Germany is experiencing shortages in over 70 occupations, according to a recent report by the European Labour Authority (ELA). Sectors in Germany facing worker shortages include transportation, manufacturing, construction, healthcare, engineering, and IT. This suggests that foreigners seeking employment in Germany may have a higher chance of obtaining a work visa if they qualify for one of these high-demand jobs.
The European Labour Authority's (ELA) 2023 Report on shortages and surpluses identifies the following occupations in Germany with a significant worker shortage:
- Drivers (heavy truck, lorry, bus, tram, locomotive engine)
- Railway, brake, signal, and switch operators
- Machine operators (for paper, rubber, plastic, metal, chemical, mineral, etc.)
- Cabinet makers and related workers
- Food preparers (bakers, pastry cooks, butchers, fishmongers, etc.)
- Electronic mechanics
- Electricians
- Plumbers and fitters
- Construction supervisors
- Spray painters and varnishers
- Bricklayers and related workers
- Forestry and related workers
- Firefighters
- Clerks (personnel, transport, accounting, and bookkeeping)
- Dental assistants and therapists
- Nursing associate professionals
- Medical technicians
- Physiotherapists
- Engineering technicians (electronic, electrical, and civil engineering)
- Applications programmers
- Software developers
- System analysts
- Early childhood educators
- Primary school teachers
- Audiologists and speech therapists
Citizens of the EU/EEA, Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the US do not need a work visa to work in Germany. However, individuals from other countries must obtain a visa and residence permit for employment in Germany.
To address job shortages, Germany has recently eased immigration rules for skilled workers. Under the new law, foreigners with at least two years of experience and a professional or university degree recognized by their home country are eligible to work in Germany in their field. The new regulations also simplify family reunification processes.
Previously, Germany had already eased the requirements for the EU Blue Card and for recognized skilled workers.
In addition to the measures mentioned above, Germany has introduced further steps to address labor shortages.
Starting June 1, 2024, citizens of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia will have greater access to Germany's labor market. Germany will double the number of annual work visas issued under the Western Balkans Regulation to 50,000.
By the end of 2023, 76,000 nationals from these six countries held work permits in Germany, an increase of 22 percent compared to 2022, according to the German Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). With the new regulation taking effect on June 1, the number of workers under the Western Balkans Regulation is expected to rise further.