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Germany’s innovative workforce has been a cornerstone of its economic growth, known for its powerful industries, particularly in fields like engineering, technology, and healthcare. As the country faces labor shortages in many sectors, the Germany Opportunity Card program, introduced in 2023, aims to bring skilled non-EU workers to fill these gaps. The program operates on a points-based system, assessing applicants based on qualifications, age, language skills, and work experience.
Here in this blog, we explore the top 5 high-demand jobs. In addition, it aligns with the needs of the program and provides excellent opportunities for skilled workers.
Let’s find out.
Table of Content
1Understanding the Opportunity Card for Germany2Job Opportunities for Indians in Germany3IT Specialists4Engineers5Nursing professionals6Doctors7Scientists8Final Thoughts9Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQ )
Understanding the Opportunity Card for Germany
The Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) for Germany is a new visa scheme aimed at helping non-EU nationals enter Germany to look for work without needing a permanent employment contract upfront. It’s designed to address Germany’s skill shortages and is based on a points system.
Here’s what you need to know about the Germany Opportunity Card :
- Your Job Search Springboard: This card allows you legal residence in Germany for up to one year. At this stage, the major concern is to attain a suitable employment opportunity.
- Freedom to Explore: Although your primary goal is to find a job, the Opportunity Card lets you work part-time (up to 20 hours a week) to support yourself while job hunting.
- Eligibility Criteria: In order to apply for this, a person needs to prove that he/she is competent and that he/she possesses the skills and experience required. This usually requires at least two years of vocational training or possession of a university degree. It is also necessary to know German at the A1 level or English at the B2 level at a minimum. You must have sufficient financial means to cover the costs of living for the duration of your stay. There is also a points-based system depending on your work experience, education, proficiency in the German/English language, and age. To be eligible you will be required to gain at least six points.
- Extending Your Stay: Landed on your ideal job in Germany before one year? Congratulations! If you wish, you can apply for the extension of the Opportunity Card. For an additional two years under certain circumstances. However, if one has not been able to secure a qualified job at the end of the initial period the card will not be renewed any further.
Job Opportunities for Indians in Germany
Germany is also suffering from a shortage of workforce in many sectors, and according to the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), the country may require as many as 7 million skilled workers in the next 15 years. This scarcity is forcing the country to go outside looking for talent and one group that is getting a lot of attention is the Indian workers.
The German Minister of Labour has recently highlighted the need for Indian skilled professionals in increasing fields. This demand is evident in the latest EURES report list showing that there are many job vacancies in Germany within 70 different occupations.
To counter this, Germany has eased some of its immigration policies thus admitting foreigners who will come and offer their skills in these certain vacancies. This measure may helps to increase immigration and guarantee that the German economy will remain competitive within the context of a shifting international environment for work.
Let’s take a look at the top jobs in high demand in Germany for the Opportunity Card!
1. IT Specialists
In Germany, IT professionals are needed on an urgent basis, which opens up various career and development prospects for those with enterprise abilities and inspiration. In the year 2020, the country documented more than 86,000 unoccupied roles in the IT industry, demonstrating the escalating requirement for skilled experts. IT specialists with credentials can find enticing job possibilities in small and medium-sized business ventures, the manufacturing industry, and international companies. Key areas with high demand include:
- Software Development: As a software developer, you’ll design and implement software using various programming languages. Your work is user-oriented, and you may program entire applications or individual components.
- Application Support: In this role, you’ll maintain and support software and hardware, such as SAP or SharePoint. Application support specialists serve as the central point of contact for a company’s products.
- IT Security: As an IT security expert, you’ll be responsible for protecting the company’s data. This role involves continuous learning to stay current with the latest security trends and developing novel solutions for software systems.
- Data Science: Data scientists analyze large data sets to deduce solutions using methods from information technology and mathematics. This role is crucial in transforming raw data into actionable insights for businesses.
