Germany · Jobs
Where to find jobs in Germany — major job boards, in-demand sectors, and how to apply.
AI-drafted, editorially reviewed. Confirm specifics with the official authority.
Germany has two official surfaces worth using together: the Federal Employment Agency runs the national job board and a salary checker, while Make it in Germany is the government portal aimed specifically at skilled foreign workers. Non-EU workers usually need a work visa or residence permit, often via the Skilled Immigration Act or the EU Blue Card for higher earners. The step that catches people out is qualification recognition — for regulated professions it may be required before you can work at all.
The Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) runs Germany's official job board (arbeitsagentur.de) and a salary checker, while the government's Make it in Germany portal guides skilled foreign workers. Non-EU workers usually need a work visa/residence permit, often via the Skilled Immigration Act or the EU Blue Card.
- The Bundesagentur für Arbeit job board (arbeitsagentur.de) is the official national listing.
- Make it in Germany is the government portal for skilled foreign workers.
- Non-EU workers usually need a work visa/residence permit (Skilled Immigration Act, or the EU Blue Card for higher earners).
- Recognition of foreign qualifications may be required for regulated professions.
- 1
Search the Bundesagentur job board
The Federal Employment Agency runs the official national job listing. It is the primary official surface for the search itself, as distinct from the guidance portal.
- 2
Use Make it in Germany for guidance
Make it in Germany is the government portal for skilled foreign workers. It answers the process questions the job board does not, so the two are complementary rather than alternatives.
- 3
Check whether your profession is regulated
Recognition of foreign qualifications may be required for regulated professions. Establishing whether yours is regulated should come before applications, not after an offer.
- 4
Start recognition early if it applies
Where recognition is required, it can be a precondition for working at all rather than a formality afterwards. Starting it early avoids an offer you cannot take up.
- 5
Match the permit route to your earnings
Non-EU workers usually need a work visa or residence permit, often via the Skilled Immigration Act or the EU Blue Card for higher earners. Which route fits depends partly on the salary the role offers.
- Bundesagentur job board searched
- Make it in Germany used for process guidance
- Regulated-profession status established
- Qualification recognition started if required
- Permit route matched to the role's salary
- EU Blue Card threshold checked if relevant
- Salary checker used to sense-check the offer
- Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Jobsuche
Official national job board and salary checker.
- Make it in Germany
Government portal for skilled foreign workers.
Frequently asked questions
Which official German site should I use to find a job?
Both, for different purposes. The Federal Employment Agency runs the official national job board and a salary checker, while Make it in Germany is the government portal answering process questions for skilled foreign workers — they are complementary rather than alternatives.
Do I need my qualifications recognised in Germany?
It may be required for regulated professions, and where it is, it can be a precondition for working at all rather than a formality afterwards. Establish whether your profession is regulated before applying, and start recognition early if it is.
What permit routes exist for non-EU workers in Germany?
Usually a work visa or residence permit, often via the Skilled Immigration Act or the EU Blue Card for higher earners. Which route fits depends partly on the salary the role offers, so the permit question and the pay question are connected.
Government portals
- Federal Government of Germany — Germany's Federal Cabinet official website — policy, legislation, news, and government programs
- Federal Office for Migration (BAMF) — German visas, EU Blue Card, asylum, integration courses, and permanent residency
- Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt) — Tax ID (IdNr) registration, tax identification lookup, withholding tax refunds — the key authority for foreign taxpayers in Germany