You need a work permit before you can start to work in Germany. And whether you would be issued a work permit depends on your residence permit. Here you can learn more about the regulations which apply to you when it comes to obtaining a work permit in Germany.
If you are not a refugee, you can visit our chapter “Immigration to Germany” to learn when and how you can apply for a work permit and enter the German job market.
If you have an “Aufenthaltsgestattung”, i.e. a proof of arrival ("Ankunftsnachweis") or a "Duldung", your access to the labour market will remain limited. Self-employment is in principle not allowed and to work as an employee, you must first apply for a work permit at your immigration office ("Ausländerbehörde").
Asylum seekers can obtain a work permit if they have been in Germany for 3 months and are no longer obliged to live in an initial reception facility. If you still have to live in an initial reception centre, in case you have underage children, you can obtain a work permit after 6 months- and if you don't have children, after 9 months. Rejected asylum seekers whose application have been rejected due to Dublin Agreement, i.e. other EU countries are responsible for their case AND those who come from a safe country of origin and have applied for asylum after August 31, 2015, cannot obtain work permits. You can find out more about the safe countries of origin in our chapter "Safe countries of origin".
IMPORTANT: Your work permit will be only valid for a specific job. Your future boss will need to fill a form to describe the offered position, and you should apply for a work permit. Once both forms have been filled and submitted, the immigration office is obliged to react within two weeks. If you have not received any answer, you can contact a counselling centre. You can also submit an emergency application to the Administrative Court. On Proasyl you can find counselling centres in your area.
If you have a “Duldung” your access to the labour market will remain limited. Self-employment is in principle not allowed and to work as an employee, you must first apply for a work permit at your immigration office ("Ausländerbehörde").
Those who have a “Duldung” can obtain a work permit if they have been in Germany for 3 months and are no longer obliged to live in an initial reception facility. If you still have to live in an initial reception centre, you can obtain a work permit after 6 months.
Keep in mind that you cannot obtain a work permit if you have prevented your deportation through lack of cooperation or deception- OR in case you come from a safe country of origin and have applied for asylum after August 31, 2015. You can find out more about the safe countries of origin in our chapter "Safe countries of origin".
IMPORTANT: Your work permit will be only valid for a specific job. Your future boss will need to fill a form to describe the offered position, and you should apply for a work permit. Once both forms have been filled and submitted, the immigration office is obliged to react within two weeks. If you have not received any answer, you can contact a counselling centre. You can also submit an emergency application to the Administrative Court. On Proasyl you can find counselling centres in your area.
If your application for asylum has been accepted, i.e. you have been recognised as a refugee, or an individual entitled to asylum or subsidiary protection, you may work as an employee or a self-employed person without any restrictions. That means you have the same rights as a German citizen in the job market.
If your application for asylum has been rejected, but you have been granted a residence permit based on a national deportation ban, the immigration office will decide whether you can obtain a work permit. Check your residence permit or the additional papers given to you to see if you are allowed to work in Germany.
Before, work permits were granted to people in asylum procedure and the ones with a “Duldung” only if no German or EU citizen has applied for the position. The regulation (known as priority check or “"Vorrangsprüfung") does not apply anymore.
Job Hunting and Application
The job market in Germany has numerous rules and regulations. In addition, you must meet some requirements to get a job. Many employers choose their employees mainly based on their certificates or degrees in the desired field. But even without the relevant certificates, you still have a chance to find a job.
Here you will learn about the steps you need to take to start your first job in Germany and the ways you can increase your chances of finding your dream job.
Here are two essential points you need to consider in advance:
- German is spoken in most companies in Germany. In some cases, English will do; but for most jobs, you need to be able to communicate in German. There are many ways to learn German or to improve your proficiency. Find out more in our chapters on "Language".
- You need a work permit before you can start to work in Germany. For migrants, the work permit is directly linked to the residence permit. You can find out more about this in our chapter "Migration to Germany". If you have fled to Germany, whether you can work or not depends on your current residence status. You can find out more in our chapter "Work Permit for Refugees".
Recognition of foreign certificates
If you have obtained your school or vocational qualification outside Germany, you can have it recognised here. Unlike vocational qualifications, your university/school qualifications may already be recognised: you can check the official portal Anabin to see whether your school, university, and degree are listed as recognised. You can read more about this in ‘How can I find out whether my qualification is categorically recognised?‘
In the recognition process, your degree is compared with a similar German degree. When your qualification is verified as an equivalent to the corresponding German degree, your diploma is "recognised", and you will have better chances in the job market.
All people with foreign qualifications have the right to this recognition process- it does not matter what residence status or nationality you have.
Please note: People who are still abroad sometimes have to provide relevant documents (e.g., training place, job offer) to prove that they intend to pursue vocational training or employment in Germany. If that is the case, you can also have your professional qualifications recognised in Germany.
*This information page has been updated with the support of the IQ Network NRW.
"Chancen-Aufenthaltsrecht" for people with "Duldung"
The new "Chancen-Aufenthaltsrecht" (roughly: Opportunity Residence Act) stipulated in §104c Residence Act has come into force on 31 December 2022. It stipulates issuing a residence permit for 18 months and only those who currently have a “Duldung” or “Duldung Light” can apply for it.
The new law applies to people who have been in Germany for five years with a "Duldung" (Tolerated Stay Permit) or "Aufenthaltsgesstattung" (Temporary Residence Permit), have not committed a criminal offence and profess the German constitution. During these 18 months, the person should try to meet the requirements for a permanent right to stay, in particular, per § 25a and 25b Residence Act. If they fail, they will be issued a "Duldung" again.
Important: If you are in Germany with a tolerated stay permit or “Duldung”, you should seek advice whether a residence permit under §25a or §25b of the Residence Act could also be an option for you. In order to be granted the right to stay according to this new law, you must meet certain requirements. You can learn about these requirements in our chapter "Residence rights for individuals with ‘Duldung’".
Labour rights
Labour law in Germany is very complicated as there are numerous regulations in several bodies of law regarding the subject. However, it is crucial to know your rights and obligations as an employee. You can only demand your rights if you are aware of them.
German for Work
If you would like to continue learning German after the integration course (or any other German course), you may be able to participate in and benefit from an occupational language course. These courses are known as "Deutsch für den Beruf" or "berufsbezogene Deutschsprachförderung". A work-related German course can provide you with the opportunity to gain a foothold in the German job market and improve your qualifications.
Wie kann ich meine Berufsqualifikation in Deutschland anerkennen lassen?
Um schneller Arbeit zu finden, können Sie sich hier mit Personal-Profis verbinden.
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