A residence permit for employment as a skilled professional with an academic degree grants you access to the labor market in Germany. You can only apply for it in person at your local Foreigners’ Registration Office. Spouses of holders of a residence permit for skilled employment are also eligible to receive a residence permit.

You can apply for the residence permit if you have a completed university degree. If you do not have a German university degree, your degree must either be recognized or deemed comparable to a German university degree. You can have your degree recognized or its comparability determined even before you enter Germany.

In addition, you must submit an employment contract or a binding job offer. If you are 45 years of age or older, you must provide proof of a specific minimum salary. The minimum gross salary is set annually and amounts to EUR 46,860 in 2021. Even if you do not meet this minimum salary requirement, you may still be granted a residence permit to pursue a qualified occupation if you provide proof of adequate retirement benefits or, in special cases, if there is a public interest in the employment. A special case may arise if the employment serves a public interest.

The Federal Employment Agency assesses whether the working conditions correspond to those of comparable German employees and whether a domestic employment relationship exists.

The residence permit is a temporary residence permit. It is issued for 4 years in the case of permanent employment contracts and can be extended. If the duration of your employment contract is less than 4 years, the residence permit is issued for the duration of your employment contract.

As the holder of a residence permit to pursue qualified employment for professionals with a college degree, you may also be eligible for a settlement permit under certain conditions. This entitles you to permanent residence.

Exception: As a national of an EU member state, you have access to the labor market based on your right to free movement and do not need a residence permit. You may engage in self-employment or employment in Germany under the right of establishment or the free movement of workers. This also applies to nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.

Note: If you are highly qualified, you may also be eligible for the “EU Blue Card” as a residence permit. Different requirements apply here, including a minimum salary requirement regardless of age.