IT Specialists Salary in Germany
| Jobs | Avg. salary range |
| Software Developer | €3,320 – €4,430 |
| Back-End Developer | €3,360 – €4,839 |
| Front-End Developer | €3,110 – €4,400 |
| Full-Stack Developer | €3,520 – €4,840 |
| DevOps Engineer | €3,510 – €4,960 |
Software professionals in Germany earn on an average about 60000 Euros per annum and 95% of all the IT employees in Germany are paid between 40000 Euros and 75000 Euros per annum.
2. Engineers
Germany presents countless job openings for engineers, with required certifications being highly desirable in a variety of economic niches. The sector of research and development (R&D) is striking, and it now provides many job openings for positions at a higher level. Beyond R&D, several specific engineering fields are experiencing high demand, including:
- Automation Technology: Engineers in this field focus on developing and implementing automated systems to improve efficiency and productivity in various industries.
- Supervision of Construction Planning and Architecture: This area involves overseeing construction projects, ensuring that they are completed on time, within budget, and in compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
- Automotive Industry: With a focus on electromobility and autonomous driving, engineers in this sector work on developing cutting-edge technologies for the future of transportation.
- Renewable Energies and Environmental Protection: Engineers in this field are crucial in designing and implementing sustainable energy solutions and environmental protection measures.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI): Engineers specializing in AI work on developing intelligent systems and applications that can perform tasks traditionally requiring human intelligence.
In Germany, an engineer can perform a number of tasks, which might include technical production planning and management, conducting quality checks, construction duties, and engineering of machines and models.
Engineer salaries in Germany
Here’s a summary of engineering salaries in Germany (2024) based on a nationwide salary survey:
Annual Salary Data:
| Average Annual Salary | €40,040 |
| Lowest Annual Salary | €17,740 |
| Highest Annual Salary | €66,580 |
Highest Paying Engineering Roles in 2024 (Average Salary Per Year):
| Roles | Salary |
| Civil Engineer | €39,800 |
| Chemical Engineer | €40,500 |
| Maintenance Engineer | €33,000 |
| Marine Engineer | €53,420 |
| Robotics Engineer | €42,700 |
This data highlights the earning potential for engineers in Germany, with electrical and marine engineers being among the top earners.
3. Nursing professionals
Germany is famous for its superior lifestyles, which help create a population that enjoys good health right up to old age. The country is experiencing a demographic transition. As life expectancy increases and the number of elderly grow, at the same time as fewer young adults are entering the workforce. This has produced a rise in the need for nursing services of a professional caliber as well as for elementary medical care.
Research predicts that we will see a notable jump in the requirement for skilled nursing personnel within the next few years. Nurses coming from abroad have, for quite a while, been essential to the German healthcare system. By partnering together with different nationalities in healthcare establishments around the nation. There are multiple options available for you if you wish to work and join Germany’s healthcare system in these multifarious teams.
Referred to as “Pflegefachfrau/-mann” or “Pflegefachperson,” in Germany you support individuals of many ages, helping them navigate life’s different stages. Nurses can work in several settings, such as:
- Inpatient Acute Care (e.g., hospitals)
- Inpatient Long-Term Care (e.g., nursing homes)
- Ambulatory Care (home care for private individuals)
- Medical Rehabilitation (both outpatient and inpatient)
- Palliative Care (both outpatient and inpatient)
The need for registered nurses is rising in each and every part of Germany. Famous cities such as Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munich, along with rural areas, face reasonable deficits of healthcare employees, which then leads to high job stability and competitive salaries.
Studies show that the average earnings for a Registered Nurse in Germany amount to €4,480 monthly. In Germany, the average extra cash payment for a Registered Nurse is €1,450, varying between €1,000 and €1,900.
