Settling in Germany in the engineering sector is an appealing direction for Vietnamese engineers because Germany is an industrial powerhouse with very strong demand for engineers. Settling in Germany in engineering has many favorable paths. This article analyzes it.
Settling in Germany in the engineering sector: why there are opportunities
Settling in Germany in the engineering sector offers great opportunities because German industry is short of engineers across many sub-fields: mechanical, electrical-electronics, automotive, chemical, construction, and renewable energy. Major corporations (Siemens, BMW, Volkswagen, Bosch, BASF) as well as many Mittelstand firms all have demand.
Engineering belongs to the STEM group recognized by the EU Blue Card as a shortage occupation, applying the preferential salary threshold of EUR 45,934.20/year in 2026. This is a great advantage for Vietnamese engineers.
Degrees and recognition
Engineering degrees from Vietnamese public universities are usually classified by Anabin as H+ (fully recognized). Before submitting a Blue Card or Chancenkarte application, engineers should check their university on Anabin to know its status.
If a university’s degree is not yet on Anabin or is rated H-, an equivalence assessment via ZAB is needed. Some engineering sub-fields are regulated professions (such as a civil engineer responsible for designing large-scale construction projects) requiring separate professional recognition.
Strategy for Vietnamese engineers
A practical strategy for Vietnamese engineers: learn German while preparing your application, aiming for B1 or higher since engineering requires close communication with German colleagues. Look for jobs at international companies with an English-speaking environment initially, then improve your German.
The community of Vietnamese engineers in Germany is concentrated in Stuttgart (Mercedes-Benz, Porsche), Munich (BMW), Frankfurt (chemicals), and Berlin (startups). Specific regulations may be updated, so you should check the official page for current requirements.
You should refer to EU Blue Card Duc and the Make it in Germany portal to check current conditions.
Summary
Settling in Germany in the engineering sector offers great opportunities because Germany lacks engineers in mechanical, electrical-electronics, automotive, chemical, construction, and energy fields. STEM belongs to the Blue Card shortage-occupation group, with a preferential salary threshold of EUR 45,934 (2026). Vietnamese engineering degrees are usually H+ on Anabin. Strategy: German at B1+, international companies initially. Communities of Vietnamese engineers in Stuttgart/Munich/Frankfurt.
