The Federal Cabinet approves cornerstone policies.
Because the number of job vacancies is at an all-time high, Germany is in urgent need of skilled workers. To attract more people from non-EU countries to work in Germany, the Federal Cabinet has adopted a set of cornerstone policies relating to the immigration of skilled workers from these countries.
The Federal Government’s “Cornerstone policies on skilled labour immigration from third countries” are intended to augment the Skilled Labour Immigration Act which has been in force since March 2020. The objective is to expedite the recruitment of skilled workers from third countries for the German labour market. Another aim is to give people from non-EU countries better opportunities to find jobs in Germany.
“To be able to compete for talent and auxiliary workers, we are offering new, and more importantly, more straightforward ways to work in Germany:”
Said Federal Labour Minister Hubertus Heil following the cabinet meeting, adding that the goal was to create the most modern immigration legislation in Europe, “and to do so in a way that benefits everyone, including current residents and newcomers to Germany.”
The “Cornerstones for skilled labour immigration from third countries” were submitted by five ministries: the Federal Ministry for Labour and Social Affairs, the Federal Ministry of the Interior, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, and the Federal Foreign Office. Draft legislation is currently being prepared under the auspices of the Federal Ministry for Labour and Social Affairs. This is to be presented to the Bundestag at the beginning of the coming year, according to Heil. Going forward, labour immigration will be based on three pillars: skilled labour, experience, and potential.
The skilled labour pillar:
The skilled labour pillar will continue to be the central element of immigration. As in the past, it includes the EU Blue Card and its favourable conditions for family reunification, permanent residence, and changing jobs, alongside the national residence permit for skilled workers holding a recognised qualification. Regardless of the degree they hold, these persons will be able to pursue any qualified occupation in non-regulated professions.
The existing salary thresholds for the EU Blue Card will be lowered and more attractive conditions will be created for new entrants. Another aim is to make it more attractive to take up vocational training or to study in Germany.
What are regulated and non-regulated professions?
Regulated professions are professions involving legally protected activities. Further entry requirements are often required. This applies, for example, to doctors and teachers. Non-regulated professions are not legally protected. The approximately 330 dual-system apprenticeships and many academic professions fall into this category. Further information on professional recognition is available on the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training website.
The experience pillar:
The experience pillar provides skilled workers with the opportunity to immigrate even if their professional qualifications have not yet been formally recognised, provided that they have an employment contract in a non-regulated profession. They also require a professional qualification, at least two years’ work experience, and a certain earnings level or to be covered by a collective agreement.
Those who hold a foreign qualification but do not reach the required salary threshold are already permitted to work in Germany under a recognition partnership agreement whilst completing the professional recognition procedure in parallel.
The potential pillar:
The potential pillar is aimed at people who do not yet have an employment contract in Germany. The potential pillar is based on the introduction of a job search opportunity card, whereby the potential for sustainable integration in the labour market is determined by means of a points system, whose criteria include qualifications, language skills, professional experience, links to Germany, and age.
Promoting Germany around the world
The legal regulations are to be accompanied by efforts to promote Germany around the world as a modern and attractive immigration country as well as other practical relief measures. “Unfortunately,” Heil explained, “the notion that all the skilled workers in the world want to come to Germany per se is an illusion.” Among other things, he added, this is due to the German language, which is a competitive disadvantage compared to English-speaking countries, for example.
Collaboration with the respective institutions in the partner countries responsible for labour migration is to be expanded at the same time. Heil announced a recruitment strategy involving targeted campaigns in certain countries, which will be carried out in collaboration with the business community.
Source: The Federal goverment of germany – 11.20.2022 – https://www.bundesregierung.de
How are the chances for a job in germany for foreigners / immigrants and in which branche?
The chances for a foreigner to find a job in Germany can vary depending on various factors such as their qualifications, language proficiency, and the demand for their skillset in the German job market. However, Germany is known for having a high demand for skilled workers, especially in fields such as engineering, IT, healthcare, and education.
Proficiency in the German language is also important for many jobs, as it is the primary language used in business and professional settings. However, there are also opportunities for English-speaking professionals, particularly in international companies, start-ups, and research institutions.
In terms of promising job opportunities, the German government has identified several industries as having high growth potential in the coming years, including:
- Information Technology (IT) and Digitalization
- Renewable Energy
- Health Care and Medical Technology
- Mobility and Automotive Technology
- Environmental Technology and Resource Efficiency
- Creative Industries
It’s important to note that the job market in Germany can be competitive, and it may take time and effort to find a suitable position. However, with the right qualifications and language skills, there are many opportunities for foreign workers to succeed in Germany.
Do i need a special education for this jobs?
In Germany, there are many jobs that do not require a specific education or vocational training, but there are also many that do require specific qualifications.
Jobs that typically do not require a specific education or vocational training include:
- Retail and Sales jobs – such as cashiers, sales assistants, and store clerks
- Service Industry jobs – such as restaurant and bar staff, cleaning staff, and hospitality jobs
- Manual Labor jobs – such as warehouse workers, construction workers, and delivery drivers
- Office Support jobs – such as receptionists, administrative assistants, and data entry clerks
However, while no specific education or training is required for these jobs, proficiency in German is often necessary, especially for customer-facing roles. Additionally, having relevant work experience can be beneficial.
On the other hand, jobs that require specific education or vocational training in Germany include:
- Health care jobs – such as doctors, nurses, and medical technicians
- Engineering jobs – such as mechanical, electrical, and civil engineers
- IT jobs – such as software developers, network administrators, and cybersecurity professionals
- Teaching jobs – such as kindergarten, primary, and secondary school teachers
- Legal jobs – such as lawyers, paralegals, and judges
For these jobs, it is usually required to have a recognized degree or certification in the relevant field, as well as a good level of proficiency in German. It’s important to note that the requirements for specific jobs may vary depending on the industry and region in Germany.
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