Special regulations

Under certain conditions, you can obtain a work permit for Germany with professional experience even without formal recognition of your qualifications. This means that you do not have to provide proof of a German or German-recognized professional qualification. This special regulation only applies to non-regulated professions.

Requirements:

• At least 2 years of relevant professional experience in the last 5 years,
• Training or study qualification (at least 2 years) that is recognized by the state in the country of origin or AHK training qualification, proof of qualification through
  • positive information on professional qualification from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) or
  • digital certificate evaluation for your university degree from the ZAB or positive evaluation of the degree in the anabin database
  • an AHK vocational training certificate (category A) as confirmation of vocational training at a German Chamber of Commerce Abroad (AHK)
• a concrete job offer with a minimum annual gross salary of €43,470 (as of 2025) - for employers bound by collective agreements, the salary limit does not apply; on reaching the age of 45 and first-time issue: minimum annual gross salary of €53,130 (2025) or appropriate pension provision
• Approvalfrom the Federal Employment Agency (this approval is obtained from the visa office or immigration authority)

If you work in the IT sector, you do not need to provide proof of a formal university or professional qualification.

If you have less than two years of training in the care sector, you can work as a care assistant in Saxony under certain conditions.

Requirements:

• German vocational training as a nursing assistant or a foreign qualification that is recognized as equivalent
• Concrete and binding job offer as a care assistant
• Upon reaching the age of 45 and first-time issue: minimum annual gross salary of € 53,130 (2025) or adequate pension provision
• Approval from the Federal Employment Agency

Under certain conditions, you can also work as a truck or bus driver in Germany without formal training. To do this, you need a suitable driving license (e.g. C1, C1E C, CE, D1, D1E, D or DE) and the (accelerated) EU or EEA basic qualification for goods or passenger transport.

If you have a driving license for trucks or buses from a country outside the EU/EEA, you can also be employed in another job (as a co-driver, warehouse assistant, etc.). At the same time, you can complete the necessary training in Saxony to obtain your driver's license and basic qualification.

Important: You must have your driver's license transferred within 6 months of registering your place of residence.

Requirements:

• Driving license from a third country and professional experience as a professional driver
• Employment contract for employment during the qualification
• Acquisition of basic qualification, German driving license and, if applicable, language skills within 15 months
• Concrete job offer as a professional driver after completion
• Upon reaching the age of 45 and first-time issue: minimum annual gross salary of € 53,130 (2025) or adequate pension provision
• Approval from the Federal Employment Agency

You are a teacher from abroad and teach languages or other subjects in your native language.

Then you can work in Saxony under certain conditions:

• Concrete job offer to teach native language lessons in schools
• Approval from the Federal Employment Agency if you are not self-employed
• Securing your livelihood
• Possible recognition of your qualification by the school authorities

The residence permit for this employment as a teacher can be issued for a maximum of five years. Renewed employment for the same purpose is possible after a three-year break in residence.

If you are planning to work as a freelance language teacher for native language lessons, you can apply for a visa for self-employment.

If you would like to work in Germany as an artist for longer than 90 days, you generally need a work visa with the approval of the Federal Employment Agency, which you apply for at the diplomatic mission in your country of origin.

For shorter periods of employment (e.g. performances of particular artistic value, such as festivals or music and cultural days), which do not last more than 90 days per year, a work visa may not be necessary. This is decided by the German diplomatic mission abroad.

If you would like to work independently as an artist for more than 90 days, you will generally require a self-employed visa.

If you are unable to have your professional qualification recognized because important documents are missing, a so-called qualification analysis can help. This involves demonstrating your professional skills through work samples, technical interviews or trial work.

The decision on the qualification analysis lies with the competent authority in Germany.

Prerequisites:

• A decision by the competent body that a skills analysis is required,
• a confirmation and registration for a skills analysis in Germany,
• German language skills at level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
• Securing your livelihood: You can prove that your livelihood is secured for the duration of your stay in Germany. You can prove this in the form of a blocked account (generally at least 1,091 euros per month in 2025) or a declaration of commitment.

The visa is valid for a maximum of six months. If adaptation and compensation measures are recommended, your stay can be extended in order to take part in corresponding qualification measures in Germany.