Residence permit for skilled workers
Sections 18a and 18b Residence Act
Germany grants residence permits to skilled workers with a recognised vocational qualification (Section 18a) or a recognised or comparable university degree (Section 18b) who have a concrete job offer. The Federal Employment Agency usually must approve the job. Holders can move to a settlement permit after 3 years, or 2 years with a German qualification.
Life in Germany
Money
3
Currency
Euro
EUR
Euro
Cost of living
81
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
14–45%
Income tax (national)
VAT 19%
Basic allowance EUR 12,348; 42% from EUR 69,879 and 45% above EUR 277,825 (single); solidarity surcharge of 5.5% of the tax for high earners and optional church tax.
Living
1
Happiness
#16 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
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Who it’s for
Non-EU nationals with recognised vocational training or a recognised/comparable degree and a concrete job offer in Germany.
Eligibility
Concrete job offer
You must have a specific job offer in Germany, and both you and the employer must declare that you will take up the job.
Recognised qualification (vocational)Section 18a
A German vocational qualification or a foreign one recognised as equivalent.
Recognised or comparable degreeSection 18b
A German degree, a recognised foreign degree, or one comparable to a German degree (checked via anabin or a ZAB Statement of Comparability).
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementFederal Employment Agency approval
- Document checklistValid passport
- FeesNational visa fee
The full requirements are for members
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- 5 more requirements
- 11 documents
- 4 fees
- 7 steps
- Processing times and conditions
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Official sources
- Residence Act section 18 (gesetze-im-internet.de)
- Residence Act section 18a
- Residence Act section 18b
- Residence Act section 18c (settlement permit)
- Residence Act section 40 (refusal grounds)
- Residence Ordinance section 45 (fees)
- Residence Ordinance section 47 (fees)
- German Embassy Muscat: visa for skilled workers with a degree (20.07.2023)
Other routes to Germany
- Visit & tourismSchengen tourist & business visa
- StudyVisa and residence permit for study
- FamilyResidence permit for spouses and registered partners
- Asylum & protectionAsylum in Germany
- CitizenshipEinbürgerung
- Work permitsEU Blue Card
Work permits in other countries
- DjiboutiWork authorisation (ANEFIP) with professional visa and residence card
- DenmarkPay Limit Scheme
- DominicaDominica Work Permit
- Dominican RepublicBusiness visa for work purposes (NM1) and work-based temporary residence
- AlgeriaWork visa with temporary work permit
- EstoniaTemporary residence permit for employment
