Conditions for Settling in Germany the skilled-worker category has changed considerably toward greater openness in recent years, creating clear opportunities for Vietnamese workers. However, to take advantage of it, you need to understand exactly what Germany requires.
In this article, the M2W team will lay out the full conditions for settling in Germany under the skilled-worker category according to the Skilled Immigration Act, including requirements for qualifications, experience, employment contract, salary and language. All information is sourced from the official German government portal.
The legal framework for Germany’s settlement conditions
The conditions for settling in Germany under the skilled-worker category are currently governed by the Skilled Immigration Act, known in German as the Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz. This law was reformed to attract foreign workers to fill labor shortages.
According to the official portal Make it in Germany of the German Government, the definition of a skilled worker has been broadened. It now includes not only people with a university degree but also graduates of quality vocational training.
This expansion is very important for Vietnamese applicants, as it recognizes the vocational-training path as well as the university path. As a result, many practical fields such as nursing, engineering, and hospitality have become much more feasible.
Conditions on recognized qualifications
Qualifications are a central condition in the entire system. Germany requires your foreign qualification to be recognized as equivalent to German standards.
This process is called qualification recognition, and it can be carried out before moving to Germany, or in some cases after entering the country. Whether your qualification is recognized determines whether you are eligible to work in your field.
For many fields, especially tightly regulated professions such as healthcare, qualification recognition is mandatory before practicing. You should start this process early, as it usually takes time.
Conditions on work experience
Besides qualifications, work experience is also a factor that is considered. For many pathways, you need a minimum of about two years of experience in the exact field you wish to pursue.
This experience must be linked to your trained professional qualification, demonstrating that you are genuinely capable of working in that field. Certain sectors, such as information technology, are given more favorable conditions regarding experience requirements.
The combination of a recognized qualification and practical experience is the foundation for your application to be assessed as a skilled worker under German law.
Conditions on employment contract and salary
A practical and important condition is that you need a job offer or employment contract from an employer in Germany. This is the basis for applying for a skilled-worker visa.
Regarding salary, according to official German government information, some pathways require the job to guarantee a minimum gross salary of about €45,934.20 EUR per year for 2026. If the employer applies a collective bargaining agreement, the salary set by that agreement is considered sufficient.
This salary threshold is meant to ensure you have enough income to live on in Germany without relying on benefits. It is also a factor that distinguishes skilled workers from other worker categories.
Language requirements
German is a major advantage, but the specific requirement depends on the pathway and profession. For some pathways under the new law, the language requirement for visa purposes has been significantly relaxed.
However, for regulated professions or those involving direct contact with the public, such as nursing, a certain level of German is still a mandatory condition for recognition and practice.
In practice, even though it is not always mandatory for the visa, good German will help you integrate quickly, find work more easily and advance more sustainably. This is an investment you should prioritize.
Common pathways to settle in Germany
Based on the conditions above, Germany offers several different pathways for workers to choose from according to their profile. Each pathway suits a different group of applicants.
Those who already have a qualification and a contract can pursue the traditional skilled-worker category. Those with expertise but no job yet can consider the points-based job-seeker visa (Chancenkarte). You can learn more in the article Chancenkarte là gì và bài EU Blue Card Germany.
Choosing the right pathway from the start helps you prepare the correct documents and avoid wasting time going in the wrong direction. Each category has its own pros and cons that need careful consideration.
Summary
In summary, the conditions for settling in Germany under the skilled-worker category revolve around four pillars: a recognized qualification, relevant experience, an employment contract meeting the salary threshold, and language requirements that vary by profession. The new law has opened the door wider for vocational-training graduates as well, not just university degree holders.
The M2W team’s advice is to start the qualification recognition process and learn German as early as possible, since these are the two most time-consuming steps. To understand the full picture, you should continue reading the article skilled migration to Germany.
Read more: Overview of migrating to Germany · Germany job-seeker visa for university graduates
