key sectors, according to Make It In Germany. These often include Construction and development, Metal and electrical industry, Wood and plastics industry, Property cleaning trades, Artisanal food production, Healthcare and personal hygiene trades, Clothing, textile, and leather trades, Graphic design trades.
Be sure to also explore other professions in demand, such as Nursing, Engineering, IT Specialists, Scientists, and Physicians.

Recognition of South African Vocational qualifications

If you completed your vocational training in South Africa, you might need to have your qualifications officially recognised in Germany. Useful information can be found on the following websites:

Finding a job in Germany

The Make it in Germany website has excellent information about finding a job in Germany.
Other options include

EU Bluecard

The EU Blue Card scheme is aimed at qualified academic professionals employed in a position commensurate with their qualification and with a designated minimum remuneration (threshold as of 1 January 2024: €45,300 gross per annum, subject to change). Comprehensive information on the EU Blue Card is also available here.

If you do not have a university degree, you must demonstrate that you have a tertiary-level qualification that took at least three years to complete in order to obtain an EU Blue Card. In Germany, this qualification must correspond to at least level 6 of the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED 2011) or level 6 of the European Qualifications Framework. Examples of such training qualifications include “Master craftsman training/ Master craftswoman training” as well as professional qualifications in educator professions.

Vocational training in Germany

You can apply to do your vocational training in Germany. You will need some level of German proficiency, depending on your type of visa
See more on our Vocational training page or the links below

Visas

  • If you have a job offer you can apply for an employment visa 
  • Have you applied to have your professional qualifications recognised and the competent authority for the recognition procedure in Germany has determined that your qualifications cannot be fully recognised due to missing qualifications? In such cases, you can attend a qualification program in Germany in order to acquire the missing theoretical and/or practical skills. Examples of this would be company training courses, technical training courses, preparatory courses or job-related German language classes.
    To take part in these programs, you require a residence permit for the recognition of foreign qualifications (Section 16d AufenthG (German Residence Act)). More information on make it in Germany
  • Job seekers visa – If you’re having difficulties searching for a job from abroad, you can apply for a residence permit that enables qualified professionals to enter Germany for the purpose of seeking employment in accordance with Section 20 (1) (2) AufenthG (German Residence Act). See more on make it in Germany
  • If you received qualified vocational training, you can receive a residence permit (without the consent of the Federal employment agency) that enables you to obtain employment in Germany as a qualified professional. See sections 18a and 18b of the German Residence Act

One particular option is provided by the Skilled Immigration Act: Under specific conditions, companies are able to apply for an Accelerated procedure for the residence of Skilled workers from third countries. The purpose of this is to shorten the duration of the recognition procedure to two months. Also see the Make-It-In-Germany website

Tip:  Under certain conditions, you can enter Germany for 6 months after completing your professional training in order to search for a job. You can find out more at visa for jobseekers.

Related content

Recognition of studies

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

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

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 organized. Another option is to utilize 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

🇿🇦 Feeling a little homesick?

We’ve got a taste of home waiting for you.
From South African concerts to casual meetups across Germany—check out what’s happening near you.

Show me the events
Maybe later