Nursing Salary In Germany
The average salary of nurses in Germany that you could expect based on your years of experience is as follows:
| Experience Level | Duty Period | Annual Average Salary |
| Fresher | 1-2 Years | € 24,444 |
| Average | 2-5 Years | € 53,760 |
| Experienced | 5+ Years | €102,620 |
4. Doctors
Germany is confronted with a large demand for doctors, mainly due to an aging population and an increasing prevalence of chronic health conditions. The necessity to uphold a high-quality healthcare service standard. In particular, the availability of general practitioners and specialists is lacking in rural places. It generates chances for doctors who long to work in environments beyond cities.
Germany is an important center for foreign medical professionals. A large part of foreign-trained doctors are involved in providing healthcare services in the country. According to statistics from 2023, 57,200 foreign medical professionals are employed in Germany. This illustrates the nation’s readiness to accept learned professionals from every part of the world.
More than 32,000 of the new 65,000 registered doctors are from non-EU nations, illustrating Germany’s attractivity for health professionals from abroad. The decision of Germany to house international medical professionals mirrors the health strength of its system.
Doctors Salary in Germany
The average salary of doctors in Germany is as follows:
Work Experience Average salary per year
| Work Experience | Average salary per year |
| 1 – 2 years | 60,000 EUR |
| 3 – 5 years | 74,000 EUR |
| 6 – 10 years | 96,000 EUR |
The average salary of doctors also varies by job title. Here are the differences in earnings:
| Job Title | Average salary per month |
| Assistant Pathologist | 4,720 EUR |
| Behavioral Health Specialist | 3,940 EUR |
| Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist | 15,300 EUR |
| Clinical Psychologist | 11,400 EUR |
| Dermatologist | 10,600 EUR |
| Mental Health Therapist | 6,100 EUR |
| Neurologist | 11,100 EUR |
| Obstetrician/ Gynaecologist | 10,300 EUR |
| Ophthalmologist | 7,880 EUR |
| Optometrist | 7,430 EUR |
| Paediatrician | 8,940 EUR |
| Physiotherapist | 6,950 EUR |
| Psychiatrist | 6,890 EUR |
| Psychologist | 9,570 EUR |
| Mental Health Therapist | 6,100 EUR |
| Neurologist | 11,100 EUR |
| Obstetrician/ Gynaecologist | 10,300 EUR |
Additionally, advancements in medical technologies and treatments have increased the need for specialized medical professionals. Germany’s healthcare system actively recruits foreign-trained doctors to help fill these gaps, making it an attractive destination for doctors seeking international opportunities.
5. Scientists
Germany is widely recognized as a key player in various industrial sectors, particularly in automotive manufacturing, mechanical and process plant engineering, and the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. The country is also leading the way in emerging fields like biotechnology and nanotechnology. As of 2021, Germany ranks fourth on the Bloomberg Innovation Index, underscoring its status as one of the most innovative countries worldwide.
For scientists and mathematicians, Germany offers a wealth of career opportunities. Beyond traditional roles in research, teaching, and management, professionals in these fields can find positions in diverse areas such as IT, marketing and sales, administration and law, and finance. Key industries actively seeking scientists and mathematicians include:
With its strong focus on innovation and industry leadership, Germany provides a dynamic environment for scientific and mathematical careers, making it an attractive destination for professionals looking to advance their careers.
Scientists Salary in Germany
The average salary of scientists in different roles in Germany is as follows:
| Job Title | Salary per year |
| Research Scientist | €65,702 |
| Director of Research | €137,681 |
| Senior Research Scientist | €85,674 |
Final Thoughts
The Opportunity Card Program in Germany provides a major prospect for luring qualified international talent. This initiative hopes to address labor shortages and accelerate economic development, for an easier immigration process and a chance to investigate German job markets. As the program continues to mature, it is of critical importance to follow its effect in attracting skilled individuals, and its role in facilitating their successful integration into German society. The opportunity provided by the Opportunity Card can act as a stimulant for innovation and cultural interaction in Germany. As a result, making Germany a more attractive place for global talent.
For those exploring this opportunity, CanApprove is ready to support applicants throughout the entire process, from the initial assessment to visa submission. BOOK A CONSULTATION NOW!
