Our Local Expertise
These Are the Top 3 In-demand Jobs in Germany
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High Demand, Big Opportunities
Planning a fresh start in Germany with a visa and searching for the best way to do it? International professionals can find numerous opportunities to get started in this country, since there is currently a high demand for skilled workers. Even unskilled or less qualified foreign workers can find their way into the German industries and businesses. optioneer presents three occupational groups in which a particularly large number of vacancies remained unfilled in 2024.
Here you can get an initial impression of whether your qualifications match the most sought-after careers. In addition, there are of course numerous other jobs that are in high demand in Germany, for example in the fields of IT and transport and logistics. With our optioneer service, we can find out what individual options you have for a visa as a foreign employee.
The Most In-demand Jobs in Germany
Healthcare
Health and Nursing
In 2024, 15,036 positions in the health and nursing sector were advertised in Germany. This makes healthcare a sector with high staffing requirements. In an aging society such as Germany, it can be assumed that demand for skilled workers in this sector will remain high.
To ensure the well-being of patients, qualified professionals in the healthcare sector require not only medical knowledge and technical skills, but also empathy, strong communication skills, and resilience. This meaningful profession offers a wide range of entry-level jobs and career prospects with high social value, from hospitals and nursing homes to outpatient services. Foreign doctors have particularly good opportunities in rural areas, where there is a shortage of medical personnel with qualifications.
Social Services
Childcare and Education, Social Work and Social Pedagogy
This occupation is of crucial importance for Germany. Social services provide significantly to the social framework by supporting families, promoting integration, and enhancing educational opportunities. Specialists in this field must meet a wide range of requirements and have the appropriate qualifications. With a high demand for childcare and social support specialists, the sector offers promising positions.
From daycare centers and schools to counseling centers, the social sector has a high demand for skilled workers and offers a wide range of entry-level opportunities and career prospects. In 2024, 20,476 jobs were advertised in the childcare and education sector. Those who enjoy supporting and promoting the well-being of others will find not only a job in this sector, but also a fulfilling vocation with social relevance.
Trades and Technology
Building Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering
These jobs require both technical qualifications and personal competencies. Professionals must be equipped with hard skills such as manual dexterity, precision, technical understanding, and the ability to read and implement construction plans or circuit diagrams. Soft skills such as problem-solving competence, teamwork, diligence, and a high willingness to learn are also crucial in order to meet the requirements of these diverse professional fields. Trades, metalworking, and electrical professions form the backbone of many industries and are essential for infrastructure and technological progress. Due to Germany’s energy transition, the demand for these occupations is growing constantly. Their activities range from manufacturing and assembly to the maintenance and repair of machines, systems, and structures. In 2024, there were 16,238 vacancies in the metalworking and electronics sector and 18,343 vacancies in the trades. These jobs are important because they create direct value, ensure that systems function properly, and drive innovation by developing new products and processes.
Why isn’t the IT-Sector in the Top 3?
Local Expertise Closes the Gap
In 2024, the demand for experts in certain professions was met locally, effectively closing the skills gap. This was true for software development, commercial and technical business administration, and sales (with the exception of information and communication technology) experts. The same applied to IT specialists. In the future, international professionals will therefore likely find it more difficult to find a qualified employment with a company and acquire a visa.
In the IT industry, this decline in the skills gap is a new development. Until 2022, the number of both jobs and employees in the field grew steadily and significantly. A possible explanation for the recent change is that companies are starting fewer new IT projects during the economic downturn, so they need less staff.
Find Out How Good Your Prospects Are!
International qualified professionals in these fields may have good prospects for work visa and a career in Germany. At optioneer, we analyze how good those prospects really are. Furthermore, we provide you on how you can acquire additional qualifications and guide you through the processes.
Qualifications Open Doors to In-Demand Jobs
The primary requirements for securing a job in Germany are recognized professional qualifications and language abilities. Depending on the industry, specific credentials may also be necessary. A visa is required for many careers, and both the Federal Employment Agency and the Federal Ministry of Economics regularly review the applications. They look for proof of professional qualifications, relevant work experience, and typically, a concrete job offer.
To make it easier for international skilled workers to move to Germany, the federal government has introduced new procedures for work visas and immigration —in 2024 alone, around 200,000 visa applications for qualified employment were approved. More information is available there.
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