Moving to Germany: What You Actually Need – Language, Visa, Credential Recognition

Reading time: 8 minutes | Category: Living and Working in Germany

Thinking about moving to Germany, Austria or Switzerland? The opportunities are real: a massive skills shortage, new visa regulations and a growing need for international professionals make the German-speaking DACH region more accessible than ever. But the path has concrete steps – and the most important one is the language. This article walks you through what you actually need and in what order.

Why is now the right time?

Between November 2023 and June 2024, Germany fundamentally reformed its Skilled Immigration Act (Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz) in three stages. The changes – from easier residence permits for skilled workers (§§ 18a/18b AufenthG, since November 2023) and recognition partnerships for foreign qualifications (since March 2024) to the new points-based Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) (§ 20a AufenthG, since June 2024) – significantly ease access to the labor market for qualified professionals from non-EU countries. At the same time, demand is rising across nearly every sector: healthcare, IT, engineering, skilled trades and hospitality are all actively recruiting.

Austria and Switzerland have similar programs. Austria's Red-White-Red Card and Switzerland's work permits offer comparable pathways for skilled professionals from Latin America and beyond.

But all three countries have one thing in common: without German language skills, very little is possible.

The 5 Steps to Moving to Germany

The process can feel overwhelming, but it breaks down into five clear stages. The good news: much of it can be prepared from your home country.

Step 1: Learn German – the foundation for everything

The German language isn't just a box to tick – it's the key to everything: visa applications, dealing with authorities, job interviews, daily work and social integration. The earlier you start, the better.

What level do you need? That depends on your goal:

Your level must be proven with an internationally recognized certificate. The most important providers are the ÖSD (Austrian German Language Diploma) and the Goethe-Institut. ÖSD certificates are accepted in all three DACH countries for visa applications, credential recognition and citizenship.

Exam preparation tip: The platform ZertifikatDeutsch.online offers targeted online practice exams for over 50 exam formats from ÖSD, Goethe-Institut and telc – from A1 to C2, including nursing and medical German. Ideal for preparing for your certificate exam alongside your language course.

Step 2: Get your credentials recognized (Anerkennung)

If you want to work in a regulated profession in Germany – medicine, nursing, engineering, teaching, law – your qualifications must be officially recognized. This process is called Anerkennung (credential recognition).

The process at a glance:

1. Identify the responsible authority – The recognition body depends on the federal state and your profession. The anabin database and the anerkennung-in-deutschland.de portal can help you navigate this.
2. Gather your documents – Diplomas, curricula, proof of work experience, certified translations where needed.
3. Submit your application – In many cases, you can start this from abroad.
4. Wait for the decision – Outcomes: full recognition, partial recognition (with conditions), or rejection.
5. Complete any bridging measures – For partial recognition, additional exams or practical training may be required (e.g. the medical language exam for doctors).

For non-regulated professions (e.g. many IT roles, business administration, skilled trades), formal recognition is often not mandatory – but it significantly improves your chances on the job market.

Step 3: Visa and residence permit

Citizens of most Latin American and many other non-EU countries need a visa to work in Germany. The main visa categories:

• Skilled Worker Visa (§§ 18a/18b AufenthG) – For professionals with a recognized vocational qualification (§ 18a) or university degree (§ 18b) and a concrete job offer. Since November 2023, there is a legal entitlement to the residence permit – and the position no longer needs to match the qualification; any qualified employment qualifies.
• EU Blue Card (§ 18g AufenthG) – For highly qualified professionals with a university degree and a job offer above a certain salary threshold (2026: €50,700 gross/year, or €45,934 for shortage occupations). The eligible group was expanded to include career starters and IT specialists without a university degree.
• Recognition Partnership / Anerkennungspartnerschaft (§ 16d Abs. 3 AufenthG) – Since March 2024: entry and employment before formal credential recognition. Employer and skilled worker commit to completing the recognition process after arrival. Requirements: at least two years of training and German at A2 level.
• Opportunity Card / Chancenkarte (§ 20a AufenthG) – Since June 2024: a points-based system with no prior job offer required. Points are awarded for qualifications, language skills, work experience, age and ties to Germany (minimum 6 points needed). Requirements: German at A1 or English at B2 level, plus a state-recognized qualification. Issued for up to one year, with the possibility of extension.

Key takeaway: For nearly all visa categories, German language skills are either required or earn crucial bonus points. For the Chancenkarte, German skills above A1 count toward the points system; for §§ 18a/18b, language is decisive for job interviews and integration. An ÖSD or Goethe certificate is the recognized proof.

Step 4: Find a job

Your job search can start from abroad. Key platforms and resources:

• make-it-in-germany.com – The official German government portal for international skilled workers.
• Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) – Job board and advisory services, also for international applicants.
• LinkedIn and XING – Professional networking, especially for qualified professionals.
• Recruitment agencies – Particularly in healthcare, specialized agencies can guide you through the entire process.

A convincing job interview in German – even via video call – can make all the difference. That's why your language level isn't just a number on paper: it's a real skill that employers will test.

Step 5: Arrive and integrate

Emigration doesn't end when you land. The first months in Germany come with a wave of administrative tasks: registering your address, opening a bank account, getting health insurance, applying for a tax ID.

And then there's everyday life: doctor's appointments, rental contracts, parent-teacher meetings, conversations with neighbors. All of this happens in German. Those who invested in the language before arrival experience this phase as a natural transition – not a roadblock.

Common Mistakes When Moving to Germany

From our experience with hundreds of course participants who have made the move to Germany, we see the same stumbling blocks again and again:

1. "I'll learn German once I'm in Germany" – The biggest mistake. Arriving without language skills means losing months in integration courses while being professionally sidelined.
2. Starting the recognition process too late – Credential recognition can take 6–12 months. Preparing your documents while studying German saves valuable time.
3. Overestimating English – In international corporations and IT, English goes a long way. In most other professions, in healthcare and in daily life, German is essential.
4. Unreliable agencies – Unfortunately, some agencies sell overpriced packages with little substance. Stick to official sources and don't let anyone pressure you.

Realistic Timeline: From Decision to Departure

A well-planned emigration process typically takes 18 to 30 months – depending on your starting point and target level. Here's what a realistic timeline looks like:

Conclusion: Start with the Language

Moving to Germany is a project, not a leap of faith. The individual steps – language, credential recognition, visa, job, integration – build on each other. And the first, most important step is always the same: learn German.

Every level you reach before departure saves you time, money and frustration after arrival. And with a recognized certificate in hand, doors open that would otherwise stay closed.

About the author

Daniel is a political scientist, German language teacher and ÖSD examiner at Sprachzentrum Buenos Aires, the official ÖSD exam center in Argentina. He has been guiding course participants on their path to emigrating to the DACH region for years and knows the typical questions and challenges from daily practice.

Sources and further reading

• Skilled Immigration Act (Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz) – Federal Law Gazette 2023 No. 217, entered into force in three stages (November 2023, March 2024, June 2024)
• make-it-in-germany.com – Official government portal for skilled workers from abroad
• anerkennung-in-deutschland.de – Information portal for recognition of foreign professional qualifications
• Red-White-Red Card – Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior
• State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) – Swiss Confederation