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Coming to Berlin as a cook or chef

Recognised cook training, work experience under § 6 BeschV, specialty cooks, training in Berlin, Western Balkans – and what to watch out for in hospitality.

Berlin's hospitality sector has many jobs. But there is no special "cook permit" for people from non-EU countries. You use one of the general routes. Which one fits depends mainly on whether you have vocational training as a cook and whether it is recognised in Germany.

We have not checked reliable figures on Berlin's labour market for cooks, so we give none.

Which residence permits fit?

RouteKey requirementsFederal Employment Agency (BA) approval
Skilled worker with vocational training (§ 18a AufenthG)Training recognised as equivalent to the German training, concrete job offer for qualified work (§ 18). No fixed minimum salary, but conditions like comparable German employees.yes, as a rule
Work experience (§ 19c (2) AufenthG + § 6 BeschV)At least 2 years of experience in the last 5 years; a training of at least 2 years that is state-recognised abroad (no German recognition needed); salary at least 45 % of the pension contribution ceiling, in 2026 €45,630 gross a year – or an employer bound by a collective agreement who pays the agreed rates.yes
Specialty cook (§ 11 (2) BeschV, via § 19c (1))Full-time in a specialty restaurant. Up to 4 years in total, first approval for at most 1 year. A new job on this route only 3 years after the old permit expired (§ 11 (3)).yes, with labour-market test
Recognition partnership (§ 16d (3))Training abroad (at least 2 years, state-recognised), job offer, recognition starts after entry, German A2.yes
Western Balkans rule (§ 19c (1) + § 26 (2) BeschV)Only for citizens of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia. No qualification needed, but a quota of 50,000 approvals a year. The quota is often used up before the end of the year; a draft (Oct 2026) plans only 25,000 from 2027 – not yet adopted (BA, 16 Oct 2026 (German)).yes, with labour-market test
Opportunity Card (§ 20a)Job search for up to 1 year. Either full recognition as a skilled worker – or without it: state-recognised training of at least 2 years, enough points and German A1 (basic) or English B2 (§ 20a (3) and (4)).no (for the search)

Aged 45 or over at the first permit: salary at least €55,770 gross a year or proof of adequate pension provision. This applies only to §§ 18a/18b (§ 18 (2) no. 5 AufenthG) and to §§ 6, 22a, 24a, 26 (2) BeschV (§ 1 (2) BeschV) – here, to § 18a, § 6 BeschV and the Western Balkans rule, not to specialty cooks (§ 11 (2)), § 16d or the Opportunity Card (§ 20a).

Specialty cooks – a closer look

The regulation does not define a "specialty restaurant". Courts require more than an ordinary restaurant; a kebab take-away, for example, was not accepted. Practice reports say the BA usually expects cook training and several years of experience in the relevant national cuisine; we found no official list – check before relying on it. Because of the labour-market test, the BA also checks whether priority applicants are available.

Recognition of your cook training

Training in Berlin as a route

No training yet? Then vocational training in Germany is a realistic route: for example cook, hotel specialist (Hotelfachmann/-frau) or kitchen specialist (Fachkraft Küche, 2-year training). Permit: § 16a AufenthG with BA approval. You need sufficient German (B1) if the school does not test it itself, and you must cover your living costs (2026: €959 a month; the training pay counts). You may work up to 20 hours a week on the side. See Coming to Berlin as an apprentice.

German

For § 18a and § 6 BeschV the law sets no fixed German level. The recognition partnership needs A2, training B1 (§ 16a (3)), unless the school checks it itself or a preparatory language course is part of the stay. In a kitchen you need German for hygiene, allergens and teamwork.

Anyone working commercially with food needs an instruction by the public health office before the first working day (§ 43 Infection Protection Act).

Steps

  1. Check: is your training recognised? If not: start recognition with IHK FOSA or check § 6 BeschV / recognition partnership.
  2. Employment contract with a Berlin business; the employer fills in the "Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis" (declaration on the employment).
  3. Optional, only for § 18a, § 16d or § 16a: fast-track procedure for skilled workers (§ 81a (1)) through Berlin's Business Immigration Service, fee €411. Not for § 6 BeschV, specialty cooks or the Western Balkans rule.
  4. Apply for the visa at the German mission abroad.
  5. Register your address in Berlin and apply for the residence permit at the State Office for Immigration (LEA), Keplerstraße 2 (fee for issuing: €100 under § 45 AufenthV; reductions in special cases – check before relying on it). See Entry and first steps (German).

Staying and family

As a skilled worker (§ 18a), a settlement permit under § 18c is possible after 3 years with 36 months of pension contributions (2 years after German training). Permits under § 19c (including specialty cooks) have no shortcut of their own; the general rules apply (§ 9). Family: Family reunification (German).

Watch out

Sources

A question this page does not answer? Contact us. Free orientation only, no legal advice for individual cases.