There are a few main ways to live and work in Germany as a skilled worker. Which one fits depends on your qualification, whether you already have a job offer, and how much the job pays. Here are the routes people use most.
If you have a job offer and a recognised qualification: the Skilled Worker permit
The Skilled Worker permit (Fachkraft) is the main route for people who already have a job lined up.
There are two versions:
With vocational training (§18a): for people with a recognised vocational qualification (Berufsausbildung).
With a degree (§18b): for people with a German degree, or a foreign degree that is recognised or comparable.
For both, you generally need:
A concrete job offer or signed contract in Germany.
A qualification that is recognised in Germany, or comparable to a German one.
A job that fits a qualified role.
If those are met, the permit is usually granted as a right, not left to discretion. Since the 2024 reform, skilled workers can take any qualified job in a non regulated profession, not only jobs that match their exact field.
If you have a degree and a well paid job: the EU Blue Card
The EU Blue Card (Blaue Karte EU, §18g) is often the better route for graduates, because it gives more rights and a faster path to permanent residence. If you qualify for it, it is usually worth choosing over the standard degree permit.
You generally need:
A university degree, or a comparable three year higher education qualification.
A job in Germany that fits your qualification.
A salary at or above the yearly threshold.
The salary thresholds for 2026 are:
Standard jobs: at least €50,700 per year (about €4,225 per month). At this level the labour office does not need to approve the job.
Shortage occupations and recent graduates: at least €45,934.20 per year (about €3,827.85 per month). A recent graduate is someone whose degree is less than three years old. These cases need labour office approval.
Shortage occupations include roles such as IT and software, engineering, science and mathematics, medicine and academic nursing, architecture, and teaching.
If you want to come and look for work: the Opportunity Card
The Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte, §20a) lets you come to Germany to search for a job. It runs on a points system.
You qualify if you are already a recognised skilled worker, or if you reach at least 6 points. Points come from things like:
A partial recognition decision for your qualification (4 points).
German at B2 (3 points), B1 (2 points), or A2 (1 point).
English at C1 (1 point).
Five years of work experience (3 points) or two years (2 points).
A shortage occupation (1 point), being under 35 (2 points) or under 40 (1 point), or a previous stay in Germany (1 point).
To apply on points you also need a formal qualification (a foreign vocational qualification of at least two years, a foreign degree, or a recognised chamber of commerce qualification) and basic language skills (German A1 or English B2). The card lets you work up to 20 hours a week and take short trial jobs while you search. You can check your points with the official self check on make-it-in-germany.com.
If you already have a recognised qualification: the job seeker permit
If your qualification is recognised, the job seeker permit (§20) gives you up to 18 months in Germany to find a suitable job, after which you switch to a work permit.
Good to know
Getting your qualification recognised is often the first step. The official portal is anerkennung-in-deutschland.de.
Regulated professions (for example doctors, nurses, some teachers) need a separate licence to practise.
A faster route exists. The accelerated skilled worker procedure (§81a) can speed up the visa, arranged by your employer.
Your family can usually join you on most of these permits.
Not sure which route fits you
Working out which permit fits your qualification, your job offer, and your salary, or whether your qualification will be recognised, is the part that depends on your own situation. An immigration lawyer can look at your case and tell you the best route.
This is general information based on publicly available sources. It is not legal advice and it does not assess your individual case. Under German law, advice on your specific situation may only be given by a qualified lawyer.
Sources:
Aufenthaltsgesetz §18, §18a, §18b, §18g, §20, §20a — gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004
Verfahrenshinweise zum Aufenthalt in Berlin (VAB), sections A.18 to A.20a, version 12.06.2026 — Landesamt für Einwanderung Berlin
EU Blue Card and Opportunity Card overview — make-it-in-germany.com