Germany Experienced Worker
Germany
Residency
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See if you're a match →Germany's visa for professionally experienced workers is for people with recent qualified work experience and a German job offer in a non-regulated profession. It generally requires a qualifying foreign qualification or IT-specialist exception, at least two years of recent relevant experience, salary at or above Germany's 2026 threshold or a collective agreement, and Federal Employment Agency approval.
- Type
- Experienced-worker residence
- Job fit
- Experienced workers in non-regulated German roles
- Core requirements
- Recent experience, qualifying job, salary or collective agreement
- What to know
- IT workers can qualify without formal qualification proof
Summary
Germany's Visa for Professionally Experienced Workers is for people with qualified recent work experience and a German job offer in a non-regulated profession. It can be useful where the applicant has strong experience but does not fit the ordinary skilled-worker recognition route cleanly.
The official route generally requires:
- A foreign non-academic vocational qualification or academic qualification recognized by the country where it was obtained
- At least two years of qualified professional experience within the last five years
- A concrete German job offer in a non-regulated profession
- A gross annual salary of at least €45,630 in 2026, unless the employer is bound by a collective agreement
- Federal Employment Agency approval
For experienced IT professionals, Germany has a special exception: no proof of formal qualification is required if the IT experience and job otherwise fit.
Eligibility
- Recent qualified professional experience related to the German role
- German job offer in a non-regulated profession
- Foreign qualification recognized where it was earned, unless relying on the IT-specialist exception
- Salary threshold or collective agreement route satisfied
- Over-45 salary or pension rule satisfied, if applicable
What This Pathway Allows
If approved, this pathway allows you to live in Germany and work in the approved role. Germany's official guidance says extension is usually possible while you remain employed and can cover living costs.
Settlement may be available after five years under the general settlement rules.
What This Pathway Is Not
This is not for regulated professions such as many healthcare roles. Those usually require recognition or licensing first. Compare the Germany Recognition Measures, Germany Recognition Partnership, or Germany Skilled Worker pathways.
Next Steps
- Confirm whether the German job is non-regulated.
- Gather proof of at least two years of relevant experience in the last five years.
- Check whether your foreign qualification can be documented, or whether you fit the IT-specialist exception.
- Verify the salary, collective agreement, and over-45 rules.
- Prepare the employer's declaration of employment and other visa documents.