Germany has a labour shortage and a weak economy at the same time. Both statements come from the same official source, and a newcomer planning a job search needs both.

What the shortage figures say

The Federal Employment Agency (BA) published its annual shortage analysis on 2 September 2026. For 2025 it counts 157 occupational categories with a skills shortage, six fewer than the year before, and calls the level still high. It reports that about one in two advertised vacancies is in a shortage occupation.

BA names these areas:

  • care and healthcare professions, the most severe shortages
  • construction and the skilled trades
  • cooks, professional drivers and nursery teachers
  • new or recurring shortages in surveying and in social work or social pedagogy

It also says that in 2025 no bottleneck was observed in metal machining, IT sales or software development, unlike the year before. So a field being on last year’s list does not mean it is on this year’s.

BA adds the other side. The economic downturn is dampening demand for new staff right now, and supply and demand often do not match by qualification, occupation or region. In shortage sectors, the share of foreign workers has doubled since 2014, from seven to around 14 per cent.

Language is the second filter

DAAD says that, unless you are seeking a job in research or IT, employers will probably expect fluent German. That is general guidance, not a rule for every employer. A role in a shortage occupation can still require German for patients, clients or colleagues. For IT and research, check the individual posting, since some employers work in English.

DAAD recommends combining international job portals with portals that are popular in Germany but little used elsewhere. It names the job board of the Federal Employment Agency, which is in German only. Career services at universities and the Alumniportal Deutschland also list vacancies.

The permit has to match the plan

Which residence title fits depends on where you stand:

  • A job offer from abroad: DAAD says a non-EU resident with a job offer registers for a work visa for qualified professionals, and that an EU Blue Card is another permit for academics and comparable qualifications.
  • No offer yet: the Opportunity Card gives up to twelve months to look for work, according to DAAD. Our guides explain the two ways to qualify and what you can do with the card.
  • A German graduate: DAAD describes a jobseeker residence permit of up to 18 months. It can be converted into a work visa or an EU Blue Card once you find a suitable job.

Which route suits you is the question in Choose Your Germany Route Before You Collect Documents.

Qualifications and recognition

Regulated professions, nursing among them, need recognition or a licence before you can practise. Our registered nurse guide covers what to verify first.

A practical order

  1. Check your occupation against BA’s current shortage information, in German on its statistics site.
  2. Read three real postings in your field and note the German level they ask for.
  3. Choose the permit that matches your situation.
  4. Start the recognition check if your profession is regulated.

SGC can help prepare a CV and application materials for Germany. Employers decide who they hire, and no figure on this page promises a job.

Official resources