Which route fits my profession?
In short
Which residence permit fits depends mainly on your qualification, your profession and a job offer. This page only gives an overview. The details are on the profession pages. This page does not replace advice on an individual case.
Four questions to find the direction
- Are you an EU citizen (or from the EEA or Switzerland)? Then you do not need a residence permit to work or train. Workers and people in vocational training have freedom of movement under section 2 Freedom of Movement Act/EU (German). For regulated professions (e.g. doctor, nurse) you still need the licence to practise.
- Do you have a qualification? A university degree or vocational training opens the skilled-worker routes (sections 18a, 18b, 18g Residence Act). Without a qualification there are fewer routes: see Without a qualification, Vocational training or Studying.
- Is your qualification recognised or comparable in Germany? For skilled workers this is usually a requirement. For regulated professions you also need the licence from the responsible office in Berlin. More: Recognition of foreign qualifications (German).
- Do you have a concrete job offer? Most work permits require one. Without a job offer, the main options are the Opportunity Card (German) (section 20a, a job-search visa with a points system) and looking for a training or study place (section 17).
All profession pages at a glance
The table shows the usual route. There are often other routes, see each page.
| Profession group | Usual permit | Recognition needed? | German | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IT specialists | EU Blue Card (s. 18g) or s. 18b; without a degree s. 6 BeschV | Not regulated; for the Blue Card and s. 18b the degree must be recognised or comparable. Under s. 6 BeschV work experience is enough (2 years in the last 5). | not required by law | IT specialists |
| Engineers | EU Blue Card (s. 18g) or s. 18b | You can work without recognition; the title “Ingenieur:in” is protected and needs approval from the Baukammer Berlin | depends on the job | Engineers |
| Researchers | s. 18d (research) with a hosting agreement, no BA approval | see page | not required by law | Researchers |
| Creatives and freelancers | s. 21 (self-employment) | see page | see page | Creatives and freelancers |
| Nurses and care workers | s. 18a; see page | yes, regulated: LAGeSo | see page | Nurses |
| Doctors | s. 18b or EU Blue Card (s. 18g); see page | yes, licence (Approbation) or temporary permit: LAGeSo; specialists: Berlin Medical Association | see page | Doctors |
| Educators and teachers | s. 18a or s. 18b; see page | yes, regulated: Senate Department for Education, Youth and Family | see page | Educators and teachers |
| Cooks and hospitality | s. 18a; or s. 6 BeschV (work experience) | Not regulated; s. 18a requires equivalence (IHK FOSA) | see page | Cooks and hospitality |
| Skilled trades | s. 18a; or s. 6 BeschV (work experience) | s. 18a requires equivalence: Berlin Chamber of Crafts | see page | Skilled trades |
| Professional drivers | s. 24a BeschV (goods or passenger transport) | Para. 1: EU driving licence and initial qualification already held. Para. 2: obtained in Germany within 15 months, with the same employer; a relevant home-country driving licence is required | see page | Professional drivers |
| Without a qualification | few routes, e.g. s. 19c with BeschV; see page | – | see page | Without a qualification |
| Students | s. 16b (study); to apply s. 17(2) | no professional recognition; university access is checked (often via uni-assist) | depends on the programme | Students |
| Trainees | s. 16a (training); to search s. 17(1) | no professional recognition | proof needed (s. 16a(3)); B1 to search | Trainees |
Good to know
- Blue Card salary threshold 2026: €50,700 per year; €45,934.20 for shortage occupations and new graduates (then with BA approval). More: EU Blue Card (German).
- Section 6 BeschV (work experience): at least 2 years of work experience in the last 5 years, a salary of at least 45% of the contribution ceiling or a collective agreement, and a state-recognised foreign qualification. For IT jobs the qualification requirement does not apply.
- The responsible offices in Berlin for regulated professions are listed by the Point of Single Contact Berlin (German). Overview: Chambers and regulated professions (German).
- All permits at a glance: Residence permits (German). All links: Sources.
A question this page does not answer? Contact us. Free orientation only, no legal advice for individual cases.